Saturday 19 May 2012
Hope & Gamble...it's started!
Sorry to keep banging on about this, but now it's started it would be rude to not remind you what you might potentially be missing out on.
Last night saw the Cathedral full, which in itself is an amazing spectacle!
You know something's caught people's imagination when congregants are arriving with over half an hour before the service starts. Normal church services are like film screenings - you know if you arrive five or ten minutes after the start you won't have missed much - maybe the notices! This is not like a usual service...
At 7.25pm the Band (the Hope and Gamble band...hmmm...we do need a better name!) played 'I've come to wash my soul'...a little known Graham Kendrick number from a few years back....(although as I write the name Graham Kendrick I can already sense Robin was right when he said this was a more radio 2 event than radio 1)
At 7.30pm on the nose (again - rare) we started.
Robin and Sue traded jokes and amusing anecdotal stories of their sporting prowess - related to the overall Olympic-related theme of 'More Than Gold'.
We then enjoyed a period of worship (Crown Him With Many Crowns sung with enormous vigour by the congregation!); interviews with Richard and Paul Walker - Bradfordians, brothers and both vicars (you can follow Paul on Twitter @paulwalker71); then a beautiful song by the talented John Froud.
The H&G Band then led the congregation in 'At The Foot Of The Cross' leading into 'My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less' - both songs not usually sung across Bradford churches but picked up easily.
Robin then spoke with pathos, humour, clarity and passion about the difference Jesus brings. He used the metaphor of a mile race - typically four laps of an athletic track - and he encouraged us to think about where we all are...in the main (without being cruel) many people last night would be late lap 3/lap 4 - sobering. But with his visual aids Robin demonstrated the stark reality of eternal life with Jesus.
In response we sang Amazing Grace - with an opportunity to respond individually as well - either for healing prayer - or to commit to a life with Jesus.
As a team member, it is sobering to see God at work - to reflect on how this one event, these evenings, sometimes just fragmentary moments totally transform a person's entire life - forever.
Perhaps you might want to bring someone - or bring yourself. 2 nights left: 7.30pm at Bradford Cathedral.
Labels:
Bradford,
Bradford Cathedral,
evangelism,
healing,
Hope and Gamble,
prayer,
Robin Gamble,
Sue Hope,
worship
Thursday 17 May 2012
HOPE & GAMBLE
At a loose end this weekend? Feeling a bit listless?
Starting tomorrow night, at Bradford Cathedral, and throughout the weekend there is going to be something special happening.
Sue Hope and Robin Gamble are presenting three evenings of what they are calling ‘Christianity with a Light Touch’. This is an opportunity for us to hear the good news of Jesus for ourselves and for our friends. An opportunity to hear afresh the challenge and comfort of the gospel.
The evenings are a mix of worship (brought by yours truly), performance (the legendary John Froud), interview, media, and talk.
This event was held in 2010 to much aclaim. See here for 2010's flier...
Each night starts at 7.30pm
And if we can all be winners then why is Jesus the loser?
This is the time for the real you, the deep down you to draw close and receive something more than gold.
The event starts at 7.30pm each night...but (and I exaggerate not) you should come early to avoid bad seats!
About Robin and Sue:
You should check out: Hope and Gamble.
Starting tomorrow night, at Bradford Cathedral, and throughout the weekend there is going to be something special happening.
Sue Hope and Robin Gamble are presenting three evenings of what they are calling ‘Christianity with a Light Touch’. This is an opportunity for us to hear the good news of Jesus for ourselves and for our friends. An opportunity to hear afresh the challenge and comfort of the gospel.
The evenings are a mix of worship (brought by yours truly), performance (the legendary John Froud), interview, media, and talk.
This event was held in 2010 to much aclaim. See here for 2010's flier...
This year's theme is: More Than Gold
Each night starts at 7.30pm
Friday 18th May - The Race of Life
Birth, childhood, adulthood and growing older. It's all one big adventure, a journey, perhaps even a race against time.Saturday 19th May - Not a Sprint, but a Marathon
Day after day, year after year, uphill and downhill, great times and difficult ones. And somehow, Jesus being alive and sharing the journey with us, offering healing, strength, inner peace and direction when we get lost.Sunday 20th May -More Than Gold
Can we all win medals, or something even greater?And if we can all be winners then why is Jesus the loser?
This is the time for the real you, the deep down you to draw close and receive something more than gold.
The event starts at 7.30pm each night...but (and I exaggerate not) you should come early to avoid bad seats!
