THE BLENDING OF THE THREE VINTAGE CHURCHES by Tom Leonard

                                       THE BLENDING OF THE THREE VINTAGE CHURCHES

                                                                      by Tom Leonard

                                                   

                                                                             

                     

                                      Can the three vintage churches on Embro's hilly slopes

                                      blend in truly Christian harmony?

                                      Can the post-colonialist traditions of George St,

                                      accommodate the local parish attitudes of Broughton,

                                      And community-based, interfaith Greenside?

                                      Only if the merger seeks to attract all manner of people

                                      to broaden our congregations,

                                      People whose Kingdom of Heaven is attained by 

                                       Human decency and deeds,

                                      Rather than the foolishness of faith alone,

                                      People dedicated to the purposeful pursuit of

                                       Giving help and integrity to all others,

                                      People who serve from the grass roots,

                                      Just like the Apostles did

                                      Rather than rule like the Pharisees and Romans,

                                                                          

                                      The All-Seeing One that lives in my head

                                      Proposes an ongoing vigorous debate

                                       Regarding the true nature of the Holy Trinity:

                                      The Living Entity that creates us,

                                      The Messiah that bonds us together,

                                       And the sentient spirit that moves among us.

                                       By this debate we will learn how to forgive,

                                       And how to handle the monsters within and around us.

                                       In achieving this merger we can then contribute fresh dignity 

                                       to the human race and nature around us.

     Notes for informal meeting on 1 May 2022:

          We're clearly looking to increase the number of people attending the three churches. As the churches are a bit diverse in nature, a debate between the congregations would be desirable as the merger materialises , this could consider future directions for the combined churches, together with the sorts of people we are aiming to attract most while seeking a way forward,

I personally think that we should try to attract the sorts of people who achieve their kingdom of heaven by human decency and helping others rather than over focussing on faith, those who proceed in the Holy Spirit without necessarily realising that they're doing so. I think that children should be encouraged to be spiritual and that religion should be described to them rather than prescribed,

9 May 2022 We've just been reading the minutes for a couple of General Assemblies. The Church clearly needs to change its entire outlook as a 'state institution'.