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Travelling the Camino
Fr John Ansell tells us of the
benefit of a Congregational Rule
of Life
Southwark Reader Issue 99 July 2011 The latest news for licensed lay ministers in the Southwark diocese
A Congregational Rule of Life
We are told about the Diocese’s
recent pilgrimage to Santiago de
Compostela by Reader Carolyn
Ogden
Published by The Board of Southwark Diocesan Association of Readers
Walking the Dominican
path
8 Peter Charles tells us about
becoming a Dominican
News and regular items
Letter from the Editor Page 2
Something for free! Page 2
Readers’ Funeral Course Page 3
Triennial Re-licensing Page 3
Letter to the Editor Page 3
Letter from the Acting Warden Page 4
Call for your experiences Page 4
News from the Registrar Page 6
Woolwich Area Readers reminder Page 6
Reflection Page 9
Communion by Extension Page 9
Harvest intercessions Page 11
Reader Service reminder Page 12
Readers’ Board Contacts Page 12
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Summer issue 2013 The latest news for licensed lay ministers in the Southwark diocese
Commemoration of All Souls Julian Pearcey helps us to create
a worthy celebration 10
A Spiritual life -
St Dominic, St James
and a Rule of Life
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Southwark Reader
Dear fellow Readers Thanks to the wonderful weather I am writing this letter sitting in my garden watching the goldfinches devour the niger seed! We have certainly been very lucky this summer – the weather has been great, a new prince has been born and the British sportsmen and women have once again done us proud one year on from the Olympics and Paralympics. And of course it’s not just the Olympic and Paralympic stars but also the England cricket team, Chris Froome in the Tour de France and Andy Murray finally winning Wimbledon. In my letter last summer I said that I hoped that the feel-good factor engendered by the Olympics and Paralympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee would last. This appears to have been borne out as a recent survey has shown that there is a real upbeat feeling throughout the country. Long may it last! I have certainly had a great summer celebrating my Silver Wedding Anniversary by revisiting Charmouth Beach where Andrew proposed to me; attending the Anniversary Games and watching Mo Farah and Christine Ohuruogu win their races and feeding the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery – an experience (and a joy) which is usually reserved for children.
There’s no doubt that life is fun but busy, busy, busy as I’m sure it is for many of you. In this edition of Southwark Reader we explore ways to slow down and immerse ourselves in our spiritual lives. Fr John Ansell, a tutor on the Reader course, writes about ways in which to create a personal and congregational Rule of Life and Peter Charles, a Reader in Catford, tells us about his life as a lay brother of the Dominicans. A pilgrimage is always a moving experience and as we make our way along the route it helps us get closer to God. Caroline Ogden, an East Wickham Reader, writes about her journey on the recent diocesan pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
It’s not often that we all get together as Readers but in October we have the opportunity to at the Admission and Licensing of Readers service. An opportunity to show our solidarity as licensed lay ministers in the Church of England as we all process in our robes through Southwark Cathedral. Please don’t forget to pray for those whose special day it will be and also for all those in training.
There is also a lot of essential information in this edition about other future events and Bishop Christopher has an important message for all of us and our incumbents about Communion by Extension. There are also details about how you can contribute to the nationwide The Reader magazine but please don’t forget this your own publication. I love to receive articles and letters from you. Please email them to: [email protected] - the more the merrier! Please also let me know if there is a topic that you would like featured in a future edition.
Letter from the Editor So as summer turns to autumn and harvest may God continue to bless you in your ministry and I look forward to seeing you in Southwark Cathedral in October.
Best wishes
Nicole
Southwark Reader is published three times a year by The Board of Southwark Diocesan Association of Readers.
© 2013 all rights reserved Photos: Courtesy of Southwark Diocesan Communications, One of Us, CARM, Nicole Burgum
SOMETHING FOR FREE!
As many of you will recall, the Diocese of Southwark celebrated its centenary in 2005. In that year they published Diocese of Southwark – 1905 – 2005 - A Centennial Celebration.
There are some copies of the book available free from Trinity House. First come, first served.
Me feeding the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery.
A great place to visit.
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Southwark Reader
Readers’ Funeral Course
St. Matthew’s House, Croydon
Led by: Lu Gale and Hilary Fife
Wednesdays 9, 16, 23 October and Wednesdays 6, 13 November and
Thursday 21 November 2013
7pm-9pm
Cost: £50 payable by the PCC
The course is in two sections. Part 1 is the six week taught component and part 2 is the practical component to be completed in cooperation with Reader and Incumbent. It will prepare Readers to take funerals with the permission of their incumbents.
Part 1 of the course will run on 5 Wednesdays beginning on 9 October 2013, 7-9pm and one Thursday evening on 21 November, 7-9pm
Led by: Revd Hilary Fife, Senior Chaplain to Croydon University Hospital and Revd Lu Gale, Officer for Lay Ministry and Mission.
The course is intended for Readers who have been licensed for at least one year who wish to officiate at funeral services. Please note: Readers must have the permission of their incumbents before beginning the course.