About Robin and Sue:
Robin Gamble is Priest-in-charge of Idle and Bradford’s Diocesan Evangelist. Prior to that he was Canon Evangelist for Manchester Diocese. He is well known for leading St Augustine’s Church in Bradford from a congregation of 30, worshipping under a leaking roof to over 300 people worshipping in a completely renovated building, incorporating a cafe and public library. Robin was the originator of ‘The Gospel according to Queen’, ‘Bart Simpson meets Jesus’ and the Da Vinci code events.
Sue Hope is Priest-in-charge of Shipley, St. Paul’s and is also Adviser in Evangelism to the Bradford Diocese. Prior to that Sue was in parish ministry for nearly twenty years before becoming Sheffield Diocesan Missioner. She was a Canon of Sheffield Cathedral and is a member of the College of Evangelists and a Six Preacher of Cantebury Cathedral. Sue has vast experience both as a parish Priest and Rural Dean.
Labels:
Bradford,
Bradford Cathedral,
close to God,
event,
hope,
Hope and Gamble,
John Froud,
Joy,
lifestyle,
love,
prayer,
Robin Gamble,
Sue Hope,
worship
Tuesday 15 May 2012
Are you happy to be a mystery?
Yesterday
was the Festival of St Matthias. (I intended to blog about this yesterday…but
like Matthias it’s late)
So as I wandered about yesterday, chewing over this mysterious character of Matthias I wondered about what he did? What sort of person was he?
Maybe the lack of information is quite deliberate on God’s part…maybe differences in character are hard to explain and discern…for example I cannot explain why my little boy is so happy, so relaxed when placed in the care of others – unlike our friends’ children who are agitated and upset when in the care of others…
Perhaps it’s God, or DNA, or whether or not we’re hungry or thirsty, or our nature, or our nurture…who knows?
During the course of yesterday I met with the Bishop of Bradford. Afterwards I thought about my conduct. I felt as though I had been myself. I also spoke to colleagues in Sheffield yesterday, including some strangers.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Some argue
that the Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (read Acts
1:12-26), was the wrong choice. The Apostle Paul should have taken up the 12th
spot – his works evidence this, surely?
But I’m
quite uncomfortable with this marginalisation…after all do we hear about the other Judas after Pentecost (where
Matthias is counted amongst the 11 stood with Peter (Acts 2:14), or Thomas, or
Andrew…do we have any records in the Bible of the activity of these other disciples?
No. We rely on tradition, myth, legend and hearsay in most cases.
So as I wandered about yesterday, chewing over this mysterious character of Matthias I wondered about what he did? What sort of person was he?
Well we know
that he knew Jesus personally, from
the beginning of His earthly ministry until his resurrection appearances. A
witness. Paul – does not fit this criteria – he was not present from the off…
That’s all
we know…
The problem,
of course, is that Judas Iscariot also knew Jesus – very personally – he kissed
him after all!
So what is
it about this particular type of knowing Jesus that sets the disciples apart?
What’s the difference between a Matthias or a Judas?
Maybe the lack of information is quite deliberate on God’s part…maybe differences in character are hard to explain and discern…for example I cannot explain why my little boy is so happy, so relaxed when placed in the care of others – unlike our friends’ children who are agitated and upset when in the care of others…
Perhaps it’s God, or DNA, or whether or not we’re hungry or thirsty, or our nature, or our nurture…who knows?
Matthias died
– just like Judas – just like you and I will also. But legend has it that he
was martyred. Indeed, non-Biblical sources suggest that 10 of the original 12 disciples
were also martyred (James, the brother of John’s is in Acts!).
Is that the
difference, perhaps? That they followed Jesus – his words and deeds.
I like the
mystery of Matthias. The uncertainty…
During the course of yesterday I met with the Bishop of Bradford. Afterwards I thought about my conduct. I felt as though I had been myself. I also spoke to colleagues in Sheffield yesterday, including some strangers.
And as I
thought about the bishop’s position of authority and status, I was reminded of
the poem, ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling – a poem I used to be able to recite.
I mention
this because as I thought about Matthias’ character, his experience, and his
ultimate martyrdom the poem’s motif of being yourself, being true to your
cause, and doing your best made me think – if I imagine an apostle, do I
imagine a perfect person? – no, look at Peter – but I think of men of God…laying
down their nets, their jobs, and following…and as Matthias had been there since
the start – he too had shared in this following. When the apostles were
dispersed they went to the crowds, the rich and the poor, and they faced
whatever God had in store for them.
And do it
with no one knowing, for sure, how they did it. A rumour. A mystery.
