[Magdalen] Feast.

[Ann Markle]

Well, twirling umbrellas are distinctly Christian, from the Ethiopian
tradition.  And yes, there are other parishes in other dioceses that
experiment with liturgy (and are unofficially recognized by the Bishop for
doing so).  Trinity/Buffalo is one, and most dioceses have at least one.
Seminaries often fill that function, as well.  Look, it's not all to my
taste, but it's there, just as there are parishes that use a high
Anglo-Catholic liturgy that's not to my taste, either.  Some liturgical
experiments are successful and some aren't, but one never knows unless one
actually DOES the experiments.  And it's ALL Episcopalian, whether you like
it or not.  And it's within the Anglican tradition, which is always
changing (look at the 1979 New Zealand Prayer Book, for instance -- and
that's a long time ago!).

I'm just saying that it's not my parish, and therefore it's none of my
business to say who is Anglican and who is not, what is successful (for
them) and what is not.  Many members and leaders of St. G of N are
liturgical scholars who are very familiar with a wide variety of liturgical
and Anglican traditions (from CDSP and other places).  And yes, you may
comment however you wish.  I think accusing them of being "non-Anglican"
because they experiment with nontraditional/American-European liturgical
forms is over the line, but of course it's within your right to say it --
just like Donald Trump is protected by the First Amendment.  I have as much
right to have an opinion on what you say, as you do to have an opinion on
what other parishes do.

I'm sorry you don't like me using language that I've newly found helpful.
I'm aware that you're much my elder in sobriety.  I'll try to mind my p's
and q's under your most vigilant and critical eye.  But perhaps it stings
because the shoe fits all too well.

Ann

The Rev. Ann Markle
Buffalo, NY
ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
blog:  www.onewildandpreciouslife.typepad.com

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 11:55 PM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

>
>
> In a message dated 12/28/2015 5:28:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> ann.markle at aya.yale.edu writes:
>
> Lynn,  thank you for this.  I love Episcopal liturgy, of the relatively
> low
> (my friends who know tell me it's not really snakebelly), and  yes,
> dignified (no liturgical dance with pompoms) variety.  But I have  very
> little patience with those who can't tolerate experimentation  and
> innovation in places other than your own.  New liturgies come  from
> SOMEWHERE -- they don't just materialize out of thin air.  And  St. Gregory
> of Nyssa is one of the many parishes in many dioceses (usually  recognized
> as such by their Bishops) who are trying for beautiful,  innovative, and
> yes, welcoming worship styles.  Nobody forces anyone  to attend a church
> whose liturgical style doesn't suit them.  If you  (not you, personally,
> Lynn) don't want to attend St. G. of N, then it's  "not your circus, not
> your monkeys."  Or as I'm learning to say in AA  (and probably should say
> before I even send this, but what the hell) -- two  handy phrases to keep
> in
> your toolbox are "It's none of my business," and  "I have no opinion on
> that."  There's also another handy  catchphrase:  "Live and let live."  I
> say if you're not part of a  parish's life, then butt out of their
> liturgical business and take care of  your own.>>>>>>>>
> Sorry about this, but I need to respond to this frontal salvo.
>
> There are not, to my knowledge parishes like SGN in other dioceses
> of TEC.  It should be clear that significant liturgical change does  not
> come by way of a "welcoming" parish in San Francisco where the
> liturgy is not recognizably Anglican or even Western Christian.
>
> Unfortunately, IMHO, many clergy and laity alike are enamored of some
> of the, let's face it, wacky maneuvers at SGN, and then try to  emulate
> bits and pieces of their stuff in their home parishes.  Anyone for  dancing
> around the high altar at Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue?  Twirling  umbrellas
> at the Offertory?
>
> And I will not be told what I may and what I may not comment on
> liturgically.
> It's a free country, and a free list the last time I checked.  Save  the AA
> lingo.  I had my 31st anniversary of booze free life yesterday.   I know
> the AA
> stuff backward and forward.
>
> Just because I'm in recovery doesn't mean that I need to turn off my
> brain.
>
>
> David Strang - who has zero power to change anything at SGN, so  that's
> a kind of built in "live and let live."  It's not like I'm the liturgy
> police coming
> in to shut them down.
>
>
>
>