Categories: uncategorized
Date: 20 March 2008 18:42:03
So, I'm applying for a job. It's one I've wanted for a while, and I'm now sat with the application form. A few of the questions are quite difficult, and involve a bit of self censorship, so here is what I want to say...
How do you understand being ecumenical?
Sweetheart, I am ecumenical. I'm the living inbodyment of ecumenical. I'm confirmed as a Catholic and an Anglican, know the Methodist prayerbook by heart, go to a woolly liberal backslidden church that uses Iona liturgy and have taken communion in an Orthodox church, with the permission of the priest. Ecumenical is more than just appealing to the main denominations though, it's a process not possible on earth. In order to be truly ecumenical worship has to be just the right mix of disturbing and comfortable for everyone on earth, a feat very difficult this side of heaven. Ecumenical worship is an ideal, each effort takes us one step closer to this ideal, but it's unlikely we'll succeed. It's still worth trying though.
What do you understand by the phrase inclusive?
I live with a bi sexual polyamourous, gender queer atheist and zir (nominally) christian partner, who's also poly and gender queer, and a sexual. I now use the pronouns "ze" and "zir" without feeling odd, and am perfectly comfortable with all forms of sex, gender and sexuality. And vauglly understand the differences. But inclusivity is more than that, and inclusive church is a space for anyone marginalised by society, it's about safety and shelter for vulnerable, and challenge to the comfortable, it's about trust and learning to cope with negative societal views. It's not about rights and wrongs, the latest campaigns or buzz words, or providing a space for the depressed and the LGBTQ. It's much, much, much more radical than that, inclusivity is never safe, never static, and always involves a risk. Inclusivity is about a BNP counciller sitting and praying next to an Anarchist.
And living with the discomfort that brings.