Saturday, 13 November 2010
MAD DAD'S WEEKENDER MAGAZINE
First some particularly non-pc cartoons:
Next up, quite a good joke which actually asks a very deep question:
Now a cartoon that has a go at lazy, rich people (which is fine with me and Jesus):
Some odds and ends:
... and finally, two excellent letters about flying bishops who fly off when they don't get their own way on everything:
Next up, quite a good joke which actually asks a very deep question:
Now a cartoon that has a go at lazy, rich people (which is fine with me and Jesus):
Some odds and ends:
... and finally, two excellent letters about flying bishops who fly off when they don't get their own way on everything:
THE SOPPY SHEILA SELECTION
- LAND OF THE SHEILAS SPECIAL
8TH. NOVEMBER 2010
From AUSTRALIA ZOO:
On Friday 5 November a late night call was received by the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital from a member of the public near Kenilworth reporting an injured koala joey. The koala joey had been found next to its mother who had died from apparent gunshot wounds. The koala joey was transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit where veterinarian Dr Amber Gillett was waiting to assess the youngster. Assessment revealed the joey had sustained a fractured skull and significant damage to the stomach and intestines as of result of being shot with what appears to be the spray of a shot gun. X-rays revealed approximately 15 pellets scattered throughout her body.
On Saturday Frodo underwent surgery in an attempt to remove pellets from her body. Dr Amber Gillett was able to remove three pellets, one of which was located in the skull.
Frodo's condition remained stable throughout Saturday and the decision was made on Sunday to schedule further surgery to remove more pellets. Dr Amber was able to successfully remove a further four pellets from the Joey's body. Frodo has now had a total of seven pellets removed. She is currently receiving intravenous antibiotics, fluids, and strong pain relief. Frodo's condition is still extremely critical and will require intensive monitoring and care in the coming days.
11TH. NOVEMBER 2010
From TIMES LIVE:
The shotgun-blasted baby koala that vets in Australia had given a slim chance of survival is likely to pull through.
"Frodo is now much brighter and alert and is moving around well in the intensive care unit. She has made good improvements overnight and has started eating leaf on her own, which is a positive sign for her future," Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital veterinary surgeon Amber Gillett said in a statement Thursday.
Thanks to the Original Soppy Sheila from the Land of the Sheilas for sending this story in to MadPriest Towers.
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD
One afternoon the head pastor of an evangelical mega-church was riding in his limousine when he saw two men along the roadside eating grass. Disturbed, he ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate.
He asked one man, "Why are you eating grass?"
"We don't have any money for food. We have to eat grass," the poor man replied.
"Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you," the pastor said.
"But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there, under that tree."
"Bring them along," the pastor replied.
Turning to the other poor man he stated, "You come with us, also."
The second man, in a pitiful voice, then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and SIX children with me!"
"Bring them all, as well," the pastor answered.
They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limousine was.
Once under way, one of the poor fellows turned to the pastor and said, "Sir, you are too kind.. Thank you for taking all of us with you.”
The pastor replied, "Glad to do it. You'll really love my place. The grass is almost a foot high."
He asked one man, "Why are you eating grass?"
"We don't have any money for food. We have to eat grass," the poor man replied.
"Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you," the pastor said.
"But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there, under that tree."
"Bring them along," the pastor replied.
Turning to the other poor man he stated, "You come with us, also."
The second man, in a pitiful voice, then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and SIX children with me!"
"Bring them all, as well," the pastor answered.
They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limousine was.
Once under way, one of the poor fellows turned to the pastor and said, "Sir, you are too kind.. Thank you for taking all of us with you.”
The pastor replied, "Glad to do it. You'll really love my place. The grass is almost a foot high."
Friday, 12 November 2010
THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX
She was a true performer, showcasing herself as a blues singer, burlesque stripper, contortionist and fire swallower. More than anything, she was an articulate, self-educated and fiercely independent woman who blazed her own trail from the day she ran away from home and joined an all-black tent show at the age of 13. Her frank wit and exotic past set the tone when she sings her risque songs.
(MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION)
VERY, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you want a beautifully written, truthful account of Bishop Gene's retirement and the reasons for it check out THE AGE (an Australian newspaper). They even got a few words out of the great man himself.
SAINTLY RAMBLINGS' THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I have a saying of the Chinese philosopher Lao-Tse in the front of my PCC folder ...
Leaders are best when people barely know they exist; not good when people acclaim them; worst when they despise them. But of a good leader, who talks little, when their work is done, their aim fulfilled, their people will all say, "We did this ourselves."
