In worship and in service
Ordinary Sunday 30: 24th October, 2010
Fr John Davis, Vicar of St Peter's, Eastern Hill
What sort of lectionary is it that can on a Sunday fairly randomly chosen as the day of departure come up with something like today's epistle reading from 2 Tim? It is also the epistle that is set for our patronal festival. While I'm not so sure about the 'final libation' commentary — not yet please — yet for anyone coming to an end of ministry the words here put into the mouth of St Paul are indeed what we would all like to at least approach saying. You do what you can do and also what you are enabled to do by the support and collegiality of all those around you. So, for the record, those words are these: '...the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' (2 Tim 4:6) The gospel too has something to offer and to consider. The simple yet direct comparison between those two who went up to the temple to pray carries a strong message. There is the Pharisee, one who was so sure and full of himself as compared to the other, a tax collector standing far off, who was only too aware of his many shortcomings. That tax collector however was yet even more aware of the merciful grace on offer from a loving God and even more so of his need for that grace in his life. As Luke so encouragingly for just about all of us declares: 'This man went down to his home justified rather than the other'. (Lk18: 14) The personal discernment that comes with large doses of realistic humility is the way through to a rich relationship with God and so with each other.
I have a few reflections that I would like to make this morning that are parish specific and then some points that are more wide ranging.
It is a good thing that something like this farewell to a vicar does not happen that often. I am only the 9th incumbent here in over 160 years, and two of those between them only lasted 4 years. So the tradition here at The Hill is for long incumbencies. Inevitably when there is a change in leadership there is an element of uncertainty. People may choose to come or go, some things may unravel a little, some concerns not before addressed or noticed may bubble up, maintenance issues will rear their ugly heads in the vicarage and all the while there will be the concern that in this case the Archbishop can indeed this time arrange for the transfer of the Archangel Gabriel to be the new incumbent.
In our case here though we are hugely fortunate that the locum for this difficult transitional time is Bishop Graeme Rutherford, who is already an established part of our ministry team. He will offer wise and steady guidance. The three churchwardens are also offering themselves as an ongoing team to the forthcoming annual general meeting, with experience and stability of lay leadership therefore being the keynote. So too we have Fr Ian Morrison and Fr Tat Hean Lie continuing with their much valued ministry and pastoral care. Sr Valmai's presence today is a reminder of our connection with the Community of the Holy Name. There is very much in the way of continuity of ministry in amongst this change. That too applies in the sanctuary, the sacristy and the choir gallery. We can give thanks for this continuity and for the ongoing work of everyone else involved with this place, who will be faithfully continuing to do what they do and being who they are.
This is a city church in the anglo-catholic tradition. In these times just what that might mean can be problematic. I had a senior churchman only this week gently asking me about the various tribes or subgroups that there are around. It can all be very nuanced. Things can move or shift. The wider context can and does change. St Peter's is however proud to be in this tradition. And it is just not credible to speak of catholic Anglican Melbourne without including The Hill. Some within this tradition are at this time looking again towards Rome, but not I think very many. Some wish to have no place in the wider institution and instead, mindful of lost glories, try to hold fast to any that are left. Some though are happy to take a deep breath and celebrate all that is very positive that we have to offer out of this tradition for the here and now, as we find it and as we ourselves are. This can be challenging and it can invite criticism or disapproval but it is I think a very worthy option. It is where this parish is currently. So I make this statement: St Peter's Eastern Hill may indeed be an exotic flower, but it is today one blooming in the main garden in town.
This is anything but a defensive or fearful position to be in. We do not need to circle the wagons. We can indeed as it were have the lights all on and the doors wide open: welcoming, confident in the good news we have to share, delighting in the beauty and the inspiration of the worship, honoured to be able to serve and to care, well prepared to offer leadership and encouragement, supporting a variety of vocations for the ministry of the wider Church. This stands then as an enormous challenge; one that reaches well beyond the boundaries of any parish.
It is my conviction that there are many at this time who are looking for expressions of church in this catholic tradition of Anglicanism that are confident, hope-filled, inclusive and cooperative. Such communities of faith have much to offer. In their considered statements of who and what they are, they are not at all satisfied to be simply engaging as negative culture warriors. That is not the way forward. Let our worship, our articulation and our living out of our faith be what speaks of what we are and what we are not.
There is a task. Catholic Anglicans across the country need to be talking to each other again. In past generations there were organisations, newspapers, journals and regular conferences that had this as their clear intent. In this generation we have opportunities for instant communications beyond the wildest dreams of our forbears. So networks have to be rebuilt, new ones forged. This is starting to happen. A new young generation of leaders is emerging, not the least in and around central Melbourne. A sense of renewal is in the air. If I may say so, there is a real awareness of this as well in the green pastures of the north east where I shall be offering my last years of ministry. We all perhaps as never before need to be working together.
As Anglicans who would care to claim our catholic inheritance, we need to be working first to find as much reconciliation as is possible amongst ourselves. Then, and on the widest front possible, we need once again to offer clear positive expressions of this tradition in worship and in service: we need a clearly articulated and challenging theology, engagement with the great political and social issues of our time working out of a model of a refreshed ecclesial governance and genuine collegiality. Leadership, teaching, example; there are now new and different models of faithfulness and discipleship that must be affirmed and lived out — however and wherever we find that to be possible.
A renewed sense of purpose and direction is needed and I consider that it is actually again possible. The crippling divisions of this past generation over the ordination of women are largely behind us. The current debates over a yet more generous inclusion are very largely not divisive for us. It is time to move forward again with a gentle, quiet confidence. Now and again we can recognize and then grasp with joy a glimpse of what might be. It could be for instance the occasion of a particularly inspiring diocesan ordination or it could be like this week — either the joyful celebration of the beginning of a ministry or the general thanksgiving for one that has been completed. If enough of us believe and hope in such a potential renewal and if we are well prepared, both lay and clergy, to work and to pray this through, who knows what might yet be seen and experienced amongst us. May it be so.
Of one thing I am sure. This St Peter's Eastern Hill, parish church here in the city of Melbourne since 1847, will have a continuing and central role. May God greatly bless all that is offered and shared here and may God guide and guard you all in whatever may lie ahead.
The Lord be with you.
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