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This page last updated 30 March 2005
Anglicans Online last updated 20 August 2000

Letters to AO

EVERY WEEK WE PUBLISH a selection of letters we receive in response to something you've read at Anglicans Online. Stop by and have a look at what other AO readers are thinking.

Alas, we cannot publish every letter we receive. And we won't publish letters that are anonymous, hateful, illiterate, or otherwise in our judgment do not benefit the readers of Anglicans Online. We usually do not publish letters written in response to other letters.

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Letters from 20 to 27 March 2005

Like all letters to the editor everywhere, these letters are the opinions of the letter writers and not Anglicans Online. We publish letters that we think will be of interest to our readers, whether we agree with them or not. If you'd like to write a letter of your own, click here.

Be very wary if the ushers arm themselves...

Having recently taken up the position of Dean I am faced with a number of new situations. One of them is that of officiating at special services at which the military is present. My particular question relates to the practice of armed colour parties. The practice here is for the colours and standards of regiments to be slow-marched right through the nave and chancel to the altar rails - whereupon the colours are handed to the Dean, and the armed escorts proceed out of the Cahtedral, to return at the end of the service. These escorts are fully armed — even to the extent of unsheathed fixed bayonets!

My understanding has always been that weapons of war are left outside churches — yet I have inherited a very narrow definition of "sanctuary".

Can anyone shed any light on practices elsewhere? or perhaps other deans or clergy who have wrestled with this issue?

The Very Revd Frank Nelson
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Wellington, New Zealand
dean.cathedral@paradise.net.nz
21 March 2005

What about Bunny Monday and Peep Tuesday?

Once again the wonderful season of Holy Week and Easter:

And once again strong evidence that many in the church — the Anglican Church in my immediate experience — are unable to understand the distinctions between the two. Thus, on my parish church's very prominent notice board "Services for Easter Week" appeared immediately after Palm Sunday — which, incidentally didn't gain a mention on that same board — clearly indicating that Easter has now begun.

Christians know this is not so — Easter does not begin until the stone is rolled away and we can say "He is not here; He is Risen"!

But Holy Week is important in its own right for reminding us each year of the "agony and bloody sweat, the cross and passion" and whilst the secular community just says "it's Easter" lumping it all into a holiday mode without distinguishing the components, the church is negligent if it allows itself to fall into the same sloppy disinterest.

Trevor G Cowell
Christ Church, Illawarra, Longford
Perth, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA
platcha1@optusnet.com.au
23 March 2005

Don't let the dragon do any of the readings

St George's is planning a choral Evensong for April 30 and we would like to use propers for St. George whose day is April 23. So far I have not been able to find any. I know St. George is of questionable historical origin but there are many churches (and chapels) around the world named after him so I am hoping one of them might be able to supply me with appropriate readings for the day.

A joyeous Easter to you all.

Sonia Stevenson
St. George's Episcopal, Maynard
Carlisle, Massachusetts, USA
26 March 2005

(Ed: We've pointed out to Ms Stevenson that the Church of England has texts and collects and post-communion prayers for St George as part of its Common Worship online pages.)

Protect us from all vain doctrines

I am a proud Anglican, wishing all Anglicans worldwide a joyous Easter. May GOD continue to protect our church from all vain doctrines.

Furthermore to all of the staff of Anglicans Online, may God continue to bless, preserve and keep you. Please continue the good job.

Bara Igoniwari-Brown
St Cyprians Anglican Church
Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, NIGERIA
barasus2003@yahoo.com
26 March 2005


Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All of our letters are in our archives.

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