Categories: uncategorized
Date: 05 September 2009 17:00:13
Folk, LGBT experience and coffee mornings.....not three random themes to be tied together in a ressurection of Whose Line is it Anyway? Rather they are three things which have been capturing my attention recently.
Starting with folk music, The Guardian's Face to Faith column has Christopher Rowland writing about a plaque to be unveiled in memory of Gerrard Winstanley, next weekend. It might be like me when I started the article you thought you knew nothing about Gerrard Winstanley. It turns out I do know about Winstanley, because he was the influence for one of the world's greatest folk songs, "World Turned Upside Down" which Billy Bragg has most famously covered. This song talks of the way radical theology was expressed in Puritan Britain. Incidently, it turns out that I do own a few speeches by Winstanley within a volume which Rowland co-edited, with Andrew Bradstock, "Radical Christian Writings A Reader". This is a book I would highly recommend to anybody who wants to read through the history of radical Christianity.
As for the LGB experience, my life has changed recently. The issues that were there but largely theoretical have suddenly become much more practical as have the implications of the ethical debates. This, I am discovering, has implications for various people involved....not least Third Party who is having to be considered in a way I haven't had to before. One thing I am v. glad about is I have discussed issues of orientation with her in the past and been honest with her. This means that the current situation has been much easier. Rather than having to deal with issues about how she feels about her mum's orientation we have been able to address issues such as what levels of public displays of affection she is comfortable with around her. How you have these conversations, etc though is not necessarily simple and something many people don't feel comfortable with. Therefore it's good to see that a new book deals with the topic of coming out to your children along with many others. Living it Out by Sarah and Rachel Hagger-Holt is basically a LGB Christian survival guide. (FYI I know what the bit on coming out to kids says because I happen to have been one of the contributors to this section). What I hope it helps do is take away the fear of being able to live ordinary lives when we happen to be LGB and Christian.
Finally be thinking about church coffee mornings.....and how much I love being involved in them. These are the places where you get to mix with others to serve the community. In terms of helping me feel like I'm become part of the fabric of the church I am part of I think these have been a major thing for me. Had our latest one this morning and yet again really enjoyed the atmosphere. There is, I think, a depth of fellowship in washing up or pouring coffee which you don't find in other tasks. Returning to the opening article what I think I am realising is that whilst there is a place for radical theology and actions like those Winstanley was involved in during 1649 at St. Georges Hill there is also a place for changing the world through quieter more comfortable means. Sometimes just engaging in ordinary activities allows the world to change because people find rather than some stuff being huge and scary it just is. That is not to say there isn't sometimes a place in the world for NVDA; I believe there sometimes is and that radical theology has an important contribution to make. However, it has to be carefully judged and justified....why rush in with a lock on and bolt cutters, when you can wander in with a handshake and an invitation? Sometimes we just need a little guidance from those who have gone before as to what approach to take.