A LATE ARRIVAL

This morning the Post Office delivered our last Christmas Card, posted on the 3rd December which had travelled a vast distance (from Barkingside to Romford)  a total of about 8 miles. Also delivered was another 2nd class letter posted yesterday…..so obviously they win some …………….and lose others.

BISHOP’S HIDDEN ITEM

Politicians often release important information hidden amongst many unimportant items so that a furore is not caused and now it seems the House of Bishops are playing the same game.

"The House considered an interim report from the group chaired by Sir Joseph Pilling on the Church of England's approach to human sexuality. Pending the conclusion of the group's work next year the House does not intend to issue a further pastoral statement on civil partnerships. It confirmed that the requirements in the 2005 statement concerning the eligibility for ordination of those in civil partnerships whose relationships are consistent with the teaching of the Church of England apply equally in relation to the episcopate."

This little gem was amongst a report issued in the latter part of December when, I suspect, they thought no one would notice, being just three days away from Christmas. What it means, as the media have been quick to inform us, is that gay priests who are in civil partnerships can now be appointed Bishops provided they lead a celibate life!!!! So who will be supervising this celibacy? It will be down to the word of the individual concerned, as far as I can make out.

There have always been gay priests and gay bishops many of whom have led a totally celibate life and many of whom have kept their homosexuality hidden and discreet and many of whom have been exemplary priests and bishops. Nowadays it seems that people no longer wish to be discreet and would rather be up front about their sexuality.

I suspect that the fall out from this little hidden gem of the Bishops, especially amongst conservative evangelicals, will be quite profound. It makes me ask the question: “do the Bishops want to destroy the Church of England”; because I think they are going the right way about it.

 

THE EPIPHANY

 

Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Epiphany or, to use the Book of Common Prayer name “The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles”.

THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

ILFORD HOSPITAL CHAPEL – BLESSING OF THE NEW MODEL CHAPEL.

At a Solemn Mass at the Ilford Hospital Chapel of St. Mary & St Thomas of Canterbury the new, very beautiful model chapel was blessed. Father Martin joined me to concelebrate the Mass, read the Gospel and helped with the Ministry of Healing which is a regular part of the 1st Thursday in the month. In my sermon I talked about how names are important and how some cause fear mentioning the Harry Potter novels and Voldemort and Star Wars and Darth Vader. The contrast is with the name which is above every other name, the name at which every knee shall bow, the name, the most Holy Name of Jesus.

At the end of Mass we went to the table in the side aisle where the model had been put on display to bless it. After the Blessing, Father Martin led us in the Angelus and we then enjoyed a buffet lunch with sparkling wine. We were delighted that the two people who over several years painstaking work had made the model as a gift for the Chapel, were able to be with us. It was also great that two previous Mayors of Redbridge and one of the Trustees were amongst the many in the congregation.

Ann and I were surprised when we were given a cake to celebrate our wedding anniversary tomorrow; we are still trying to work out how everyone knew!

OUT WITH THE OLD–IN WITH THE NEW

After 10 years as Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams has left to return to academia. His time has not been a happy one for the Church of England nor, I suspect, for him. Despite the standing ovations given to him by General Synod, they have ignored his advice and recommendations. In a short while the new Archbishop Justin Welby, will be in office. What can he look forward to during his archiepiscopacy? There is no doubt in my mind that it is going to be a difficult task he faces,

When the ordination of women to the priesthood was passed with the slenderest of majorities it was claimed that this was due to the working of the Holy Spirit. But when the motion to make women Bishops was defeated (with a larger number against in the House of Laity than had been in favour in the previous legislation)) it is no longer the work of the Holy Spirit according to various commentators. The legislation was not fit for purpose and that is why it was defeated. Bishop Welby has that as a problem to be resolved; finding a solution to give sacramental assurance to Anglo-Catholics whilst calming the fears and militancy of WATCH and other similar feminist organisations. If he fails in this he can look forward to a mass exodus from the CofE which will make the numbers departing in 1992 or more recently for the Ordinariate miniscule.

One of the strange things, in a church which seems to be slowly and steadily declining according to statistics, is that some parishes are the reverse and are slowly and steadily growing.From what I have seen it is those parishes, Catholic and Evangelical, which teach and preach the Gospel truths which are increasing the size of their congregations. But is it so strange? I don’t think so. It seems to me that people are getting no spiritual benefit from wishy-washy liberal parishes so they look to those who are orthodox. This is an area which urgently needs the attention of +Welby

Then there’s the Anglican Communion and particularly the Episcopal Church of the USA which preaches a Gospel which bears little or no relation ship to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

All-in-all +Justin Welby faces a formidable task and he needs our prayers as he approaches the start of his ministry. May he be richly blessed with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

A VERY BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE HOLY FAMILY

Today I celebrated the Solemn Parish Mass at St. Mary’s, Ilford in honour of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Preaching on the Gospel I pointed out how important family life is: Jesus went to Jerusalem probably for his Bar Mitzvah and, becoming an adult under Jewish Law, stayed behind at the Temple whilst his family set of home. When they discovered Jesus was not in the group they went back to Jerusalem to find him; he was in the Temple listening to the teachers. He went back home with them and spent the next 18 years as part of the family before starting on his mission.

It was good to see so many familiar faces (during their very long interregnum I was at St. Mary’s quite frequently).

ILFORD HOSPITAL CHAPEL

 

CAROL CONCERT

Yesterday evening the Chapel End Savoy Players gave their annual Carol Concert at the Hospital Chapel. In a varied programme, we enjoyed carols from around the world. The concert was in two halves and during the interval refreshments were served by the Friends of the Chapel and included a glass of sparkling wine. A wonderful evening and next years date is already booked.

BLESSING OF THE NEW MODEL CHAPEL

Thursday 3rd January at 12.35 p.m.

SOLEMN MASS with the Blessing of the model chapel,  FOLLOWED BY BUFFET LUNCH.

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

Today I celebrated Mass at Ilford Hospital Chapel of St. Mary and St Thomas of Canterbury for the Feast of St. John the Evangelist.

BLESSING OF THE MODEL CHAPEL

Next Thursday, the Feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus, we will blessing the new model of the chapel which has been beautifully made by two local crafts people. After Mass there will be a Buffet Lunch. Mass begins at 12.35 p.m.

ALL ARE VERY WELCOME