Ditching the Redeemer

Yesterday I attended the Consecration of John Wraw as Bishop of Bradwell and Tim Dakin as Bishop of Winchester at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was a great service with a powerful and challenging sermon from Stephen Cottrell the Bishop of Chelmsford. The hymns were traditional and predictable but I didn’t have a problem until it came to the offertory hymn Crown Him With Many Crowns. As we sang the last verse things didn’t seem quite right and my mate Graham Tomlin standing next to me identified the problem; the words of the last verse had been changed. Here’s the original:

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

And here is what replaced it in the service:

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
Glassed in a sea of light, Where everlasting waves
Reflect his throne – the Infinite! Who lives – and loves – and saves.

So why have we ditched the Redeemer? I can only assume its because the original words smack of an atonement theology the cathedral authorities or whoever drew up the service feel uncomfortable with. If that’s the case then why did we keep the opening verse?

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

I’m getting a bit fed up of all the tinkering going on with hymns at various services I attend. Our own cathedral in Chelmsford changes the lines of In Christ Alone because of the unease with the ‘Wrath of God’ in the original. Apart from it probably being a copyright infringement I can’t help wondering why we sing it if people are uncomfortable with the lyrics.

Looking at the new ending for Crown Him I'm really not sure what it means. The original speaks of Christ being praised for eternity because of all that he has done for us. The new version sounds like a discarded Beatles song from their LSD phase.

Anyway, I’m praying for our new bishop John Wraw and for Tim Dakin as he takes up his ministry in Winchester and I’ll carry on praising the Redeemer and leave others to wallow in the everlasting waves.



Update: I am grateful to the Archdruid for doing some research for me (see comments). It turns out that the last verse we sang is the original version of that verse which has since been amended over the years. The song has a long history, coloured by a bit of catholic / protestant rivalry and there is a brief summary posted here. I still think this version is bordering on the nonsensical and don't know why it was chosen over the much more familiar and I would suggest theologically accessible 'redeemer' version.

a church beyond parody

Sometimes the church is crucified for standing up for the Gospel but at other times we seem all too keen to invite the nails. There have been two stories doing the rounds in the media regarding the distribution of the elements in the Eucharist. The first relates to the pastoral letter issued by the Archbishops and their recommendation that administration of the chalice at services of Holy Communion be suspended in the light of the threatened swine flu pandemic. This is the advice being given in the Diocese of Chelmsford. The recommendation has been controversial and the bishops have come in for criticism, but there can be little doubt that they are genuinely trying to give guidance on best practice in a difficult situation.

The second story is just plain farcical. According to various sources including The Times Blackburn Cathedral has decided to offer communicants the choice of two wafers at the main 10:30am Sunday service. When the Revd Dr Sue Penfold, a residentiary canon of the Cathedral, is celebrating then the congregation are offered bread blessed by her, or the reserved sacrament consecrated earlier by a male priest if they find this unacceptable. “This situation is not ideal, but we are trying to be inclusive,” Canon Hindley said, adding that Rev. Penfold had been appointed to Blackburn Cathedral to reflect the “broad views” of the Church of England. So here we have two track communion for a two track church, to ensure that ‘untainted’ bread is readily available for those who require it and all in the name of being ‘inclusive’!

There are occasions when the actions of the church leave me almost speechless but not quite. At first I thought this story was a wind up, however, it does appear to be genuine, although there is little about it on the Blackburn Cathedral web site. What does this say about the church’s attitude towards female clergy and women in general? In what sort of Orwellian nightmare do we carry on talking about ‘two integrities’ and assert at the same time that we are ‘all one in Christ Jesus’? My concern is that we may still head down the same road for the consecration of women bishops. As a church we keep shooting ourselves in the foot; taking decisions and then apologising for them and undermining them at every turn. Sometimes the church is beyond parody.

