Letters
from 20 to 27 March 2005
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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
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