it was an extremely busy weekend, with AT and GY coming to work with one of the congregations after the Sunday Service, and then a dash to the other congregation to the Baptism of wee A.
AT was one of my tutors in Edinburgh when I was training, and her husband a placement supervisor. She has a reputation for being very astute, affirming, supportive and honest. She is one of those people who will put into words how things ARE – good or bad, but will still leave you feeling supported, loved and strengthened by the experience.
I was pretty nervous Sunday morning – it was the first time she had heard me preach since being a “green behind the gills” ordinand almost 10 years ago, and my knees were knocking behind the cassock-alb, I kid you not.
But all was well, sermon well recieved (although she did admit to not knowing who REM where, the Bob Marley reference reassured her!) and I was given a mini-critique later. The congregation enjoyed lunch together and worked hard, a good analysis of where they are, where they want to be and how to get there – with them identifying practical things to get on with and address. I had to leave before the final worship to dash up the road, but left by telling them ” you lot are brilliant!” The church printers and the shredder are now working overtime, and congregation members planning to fold and distribute publicity materials.
At the other site, wee A’s baptism went well – a beautiful, gregarious 1 year old stealing the show, splashing in the water and eyeing up cake. We were worried it may have to be postponed as she had a nasty virus earlier in the week, but all was well, including the conversation with A’s gran about candles in church and the theology of baptism that we have
A tiring sunday, and a restful Monday followed.
Tuesday’s Vestry (church council) meeting followed much in the same vein as Sunday afternoon – lots of discussion of Mission, getting on with the stuff we need to do to build the kingdom of God in this wee place (and that we have to spend/raise money and energy to do this well), rather than worrying about not being here. Its easy for a small church to go into maintenance mode – to continually patch up or make do until the axe falls, or to assume the axe is coming and not bother, to become despondent about the future. None of that in the discussions we’ve been having, just a willingness to ensure that such a negative vision doesnt come about. Positive Mission Attitude – its great!
see the Beeb here. I’ve blogged about his music before, but it must be on the old one i deleted…
Its a shame he’s “retiring” from the music industry, but i understand his reasons. There are those who would say he shouldnt have been involved in rock culture or rock music anyway, as a Capuchin Monk – stuff and nonsense!. His non-conformist ministry to those outside the church cultural norms is to be admired, and good on him for not giving in to his critics.
We could dismiss the “devil’s getting in the way” reasons for retiring, its old school church language which seems to have no relevance in todays culture. However, behind that language is an important point – the dropping or giving up of something which has become a distraction rather than enhancement of being. Maybe if more people stopped doing the things which no longer held life for them, were no longer strengthening or affirming, they would have happier lives. For some, with major issues such as addiction, this is not an easy task, by any stretch of the imagination. For others of us, sometimes we simply do not recognise those things which we need to set down until the damage is already done – we’ve always done this, why change?
Maybe more frequent reflection on who we are and where we are is something we can learn from this couragous monk – for it is that reflection which gives us courage to take up the unexpected and run with it, and it is that reflection which gives us space to set it down again when its time has done. he is couragous because he did exactly that – not sticking within the confines of what was “because thats how we/i’ve always done it”, and then putting it aside when it no longer “works”.
As individuals, as churches, and even as nations we can learn a thing or 2 from this brave man.
There was a time when music was bad! From the early blues inspired by African tunes and the desire to escape poverty, slavery and oppression, the “deal with the devil” legend of Robert Johnson to the swinging hips of Elvis, the drug induced progressive Rock of the early 70’s, the anarchy of Punk, the violence of the Mods and Rockers, the bizarreness of Glam rock, Metal, the darkness of Goth, Acid House, Street Rap, Grunge, Emo, - there has always been a generation rebelling and revelling in music which their previous generation largely condemned. Whether its too sexy, too depressing, inspiring suicide or violence or witchcraft, there is always some media spin on why the latest teen music fad is dangerous to the spirit and damaging to the mentality of those who listen.
Same with film – in the 20’s talkies would destroy our brains, in the 50’s B-movies inspire terror, in the 70’s slasher flicks inspire violence. Various horrendous acts by the young or instable (and usually male) listener or watcher have been attributed to music or film over the last 80-100 years. Its an easy scapegoat, a cop-out for parental or societal responsibility, a way of not dealing with the emotional and social instability of (some) young or impressionable people.
Don’t think literature has been left out of the mould - Book banning for the “protection of the sensibilities of the people” are not uncommon, though thankfully not so much in the UK. Novels which challenge political or social perceptions, which address issues of faith, or mental health – if they are not banned, they are discussed, debated and slated – from the Da Vinci Code to the Satanic Verses, to Alice in Wonderland and Gulliver’s Travels.
