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October 2011

Divided

I recently tripped over the documentary, “Divided”. It is arguing against siloing the Christian community into different age groups. What particularly interested me is that it comes from the part of the Christian spectrum that has been arguing for siloing. “Church growth” models have been advocating having services where people are similar to each other

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standing at the north side

The Book of Common Prayer (1662) says, “And the Priest standing at the north side of the Table shall say the Lord’s Prayer, with the Collect following, the people kneeling.” This is a photo prior to 1960 in Hailes church in Gloucestershire. It clearly illustrates how the altar table was put lengthwise between the choir

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Sydney’s Common Prayer

Sydney Anglicanism would describe itself as conservative evangelical. It is often a place that points where others who so describe themselves are looking. Sydney’s diocesan synod recently opposed adoption of the “Anglican Covenant”. Liturgically it continues fighting nineteenth-century style battles putting energy where most have even forgotten that there was once controversy. Priests “ministers” are

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Jesus Sermon Mafa

Week starting October 30

Many are going to be celebrating All Saints’ Sunday on October 31 Eastern churches celebrate All Saints on the first Sunday after Pentecost. The first All Saints’ Day occurred on May 13, 609 (C.E.) when Boniface IV, bishop of Rome, accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the Emperor Phocas. This became the Church of

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Font

church architecture 4

THE Font is a primary sign and symbol in the worship space. Just as baptism images dying with Christ, so the font images tomb. Just as baptism images being cleansed, so the font images bath. You can stand up in the pool and have water poured over you. Use copious water. Baptism in the Anglican

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10 Rules for Online Engagement

I think there is a very positive culture in the community that gathers around this site. People hold strong positions on spirituality, worship, liturgy – here those positions, including differences and disagreements, are shared with respect. And humour. People follow the comments policy. I recently was pointed to these 10 rules for online engagement: Pray.

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The End of the World

As fate 😉 would have it – with some others I acted out the above skit to an audience of hundreds only a couple of weeks ago! [I had the part originally played by Alan Bennett]. And now, today, October 21, 2011 – according to Harold Camping – is the end of the universe. (Also

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