If you want to read an account of how this decision is making women in the church feel then read Today I am truly ashamed to be an Anglican.

canon fodder

Spent an enjoyable hour this morning at Bishop’s Court being licensed as a non-residentiary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral by Bishop John. The licensing took place during Morning Prayer in Bishop John’s chapel and Revd David Banting was also licensed. David and I helped lead a CYFA venture together back in 1988. I was pleased that my friend and colleague Canon Roger Matthews was able to attend along with Lydia Gladwin, Chris Newlands (the Bishop’s Chaplain) and Bishop Daniel,the Bishop of Kirinyaga, Kenya (link diocese with Chelmsford). It was a real privilege as this is the second to last official engagement before +John’s retirement; the final event will be the installation of Canon Martin Webster as Archdeacon of Harlow on Sunday evening.

I heard last Saturday that my Canon’s stall in the Cathedral will be St Mellitus, which is fitting as I’m on the staff of St Mellitus College. Somewhat relieved as Roger ended up with Queen Maud when he became a Canon. The installation in the Cathedral will be 24th August when I hope friends and family will be able to come along. I’ve been asked what is involved in being a Canon and the answer is not a lot! I get to hand over £20 a year, attend a dinner, an afternoon tea and a Canons’ day with lunch. Other onerous tasks include guarding the statutes of the Cathedral and being locked in the Cathedral with the other Canons to elect the new Bishop of Chelmsford. In the Church of England, when a diocesan bishop retires, moves to another diocese or dies, the monarch will summon the Greater Chapter to elect a successor. This election is ceremonial as the monarch also tells the members of the Greater Chapter whom to elect. If members of the Greater Chapter fail to attend they are declared to be contemptuous, so I've been warned. I understand that each Canon is given a Psalm which they are supposed to say every day; wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up with Psalm 119, though being a drummer I’d quite like Psalm 150.

The Declaration of Assent

The License

Phil Ritchie, Bishop John, Bishop Daniel, David Banting

the long goodbye

Saturday was one long goodbye in Chelmsford Cathedral. In the morning we celebrated the St Mellitus College Graduation and Valedictory Service. The service was an opportunity for final year students to receive their academic awards and to give thanks for their time in training for ministry. During the service Readers, licensed last October, and recently ordained Deacons received their degrees and diplomas from Professor Edward Esche, Dean of Arts and Education at Middlesex University. It was a very special day as this was the first group of Readers to complete their training with St Mellitus College and be awarded the Dip HE Ministry, specifically designed for Reader training.

Readers Maureen McPherson, Julia MacGregor, Margaret Plant, Margaret Fowler and Jackie Sams. (Sue Sterry, Brenda Miller and Sue Masters were unable to attend.)

The Dean of St Mellitus, Rev Dr Graham Tomlin, was celebrant at the Valedictory Eucharist and Rev Dr David Hilborn preached on the theme of Ministry as Jazz, a theme which was continued throughout the day. Other members of staff took part in the service and we were joined in the Cathedral by family, friends and current students of the college.

Some of St Mellitus College Staff: Ann Coleman, Andy Knowles, Graham Tomlin, Mary Smith, Prof Edward Esche (Middlesex University), Phil Ritchie, Jeremy Ganga and David Hilborn.

After a buffet lunch and a good chat with students and guests, Graham and I headed off to the pub to catch the afternoon session of the Lord's Test Match before returning to the Cathedral for the second goodbye service, this time for Bishop John and Lydia Gladwin. Bishop John has served the Diocese for nearly six years as Bishop of Chelmsford and is the sixth bishop in a row to have the name John! It was another great occasion, with +John preaching and various tributes offered from those representing different aspects of his ministry both locally and nationally. +John is a great jazz fan so it was fitting that the service included some jazz and the refreshments afterwards were accompanied by a jazz band. Bishop John served as Chairman of Christian Aid, reflecting his passion for social justice, and in retirement he will take over as Chair of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

There was time for one more goodbye on Sunday when the family went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Professor Dumbledore has finally departed Hogwarts for the last time, though it took nearly two and a half hours to reach the denouement. My children are now engaged in a forensic dissection of the film and detailed comparison with the book. They have already identified several inconsistencies and gaps in the plot. I tremble in fear of the day when they turn their analytical skills on my sermons.

Rather than post a review of the film, I recommend the following reviews by +Alan Wilson and David Keen.

am I being fired?

