This is the second hymn Metanoia played at yesterday’s Blessēd big bash in The Big Top at Greenbelt. It’s going to make a few appearances at The Rock Mass over the next year or so.
Jun192013
What Would Young Adults Say to The Wider Church?
I’m about to have a bishop arrive at my house to discuss how we engage with young adults 20-40 as church. I just clicked on this link as I was going through my overflowing inbox.
I am struck by the humility of everyone speaking to camera. I’m also struck by the apologetic nature of the comments. How do we as The Church ™ continue to instill an atmosphere that whether explicit or implicit makes younger people feel that they are interlopers? The image says ‘leaving’ but I suspect that ‘leaving’ is a million miles down a road not traveled.
Last night I was asked how I ended up as part of the church. As I told my story I recounted that at 18 years old I thought that I wasn’t allowed in church. People like me are not acceptable in church. We’re not good enough.
Is this the lived experience of most young people or is it the prevailing media narrative as told through film, sitcoms and newspapers?
I’d better dig out the hoover before the bishop arrives.
Jan182013
The Raisin Exercise
The Church of England today launched its Lenten discipline with a fanfare. It is a wonderful initiative to take look at the world around us and take it all in. As a psychologist, Ruth has been using mindfulness techniques for years to improve people’s mental health. We have actually used the raisin exercise in church on several occasions as a teaching tool about all of the things we miss in our busyness. Take 10 minutes, a pack of raisins and a small group in a reflective service. Here is the text:
Pick up a raisin and hold it in the palm of your hand. Look at it. Examine it. Describe the raisin. What does it look like? What color is it? How would you describe the texture? Now, feel the raisin in the palm of your hand. What does it feel like against your skin? Pick it up with your other hand. What does it feel like in your fingers? Is it slimy? Rough? Smooth? Soft? Hard? Squeeze it softly. What do you feel? Smell the raisin. Describe how it smells. Put the raisin in your mouth, but do not eat it. What does it feel like on your tongue? What does the texture feel like now? How does it taste? How does the taste compare to the way it smelled? Move it around in your mouth and notice every aspect of the raisin. Bite the raisin and think about what you taste. Now how does the raisin feel in your mouth? Finish chewing and eat the raisin. How did it taste?
Dec192012
Online 9 Lessons and Carols 2012
Some of you may remember that last year there was an Online Nine Lessons and Carols Service. This year is no different and Metanoia are involved in it once again. Check out all of the details over at Nine Lessons and Carols 2012! Check out the hashtag #onlinecarols2012 too!
I also updated Metanoia’s facebook url so it matches every other online presence we have. Facebook’s original policy of never allowing you to change your name has been relaxed to “OK, we’ll let you change it but only once”. If you have any links, they may need updating.
www.facebook.com/metanoiauk