News from St Stephen's As you will already have read in the last edition of 'Community', a group of us went to the welcome service at Canterbury Cathedral for our new Archbishop, Rowan Williams. I think I echo everyone's views when I say it was a very moving, uplifting and encouraging service. So many of us felt spoken to and challenged in different ways by the address. Archbishop Rowan talked of our God of surprises - about not knowing what will be asked of us but by keeping our eyes firmly on God - the surprise, we will find out, is also the most beautiful, wonderful thing in the universe! At the same time he said, our eyes should also be kept open to each other, especially to say 'thank you!' because we all need that fundamental thankfulness. 'Surprise one another and encourage one another.' These are just a couple of thoughts from his very practical sermon. Rowan Rose from St Stephen's congregation summed up the experience as follows: "I would not have missed this because we welcomed him into our hearts. The cathedral was filled with love. Most of us took Communion, which made it all the more welcoming. Dr Williams' sermon was something that young and old could understand, in fact, everything about the service was most enjoyable: the readings, the hymns and prayers. It made me feel very humble!" Later in the month 31 of us from St Stephen's and St Philip's attended the Graham Kendrick 'concert' at Rochester Cathedral. Another fantastic experience! Comments included: "brilliant!", "bitter-sweet", "very enjoyable music/singing". "Everything well done from the lighting effects to the musicians and the organisation". "Heart-warming and bridge-building!" This last comment is an important one because the 'concert' was not really a concert. It was more a musical and prayerful worship journey through the life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. All of it was easily accessible to non-believers and those on the fringe of the church as well as being a powerful and enriching evening for everyone, young and older. It was sensitively and sincerely produced. There was the opportunity to join in, in the praise and worship but also the time and space to reflect on the words being sung. Interestingly the theme of 'light' ran through both the Archbishop's address in Canterbury and the concert in Rochester. "We are
a shining light, © Graham Kendrick 2002 Elizabeth Bussman |