TV speaks volumes to many and daily, will “Rev” have any influence

Ed note: Fr Alan Gyle of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Knightsbridge, bids his people take note of a new series on telly!  I agree! 

On Monday evening at 10pm, BBC Two shows the first episode in a new comedy series about the life of the Church of England and its clergy. Set in the gritty city (filmed in Shoreditch in East London), ‘Rev.’ is as far from the frothy rural idyll that was ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ as it’s possible to imagine – and pulls fewer punches as it paints an amusing but acutely observed and sometimes punishingly honest picture of the Church’s struggle to minister, to proclaim faith and to maintain integrity in an urban context. It focuses on a clergyman – The Revd Adam Smallbone – a good man who is compassionate and committed but who sometimes struggles to see the connection between his ‘vocation’ and the reality of church life and who lives with all the frustrations common to most clergy. If the fictional and failing ‘St Saviour’s’ seems a world away from our own fuller and more confident St Paul’s Knightsbridge, it is, though many of the issues are recognisable: the church as a place where transcendence, vision and hope meet (and sometimes clash with) all-too-human frailty, need and wilfulness;  ‘big’ characters who are unaware of their impact on others; the tensions of holding onto church as a place of encounter and holiness while at the same time making sure that as a business it is financially viable; the internal politics of an institution obsessed with market ‘success’, still in hoc to the legacy of the past and to powerful societal expectations and projections. You’ll also recognise some of the actors: Tom Hollander as the reassuringly human vicar (he read, and lit our Christmas tree, at the Foundation event a couple of years ago) and Alexander Armstrong ((congratulations, by the way, to him and to Hannah on the birth this week of Edward) who’s a worshipper here) as a pushy parent and local MP who wants to get his children into the local C of E School.
Will it go down well? I suspect that some will be a little shocked at the honesty – many may feel it is irreverent. But if so, it is worth living with your discomfort. ‘Rev.’ is certainly witty, but also well-observed and absolutely of the moment. Watch and enjoy!

World Cup puts spotlight on athletes of faith

Editor’s note:

Many people were mystified to hear the news that swearing from players was not to be tolerated and that many groups enthusiastically prayed aloud around World Cup events in South Africa. Some were more stunned (I was thrilled) to see an Anglican Archbishop, namely the beloved Desmond Tutu, speaking with pride and in football colours, about the games. I hope you find this article interesting. Come on England!     Fr Jim

Print article By David F. Dawes

AS WORLD CUP games proceed in Johannesburg, Christian soccer fans are no doubt keeping their eyes on a number of high profile players. These athletes have two things in common: they are all considered star players; and they have made their faith a matter of public record.

Full story: http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/100616worldcup.html

Anglicans need to get on with mission

Editor’s note:   I hope this story helps Anglicans and other Christians that wallow in issues to see the need for building up the body of Christ. Anglicans need to get on with mission.  Fr Jim

Edinburgh 2010 participants issue call to common mission for global
Christian community

By Matthew Davies

[Episcopal News Service, Edinburgh, Scotland] Indian dancers, an African-Scottish choir and songs from every continent greeted more than 1,000 people to the Mound in the Scottish capital June 6 for a 3-hour-long celebration that drew the Edinburgh 2010 missionary conference to a close.

Archbishop of York John Sentamu told the gathering during his sermon that “every Christian is a witness … and as a witness our task is to take people to Jesus and leave them there with him … For the world at this moment, Jesus is on trial, and what you will do and say will make the most profound difference to those who are judging Christ now.

“As leaders in mission, we must help our churches by acting prophetically, speaking out for freedom against injustice,” Dr Sentamu said.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_122711_ENG_HTM.htm

‘Let us all pray that God will bless the World Cup!’

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has launched a special prayer for the FIFA tournament. ‘It is a short and simple prayer which is easy to learn, and I hope many people, of many backgrounds, will join me in praying it daily in the coming weeks’ added the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. ‘We are asking for the well-being of everyone who is in any way associated with the FIFA 2010 World Cup: players, spectators, South Africans as host nation, and everyone who travels here.

Bible Society Response to Israeli Aid Attack

We share this story received just now from Premier Radio, one of our partners in mission, adding our prayers and deep concerns.  Editor.

The UN Security Council has called for an impartial investigation into the Israeli attack against a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the immediate release of all civilians.At least 9 activists died when Israeli commandos forcibly boarded the boats in international waters. In a statement, the Council reiterated its grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which it said was “not sustainable.”

The statement came as Israel expelled 48 activists seized on the six ships but said it would continue to detain 487 others from the boats.