COMMENT: Wow. Just wow.
Leaders are best when people barely know they exist; not good when people acclaim them; worst when they despise them. But of a good leader, who talks little, when their work is done, their aim fulfilled, their people will all say, "We did this ourselves."
COMMENT: Wow. Just wow.
EYE CANDY FOR LIBERALS
Last night in London saw the premier of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." Lots of glamourous celebs turned out for it and, although, of course, the readers of this blog have absolutely no personal interest in such shallow entertainment and find the lack of clothing on most of these so called celebrities actually distasteful, I think it is our duty to know the enemy, so to speak. So here are a couple of photographs taken at the aforementioned event that demonstrate the world's puerile interest in babelicious looking young people. I hate to do this but I must, for your good and for mine.
First one for the boys and some of the girls:
Secondly, one for the girls and some of the boys:
And finally, here is a hunk especially for Grandmère Mimi that is more appropriate for a woman of her years and maturity:
First one for the boys and some of the girls:
Secondly, one for the girls and some of the boys:
And finally, here is a hunk especially for Grandmère Mimi that is more appropriate for a woman of her years and maturity:
ROWAN WILLIAMS PROPOSES BREAK UP
OF ANGLICAN COMMUNION
From THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND NEWSPAPER:
The Archbishop of Canterbury has proposed suspending the Primates’ Meeting – the fourth ‘instrument of unity’ in the Anglican Communion – in favour of holding multiple small group gatherings of like- minded archbishops.
In a letter to the primates dated October 7, Dr Rowan Williams suggested that given the “number of difficult conversations” and the threat of a boycott of its meetings, a regime of separate but equal facilitated small groups sessions might better serve the primates’ “diverse” perspectives and forestall the substantial “dam- age” to the Communion a full- fledged boycott would entail.
Dr Williams also called for a reform of the structure of the meetings, suggesting that an elected standing committee be created and the powers and responsibility of the meeting of the Communion’s 38 archbishops, presiding bishops and moderators be delineated.
Lambeth Palace did not respond to a request for clarification about the October 7 letter, while a spokesman for the Anglican Consultative Council said it could not address the question of a potential boycott as “the content of correspondence between the Primates and the Archbishop of Canterbury is private.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury has proposed suspending the Primates’ Meeting – the fourth ‘instrument of unity’ in the Anglican Communion – in favour of holding multiple small group gatherings of like- minded archbishops.
In a letter to the primates dated October 7, Dr Rowan Williams suggested that given the “number of difficult conversations” and the threat of a boycott of its meetings, a regime of separate but equal facilitated small groups sessions might better serve the primates’ “diverse” perspectives and forestall the substantial “dam- age” to the Communion a full- fledged boycott would entail.
Dr Williams also called for a reform of the structure of the meetings, suggesting that an elected standing committee be created and the powers and responsibility of the meeting of the Communion’s 38 archbishops, presiding bishops and moderators be delineated.
Lambeth Palace did not respond to a request for clarification about the October 7 letter, while a spokesman for the Anglican Consultative Council said it could not address the question of a potential boycott as “the content of correspondence between the Primates and the Archbishop of Canterbury is private.”
THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR
The administrator of this site is the Reverend Jonathan Hagger (a.k.a. MadPriest). He is a licensed Church of England priest but he receives no salary from any church or any other employer. At present his ministry consists entirely of his work at St. Laika's and OCICBW... However, he likes to eat occasionally and his blogs cost quite a bit of money to run. So, in true Anglican style a collection plate will always be available for your donations (via PayPal). Full accounts will be posted here each year. You will never be asked to pledge or tithe but a regular monthly contribution from you would give him security and peace of mind. Another way to help Jonathan is to buy Amazon products via his Amazon shop.
THE CHILDREN OF GOD
In the past couple of years I have attended so many interviews that I stopped counting them ages ago. I am now in a position where I have enough experience of these that I can discern common themes and trends.
It is apparent to me that, despite fancy words about vision, mission and pastoral care, the number one concern of the interviewing panels, especially the clerical members, is leadership. So much so that even if you are a contemporary St. Francis you do not get the job unless you are also Alan Sugar's, slightly more cold-hearted and manipulative, twin brother.
What on earth does this say about the laity of the Church of England?
