Presentation of Christ in the temple

Candlemas

They came, as called, according to the Law.

Though they were poor and had to keep things simple,

They moved in grace, in quietness, in awe,

For God was coming with them to His temple.

Amidst the outer court’s commercial bustle

They’d waited hours, enduring shouts and shoves,

Buyers and sellers, sensing one more hustle,

Had made a killing on the two young doves.

They come at last with us to Candlemas

And keep the day the prophecies came true

We glimpse with them, amidst our busyness,

The peace that Simeon and Anna knew.

For Candlemas still keeps His kindled light,

Against the dark our Saviour’s face is bright.

(Malcolm Guite)

DEACONS CAN TAKE WEDDINGS

CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons

Here’s what canon law says:

Solemnization of marriage by deacons (see Canon B 35, here)

Guidelines issued jointly by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York

1.    The minister officiating at a marriage service in the Church of England should normally be a bishop or a priest(1).

2.    A deacon may officiate at a marriage only if the consent of the incumbent and/or minister is first given(2).

3.    The authorized services should be used without variation whether the officiating minister is bishop, priest or deacon.

4.    When a priest is present he may delegate to a deacon parts of the service including:  (i)     the blessing of the ring(s);  (ii)    the pronouncement of the blessing(s) on the couple.

The priest should pronounce the blessing of the congregation at the end of the service.

Notes:  1.  Where the incumbent or minister has colleagues who are in holy orders (priests…

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Pride, prejudice & organisational humility

Jon Kuhrt is greatly experienced in all sorts of homelessness and is a government adviser on rought sleeping. Every faith organisation involved with these issues should read this article, especially noting what Jon says about ‘organisational humility’.

Grace + Truth

When it comes to addressing homelessness and the issues surrounding it, partnerships and joint work between organisations is absolutely vital.

This is because no one comes off the streets into accommodation through the work of just one agency. Successful progress is almost always a team effort involving a host of different agencies. It is their combined work which makes the difference. 

The barriers to joint work

In order to improve relationships between agencies, we need to name some of barriers which often exist. In my experience these factors are common:

Contrasting cultures. Often ‘professional’ agencies and the faith/community-based groups use language that can be alien to the other. They use different acronyms, different forms of bureaucracy and a different emphasis in how they deal with people. Negative judgements easily form around differences.

Promotion and pride. Part of the reality of fundraising is promoting your organisation and the

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‘WITH’

At our regional deaconversation last week we were talking about how diaconal ministry is usually ‘with’ people, and the importance of getting alongside people, listening to them, learning from them and enjoying their gifts. I promised to repost this reflection by Deacon Alison Handcock, ‘With”.

CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons

At our recent national conference ‘Deacons on the Move’, Deacon Alison Handcock (Bath and Wells)

led our final worship which included this reflection, read by different voices, which she calls simply ‘With‘.  A number of people were very struck by it and have asked for a copy:  Alison is happy for you to use it.

WITH

In the ordination service for deacons the word ‘with’ appears several times.  Deacons are called to work with priest and bishops as ambassadors of the kingdom;  to study the scriptures with the people of God.

Deacons are ordained to an outward-focussed sacramental and representative role, and called to model collaborative ways of working and empower all the people of God in their own diaconal ministry.  Some deacons work and connect between other agencies and churches as a bridge or stepping stone, linking the church with the world.

In the process…

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