In the UK at the moment, politics is interesting. The arrival of 56 Scottish National Party MPs after the General election in May started the latest culture shift. They were told off by the Speaker for clapping in the parliamentary chamber – this is not apparently the appropriate etiquette for the House of Commons. As these and other new MPs have settled into their surroundings, I wonder how many of them now appreciate the ancient customs of the place and how many still find them absurd and old fashioned. Now we have the newly elected leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, trying to negotiate all the implications of holding such an office. As an MP, Mr Corbyn took stances on certain things, like not singing the National Anthem, in line with his personal views. Now he is a formal position of authority within the establishment of our country and these stances are now being widely scrutinised. At the same time, Mr Corbyn is trying to change the way that politics is carried out. At Prime Minister’s Question Time, he read out questions sent into him by members of the public. There is speculation about whether he will do this every week. Some will criticise Mr Corbyn for the stances that he takes, others will criticise him if he appears to give up on his principles. He is in a ‘no win’ situation. It is a challenge for everyone who has any kind of public office – how to be authentic privately and publicly. Even Pope Francis, who successfully challenged many of the traditions of the Vatican when he first became Pope, finds he cannot wander around Rome without bodyguards and security. He has had to give up the freedom to mix with ordinary people that he so valued in his previous role in Argentina.
Our worship theme this month, ‘Salvation for Creation’ has given me a lot to think about in terms of my own ethics and behaviour. I am turning off more lights and am more hesitant about putting on the heating. I look at where and how I spend my money. The old phrase ‘Practise what you preach’ has an uncomfortable resonance to it : ). Hypocrisy is one of the biggest criticisms of churchgoers from those outside the Church. When we are seen to be saying one thing and doing another, it causes others to doubt our authenticity and our integrity. Sometimes also, we need to look at what we are doing and see whether it has become a meaningless tradition or a ritual that still brings value to our relationship with God. Someone told me lately how much it means to them that we use non-alcoholic wine at Communion and that we announce this fact each week. For them, it means that they were able to safely share this important meal from their very first time at worship. Some folk may miss the tradition of serving alcoholic wine, but in MCC, we think inclusion is a principle worth keeping.
God bless,
Cecilia
Our worship theme this month, ‘Salvation for Creation’ has given me a lot to think about in terms of my own ethics and behaviour. I am turning off more lights and am more hesitant about putting on the heating. I look at where and how I spend my money. The old phrase ‘Practise what you preach’ has an uncomfortable resonance to it : ). Hypocrisy is one of the biggest criticisms of churchgoers from those outside the Church. When we are seen to be saying one thing and doing another, it causes others to doubt our authenticity and our integrity. Sometimes also, we need to look at what we are doing and see whether it has become a meaningless tradition or a ritual that still brings value to our relationship with God. Someone told me lately how much it means to them that we use non-alcoholic wine at Communion and that we announce this fact each week. For them, it means that they were able to safely share this important meal from their very first time at worship. Some folk may miss the tradition of serving alcoholic wine, but in MCC, we think inclusion is a principle worth keeping.
God bless,
Cecilia
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