Red Letter Day

When Traditions Mix Unity Ensues

I attended a unique service today. A good friend of ours was ordained this afternoon in a joyful service at an ancient church called Wren’s Cathedral. It was actually the personal church designed and remodelled around 1713 by Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Otherwise known as Wroxall Abbey, this beautiful very small old church was originally built around 1150. It is full of lovely stained glass windows and today it resounded to the voices of about 80 to 100 people singing joyfully in celebration of two more lives dedicated to their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

This event was in some ways a small pageant with all the rich costume in which only the traditional and ancient churches are steeped. These days I am not used to this kind of service – neither the traditions nor the liturgy. However, it all served to remind me of my much younger days when I belonged to the established church, the Church of England. I was reminded of the rich heritage of tradition that is embodied in that august body. As the service progressed I remembered well much of the liturgy and I again rejoiced in the singing of both ancient and modern hymns accompanied by choir and organ.

Then came the bishop’s sermon on unity. He reminded all of us that despite all our sometimes profound theological and doctrinal differences, we all shared one great saving belief – that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died for ALL of us and we ALL serve Him in our own very different ways. And there was hope in my heart today. Maybe old hopes were reborn in me today by the meeting of so many so-called denominations come together and sharing communion together as one body.

Have we all forgotten the joy of not just our salvation, but all that it brought with it into our lives?. Certainly the joy of my own and others salvation was shared and given full rein today as we celebrated with those being ordained, the simple faith we all shared. For the ordinands, it was the culmination of their walk with the Lord to date and perhaps the start of something more wonderful than they ever dreamed possible. All of them were over 50 years of age and their wives, sons, and daughters were there to share their joy.

A real ‘red letter day’ for all of us who were privileged to have been invited to share their day.

Thank you Lord.