Monday, 16 January 2012
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Religious Community
I recognise the fact that in this 21st Century of ours,that the term:"Religious Community" may seem totally Alien,even something of the past! Saying that they continue,despite since the 1960's we have seen a serious drop in Religious Vocations,but an increase in an interest in "Spirituality".We all know that many of use seek the will of God, or find ourselves and also see the holistic,including a Spiritual aspect.Many forms of anti-clericalism exists due to the "image" of the church and its members.
In this world of ours,we need to spend time with God,and for many it means prayer.Fromthis acknowledgement,my Bishop and I have been in discussion in regards to a proposal of setting up a new Religious Community.At this stage,I cannot give too many details as it is in planning only at the moment,also I do not go behind the back of my Bishop either!!
Firstly,the name will be:"Community of The Holy Cross".We will be accepting Men & Women,Religious & Secular,including Lay members.It will be an Anglican Order,but as a firm believer in the "One Church",those of other Denominations are welcome as long as you can accept our position which will be based upon the Rule of St.Benedict.We are planning to based in Ketering,Northamptonshire,England,but we will have other "Houses" in other locations,espcially as the Bishop is based in Milton Keynes,Buckinghamshire.We are also seeking "Honorary" members who will for a membership be in theory our Online members where I will construct Formation through emails and our Online Community page.I am putting this together over the next few days,but please contact me at:reverendlee@rock.com if you want to know more,especially if you are considering that this maybe an area that the Lord is calling you to.
In this world of ours,we need to spend time with God,and for many it means prayer.Fromthis acknowledgement,my Bishop and I have been in discussion in regards to a proposal of setting up a new Religious Community.At this stage,I cannot give too many details as it is in planning only at the moment,also I do not go behind the back of my Bishop either!!
Firstly,the name will be:"Community of The Holy Cross".We will be accepting Men & Women,Religious & Secular,including Lay members.It will be an Anglican Order,but as a firm believer in the "One Church",those of other Denominations are welcome as long as you can accept our position which will be based upon the Rule of St.Benedict.We are planning to based in Ketering,Northamptonshire,England,but we will have other "Houses" in other locations,espcially as the Bishop is based in Milton Keynes,Buckinghamshire.We are also seeking "Honorary" members who will for a membership be in theory our Online members where I will construct Formation through emails and our Online Community page.I am putting this together over the next few days,but please contact me at:reverendlee@rock.com if you want to know more,especially if you are considering that this maybe an area that the Lord is calling you to.
Friday, 23 December 2011
A New Direction
In this world of ours,there are many areas of Ministry.It is too easy to assume that the word:"Mi istry" refers to a Church or a gathering that we normally refer to as a time for worship.Before i go on any further,this is a totally acceptable means of carrying out the Lord's work,even in this 21st Century of ours! Yes! It may seem secular,people may prefer the word:"Spiritual" to the title:Christian,but this format of a gathering of like-minded people still exists! One of the many issues is that our congregations are getting smaller and therefore isolated.Not that many worship locally,but seek out their local place of worship.This may be in any form of different denominations that are on offer.Does this mean,worshipping outside of your tradition in the hope of attending a "local" church or does it mean traveling vast distances to be in a community where you feel you "belong"?
Here in England,there is alot of cultural rules that take place.Those who are brought up within a certain denomination,tend to fall to the good old:"Church of England" as their nominated denomination! This is not always a natural fit,as the Church of England,like many have split into a variety of "Churchmanships".The Via Media is not always to be assumed,but can take a variety of flavours;Strong Anglo-catholic to Charimatic to the point of not even knowing that it is a Church of England Church!! This is by no way, limited to the actions and practises of England,as it is reflective of many locations throughout the world.As a result of this,many loyal Christians have found themselves as "Christians in Exile",yet this oes not have to be the case.It may be true that find the correct church can sometimes be an uphill battle,but on the other hand,can be so straight forward.
It was this recognition,that where i am location:Kettering in Northamptonshire opens up a few doors.We may find that there is a church suited to all,should you been seeking your need in this matter,but fr many the right "Denomation" can be as vital as finding the right school for their children and even the right supermarket,and so the same rule can apply to a Church.