It’s a detachment from reality, and regarded by some as dangerous. But isn’t that temporary detachment from reality the whole purpose of entertainment – to take us out of ourselves for a wee while, to experience joy in the creative process – whether a Bach concerto or a Green Day gig, Shakespeare at the Globe or in the West End, or the latest fast action Cinema release? To enter into a story other than our own, to experience vicariously the adventures of others? Whether it’s (the awful) Jedward on X Factor, Sharpe, Bilbo Baggins, Darth Vader or some other character every time we tune ourselves into a form of entertainment media – music, novel, reality TV, film, stageshow, play or drama – we enter vicariously into another world. The story, the traincrash of reality shows like big brother & reality talent shows, or the emotion of our choice of music draws us in and gives us just a glimpse of something beyond our regular day-to-day experience – sometimes good, sometimes not so good, sometimes just what we needed to put a smile on our faces.
Now it’s the time for computer games to bear the force of the blame – they inspire violence, corruption, encourage isolation and incessant pizza eating!
Titles like Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Hitman have been blamed for much, kids will emulate them and run around killing each other! World of Warcraft is seen as an addiction, Multi Media Online Role-play Games (MMORPG’s or MMO’s) as a destruction of communication and community.
Don’t get me wrong – there are incidents on both sides of the ocean which have been linked to various media. Part of the reasoning of the Columbine High School shooting was the fact that the perpetrators played games such as Doom and Wolfenstein 3D – fantasy horror first-person shooter games. The murder of Jamie Bulger and its attribution (in part) to the movie “Child’s Play 3”, and the Hungerford Massacre, which was likened by the press to “Rambo: First Blood”. The incidents are horrendous and vicious, and it is only right that justice was sought for the victims. But does blame lie at the feet of popular media?
Some links, as in Hungerford, are erroneous at best, others extremely tenuous.
To claim that a video game (graphic or otherwise) is to blame for the actions of an individual is to shift responsibility. Parental responsibility first and foremost in the actions of minors. Social responsibility in the form of school welfare officers/social support teachers for minors. Medical/psychiatric responsibility in the case of mental instability – why did these people slip through the gaps?
Most antisocial behaviour is some form of cry for help – whether to find relief from boredom, an escape from poverty, as a response to some form of prejudice, a release of the emotional confusions of what we lightly call “teen angst”. Societal issues, which we ignore at our peril, and find something convenient to act as a scapegoat instead. It’s the music, the movie, the game that caused it. No it wasn’t. As a culture and a society we need to grow up and take responsibility.
Before you buy into the next claim of “the game made him do it”, consider a few things:
Consider your own youth, the need to express yourself in music, literature or film the older generation didn’t understand or appreciate.
Consider how many atrocious acts are caused by those for whom there is no blame for the game, the movie, the music choice. Prisons are full of them. So are governments
Consider how many people are running around placing blocks in place if they hear Russian Folk Music (Korobeiniki, Tetris) running around in plumbers overalls collecting magic mushrooms (Super Mario Brothers – ok there may be a few…) dressing up as blue hedgehogs and running over buildings collecting golden rings (Sonic the Hedgehog). For if video games cause us to act in weird or antisocial ways, it must be applied to all video games, not just the ones we disapprove of. “they’re not real” I hear you cry! Neither is GTA, Hitman or Wolfenstein
Consider the rating of the game – they are rated, just like movies and music, for age specific content. If a 10 year old is having nightmares after playing an 18+ game, where is the responsibility? If a child who has not yet fully grasped the difference between reality and fantasy is being allowed to play a game for which he or she is too young, who’s fault is that – the game, the gaming industry or the parent?
Also consider the positives of gaming – stress relief, improvements in hand/eye co-ordination, reading ability, comprehension, puzzle solving, teamwork, organisation and management. In terms of MMO’s, far from being a community destroyer, they encourage and build community, develop communication, even the learning of other languages within the global sphere. Maybe it’s our perception of community which needs to change in a globalyl connected world? Computer games are also used as a recruitment tool for the US Armed Forces (America’s Army), and for educational purposes in schools.
Gaming is entertainment. It is meant to be fun, to be enjoyed for a little while, and then we re-enter the world of reality – as leaving a cinema or theatre or concert hall. Not all games have pleasant themes, in the same way that literature, cinema, animation, and music all deal with the unpleasant as well as the cheerful. It is one more medium in the expression of the range of human emotion and creativity. How we use the medium, how we understand it and deal with its epression is for us to decide, as is how we censor it or enjoy it. It is still a new medium, is a new art form and just like any other, it has the potential to educate, entertain, provide release, shock you, make you laugh, even make you cry. Unfortunately, for some it has become simply the latest scapegoat, a release from responsibility.
One of my wee pleasures is taking the occasional wander up Buchanan St and into Forbidden Planet – for a Sci-fi geek it is the nearest thing to heaven this side of eternity – books, games, graphic novels, various collectibles from the sublime to the ridiculous, the well-recognised and the most obscure tat of the sci-fi kind crammed together on semi-organised shelves.
