I have mentioned previously that our local priest, Father Dominic, is leaving us, and heading for pastures new. As far as I understand no replacement has yet been found.
I find this a shame. For anyone who believes in gods and devils, the church is quite a good career. I don't think the pay is that good, but often the accommodation is beautiful, and the work-load not too heavy. There are plenty of opportunities for career advancement, and as I always say; you only need to read one book!
In the case of our local church, the work-environment is also very pleasant (below), and the location envious.
The problem is that no-one, it seems, wants to become a vicar any more. There used to be a Theological College in close proximity to my old school which was forced to close through lack of applicants (the lovely building is now part of the school). My village church in France hasn't had a priest for a long time. And I read in a recent Sunday Times that in Ireland only 13 men signed-up to train for the priesthood over the past year.
Belief in mythology is in serious decline (other than in certain religions), and there has also been far too much scandal.
Perhaps it's time for all the world's religions to accept that we are no longer the gullible, god-fearing, uneducated peasants of the past, and that we now are more inclined to believe in logic than myth.
Most religions could easily become 'philosophies'. Scrap all the Mumbo-Jumbo, and spread the word of how best to live our lives in the service of others. Of the 10 Commandments, they could easily scrap the first five, and simply stick with the remaining five. Maybe this would see a return to bigger congregations; especially if the music was more to the taste of today (no rap please).
So, if you've been ordained, or are simply a talented amateur, and are looking for a parish, may I recommend St Nicholas Church here in Brighton; but not too much of the Mumbo please. Just say 'Cro sent you'.
Why would any (normal) person want to join an organisation like the C of E, whose hierarchy is so steeped in woke, left wing ideologies, as to make the BBC look like a beacon of far-right propaganda?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at school I met several trainee vicars. They all wanted the same thing; a nice Georgian Vicarage, a medieval church, and to be respected by their flock. They were a strange bunch.
DeleteAlthough I was raised In a Catholic home and School, I don't see myself as Religious. But I do enjoy looking around old English Churches creating picture posts for my blog.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed the gothic serenity and the peaceful and quiet atmosphere they offer. After all, some of them go back to The Doomsday book, like St Martins in Ruislip Village where the adjoining Church cottage has a Cemetery in it's front garden.
But one of my favourite Churches in London is the spectacular Brompton Oratory in South Kensington. It looks like something out of the Vatican. It's also where Alfred Hitchcock chose to get married. And probably now they're already organizing lots of festive events as they're very busy over Christmas.
So yes, we can still enjoy these old architectural wonders.
Even the great Einstein was agnostic.
But I like the old saying 'Religion...It's given us hope in a world torn apart by Religion.'
So Cro, lets hope your Church doesn't end up on Grand Designs as a new converted home.
I agree with you about early architecture. The first places I usually visit, when travelling, are old churches. As a boy I spent A LOT of time in a medieval cathedral. I don't think our church will ever get sold-off; it's just a matter of time before they find a new vicar/priest. I hope they do before Christmas.
DeleteDJ, inspired by your recommendation of Brompton Oratory in Kensington I pulled off my bookshelves "England's Thousand Best Churches" by Simon Jenkins; bought about twenty five years ago. Being me I tend to balk at the notion of "best"; as indeed I don't like superlatives. Dig at Cro here: He is the master of the "superb", best ever; the Cro appointed seal of approval - not least when it comes to black pudding.
DeleteAnyway, makes fascinating reading. You mention "like something out of the Vatican". Indeed, and I quote: "The interior is entirely Italian". However, and it made me smile (don't ask why): "The entrance front on Brompton Road belies this grandeur." The "blowsiness of the Victoria and Albert Museum next door" clearly distracting.
When I first bought the book I thought "What? Thousand best? How many more churches can there be?" Thousands, DJ, thousands.
As much as I enjoy grandeur, I love little country churches, off the beaten track. Austere, often musky smelling; there is a sincerity, an echo about them. So, I'll stop, walk among the long long long and even longer dead on the overgrown grave yards. Should the church door be locked find the church warden or the vicar.
