Communion?

Chatting to fellow youth worker and profound thinker Saint Martin Montgomery, I suddenly realised that I shouldn't have to start off every blog with the usual round of apologies for not writing for months...I mean, do you, the reader, really care? And to be honest, why should I write useless drivel for the amusment of the mob?! Simply put, I have not had much I wanted to say these last few months; of course thats not to say I haven't been thinking about a lot of issues/topics. I want to share some brief thoughts that have been swirling through the grey matter!

This time, its about communion. I have long held the belief that communion is a very significant act for the Christian. Strangely for a "Protestant" (and believe me, I do use that term lightly!), I have contended that perhaps our Catholic brothers are a little bit closer in their understanding of the significance of the act. Now, let me say that theologically speaking, I do not believe that the bread and wine physically turn into the body and blood of Christ. That is in no way to criticise Catholic theology on the matter, but rather to make my position clear (and not just as someone who has been brought up a 'Prod' in Ulster to disagree with everything Catholic, but as someone who has thought and reasoned the issue out for themselves).

Back to the matter...In communion, I believe something very strange takes place; whilst Catholics may believe that the bread and wine transubstantiate physically, I believe that it is more a metaphysical transformation. That is, there is a very deep spiritual transformation that occurs, that allows us to connect with Christ on the cross through the Eucharist. An act it may be, full of symbolism, but I think we do it a disservice if we leave it as just an act! On some very deep level, we are taking the body and blood of Jesus into us, perhaps not on a physical sense, but in a very real spiritual sense!

Being brought up as a Presbyterian, the Lord's Supper (wasn't much of a meal-sip of ribena, and a piece of bread) was always a time of reflection that inevitably had to be a guilt trip. Don't get me wrong, I love my Presbyterian brethren (the rest of my family still go there), and respect a lot of things about that church, but communion should never have turned into a guilt trip-where you feel bad about all the naughty things you have done, and feel so unworthy to partake in communion. Jesus never wanted us to go on a guilt trip when we take part in the Eucharist. Jesus wants us to remember him; to celebrate his life, and rejoice in his death and resurrection. When we take part in communion, it should be with a party atmosphere (at least in my thought). Of course, we should always enter into some self-examination and reflection, but it should never be self-recrimination. That is just not the Jesus Way!

And then there is a deeper issue behind communion; what does it mean to 'remember him'? I think that Eucharist should not just be a piece of bread and some wine (or Ribena for our Presby friends), but that Eucharist should be a 'lifestyle'. When we walk out of church, do we 'remember him'? When in work, do we 'remember him'? With our friends and our family, do we 'remember him'? With the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, do we 'remember him'? The etymology of the word 'Eucharist' stems from two Greek words; eú- "good, well" and kháris- "favor, grace"...Good grace! Hmmm, I wonder what this is trying to say to us? Is it that Eucharist is about more than imbibing and ingesting Jesus (whether physically or metaphorically)? Is it that communion is about more than a sacred meal that helps us remember the events of Jesus' life and death? All these things are extremely important for the Christian...However, maybe Eucharist is actually about our 'good grace' or good works after we walk out of Church. Maybe the true power behind communion is that it is not just for us, but it is for the world. As we 'remember' Christ, we live like him, and show him in our lives (speech and actions). And as we do that, people are drawn to the truth of the Gospel-that Christ came to set us free and give us 'real life'! Maybe it is that as we engage in good works, we need a little more of the body and blood of Christ within us, so that we can be more like him to the world? Perhaps that is the real power, the real purpose behind communion? Can it be that communion is so much wider and so much deeper than we every thought it could be? I mean, with anything of God, it is entirely possible that we have only just scratched the surface!

So, as you take communion, I encourage you to think about what this means not just for you, but for those around you (Christian or not)! I encourage you to recognise that a very significant and spiritual act, drenched in symbolism, but full of power, is taking place. I encourage you to think of how this act may be changing you, and how in turn does that change the world around you. And I encourage you to enjoy it!

Peace

How He loves

I have been spending a lot of time recently listening to a guy called John Mark McMillan, from America. I generally dislike 'Christian' music (as if the very use of the word Christian excuses it for being musically crap), but this guy is something else. I love his music, and I love the place it takes me...

The story about Steven at the start of the video is heartwrenching. However, one thing that strikes me about this story is just the committment Steven had; he prayed that if his death would mean something, then let it happen, and that night he died! Oh how I wish to have that passion for my God...

