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Editorial:
Nurturing spirituality From
the[acting] director: New Shoes Wholeness,
Holiness & Wholegrain Spirituality Comment:
Racehorses and Turtles A
Spirituality of Communion: The Benedictine Monks, Rostrevor Interview
with John Dickinson & Paul Symonds: The Shape of Spirituality Prayer
24-7 In
quest of living theology: A conversation piece on theological education
and Christian formation A
Spirituality of Welcome Bible
Study: Christian Spirituality Review:
How (Not) to Speak of God Review:
Spirituality and Transformation Difficult
Conversations |
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FOR MANY YEARS, the Parish of St George and St Thomas served the very traditional and dwindling Church of Ireland community in the northeast inner city. In 2000 it was a very small, ageing congregation, barely reaching 20 people that met to worship every Sunday morning. In 2006, at the Harvest Thanksgiving, the congregation reached 66 and represented some 13 different nationalities. The numbers are not huge, but represent a whole change in the life and witness of this parish and a big change in how, as a Church of Ireland parish, we see ourselves in the context of the “new Ireland”. In St George and St Thomas’s people came slowly through the doors. Some of the newcomers were from Anglican backgrounds in Africa, but not all. There was never any radical change to the way in which worship was conducted because the people who were coming along were used to a similar pattern. Over the years, people from Asia and the Indian sub-continent, as well as North America and Eastern Europe, have made St George and St Thomas’s their spiritual home in Dublin and the parish is not only multi-cultural, but multi-denominational as well. Some young Irish people, living in city centre apartments have also come along, as well as a few older Irish people who found the church by chance. The Anglican Communion is, like the Christian Church, multi-cultural. People are very happy to send money to help missionary work overseas but when the fruits of some of that work come through the church door it could be a different story. In St George and St Thomas’s the emphasis has been on welcome, on the building up of community and of the family of God. One of the newcomers co-ordinates a rota of welcomers, so that all new people are given the assistance they might need on a Sunday morning. We have, as a parish, listened to everyone and identified and encouraged them to use their gifts. Meals and barbecues, in which all those with a talent in that field are invited to provide food, have given us all a chance to talk in an informal way. Bus trips to the countryside, incorporating a picnic, a time for games or sightseeing and a time of worship have been invaluable in building up friendship and fellowship. The gifts of all newcomers are welcome, whether providing food, artwork or needlework, music, reading or praying at services or simply just being there – all play a part and no ideas are ever turned down. Because many of the newcomers were seeking asylum there has also been an important ministry to them, stumbling with them through the process by giving moral and practical support where possible. For those of us who have never encountered officialdom at such a level, it has been a very difficult experience to try to encourage people when their situation is so uncertain and their legal status unknown for months, or even years. Parishioners have written letters and signed petitions on behalf of newcomers whose asylum applications are slow to come to a satisfactory conclusion and on some occasions have accompanied people to appointments in government offices, thus showing solidarity with and support for them. The parish has not had a model on which to base its ministry, nor does it have a strategy. We preach the good news to all and offer the same welcome to every person who comes through the door. We try, as a Christian community, to embrace diversity and to reflect it in worship. Although the worship still remains very much Church of Ireland in nature, everyone is encouraged to read and lead intercessions and at Christmas the nine lessons are read in as many different languages, with English translations provided. There have been a number of baptisms over the years as the younger people have had babies. It is at such times that cultural differences can become apparent. Instead of the usual three Godparents, on one occasion I was asked if twin boys could have ten Godparents each! What could I say? These people were far from their home, it was important to them to follow their own tradition and they had been long-time members of the church. Their twins, born prematurely, were miracles in themselves and as we had prayed for them in their early days it would have seemed churlish to turn down their request. Their post-baptismal meal took place in the church, (we have no hall). All members of the congregation as well as their friends were invited. Other families have had post-baptismal meals in their homes and invite members of the congregation along too. Several Irish people are Godparents to the children of immigrants, a wonderful sign of mutual acceptance and friendship. The death of a Filipina nurse, an Anglican from the northern part of the Philippines, was a learning curve in acknowledging and accommodating cultural difference. Her friends kept vigil with her body for 24 hours in the church. Knowing how she had cared for the sick in a Dublin hospital, and that her friends also came from the nursing community, there was no problem in persuading the select vestry to allow the group into the church. Their compassion in the face of tragedy has led to a number of encounters with some Filipino Anglicans who worship in the church regularly. One couple, having settled into jobs in Dublin, recently purchased a house. They requested a house blessing, with Holy Communion, an occasion which included all their friends and culminated in a wonderful meal. In 2000, the congregation had one child. Now there are 20 children with links to the parish. Some will be there every week, others less frequently and there will be the families who come once or twice a year. It has been necessary to establish a crèche and Sunday School and to plan for the erection of some good-quality partitioning to create a safe and attractive space for the children. The space will also be used for the weekly ecumenical prayer of stillness every Tuesday lunchtime, for meetings and for the soon to be established Mothers’ Union, as well as for the Discovery Gospel Choir prayer group. The Discovery Initiative in the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough is almost three years old. Initially established to provide a diocesan welcome to newcomers to the diocese, the project has become involved in leading worship for both the African and Indian communities in the city centre and in Tallaght and has represented the diocese at many events. The Discovery Gospel Choir was formed in 2004 and has gone from strength to strength. The parishioners of St George and St Thomas were delighted to offer the church building as the place where the choir could meet to practise and where the Africanstyle worship would be held several times a year. This has also helped to bring new life to the church and some of the older church members are very involved members of the choir, which is, we believe, Ireland’s only integrated Christian choir in terms of nationality, age, gender, colour and denomination. As well as leading worship at the Discovery services, the choir has sung in a multitude of places, including Mosney Refugee Centre, Mountjoy Prison, the Point Depot and has appeared on RTE television on various occasions. Discovery has been a wonderful experience for all involved. The Africanstyle worship has introduced many Irish people to a new and exciting way of worship, with lively singing, longer sermons and open prayer in a multitude of languages. It has reminded everyone that God is not confined to one tradition or one tongue. But above all, it has nurtured new friendships within and beyond Discovery and the church. The Parish of St George and St Thomas has been blessed with many things. A friendly, welcoming base of established church members, who reach out the hand of friendship and fellowship in a multitude of practical ways and who have been willing to let all those who want to, play a part in the life of the parish. A “team” of people work together in pastoral ministry, in liturgical matters, in music and in preparing the children in their life of faith, both in the Sunday School and occasional youth club meetings. Anyone dropping into the church on a Sunday will find Church of Ireland liturgy taking place. Those who worship in the church have chosen this over the many other worship styles now available in the city. Some feel that, rather than gravitating to the “Black churches”, if they want to become part of the Irish community they need to begin with their place of worship. St George and St Thomas’s has become a place where a sense of belonging is nurtured and a strong sense of Christian Community is encouraged. There have been a few challenges to face along the way but, with careful negotiation, all have been resolved. Two people who did not like the idea of a multi-cultural parish, sadly, went elsewhere. But there is so much to be grateful for, not least seeing Christians coming together, just as it should be. A parish which could have been facing amalgamation or closure has been greatly enriched and enlivened by having an open and positive outlook to welcoming the stranger into its midst. It is an interesting and exciting place to be. REV KATHARINE POULTON is Bishop's Curate of the Parish of St George and St Thomas, Dublin 1. She was ordained in 1987 and has served in parishes north and south of the border. She is married to Ian, who is Rector of Killiney, Ballybrack Parish. |
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