This badge was made in 2016 and is one of the badges that have been sold in St Mary’s that have been bought by people for whom the pronouns he or she don’t seem to fit.
The use of the “they” as a singular pronoun is often seen as a modern invention but it isn’t anything of the kind. The Oxford English Dictionary records the first use of the singular “they” in 1375.
The badge is also a reminder that issues of gender are different in different languages. Some of the languages spoken by members of the congregation at St Mary’s (notably including Igbo) don’t use gendered pronouns at all.
Sermon – Sister Helena – 31 January 2021
LGBT History Month – #3 – Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order
This badge dates from January 2016 and shows the logo of the Scottish Episcopal Church superimposed on a rainbow. These badges were worn by many attending the long series of meetings which led up to the Scottish Episcopal Church taking a decision to open the sacrament of marriage to same-sex couples.
The words on the badge are “Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order” which is the motto of the Scottish Episcopal Church. In this context it is a helpful reminder that support for LGBT people within the Scottish Episcopal Church has come from congregations which identify as evangelical and also congregations which would have a more high church, catholic tradition. God has blessed all kinds of churches with gay people and both the motto of the church and the rainbow flag speak of embracing diversity.
LGBT History Month #2 – I will not let you go until you bless me
This badge was made in response to a speech in the General Synod of the Church of England by the Rev Simon Butler in February 2017. That speech can be read online here:
https://www.stmarysbattersea.org.uk/article/general-synod-and-human-sexuality/
The quote is from the 32nd chapter of the book of Genesis and in its original context is uttered by Jacob who is pictured wrestling with God. In the synod speech it was used to suggest that LGBT people remain part of the church despite the negative way that they have sometimes been treated. This badge represents a desire to be blessed rather than cursed – a key theme found in the bible.
LGBT History Month – Some Christians Are Gay. Get Over It!
For LGBT History Month – February 2021, St Mary’s is curating an online exhibition of LGBT badges which have at one time or another been on sale on our badge stall in church. The first one dates from 2016. It cheekily takes its look and feel from the Stonewall posters of the time which asserted – “Some people are gay. Get over it!”
Check back regularly for more badges.
Online Worship – 31/1/2021
Worship for Sunday 31 January 2021 takes place online. This consists this week of:
- A video that forms a service of Holy Communion
- A hymn (‘We cannot measure how you heal’)
- A video for members of the Young Church and their households
The Provost leads this service from the Cathedral. Sister Helena is the preacher and the Vice Provost is the deacon. Bruce Montgomery-Smith leads some of the prayers, Debbie Lewer leads the Intercessions, and Stewart Macfarlane reads the Gospel. Morven Bremner sings the mass setting (the Lincoln Communion setting by Malcolm Archer) with Frikki Walker, organ. The music at Communion, is Litany to the Holy Spirit by Peter Huford and is sung by Justine Inns. Steven McIntyre plays the voluntary at the end of this service, Prelude in A major (BWV 536) – JS Bach – recorded at Dunblane Cathedral.
The video of the service of Holy Communion is also available on Facebook and YouTube. (The YouTube video might suit those who prefer to watch on a smart TV.)
Download a PDF transcript of the service here:
Online Worship – 31 January 2021
Holy Communion
If you would like to make a financial contribution to enable this ministry, please do so.
To give to St Mary’s directly from your bank account, please set up payments to the Clydesdale Bank, sort code 82-20-00 account number 30185232, account name “Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin”.
To set up a standing order, please fill in a Bank Standing Order and send it to your bank. If you are a UK tax payer, please also fill in a Gift Aid Declaration as it enables the Cathedral to claim back the tax that you have already paid on the money that you are giving.
You can give by PayPal directly through this website by going to the Paypal Giving Page.
If it is possible for you to do so, please use a form of payment directly to the Cathedral bank account in order to avoid payment fees on PayPal.
If you would like details of how to give by other methods, please contact the Cathedral Office to be put in touch with the Gift Aid Recorder, Alan McCulloch.
Thank you for your offering. If you usually put cash on the plate, please, if you can, find a way of giving electronically at this time to enable the ministry of the Cathedral to continue.
Hymn – ‘We cannot measure how you heal’
Sung by the Cathedral Choir, conducted by Frikki Walker, with Rona Macleod – oboe and Geoff Woollatt – organ
Young Church Song
Next week, on 7 February the Young Church will meet on Zoom from 10:30 to 11:00 am. Christine Walker leads the third of four sessions on making a samba band at home with everyday kitchen items. This week also features the story of Jonah … but with a twist—a musical setting with LEGO. Any members of the congregation are welcome to join and share Zoom details with young people no matter where they are.
Young persons must be accompanied by an adult, who must remain online at all times. Join the meeting from a public room in the house (no bedrooms, please) and get ready to samba.
Young Church Zoom Dates and Details
7 February, 21 February
10:30 – 11:00 am
Meeting ID: 860 5486 4041
Passcode: 005922
Welcome card and feedback
If you are finding a way into this congregation and would like to make contact, please use the Welcome Card which can be found online here:
https://thecathedral.org.uk/welcome-card/
If you would like to contact the Provost and the Vice Provost to give feedback on this worship or for any other reason, please use the following form.
If you wish to join the cathedral electronic mailing list to receive futher details about the online worship please do so at this sign-up page:
http://phplist.thecathedral.org.uk/?p=subscribe&id=3
Please share this page and these resources widely on social media and in any other ways you can think of.