Candlemas: Jan 29th 2023

Isn’t it just typical that all the Bishops should wait for me to be away for a week before they make a significant statement concerning same sex marriages? And not just away, but up a mountain, away from normal life into a snowy wasteland where I was more engaged in trying not to fall over than in contempalting the (apparently) endless debate over whether God can cope with two men or two women lovign each other. That said, I probably need to accept that the Bishops weren’t conspiring against me. Indeed—and keep this to yourself—I’m not sure they even know I exist.

In case you missed it, last week the House of Bishops pronounced, “While there is a range of convictions held by the bishops about this important matter [of whether to permit same-sex marriages in Anglican churches], we have not found sufficient consensus to propose a change in doctrine at the present time.”

There was a predictable flurry of media attention surrounding this statement. If you google this phrase “church of England same-sex marriage vote” you’ll discover what I mean. Even so, with all the media attention, The Church’s stance is (of course?) a far more complicated matter than the media might lead you to realise. In February General Synod will discuss the matter at length (again) and further protocols and practicalities will be revealed. It’s all been going on for such a long time. It is easy to get confused. Personally, as you may have already gathered, I am not so much confused as frustrated.

I’ll come out (pun intended) and make it clear: I want to be able to marry people of the same sex as each other. Being able to bless their civil marriage is a step forward but there is still some way to go.

I am very happy to discuss this with anyone who wishes to raise it with me. I know there are some who will find my stance challenging, unsettling, even blasphemous, and I will happily (yes, happily) listen to all who do. Until and unless we each listen to one another over matters that exercise us spiritually we cannot fully understand each other’s approach to God. Nor, perhaps even our own personal ones.

Saying that, however, I remain resolute in what I believe: that when love is at the heart of a relationship, who are we to interfere with God’s desire to see that love expressed? Same-sex marriage is no more a challenge to God than marriage between people from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds (for example). Marriage is a public act of a sacramental feeling of love. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inner grace. If God has given grace to a couple who sincerely love one another then who are we to step into the path of that love and interfere? For sure we can talk about all kinds of nuances to this broad statement. But ultimately is it truly our place to second guess God?

As the Synod gets underway next month I prayer that those who have the power to act will do so understanding this power of love in the lives of those who wish to be recognised as married under God’s blessing. The journey continues towards this hope. It may still be some way off, but hope is like that: we need to be in for the long haul.

Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;

2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.

5 They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation.

6 Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna,
who lived to welcome the Messiah:
may we, who have received these gifts beyond words,
prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes
to bring us to eternal life;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

We call to mind parishioners who have died at this time in recent years.

Alan Bale, Dorothy Cload, Marion Cottey-Burt, Pauline Holt, Albert Lang, Greta Rogers, Phyllis Salter, Hilary Wilcox,

Alison, Angie, Anne, Anne, Audrey, Audrey, Barbara, Christine, Dave, David, David, Diane, Edward, Ethel, George, Helen, Joyce, Judith, Marjorie, Mary, Patrick, Portia, Ralph, Rebecca, Rita, Ruby, Sheila, Susanne, Tom, Will, Zillah.

We pray for these and their families and carers, and all those who are in need but named only in our hearts. May light shine into their world, may abundance spring forth and may they find hope in their hearts.

Our prayer life is fundamental to our Christian living, and this will not ever change. Our prayers are our very own conversation with God and are one important way that we can show our care for others. If you would like to include anyone at all, please contact Revd Simon.

This is our fifth Sunday united worship. This united service we are being led in our worship by our growing ministry team: Ralph, Jenny, Zillah, and Mike. This is a Eucharist worship. Revd Martin will preside. Revd Simon is leading the music. Read here for more about why we are doing this.

A charity lunch will be held in the Church Room on Monday January 30th at 12.30- 2pm. It is being held by the PCC to raise money to repair the church path. As many of us use the path to walk through the churchyard or to go to church we felt we could appeal to everyone. Apart from that it is a great social event with a light meal. If you would like to volunteer to help with this or any subsequent meals, please contact Annette Gage on 490 297.

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