Seeker

As the General Synod considers yet again how to make it possible for women to be bishops in the Church of England without driving out those of its members who are unable to accept that change, it seems apt that today's commemoration is for Hilda, Abbess of Whitby. St Hilda (Hild) was a woman of great influence in the 7th century church in England. As Abbess of a monastery for women and men at Whitby she, "...taught there the strict observance of justice, piety, chastity, and other virtues, and particularly of peace and charity; so that, after the example of the primitive church, no person was there rich, and none poor, all being in common to all, and none having any property. Her prudence was so great, that not only indifferent persons, but even kings and princes, as occasion offered, asked and received her advice; she obliged those who were under her direction to attend so much to reading of the Holy Scriptures, and to exercise themselves so much in works of justice, ...

In yesterday's pre-scheduled post I wrote that I would tell you my reactions to the outcome of  the vote in General Synod on the women bishops measure.  On Tuesday I followed the debate on the live audio feed. When the vote count was announced I stormed out of my study, stamped into the kitchen, banged the pots and pans as I began to prepare supper while trying to tell my husband how I felt. Words did come rather loudly out of my mouth but really I felt speechless. I was devastated. Had I been wearing a clerical collar I might have symbolically cut it into little pieces.  This is what I wrote on my personal Facebook page that evening "It is a very long time since I have felt so upset and so angry and so very very sad - all at the same time."  Many others, men and women, inside and outside the church have experienced similar reactions. I was encouraged by the message posted by John Pritchard,  Bishop of Oxford on our diocesan website on Tuesday even...

Today's focus for prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England, which concludes its meeting in London today, is self-control. I am pre-scheduling this post, so at the time of writing I have no idea how Synod voted yesterday on the crucial debate about women bishops. I will post my reactions in another post later. When you read this you will know the outcome, how you feel about it and how others are reacting. This is a good time to be reminded that one aspect of the fruit of the spirit is 'self-control' - working together with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and humility. Let us pray for self-control, that our joy may be in the flourishing of each other and the will of God. May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit. It's the 1th day of the  NovemberNovena  cycle of prayer for the Church of England General Synod. For an intr...

The General Synod of the Church of England begins its 3 day meeting in London today. Today's focus for prayer is for the members of General Synod as they prepare for tomorrow's crucial debate and vote on the women bishops measure.  Let us pray for the members of General Synod   as they prepare for tomorrow's debate and vote. Be devoted to one another in love.   Honour one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 It's the 9th day of the  NovemberNovena  days of prayer for the Church of England General Synod.  There will be 2 more days of this particular prayer cycle - so 11 in total.  For an introduction to this cycle of pra...

Humility is today's focus for prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England which begins its November session tomorrow. It's the 8th day of the  NovemberNovena  days of prayer for the Church of England General Synod whose meting starts in London tomorrow. For an introduction to this prayer cycle see  Prayer for General Synod: love and joy . I have posted the prayers plus some Bible verses every day of this so far. Scroll down the blog archive for November in the right hand side bar to see the posts from previous days. Today let us pray for humility, that we may truly seek and accept the will of God, in God's time. Now you are the body of Christ,  and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 NRSV And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' 1 Peter 5:5 NRSV Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard ...

Faithfulness is the focus for prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England which starts its extraordinary session in London in 2 days time. It's the 7th day of the  NovemberNovena  days of prayer for the Church of England General Synod. For an introduction to this see  Prayer for General Synod: love and joy . I have posted the prayers plus some Bible verses every day of this so far. Scroll down the blog archive for November in the right hand side bar to see the posts from previous days. Today let us pray  for faithfulness of heart and for faithful Church leaders. Love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22: 37 Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 Image Credit: David King, CC License

Goodness is the focus for today's prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England which meets in London immediately after this coming weekend. Let us pray for goodness, that we may reflect the whole beauty of God. He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;and what does the Lord require of youbut to do justice, and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6: 8 NRSV Let love be genuine: hate what is evil, hold fast to that which is good. Romans 12: 9 NRSV It's the 6th day of the   NovemberNovena  nine days of prayer for the Church of England General Synod. The theme is the fruit of the Spirit. Prayer for General Synod: love and joy  covered the first 2 days. For my posts on the subsequent days scroll down the blog archive for November in the right hand side bar. Image Credits: Martin LaBar, CC...

