Worship & Prayer
“Pride and Possibility”
03/07/10
“Pride and Possibility” – A Reflection on the Ordination of Andi and Kerry SmithOn Sunday 27th June Andi and Kerry Smith were ordained in Winchester Cathedral and I had the privilege of being there. Arriving early I toured the cathedral and found it to be the resting place of the author Jane Austin. The ordination is therefore recalled in the form of a letter from the heroine of “Pride and Prejudice”, Lizzie Bennett, to her beloved sister Jane. Julia Monaghan
The drawing room Pemberley
Monday 28th July
My dear Jane
I take the first sheet of fine striped paper to thank you for your letter from Weymouth and express my hope of you being at Ibthorp before this time. Darcy and I have safely returned from Winchester, where I took time to pay my respects to our creator, the talented Miss Austin, who rests in Winchester Cathedral. It was a balmy Sunday afternoon and it was my intention to stay for Evensong, having laid my tribute at her grave. I was, however, thwarted in my endeavour. For as soon as I entered the Cathedral gardens, I was confronted by a surge of people, a very crowd of the congregation they call Methodist.
Upon enquiry I ascertained that they had commandeered our beloved Cathedral for the afternoon (and much of the evening it transpired), in order to ordain their deacons and presbyters. There was a marked air of celebration as I became caught in their evangelical fervour and decided to join their throng.
My attention was at once drawn to their attire and I surmised that Methodists are a respectable, practical people. I observed that muslin and silk gave way to light cotton in mainly shades of blue and navy. I am sure their lack of ostentation would shock many of our company.
The service was quite appropriately liturgical and indeed I found myself able to partake in a number of the hymns. A sensitive passion entered the proceedings when the preaching began with an exposition of what it meant to be a worthy servant of God. Worthy was defined as commendable, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable, creditable, precious and valuable. The Ordinands were commended on their worthiness which came through their relationship with Christ and their response to his call upon their lives. They were to be relieved of the unrealistic burden of perfection and to look to the Spirit for help and sustenance in all that they were called to do.
When they came to making their vows of preaching the word and sacrament and seeking the lost respectively, I found myself praying that a double portion of the Spirit may be upon them to equip them in all that they were called to do. Of particular poignancy was their promise to ensure that nobody should suffer through their neglect and I prayed for the gift of wisdom and good female common sense.
When the deacons finally came to make their vows the sun was setting through the great West Window and the light reflecting through the stained glass set in motion a positive kaleidoscope of colour.
This brings me finally to the heart of my correspondence with you my dear Jane. I observed that both men and women together were ordained, presided at Table and preached the word and, for the first time, deacons were ordained alongside presbyters. Such an equality between men and women and different stations was most gladdening and at one with my own inclination. Yet, however, I would counsel the uttermost caution in conversation with our own Mr Collins and his benefactor the formidable Lady Catherine De Burgh. I am sure such practice within the remit of our very own Anglican Cathedral would precipitate an attack of the vapours on both their parts.
Having conveyed this most important news to you I bid you adieu.
My fondest love to Bingley and the children
Your affectionate sister
Lizzie.