For further information and an application form please contact Christine Flowerdew on 020 7939 9476 or email her: [email protected]
IMPORTANT EVENT
Triennial Re-licensing of Readers
Saturday 8 February 2014 in Southwark Cathedral
9.30 for 10am – 3.30pm
The day will include keynote address from Rt Revd Robert Paterson, Bishop of Sodor and Man who is Chair of The Central Readers’ Council, workshops, lunch, AGM and service of re-licensing with the Bishop of Southwark.
This is an event you MUST NOT MISS so please make a note in your diaries NOW!
Letter to the Editor
From Ian Yearsley, Reader Emeritus, Parish of Putney
I was very pleased to see Brian Griffiths’ article in the Easter issue on Supporting the Redundant with Job-Clubs. Some years ago, when we ran groups in this parish for those who had lost their jobs, I was struck by the strong parallels between experiences of bereavement and those of job-loss; indeed we were able to take material from the book on bereavement by Ian Ainsworth-Smith and Peter Speck and apply it with little more change than replacing “bereavement” with “job-loss” or “redundancy”. Perhaps the big difference is that bereavement is loss of another person; redundancy is the loss of part of yourself. Our underlying philosophy was that jobs, technologies, workplaces and skills may well become redundant, but in the sight of God, people are never redundant.
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Southwark Reader
Letter from the Acting Warden
September is an interesting month and embraces changes of all sorts. Some exciting, some daunting and some quite unexpectedly challenging. New schools, new jobs, new horizons and for the 14 people being Admitted and Licensed as Readers on 14 October a new move into Licensed Lay Ministry. Whatever our new circumstance I know we do appreciate the support of the not so new. This year the Bishop of Southwark has invited all Southwark Readers who feel able to attend to robe and be present at Southwark Cathedral to give our support and encouragement to these new Readers. Over the previous weekend they all will be on retreat at Wychroft. I know some of you will be there also enjoying the parallel retreat. Please pray for them and include them in the prayers in your church. Not only are we asking God to be with them at a sacred and meaningful time we are also asking our congregations to pray for all Readers and especially those in Southwark.
There are parishes who will be welcoming into their midst someone who now carries a formal label which may be unfamiliar to them. The title Reader may for them hold an air of mystery – what does a Reader do? When I was asked that question I replied that I hoped that as my ministry developed it would help both them and me to recognise how a Reader may encourage the Kingdom to grow on earth. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The four years of formal training are just the beginning.
Although Canon Law and the authority in the wording of the
service when one is Admitted and Licensed as a Reader in the Church of England is the same for everyone no two Readers are the same. Their personalities, their ministry and their relationship with God are unique. The opportunities that emerge may be totally unforeseen. Many times I have heard a Reader say “I never imagined I’d be ….” The privilege of Reader ministry is enormous and never ending. The confidence God places in us grows with us but we do have a personal responsibility to feed and nurture our spiritual growth. To allow and encourage that growth. The regular lectures, group discussions, church placements and essays many have enjoyed to prepare them for their ministry are just the beginning. The new beginning that the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness brings can be both stimulating and thought-provoking. The Christian year unfolds and each season offers individual inspiration. This year particularly sown land of God’s goodness has enjoyed a warm and fruitful summer. It has been fed and watered by his Almighty hand. As is our ministry. In the words of Charles Wesley:
Forth in thy name, O Lord I go My daily labour to pursue;
Thee, only thee, resolved to know, In all I think or speak or do.
Trot Lavelle
I've just spent two happy weeks at my computer analysing the results of the survey which the Editorial committee of The Reader magazine asked people to complete earlier this year. OK, so it was a bit of a chore entering all the data from nearly 900 completed survey forms, but I was delighted by the response as I was told to expect a 2% response rate whereas it was very nearly 10%. What was clear from the results is that people would like to hear more from ordinary Readers about the diversity of ministry and experiences that we are all involved in. I'm sure there are many Readers in Southwark diocese who could share something of what they are doing – or share their views on any of the many issues which face us day by day. We'd really like to hear from anyone who is involved in a project or ministry which is a bit different from the usual round of teaching/preaching and occasional services, valuable as these are; or from anyone with strong views about the future of Reader ministry either locally or nationally. Magazines thrive on input from real people doing real things, and this is an open invitation from the magazine committee to all Readers to contribute.
Having said that, it is also important to support Nicole and the editorial team who produce the Southwark Reader. So how about it? Is there something you want to say to your colleagues in Southwark or something you could share about what you are doing as a Reader? Would you like to write something for the national Reader magazine? Maybe you just want to share your views and comments about one of the many issues that challenge us – we'd love to hear from you.
If you want to contribute to The Reader magazine please contact me at [email protected].
Thank you for your support.
