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Dear Friends,

DISCOVERING OUR ROOTS
THE QUEST FOR OUR ANGLICAN SPIRITUAL HERITAGE

Over the past academic year I have been studying for a part-time M.A. in Christian Spirituality. In particular I have been keen to learn more about the key people and classic spiritual writings that have shaped our Anglican identity.

In the March newsletter I gave a general historical overview. In this letter I will focus on the three people that I will dwell on in our “Summer School of Spirituality” on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday evenings in July (10th, 17th, 24th July from 6-7.30 pm at St. Mary’s Church, Fawkham).

On 10th July I will introduce Julian of Norwich. She lived from 1342 to c.1418. When she was 30 years old she nearly died from a serious illness, and a priest was sent for to administer the last rites. At this critical point in her life she received a series of visions with the overwhelming conviction of God’s love for her and the world. She went on to make a good recovery, after which she wrote these visions down. Julian then pondered on their meaning for a further 20 years before writing the writing the full text of her Revelations of Divine Love.

These Revelations are still a source of inspiration for us today and carry many insights, especially remarkable given the historical context in which they were written. In an age in which most churches had wall paintings with graphic and terrifying depictions of The Doom, Julian stated categorically, “In God there can be no wrath.” In a Church that was dominated by a male hierarchy and masculine images of God, she explored the feminine dimension to spirituality. In a turbulent society in which the resources of England were being drained away by the Hundred Years War, in an age which witnessed the devastation of the Black Death with up to 30% of the nation perishing, and the desperation of the rural populace leading to the Peasants Revolt, Julian was still able to hold on to a message of compassion and spiritual strength. Julian saw that the reason for the Church’s existence is to enable hurt and struggling people to be made whole in the love of God.

On 17th July I will focus on Lancelot Andrewes. He was born in Barking in 1555 when Queen Mary was on the throne. He rose to prominence during the reign of Queen Elizabeth as a fellow and then Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. He had a brilliant mind - he was once asked how many languages he spoke, and he replied at least fifteen, but after that he had lost count! He was one of the principal translators of the King James Bible. He was consecrated as Bishop of Chichester in 1605, then Ely in 1609 and finally Winchester in 1619. He died in 1626.

Lancelot Andrewes is most famous for being the principal Court Preacher throughout the reign of James I. From 1605 to 1624 he preached nearly every Christmas, Easter and Pentecost sermon to the King and his court. These sermons are still in print, and they are full of spiritual wisdom and insight. Andrewes was a contemporary of Shakespeare and Spenser, and his writing is both beautiful and profound. Through his sermons he gave a distinctive shape to Anglican theology and spirituality, drawing on both Catholic and Reformed traditions. He was thoroughly familiar with the Church Fathers, both from the Greek East and the Latin West, and also knew his Bible from cover to cover.

On 24th July I will dwell on George Herbert. He was born into an aristocratic and powerful family in 1593. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he showed great academic flair, and he went on to become a Reader in Rhetoric and then the Public Orator of the University. In 1624 he became the Member of Parliament for Monmouth. At this point he seemed destined for high office. However, he then chose to follow another path. He was ordained Deacon in 1624, and finally was ordained as Priest in 1630, spending the last three years of his life as the Rector of the small rural parish of Fuggleston with Bemerton, just outside Salisbury. He died of T.B. in 1633, just before his fortieth birthday.

George Herbert is most famous for his wonderful poems (he is amongst my favourite poets). A number of these have been set to music and we sing as hymns. He also wrote a book, The Country Parson which has been a manual for Anglican rural ministry for the past 350 years, and I will highlight passages of contemporary relevance.

In these three sessions I will give more of the historical background to each of these three people, I will give a fuller account of their life stories, and I will select passages from their writings, poems and prayers for us to ponder and enjoy.

RACHEL SEEX AND ALISON MYERS

In this newsletter I would also like to introduce two other people, not from the past, but the present, who are playing an active role in the ministry of our parish.

Rachel Seex has joined us as a Pastoral Assistant. Rachel will be known to many, having lived in Hartley for the past thirty years. Her father was Rector of Southfleet. Rachel is married to Paul who is now retired. They have three grown-up children, Matthew, Naomi and Peter, who all went to Hartley Primary School and then St. Georges. Rachel has been authorised as a Pastoral Assistant for the past eight years. She also works on Fridays as part of the chaplaincy team at Darenth Valley Hospital, and in addition she works at the Lions Hospice.

We also welcome the Myers family. Alison and Boyd, together with their two sons, Ben and Jacob, live in Fawkham Green. Alison has joined us as an Ordinand training for Anglican ministry through the South East Institute for Theological Education. Alison is following the same programme as Elizabeth Robertson, in the year below. Boyd is a teacher of Maths and Geography in Bromley. Ben and Jacob both attend Fawkham Primary School. Alison has worked with Accenture, and she currently advises companies on issues connected with workforce development. She has also done some work with the Rochester Diocesan Ministry and Training Department - I first met Alison on a conference about mentoring.

We warmly welcome both Rachel and Alison and their families and we are delighted that they will be ministering amongst us as part of our Church Family.

Your friend and Rector,

P.S. Don’t forget the Church Fete this month! All contributions and offers of help gratefully received.