U
My rating of best to worst Black Puddings is done specifically for your benefit. I don't want you eating rubbish (if, indeed, you eat such things).
DeleteUrsula, No matter how many Churches there are in Great Britain, The Brompton Oratory stands out among many other Churches with it's Italian inspired grandeur. In fact I'm amazed it isn't called a Cathedral. But yes, it's frontage is very deceiving and quite dull looking. Apparently I made a youtube video there just under a year ago.
DeleteI did make a big blog post on it while also blogging an afternoon at the nearby Victoria & Albert Museum. Yes my post are over the top photo wise as I want viewers to see how spectacular these places are, even going one step further for a monumental picture posting on St Paul's Cathedral, after they allowed cameras in there.
But it is worrying how so many Church's doors are locked and closed these days, unless of course you visit on Sundays.
Ha-ha! I enjoyed this blogpost Uncle Roger. Its core sentiments matched my own. Perhaps The Church of England just needs one vicar shown sermonising on large video screens in churches across the land every Sunday. Sales of popcorn and soft drinks could help to boost church funds. And have they thought about T-shirts with images of God printed on them?
ReplyDeleteGive it time YP, and you vision will become fact. I like the idea of a single recorded sermon. It could be done by the big-wig Arch-thingy of Canterbury. Then at least they wouldn't contradict themselves.
Deletep.s. Who would they use for the image of God? David Beckham perhaps?
DeleteWho's he? Never heard of him. I would vote for Arthur Scargill - now 87 years old.
DeleteMartha Seagull? I though she'd fallen down a mine.
DeleteI don't believe in a God.... the planet and Gaia is my "faith" but I do like a good sing... especially "belt-it-out"er songs.... so I used to visit the Methodist churches where I have lived.... because they use music as an uplift!!
ReplyDeleteAlways felt better around lunchtime on a Sunday... set me up for a session down the boozer!!
And I still, from time to time [in the absence of good woodland]... use churches as a place to sit and focus my thoughts... and admire the work of the artisans who built them!! Like your views on lack of vicars, there is little known of some of the older crafts.
Notre Dame has only managed to be rebuilt so fast because someone had the "idiotic" idea of building a medieval castle from the ground up... without using any modern equipment.
That skills base , combined with modern equipment was the key [using the craftsmen and women from that "idiotic" castle project!]
Your attitude is much like mine; I too enjoy a good singing session. My only visit to church, these days, is my once a year local Carol Service.
DeleteYet another vocation to bite the dust?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it. Religion has run its course; except for certain ethnicities. Good luck to them.
DeleteI've been re-listening to the American comedian, George Carlin. His MO was vulgarity, but he used it to make poignant jabs at society. He boils the 10 commandments down to just 2. I think you'd get a kick out of him, if you can get past the language. Youtube.
ReplyDeleteI shall have a look.
DeleteBrilliant. I wish I'd known about Carlin before I wrote the above!!!
DeleteIn the US if the church service is not well attended, the church closes. Parishioners are advised to attend the next closest church.
ReplyDeleteWithout a priest at your church, is there no sermon? I hear some churches allow lay people to give the sermon. This might be your opportunity
The process to close a Church of England church is complex and lengthy and further complicated because this church is Grade II* listed.
DeleteLay people can take a service but they have to be trained, someone cannot just rock up and take the service.
Given the, relatively, healthy finances of this church, I doubt it is in danger of being closed any time soon.
I hope the interregnum isn’t a lengthy one.
We have a Bishop who has just moved into our little street, and I hear that he may lend his 'good offices' in case of desperate needs. It remains to be seen.
DeleteI would have thought one of the four assistant clergy could cover things off relatively easily. “Your” church is certainly in a different position to “my” small village church where two reverends deal with 15 churches across 14 parishes. Rural ministry is very different to two / city ministry.
DeleteThe son of friends has been ordained for about two years and is hoping for his own parish soon. Perhaps he'll turn up in Brighton, who knows?
ReplyDelete