Marion Gray Chair CRC Editorial Committee
The Reader & Southwark Reader need you – Share your thoughts and experiences
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Southwark Reader
A Congregational Rule of Life
The Personal rule
To be free and effective as Christian ministers, it seems that we need to apply some order and discipline to our lives, or the chaos of parish life can easily overwhelm us. For some, this means creating a personal rule of life, and as a tutor on the Reader Training course, I have encouraged students to create such rules, in order to give a firm base for their ministry as Readers. Working with a spiritual director, we can each create a pattern of prayer, worship and action which fits our situation and helps us to grow into the full stature of Christ.
The Congregational rule
But recently, I have become convinced that we need to order the corporate life of the parish church in a similar way. As an experiment, I worked with my PCC to create a Congregational Rule of Life, which has been the basis for our way of doing church for several years now, and has helped us to keep ‘up to the mark’, when we have been tempted to let things slide. This rule reflects our normal practice and expectations, giving expression and definition to our particular way of being church. Our Rule also contains some aspirations for how we ought to be.
I urge every congregation to set down their own priorities for devotion and mission, using a Rule of Life to outline their needs, hopes and dreams in a way which is unique and specifically tailored to their own situation and church style.
How to set it up
In the case of my own congregation, we already had a mission statement. If your parish doesn’t have one, this is a good place to start - ideally no more than two sentences, encapsulating as much as possible of the unifying vision for your church. Here’s ours (see panel on the right).
When a Mission Statement of your own has been agreed and published on your church notice board for all to see, the Church Council can get to work on a draft document which ‘incarnates’ your mission statement in specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-specific projects (S.M.A.R.T.)
We gave ourselves four departments within which to work:
1. Worship and Prayer 2. Faith Development and Evangelism 3. Pastoral Care and Mission 4. Stewardship and Finance
We set ourselves clear goals for each activity of the church,
incorporating any policies that had been adopted, describing
the nature of each activity, and setting down conditions for the way these activities will be conducted in the future. In fairness, it must be said that we have not yet arrived at a perfect expression of our goals – but the Rule of Life gives us a ‘road map’ leading in the right direction.
As with a personal Rule of Life, it is important to set a tension between idealism and reality. While the personal rule should encourage spiritual growth of the individual, so the congregational rule should have a positive impact on church growth in the parish.
Inaugurating and Renewing the Rule
A Congregational Rule of Life should remain a benchmark for the Christian life as it is perceived in each parish – but it is easier to set up than to maintain, of course! Therefore, I suggest, no Rule should be inaugurated except in the context of prayers to the Holy Spirit in the presence and with the blessing of the appropriate bishop or archdeacon; it should then be reviewed each year by the Church Council, to allow for developments and changes in the circumstances of the parish. The congregation could then take part in an Act of Re-dedication and Commitment each year at the time of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
For more information and advice, please contact the Diocesan Spiritual Formation Group through me, John Ansell (chair), on [email protected] or Chris Chapman (Diocesan Spiritual Formation Adviser) on [email protected]
FR JOHN ANSELL
Fr John Ansell is the Vicar of Mitcham Parish Church and a spirituality tutor on the Reader training course. He strongly believes in a personal Rule of Life but in this article tells us how a Congregational Rule of Life can be beneficial to
parish life.
A MISSION STATEMENT
Responding to the Father’s call and our need for his love,
Sharing our life in Christ and his Way, together we seek guidance of
the Holy Spirit, that we may be faithful subjects of the kingdom of
heaven and a channel of divine grace in this place.
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Southwark Reader
SDAR News
Board Meetings
The meeting to discuss the Board’s response to Strategy for Ministry due for 1 June was cancelled due to so few members being able to attend on the date.
Dates 2013 Board meetings - Thursday 26 September and Wednesday 4 December. Admission & Licensing service at Southwark Cathedral 2013: Monday 14 October at 7.30pm.
This year there will be a few changes. All the Area Bishops will be in attendance and will be scarfing the Readers who are being licensed to their particular Area. In addition, all Readers are invited to robe and take part in the procession. I hope to see as many of you as possible.
Please pray for the candidates who will be Admitted and Licensed:
Timothy Cave – St John the Evangelist, Blackheath
Andrew Gillam – Emmanuel, South Croydon
Peter Haddock – Morden Team Ministry
Johanna Hearn – St Mary, Wimbledon
Tim Hill – Horley Team Ministry
Roly Howarth – Holy Trinity & St Matthias, Tulse Hill
Susan Knight – St Peter, Woodmansterne
Pauline Leslie – St Mildred, Lee
Clive Lewis-Jones – Emmanuel, South Croydon
Christine McCutchion – St John the Evangelist, Coulsdon
Gerard McKeown – St Peter & St Paul, Nutfield
Caroline Myers – Putney Team Ministry
Barbara Skilton - St Mildred, Addiscombe
Ann Smith – St Mary Magdalene, Peckham
Annual Forms If you haven’t returned any forms please return them as soon as possible.
Triennial Re-licensing - 8 February 2014
8 February 2014 in Southwark Cathedral. 9.30 for 10 am – 3.30pm. The day will include keynote address from Rt Revd Robert Paterson, Bishop of Sodor and Man who is Chair of The Central Readers’ Council, workshops, lunch, AGM and service of re-licensing with the Bishop of Southwark.
