The Ash Wednesday Service that Crash led in partnership with three other partner churches was recently coverage in a national newsletter. One of the partner churches, St. George’s Anglican Community, is a part of The Anglican Mission in the Americas. The following is an article that was written by Shelly Miller in the Communications office of the AiMA. Ken Pettis, one of our favorite “Crashsters”, got to share some cool stories during the second half of the piece. See the article below.
-Scott
Diversity of Expressions Share Common Conviction
Shortly before celebrating their one year anniversary as a church plant, St. George’s Anglican in Phoenix, Arizona, partnered with three congregations, North Phoenix Baptist (NPB), Desert Mission Anglican and Open Door Fellowship, to host an Ash Wednesday service for over 200 people; a first time experience for two thirds of those attending.
Publicized through Facebook, church web-sites, blogs, and fliers, St. George’s Rector, Shane Copeland explains, “These churches have never done anything together and our host site, Open Door Fellowship, had never held an Ash Wednesday service on their campus. This all came together out of relationships with leaders that go back almost twenty years. People from each congregation had a part in the service and it was an incredible night!”
“I attended my first Ash Wednesday service last year and knew it was a key component of Lent that I wanted to incorporate into our worship at NPB this year,” shares Scott Savage, Ministry Associate for College and Young Adults. “Shane and I meet regularly over coffee to get to know one another and look for opportunities to work together. This service is a way to observe our common convictions that respects everyone’s tradition.”
Fifteen newly released convicts were sitting in the crowd that evening, under the care of Ken Pettis, member of NPB and Director of Prison Transition Services, a mentoring ministry for successful re-entry into society.
“The entire event was meaningful to them because of the way Shane explained every part of the service,” explains Ken. The clerical collars were a bit shocking at first because they weren’t used to seeing that. I wanted them to experience the rich heritage we have as Christians in traditional worship and this was definitely a significant learning experience.”
To Ken’s surprise every one of the men chose to go forward and receive ashes. Because of their own brokenness and deep mourning over sin they identified with Jesus suffering, His forgiveness of their sin and the hope they have in Christ for a bright future.
“These men hope people will be open to them as they transition back into society. Offering a choice of grape juice during communion is perceived as a sign of acceptance since they cannot drink alcohol while on parole,” shares Ken. “They were learning how to be open as well; to different expressions of worship as followers of Christ. Most were moved to tears.”
After the service, all fifteen piled out of a van to pick up food at a local grocery store. Still donning a cross of ashes upon their forehead, they became immediately aware of cashiers and stockers throughout the store that were also wearing ashes.
“They identified with men and women they never knew,” explains Ken, “and felt part of the universal church. This experience impacted them in a powerful way.”
Powerful! “They identified with men and women they never knew,” explains Ken, “and felt part of the universal church. ”
Gives me goosebumps and tears of rejoicing!
Very cool.
To be or not to be…is it proper to say that we create holidays or special events to proclaim our faith? For example let us take Ash Wednesday. Is this something that was taken via (1) polytheism or in better terms a Catholic method of worship? In a breath, diluting the word in time will eliminate the true meaning or even adding to the word will eventually confuse the true word until it no longer has the fiber or spirit in which it was written. I understand that each of us is looking for some kind of identity in ourselves which is also reflected in our proclaiming, “Hey look at me! I’m a Christian!” Circling back around to the tread of this thought that are we trying to blend faiths so none of us feel left out or maybe part of a larger family?
I am proud to be a Christian on values which do not rely on paganism. Or should I simply say that I am completely quixotic in my zeal to prove my love and have forgotten the laws? Now some will say my insipidness has left me and my razor sharp criticism or a harmless act of love is just that…harmless. So once a year we put charcoal on our foreheads to relate to “his” death, hid easter eggs to celebrate his ascension, and then hangs lights to celebrate “his” birth. No wonder he calls us this children, we act that way.
Polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple deities, such as gods and goddesses. These are usually assembled into a pantheon, along with their own mythologies and rituals. Many religions, both historical and contemporary, have a belief in polytheism, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Ancient Greek Polytheism, Chinese folk religion, Neopagan faiths and Anglo-Saxon paganism.
Polytheists do not usually worship all the gods equally, but are monolatrists, specialising in the worship of one particular deity. Other polytheists can be kathenotheists, worshiping different deities at different times.
Polytheism is a type of theism (belief in one or more gods), but contrasts with monotheism (belief in a singular god), which is the dominant belief in the world today. In certain religions, such as Hinduism and Wicca, it is believed alongside pantheism or panentheism, with the various deities seen as emanations of a greater Godhead.
Thanks for bringing your “quixotic” approach to this conversation. I think it is always important to think critically about the traditions which are passed through the ages and to make sure that we are not following either of two dangerous paths. One, moving through an experience unconsciously, disengaged from what is really happening. Two, moving through an experience giving meaning and significance beyond what is appropriate or healthy. Your background and experience are a great instructor to you and others about these dangers. thanks for commenting.
Scott – And all along I thought no one read these things. You comments at the last service which I attend you mention the blogs. See I do pay attention. More importantly is our freedoms which allow us individuality in how we worship. With all due fiduciary my input is to stimulate thought…which you have given. I asked my dad once if the house was on fire what would be the first thing he would get out. He smiled and replied, “me.” With the exit signs clearly posted do we know what is the most important if our spiritual house was on fire? I do…me. Seven
See Michael – I know you listen (probably closer than many), and I invite people to read so we can spark discussion like this. I love your blend of eclectic spiritual experience, business savy (you are the first person to use the word “fiduciary” on this blog) and willingness to wade into deep water by declaring your position publicly.
And you and your dad continue to crack me up.
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