For years the laity has been claiming more authority for themselves in the running of the Church, in particular at the parish level. Quite rightly, the clergy have encouraged this and we are now in a position where the "Father knows best" paradigm of the parish priest is a thing of the past and all changes and initiatives in a local church have to be approved by the congregation members. However, failure to please every member of the laity on any and every any given proposal leads to hissy fits, letters to the bishop, cancelling of weekly giving and threats of leaving the church from those who do not get their way. Archdeacons and bishops, fearful of losing more money and ever mindful of the declining numbers of their church, bend over backwards to appease the complainants whilst often, if not always, making the parish priest the fall guy. No wonder so many good priests in the Church of England are having nervous breakdowns and leaving the ministry.
To put it bluntly, it seems to me that the laity of the Church of England are demanding the authority of adults whilst insisting they only have the responsibility of children. In stead, of promoting the damage control form of leadership amongst its clergy, surely the more Christian and sensible thing to do would be to give the laity a good slap round the face and insist that they are responsible for their own behaviour. In some of the parishes I have been to the laity have actually been proud of their bolshiness and view the appointment of Attila the Hun as their vicar as a badge of honour.
For goodness sake people of the Church - Grow up, will you?!!!
It is apparent to me that, despite fancy words about vision, mission and pastoral care, the number one concern of the interviewing panels, especially the clerical members, is leadership. So much so that even if you are a contemporary St. Francis you do not get the job unless you are also Alan Sugar's, slightly more cold-hearted and manipulative, twin brother.
What on earth does this say about the laity of the Church of England?
For years the laity has been claiming more authority for themselves in the running of the Church, in particular at the parish level. Quite rightly, the clergy have encouraged this and we are now in a position where the "Father knows best" paradigm of the parish priest is a thing of the past and all changes and initiatives in a local church have to be approved by the congregation members. However, failure to please every member of the laity on any and every any given proposal leads to hissy fits, letters to the bishop, cancelling of weekly giving and threats of leaving the church from those who do not get their way. Archdeacons and bishops, fearful of losing more money and ever mindful of the declining numbers of their church, bend over backwards to appease the complainants whilst often, if not always, making the parish priest the fall guy. No wonder so many good priests in the Church of England are having nervous breakdowns and leaving the ministry.
To put it bluntly, it seems to me that the laity of the Church of England are demanding the authority of adults whilst insisting they only have the responsibility of children. In stead, of promoting the damage control form of leadership amongst its clergy, surely the more Christian and sensible thing to do would be to give the laity a good slap round the face and insist that they are responsible for their own behaviour. In some of the parishes I have been to the laity have actually been proud of their bolshiness and view the appointment of Attila the Hun as their vicar as a badge of honour.
For goodness sake people of the Church - Grow up, will you?!!!
Thursday, 11 November 2010
MADPRIEST UPDATE
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way..."
Mrs MP and myself have just come back from an interview for a parish priest's job down south. We set out at 5.00 a.m. yesterday because it was a six hour journey. When we got there some lovely people showed us around three beautiful old churches. We went to see one of the most brilliant primary schools I have ever been in, where I chatted to the kids and teachers. I met the rural dean, and fell in love with her on the spot - she obviously really cared for her priests and had a pastor's heart, rather than being just a career person with her eye on the archdeacon's job. Then, in the evening the parish threw a party for us (there were two other applicants). Now, I usually hate these "meet the people" sort of things, it's like you are all performing on X Factor. But this shindig was real fun. I think I got to speak to everybody and they were all wonderful people. I particularly enjoyed speaking with their youth worker who had some brilliant ideas, many of which she had already put into practice. We spoke about how we could take the older kids in the churches along to Greenbelt next year and starting a house group for them (I had a vision of them commandeering one of the many rooms in the Georgian mansion that was the rectory that came with the job).
This morning I attended the formal interview. Now, I have been working very hard on my interview technique recently because, as many of you know, I was pretty crap at them. But today's interview went better than I could have hoped for. I didn't come across as aggressive (which, because of extreme nervousness I have done up to now) and I managed to answer the questions without waffling and backing up my claims with good examples from my work in the past.
We drove the 250 miles home in the worst gale this country has experienced for a long time, which was a bit scary. Almost as soon as I we got through the door, the bishop rang to tell me that I hadn't been chosen. I don't think (though you can never be 100% sure with bishops) that he was sugar coating the pill when he told me that they had been impressed with my pastoral abilities, my vision and commitment to mission. But, I had been rejected because they didn't think I would be a tough enough leader. Evidently, there can be infighting among the congregation due to their high level of, quite often opinionated, intellect. I really wish they had put this in the profile they sent me as I could have told them this up front and not gone all the way for what was always going to be a major and heartbreaking disappointment. I'm a parish priest, a pastor, a preacher of the Good News, not the speaker in the House of Commons or a lion tamer.
