2) Vision: secrecy and publicity
This sermon, the second of a series of four on the St.Thomas renewal project, was preached on 22nd February 2009. The gospel reading was Mark 9:2-9
Sermon series
Today is the second of a four week series of sermons about the renewal project here at St.Thomas.
Last week I spoke about the history of this building, and the centrality of our witness to Jesus Christ through the ages.
The reading was from the first chapter of John's gospel which spoke of Christ as the source of all things, and John the Baptist, called to witness to him.
This week I want to move on, using our gospel passage from Mark to consider the process and timing of the renewal project and ask what's in it for us.
Gospel
Mark's gospel is a carefully crafted narrative, with key events placed at logarithmic points, rather like the lines on the road before a roundabout.
Half way: transfiguration; three quarters: cleansing of the temple, and so on giving a sense of acceleration towards Holy Week and Easter.
So the transfiguration acts as a pivot for the whole account of Jesus' ministry and it's message is very clear: Jesus is beyond any of the heroes of the Hebrew scriptures.
Greater than Moses or Elijah, God says of him, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”
So to that extent we find the same message as in last week's gospel from the beginning of John: Jesus is the unique revelation of God in human form, or as we would now say, the second person of the Trinity.
Secrecy
That message underlines further the centrality of Jesus in all that we do, and in particular the witness of this building to Jesus Christ in our community.
But there is a second message in today's story which is also very relevant to our plans for renewal here at St.Thomas.
In verse 9 we read, As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
As you know, this is part of a strand in Mark's gospel called 'the Messianic secret'.
We see it in chapter 5, after raising Jairus's daughter: “He strictly ordered them that no one should know this,”
and just before the transfiguration, when Peter recognises him as the Messiah, chapter 8, verses 29-30: Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Only those close to him, who are being taught about the significance of what they are seeing, and know the bigger picture, only they are let in on the secret
Process
How does that apply to our renewal project here?
It has a direct relevance to the PROCESS
Most of you will know that the project has its roots at least five years ago, well before I arrived.
Various letters and suggestions circulated about the pros and cons of pews versus chairs.
Previous vicars experimented with central altars.
attempts were made to improve our sound system and so on.
So what has happened since then?
Steering group
When it became clear that we would have to do major works, not least to the roof, the PCC set up a steering group to investigate options.
That group asked our architect, James Lunn-Rockliffe, to think broadly and imaginatively to come up with drawings of how things could be better.
The steering group selected the most promising options and asked James to work them up into more accurate and detailed drawings.
Disciples
At this stage in the process we simply want to inform YOU, the people most affected by all this, and ask for your comments and questions.
Hence the display and these sermons.
On the other hand, and this is where the gospel reading comes in, it's not yet openly public because the general public hasn't had the opportunity to journey with us and understand the full context.
People will find out, as they did about Jesus' ministry, but we shan't be holding open meetings just yet: we are still keeping it in the family.
There are two lists on the display: what we propose to do, and what we hope to gain. Let me summarise the lists very briefly, starting with the practical proposals:
Proposals
Fix the roof
Install flexible seating and staging
Commission a remote organ console.
Site an altar in the centre of the worship area.
Install a modern audiovisual system
Install video screens in locations with poor visibility, e.g. the galleries.
Redecorate throughout
Install efficient heating and lighting systems
Install more toilets in the hall complex.
There is more, so do have a look at the display over coffee afterwards.
Hopes
The second list is concerned with what we hope to gain from our proposals. Again here is a short summary:
New seating will be more comfortable for longer events, and all seats can face the action.
The space will be less cluttered in normal use, giving us a sense of space and peace.
An efficient heating system will make the church warmer in winter without costing more to run.
Moving the altar to centre will bring it closer to the congregation, and enable people in the side aisles to see.
A mobile organ console will allow the organ to be played from different locations depending on the event.
Space could be made sometimes for a small orchestra to enhance our worship.
The choir could face towards the congregation and so be heard better.
Modern lighting will show off the architecture, and other features, to best effect.
My hope is that all this will help us to take our beautiful choral Anglican liturgy to new heights of excellence.
Process continued
Please take the time to look at the full lists which are up on the display.
There are cards by the display for your questions or comments, so if you have a good idea, or if there's anything you need to ask, please let us know.
Now is the time, while we are still largely keeping the secret amongst ourselves, to share all our insights and hear what God is saying to us as a church.
Conclusion
Last week I tried to put this project in the context of the centuries-long history of renewing this church to aid our proclamation of Jesus Christ.
This week I have reflected on the gospel tension between secrecy and publicity.
I have also given some answers to the question, “What's in it for us?”, summarised as: flexibility, comfort and beauty.
Next week we shall be reflecting on Christ's Lenten time in the wilderness and to the question, “What's in it for the rest of the community?”
And we'll find that outward vision calls us to a change of hearts and minds.