Hello again, it's been a while since there was any activity here. But Facebook's events system is so complicated these days I thought I'd use this as a way of inviting you all to something.
On Sunday 16th December my church (St Michael le Belfrey) is holding it's annual carol service in York Minster. It's always a great service, with carols (congregational and choral) and performances by Riding Lights theatre company. It's also free. So if you'd like to come to a carol service in the minster, this is your opportunity. Oh, and did I mention I'm in the choir?
The service starts at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm but I'd recommend getting there before that as there's usually a queue and the place gets quite full (there are usually screens so you can see what's going on at the front). It's also chilly, so wrap up warm.
It would be lovely if you could come. Let me know if you want any more info.
And if you're interested, here's a couple of old posts on Christmasy themes:
Journeys
The darker side of carols
Carols
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Sunday, 29 January 2012
And another one...
Two broadly positive posts in a week? Never! What, never? Well, hardly ever...but see!
One point I'd like to add to hers is that it's not just the, to quote, 'sharey-sharey' nature of the new testament, but the care for the individual. Jesus doesn't treat everyone the same. People are treated according to their needs, to who they are. For example, the man cured of leprosy (Mark 1, 40-45), a man who has been shunned and not been touched for years, is cured with a touch, and told to go and show himself to the priest so he can be accepted back into society. The servant of a Roman centurion, a man used to commands being obeyed, is healed without Jesus needing to go near him to show that Jesus has authority, just like the centurion (Matthew 8 5-13). The government welfare plans, like so much government policy, are designed to reduce individuals and families' complex needs down to a siple, easy to administer formula. Unfortunately a lot of people are likely to fall through the gaps because they have unusual or extreme needs that don't meet the formula, and low ranking officials won't have the time or the training to deal with them.
It's the bishops job to tell people- and in this case the government- how to behave better, both in terms of welfare policy and perhaps in their dealings with banks. While they have a voice in the Lords- and elsewhere, through the media- I hope they keep doing that.
One point I'd like to add to hers is that it's not just the, to quote, 'sharey-sharey' nature of the new testament, but the care for the individual. Jesus doesn't treat everyone the same. People are treated according to their needs, to who they are. For example, the man cured of leprosy (Mark 1, 40-45), a man who has been shunned and not been touched for years, is cured with a touch, and told to go and show himself to the priest so he can be accepted back into society. The servant of a Roman centurion, a man used to commands being obeyed, is healed without Jesus needing to go near him to show that Jesus has authority, just like the centurion (Matthew 8 5-13). The government welfare plans, like so much government policy, are designed to reduce individuals and families' complex needs down to a siple, easy to administer formula. Unfortunately a lot of people are likely to fall through the gaps because they have unusual or extreme needs that don't meet the formula, and low ranking officials won't have the time or the training to deal with them.
It's the bishops job to tell people- and in this case the government- how to behave better, both in terms of welfare policy and perhaps in their dealings with banks. While they have a voice in the Lords- and elsewhere, through the media- I hope they keep doing that.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Shock, horror!
Sorry for the long absence. However, I've been shocked on returning after reading this article. Positive coverage of something religious communities are doing in national mainstream media? Is that allowed?
On a more serious note, yay. I wish I read as many of these sort of articles as the ones where someone who doesn't understand a religion or set of beliefs criticises those who believe, usually on grounds that something they believe isn't, from their point of view, rational. A good, thoughtful piece is worth reading whether you agree with their conclusions or not (perhaps especially not, it's good to be challenged to think about why you believe things). But too often it boils down to one person bashing another's beliefs because they don't like their beliefs. And one of the first things I learnt as a history student was to detect and be wary of writers who base their arguments on their prejudices. In history it often leads to conclusions that are later shown to be wrong. I suspect a few journalists could do with learning that.
On a more serious note, yay. I wish I read as many of these sort of articles as the ones where someone who doesn't understand a religion or set of beliefs criticises those who believe, usually on grounds that something they believe isn't, from their point of view, rational. A good, thoughtful piece is worth reading whether you agree with their conclusions or not (perhaps especially not, it's good to be challenged to think about why you believe things). But too often it boils down to one person bashing another's beliefs because they don't like their beliefs. And one of the first things I learnt as a history student was to detect and be wary of writers who base their arguments on their prejudices. In history it often leads to conclusions that are later shown to be wrong. I suspect a few journalists could do with learning that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)