This is a date you MUST NOT MISS so please make a note in your diaries NOW!
Anniversaries It is with great joy that we celebrate with David Henwood his 50th Anniversary as a Reader. David served for a number of years as Registrar of Readers in Southwark Diocese. It is my pleasure to wish David well on reaching this milestone and also to other Readers who are celebrating a particular anniversary this year. Congratulations, David, and may God bless you in your ministry in the years ahead at St John’s, Old Coulsdon. I am celebrating my 25th Anniversary on the Feast of St Michael’s and All Angels at St George’s, Shirley.
Ray Wheeler
A reminder for Woolwich Area Readers
Don’t forget that there is a "get-together" for all Woolwich Area Readers at The Pavilion Tea House in Greenwich Park on Sunday 15 September from 2-4pm. If you haven’t already replied to Marion Watson please email her on [email protected] or phone her on 020 8690 0680 by 1 September.
And please make a note of the Quiet Day to be held on Saturday 5 April 2014
at St John’s, Blackheath.
News from the Registrar
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Southwark Reader
Travelling the Camino
On 24 May 44 intrepid pilgrims gathered at Heathrow Airport. There we met Andrew Nunn, the Dean of Southwark Cathedral, who was to lead our pilgrimage. At the airport were also members from Southwark Cathedral who were walking about 100km along the Camino – the Way of St James - to the Shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostela - whereas we were part walking and part coaching. The flight was a little delayed due to an emergency at the airport, but eventually we were off and soon arrived in Bilbao.
At Bilbao we met with our driver Mingo and our guide Emma and were taken to our hotel. The first morning we started our walk of The Way by visiting the medieval part of Bilbao and the famous Guggenheim Museum. It was a strange way to start but we were told by our guide that this was an ancient route. We stood outside one of entrances to the cathedral dedicated to St James and there above the door were the scallop shells – a symbol of pilgrimage. It was a reminder to us all that this was on the ancient Camino.
We left Bilbao and travelled towards Pamplona. It was a beautiful journey. This part of northern Spain gets a lot of rain, so is very green. On the way we stopped in Loyola. This was both the birthplace of St Ignatius and where following the injury he received as a soldier in battle defending Pamplona he was converted. Loyola was a small town and but the dome of the Church of St Ignatius is a prominent feature. We then continued onto Pamplona.
We awoke on day three - Trinity Sunday. The sky was clear. We were to visit the city of Pamplona and its gothic cathedral before lunch. After lunch we travelled along the Pyrenees to the mountain village of Ibaneta. There began our first walk. It was a 2km walk to Roncesvalles where we would celebrate the Eucharist, then continue walking the 8kms to Espinal.
As we walked we passed other pilgrims and our guide had mentioned to say ‘Buen Camino’ to those we met. Along this walk was one pilgrim who was unable to find room in the hostels along the way, he was therefore having to keep walking to the next hostel and hoped he could find rest. One of our party gave him her water as he had none with him.
We began to realise that we were only playing at The Way. There were pilgrims we passed in our coach walking the complete Camino with all their worldly goods in a pack on their back. We had our cases taken from our rooms, put on the coach and then taken to our new rooms at the next hotel.
The Camino has been a pilgrimage route since medieval times. Caroline Ogden tells us about the recent diocesan trip to follow along that way.
As we walked part of the Camino we began to see the familiar markers of the yellow shell on a blue background. Everywhere there were signs and symbols of St James.
Our journey continued from Pamplona, through Santo Domingo de la Calzada and on to Burgos. From Burgos we travelled to León. As we travelled we saw many churches and cathedrals in various styles. I’m not sure if I’m still good at telling the difference between Gothic and Baroque architecture!
From León we continued our travels via Astorga to the small town of Foncebadón where we were going to walk from there to Cruz de Hierra (Iron Cross), The Way’s highest point. This was where I met my hardest challenge. My health is not great and although our guide had told us the walk would be ‘steepy’ I had not thought of the challenge it would give me. But I managed it and the sense of achievement was something else.
By now we were nearing the Heavenly city. We stopped outside the city and walked in getting our first glimpse of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We entered and stood in line to venerate the statue of St James and have a brief look around before returning to our hotel.
The following morning we met outside the cathedral in the sunshine. The most moving moment for many of us was when three men entered the square in front to the cathedral. They ran to the centre, threw off their packs, fell to their knees and kissed the ground. The scene played out in front of us just proved how important the Camino pilgrimage still is in today’s society as it was centuries ago.
After a tour of the cathedral we sat with other pilgrims for the pilgrim mass and we were reunited with the Southwark walkers who really had walked a lot of the Camino. There were many highlights during the mass. McCabe, who had organised the pilgrimage, had contacted the cathedral and Andrew was able to make the Invocation to the Apostle. Sister Joyce who had travelled with us presented the president at the mass with a box of incense from Mucknell Abbey. The president then preached in five languages starting with English. Then men came forward and lit the Botafumeiro. It was raised above head height and swung between the north and south transepts.
