Let us pray (in silence) [that we rejoice in the Spirit guiding our lives] pause O God, on this day you taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of your Holy Spirit, may we, by the same Spirit, be truly wise and ever rejoice in your consolation; through Jesus Christ who is alive
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The image above, of three popes and a patriarch (no it’s not the beginning of a joke), may be unique in Christian history. The Copts have been separate from majority Christianity since the Council of Chalcedon in A.D. 451, the fourth ecumenical council. Pope Francis (for the Roman Catholic Church) and Pope Tawadros II (for
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This post is part 3 of a series which began with Baptised in Paul’s Name (Part 1) and Baptised in Paul’s Name (Part 2) I feel like I need to restate each time – this study is not advocating for a change from our ecumenically-agreed practice of baptising with a verbal, formulaic proclamation “…in the
My contention, in the first post of two, is that our current, ecumenically-agreed practice of baptising with a verbal, formulaic proclamation “…in the Name of the Father, and of the Son,…” is not the way that baptism occurred in the New Testament period. In no way do I want us to abandon our ecumenical agreement,
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Over twelve thousand people engaged with the post Millennials Are OVER Church. [Incidentally, far more did so on facebook than on the blog – which is itself worth further reflection]. The number one reaction to the post was: it is not just millennials who are over church. [The carping versions of that point would have
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On Sunday it was the 25th anniversary of my ordination as priest, and the local parish, St Michael and All Angels, invited me to preside and preach. The Priest in Charge (Canon Craufurd Murray – the vicar is away on Study Leave) was the one who presented me 25 years ago, and was my training
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In Christian (liturgical) practice we often say one thing and do another – our theory (our theology) is contradicted by our actual practice. Confirmation is a case in point. Confirmation has recently come up for discussion at General Synod Te Hinota Whanui. The proposal was to end confirmation in this church. That proposal was left
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Recent discussion about confirmation (and here and check the search box for more) has highlighted that many people are not aware of the majority historical practice of a united Christian initiation: baptism-christmation/confirmation-communion. Receiving communion, then, is clearly the repeatable part of Christian initiation. Current practices separating baptism; confirmation; communion – or – baptism; communion; confirmation
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