As we
prepare for Ascensiontide and Pentecost we must ask a tough question – am I a
Judas or a Matthias? Am I known for knowing Jesus? Am I standing with others
who witness? Am I following Jesus – to the very end?
If you can keep your head when all
about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can
dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your
aim,If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can
make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can
talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common
touch,If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Labels:
Acts,
Apostles,
Ascensiontide,
discipleship,
Matthias,
Pentecost,
suffering
Urbanisation and dependence
“27
So every carpenter and workmaster, that laboureth night and day: and they that
cut and grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety, and give
themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work: 28
The smith also sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron work, the vapour
of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace:
the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes look
still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he setteth his mind to
finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly: 29 So doth the
potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is
always carefully set at his work, and maketh all his work by number; 30
He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his
feet; he applieth himself to lead it over; and he is diligent to make clean the
furnace:
31 All these trust to their hands: and everyone is wise in his work.
Cities are inhabited by tradesmen - urban centres are full of business.
Prosper those engaged in commerce and industry
And direct their minds and hands
That they may rightly use your gifts in the service of others.
31 All these trust to their hands: and everyone is wise in his work.
32
Without these cannot a city be inhabited: and they shall not dwell where they
will, nor go up and down”
(Sirach 38:27-32)
(Sirach 38:27-32)
Cities are inhabited by tradesmen - urban centres are full of business.
Psalm 107
speaks about the need of a city to settle in – that without God the Israelites had no city
of their own. I live in a city – in fact, more than half the world’s population
now live in urban centres – as opposed to rural. It is expected that 70 per cent
of the world population will be urban by 2050. This is staggering! Take a look
around your nearest city and consider the way it has grown – from what humble
beginnings did it start? Where is there growth? New estates of houses? New
shopping complexes? New business?
The idea of
building is used in one of Jesus’ most famous parables – the Wise and Foolish
Builders. In this parable, Jesus suggests that wisdom comes from coming to Him,
hearing his word, and putting them into practice (Luke 6:47). Good foundations
come from this wisdom. If you’re going to build, Jesus says, do it properly. Of
course, this is an obvious point; as ever designed to make His listeners laugh.
‘Why on earth would you not lay good foundations??!? ’
‘Exactly!’
replies Jesus.
This idea of
diligence is quite common in the Bible. The second Rogation Day is focused
(traditionally) on commerce and industry. Effective tradesman/businessmen are those
who are diligent and hardworking. I watch The Apprentice and love the
simplicity of success – put your back into it…well it works most of the time!
The passage
from Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus) refers to three specific trades:
carpenter, metal smith, and potter. It suggests that it is God who is at work
in their labours. Labours that form the foundation of a working society, a
successful city. Do you work in a trade? I have great admiration for plasterers (I once tried it...messy wall isn't even close), electricians, and plumbers. There is a strange beauty in the way complex issues are resolved in smooth walls, light-fittings that issue no shock, and a shower that is both warm and wet... Tradespeople may not find God in their work, it may feel quite 'secular', but I believe God is present in their endeavours.
Isn’t it
fascinating that God is described as all three tradesmen in the passage from Sirach …he is the Potter in Jeremiah 18,
God is described as plucking Israel from the iron-smelting furnace (again
Jeremiah 11:4), and of course Jesus himself is a carpenter. God endorses and operates as a tradesman.
The purpose
of Rogation Days (from the Latin, Rogare, meaning ‘to ask’) is to prompt
specific prayers of petition to God – asking him to bless the seasons and
crops, commerce and industry, and the environment in general. Historically
these were far more popular in an agricultural society that depended so much
more on good weather. We really don’t have an appreciation of plague, famine
and drought…our forebears did. Society then was deeply local and often rural.
We live in a
deeply urban world, where jobs are in service industry, online, retail and
hospitality. And in this world we are often made to live for ourselves – to become
more and more independent.
That said,
we currently live in some of the most turbulent economic conditions known. We
are realising, perhaps too late, that we are dependent in deeper, more profound
ways with our European neighbours as well as our next-door neighbours. As
Greece looks into the abyss, there is a real chance that botched economics,
flawed commerce will create even tougher living conditions globally…
Almighty God
and Father,
You have so
ordered our life
That we are
dependent on one another:Prosper those engaged in commerce and industry
And direct their minds and hands
That they may rightly use your gifts in the service of others.
Rogation
Days remind us that we depend on one another, on the land, on the weather, on
animals, on the world we live in.
And of
course, ultimately, we depend on God – the one who fashions and shapes us, who
brings us through the tests and trials of life, who as carpenter took up a
wooden cross to give us life.