The following morning we had a little free time, then all too soon we were travelling to La Coruna airport and home to Heathrow. It was an experience we will all never forget.
CAROLINE OGDEN
READER – PARISH OF EAST WICKHAM
It was an impressive sight - as the smoke and smell of incense filled the cathedral.
This large thurible was introduced to cleanse the cathedral from the smell of the pilgrims!
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Southwark Reader
Our faith can be expressed along many different pathways. These may include a choice of denomination, our preferred style of worship or churchmanship or in our choice of a particular emphasis to our Christian mission. Members of the religious orders stand in a centuries-old tradition of belonging to a community where men and women can join with other people sharing and following a similar pathway, seeking spiritual development so that they may grow more and more in the image of Christ. Traditionally, such orders concentrated around monastic communities, but there has been a growing development in the form of tertiary ministry. A tertiary is a member of a religious order, who lives their life according to the vows and rules laid down by the religious order, but who lives in the secular world, rather than living within a specified community.
The Order of Preachers (also known as the Dominicans) was founded by St Dominic de Guzman in the 13th century as a response to the Albigensian heretical movement in France. Dominic, a Spanish priest, had been travelling back through France to Rome and observed that the local clergy were theologically poorly equipped to counter the teachings of the heretic preachers. He founded the Order whose main aim was to be the study and preaching of the word of God. It has become one of the largest Orders within the Roman Catholic Church. In 1999 a group of ordained ministers and lay people in the USA established the Anglican Order of Preachers (OPA) within the Episcopal Church. From these humble beginnings it has grown to a worldwide community with members in England, Canada and New Zealand. Unlike the Anglican Franciscan and Benedictine movements, all Anglican Dominicans are tertiaries.
In keeping with St Dominic's original aim the Brothers and Sisters of the Order embrace the call to share the Gospel and are actively engaged in teaching, preaching and service in parishes, chaplaincies and in the community. There is a clear focus on studying and then sharing the good news of the Gospel. Dominican spirituality centres on an engagement with the Gospel, both in quiet reflection and in active proclamation.
The Dominican Brother or Sister lives their life by a rule, which is little changed since the earliest days of the order. These are bound around the simple rules of simplicity, purity and obedience. Simplicity or 'enoughness' is establishing a life style where there is sufficiency, but not chasing or seeking excess. Purity is a vow of celibacy if not married or fidelity if married. The vow of obedience requires that the Dominican obey the rules laid down for living a Christian life according to the principles laid down by St Dominic. These vows are worked out in the Rule of Life, which focuses the spiritual life on regular prayer, study and sharing the Gospel. This latter may take the form of preaching or teaching. Some Anglican Dominicans are ministers, lay and ordained, whilst others are involved in Christian education.
At the end of this stage the postulant may request permission to take Novice vows. The Novice takes the vows of simplicity, chastity and obedience to the Rule of the Order. The Novitiate serves two purposes:
Firstly, it enables the Novice to find out if they can live according to the Rule of the Order and secondly, allows for a deeper exploration of their calling. During the novitiate, the novice enters into a period of study, both of the Order and of Christian theology, coupled with practical assignments that involve teaching and preaching of the Gospel. The novitiate lasts for a minimum of two years after which, with the agreement of the order, they can proceed to commit to life vows. Life profession is a commitment to live their lives according to Dominican principles.
I first came to examine the spiritual framework of my life a few years after I was licensed. Despite being very happy in my ministry and my faith, there still seemed to be an unmet need, a hole, with regard to personal spiritual growth, and my spiritual journey – on examination this was guidance, structure and direction – a pathway, a road to follow. I began to look around for something to fill that need, I tried a Christian meditation centre, but this really didn’t suit me – some might argue that I find it too difficult to keep quiet - but whatever the reason it did not fit with what I was looking for.
It was about this time that my wife began to be actively interested in the Anglican Franciscan movement as a basis for her personal spiritual development. Whilst on one level this was very attractive: Though I could agree with, and support, their predominantly ‘ecological theology’ there still seemed to be something important which was absent in what I felt that I was looking for. In retrospect I recognize this as the lack of emphasis on preaching and sharing God’s word with God’s people, something which by then had already become a major part of my ministry. I continued to search - looking at other ‘monastic order’ based spiritualties. Neither Ignatian nor Benedictine spiritualties had much resonance with mine, and so I turned to look at Dominican spirituality. It was clear from almost the beginning that this was much closer to what I was looking for - a structure, which encompassed my ministry and my personal spirituality and could provide a framework in which both of these could grow. Tertiary Dominican orders existed, in a format similar to the Anglican Franciscans, but as far as I could ascertain could be found only within the
Walking the Dominican path
Peter Charles is a Reader at St Laurence, Catford. When he felt that there was a spiritual hole in his Christian life he explored various options and decided to choose the Dominicans. Here he tells of
their history and his personal journey.