One of the other candidates was a man who had come late to the priesthood after a career in law at a high level and no doubt very qualified in telling people what to do. I expect, although I don't know for sure, that he got the job.
In the book on interview technique that I have been studying recently, the author tells the story of an ex-army officer who went for a job in civvy street. He was asked if he had any particular skills, to which he answered, "Yes, I can shoot a man dead at 300 yards."
He got the job. I wonder if similar qualifications are now what are required from prospective parish priests.
Mrs MP and myself will now be homeless for a while, at least, as it is impossible for me to now get an appointment that will start before we have to move out of the church premises we now occupy.
Me and George Herbert are off down the pub now to get pissed and drown our sorrows as there doesn't appear to be a place for either of us nowadays in the Church of England PLC.
Mrs MP and myself have just come back from an interview for a parish priest's job down south. We set out at 5.00 a.m. yesterday because it was a six hour journey. When we got there some lovely people showed us around three beautiful old churches. We went to see one of the most brilliant primary schools I have ever been in, where I chatted to the kids and teachers. I met the rural dean, and fell in love with her on the spot - she obviously really cared for her priests and had a pastor's heart, rather than being just a career person with her eye on the archdeacon's job. Then, in the evening the parish threw a party for us (there were two other applicants). Now, I usually hate these "meet the people" sort of things, it's like you are all performing on X Factor. But this shindig was real fun. I think I got to speak to everybody and they were all wonderful people. I particularly enjoyed speaking with their youth worker who had some brilliant ideas, many of which she had already put into practice. We spoke about how we could take the older kids in the churches along to Greenbelt next year and starting a house group for them (I had a vision of them commandeering one of the many rooms in the Georgian mansion that was the rectory that came with the job).
This morning I attended the formal interview. Now, I have been working very hard on my interview technique recently because, as many of you know, I was pretty crap at them. But today's interview went better than I could have hoped for. I didn't come across as aggressive (which, because of extreme nervousness I have done up to now) and I managed to answer the questions without waffling and backing up my claims with good examples from my work in the past.
We drove the 250 miles home in the worst gale this country has experienced for a long time, which was a bit scary. Almost as soon as I we got through the door, the bishop rang to tell me that I hadn't been chosen. I don't think (though you can never be 100% sure with bishops) that he was sugar coating the pill when he told me that they had been impressed with my pastoral abilities, my vision and commitment to mission. But, I had been rejected because they didn't think I would be a tough enough leader. Evidently, there can be infighting among the congregation due to their high level of, quite often opinionated, intellect. I really wish they had put this in the profile they sent me as I could have told them this up front and not gone all the way for what was always going to be a major and heartbreaking disappointment. I'm a parish priest, a pastor, a preacher of the Good News, not the speaker in the House of Commons or a lion tamer.
One of the other candidates was a man who had come late to the priesthood after a career in law at a high level and no doubt very qualified in telling people what to do. I expect, although I don't know for sure, that he got the job.
In the book on interview technique that I have been studying recently, the author tells the story of an ex-army officer who went for a job in civvy street. He was asked if he had any particular skills, to which he answered, "Yes, I can shoot a man dead at 300 yards."
He got the job. I wonder if similar qualifications are now what are required from prospective parish priests.
Mrs MP and myself will now be homeless for a while, at least, as it is impossible for me to now get an appointment that will start before we have to move out of the church premises we now occupy.
Me and George Herbert are off down the pub now to get pissed and drown our sorrows as there doesn't appear to be a place for either of us nowadays in the Church of England PLC.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From VIRTUE ONLINE:
"(Gene Robinson) has effectively, by proxy, destroyed the Anglican Communion, as we know it."
COMMENT: David Virtue is spot on, probably for the first time in his life and . . .
Hurray for Bishop Gene!
. . . evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ and bringer of renewal.
"(Gene Robinson) has effectively, by proxy, destroyed the Anglican Communion, as we know it."
COMMENT: David Virtue is spot on, probably for the first time in his life and . . .
Hurray for Bishop Gene!
. . . evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ and bringer of renewal.