Here is the song in full, if you just want to listen to it

Taking a break from all your worries

Gosh, how the world seems to have changed over the last year! Everytime I switch on the news (be it ITV, BBC News 24, France 24, ABC) it all seems to be full of doom and gloom. This credit crunch (which I stil don't fully understand, especially when a lot of the downturn in the markets 'seems' to be caused by PEOPLE) has really instilled a lot of fear and worry. But since I don't have lots of money anyway, I don't have much to loose (well maybe my massive Star Wars novels collection). I just wish people in the media would stop focusing on the fear and worry; this creates more panic than what it is actually worth (although not to take away from the genuine worry posed by the current economical downturn). At least the price of oil has dropped, and petrol is now below the pound mark in the first time in AGES!

Anyway, enough of the despair; I am heading away this Sunday for a few days with some friends to the Slieve Donard. The aim here is to get a nice break from things, relax, and have some banter. I probably can't really afford it, but to be honest, its worth getting away for a couple of days, and Bag did manage to get us a pretty decent deal (well at least for it being the Slieve Donard anyway). So for the next few days, I am not going to be thinking about the credit crunch, or work, or all the other things that cause me headaches, but just relaxing in the company of good friends, and maybe for a couple of days, we can imagine the world is a great place with no worry!

That being said, I do have LOADS on at the moment. I am preparing to take a youth weekend with a Church in Antrim. I am looking forward to it, but seeing as it is my first time doing a weekend, I am more than a little apprehensive. But hey, the way I will look at it is just a series of conversations (which I am more than good at!). I also have to deliver a report to my bosses in the next couple of weeks. Now it is just a routine report (I try to give one every 6 months), but it will quite possibly dictate the direction the youth work, and possibly the Church, will take for the next few years. So I am feeling a little bit of the weight of responsibility, as I want to make sure I get everything I need to into my short 10 minute report, and try to show a glimpse of a possible way forward.

A New Season

Boy...summer flew in. I cannot believe that summer is over and people are getting back to school, uni, work. For once, I was part of a Church community that didn't shut up shop for the two months of summer! Don't get me wrong, it is good to have a break, and I certainly enjoyed mine, and it was sorely needed. However, it is also good (at least as a youth worker) to realise that there is a very real need for our young people. That for them, summer can be a long time, and if we do not engage with them, if we do not connect with them, it can be a negative time for them. I was so blessed to have certain things come together which meant that this summer, we had around 50 hours of engagement with young people in Crumlin, as well as Summer Madness, Impact (street reach) and a kids bible club. I think that is just amazing, and already I have seen so much benefit from just opening our doors for a couple of hours a week over the summer. Young people are asking questions, they are showing interest in being more involved, and the opportunity for some of our younger leaders to actually just get a chance to lead was great.

That being said, the challenge now is how we bring this into the new school term. Obviously (and rightly so) priorities shift; people focus on work, study etc. How do we continue to meaningfully engage with young people without facing burn out. This is the question I must answer in the next few months!

One other thing summer is good for is weddings! I have been at three this summer, and they have been fun times-opportunities to meet with old friends, and wish the happy couple well. I had a crazy weekend last week, with two weddings in two days. I would not want to do that too often, but by the end of the second wedding, I was just deliriously happy, to the extent I hated myself (those who know my cynical side will empathise!). I have also enjoyed spending time with a new arrival; Bag and Emma's son, Jude. It's been great getting to know him, and I really look forward to being a part of his life (Lord help the kid with me as his 'uncle'!).

So, a new season indeed. Looking forward and seeking God, trying to grow and move in the right way. It will be exciting, fun, scary and challenging. Times like these are what I live for (and hopefully Arsenal will win this season!).

Adieu

Kids Club and nights out

Just finished my Church's annual kids club, and have to say, I really enjoyed it. I'll be honest, I am not a big fan of children. They can be uber-annoying, and ask hard questions I don't have easy answers to, and I have so much respect for dedicated childrens workers, whether they be primary school teachers, or more informal workers. I do see the benefit as a youth worker in knowing the children of my community, and having those relationships in place early on can be good. But I just don't think I am a good childrens worker! It was fun, and being able to act like a total child for one week (only one!) is good fun. A lot of preparation goes into a children's week, and you have to hope that something goes in there; something that can be of benefit to the kids when they get back to school etc. We had a church service to mark the end of it and I felt it went really well, and the kids did a good job in singing, praying and saying some words which described kids club for them (flabertastic!). Now I am back to more youth orientated matters as I continue to run our summer programme and look to the autumn and plans I have then. Maybe more on that later.

