|
A place at the
table
Ministry
of Healing
Spirit in the City
Cycle of Prayer
Jubilee Fun Day
Give someone a hug! |
|
Nigel writes about:- A Place
at the Table
Imagine the
scene: the dining table is set, ready for the evening meal. There is a
place set for each member of the family. The family is called to the
table, the food is brought in and everyone begins to eat - apart, that is,
from the younger members of the family. The children of the family who are
under 10 years of age or so just sit and watch everyone else eat.
This wouldn't happen, would it with a family celebration for a
wedding, for a Christmas meal or any other meal. But it does happen week
after week in many churches where the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, is
celebrated and shared. Children are left out of this important aspect of
faith and life with God.
Discussion about the admission of children who have been baptised to
Communion before their confirmation have been going on in the Church of
England for over 20 years. In some churches up and down the country
children have been receiving communion without "approval". Finally, the
approval has been given and there are now guidelines available for any
church which desires to enable children to receive communion.
The Church Council at St Barnabas decided at its January meeting this
year that we would seek to implement the guidelines to enable baptised
children to receive communion. The next step will include a letter to
parents of children in the church explaining what could happen and
inviting parents to indicate whether this is something they wish their
child to join in with. There will also be further explanation and comment
during the morning service on 12th May.
There are many issues and questions about this subject which,
hopefully, will be addressed in the coming weeks including the nature of
baptism, the importance of communion, the sense of belonging, the need for
children to grow in faith and what this means in practice. How should
children be prepared adequately before receiving communion? What happens
if some children receive and others do not? What age should this be
considered? What happens to confirmation?
One of the main issues for me in considering this issues is about the
place of children in the life of the church. Are they equal partners with
the adults on the journey of faith? Or, do we devalue them and in so doing
devalue ourselves. Our attitude towards children is vitally important.
Figures show that thousands of children left the church every week in the
1990's, with less than 3% returning to church life later in adulthood.
But more importantly, Jesus declared to adults that we need to "become
as a child" in order for us to know the things of God and his kingdom. We
need their presence with us. We need their contribution if we are all to
belong and to grow together in faith and love." . . . may we who share
Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to
others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in
the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be
free and the whole earth live to praise your name. . ."
CMS
Leeds and District
Cycle of Prayer
A CMS / Springboard Joint Initiative
Come and join us for an evening of prayer, praise and proclamation, and
meet the CMS and Springboard Cyclists on their nation-wide pilgrimage St
George's Church, Leeds
Ascension Day Thursday 9th May 2002 at 7.30 pm
|
|
Ministry of Healing.
Did you know that the
Leeds and Ripon Diocese has an Advisory Group of the Church's Ministry of
Healing?
One Thursday morning in April, Joan Ibbotson, Maureen Macrae and I
attend a morning event run by this group entitled "In Search of
Wholeness", at St. Mary's, Beeston.
It was a quiet and low-key event, with about two dozen of us in a
large church hall. Everybody felt able to join in, and we all learnt from
each others' experience and practise. We were reminded that Jesus'
ministry of healing was:-
Visionary - in that it gives us a glimpse of a future
when all creation will be restored to wholeness
Prophetic - as it calls us to reconsider our
relationship with God, with others and with our world, and to seek
forgiveness and a fresh start
Dynamic - because Jesus is with us to the end of time,
and He responds to us when we pray.
Joan and Maureen attended a workshop on "Creating a Healing Space",
which explored ways of setting aside an area for quiet prayer within a
busy church building. The group I was in shared ways of offering prayer
for others in different church contexts. We all benefitted from hearing
how each other's churches tried to provide appropriate opportunities for
individuals to receive God's blessing and help.
The morning ended with a quiet and unhurried time of reflection and
prayer, with many people receiving the laying-on-of-hands from some of the
clergy present.
The events listed (on our Events
page) will no doubt have a different subject, but I trust that
anyone attending will feel as refreshed and blessed as we three did. Do
speak to any of us if you'd like to hear more.
Mary Page
Pentecost Sunday 19th May
Spirit in the City
Last year 3000 people celebrated Pentecost at Spirit in the City,
Millennium Square in the heart of Leeds City Centre. This year we hope to
see even more people witness and experience the positive contribution of
the Church today, and celebrate God's presence.
We are inviting people from across the city, Christians and
non-Christians to join us. Councillors, MPs and even the Lord Mayor
himself will be in attendance.
The event will include stalls from a wide variety of projects and
organisations that reflect the heart of God in our city. There will also
be a diverse range of music, puppetry, dance, storytelling and much more,
before finally gathering together for worship led from the main stage. The
message will be that the Church, in all its forms, offers a relevant and
highly significant contribution to society.
Spirit in the City is the successor to Pentecost Praise, continuing the
tradition of this successful event in bringing together Christians of
denominations from all over the City. It is organised by a cross-church
steering committee and managed by Metamorphosis Theatre and Events, a
professional Christian company working in and for the city of Leeds.
Times: Stalls and live entertainment 2 - 3pm; Worship event 3 - 4pm
Top of page |