There are four stages in the spiritual journey of a Dominican. The first, Inquirer, is a period during which, through prayer, reflection and discussion with a member of the Order, the potential Dominican explores their calling. If after this the Inquirer decides that they wish to continue they pass to the stage of Postulant, during which they continue to explore their calling in greater depth.
St Dominic de Guzman
© The Anglican Order of Preachers
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Southwark Reader
Reflection
There are times I wish I could see just around the corner of my life to know what is ahead! If I could see for myself that good awaits me, I would not hesitate to move forward to the future. If ever I feel hesitant, I take a spiritual attitude check. I release any false ideas that God would ever punish me or cause me pain. I accept that God’s plan for me includes blessings that are more fulfilling than any view of the future that I can imagine. I know that is true, God’s will for me is good and only good! I am renewed by my belief in a divine plan that brings me joy. Incredible blessings await me – blessings I have never before experienced or ever imagined I could experience – and I move forward with joyful anticipation to accept the good that awaits me.
Communion by Extension
A trinity of Readers help the Trinitarians!
Three Woolwich Readers have been invited to help at a local school. Here Nicole Burgum tells us about how they assist.
Trinity School is a Church of England secondary school in Lee, south east London. The school prides itself on strong discipline and old fashioned values which create a warm, happy and calm environment in which young people grow and develop into outstanding members of society. The school has built up a great rapport with local churches and at their all-school Eucharists which are held twice a term they have up to eight visiting priests. Apart from these Eucharists, house Eucharists are held termly and a Eucharist is held in the small school chapel every Wednesday lunchtime. It is at this Eucharist that three Readers - Marion Watson from St Mary, Lewisham; Grace Blyth from St Laurence, Catford and myself from St Andrew, Catford – assist. We each attend one Wednesday in the month and our role is to administer the chalice but more importantly to meet and talk with the students who go along. This is a real privilege as we get to listen to what is exciting or worrying the students. We are another ear to listen or shoulder to cry on for them and as we are not someone who they will have to look at every day we hope that they find it easier to share a burden with us that they are unable to share with a teacher or Fr. Mike, the school chaplain. We are also warmly invited to join the whole-school Eucharists which is great and gives us a chance not only to chat with the students but also the school governors.
Trinity is a Woodard school. Founded in 1847 by Fr Nathaniel Woodard, Woodard Schools form the largest group of
independent Church of England schools in England and Wales. They offer the highest standards of academic education coupled with a supportive and nurturing environment where every individual is encouraged and valued. Trinity is an affiliated school and as such is keen to have a relationship with other Woodard schools in order to share best practice, beliefs and to provide interschool opportunities for their students.
Recently I had the opportunity to join eight Trinitarians and Fr Mike on a visit to Ardingly College in Sussex. Ardingly is an independent co-educational boarding and day school and is one of the oldest Woodard schools. The eight Trinity students were being trained to be servers by the Ardingly Chapel Team of Sacristans. Their visit included being hosted for lunch followed by a chance to explore the School. The Trinitarians especially enjoyed their visit to the Art Department! At the end of the day, we all attended the whole-college Eucharist in the school's stunning chapel at the heart of the school. It was wonderful for me to be able to watch the students share in a different school environment to their own, to see how they learnt from each other and shared their experiences. I also was able to get to know the students better and to build up more of a rapport with them.
For us as Readers, helping in a school is a great way to share our ministry with young people and to take our ministry into the community – and to have fun along the way. Long may it continue!
NICOLE BURGUM
Roman Catholic Church. However, sometime later I was again web-searching Dominican spirituality when to my surprise I turned up the Anglican Order of Preachers. I read with interest the material on the website – it seemed to be exactly what I was seeking. If nothing else, the lack of controversy and hostility that this high-profile exercise in religious exploration has attracted gives me great hope for further development. Perhaps it is true that problems only tend to arise when new ideas are introduced into religion: women bishops are the most obvious current example, but there are plenty of others in our long history.I prayed for guidance and also talked to a couple of people, who encouraged me to explore it further. Although strongest in the USA, there are currently 6 members in the UK. I took my novice vows in the autumn of 2012 and will enter into the second year this autumn. The parish have entered into the journey with me and I have been able to affirm my vows during a parish mass and have spoken to parish groups about living my life as a Dominican.
It is a spiritual pathway, which I feel is well suited for readers as it holds much in common with the role and spirituality of Reader ministry within the Church of England. If anyone would like further information on the Anglican Dominican movement, this can be found at http://anglicandominican.com or by contacting me directly – [email protected].
BR PETER CHARLES OPA
Many Southwark Readers have been asking about Bishop Christopher’s position on Communion by Extension. He has kindly provided the following statement. Please share it with your incumbent.
