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A report from the Salvation Army reveals that fewer people want to commit themselves to things that bring no personal return. This report is about the way we are evolving as a society. One in five Britons do not want to care for their elderly relatives. An increasing number of vulnerable groups are slipping unnoticed through the cracks between care offered by the government, charities, the private sector and individuals. source World Vision |
Ship of Fools reports regularly on the the decidedly mixed fortunes of their under-cover representatives who visit a wide range of churches around the country. See an example of the full (and largely woeful) story at www.shipoffools.com/Mystery/index.html. For example:
Editor's Note: Do not be fooled by the above two examples. There was not a simple polarisation between established or traditional churches versus those whose labels might lead you to expect a more innovative approach. Plenty of the latter turned out to be 'chilly' too. |
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The Labyrinth is designed for young and old alike, uses a mixture of contemplative words and contemporary ambient music, with meditations, art, media, activities and symbols at intervals along the path to help guide the spiritual traveller. But what's it all about? The Classical Prayer Labyrinth |
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A labyrinth, unlike a maze and regardless of
how confusing it looks, has only one twisting path that weaves its way
to the centre and back out again. There is only one entrance and
exit, no dead ends, and no crossing of paths that would give a choice of which way
to turn.
The Romans adapted the ancient labyrinth symbol as a decorative floor pattern, and the Christian artists and thinkers of mediaeval times developed the Roman pattern into a new |
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and beautiful form which was used as a feature in many cathedrals. They were a clear symbol of the Christian way, representing the path of the soul through life. People walked it on the eve of their baptism or confirmation, as an aid to contemplative prayer in Holy Week, and as an illustration of both the life of the Christian and the life of Christ. After medieval times the spiritual uses of labyrinths were forgotten, and fell into disuse. However in recent years labyrinths have been rediscovered as a Christian spiritual tool. The C urrent-day Prayer Labyrinth |
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In 1998-99 a number of worship groups in the London area came together to work on an event to mark the Millennium in the capital. The south transept of St Paul's Cathedral was offered as a venue for a week in March 2000. This labyrinth design was created to fit the space and to offer the best experience to tourists and pilgrims who would encounter it. After the Millennium event, between 2000 and 2003, the labyrinth toured a number of cities, either using existing patterns in medieval cathedrals or utilising modified versions of the St Paul's layout. |
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The result is a contemporary version of a cathedral labyrinth which combines both ancient Christian tradition with modern music, meditations, art, media and activities. It is not, in any normal sense, a church service, but is an interactive environment resembling a contemporary art installation, with visitors coming and going as they please during opening hours. However, this installation offers more than an aesthetic experience – it takes the participants on a spiritual journey. |
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| The labyrinth at Trinity Methodist Church at Easter 2004 was based on 18-inch (45 cm) squares, which is what the black and white squares in the floor of St. Paul's Cathedral measure. In this way the layout was similar in concept and size to the one which toured the cathedrals. It occupied most of the area available within Trinity's worship area and so it was able to take full advantage of the special atmosphere created within the church by the contemporary coloured windows. |
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Trinity actively promotes Fair Trade through the Chatterbox Coffee Shop and the Traidcraft stall. ************************ Chatterbox Coffee Shop, Trinity
Come and treat yourself to a good cup of coffee or tea and teacake, and at the same time see the full range of Traidcraftt products. The coffee shop is open from 10.00 AM until 12.00 noon every weekday, at Westwood House. Sales in financial year 2003-04 reached approximately £4,000. Please continue to support this cause which offers a fair wage to Third World producers. **********************
In 2003 we had a very good run up to Christmas and setting up the stall in church was a good idea as it gave different people a chance to see the products and to make purchases. We have a catalogue with some new items and some sale goods. Please have a look at it. Thank you for all your support and please continue to buy fairly traded goods whenever you can. It really does improve people's lives. Judith Talbot |
Christians turning Muslim in Texas
[Source: Channel 4 Television] George W Bush may be backed by Christian fundamentalists but in his home state of Texas, Islam is the latest big draw. The Bible belt is transferring its allegiance to the Qur’an because, for many erstwhile Christians, believe it or not, the Christian church in that part of the world is too liberal. Eric was a Baptist preacher before he became a Muslim 14 years ago. Now he prays five times a day – even in the middle of watching a football game. His wife, Karen, also a convert, is covered from head to toe in the traditional Muslim burka. Islam, says Eric, ‘is everything I wanted Christianity to be’. His mother has found it hard to come to terms with her son’s conversion and believes he will return to the Christian faith: ‘Then he will be a dynamic preacher.’ Eric says: ‘Maybe some day she’ll embrace Islam.’ Women are also becoming followers of Muhammad. Yasmine (previously Mindy) arranged a marriage for herself and has three children. Islam, she says is ‘the solution to a lot of the prevailing evils: drugs, adultery, fornication…’ Converts often see the religious laws more clearly than those who have been brought up as Muslims and Yasmine can spot a mistake at 20 paces. She believes that she has a unique opportunity to help people who are born into the religion get back to the fundamentals. There are 400,000 Muslims in Texas alone and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the USA. Since the destruction of the World Trade Centre there have been more converts to Islam than ever. Eric believes that people are trying to understand Muslims and want to learn about their religion. Yasmine says: ‘America should not be afraid if it would be better Muslims were the majority. If a child asks me: “Who made this leaf?” I say, “Allah. Allah made everything.”’ |
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'The
Word for Today'
Daily Bible readings and notes are published at web address www.ucb.co.uk/wft/index.php. The following is an example. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12 Greater success always leads to greater temptation! And your response to that temptation will depend entirely upon the condition of your soul at the time. Nobody plans to fail, but ignoring your spiritual condition guarantees failure. ‘So what can I do?’ you ask. Begin preparing – now! You can wait until the night before your final degree exam to prepare, but there’s no cramming for a test of character. It comes up like an impromptu quiz, and you’re either ready or you’re not. Refuse to make the journey alone! Letting others in on what you want to be, reinforces your perimeter of protection. Becoming accountable is a powerful incentive to check any behaviour that might take you out of bounds. And on those inevitable occasions when you do drift across the line, the fact that someone else knows and will correct you on it, is a compelling motivator to take responsibility for your actions and correct them quickly. Constantly ask yourself: ‘What small thing in my life right now has the potential to become destructive? And who knows about it other than me?’ It’s better to expose your struggles to a handful of people who really care about you, than run the risk of being publicly exposed before those who couldn’t care less. You owe it to yourself to identify and conquer those baby dragons that have the potential to grow up and wound not only you, but also those who put their trust in you. |
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This is Magazine Page 4 |
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St.Paul's Cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral
