Where are the poet priests?

Today we are asked to remember John Donne (1572-1631), poet, priest and Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. As I was thinking about Donne’s life and work I started to ask ‘where are today’s poet priests?’. I’m aware of a few, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, but I can’t help wondering whether we have lost something in our understanding of priestly calling and ministry. Part of the role of the priest is to help others to see things in a different light, from an alternative perspective, and in the Church of England we have a rich tradition of priests who fulfilled this part of their vocation through poetry. In all the discussions about the future of the ordained ministry, and I have sat through too many hours of debate about that subject, I have not once heard anyone ask:

'Where are the poet priests and how will they be encouraged, nurtured and sustained?'.



Update: Check our this excellent follow up blog post developing the theme from Changing Worship The Church and the Arts.

Rambo priests

The Roman Catholic Brooklyn Archdiocese has made a video inviting men to consider joining the priesthood as part of the Year of the Priest. The video is well made with stirring music reminiscent of the opening scene of some great action adventure film. The call to priesthood is presented as a challenge and concludes with the caption: ‘Accept the challenge of priesthood and enjoy the rewards for life’. I don’t have any problem with presenting the call to ministry, any ministry in the service of God, as a challenge and perhaps we have underplayed that aspect of vocation. Yet, I found myself unable to identify with just about every aspect of the video in its presentation of ordained ministry as male and celibate; no surprise there as I am an ordained, married, father of two who is an Anglican!

Resources for exploring vocations in the Diocese of Chelmsford can be found here and here.

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.

ordination (1) - priests

I had the privilege of preaching at the ordination of four priests at St Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall on Sunday 22nd June. It was a bit of a daunting experience and also personally significant as I was ordained priest twenty years ago. Bishop Christopher (Colchester) presided and the church was packed with friends, relatives and members of four quite different congregations. Thanks to Fr Philip Banks and all those at Coggeshall who made everyone very welcome and for organising such an uplifting occasion.

Please pray for Tristan Chapman (Bocking), Judith Sweetman (Coggeshall), John Wigmore (Braintree St Michael) and Teresa Wynne (Takeley and Little Canfield) as they begin this new stage of ministry.

I did wonder about posting my sermon on the blog but decided against it. I know several friends and colleagues do post their sermons, however, it seems to me that preaching is an event involving God, preacher and congregation that has to be experienced rather than a text to be read. What do others think?

Next Sunday I will be attending two ordination of deacons services at the Cathedral but more of that then.