Kindness is the focus for today's prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England meeting in London next Monday to Wednesday. Let us pray for kindness among Christians  and that we may be humble enough  to receive as well as give. "Give and it will be given to you". Luke 6: 38 "...be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 NRSV "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience." Colossians 3: 12 NRSV This is the 5th day of the  NovemberNovena  days of prayer for the Church of England General Synod. Prayer for General Synod: love and joy  covered the first 2 days Prayer for General Synod: peace was the 3rd day Prayer for General Synod: patience was the 4th day Image Credits: Realistic Imaginations, CC License NovemberNovena candle icon , used with permission ...

Patience is today's focus for prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England which meets next week. It's the 4th day of the  NovemberNovena  days of prayer leading up to and continuing through the 3 days of this significant event. See also: Prayer for General Synod: love and joy  which covered the first 2 days Prayer for General Synod: peace  which was the 3rd day. Today let us pray for patience,   that we never stop trusting God. Now the God of patience and consolation   grant you to be like-minded one towards another,   according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5   "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."   Colossians 1: 11-12 NRSV "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a clou...

Today in praying for next week's General Synod of the Church of England, the focus is peace. It's the 3rd day of the NovemberNovena nine days of prayer for the Church of England General Synod. For an introduction to this see Prayer for General Synod: love and joy .  Let us pray  for peace,   that we may accept Christ's peace   and share it with our brothers and sisters. He breaks down the walls that divide us:   praise Christ who is our peace.    Common Worship Lord Jesus Christ,   who said to your Apostles:   peace I leave you, my peace I give you;   look not on our sins,   but the faith of your Church,   and graciously grant her peace and unity   in accordance with your will.  Amen.  Image Credit: The Dance of Life by d'Image Miner - Lisa, CC License

Not having grown up in a Roman or Anglo-Catholic tradition the idea of a 'Novena' is a bit of a novelty for me, although praying regularly at particular times or for special purposes is familiar. A Novena is 9 days of focused prayer. NovemberNovena website has 9 days of prayers for the General Synod of the Church of England which meets in London next week 19-21 November 2012. You can find links to the agenda and papers here . The business on Tuesday 20 November is of significant concern for the future of the church. The Draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure will be presented for final approval. Passions run high on this issue and it is unlikely to be an easy debate. Regular readers of this blog will know what my views are from previous posts such as the one 2 days ago .  Much prayer is needed for all members of the General Synod.   I'm not talking about prayer for a particular outcome, but, in words from the NovemberNovena website...

In the UK House of Commons yesterday 25 October 2012, Sir Tony Baldry (MP for North Oxfordshire), representing the Church Commissioners, responded to 2 questions about the Women Bishops Measure. He didn't give a direct answer to either question, but as a member of General Synod he made his personal view clear and commended a recent lead given by the Archbishop of Canterbury on this matter. You can read yesterday's record of Oral Answers to Questions here . You have to scroll down a long way to find the Church Commissioners section and then within that to the heading 'Women Bishops'. To save you the bother and without further comment I have copied the relevant section below. Women Bishops 2.  Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD):  What assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the likelihood of the Church of England making a decision on women bishops in 2012. [124675] 3.  Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab):  What recent discussions the Church ...

