November 2008

‘The Kingdom Season’

Just a couple of paragraphs from me this month to give space for the article about Affirming Catholicism. The annual cycle of the Church Year (the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, etc.) now ends with the Feast of Christ the King. Many of us grew up with a seemingly endless number of Sundays after Trinity which just seemed drift on as the days grew shorter but the more recently established pattern of a ‘Kingdom Season’ at the end of one church year seems to prepare us for the beginning of the next when, in Advent, we have set before us the hope of the coming Messiah.

In these weeks before Advent (from the celebration of All Saints Day and the keeping of All Souls tide and Remembrance Sunday) we focus upon the proclamation of Christ's universal sovereignty. By his ascension Christ has been revealed as the Lord of earth and heaven and final judgement is one of his proper kingly purposes (if one we might feel uncomfortable with!) so the feast of Christ the King brings together his earthly life and heavenly reign and prepares us for Advent and so the journey begins once again.

Revd. Elaine Cranmer

Hope for the Church

Open meeting of Affirming Catholicism at Croydon Parish Church. 10am 8th November 2008.

For nearly 20 years Affirming Catholicism has been working to create and outward-looking, positive attitude within the Church of England and the wider Communion. Initially it was a response to the increasingly negative stance of the “traditional” catholic groups within the Church which had set their faces against the ordination of women and were hostile to many other positive developments in ecumenism and inclusivity.

Affirming Catholicism is not a party but a movement. It is a registered charity and its events are open to all who seek to deepen their Christian faith. It is a movement of inspiration and hope in the Anglican Communion, bringing together and strengthening lay and ordained people who can recognise the positive and joyful currents in the Catholic tradition of Christianity.

The Bishop of Salisbury, who is president of Affirming Catholicism, explains its aims like this: “Authentic Catholic faith is grounded in Christ's sharing of human life and his transformation of it. This is the hope to which we hold: the transformation of our lives, our Church and all creation. This is the good news.”

Southwark Diocese has had an Affirming Catholicism group pretty much from the beginning but in recent years it has had to deal with the problems of success! In this diocese where women and other groups are affirmed by the bishops we have had relatively little with which to struggle. In areas where ordained women and gay and lesbian Christians (for example) are treated with hostility or mistrust Affirming Catholicism has bad its work cut out.

Now we are trying to see whether it is time to reinvigorate the Southwark group. With legislation on women bishops being prepared and with the fall-out from the Lambeth Conference to deal with Affirming Catholicism's gifts and insights are more needed than ever.

An open meeting will be held at Croydon Parish Church on Saturday 8th It will start at 10 o'clock with a celebration of the Eucharist. This will be followed by talk and discussion. We are very fortunate to have with us Fr. Jonathan Clarke who is the new Chair of Affirming Catholicism. He will be able to tell us of the new and exciting initiatives that are being undertaken.

If it is God's will a new and reinvigorated Southwark group will emerge from the morning. Come along and see what hope there is for an Anglican future.

Croydon Parish Church, Church Street, Croydon CR0 1RN. East and West Croydon stations are within easy reach. Church Street tram stop. Limited parking available. For more information please contact Fr. Geoffrey Thompson at Croydon Parish Church. 020 8688 8104.

From the Parish Registers

Please remember the following in your prayers.

Holy Baptism: Dominik Gamer

Recently Departed: Peg Evans, Taffy Pumford, James Day, Ronald Brookfield.

Year's Mind: 3rd November Len Steward, 10th Sofia Mosig, 12th John Bushell, 15th Frederick Smith, 17th Kathleen Hoath, 18th Tony Robin, 22nd Charles Ward, 27th Patrick Yardley, 30th Daniel Onyewuenyi.