There was an ecumenical conversation on the Eucharist, organised by Liverpool Parish Church, on 8 September with introductory contributions from the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool and the Chair of the Liverpool Methodist District. The texts of their talks are available here. The Bishop of Liverpool has also published his contribution on his own website: The presence of Jesus.
Jo Kershaw Church Times Keeping the Catholic flame burning
“Let’s not lose the gift of laughter”
Kelvin Holdsworth Who would true valour sing?
Jeremy Morris Viamedia.News Time for “A New Evangelism”?
I enjoyed reading Jo Kershaw and found her piece inspiring. I have been wondering if the Catholic spirit and life would be blessed by greater ‘ use’ of the Jesus Prayer.
Really enjoyed Kelvin Holdsworth’s piece, especially as I’m involved in a Facebook discussion on the Telegraph’s article on Bishop Rachel Treweek.
Thus far it seems that I am alone in feeling dismay that Kelvin Holdsworth rejects the singing of John Henry Newman’s “Firmly I believe and truly” in his cathedral. How far can one go tinkering with, or abandoning, hymns on perceived grounds that they aren’t ‘inclusive’? We declare and affirm the words in the Nicene Creed “and was made man”. Newman wasn’t putting any different meaning to the word ‘manhood’.
We aren’t discussing an unauthorised revision of the Nicene Creed but the words of Newman’s hymn – actually an extract from ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ – and a fervent statement of faith. My suggestion (perhaps radical to some TA contributors) is that both should be respected and left alone!
Rod, are you going to do the same thing with the Gospel of John, which is completely built around the Father/Son analogy?
Sadly, yes.
Further to my reply to your earlier email largely about the Nicene Creed, yes, I entirely agree that the sermon or homily should be used to explain to adults, in the same way as I experienced it in children’s services long ago.
Actually, I started this conversation and ‘introduced’ the Nicene Creed to make the point, as it seems to me (traditional C of E Anglican), that Newman’s hymn and the Creed say the same thing. How far do we go or, for that matter, should we go in imposing our own ideas? I have heard an elderly C of E retired priest covering an interregnum preach to a congregation about “wanting our own way” in liturgy (i.e., to the exclusion of the opposite ‘option’ – in that case the C of E BCP). I have equally encountered a C of E… Read more »