March 1, 2007

 

The Queen’s Worldview

 

Don’t tell the Church History professor that Clifford “played hooky” from her studies to see The Queen on our Monday day off!  We had wanted to view this acclaimed movie since before Christmas and Helen Mirren’s Best Actress win during Sunday evening’s Academy Awards finally spurred us on.  Though this well-crafted film includes original footage with superb acting (with characters that largely look the part) and is advertised to offer an inside perspective of the Royal Family as they grappled with the death of Princess Diana, its significance to us lies in what we can learn from Queen Elizabeth’s character as she was forced to wrestle with the worldview that was shifting around her.

 

Like so many, we grew into adulthood following the life of Diana.  Clifford vividly remembers rising in the dark hours of the morning to watch the royal wedding in July 1981.  We were both still awake on that August 1997 Saturday night when it was announced that Diana had been in a traffic accident in Paris.  Though we usually go to bed early on Saturdays for obvious vocational reasons, we spent much of that night in the living room waiting for updates until we learned that she had died from her injuries. 

 

In the days that followed, we found ourselves glued to the television coverage that showed the incredible response of the masses of Great Britain to the tragic death of their beloved “people’s princess.”  We were also surprised at the depth of emotion present in us and in the people we encountered in our Indiana community.  What The Queen offered us was a perspective we couldn’t see a decade ago: the royal family’s complete inability to comprehend the magnitude of the event and newly installed Prime Minister Tony Blair’s discreet efforts to help Queen Elizabeth II navigate the shifting landscape.  

 

Elizabeth II was born in 1926, making her part of a generation (the Silent generation) whose coping strategy for change often consists of holding on to established custom.  As the week unfolded after Diana’s death with no public acknowledgement by the Queen, the press began to lead the charge against her.  Watching the movie it became clear that the Queen was not callused toward her subjects; instead, what the public perceived as aloofness and indifference was actually a concentrated effort to do her duty.  It was a value coming from a completely different worldview that preferred private (rather than public) grief and maintained proper protocol—doing what had always been done in the history of the monarchy and empire.  The only problem was that her worldview didn’t work with the new reality unfolding in her kingdom.  

The Queen’s initial response changed.  The people angered by private grief heard a public statement of comfort from their Queen.  The people needed an outlet for their grief so the initial private funeral plans were changed to public.  And the people needed a funeral that connected their cultural experience of Diana—a young, vivacious person committed to do good for her country and for her sons—with the horrible reality of her untimely death and the hope for eternity.  And so the Church and the Government offered the public funeral that placed the Anglican liturgy in a new cultural context. 

 

Unfortunately, adapting the packaging of the liturgy to connect with the people was viewed with disdain by many of our clergy and lay colleagues who were more comfortable with the Queen’s initial response of keeping things the way they always have been.  Anyone who remembers that day will recognize that Elton John’s performance of the adapted Candle in the Wind in Westminster Abbey was an emotional highpoint, punctuated by a tidal wave of applause that began outside the Abbey and swept into its interior.  Was it the best theology?  Perhaps not, since the light of Christ—represented by the baptismal candle—never goes out.  Did it provide a vehicle for the masses to connect with the ancient and mystical liturgy in a way they would not have otherwise?  Absolutely!  Yet many traditional clergy could only express horror at the “spectacle” coming out of London that August day.

 

Diana’s death changed Queen Elizabeth’s worldview that day as it did ours.  Her funeral, for us, was the defining moment in our understanding that worship must be culturally connected with the Tradition and with the people who desire to worship God.  Because of that event, we changed how we both think and feel about how worship needs to integrated with our culture.  Shortly afterwards, we both heard the call to start Beloved…to offer a mystical worship experience that connects to the experience of people and lets them know they are beloved of God.

 

Derek and Clifford King Harbin, priest and pastor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Grace…In last week’s Beloved eNews Fr. Derek wrote about the bicentennial of William Wilberforce’s successful campaign to end the slave trade in Great Britain.  The acclaimed movie about Wilberforce’s life and work, Amazing Grace, is now playing in theatres.  Don’t miss it!

 

Holy Week Service Opportunities… Janie Wooten and Mary Reid are coordinating the Maundy Thursday Agape Meal (April 5) and the Easter Vigil (April 7) Reception.  If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Mary.  Everything from washing tablecloths to cutting apples, from clearing dishes to decorating the hospitality area for Easter is available for persons with the skill and ability.  If you want to help but don’t see a job, let them know you’re willing to help and they will find a ministry for you!

 

 

Easter Flowers…Beloved is accepting donations for Easter flowers.  These flowers may be given in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, a loved one or a special event.  Please either mail your donation to the Development Office or place it in a sealed envelope in the offering plate.  Please be sure to indicate who or what the donation is given in memory of or in thanksgiving for.

 

 

 

 

Around Beloved…Did you get your Lenten devotional booklet?  Whether you live alone, with another, or with many others, please use this enriching resource daily to connect more deeply with Jesus during this Lenten season.  Booklets are available following worship and at Beloved Garden.