The Bishop of Chelmsford has just announced that he has appointed me as a non-residentiary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral, which begs the question: ‘Is he planning to fire me?’ Six non-residentiary Canons have been appointed and the details are published here. It is an honour and I believe it reflects the importance that Bishop John places on lay education and training for ministry in the Diocese. I used to attend Chelmsford Cathedral as a young boy while at Chelmsford Cathedral Primary School. In those days the Cathedral was a very dark, dusty, gloomy place and my memory is of miserable Thursday morning BCP Morning Prayer; it’s a miracle I ever went near a church again. I was ordained in the Cathedral in 1987 and by then it had become a light, airy and attractive worship space, the old pews had gone and the only items from the old days that I remember are the rather tatty flags, now kept well out of the way. I was licensed to my present role in the Diocese in the Cathedral in 2001.

Unfortunately, I can't attend the collation and installation on August 16th so Bishop John will be licensing me in his chapel on 21st July and then the installation by the Dean will take place at Evening Prayer in the Cathedral on 24th August. My dad Sam is an honorary Canon of St. Edmundsbury Cathedral so we'll get to compare scarfs. 'What larks, eh Pip!'

st mellitus college inspection

One of the really exciting aspects of my job is being part of the staff of a new theological college. St Mellitus College is a partnership between the Dioceses of Chelmsford and London, training people for ministry both lay and ordained. My own involvement as Director of Lay Ministry is to head up the Dip HE Ministry programme for Reader training. During the first few months of this year the college underwent an inspection and the report St Mellitus Inspection and Reader Moderation was published a few days ago. It was a fairly demanding and challenging process but the outcome has been very encouraging.

Here's what the Bishops have had to say (pictured left with the Dean Revd Dr Graham Tomlin):

The Bishops of London and Chelmsford have welcomed the excellent first Inspection Report of St Mellitus College, a theological college created through a joint initiative between the two dioceses to offer innovative ways of training in theology and ministry for ordained and lay ministry.

St Mellitus College, which saw its first graduates become ordained as Deacons this summer, received a glowing report from the Ministry Council inspection team. The report concluded that the college had an “excellent breadth of teaching and academic standard” and recognised “examples of outstanding teaching which related well to the student body.”

The Bishop of London, Rt Revd Richard Chartres, said:

“We have worked hard and prayed hard over the past two years to establish this college which serves the two dioceses of Chelmsford and London and the wider Church.

“It is an inspiring example of the sort of co-operation and holy imagination that I long to see driving forward our mission and ministry across London.”

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Gladwin, added:

"We are very encouraged by this excellent report and by the way St Mellitus has established itself. It is becoming a vital institution in the mission and ministry of the diocese."

The Bishops congratulated the Dean of the college, Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, and his dedicated staff on the progress that has been made by St Mellitus. Staff have now begun to explore the recommendations which the report gives to improve the work of the college in training ordained and lay ministers.

The new term at St Mellitus will see over 90 ordinands and many more lay people studying at the college, committed to deepening their faith and being equipped for the work of ministry.

St Augustine of Canterbury appointed Mellitus to be a missionary Bishop to the East Saxons in 604. He was based in London, but covered the whole of the region now covered by the dioceses of Chelmsford and London.

On Saturday 18th July Chelmsford Cathedral will host the St Mellitus Graduation and Valedictory Service. I am looking forward to taking part in the service particularly because our first cohort of Chelmsford Readers trained at St Mellitus will be receiving their Dip He Ministry awards; they all received a merit pass which is a fantastic start.

celebrating the course in christian studies ‘09

Another great celebration in Chelmsford Cathedral last night as graduates of the Course in Christian Studies and Pastoral Assistants’ Training received their certificates from Bishop John. Nearly 70 CCS students and 12 Pastoral Assistants successfully completed their courses and arrangements are well under way for the new courses beginning this autumn. It was a wonderful service with music led by Dry Bones and an excellent sermon from Revd Graham Hamborg (Graham receives his doctorate from Nottingham University next week). The bishops of Chelmsford, Barking and Bradwell, archdeacons of Colchester and Southend, families, friends and clergy from across the diocese all joined in congratulating the students on their achievement. Here are a few photos from last night’s service.

