A good night last night, enjoying that particularly British of entertainments, the Panto. This was one of the better manifestations of the art - an amateur production at one of the churches I'm minister of. No-one's reputations were on the line; people were simply taking part for the sheer joy of performing.
I'll be honest: the acting was hardly Olivier award-winning material. Lines were fluffed, or forgotten, but no-one cared: It was almost expected that there would be such mess-ups, and when they occurred they were simply laughed off by cast and audience alike. People gave their all, singing, dancing, hamming it up for all they were worth, and simply enjoying the experience. And most of them will be back next year: not even an errant fire alarm during the interval dampened the atmosphere.
Today I've been involved in worship, but only as a bit-player this week. I was preaching and presiding at a communion service in an ecumenical congregation in our circuit. It's interesting when one is in this position, listening to the comments at the door. Some will comment on the content of the sermon, some on the stories you told in the course of it, some on the hymns/ songs that were used. How much, I sometimes wonder, are their comments simply about how much they've been 'entertained' for the 90 minutes or so that they were in church? How often is worship gauged by what we got out of it, rather than by how it helped us to engage with God (however we understand that word) - as if it was something that is there purely for our benefit?
This afternoon I was enthralled by the World Cup cricket match between England and India, which ended so dramatically with both teams on 338 and therefore a tie. Perhaps it was the only fair result, after excellent batting and bowling displays from both teams. It was a tense game, with the momentum of the match swinging one way, then the next. And it was certainly entertainment.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Saturday, 26 February 2011
The Hare is running
Having enjoyed some time off work this week I took advantage of the space and bought tickets to a series of plays in the Sheffield Theatres this week by David Hare. Sheffield is blessed with a number of different theatrical spaces, each of which has its own particular 'vibe', which is one of the many things I appreciate about this fine city.
On Wednesday evening we were at the Studio Theatre at the Crucible, a small, intimate stage where the audience are on top of and at times almost a part of the action. The play was 'Plenty', the story of a woman's journey from war-torn France in the 1940s, where she'd served with SOE, through a number of relationships and tedious jobs, marriage to a Foreign Office Diplomat and her eventual descent into madness.
Thursday found us in the Crucible itself for the Olivier Award-winning 'Racing Demon', which focused on the lives of four eccentric London vicars, struggling with identity, ministry, theology and church politics. Some of the dialogue was wonderfully close to home, and showed up some of the hypocrisy that is all too evident in the church today. Perhaps the characters were a little cliched (the drippy one, the evangelical one, the gay one and the hopeless one), but it was - as were all the plays - very well acted by an excellent cast.
Last night's offering was staged at the Lyceum, a more traditional theatre with circle and balcony, and was entitled 'The Breath of Life'. It consisted of a dialogue that took place in the course of one night between two women (played by Isla Blair & Patricia Hodge), both of whom had been in a relationship with the same man. It was, by turns, witty, poignant and brutal, as they together struggle wit the feelings that they had, and still have, for this man who had scarred both their lives.
It'd been a while since I'd been to the theatre, but these three plays have reawakened my love of live drama, and I hope it won't be long before I return.
On Wednesday evening we were at the Studio Theatre at the Crucible, a small, intimate stage where the audience are on top of and at times almost a part of the action. The play was 'Plenty', the story of a woman's journey from war-torn France in the 1940s, where she'd served with SOE, through a number of relationships and tedious jobs, marriage to a Foreign Office Diplomat and her eventual descent into madness.
Thursday found us in the Crucible itself for the Olivier Award-winning 'Racing Demon', which focused on the lives of four eccentric London vicars, struggling with identity, ministry, theology and church politics. Some of the dialogue was wonderfully close to home, and showed up some of the hypocrisy that is all too evident in the church today. Perhaps the characters were a little cliched (the drippy one, the evangelical one, the gay one and the hopeless one), but it was - as were all the plays - very well acted by an excellent cast.
Last night's offering was staged at the Lyceum, a more traditional theatre with circle and balcony, and was entitled 'The Breath of Life'. It consisted of a dialogue that took place in the course of one night between two women (played by Isla Blair & Patricia Hodge), both of whom had been in a relationship with the same man. It was, by turns, witty, poignant and brutal, as they together struggle wit the feelings that they had, and still have, for this man who had scarred both their lives.
It'd been a while since I'd been to the theatre, but these three plays have reawakened my love of live drama, and I hope it won't be long before I return.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Some thoughts on preaching
I've been reflecting on preaching, following this morning's service. Here's why.
We've been working our way through Nehemiah over the last 6 weeks at one of my churches - not really long enough to do it full justice, but we were able to look at some of the main themes as we flew through. This week we reached the end, and the reading was Chapter 13. As is our custom one of our ladies had been asked to read the passage, and she approached me before the service to say that she's been reading through the chapter in preparation and had found it a really difficult passage. She really didn't like what Nehemiah had done at all, but was looking forward to hearing what I would make of it.