I'm heaving a small, but slightly confused sigh of relief over the outcome of voting in General Synod this afternoon about the women bishops' draft legislation.  Thanks to Thinking Anglicans for publishing the text of the motion that was passed late this afternoon after about 3 hours of debate. Here it is: Item 13 (as amended by item 35)  That this Synod,  (a) noting the significant support the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure has received in the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity of diocesan synods, and  (b) desiring that the draft Measure be returned to the Synod for consideration on the Final Approval Stage substantially unamended so that it can be seen if the proposals embodied in it in the form in which it has been referred to the dioceses can attain the level of support required to achieve Final Approval, request the House of Bishops in the exercise of its power under Standing Order 60(b) not to amend ...

Salt and Light Grace, love, wisdom and clarity are needed in the General Synod of the Church of England meeting this week and today debating legislation to allow women bishops. If you read my blog you know what my view is. I just wonder when the Church of England is going to stop faffing about. Rather than add to all the words flying about on this matter on Twitter and other places, I thought I would post a prayer.  The Additional Collect for last Sunday (3 before Lent) seems especially apt: Eternal God, whose Son went among the crowds and brought healing with his touch: help us to show his love, in your Church as we gather together, and by our lives as they are transformed  into the image of Christ our Lord.

It is more than time that women had a place in the episcopate of the Church of England, which has been discussing this for decades.  The matter of women bishops is once again before General Synod this week. Its members will need much wisdom and grace.  I've been reading some interesting posts on this matter. Here are three that I recommend: I missed it when first published on 24th January, but Andrew Brown's blog post, The Church of England's fudge on female bishops is breathtaking highlights what a ridiculous position the church is in as a result of attempts to hold together those who think women can be bishops and those who think they should not. Forms of concession are on the table for those who cannot accept a woman as bishop, but says Andrew Brown Despite all these concessions, there will be female bishops, as there are already female priests, and these will be treated exactly the same as male ones – except by the men who don't want to treat them equally an...

A long time ago the Church of England decided that women and men can be bishops. The reason it has not happened yet has to do with how to make generous provision for those who believe that women cannot (or should not) be bishops. So it is still the case that in the Church of England it is illegal for a woman to be a bishop. This is not the case in many other Anglican provinces, including Scotland and Ireland. "Like a mighty tortoise moves the church of God. Brothers, we are treading where we've always trod." "Like a mighty tortoise" the brothers and sisters of the C. of E. are crawling towards a resolution of this issue. 42 of its 44 Dioceses have voted for the draft legislation agreed at the General Synod in 2010 to go forward without amendment. However an amendment suggested (and defeated in 2010) by the Archbishops has to be considered again, for reasons better explained by others. Next week's General Synod has the next step (not the final outcome)...

This font made c. 1500 is one of the treasures of St John the Baptist church, Snape, Norfolk, England. From the angle of my photograph it bars the way to the main body of the church. I was thinking that baptism is about welcoming people at the beginning of a journey with God, but the way the church presents baptism can be a barrier to starting that journey. The Church of England Common Worship service of Holy Baptism is rich in biblical and theological images, possibly too rich. In my experience most parishes generally use the simplest forms allowable within this provision. I really enjoy baptising children and adults. But almost every time I long for a simple 'Prayer over the Water' the length of a short collect and not 25 lines long. But the only alternatives to the 'Prayer over the Water' are even longer and more complex. There's now hope for revised material, thanks to yesterday's decision at General Synod. A few weeks ago the Daily Mail suggested the ...

I n my next sentence will be a link to an organisation (the BNP) whose policies I find obnoxious and do not wish to promote. Robert West (who I will not dignify with the honorary title Reverend) has said the decision of the Church of England's General Synod to ban clergy from membership of racist political parties is "a reversion to the Middle Ages" . He might think otherwise if he studied some aspects of medievalism in Britain - its anti-semitism for example. Robert West is the moderater of the so-called 'Christian Council of Britain' . As far as I can see there is nothing 'Christian' about the 'Christian Council of Britain' which seems to promote racism and have links to the British National Party. I'm all for free speech, but I think there must be limits to it where the freedom and safety of others is threatened. So I think today's move towards making BNP membership 'misconduct' for which Church of England clergy can be disci...