 Exchange 4.
There was a wide vaiety of speakers on the day. Thankyou to everybody who attended. We have included a talk that was given by Revd Phil Edwards at the meeting.
The Role of Chaplaincy in a Fragmented Society:
Sociological and Theological Reflections
Introduction:
These are reflections upon an experience of being a chaplain to students and staff at the University of Bolton, a higher educational establishment which has no regilious affiliation. It is not only chaplains who reflect in this way but chaplains who work in places which have no religious affiliation have a unique role in reflecting upon the place of faith in today's society and how matters of faith can speak to people as long as we use the right language.
The religious-secular divide
Ever since Christianity came into being, it has 'baptised' the secular and non-religious; it has taken seriously people's religious and spiritual strivings in whatever direction and proclaimed that as a longing for the God known through Jesus. From Paul's declaration in Athens that "what therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:23) to the pagan winter festival becoming Christmas, Christians have made holy what is profane or secular. Today Christianity is divided between those who have seperated themselves from the secular culture and those who want to continue baptising what is profane or secular. Those who want to make a distinct line between what is religious/holy and the rest of the world have played into the hands of aggressive atheists such as Richard Dawkins who give people a false choice between religion and science, between myth and rationality. These are false choices which some Christians and others of faith have fallen into the trap of fighting. We don't have to fight because belief in a Creator God means that everything is holy ("God saw everything that he had made and indeed, it was very good". (Genisis 1:31).
Chaplaincy has , on the whole, sided with those churches and those religions which have not made a sharp distinction between the secular and the holy, between science and religion, between myth and rationality. Truth has many faces and can be mapped in many different ways. In theoligical terms, our ministry is in Galilee rather than the holy confines of Jerusalem; the market rather than the temple.
Reflecting on society
Chaplaincy ministry brings us face to face with many issues in society and brings us into contact with people of different faiths and none: those who are searching, the wistful agnostic (the don't know but would like to), the pagan, the humanist and the atheist; those who are open to matters of religion and belief, and those who are closed to new ideas (including those of faith as well as no faith). Because all our ministry is outside the church, we need to know where people are at. Our experiences of the people we meet tell us this. But do some useful and helpful reflecting, we need the aid of those who study society in a professional capacity - we need the help of sociologists. Being a physicist by training and still a physicist at heart, I used to look down on sociologists and think that what they said was either obvious or nonsense. However, a few years ago I was asked to teach a class some sociology of religion and my prejudices were challanged. I found that sociology is very helpful!
Revd Phil Edwards welcomes responses.
Co-ordinating Chaplain, The University of Bolton
chaplain@bolton.ac.uk
copyright september 2009 We held the Easter event again this year on 3rd April.
This event was a huge success again this year. The ceremony was opened with the Mayor of Bolton, Bishop of Bolton and Interfaith Partners
The day's activities included displays from: Zac's, Eden Bus, Town Town Centre Chaplaincy with Street Angels and an interactive prayer tent. There were stalls, music, craft and displays to get involved with, including Justicia, Fair-trade with eggs prizes and egg competition, CLC Bookshop (Wesley Owen), Interfaith Stand, Christian Aid, Hot Cross Bun making, Palm cross making and "Passion for Bolton" children's colouring competitions.
There was music from the Youth band, Christ Church Little Lever Worship Band, Farnworth Worship and entertainment from the DFG dance group. The audience really enjoyed the day. Many people came to be involved from many faiths and cultures accross the town.
Redeeming Our Communities: University of Bolton, March 4th 2010, 7.30pm Chancellor's Building, University Way in the Social Learning Zone.
This was an inspiring partnership event between Bolton Christian Community Cohesion and the Police. Bishop Chris Edmondson and Rev David King, as Joint Chair of Bolton Church Leaders and officers from most of the 33 safer neighbourhoods across the Borough. The initiative was launched last year by GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy, who is keen to promote ways in which the Police and the Church can make an impact in their local communities. There was plenty of opportunity to share ideas over tea, coffee and home made cakes! More details about Redeeming Our Communities can be found on www.citylinks.org.uk/Manchester
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