A packed cathedral

Bishop John and Lydia Gladwin

The Pastoral Assistants & tutors

Students from the Ilford CCS centre with tutors

Three Essex bloggers at the service: Sam Norton-Elizaphanian, Phil Ritchie-Phil’s Treehouse, Tim Goodbody-Friends’ Meeting House

Details about the new Course in Christian Studies starting in September can be found at CCS.

course in christian studies 09

Ernie Guest (vicar), Sandra Sykes (Reader in training), Jo Chambers (ordinand), Bishop John (Bishop of Chelmsford), Kate Ritchie (Sunday School & Home Group leader) & Sharon Guest (Reader). All former CCS students - except the bishop, who missed out!

One of the highlights of the year in Chelmsford Cathedral is the annual service celebrating the Course in Christian Studies and the training of Pastoral Assistants and Evangelists. During the service Bishop John, the Bishop of Chelmsford, presents certificates to CCS, Pastoral Assistant and Evangelist course graduates. This year the service will be held on 8^th July at 8pm and anyone is most welcome to join with graduates, their families, friends and churches for this great occasion.

Since it began in 1987, nearly 3000 people from Essex and North East London have completed the Course in Christian Studies. CCS is a two year course exploring the Christian Faith with others, delivered weekly in local centres around the Diocese of Chelmsford. CCS has a foundational first year and a more flexible second year and leads to the Bishop’s Certificate. In an exciting new partnership CCS centres have recently been established in the Stepney and Willesden areas of London Diocese.

During July taster evenings will be held at CCS centres to give those interested an opportunity to discover a bit more about the course. This year CCS centres are planned for Bradwell-on-Sea, Chelmsford, Colchester, Hadleigh, Ilford, Romford, Stebbing (Dunmow) and Vange (Basildon). Information about the course is being sent out to every parish in the diocese and further information about CCS and the taster evenings can be found here.

chelmsford cathedral - eco congregation status

One of the joys of working at Chelmsford Diocesan Office is the view from my desk; I look out on Chelmsford Cathedral.

It is great news to hear that the cathedral has just been awarded eco congregation status by the Groundwork Trust. It is the first cathedral in England and Wales to be granted this status. Not bad for one of the smallest cathedrals in one of the largest diocese.

David Hughes from the Groundwork Trust said he had been impressed by the amount of work which had been done to make “the entire estate of buildings so much greener”. He said: “This is often a very valuable witness to the community that the church takes seriously our call to be stewards of God's creation.”

Tony Allen, publicity officer for the cathedral, said it was hoped the 1,500 congregation would be inspired to make their own homes greener. He said: “What I think is encouraging is that it will help individuals in their own homes and own communities to give some priority to it as well. We are trying to do this so that those who worship with us look at their own homes and situation and we are trying to take the lead."

In the Chelmsford Diocese we are committed to the five marks of mission including:
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

CCS Cathedral Celebration 08

(Bishop John invites the congregation to congratulate the students)

Another wonderful celebration in Chelmsford Cathedral last night. Students who have just completed the Course in Christian Studies and the Pastoral Assistant and Lay Evangelist Training courses where presented with certificates by Bishop John. Every year the Cathedral is packed for this occasion and last night was no exception. The Venerable Elwin Cockett, Archdeacon of West Ham, preached an encouraging and challenging sermon, music was led by Dry Bones music group and students led a litany of thanksgiving.

It was a special occasion for our family as my wife Kate received her CCS certificate. Altogether there were 65 CCS students, 7 Lay Evangelists and 12 Pastoral Assistants, supported by family, friends and members of their home churches

Bishop John prayed for those receiving certificates with the following words:

Eternal God,
We thank you for your lively wisdom filling the earth,
For delight in your Word,
For growth in understanding,
And for all the work and friendship of our courses.
Pour your blessing on the students and tutors,
And on all your Church,
As we discover and proclaim in the world
Your gospel of love and service, justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

For details about the courses click on the links: CCS, Pastoral Assistant, Lay Evangelist

(Ernie Guest, Sandra Sykes, Jo Chambers, Bishop John, Kate Ritchie & Sharon Guest all former CCS students - except the bishop!)