UNDERHAND AND ARROGANT GOINGS ON
IN THE DIOCESE OF DURHAM
From THE NORTHERN ECHO:
The Church of England has been secretly planning to sell the historic Zurbaran paintings, one of the region’s best-loved treasures. Officials had arranged for the 12 paintings that hang in Auckland Castle, County Durham, to be auctioned at Sotheby’s next month, for at least £15m.
Documents passed to The Northern Echo – stamped strictly confidential – reveal that church bosses paid up to £35,000 to one of London’s leading public relations companies to prepare the sale. Confirming a final decision was taken, the first page reads: “The 12 Zurbarans hanging in Auckland Castle are to be sold.” Yet, at the same time, Church Commissioners cancelled a meeting with a Labour MP concerned about the future of the larger-than-life paintings and insisted the issue was simply “due to be reviewed”. When contacted by The Northern Echo, the Church first denied the sale was being prepared, only admitting the fact when told the leaked documents were in the newspaper’s possession.
A spokesman then insisted the decision had been “reversed”, on October 19 – the day the paintings were due to be removed from the castle, under the original timetable. Apparently admitting the sale was merely on hold, the spokesman said: “We were not able to tell the local authority, or anyone in the local area, before the paintings hit the sale catalogue.”
It appears the Church saw an opportunity to exploit the fact that Auckland Castle is empty, following the retirement of the Right Reverend Tom Wright, in August.
The Rt Rev Wright condemned the sale, saying: “This is news to me. Nobody told me the decision was going to be taken this summer. I put heart and soul into the battle to save the paintings five years ago and regard it as entirely wrong to sell them. There is a massive feeling in the North-East that, yet again, people sitting around in London are making decisions that affect their cultural heritage.”
Helen Goodman, the Bishop Auckland MP who was given the documents, condemned the Church’s behaviour, saying: “It is simply wrong to sell the paintings. They belong in Auckland Castle. People in Bishop Auckland are immensely proud of this part of their heritage and go to the castle regularly to look at the paintings, which are very important to them. The Church would never sell historic treasures in St Paul’s Cathedral, but are happy for the Zurbaran paintings to be taken out of the North of England.”
Lawyers acting for the Church Commissioners contacted The Northern Echo in an attempt to halt publication of the story. A lawyer for Mishcon de Reya said the documents were confidential and asked for an undertaking the paper would not publish details of the plan. No such undertaking was given.
COMMENT: Personally, my mind is split on whether or not the paintings should be sold. I love art and local culture and, as someone living in the North of England, I understand how painful it is to be robbed of local heritage by the affluent south (Give us back our Gospels!). However, I have also read the New Testament and understand our Lord's commandment to let go of earthly possessions (although I doubt the money from this sale will go to poor).
But this article is not about the rights and wrongs of selling these works of art (a decision that should be made by the whole community involved not a few unelected officials hiding behind their office doors). This article is about the arrogance and corrupt, worldly mindset of those who make the big decisions in the Church of England. That this deal was done in secret demonstrates the contempt they have for the rest of us and their patronising, "We know what's best for you," attitude towards the rest of us and the people of England in general. Unfortunately, as the Curia manipulates more and more power and authority unto itself the more this sort of shenanigans will become commonplace.
The Afternoon Cuppa Party of the Church of England say, "Give us back our church!!!"
The Church of England has been secretly planning to sell the historic Zurbaran paintings, one of the region’s best-loved treasures. Officials had arranged for the 12 paintings that hang in Auckland Castle, County Durham, to be auctioned at Sotheby’s next month, for at least £15m.
Documents passed to The Northern Echo – stamped strictly confidential – reveal that church bosses paid up to £35,000 to one of London’s leading public relations companies to prepare the sale. Confirming a final decision was taken, the first page reads: “The 12 Zurbarans hanging in Auckland Castle are to be sold.” Yet, at the same time, Church Commissioners cancelled a meeting with a Labour MP concerned about the future of the larger-than-life paintings and insisted the issue was simply “due to be reviewed”. When contacted by The Northern Echo, the Church first denied the sale was being prepared, only admitting the fact when told the leaked documents were in the newspaper’s possession.
A spokesman then insisted the decision had been “reversed”, on October 19 – the day the paintings were due to be removed from the castle, under the original timetable. Apparently admitting the sale was merely on hold, the spokesman said: “We were not able to tell the local authority, or anyone in the local area, before the paintings hit the sale catalogue.”
It appears the Church saw an opportunity to exploit the fact that Auckland Castle is empty, following the retirement of the Right Reverend Tom Wright, in August.
