tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post1590714849491263985..comments2023-10-23T12:18:05.626-04:00Comments on Anglican Yinzer: Why I Disagree with “Ashes to Go”The Rev Canon Dr David Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878281384587956210noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-53132920992156675602013-02-16T14:49:08.384-05:002013-02-16T14:49:08.384-05:00Yeah, I have real concerns with the 'hip' ...Yeah, I have real concerns with the 'hip' Ashes-to-Go gig. Bad fad, I'd say. And, like Bruce, I have real questions with the use of ashes anyway.<br /><br />I have to say, though, that Bp. Dorsey's Ash Wednesday video-message (which can be found on the TEC-Pitt website) was really quite good. Glad for a cruciform emphasis these days!Ethanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14152694918931240750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-25856154093889216402013-02-16T14:47:46.169-05:002013-02-16T14:47:46.169-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ethanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14152694918931240750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-55245363334143517972013-02-15T12:58:10.648-05:002013-02-15T12:58:10.648-05:00"Tradition"--
Yes, I pretty much agree,..."Tradition"--<br /><br />Yes, I pretty much agree, though I think--or, rather, hope and pray--that there may be just enough here for God in his infinite patience to work with through us. I know the clergy who went to Market Square--Bishop McConnell, Canon Brall--to be faithful Christian people. The mark by itself is indeed mostly a prop (whether you find it on the square or in the church building for that matter) though perhaps meaningful and symbolically resonant if someone out there on the square is long estranged from the church but now, suddenly, with memories from time past, feels a sense of reconnection. Hears the sentences. Remember that thou art dust. Turn from your sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Who knows what new plant may emerge from this seed, however artlessly sown? <br /><br />We can, again, pray for the best, anyway. <br /><br />Perhaps next year they can go out into the square with a quartet from the Cathedral Choir, to sing some deep old Lenten and Holy Week hymns. Perhaps the Bishop or one of the attendant clergy can compose a 3 minute homily, suitable for subfreezing winter out-of-doors. Preach to the birds. The homeless. Those standing in line for a lunchtime sandwich.<br /><br /> Perhaps a few folks from the prayer team could come along and offer to hang around and pray with any who would so desire. Perhaps we could offer each person who receives the imposition of ashes also a thoughtful pamphlet, or perhaps a pocket-sized copy of the New Testament. <br /><br />Again, I would agree, "without contrition, confession and repentance, it is a meaningless symbol." But that is the case wherever your Ash Wednesday ashes are distributed, and whatever liturgical ceremony you build around the event. Certainly contrition, confession, and repentance are as possible en plein air as in the precincts of the Cathedral, after all . . . .Bruce Robisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00193701138386039942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-3633658473517332122013-02-15T09:21:44.876-05:002013-02-15T09:21:44.876-05:00Bruce,
I agree that taking the message of Christ&...Bruce,<br /><br />I agree that taking the message of Christ's redeeming grace into the streets is part of the Great Commission but using the imposition of ashes as a "prop" seems over the line. The liturgy of Ash Wednesday is a lovely and moving service, deep with meaning. How does a five second "X ing" substitute? At another level it provides a false sense of attainment for those receiving drive by ashes. Without contrition, confession and repentance, it is a meaningless symbol.Traditionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-61189454891420417922013-02-15T08:08:04.030-05:002013-02-15T08:08:04.030-05:00I agree with you in general about ashes-to-go, tho...I agree with you in general about ashes-to-go, though perhaps with less fervor. (In fact I have something of mixed feeling about the use of ashes at all, whether in church or on the street corner, but perhaps that's a different thread of conversation.) Nonetheless, for folks on Market Square to have a brief encounter with a Christian who will say to them, "remember that thou art dust," and "turn away from your sin and be faithful to the Gospel" seems to me not a bad thing either. So, a mixed bag. The reality is that just about every story in the newspaper about the churches lately (excluding the recent buzz over the Pope's decision to retire) has been about division or scandal, so it's kind of nice to see somebody on the front page saying just a good word about Jesus. The reality is that in this increasingly secularized culture, our mission must be also increasingly extramural. The vast majority of people in Northern Washington County are never going to hear your fabulous sermons, to be convicted of their need of Christ, because the vast majority will never pass through the front doors. In the 18th century revivals the preachers and choirs took to the streets, the fields, the public square, and I think we're going to need to figure out how to do that too. "Ashes to go" is not, again, probably the best way to get out there. Perhaps blessing pets in the churchyard isn't either. But I'd rather have folks trying some different things than just sitting inside the building grumbling about how nobody comes to church anymore . . . .<br /><br />Bruce RobisonBruce Robisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00193701138386039942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-59992716756429392662013-02-14T11:15:21.693-05:002013-02-14T11:15:21.693-05:00The problem is that we've lost the sense in th...The problem is that we've lost the sense in this country that life happens in community. Ashes to go is a little less repugnant than Communion to go (which is downright abuse of the sacrament... Ashes, at least, aren't a sacrament) but life happens in community, sin happens in community, death happens in community... why the heck don't ashes happen in community. In addition, this is Western PA, the only place in the world where we have C, E, and AW (Christmas, Easter and Ash Wednesday) or failing that some folks who don't even do C and E but come for Ashes. Its a unique moment to touch base, care for, and possibly re-engage the flagging Christian. Can't do that "to-go."Free Range Anglicanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14484140709221984584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9075511927538089655.post-75238500412235110222013-02-14T10:50:51.285-05:002013-02-14T10:50:51.285-05:00I absolutely agree. But since TEC has no gospel I...I absolutely agree. But since TEC has no gospel I suppose there is no need for repentance of sin. I find the practice even more meaningless than the McDonalds analogy because at McDonalds there is at least truth in packaging - you're there for a burger and that's what you get.<br /><br />TEC is all about being trendy. What's next, drive through communion and gay blessing?Traditionnoreply@blogger.com