General Chat

Dermot. :-D :-D

Many moons ago when I was in London, an American priest used to come to stay in our parish for a month or so during summertime.

Like ‘The Missioners’ of old, he brought a breath of fresh air to our church. He possessed a book of religious jokes & at the end of his sermon, he would read out a joke relevant to the Gospel reading of the day. The only one I can remember from some 30 years ago went something like this.

‘A priest visited a junior school & read for the class of 10 year-olds the story The Prodigal Son’. Before he started, the priest encouraged the youngsters to pay great attention because he intended to ask the class a few questions when he had finished the Gospel reading.

His first question was: ‘Who was unhappy to see the prodigal son returning?’ No answer - complete silence in the classroom. The priest encouraged anyone to give some sort of a reply.

Little Johnny down at the back of the room tentatively raised his hand. Right Johnny, said the priest, who was unhappy to see the prodigal son returning? Young Johnny replied - well, he said, I’m not sure but I’d say that the fatted calf was not too happy to see the errant son returning.

Not much of a joke - was it? Funnily enough, I cannot remember anything more of the priest’s sermon on that day.

One sermon I will always remember was delivered by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones on "The Blood of Christ". It is available on CD from Banner of Truth press.

It was a forensic examination from the Bible of the cause of death of Jesus. And proof of death was provided by the sword being plunged in his side and blood and water gushing out. I won't spoil it too much in case anyone ever has a chance to listen to his sermon.

Why it was so powerful was that he was a Doctor. In fact, he worked for Lord Horder, the Physician to King George V. Lloyd-Jones was Surgeon to the Duchess of York, who later became the Queen Mother. And he approached the death of Christ as an autopsy. Absolutely brilliant sermon. :-D :-D

Hi Dermot - we have a greeting within the C of E services which reads "God is spirit, let us worship Him in spirit and in truth." There's a great similarity between both the RC and the C. of E. main services - just a pity that there is still that bloomin' divide :-(


Sermons are funny things really....unless there's something which really hits home, they're very easy to forget. I said this to a clergyman once and his reply was along the lines of ....think of all the meals you've eaten in, say, the last month. Can you remember all of them? No of course not but, you have still been fed and nourished without really realising or thinking about it. It's the same with sermons, we may not think we have gleaned much but who's to know what has taken root within our hearts and souls. I've never forgotten that.



We still have a midnight mass John but I haven't been for a while. We tend to go to the Christmas morning service.


It's a shame when these services are moved to the early evening - I always remember the feeling of excitement which used to build up as the time to leave home to go to church drew near. To join with so many others and listen to the old familiar words was not only comforting but you felt that Christmas had really begun.... :-D :-D




If anyone stood up and shouted in our church like that John, it would certainly cause a stir!!! ;-)

Dermot. I think that is a lovely thought and I agree with it 100%. To a cradle catholic from a cradle atheist who hopefully now worships in spirit and in truth. Not sure yet about the deeds and passing words, but am a work in progress :-D ;-)

And good thoughts will take me many more years yet :-( :-(

One old boy used to leap to his feet in a prayer meeting and shout out "I am a sinner saved by grace". That is what I sing in my heart, and wish I had the confidence to shout it like him. :-)

"People should worship God, not necessarily in churches or temples, but in spirit & in truth, & in every deed rather than in passing words".

I don't know who said this. As a cradle catholic, I have always attended Sunday Mass although I can rarely remember much of the priest's sermon one hour later. Congregations like to be scolded from time to time but they stubbornly resist being reformed.

Amen!

Asked somebody today whether there was a Midnight Chistmas Eve Mass locally. None she replied. The main church in my valley is at 6pm.

Not as well attended as old Midnight Service, she said. It was always packed to rafters (church holds over 700 seated)

Why was it changed from midnight to 6pm? Because Father Ted (not his real name) was upset with the amount of drunks.

Hummmm. In the last big revival down here in S Wales in 1903, it was fuelled by the drunks and the atheists. The worst rebels to God became the leaders of that revival. If we can't share worship in a 700-strong church with about 30 rowdies worse for wear once a year, what is the church coming to? :-S :-S

When I was in the church Young Wives Group.. VERY MANY years ago now ha ha
I was always being told off in the nicest possible way because I used to eat the raisins that we used as fruits of the earth and we often ran out oooeerr!!
Good job that the little village shop was across the road from the vestry and so I could run across and buy more, hey ho..happy days but lovely memories of special Christmas events spent with church friends who are no longer here now.

Over the years I have attended Yoga classes in two church halls,. In my opinion I think it says more about the individuals within the churches that are banning Yoga rather than any concern for the spiritual element.

Don't worry Cyn - since you didn't include it, I assumed that 'elf'n'safety had knocked that aspect on the head :-0

Oh good grief DET......I forgot all about the candle! Of course - yes - the candle signifying Christ.