The Rt Rev Wright condemned the sale, saying: “This is news to me. Nobody told me the decision was going to be taken this summer. I put heart and soul into the battle to save the paintings five years ago and regard it as entirely wrong to sell them. There is a massive feeling in the North-East that, yet again, people sitting around in London are making decisions that affect their cultural heritage.”
Helen Goodman, the Bishop Auckland MP who was given the documents, condemned the Church’s behaviour, saying: “It is simply wrong to sell the paintings. They belong in Auckland Castle. People in Bishop Auckland are immensely proud of this part of their heritage and go to the castle regularly to look at the paintings, which are very important to them. The Church would never sell historic treasures in St Paul’s Cathedral, but are happy for the Zurbaran paintings to be taken out of the North of England.”
Lawyers acting for the Church Commissioners contacted The Northern Echo in an attempt to halt publication of the story. A lawyer for Mishcon de Reya said the documents were confidential and asked for an undertaking the paper would not publish details of the plan. No such undertaking was given.
COMMENT: Personally, my mind is split on whether or not the paintings should be sold. I love art and local culture and, as someone living in the North of England, I understand how painful it is to be robbed of local heritage by the affluent south (Give us back our Gospels!). However, I have also read the New Testament and understand our Lord's commandment to let go of earthly possessions (although I doubt the money from this sale will go to poor).
But this article is not about the rights and wrongs of selling these works of art (a decision that should be made by the whole community involved not a few unelected officials hiding behind their office doors). This article is about the arrogance and corrupt, worldly mindset of those who make the big decisions in the Church of England. That this deal was done in secret demonstrates the contempt they have for the rest of us and their patronising, "We know what's best for you," attitude towards the rest of us and the people of England in general. Unfortunately, as the Curia manipulates more and more power and authority unto itself the more this sort of shenanigans will become commonplace.
The Afternoon Cuppa Party of the Church of England say, "Give us back our church!!!"
The thirteen Zurbarán Paintings hang in the Long Dining Room of Auckland Castle, each painting standing eight feet tall. They are the work of a contemporary of Valázques and El Greco, Spanish artist, Francisco de Zurburán. Painted between 1640 and 1645, they are of patriarchs, Jacob and his twelve sons. The twelfth son, ‘Benjamin', is not in fact the work of de Zurburán, but of Arthur Pond, an artist, copyist and art critic of the 18th century. It was Bishop Trevor who in 1756 acquired this now priceless collection for £124, after a history which probably took them to South America before coming to England.
Find out more about the artist Francisco de Zurbarán
THE ANGLICAN COVENANT
AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER
For the Anglican Communion, the adoption of the Covenant would be akin to every sovereign parliament in the world handing over all national decision making to a United Nations, where every nation, acting alone, could veto any domestic legislation passed by individual national governments. The human race, at this moment in its evolution, is nowhere near morally mature enough to embrace such universal democratisation and neither is the Anglican Communion.
Monday, 8 November 2010
BONSOIR, OLD THING! CHEERIO! CHIN-CHIN!
NAH POO! TOODLEOO! GOODBYEE!
From THE BBC:
Five bishops are to join the Roman Catholic Church under a Vatican scheme intended to provide a welcome for disaffected Anglicans. The men are all suffragan or assistant bishops rather than those in charge of dioceses.
The serving bishops are the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Right Reverend Andrew Burnham; the Bishop of Richborough, the Right Reverend Keith Newton; and the Bishop of Fulham, the Right Reverend John Broadhurst. They will be joined by the former Bishop of Richborough, the Right Reverend Edwin Barnes, and the former Bishop of Ballarat in Australia, the Right Reverend David Silk. Their role has for several years been - as so-called flying bishops - to look after parishes who could not accept the Church's decision in 1992 to ordain women priests.
COMMENT:
"Don't cryee! don't sighee!
There's a silver lining in the skyee."
As all of them were "extras" and slightly lower than suffragan bishops in importance and influence, the Church Of England has lost nothing here. In fact, it can now afford to pay me a stipend.
Five bishops are to join the Roman Catholic Church under a Vatican scheme intended to provide a welcome for disaffected Anglicans. The men are all suffragan or assistant bishops rather than those in charge of dioceses.
The serving bishops are the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Right Reverend Andrew Burnham; the Bishop of Richborough, the Right Reverend Keith Newton; and the Bishop of Fulham, the Right Reverend John Broadhurst. They will be joined by the former Bishop of Richborough, the Right Reverend Edwin Barnes, and the former Bishop of Ballarat in Australia, the Right Reverend David Silk. Their role has for several years been - as so-called flying bishops - to look after parishes who could not accept the Church's decision in 1992 to ordain women priests.