On the question of Communion by Extension my current and previously settled opinion is that the Eucharist needs to be celebrated by priest and people of God together in each and every parish community of faith. Communion by Extension is no substitute. With the relatively large numbers of priests in this Diocese and the much smaller geographical distances than in many other Dioceses, including the East Surrey parishes, the need does not arise and it is all a matter of careful advance planning. I would not be happy with holidays, days off, etc covered in this way. In an emergency, in other words entirely exceptional circumstances, if the appointed celebrant is prevented from getting ‘to the church on time’, then the responsibility falls on the Churchwardens to make arrangements for the Ministry of the Word to be conducted and in this eventuality only I would understand if they further decided that Communion should be administered from the Reserved Sacrament. I am of course fully supportive of Home Communion for the sick and housebound, taken to them by those trained by the incumbent to do so, including Readers.
+Christopher Southwark
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The Commemoration of All Souls
Before the next edition of Southwark Reader we will celebrate All Souls. Julian Pearcey, a Reader at St Mark’s, Purley, gives us some ideas on how to make this a really special celebration.
For several years it has been my privilege to lead our Commemoration of All Souls, which we transfer to the evening of the first Sunday in November. For me, and for the many people who come to the service, it is a time for memories both happy and sad, perhaps for grief, and certainly consolation. It is not a communion service, because many of the congregation are invited personally as members of families who have had funerals in the church during the preceding year, not all of whom are practising or confirmed Christians. Developing a pattern - not a formula Over the time I have been involved with the service, it has developed a pattern (not a formula!) that attempts to address the issues faced by everyone when they are bereaved. Perhaps 'The Commemoration of All Souls' is a misnomer, because it is a service of ministry to the living, and emphatically not a requiem or any sort of celebration of the dead. I suppose for those who disparage made-up services it is a sort of 'hymn sandwich', but with a difference. Everybody who comes to the service, whether they are an invited guest or come as a member of the regular congregation, has different experiences and pains associated with bereavement. Grip of strong, painful feelings Some have lost a close relative very recently, and are still in the grip of strong and painful feelings of loss, grief, anger and guilt. Some remember husbands or wives or parents or children who died a long time ago, and need, and even enjoy this yearly reflection on old memories. Some are in the grip of unending torment as a result of violent or sudden deaths of friends or family, carrying burdens of guilt or bitterness that are difficult to shed. For all these people there has to be progress through a difficult process of reconciliation, to themselves and to God. Setting out the Order of Service We start the service with a hymn, and then an introduction of five minutes or so, setting out the order of the service and what it means. Then there are two more hymns interspersed with readings. At this stage of the service the emphasis is on the feelings experienced early on in the process of coping with death. The readings are often biblical, perhaps from Job or the Psalms, or sometimes poetry or prose readings from other sources. Central part The central part of the service is the reading of the names of those to be commemorated. First the choir sings 'The Russian Contakion for the Departed', a beautiful piece of music almost unheard in churches any more (see right). The list of names includes all who have died in the year, plus names submitted by the congregation. After the reading the choir sings an anthem eg “My Soul, there is a Country” by Parry.
It is an intensely moving time; as year succeeds year more and more names on that list are familiar: friends old and new, family, church friends, nodding acquaintances. Then there are more hymns and readings as the service moves on. Death is followed by the sure certainty of resurrection, Christ's promise of a new life. Finally there are prayers, a reading of Revelation 21 vv 1-7, the vision of the New Jerusalem, and a rousing Easter hymn ends the service on a high and optimistic note. Beware the theatrical I am aware that this service could be in danger of becoming too theatrical. There is a deliberate emphasis on how it feels to be faced with death, the congregation is invited to feel that it is acceptable to show strong feelings publicly. It is wrong to play on people's emotions, especially the strong emotions of those who have been bereaved. It is also wrong to imagine that a service of one hour's duration can be much use in reconciling the bereaved to their loss. Yet it has a strangely calming influence on all who take part. Of course many find it difficult to contain their feelings, memories will evoke strong emotions, tears will be shed. Death is never easy for anyone. But underlying all these sensations is the promise of resurrection and eventual reunion, the essential Christian message for those who grieve. Emphasis on joy The increasing emphasis on the joy and fulfilment in worship makes this sort of service very unfashionable. I would argue from experience that every Christian needs to walk through the whole range of emotions during the course of the year, and that there is a place for all those difficult, negative, hurtful feelings in worship, as there is in life. The immediate experience of bereavement is of pain, and that can easily decline in the long term into other, more destructive emotions. Christ offers us a path through this minefield of fear and hopelessness, and it is one of our duties as Christians to show that path of hope and comfort to those in their hour of need. At the same time we need to be reassured ourselves. We need to remember those we love who have died, to allow good memories of their lives to replace bad memories of their passing, and there is no other time in the church's year when such a commemoration can take place publicly. I cannot imagine this service disappearing from our calendar. JULIAN PEARCEY
THE RUSSIAN CONTAKION FOR THE DEPARTED
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints; where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighing, but life everlasting. Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of men; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return; for so thou didst ordain, when thou createdst man, saying: "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." All we go down to the dust, and weeping o'er the grave we make our song. Alleluya.