As an ordained clergyman,it is always my aim to be in minstry in some form or another.For a while,i have opperated on a basis of seeking to be available to all ,regards of their background and any biased thoughts.This being the case,I plan in seeking to start a "Mission" in Northamptonshire,most likely in the kettering area,but it may be in an outer market-town or village.I come from an Anglican tradition of "Old catholic & Reformed Anglican";therefore with this position,this is the direction I will take.I hope to make it a liturgical as well as Pastoral situation where all wil be welcome.
So watch this space in regards to when all of this will start and be up and running!
Here in England,there is alot of cultural rules that take place.Those who are brought up within a certain denomination,tend to fall to the good old:"Church of England" as their nominated denomination! This is not always a natural fit,as the Church of England,like many have split into a variety of "Churchmanships".The Via Media is not always to be assumed,but can take a variety of flavours;Strong Anglo-catholic to Charimatic to the point of not even knowing that it is a Church of England Church!! This is by no way, limited to the actions and practises of England,as it is reflective of many locations throughout the world.As a result of this,many loyal Christians have found themselves as "Christians in Exile",yet this oes not have to be the case.It may be true that find the correct church can sometimes be an uphill battle,but on the other hand,can be so straight forward.
It was this recognition,that where i am location:Kettering in Northamptonshire opens up a few doors.We may find that there is a church suited to all,should you been seeking your need in this matter,but fr many the right "Denomation" can be as vital as finding the right school for their children and even the right supermarket,and so the same rule can apply to a Church.
As an ordained clergyman,it is always my aim to be in minstry in some form or another.For a while,i have opperated on a basis of seeking to be available to all ,regards of their background and any biased thoughts.This being the case,I plan in seeking to start a "Mission" in Northamptonshire,most likely in the kettering area,but it may be in an outer market-town or village.I come from an Anglican tradition of "Old catholic & Reformed Anglican";therefore with this position,this is the direction I will take.I hope to make it a liturgical as well as Pastoral situation where all wil be welcome.
So watch this space in regards to when all of this will start and be up and running!
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Friday, 2 December 2011
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Development
How things change! Over the years I pursued the idea of ministry,and for many people,it would seem I have wasted alot of years in the pursuit of this dream.many people will understand that this is in fact a vocation,so realising how painful when this is either taken away from you or denied! This is something that has happened to me.It took many years of "testing" my vocation to know where it was going.Ihad thought about in my years of childhood,followed through in teen years and into adulthood of my twenty's! But it was the later 20's that are put on the real path when I began my leg of theological studies.
I eventually became ordained,but the Priesthood was denied to me due to infighting and personality clash that was occuring,so instead of facing a further development in 2008 by being accepted for Priesting,I was dismissed from both the parish I believed I was healping to nurture in the Christian faith,but also,my paid employment as a Chaplain.
Now we heading towards the end 2011,yet an opportunity has come my way through a holy and inspiring Bishop,who through the stangest of sources has led to a conversation discussing my possibility of acceptance for the priesthood-at last was first thought,but following the let downs i have experienced,makes even me doubt this possibility.So with prayer in mind,Ilook forward to this possible opportunity.
Many,if not all of us,suffer the let down that life brings,but we should accept and understand that the Lord is in the driving seat,and Jeremiah states:"I have purpose for you",it is just that the timing can be expected as well as a long time coming,but thank God when it does!
I eventually became ordained,but the Priesthood was denied to me due to infighting and personality clash that was occuring,so instead of facing a further development in 2008 by being accepted for Priesting,I was dismissed from both the parish I believed I was healping to nurture in the Christian faith,but also,my paid employment as a Chaplain.
Now we heading towards the end 2011,yet an opportunity has come my way through a holy and inspiring Bishop,who through the stangest of sources has led to a conversation discussing my possibility of acceptance for the priesthood-at last was first thought,but following the let downs i have experienced,makes even me doubt this possibility.So with prayer in mind,Ilook forward to this possible opportunity.
Many,if not all of us,suffer the let down that life brings,but we should accept and understand that the Lord is in the driving seat,and Jeremiah states:"I have purpose for you",it is just that the timing can be expected as well as a long time coming,but thank God when it does!