COMMENT:
"Don't cryee! don't sighee!
There's a silver lining in the skyee."
As all of them were "extras" and slightly lower than suffragan bishops in importance and influence, the Church Of England has lost nothing here. In fact, it can now afford to pay me a stipend.
A DEATH DOWN UNDER
James Freud
Rock 'n' Roll Victim
29th. June 1959 to
4th. November 2010
James Freud was born as Colin Joseph McGlinchey on 29 June 1959 to Joe and Hannah McGlinchey and grew up in Melbourne. His interest in music began before he started school. "From the time I was five, I realised that was what I wanted to do. My uncle gave me all the Frankie Avalon records and I just loved them. That was it, that was all I wanted to do".
Freud formed his first band, Sabre, at the age of 16, with high school friend and guitarist Sean Kelly and drummer Ian McFarlane. Their first performance was at his younger sister's slumber party. After hearing the Sex Pistols' song "God Save the Queen" in 1977, Freud formed The Spred with Kelly, and three other members. Formed late in 1977, Teenage Radio Stars was a glam-punk band with Freud on lead vocals and guitar and Kelly on guitar and vocals. By early 1979 he formed James Freud & the Radio Stars. They signed with Mushroom Records and their debut single, "Modern Girl," was released in May 1980, which peaked at No. 12 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. In 1982, Freud joined Models as bass guitarist and shared lead vocalist duties on some songs,. In 1985, Two Freud-penned hits, "Barbados" and "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", took Models to No. 2 and No. 1 on the Australian singles chart, respectively. He remained in the band until they split in 1988. In 1989, Freud went solo.
Freud published his first autobiography in 2002, I Am the Voice Left from Drinking where he detailed his alcoholism and described how he nearly died on 24 March 2001 from alcohol poisoning and massive blood loss, "I was standing upon the wreckage of my youth; I probably wouldn't make it through the night and as I lay there, I couldn't help but wonder, 'How did I end up like this?'".
On 4 November 2010, Freud was found dead at his home in Hawthorn, Melbourne. A week earlier, on 27 October, Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame without Freud attending the ceremony. His absence was explained publicly as due to commitments to managing his sons' band. Privately, organisers were told that Freud would not attend because he could not be anywhere near alcohol. Unfortunately, James has succumbed to his disease and took his own life on the morning of 4th. November 2010. (WIKIPEDIA)
Here are a couple of songs by James - his hit, "Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight," and a track entitled "Wreckage Of My Youth" off his last album which was released in 2008. Underneath is a video of James with Teenage Radio Stars singing their most famous song, "I Wanna Be You Baby."
THE COST OF PRAYER
From: Rebecca Goldsmith
Subject: RE: Common Worship copyright enquiry
Date: 8 November 2010 14:58:12 GMT
To: Jonathan Hagger
My sincere apologies for the lengthy delay. Unfortunately, I am also responsible for part of the production of the Church of England Year Book, as well as Church House copyright. With General Synod elections this year, completing the Year Book became priority to the detriment of my other work. Again, my apologies.
We are grateful for your willingness to seek permission. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to explain the issue from a CH perspective. Church House Publishing controls the rights to Common Worship material, which we try and make available for Church and congregational use as easily as possible. However, in order to protect the work of the Archbishops' Council publishing and in order to fund the future publishing work of the Archbishops' Council, we charge people to quote from and reuse our material in other publications. Usually, I may stress, in academic settings. However, we do limit the amount of material that people can reuse as we feel we already do our utmost to make our material available under our own terms. Therefore, we feel to allow you to produce material everyday at no cost would undermine the precedent we set with our other clients.
Furthermore, as I am sure you are aware, we do have a daily prayer feed which we allow people to use on their own websites. (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/dailyprayer/ ) As part of this work, we feel we are able to grant you permission to broadcast audio files of Common Worship material, at no cost, as we recognize that - although virtual - this online community constitutes your congregational use. However, as we already produce an online feed of daily prayer we do not feel we can grant you permission to republish this textual material online everyday. Furthermore, not all material published in Common Worship is owned by the Archbishops' Council. As you will see from the Acknowledgment section, a substantial amount of CW material is owned by third parties and as such we are not in a position to grant unfettered access to publish material daily online.