We pray to
show our need.
Do it!
Labels:
Dependence on God,
economy,
Jeremiah,
prayer,
Rogation Day,
Sirach,
urbanisation
Rogation Day
It's Rogation Day!
Well...um...let me see. Well, actually, today is the second of a set of three.
"There are three?"
Yes...these three days fall immediately prior to Ascension Day.
It's quite an ancient tradition - taking its root from the Latin 'Rogare', to ask - we spend time praying for our needs...for fruitful seasons and those who work on the land and sea; for our commerce and industry; and for the environment that God might help us care for the world, to help us be good stewards.
There are three special prayers (collects) for these days:
Almighty God,
whose will it is that the earth and the sea
should bear fruit in due season:
bless the labours of those who work on land and sea,
grant us a good harvest
and the grace always to rejoice in your fatherly care;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God and Father,
you have so ordered our life
that we are dependent on one another:
prosper those engaged in commerce and industry
and direct their minds and hands
that they may rightly use your gifts in the service of others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God our Father,
you never cease the work you have begun
and prosper with your blessing all human labour:
make us wise and faithful stewards of your gifts
that we may serve the common good,
maintain the fabric of our world
and seek that justice where all may share
the good things you pour upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We often think that prayers of request are somehow crude, ugly and selfish. You must be a shallow Christian to pray such prayers...
The truth, of course, is that we never graduate from this form of prayer - all the meditation and mysticism cannot erase the fact that we NEED God. And this need drives us to our needs...we need forgiveness, guidance, energy, insight, healing, support, etc, etc.
Indeed, one could argue that we disobey God when we fail to ask..."until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:24)
You can read more about the roots of Rogation Days here.
"Eh? What's that?"
Well...um...let me see. Well, actually, today is the second of a set of three.
"There are three?"
Yes...these three days fall immediately prior to Ascension Day.
It's quite an ancient tradition - taking its root from the Latin 'Rogare', to ask - we spend time praying for our needs...for fruitful seasons and those who work on the land and sea; for our commerce and industry; and for the environment that God might help us care for the world, to help us be good stewards.
There are three special prayers (collects) for these days:
Almighty God,
whose will it is that the earth and the sea
should bear fruit in due season:
bless the labours of those who work on land and sea,
grant us a good harvest
and the grace always to rejoice in your fatherly care;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God and Father,
you have so ordered our life
that we are dependent on one another:
prosper those engaged in commerce and industry
and direct their minds and hands
that they may rightly use your gifts in the service of others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God our Father,
you never cease the work you have begun
and prosper with your blessing all human labour:
make us wise and faithful stewards of your gifts
that we may serve the common good,
maintain the fabric of our world
and seek that justice where all may share
the good things you pour upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We often think that prayers of request are somehow crude, ugly and selfish. You must be a shallow Christian to pray such prayers...
The truth, of course, is that we never graduate from this form of prayer - all the meditation and mysticism cannot erase the fact that we NEED God. And this need drives us to our needs...we need forgiveness, guidance, energy, insight, healing, support, etc, etc.
Indeed, one could argue that we disobey God when we fail to ask..."until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:24)
You can read more about the roots of Rogation Days here.
Sunday 13 May 2012
Two busy weeks...
Christmas is
fun, Lent is serious, Easter is joyful…but what of Ascensiontide?
- Feast of St Matthias
- Ascension Day
- Ascensiontide
- Festivals for such luminaries as Dunstan, John & Charles Wesley, The Venerable Bede, and Augustine; plus commemorations for: Caroline Chisholm, Aldhelm, Philip Neri, and John Calvin….completed by
- Pentecost.
Here we are
it has been a month plus now since Easter…there’s some toe-tapping as we await
Pentecost (which is always around my birthday). And yet, sandwiched at the end
of Easter-tide this year are an exciting collection of Holy Days.
We are entering
an exciting period in the Christian calendar…lots to feast our hearts and minds
on, lots of inspiration…
-
Rogation Days- Feast of St Matthias
- Ascension Day
- Ascensiontide
- Festivals for such luminaries as Dunstan, John & Charles Wesley, The Venerable Bede, and Augustine; plus commemorations for: Caroline Chisholm, Aldhelm, Philip Neri, and John Calvin….completed by
- Pentecost.
The next
fortnight is a liturgically rich time – something for everyone.
And we start
on Monday 14 May with the first Rogation Day and the feast of St Matthias.
Labels:
Ascension Day,
Ascensiontide,
Eastertide,
Lectionary,
Pentecost,
Rogation Day
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