One other thing I want to talk about was my mate Bud and his stag do...what a night. I can honestly say, I have been out a lot, and I have never had such a good night. There was so much laughter (I nearly went into cardiac arrest at one point) and it was just a superb night, with some great memories and funny photos. My favourite has to be this one of Bag. I found it that funny that I actually woke up the next morning laughing...

Return to the blogosphere

I have been silent for quite a while...in some ways I needed that, in others, I haven't had much chance to rant! But I am feeling s little more ready to write now...I am sitting inbetween big 'events'. Summer Madness ended yesterday, and apart from feeling absolutely shattered, I don't know what else to say. As I get older, Summer Madness looses it's shine for me, but I so appreciate the effect it has on young people, to learn and grow and experience more of God. Next up; Impact. I have been working on Impact the last few months, and it is one of the biggest projects I have ever undertaken. The idea behind Impact is to encourage young people to serve their community through practical service (think StreetReach). A lot of preparation has gone into this, and I am now just completely drained, and ready for a break. But I do feel Impact will be an amazing opportunity to see the Kingdom grow in Crumlin, and look forward to see what God will do.

After Impact, I have a break, and whilst part of me needs it emotionally and physically, another part doesn't want to be left sitting alone with nothing to do for two weeks. So I am slightly apprehensive about this!

Lots more going on, but not all stuff I can write about. I appreciate your prayers for all that is going on (especially Impact), and hopefully it wont take me as long to write again.

Rape, murder, mutiliation: its the Bible!

Wow...my posts seem to be getting more and more sparse. It has been difficult recently trying to keep on top of everything, as I have lots going on, and as sad as it seems, this blog is just another victim, along with the countless relationships that have been put on hold! If you are one of the people who I rarely see anymore, my apologies-but know that I still think about you...unless I hate you! Only kidding!

Anyway, what has been going on? Well work has continued at a frightening pace. With weekends to organise, and the week to week business of spending time with young people. However, a few new and exciting things have happened in the last few weeks. Uppermost in my mind is a prayer event that we ran in the church. It was encouraging to see people drop in and pray for an hour or two in their own way. Several people asked what were we praying for, to which my reply was, 'we are just praying'. It is interesting that some still need to have reason to pray, and I understand this; as humans, many of us need to have a motive, a 'raison d'etre', behind all that we do. We often ask the question 'why do we do this' instead of just saying 'why not'! However, I feel it was a great start, yet an exhausting one for me, as I was there for around 27 hours!

Another new thing is an after school drop in that I have been working on. It is myself and another youth worker from the Glenavy Youth Project, as well as two young volunteers from church. We seem to attracting about a dozen young people every thursday, which is encouraging. However, it still needs work. It is great to give the volunteers the chance to really gain experience however, and for that, it is an exciting opportunity.

Life without Gail has been a struggle...sure we talk at night, but sometimes, when you have had a tough day, you just want to chill! I am a great believer in the beauty of companionable silence. I sometimes love to sit with s friend, or with Gail and just not have to feel the need to talk; to just enjoy each others company. However, when all you got is a phone call, its impractical to do that :(

Want to share a quick 'holy thought'. I was doing some research the other day for a talk. I found myself in Judges and was just reading aroung, when I came across Judges chapter 19. The gist of the story is about a Levite and his concubine. They travel and eventually come to a town where they are welcomed in by a man. Later that night, the men of the town come to the man's house and demand that they be allowed to have sex with the Levite. The man, afraid for his guest, instead offers his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine. Refusing, the men keep demanding the Levite, until the Levite forces his concubine out. The men of the town gang rape her all night, and in the morning, she makes her way back to the house. The Levite goes to leave, and seeing her lying there, demands her to get up. When she doesn't respond he puts her on his donkey and travels to his home. When he arrives, he cuts her up into 12 pieces and sends them to the tribes of Israel, as a sign of what happened.

I was very shocked by the brutality of this story. But it reminded me that the Bible is a very shocking book, full of war, intrigue, death, rape, misfits, liars, terrorists, sacrifice, destruction of innocents, but yet, it is the book with which we recognise God speaks to us. How many of us have sat in a church and heard the story of Judges 19...yet here it is in our Bibles. And the story has much to say; about selfishness and the state of a nation, that resonates even today. In what society what it be acceptable to rape, murder and mutilate a woman? Until you turn on your TV and realise that it happens all the time. These stories, whilst shocking, can have a lot to say to us, here and now in the 21st century! It just saddens me that so many in the church (and I am guilty of this too, as I suspect we all are, consciously or not) pick and choose what they want to get out of the Bible. If we are going to accept the authority of scripture, then surely that includes even the passages that make us uncomfortable, or confused?

Well, I have rambled enough. Thanks for listening