We are happy to support you where possible, and if you would like to publish audio files we are happy to grant non-exclusive permission for this use. We would also encourage you to use the daily prayer feed as supplied if you feel this would be helpful. If you do wish to publish further collects, etc, which are not included in daily prayer sporadically or on special occasions, I am sure we can arrange permission for that as and when.
I am sorry for any disappointment this causes but I hope you can understand that we cannot grant unfettered access to some whilst charging and restricting others.
Regards,
Rebecca
COMMENT: In many ways the above is extremely fair and accommodating. But in many ways it is also very wrong indeed. The liturgy of the Church is a church project, not the work of somebody, for example the prayer writer, David Adam, who is publishing his work partly to make money for himself (something, considering the meagre wages Church of England priests receive I thoroughly endorse) . The Church says that its liturgy is a mission tool, and I think this can truly be the case. The Church also pays lip service to the claim that the Internet should be a place for Christian mission. Surely, they could come up with a protocol that is a lot more helpful to mission than the above. I have to pay for the right to podcast music. Couldn't a reasonably priced licence be made available to allow the posting of text "belonging" to the church?
Subject: RE: Common Worship copyright enquiry
Date: 8 November 2010 14:58:12 GMT
To: Jonathan Hagger
My sincere apologies for the lengthy delay. Unfortunately, I am also responsible for part of the production of the Church of England Year Book, as well as Church House copyright. With General Synod elections this year, completing the Year Book became priority to the detriment of my other work. Again, my apologies.
We are grateful for your willingness to seek permission. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to explain the issue from a CH perspective. Church House Publishing controls the rights to Common Worship material, which we try and make available for Church and congregational use as easily as possible. However, in order to protect the work of the Archbishops' Council publishing and in order to fund the future publishing work of the Archbishops' Council, we charge people to quote from and reuse our material in other publications. Usually, I may stress, in academic settings. However, we do limit the amount of material that people can reuse as we feel we already do our utmost to make our material available under our own terms. Therefore, we feel to allow you to produce material everyday at no cost would undermine the precedent we set with our other clients.
Furthermore, as I am sure you are aware, we do have a daily prayer feed which we allow people to use on their own websites. (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/dailyprayer/ ) As part of this work, we feel we are able to grant you permission to broadcast audio files of Common Worship material, at no cost, as we recognize that - although virtual - this online community constitutes your congregational use. However, as we already produce an online feed of daily prayer we do not feel we can grant you permission to republish this textual material online everyday. Furthermore, not all material published in Common Worship is owned by the Archbishops' Council. As you will see from the Acknowledgment section, a substantial amount of CW material is owned by third parties and as such we are not in a position to grant unfettered access to publish material daily online.
We are happy to support you where possible, and if you would like to publish audio files we are happy to grant non-exclusive permission for this use. We would also encourage you to use the daily prayer feed as supplied if you feel this would be helpful. If you do wish to publish further collects, etc, which are not included in daily prayer sporadically or on special occasions, I am sure we can arrange permission for that as and when.
I am sorry for any disappointment this causes but I hope you can understand that we cannot grant unfettered access to some whilst charging and restricting others.
Regards,
Rebecca
COMMENT: In many ways the above is extremely fair and accommodating. But in many ways it is also very wrong indeed. The liturgy of the Church is a church project, not the work of somebody, for example the prayer writer, David Adam, who is publishing his work partly to make money for himself (something, considering the meagre wages Church of England priests receive I thoroughly endorse) . The Church says that its liturgy is a mission tool, and I think this can truly be the case. The Church also pays lip service to the claim that the Internet should be a place for Christian mission. Surely, they could come up with a protocol that is a lot more helpful to mission than the above. I have to pay for the right to podcast music. Couldn't a reasonably priced licence be made available to allow the posting of text "belonging" to the church?
AN APPEAL TO YOUR GENEROSITY
The administrator of this site and St. Laika's is the Reverend Jonathan Hagger (a.k.a. MadPriest). He is a licensed Church of England priest but he receives no salary from any church or any other employer. At present his ministry consists entirely of his work at St. Laika's and OCICBW... However, he likes to eat occasionally and his blogs cost quite a bit of money to run. So, in true Anglican style a collection plate will always be available for your donations (via PayPal). Full accounts will be posted here each year. You will never be asked to pledge or tithe but a regular monthly contribution from you would give him security and peace of mind. Another way to help Jonathan is to buy Amazon products via his Amazon shop. Details of how to do this can be found in the right hand sidebar.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
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