It was a Grand Day Out

Today marks the 1 month anniversary of my arrival in England, and I have been very naughty in the fact that I have not yet posted any update on my time here. I was especially naughty in the fact that I did not even post that I had arrived in England or arrived at my placement site.  Today I break this habit.

Yesterday, I was blessed with the opportunity to explore Oxford.  My exploration of Oxford was not in the traditional tourist sense, but as part of the Grand Day Out the Oxford Diocese had planned as a farewell to Bishop John Pritchard who retires next month.  It was a day of worship, education, and spiritual renewal.

The entrance to Christ Church Common, where the open air worship was held.

Church events are always great at hosting a wide variety of seminars which cover subjects from social justice to styles of worship and prayer to personal stories of faith.  I’ve been to quite a few conferences and have been able to listen to some amazing speakers, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Sara Miles, Marty Haugen, and many others.  Yesterday I was able to attend a seminar on how the architecture of churches reveals the identity of the congregation and its history.

The amazing fan vault ceiling

As an example we toured the Oxford Cathedral, which is an interesting combination of sacred and scholastic purposes.  The focus of the talk was not about the gorgeous interior and design of this 900 year old church, which I had expect, but on the discontinuities that were found in and around the building.  The speaker, a former architecture professor and current curate, spoke about how those period changes showed the evolution of the church and its priorities and culture.   He spoke about how it’s the overlooked details that show the minute theology of a congregation.

The cathedral tower which shows Norman, Romanesque,
and early English architecture.

The floor displays the virtues which bring us
 closer to God, represented by the altar.

I could write a 10 page post about this amazing cathedral, its history, and the lessons learned, and I could write an additional 10 pages about this spiritually renewing and inspiring event.  However, I realize this is a subject I geek out over and will stop myself before it’s too late. 

Christ Church Cathedral seen from the plaza.  It's the tower on the left.

Instead, I challenge you to take a new look at your church next time you go.  Don’t pay attention to the grand stained glass window or decorative elements around the altar.  Take a look at the artwork and photos that you pass by everyday and never truly notice, such as Sunday school rooms and fellowship halls, and the way additions are built onto your sanctuary.  Find the sacred in the more overlooked aspects of church and life because God is everywhere.

Angel figurine which sat upon the lectern.

As always if you have any questions, or would like to know more about something, please feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Peace,

Elise