I have to admit that I had struggled in preparation with some of the themes in the chapter. The idea of banning inter-marriage with the neighbouring peoples resonated for me with David Cameron's recent speech about multi-culturalism, particularly verse 24 which speaks of the children not being able to speak the language of the country in which they live. Perhaps I 'bottled out', because I chose not to tackle these issues head-on, but instead looked at the underlying reasons why Nehemiah acted as he did - the holiness of God and of God's people.
What is it we are trying to do in preaching? There are some who try and tease out every nuance of every word of every verse, and there is a need for that at times. There are those who seek to elucidate the grand themes of Scripture, and look for their evidence in whatever passage they are considering, and there is a need for that at times. There are those who seek to find the contemporary relevance of Scripture to today's world, and there is certainly a need for that. And there are those who seek to help themselves and others as they struggle with God's word and those actions by God and God's people that are recorded there that seem to grate in today's culture.
The Word of God is alive and active, and therefore it needs to be wrestled with, not just in the study, but in the pulpit too. It will never be tamed, but as we struggle with it we may begin to understand more fully what God is saying to us through it, and its relevance in today's world - so different in some ways, and so similar in others, from the world in which the Scriptures were written. Through those struggles we will begin to glimpse the 'big picture', the grand themes of grace, salvation, forgiveness and holiness, and see how they can transform our lives, and to do so we may have to mine deep to unearth to real treasures that lie within.
This, I think, is starting to get at the role of the preacher, as one who walks alongside us, and the Holy Spirit as we listen for God's word today through God's word written and preached.
And the lady who'd read the passage for us went home a little happier, and understanding a little more, than when she came. Maybe it was worthwhile.
We've been working our way through Nehemiah over the last 6 weeks at one of my churches - not really long enough to do it full justice, but we were able to look at some of the main themes as we flew through. This week we reached the end, and the reading was Chapter 13. As is our custom one of our ladies had been asked to read the passage, and she approached me before the service to say that she's been reading through the chapter in preparation and had found it a really difficult passage. She really didn't like what Nehemiah had done at all, but was looking forward to hearing what I would make of it.
I have to admit that I had struggled in preparation with some of the themes in the chapter. The idea of banning inter-marriage with the neighbouring peoples resonated for me with David Cameron's recent speech about multi-culturalism, particularly verse 24 which speaks of the children not being able to speak the language of the country in which they live. Perhaps I 'bottled out', because I chose not to tackle these issues head-on, but instead looked at the underlying reasons why Nehemiah acted as he did - the holiness of God and of God's people.
What is it we are trying to do in preaching? There are some who try and tease out every nuance of every word of every verse, and there is a need for that at times. There are those who seek to elucidate the grand themes of Scripture, and look for their evidence in whatever passage they are considering, and there is a need for that at times. There are those who seek to find the contemporary relevance of Scripture to today's world, and there is certainly a need for that. And there are those who seek to help themselves and others as they struggle with God's word and those actions by God and God's people that are recorded there that seem to grate in today's culture.
The Word of God is alive and active, and therefore it needs to be wrestled with, not just in the study, but in the pulpit too. It will never be tamed, but as we struggle with it we may begin to understand more fully what God is saying to us through it, and its relevance in today's world - so different in some ways, and so similar in others, from the world in which the Scriptures were written. Through those struggles we will begin to glimpse the 'big picture', the grand themes of grace, salvation, forgiveness and holiness, and see how they can transform our lives, and to do so we may have to mine deep to unearth to real treasures that lie within.
This, I think, is starting to get at the role of the preacher, as one who walks alongside us, and the Holy Spirit as we listen for God's word today through God's word written and preached.
And the lady who'd read the passage for us went home a little happier, and understanding a little more, than when she came. Maybe it was worthwhile.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
What's new?
How do you discover new music to listen to, or new writers to read?
Although I can at times find them a little annoying, the recommendations on Amazon have provided some interesting discoveries over the last few months: Aeon Zen (sort of intelligent Prog Metal), Anathema (ballsy Post Rock) & Thieves' Kitchen (jazzy Prog) came to me that way. (The descriptions are purely mine, and I'm not 100% sure what they mean, so don't ask!) Cover discs on magazines have introduced me to a wide variety of otherwise unknown (to me) bands from across the world, like Crippled Black Phoenix, Lens, Lalle Larsen & Matt Stevens.
I'd actually heard of Matt Stevens through an advert he'd placed on Facebook, but had not really listened to his music. Having done so, I would highly recommend him to anyone who enjoys well-produced and well-played acoustic sounds: you can find him through this link. Check out his band, The Fierce and the Dead, too.
In terms of new writers, I've had some help from my wife, Judith, who pointed me towards Karen Slaughter from Georgia, USA, a writer of crime fiction, which is one of my particular favourite genres. It was through her love of Karen's work that I was introduced to another crime writer that I have really enjoyed - a namesake of mine - Chris Simms. We came across Chris at a Crime Writers' convention in Harrogate last year, and I have to admit that I was attracted to reading his work simply because we share a surname (spelled the right way!).