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Southwark Reader
Food in God’s creation
Creator God, for thousands of years we, your people, have cooperated with your creative power at work in the land and seas around us to bring forth food for our nourishment and that of our children. Help us to continue to respect the earth itself and the natural processes around us, so that future generations can be sustained by that same generous life-giving earth.
O God, hear us we pray,
Response: O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation
Bounteous God, may our sharing in food and drink keep us aware of our dependence on all beings for life and strength. May it increase our reverence for land, sea and sky.
O God, hear us we pray, Response: O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation
Creator God, we know that the animals from which we get our meat are sentient creatures. May we at least ensure, through our purchasing power, that animals are bred, transported and killed in respectful conditions.
O God, hear us we pray, Response: O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation
Creator Spirit, give us the unity for which Christ prayed at the Last Supper, that together we can enhance the quality of all that lives and grows.
O God, hear us we pray, Response: O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation
We give thanks for the bounteous earth which ‘gives forth its fruit in due season’. Help us to respect the seasonality of life in our choices of food, accepting what the earth brings forth naturally in each season and being willing to wait for the produce our temperate climate produces slowly.
O God, hear us we pray, Response: O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation
Priest/leader: O God, may we use the gift of our senses to see, smell, touch and taste your goodness shown in the daily bread we share. Bless us as we live our lives with awareness of your loving gift of the natural world. May we always be mindful of the hungry who share the earth with us and may we be generous in providing for their needs. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
God’s creation, food and us
Christ Jesus, You had compassion on the multitude and fed them. Help world leaders to do all in their power to feed the hungry of today’s world.
O Lord, hear us we pray,
Response: O Lord, give us your love
Loving God, through your love for the earth and its fruits, help us to redeem the harm we have done to our planet so that future generations may not go hungry.
O Lord, hear us we pray, Response: O Lord, give us your love
Your resurrection, O Christ, has transformed our universe. Sensitize us to a new all-embracing concern for our environment, and a humble regard for all creatures who share a common source, a loving Creator.
O Lord, hear us we pray, Response: O Lord, give us your love
Christ Jesus, You come to us in the breaking of bread that we may celebrate our oneness with the whole community of life and give our lives in service. Help us to live more simply, that others may simply live.
O Lord, hear us we pray, Response: O Lord, give us your love
Creator God, help us to love and care for the produce of land, sea and sky, recognising it all as your gifts to be cherished,
protected and shared.
O Lord, hear us we pray, Response: O Lord, give us your love
Christ Jesus, You assured us of God’s love for us. May we always respect our bodies and spiritual welfare by the moderate use of the good gifts of our world.
O Lord, hear us we pray, Response: O Lord, give us your love
Priest/leader: O God, in all our relationships with food, help us to be aware of the complex interdependent nature of all created life. May our meals be eaten in solidarity with creation and in communion with You. We ask this through Christ, the Bread of life. Amen © Srs Catherine Brennan and Ann Concannon SSI (www.ctbi.org.uk/creationtime)
Our Daily Bread - Harvest intercessions
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Southwark Reader
Readers’ Board contacts
For all members of the Readers’ Board, please see the
diocesan website:
www.southwark.anglican.org/ministry/readers/useful-contacts
Southwark Reader editorial contact
Editor: Nicole Burgum 020 8697 1391
Area Contacts: Croydon
Area Warden: Ms Jacqueline Dean 01737 843389
Area Representatives:
Mr Mark Lanyon 020 8660 0229
Mrs Ann Wright 01293 821322
Mrs Jackie Pontin 020 7939 9400 (office hours)
Area Contacts: Kingston
Area Warden: Mrs Marilyn Burkett 020 8337 6017
Area Representatives:
Sr Teresa Mary CSC 07846 629086
Mrs Sally Carter-Esdale 020 8542 5870
Anthony (Tony) Pearson 020 8337 5934
Area Contacts: Woolwich
Area Warden: Marion Watson 020 8690 0680
Area Representatives:
Mr Louis Alexander 020 8853 1719
Mrs Nicole Burgum 020 8697 1391
Ms Esther Whittlesea Reed 020 8319 1539
Readers’ RIP
Marjorie Horwood age 82 – Reader Emeritus at St Mary, Tatsfield Marjorie was licensed in 1994. She died in September. Ted Hearn age 86 – Reader Emeritus at St Ann & St Augustine, Bermondsey Ted was licensed in 1975. We give thanks for their ministry and pray that
they may rest in peace and rise in glory.
We send our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of Prince George.
Prayer for the royal baby and their family from the diocese’s website:
God our Creator, who knows each of us by name and loves us from all eternity: we give you thanks for new life and human love. Bless William and Catherine as they welcome their son into the world. Give them patience and wisdom to cherish and love him as he grows. Surround the family with the light of hope and the warmth of your love today and always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A final reminder
Come with your robes and
support those who are being
Admitted and Licensed
this year.
The service takes place on
Monday 14 October
at 7.30pm
Southwark Cathedral
Make a note of it now
