November slipped by last night and I was wondering who was praying this week, or what earth-shattering events might be taking place. People around the world were encouraged to pray. The post from Christian City News and Blogs Network (and image) got picked up all over the blogosphere.
For me, a highly significant national act towards God and towards the future, was yesterday’s installment of Rt Rev. Dr John Sentamu as Archbishop of York. He is Britain’s first black Archbishop and is encouraging the church of England “to revive its spirit of “wonder” and “adoration” and to rediscover the transforming power of the Gospel.”The scandal of the church is that the Christ-event is no longer life-changing, it has become life-enhancing. We’ve lost the power and joy that makes real disciples, and we’ve become consumers of religion and not disciples of Jesus Christ.” (Times On-line)
I heard that hundreds (thousands??) of balloons were released out of the cathedral and into the sky. Anyone have more news/images of that? I would really like the image of the balloons going up to God. It seems symbolic to me – a national offering, a sign . . .
after reading your earlier post on this I emailed a bunch of church leaders i’m in contact with. Their response was a very mixed bag …but I guess we should keep on praying even although Nov has ended.
On events in York yesterday Maggi Dawn was there!
I met the archbish briefly once and saw him playing the drums in Brum Cathedral.
He seems like a nice guy and he is very very good with the drums.
There’s a photo of the balloons on the anglican communion news service here: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/40/75/acns4084a.cfm and also on the BBC here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4485584.stm (picture 11).
I met John when he was a parish priest in Brixton. One of my closest friends was his music director. The church had been looking to advertise and hire an MD. John had the rather novel concept that they should “pray one in.” They ended up with my friend, Christopher, like John, a lawyer – and someone who can play anything he hear’s on guitar or piano. I don’t think Chris ever mentioned John playing drums, however. Perhaps that only comes from becoming an Archbishop.
John is a brilliant man, with a great sense of humour – and one who suffered greatly for his faith in Uganda.
Beautiful words, a sad truth
From the article John Sentamu sworn in as Archbishop of York in the Times Online, dated November 30, 2005:
He called on the Church of England to revive its spirit of “wonder” and “adoration” and to rediscover the transforming power of the Gospel.”Th…
cool – thanks for that
you will notice that my new header for the month is made from an image of those balloons rising in front of hte cathedral
i think i see a bird there in the photo (dove?)
i didnt edit the photo except for adding a kiwi coloured balloon.
Yes, I have a bit more info, from 24-7prayer: every balloon carried the message ‘All are welcome’.
Profound.