Together on the Journey: A Weekly Blog from Fr. Andrew Sheldon
Lent is the time for sober reflection on the ways in which we fall short of God’s ideal for us. As such, it is customary to begin our worship with a penitent heart.
These are the words found in our 10:30 service leaflet at the beginning of our Sunday Celebration. And indeed, it is customary, and appropriate, that we begin this way, because Lent is a time in the church year in which contrition, confession, and repentance have a heightened presence in our life together.
But I have a strong conviction that this need not always be the case, and you will see that reflected in our liturgy in the other seasons of the church year. This has long been my practice and some have, as you may, asked why we don’t confess our sins every Sunday.
Well, actually, we do. But it is true that we will not always do the longer version at our Sunday Celebrations. In part, this is because confessions in the Anglican liturgy are always communal affairs; the Book of Common Prayer refers to ‘The General Confession’. The understanding therefore is that the worshipping community is confessing its collective failure to love God and neighbour. It has never been the case that this prayer is an opportunity for individuals to confess their particular sins. The Prayer Book assumes that private confession has been done before, and in preparation for, public worship.
The question then becomes how much time and content to put into the general confession in our services. The Book of Alternative Services allows that the prayer of confession in the Eucharist may be used if penitential intercessions were not used in the Prayers of the People. As such, you will have noticed that in the season of Epiphany we did include a penitential intercession in these prayers, and this will be the case going forward.
But all of that is simply liturgical theology and of interest only to those of us fully invested in the church. I would ask you to consider something other than liturgical adherence based on traditions and personal preferences, and think of how penitential practices are experienced by the individuals in the pew.
As such, I do believe that an overly penitential ethos is potentially off-putting to long-time attenders, newer parishioners, and perhaps most especially to guests and strangers. I know this is the case because over the years many have told me that this is the case. I also have a hunch that this is the case because the Church at large is in decline and is not doing well at attracting and retaining newcomers.
Now, I am under no illusion that we as individuals and as a parish are in the habit of sinning. We fall short of God’s best all the time. But I am also aware that most people are acutely aware of this. Quite frankly, I need to be reminded that God loves me; my unworthiness is without a doubt. And I have a hunch that many, if not most, of those who make their way through our doors are looking for this affirming message as well. I know that St George’s is largely a welcoming, generous, non-judgemental, and inclusive place. I know that because I know you. I’m simply saying that we ensure our liturgical practices are sending the same message.
As always, I would be happy to converse on this or any other issue at any time.
Lenten blessings,
Andrew+