Sunday, November 29, 2009

I woke up at 3: AM. My eyes just bolted open and I was unable to

go back to sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about all the sights and
sounds of Gloucester. My body was filled with excitement and
refused to just relax. After three hours of unsuccessful slumber, I
went to the bathroom to wash up, and then (since we are eight hours
ahead of Pacific Time in the States) I called Bill to say good night.

After breakfast, Aidan, Helen and I went for Eucharist at St. James
Parish. I read the Gospel and helped to preside by participating in
the Eucharistic Prayer and distributing communion. It was
wonderful. There were quite a few children there who were not yet
confirmed, but wanted a blessing. I received several comments from
the adult parishioners, thanking me for attending to the children in
the way that I did – taking my time and addressing each one at eye
level.

Everyone seemed very interested to meet me and pleased with my

being there. Apparently, this parish had sought alternative oversight.
The former rector was allegedly quite conservative and was (with
the parish community) opposed the ordination of women.
Subsequently, he left the church and the congregation (though not
yet open to a woman priest) has returned to full communion and the
oversight of Bishop Michael. I wonder how different their reaction
to me would be if they knew that I was gay.

I was impressed by the wide age span, and gender diversity. There
seemed to be huge potential there – a parish community on the
exciting edge of transition. I wished them well, and was surprised to
learn (from one of the vestry members) that they wanted to develop
a partnership with my parish in El Camino Real.
I was asked to consider linking St. Mary's, with theirs, but I think
they may be better suited for our own St. James, since they seem to
be on a similar path. I will confer with Bishop Mary when I return.

After service, we came back to the house for tea, and then lunch at
the Deanery – hosted by the Cathedral Dean Nick and his wife
Jennifer. Helen needed to get back to Oxford - where I will be
going with Aidan on Friday. I cannot wait.

Lunch was delightful. There were about 12 of us. In addition to our

hosts and their daughter, there were two members of the Cathedral
Choir, a member of the Cathedral senior staff and his mother, and
two representatives from one of the other diocesan partnerships in
Dornakal, India. Needless to say, the conversation was very lively
indeed.

If that were not enough, the day was topped off with the Cathedral's
Carol Service for the First Sunday of Advent. How many ways can
one say “Amazing”? I was in heaven and it actually brought me to
tears. I thought everything about it was exceptional – a blessing
beyond my imagination.

Consequently, I was shocked when after the service, at a reception

for Cathedral donors, I had a conversation with two men who
thought the service was absolutely irrelevant. I wanted to ask them
why on earth they had even come, but their basic assessment was
that services and events such as these continued to erect barriers for
children and young adults – the demographic that the Church of
England should be focused on incorporating.
My equally impassioned response was that I thought it absolutely
necessary that the church retain its traditions. That there is still so
much to be obtained through the beauty and mystery of our rituals,
liturgies and other celebrations. They continue to bless, inform,
teach and inspire.

However, I also agree that the church needs to continue to create

new forms of expression, and to be intentional about creating access,
full participation and relevance for ever-broadening constituencies;
to be serious about outreach and the building of relationships with
those outside our doors – particularly with the”stranger” and people
at the margins.

But this, I believe, should be executed in concert with everything

else that we do, not at the exclusion or disregard of the Church's
history and tradition, and the alienation of the already faithful. It's a
both and, not either or.

I heard other criticisms, but I for one couldn't have been happier.

AND not a single cell phone went off. NOT ONE! Nor were there
any flash or video cameras anywhere. Not even one – that is, except
for mine. I have to admit that I did want to record a bit of the
service to upload later on my blog. Typical American.

However, I was so self conscious that in my trying to be as discreet

as possible, I failed to capture a single image. Nothing! Oh well. I
tried. Believe me, it was the experience of a lifetime.

How could it get any better than this?