Windsor Castle

Earlier this week I was in Windsor for a consultation on the Ministry of Cathedrals and Greater Churches. It's the first time I've ever had to get past armed guards to get into a church event!

As well as the surroundings, which were fantastic (thanks to Graham for taking the photo), and the train journey, an opportunity to read and think, it was a worthwhile trip. We spent most of the time in groups reflecting on our own experiences and learning from one another. I think the idea that stood out for me was that Cathedrals and churches are custodians of tradition, but that they only fulfil this vocation by experimenting and taking risks. This can be seen in art, music, liturgy, prayer, debate and other ways in which these places can contribute to the wider church and to the wider world.

As someone said (I think it was GK Chesterton), 'the only untraditional thing is never to change at all'!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm always interested in the different formulae for gathering people together: the more disparate they are, the more productive their meeting can be.

Here's a bit of Burns for your Sunday service:
With joy unfeign'd, brothers and sisters meet,
And each for other's weelfare kindly speirs:
The social hours, swift-wing'd, unnotic'd fleet:
Each tells the uncos that he sees or hears.

Loads of love from York
Gareth
8:28 pm
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