OK it wasn't representative. It was self selecting. And it was Twitter.
But a highly accurate survey of how people felt about the scariness of different liturgical Sundays was conclusive. Quite a few worship leaders are angst- ridden at the thought of leading Mothering Sunday or Trinity Sunday services. And quite a few - but substantially fewer - are angst-ridden about Remembrance Sunday.
This would be especially noticeable, if it were statistically significant, when we remember that Twitter clergy are, for the most part, the most pinko progressives ever to cry liberal tears at the thought that someone, somewhere, might be being mildly disparaging about an endangered species of whelk. Yet they still think the subjects of "Mothering" and "Trinity" are more problematic than marking the casualties of wars many of them probably don't agree with.
How can this be? How did we allow it to get to this state? Given two services which are meant to be about thanks and wonder- why are people less worried about Remembrance, where they stagger up the pulpit steps weighed down with assorted colours of poppies they'll have to explain to Major Dumpling (Retd) later?
Neither Mothering nor Trinity Sunday are in the Bible - so we could lose them. Trinity Sunday is always the week the vicar decides the trainee / lay preacher/ retired newby in town can have a bash. So what's the problem? Surely we should celebrate the Holy Trinity, naturally, in living worship all year - and not save it up for an annual Feast of Modalism.
Of course, it was only an advisory poll. But then so was the Brexit referendum.
The people have spoken. We must take rapid, unwise action.
Speaking as a woman preacher, I always used to dread being planned at a service the local church had designated "Ladies Sunday". I am not, never have been and am determined never to become a Lady! Thankfully, such days seems to have died out now.
ReplyDeleteI thought that liberal Clergy would welcome the opportunities presented by Trinity Sunday, Mothering Sunday as well as Remembrance. I have only preached on Remembrance, not either of the others, as my Vicar enjoys the challenge of them both. And does both well. And she is liberal and on twitter. So, liberal as a label, doesn't describe them all.
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