Tell you what, old age is doing me no favours whatsoever.... :-D


Paula, it will be the spiritual element of yoga which causes concern to many churches I guess. My concern is, that having got into one of the positions, I wouldn't be able to extricate myself from it. :-D :-D

When we made Christingles at home...well the decorated oranges.....with the offspring, we had a candle in it which signified Christ as the Light of the World.

Cynthia, thank you for the explanation re the orange in the Chistingle service. As a Baptist we didn't have that service and I have often wondered what it was for.

Yoga I used to go to some years ago, very good for exercising the body and relaxing the mind. Thanks Paula for the explanation. I wonder why the church seems to be frightened of it. Churches in this area have refused to allow yoga classes in their halls.

Paula+ I think it is great to take the best of these different religions. I used to go to George Harrisons Hare Krishna place in Letchmore Heath and used to join in a little with their diet and their meditation. And it was very spiritual. They were always happy to share with me.

Do you remember my thread about the Three Wise Men - the magi (numbering between 2 and infinity, not necessarily 3 men as tradition dictates) who may have been of the Zorastrian faith. If you look at the New Testament closely, you will see signs of different Old Testament faiths (not only Judaism) coming together in the virgin birth of the Messiah, of the house of David, in Bethlehem-Ephrata. Not only the Messiah of the Jews, but also the Gentiles (which I take to mean east as well as west). :-D

Cynthia. Many thanks for orange explanation. Yes, I remember now. We seem to have raisins and marshmallows. I hate to say this, but you need to attend a big C of E or Roman Catholic place to get the full effect. My daughter in Ely Cathedral back in 80's was one of those events that will stick in my mind for ever and beyond. What we call a foretaste - or starter before main course :-D ;-)

John I have practised Yoga for nearly thirty years The primary goal of shamanism was to heal members of the community and act as religious mediators, Yoga originally focused on applying and understanding the world. Its focus later changed to the self. Self-enlightenment became the ultimate goal.

It was not until the sixth century B.C. that the poses and meditation became a critical element. They were implimented by Buddhist teachings.

Modern Yoga
Modern yoga is based on five basic principles that were created by Swami Sivananda.

Proper relaxation
Proper exercise
Proper breathing
Proper diet
Positive thinking and meditation

For me Yoga is all about the benefits to body, mind and spirit, and it works for me. :-D

Just had a look at the American link DS.

Bit of an OTT reaction when all they are doing is exercising!! :-S

The 'suing for the least thing' culture is everywhere isn't it?



Kandj, I haven't been to a Christingle for yonks but remember they were lovely services. Have a feeling that at some time, Health and Safety were brought in because of the candles and that put a lot of churches off holding the service. :-S

Probably it was the same daft boffins who said kids have to wear goggles whilst playing conkers.......I ask you......sheeeeeesh.


I know of a couple of churches who were worried about getting wax on the carpets - but that's easily dealt with isn't it?


John, from what I can remember, the orange is the world; the red ribbon signifies Christ's blood shed for us; the four sticks indicate North, South East and West and the sweets (it used to be nuts and raisins) represent the fruit of the earth - something like that anyway.


I'm sure, if you google, you will find the Christingle hymn where each verse is dedicated to certain parts of the orange.


It's our carol service on Sunday night and the place will be heaving. The church looks good with lots of Christmas trees and decorations. Down the centre aisle, we have tinsel decorated old fashioned lamp poles with lamps swinging on them. Very Victorian and traditional looking.


We also have a prayer Christmas tree, where folk can write a prayer or ask for prayer on a provided label and hang it on one of the branches.


There are candles flickering away on the altar and we also have votive candles which people can light in remembrance of a loved one - or to offer up a prayer if they so wish. It's very popular and you often see someone standing quietly with their head bowed after they have lit a candle.


A local RC church has a nativity crib which is placed outside church and is lit up. It's a beautiful sight. Makes note to self......must drive past in the dark!


Hey ho, yes the big day is nearly here and my son (to whom we are going for lunch) and who has announced on FB that his wife and the children have 'flu. Good timing sunshine!! :-(


Whatever. :-D

If you google yoga, it is a central part of several eastern religions.

I agree that what we know as yoga in the west is nothing much to do with religion. Just a very good way to keep body and mind fit.

Daughter (whilst pregnant) took classes and many friends my age do to.

Naff all to do with religion just a way to keep muscles stretched and toned.

Carols by candlight on Sunday in church with hymn singing to the village brass band........ can't wait.
I just love the traditional brass band accompianment, we all can sing our hearts out very loudly. Another packed church event with mince pies to follow. Love the tradition and the magical togetherness of Christmas.

Sue. I'll be interested what others think about yoga. I can remember a friend telling me that it is excellent for exercise, suppleness and weight loss. But he was concermed that it led to religious meditation at higher levels.

But I would agree with you that it is stupid for Christian parents to oppose yoga classes. What good will that do? And to sue the school!!!!!!!