 

Kairos is a ministry that shares the love, grace and forgiving mercy of Jesus Christ with those men and women serving time in prison.  Rick Jordan, Pastor Sally Brower and Susan Jordan are serving on Kairos ministry teams in the next few weeks.  Cookies are tangible signs of God’s love during these weekends.  Kairos Cookies should be normal in size, contain no fruit or nuts and cannot have sprinkles or sugar on top.  Cookies for the Women’s weekend should be returned this Sunday, March 4.  Cookies for the Men’s weekend should be returned next Sunday, March 11.  Containers are still available if you desire them.

 

The Spiritual Living Book Club offers a communal context in which to encounter others, God, and our true selves.  Pastor Sally leads this wonderful experience, using various group process activities in addition to discussion.  Join us as we travel together on a sacred journey peopled with close companions, fellow pilgrims, and soul friends.  The current book selection is Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen.  The book is available locally and on-line and should be purchased in advance. Though this group has already met once, you are still welcome to join them for the remaining Monday evenings from 7-9 PM at Beloved Garden on March 5, 12, & 26.  To register, click here. 

 

Beloved will offer a Lenten retreat on Saturday, March 31^st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Patrick Episcopal Church in Mooresville.  Pastor Sally will be the retreat leader.  The theme for the retreat comes from the book Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen.  Activities will include spirited group reflections, gentle guidance for prayer time and walking their outdoor labyrinth, and closing worship with Eucharist. Come and explore the affirmation, “You are my Beloved” as it reveals the truth about all human beings.  Cost of the retreat is $25 (includes lunch and refreshments). Scholarships are available.  To register, click here. 

 

We still need one more person who can assist with the preparation of pretzels for Sunday Hospitality time during Lent.  This ministry consists of brushing brush butter and sprinkling salt on a halved soft pretzel, wrap in aluminum foil and place in your warm oven at home on a Saturday night and then bring to Beloved in a cooler or a warming carrier on Sunday morning.  (Thanks to Shari Wynn, Martha Stone and Lauren Heckman who have already committed to this ministry this year!)  Click here if you can assist with the Lenten Pretzel Preparation Team.

 

On March 16-17, Seeing the Face of God in Each Other (the national Anti-Racism training) will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Myers Park.  For the past 9 years, our national church has been focusing attention on “intentionally dismantling racism.”  Resolutions have been passed at both the national and diocesan levels that address how “racism” and “white privilege” affect our lives.  This is the first time that this opportunity has been offered in Charlotte.  Registration is $25.  See Deacon Deb for registration forms or for more information.

 

Ash Wednesday…Attendance: 90; Worship Offering: $432;

Last Sunday…Attendance: 105; Worship Offering: $2,943; Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500 (fully funded) à $4,400 (requiring other funding sources)

 

 

Serving at God’s Altar This Sunday…Angel Army Team 1 (Captain: Wes Nichols; Administrator: Martha Stone; Pastor: Catherine Atwood; Convener: Toni Reif); Acolytes: Cecilia Atwood, Paige Wilson, McKenzie Wynn, Morgan Wynn; Altar Bread Baker: Catherine Atwood; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Dick Reif & Al Krantz; Offertory Basket Passers: Trinity Atwood, Clare Harbin, JR West, Lauren Widener; PowerPoint: Kevin Krantz; Presenters: Tony & Nancy Hodgson; Reader: Joseph Nichols.

 

 

Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Genesis 15:1-18 & Luke 13:22-35

 

 

In our Prayers…Todd Atwood’s brother, Kenneth and his wife, Laura as their unborn child experiences medical challenges…Spiritual protection for Sally Brower, Susan Jordan and Rick Jordan who are serving on upcoming Kairos weekends…Jack, Susan Miller’s father who has prostate cancer…Bertie, Bonnie Lowder’s mother and Elizabeth Wagner’s grandmother, who is in Hospice care…Janie and Samuel Wooten who are each healing from broken bones…Michelle Dezzutto’s terminally ill sister, Joan…Jeannie, dear friend of the Floyd family who has throat cancer…Mike Montagnino who is recovering from surgery…John and Bob, Lee Frickhoeffer’s father and uncle…Elizabeth, Shari Wynn‘s sister…Kevin, Deb and Dan Blackwood‘s nephew…Phyllis, Linda Mellon‘s mother who is recuperating from surgery…Mike, Dick Reif’s brother as he recovers from cancer treatment…Melissa, Donna Elyea’s cousin…Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter who had surgery last Wednesday…Chandler, Shana Blake’s cousin, who is having relationship difficulties with her father…Michel, Catherine Atwood’s father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease…those serving in Iraq, especially Travis, Sally Brower’s cousin; Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s nephew; Jared, Wes and Michele Nichols’ nephew; Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law...Palmer, Betsy Fox’s teenage cousin…Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents…Pat Kitts, friend of Beloved…Mary Ann Ingram, friend of the Scheppegrell family, who has liver cancer… Penny Crawford as she works in Memphis, TN for the next several months…the staff and students of Community House Middle School.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Calendar…click here