The weather on both days, dry pleasant and more like summer.
I suppose it was appropriate that Morning Worship today came from “Holy Trinity Platt” on the outskirts of Manchester. When I lived with my parents in Knutsford, Cheshire, between 1969 and 1975, I chose to worship at the Parish Church, St. John’s on Toft Road. The Rev’d John Wooldridge was the Vicar, Roy Weaver, his Curate. I think, mainly, I attended Evensong. Both clergy erred on the evangelical side, which didn’t sit too well with Mum and Dad. I joined the local youth group which would meet weekly in the vicarage on Gough’s Lane, a road of very expensive detached houses set in massive gardens, homes of the wealthy. It still is; whether the vicarage remains home to the Vicar of Knutsford, almost, unbelievably, fifty years later, I know not.
These memories were awakened because I was determined to watch this morning’s religious offerings on BBC 1 at the seemingly regular time of 10.45 hrs. It was at Holy Trinity Platt ( I assume Platt refers to Platt Fields) that some fifty years previously, I joined a few of my acquaintances from the Knutsford youth group, known as “Koinonia” (fellowship), for worship at this well known church. Holy Trinity, Platt was packed like a Rolling Stones concert, wall-to-wall Christians led by the then Bishop of Chester, Michael Baughen. I remember that service with less pleasure than my first experience of root canal surgery! My father was slightly amused that I referred to the church as “Holy Platt”. Bishop Baughen had rewritten the hymn book, replacing those familiar “songs of praise” from Hymns Ancient and Modern with ghastly watered down versions set to dumbed-melodies, few of which survive today.
So, what had changed since my very early twenties. As usual today, Morning Worship with just a handful of clergy (because churches remain closed, due to coronavirus), in the surrealistically empty building, was interspersed with snippets from Songs of Praise which came from there in 2017. Like 1970, the church was rammed with a wide cross section of society. All sang with the ecstasy of having just won the lottery. (Spiritually, they probably had!) Credit where it’s due. If once there was a pipe organ, now, there was a superb band of excellent musicians. The two who read from the Bible did so clearly, fluently and with appropriate confidence. The address (sermon) was inspiring without being over-the-top. I liked the analogy of children turning to their parents for comfort and reassurance; that we should turn to God for the same, was something “that I could see coming”. Nevertheless, it was a reassuring message, even for me. I may not like what is disparagingly referred to as “happy-clappy” worship, but, it does seem to work extremely well; the church being vibrant and progressive.
Yesterday, the promised lousy weather didn’t materialise and it’s still nice today. I feel as if I have made visible progress with the decluttering and tidying up of my house. I have come to terms with the continued irritation of not being able to get my hair cut. There was a little bit on the news about a new outbreak in China of covid 19, with resultant immediate lockdowns in the areas affected. Tomorrow, many shops will open for the first time since March. But, my vulnerability to the pandemic has not diminished and I will continue to be very cautious to where I chose to venture.
Thanks for reading, David. 14/6/20, 13.37 hrs.
David's Cruise 