i-church

For our ministry team.

"... do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4

Thank you for that comment, Ernest apposite as always. I understand the "silence of the Bells" but would have thought a single tolling at a fixed time every day would send a positive signal to all who heard it.
Roger

I had not got as far as thinking practical things like access, Joyce. I like the idea of a parish deciding to invite local people to pray when they hear their own church bell during lockdown. I can't help but feel some folks just might. It worked in olden days and we still have the kit. I know we ca...

Reflecting on this, we learn from the pandemic of Coronavirus that we do not HAVE to be physically present to be praying together. I feel I am still in congregation with my parish, associated contemplative communities and of course i-church. I did have a thought. I wonder how many parish churches ha...

Caught on the Radio today:
'When a monk stands in prayer, if he is alone, he does not pray at all.'
R.

Thanks Ernest. Interesting and apposite. I was certainly not "murmuring" as St Benedict puts it - but highlighting some of the issues. Ours is a welcoming and an imaginative community, and I know we all miss each others company. R.

If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, not to yourself.
RSB

Innovations in liturgy are rarely used. We stick to BCP for early and midweek services and use common worship - order 1 for our sung Eucharist and a Service of the Word for family services. So, experienced congregations are used to these types of services. Occasionally we adapt the Service of the W...

VERY interesting, Earnest. You make me reflect on how the big medieval church buildings were once used, an isolated chancel or "Choir" with formally-arranged inward-facing seating, Decani and Cantoris. Naves, being usually the biggest covered public space in the area, would sometimes be given over t...

"A wise person is known by the fewness of their words"
RSB

Hello Joyce. Hope all's going well for you. We're doing fine. Up to now I have not gone down the Zoom/Skype route - being a firm email fan, with some posting on a forum or two. I am investigating how best to do it with our somewhat limited line speeds. I have a new purpose built pc and an old HP bac...

"..In much speaking there is no escape from sin..."
RSB

Very interesting comments. We have very similar dilemmas here and I have no idea as yet which way the "Group" will turn. We already have the issue of small congregations in "lumpy" listed buildings - to borrow a term from economics. We can probably stratify the options according to typical congregat...

"It is good for me that You have humbled me,
that I may learn Your commandments"
RSB

I've ordered a copy of your book, Pam - looking forward to that. Very much take your point that: "Many dioceses are drawing a distinction between 'online church' - a church which exists mainly online - and 'church online' - traditional churches going online as an additional activity. It remains to b...

"I am brought to nothing and I am without understanding;
I have become as a beast of burden before You,
and I am always with You" (Ps. 72[73]:22-23).

This is a hugely important and exciting issue, Ernest. I'm a bit surprised there has been no response - so I'll offer something. Faith has embraced new technology successfully, in art, sculpture, music, dance and drama, clay and wax tablets, parchment and papyrus documents, paper, the printing press...

The fourth degree of humility is that he/she hold fast to patience with
a silent mind when in this obedience he/she meets with difficulties
and contradictions and even any kind of injustice, enduring all without
growing weary or running away.

"I have come not to do My own will,
but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38).
RSB 31 May