Chris has been described as Manchester's answer to Ian Rankin, and he writes mostly about DI Jon Spicer. I would highly recommend any of his books; they all have their own particular strengths and its difficult to single any one of them out as better than the rest. He certainly deserves to be better known and more widely read.
But maybe you have some music or writers that have 'grabbed' you that you feel ought to have a wider audience. Who are they? Why do you like them? It's good to share.
Although I can at times find them a little annoying, the recommendations on Amazon have provided some interesting discoveries over the last few months: Aeon Zen (sort of intelligent Prog Metal), Anathema (ballsy Post Rock) & Thieves' Kitchen (jazzy Prog) came to me that way. (The descriptions are purely mine, and I'm not 100% sure what they mean, so don't ask!) Cover discs on magazines have introduced me to a wide variety of otherwise unknown (to me) bands from across the world, like Crippled Black Phoenix, Lens, Lalle Larsen & Matt Stevens.
I'd actually heard of Matt Stevens through an advert he'd placed on Facebook, but had not really listened to his music. Having done so, I would highly recommend him to anyone who enjoys well-produced and well-played acoustic sounds: you can find him through this link. Check out his band, The Fierce and the Dead, too.
In terms of new writers, I've had some help from my wife, Judith, who pointed me towards Karen Slaughter from Georgia, USA, a writer of crime fiction, which is one of my particular favourite genres. It was through her love of Karen's work that I was introduced to another crime writer that I have really enjoyed - a namesake of mine - Chris Simms. We came across Chris at a Crime Writers' convention in Harrogate last year, and I have to admit that I was attracted to reading his work simply because we share a surname (spelled the right way!).
Chris has been described as Manchester's answer to Ian Rankin, and he writes mostly about DI Jon Spicer. I would highly recommend any of his books; they all have their own particular strengths and its difficult to single any one of them out as better than the rest. He certainly deserves to be better known and more widely read.
But maybe you have some music or writers that have 'grabbed' you that you feel ought to have a wider audience. Who are they? Why do you like them? It's good to share.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
A big change to small change
I'm just about old enough to remember the changes that happened to UK coinage 40 years ago today, when the old system of pounds, shillings and pence was replaced with the decimal system we have today. In fact I can still remember gooing to school that Monday morning with a 10/- note in my pocket to pay my dinner money for the week (and getting change).
Although working things out financially is now easier, having only to work in 10s rather than 12s & 20s like we used to do, there is still, for those of us who can remember them, a certain romance about the old silver sixpence (the tanner), the half-crown and the thrupenny bit. I remember I used to help our milkman on my way home from school at lunchtime each day, and he would reward me with 3d at the end of the week - that was quite a lot of money to a young boy in the late 60s. It also shows how much we've changed - probably for the worse - as a society, in that no-one batted an eyelid about me riding on the back of his drop-tail Mini van, or helping him. Just think of the Child Protection and Health & Safety issues there would be today!
I can also remember the excitement that there was about the impending decimalisation - we spent a lot of time in school preparing for it, and there was even a song to help us grasp the difference, which (if I remember correctly) went something like:
There was, too, the confusion in the elderly, who couldn't quite grasp the changes ('twas ever thus!), and the inevitable concern about rising prices as a result of the changes. But maybe it's been for the best. I still miss the old coins - you certainly knew when you had a pocketful of old pennies! - and often find myself thinking 'what would that've been in 'old money'?' Maybe I'm just a hopeless nostalgic, or just a sad, old man!
Although working things out financially is now easier, having only to work in 10s rather than 12s & 20s like we used to do, there is still, for those of us who can remember them, a certain romance about the old silver sixpence (the tanner), the half-crown and the thrupenny bit. I remember I used to help our milkman on my way home from school at lunchtime each day, and he would reward me with 3d at the end of the week - that was quite a lot of money to a young boy in the late 60s. It also shows how much we've changed - probably for the worse - as a society, in that no-one batted an eyelid about me riding on the back of his drop-tail Mini van, or helping him. Just think of the Child Protection and Health & Safety issues there would be today!
I can also remember the excitement that there was about the impending decimalisation - we spent a lot of time in school preparing for it, and there was even a song to help us grasp the difference, which (if I remember correctly) went something like:
"Five New Pence is One Shilling,They don't write them like that any more!
Ten New Pence is Two.
It may seem very odd at first,
But it really is good for you."
There was, too, the confusion in the elderly, who couldn't quite grasp the changes ('twas ever thus!), and the inevitable concern about rising prices as a result of the changes. But maybe it's been for the best. I still miss the old coins - you certainly knew when you had a pocketful of old pennies! - and often find myself thinking 'what would that've been in 'old money'?' Maybe I'm just a hopeless nostalgic, or just a sad, old man!
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