James Jones, Bishop of Livrpool

The Bishop of Liverpool, The Rt Reverend James Jones has used his presidential address to the March synod of the Diocese of Liverpool to call for Anglicans to “accept the diversity of ethical convictions” in the debate on sexual ethics so that “we will let nothing deflect us from mission”

Read the full address here

This month sees the celebration of two Celtic Saints, David (our patron) on the 1^st March and Patrick on the 17^th. Both of these Saints lived in dangerous times; the old order and stability of the Roman Empire had given way to anarchy and the rise of tribal ‘War Lords’. New invaders in the form of Angles, Saxons and Jutes were arriving on the scene. Patrick, who may have been Welsh, was captured in his youth by Irish pirates who were making the most of our undefended waters. To be a Christian at that time singled you out as someone different in a world of competing pagan religions.

The Oritory at Glendalough

Despite all the danger and opposition David, Patrick and others were able to establish monastic settlements. These monasteries were nothing like those great stone ruins we visit today. The church was often small and made of wood and around it grew up all the buildings needed for community life. There was accommodation, kitchens, schools, libraries and workshops representing many different trades. In reality they had become villages, but villages with a difference, unlike the villages around they had a heart – the Church in which prayers were said regularly throughout the day.

Talking with many people I sense that many people today believe that we are living in dangerous times. I’m not sure how true that may be but there is certainly taking place a breakdown in structures that for many years have underpinned our society. Saying you are a Christian is more and more placing yourself in a minority. A worker with British Airways was suspended for wearing a cross, a long serving nurse was suspended for offering to pray with patient. We have more an more people listening to  the ravings of the likes or Richard Dawkins who has a pathological hatred of  Christians. We have the National Secular Society which would like to see all religion confined behind the door of Churches, Mosques, Synagogues and the like. True, in this country are not yet in fear of their lives but in certain circumstances life can be made difficult for anyone professing their faith.

I started by saying we are celebrating two Celtic Saints this month, but there is one more celebration; this month St. David’s is 70 years old. In 1940, one of the darkest periods of the Second World War, the church opened its doors for the first time to the people of the parish and has been ministering ever since.

The Church at the centre of the Celtic Monastery offered stability and comfort to the people. It was here prayers were said not just for themselves but the whole of the community and the surrounding countryside. That’s how I see St. David’s – at the centre of our community offering stability in a word that has changed much since its doors were first opened those seventy years ago. It is a place where prayers are said each week for all of the parish and its inhabitants.

Hopefully, like those Churches established by David and Patrick we are at the heart of our community. Their Churches were not the domain of a few monks but were open for all the people, men and women, boys and girls, Christian and Pagan. I would like to think we are the same, open to all, whether you are a person of faith or none.

One last character of Celtic Monasteries is their ability to grow whilst maintaining the stability the people desired and that is our challenge at St. David’s as we face the next few years. It is not something we can do alone, we need God, but we need the whole of the community and ultimately that means you.

Robin Hood Tax Website

The Chief Rabbi of Israel and the Pope are in a meeting in Rome. The Rabbi notices an unusually fancy phone on a side table in the Pope’s private chambers. “What is that phone for?” he asks the pontiff.

“It’s my direct line to the Lord.” The Rabbi is sceptical, and the Pope notices. The Holy Father insists the Rabbi try it out, and, indeed, he is connected to the Lord. The Rabbi holds a lengthy discussion with Him.

After hanging up the Rabbi says, “Thank you very much. This is great! But listen, I want to pay for my phone charges.” The Pope, of course, refuses, but the Rabbi is steadfast and finally, the pontiff gives in.

He checks the counter on the phone and says, “All right! The charges were 100,000 Lira” ($56). The Chief Rabbi gladly hands over the payment.

A few months later, the Pope is in Jerusalem on an official visit. In The the Chief Rabbi’s chambers, he sees a phone identical to his and learns it is also is a direct line to the Lord. The Pope remembers he has an urgent matter that requires divine consultation and asks if he can use the Rabbi’s phone. The Rabbi gladly agrees, hands him the phone, and the Pope chats away.

After hanging up, the Pope offers to pay for the phone charges. Of course, the Chief Rabbi refuses to accept payment. After the Pope insists, the Rabbi relents and looks on the phone counter.Shekel 50″ ($0.42).

The Pope looks surprised, “Why so cheap?”

The Rabbi smiles, “Local call.”

Patrick is a priest in the Church of Ireland (Anglican), Director of Spiritual Formation at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, and a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin.

If you are interested in things Franciscan it is well worth a read.

PATRICK’S BLOG

Liverpool Cathedral Labyrinth

Liverpool Cathedral is inviting people to follow a journey around a labyrinth to reflect on the past year and to look towards the future.

The attraction is a modern version of the 12th century ritual featured in medieval cathedrals. Unlike a maze a labyrinth has only one path leading to a central point. The path is followed slowly whilst contemplating life, the planet and God.

The free attraction will be open from 28 December to 2 January 2010.

Canon Richard White, the Cathedral’s Canon for mission and evangelism said, “Our contemporary labyrinth is designed for all ages and reshapes the 12th century ritual for the 21st century with a mixture of music, art, media and activities or rituals along the path. “These will form a journey that looks back on 2009, looks forward to 2010 and helps us to encounter God in the present moment.”

For more information on The Labyrinth visit the Liverpool Cathedral website.

So we need to be vigilant and keep up the pressure. It’s not done yet and the clock still goes on ticking. So keep on beating the drum and ringing the bells to get the message across.

Not Done Yet Web Page

Politically Correct Nativity

Like me, some of your will be preparing for your Church or School Nativity Play. It’s a time for excited children and proud parents. Sometimes it is hard to find enough characters for those wanting to talk part. One school I know introduced Personal Assistants for the wise men. Still short each PA had a secretary.  Traditionally it is the time for tea towels to come out of the cupboard, along with dressing gowns, fluffy stuffed toys and dolls.

Some would say that we should do away with such “Chocolate Box” ideas of the Nativity because the reality was so different. That may be true but here in the UK that ‘Nativity Play’ could well be the only story the children hear from the Bible all year! However, I do think that as we grow into adulthood we should come to terms with that reality – if we don’t we miss so much of the meaning of Christmas.

Jesus came to a people who were suffering, who were under the yoke of corrupt leaders and an army of occupation – I can think of  more than a few places where that is true today. Jesus too was born in the worst of conditions. My daughter recently gave birth to twins, she was in a nice warm hospital and had teams of health workers on hand as well as all the latest medical equipment. I can’t imagine what that would like in a drafty, dirty stable with none of those facilities; not even a midwife.

So Jesus identifies with the poor and the oppressed and as his disciples we need to do the same. The meaning of Christmas is God With Us in our poverty and our oppression whether that is physically or spiritually true.

One of my favourite hymns during the advent season is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. This version is slightly different but I think the mournfulness and context of the video perhaps gives a truer perspective of the meaning of this Advent season.

It seems to have more in sympathy with King Herod than that of the shepherd and angels.