It seemed an obvious place to pre-order a book i wanted last month – a new Star Wars novel, which was also providing a major update to Star Wars Galaxies, which i play on a regular basis with pals from all over the world. Both the book and the game update shared the same international release date, co-inciding with my birthday. A nice wee treat for myself then – or so i thought when i logged on to their website and placed a pre-order
I left ordering the book a little late – only 2 days before release, so wasnt too concerned when it didnt turn up on release day (as usually happens with pre-orders). A couple of weeks in however, I get a bit frustrated, contact FP, and am told release date isnt until 30 October, and it should be with me around that date (a complete lie! by this time other players have already read the book and put reviews on the SWG forums, and I’ve played a chunk of the new game content). However the generous and non-complaining side of me wins out, until this week. I email them again, point out their lie, and the fact that the price (which i’ve paid in full at the time of the order) has been reduced on their website. I cancelled the order. I suspect they hadnt received enough pre-orders to warrant their costs in ordering it, and were trying to cover themselves. They could have just been honest with me. but no, those silly people at FP lied to a StarWars geek about a Star Wars book! GRRRRRR bad FP! I may still take pleasure in wandering around the wee shop in Buchanan St from time to time, but buy anything from thier website again? nae chance!
A suspected case of swine flu among the non-communicant membership of one of the congregations! (one of the toddlers unfortunately). She is at home, warm and being looked after by those who care deeply for her, and being dosed on calpol and baby ibuprofen, after reacting unfavourably to toddler tamiflu!
How to deal with it in 2 congregations where there has been lots of hugging, handling and assisting to walk of the young lady in question? Carry on as normal, but inform the congregation there is a suspected (not confirmed) case and let them decide for themselves whether or not to take the common cup – seemed the most sensible option. Communion continued as normal, and as far as I am aware, no one chose not to recieve the common cup (apart from the one or two who have done since the moratorium on intinction). By far the majority response was concern and prayers for wee A, and her mum & dad (please feel free to join the resounding throng of prayer for her – absolutely awful way to spend a first birthday!)
When the flu pandemic first hit in Scotland, this is the advice I gave to the congregations, and is how I will continue to treat the situation for now:
Until further clear direction from the College of Bishops, or unless there are cases within our congregations, Holy Communion will continue to be available to all who wish to receive in our usual manner, with the following stipulations:
If you have flu symptoms, please stay home and get well! Phone the Rector, and Communion will be brought to you.
Sharing of the common cup will continue for now, but intinction (the practice of dipping the bread in the wine) is an unacceptable way of receiving both elements as it is a more likely method of spreading bacteria. If you would prefer to receive in one kind, that is an acceptable way of receiving communion.
It may be in the future that we have to suspend use of the common cup, this will only occur on guidance from health officials and the College of Bishops.
All servers, sacristans, Eucharistic Ministers and Celebrants will be using a 60% ethanol based hand gel before touching the Communion vessels and elements, and prior to the administration of communion.
If you live alone, or in an isolated area, and are unable to follow the recommended advice to have a “flu friend” who will collect antivirals should you be diagnosed, please phone the rector, who will perform this function for you.
A couple of new names for you on the blogroll, both in the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness – nip over and pay them a visit : Cliff Piper, Dean of the Diocese is new to blogland, so please play nice peeps
Also – we have another blogging bishop, +Mark Strange. he’s got comments turned off at the moment, and has been lurking unnoticed in blogland for a while, but he writes some pretty good stuff
so often with small churches, everything seems to be “us” – the need to raise finance to keep a roof over our heads, etc. We contribute to local charities at Christmas and harvest, and do the usual Christian Aid stuff, but the bulk of our energies seems to be maintenance rather than mission and aid. So it was fantastic to be approached by members of the congregation wanting to support external charities and do some fundraising for others.
The vestry and congregation decided at the AGM to support African Steps, working to provide healthcare for the 10,000 residents of Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, and another 70,000 people from Tanzania and Mozambique who live on the edges of the lake. Good Stuff!
Sounds like Beirut outside, with fireworks from Glasgow High School behind us, and Jordanhill School along the road. School firework celebrations, delayed from Guy Fawkes night yesterday.
Never quite understood why we celebrate a failed terrorist attack on the Houses of parliament by sending colourful little bombs into the air and burning effigies. maybe its just me, but i dont get it
nope – not the state of my desk or office floor (for a change!).
Lunch with our esteemed Ministry Development Officer today. She’s asked me to consider writing a paper for the Thursday evening lectures at Glasgow Uni (for early in the new year) , so i’m looking at “personhood and community in an online age“. See where i get with it. The other option is Sci-fi and the ethics of technology. Both subjects are close to my heart (and imagination) and both are swimming around in my head right now.
She even suggested i think about a PhD! me of all people!
I’ve contacted the Community manager of an online game I play, maybe get a little insight from the professionals!
