This week, I want to write about a certain Doug Spenceley, Who, this Wednesday was Licensed as Assistant Priest in our Parish of St Peter's Weston Favell.
My first thought for Wixsite's "catchy title" is: God's Great Love to all who serve him, which is the third verse in my "Inclusion" hymn God's Great Love to ALL.
But, I have used this "catchy title" before. When Celebrating Revd Evie & Revd Andrew's Priesting. So after much thought and deliberation... I use the last line of each verse of "God's Great Love" and actually, it conveniently fits even better!!
Sunday just gone, Doug lead our 10 o'clock, and it was 'Good Shepherd' Sunday, and his message, clearly delivered, was "I am the Good Shepherd, I know you all by name, you are mine, follow me!" fantastic sermon it was too!
I actually have known Doug a while longer than some, and in a previous sermon from him, in a church that he was visiting, he was true enough in his teaching, to "Call out" bad choices and bad discipleship. This sermon really touched me, as it was at a time in my ministry where I was really battling against the power struggle of a certain member of the congregation, who was trying everything to make my job harder in any way possible, and, at that time, it was 'getting to me'. I can't fully remember word for word, but definitely remember looking over at fellow colleagues and friends, who's look in return spoke: "I hope (someone) is listening to this!"
I thanked Doug at the close of that service, suggesting that his words were just perfect!
We, St Peter's Weston Favell, are very lucky to have him with us!
On Wednesday morning, we were joined by Bishop Ed (formerly Curate of St Peter's), Archdeacon Richard, and our fabulous Organist, Chris Benton, who had come to play for this special service.
We sang three hymns, and I did notice a vast crowd of "Wednesday lot" comment, that they didn't know any of the hymns. In fact, neither did I, but that didn't stop me from worshipping to my hearts content, appreciating that, similar to the Sermon before, "It may not be what I want, but. It's not all about you. Its about everybody!"
Our first hymn, has stuck in my brain, perfectly!!! It is a fairly modern hymn, very long 5 verse hymn with a meter of 14.14.8.7.10. refrain. (meterics of a hymn is measured by syllables-per-line.) so, quite a lot of words! But! there are three lines that stick to our memories!
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place!
After the service, I went home, dug out my new A&M book, and found this hymn and set to learning it!! I actually want to write another 20 verses to this hymn, not because it needs it, far from it. but because you could make this hymn FIVE or TWENTY-FIVE verses long, those Three lines, will still be the same!
Whilst using this book, I remind myself that I recently came into contact with the referred person who made my life difficult, and politely I asked him "How are things going?"
He was delighted to report that things are great, "We don't 'do' sheets anymore, we just use everything from the hymn book" My heart smiled as I responded with "It's great that you now have the hymn book that I used to have to photocopy [the said sheets] from, to give us the (Better) inclusive texts, or musical arrangements of the hymns we sang!"
Inclusive Language though, is a funny ol' thing in church music. Certain individuals take issue to "mankind" and demand it to be changed to "human-kind"
Cynics like me loathe this method of changing non-inclusive language, as in our brain, all you've done, is changed man, to huMAN. Your local club's committee 20 years ago would've had a Chairman. or Chairperson. nowadays we have a 'Chair'
CHAIR: a separate seat for one person, typically with a back and four legs.
I've argued about one particular hymn "We Have a gospel to proclaim" originally "Good news for men in all the earth" this is a good example of unnecessary Non-inclusive language. The text has since been adapted to read, Good news for all throughout the earth. this version, although ideally set, doesn't quite roll off the tongue to the Fulda tune, "Good News for All. through- out ___ the earth.
My edit to this, is: "We have a Gospel to proclaim; Good news to Share in all the earth."
This cleverly removes any inclusion specifics entirely, whilst keeping the context and musical shape!
this was a principle that I tried at every opportunity to adopt, using third person language to include everyone. I also remember the conversations about hymns that adopt the reference "to All mankind" which was changed to "to hu-mankind" ofcourse! even ALL with underline, capital letter'd full word, is deemed more non-inclusive than humankind.
I am glad to finally have written evidence and a strong proof that 'All' refers to absolutely everyone. and thanks be to God, Amen, and thanks be to Marty Haugen for putting together this wonderful message. because going back to the chorus of the above hymn. using ALL in "ALL mankind" is non-inclusive and the 'All' doesn't make a difference...
Remove ALL from the chorus above, and you are left with a meaningless line, that leaves an open space... who are welcome?...!
Another ridiculous argument that goes on in churches is having Dog's in church! This mostly discriminates therapy or working dogs, which is actually illegal, as they are special working dogs providing an aid.
Another Psalm 23 sermon I once heard, began: "We are the sheep!" "We are the sheep!" ....Jesus is our Shepherd, our Father etc etc....
hang on.... We are sheep... yes! but "you can't have animals in church..."
Another strong voice of wisdom, vision and good teaching, that brings a sense of normalism to church life and faith.
Doug, you are a fantastic man, an excellent teacher, and at Weston Favell, we are very blessed to have you with us to extend your ministry to us all.
Jesus is our Shepherd, he loves us all, he knows us all by name. We are his follow him!
Let us build a house (All are welcome)
Words & Music: Marty Haugen
Have a listen...
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