The Wisdom of Homer

So the Simpsons Christmas special has just presented an interesting outlook on the church

Let’s just say that on this day a million years ago, a dude was born who most of us think was magic, but others don’t and that’s cool. But we’re probably right. Amen – Homer Simpson

I was also tickled by this…

Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ. – Bart Simpson

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Holiday Illness

I have been on holiday now for nearly a week and that can only mean one thing! Illness!! It started last Saturday and has had me feeling pants until today. I have managed to make it out of bed and dressed and feel almost human. Appologies for my absense (I have a note from my mum)!

One thing I have been able to do whilst ill is scan my films from Greenbelt. These shots were taken using a Holga on fuji velvia film that was then cross processed. Check them out on my flickr account.

Doing The Green Thing in the Dark

I know I keep mentioning Do The Green Thing.  I also know that I keep mentioning Hot Leg.  Well Hot Leg recently played at a Do the Green Thing soiree…

The Rule of St. Benedict.

Some words of wisdom.

The strong should have something to strive after whilst the weak shouldn’t be discouraged.

Worship Idea 15 – Jazz Preaching

I haven’t posted a worship idea in a while.  I guess that is mostly due to the context I find myself in for the next 6 months.  Worshipping with a monastic community is a wonderful experience and it is greatly informing my understanding of emergence – but it doesn’t often appear to be alt. worship.

This post came out of a conversation at ASBOJesus about the efficacy of preaching a sermon as part of an act of worship.  One of the main concerns was that there was not enough opportunity in a “traditional sermon” for interaction.  This idea for Jazz Preaching came from a friend of mine who used the analogy of how Jazz Musicians interact with each other following a theme but improvising around it.  Her idea was that a small group of people from the church meet in a local coffee shop on Monday morning.  They would go through the readings for the next week and sit and talk about it over a Danish pastry. They would do much the same thing on Thursday morning.  This would then follow on to a pint on Saturday evening with the same kind of theological discourse.  On Sunday morning in church they would then sit around a table and the conversation continues.  People would be able to improvise on the theme because they have been living with the issues raised from the passage for a week.  It would also allow a diversity of opinion and more voices to speak to the conversation.  If anyone has things to say from the congregation they can (Trisha stylee with a roving microphone).

One Year of WordPress Blogging

It is the one year anniversary of my blog – Changing Worship – moving to wordpress from myspace.  It has certainly been an eventful year with highs and lows.  Obviously there have been big changes for me personally as I move towards ordination in the CofE and all that that entails.  A big thanks to all those of you who have contributed to the discussion as I explore what it means to be emergent within and without the institutions.  Also, a big thanks to those who have inspired the worship ideas and given so freely as we explore alternative ways of worshipping God!

All together now… Happy Birthday to you…….

The New Year

We have just entered into a new liturgical year as we start looking towards the incarnation at Christmas.  We are also heading towards a new calendar year.  With this in mind, a friend of mine has produced a calendar for 2009 using some of his stunning images of the UK’s north east coast.  It is available from redbubble to order.

Advent Resources

Proost have loads of different stuff available for the advent season.  Most stuff is cheap and downloadable.  Check it out here on Jonny Bakers blog.

Advent Labyrinth in Meltham

Meltham Methodist Church on Mill Moor Road in Meltham will be having an Advent Labyrinth.  I didn’t make it along last year but saw lots of photos and heard good reports so it could be worth a look.

Thursday 11th 11-5
Friday 12th 11-7
Saturday13 11-7 with creche 2-4

Nativity in Comic Format

The Diocese of London has produced a Beano style comic version of the nativity in a move to make Christianity more accessible in multicultural Britain.  There is also quite an extensive children’s section on the London Christmas website.

It doesn’t matter how old and stuffy you are, going to the left of the advent calendar and hovering over the organ is pleasing!!