Church matters.

Byline: By Francis Wood

Associate CHURCHES

"So could the Anglican Communion become autocephalous?" asked the taximan as we waited for the traffic to clear at the Haymarket. I was surprised he knew the word but we were discussing the present threat of schism within the Communion. "What would that mean?" he asked. I realized he was using a word he had heard used in the back of the cab. I explained that autocephalous was used of churches of the Orthodox tradition ( Greek, Serbian, Russian or elsewhere. It means they all have their own presiding bishop or metropolitan, maintaining their own traditions but retaining communion one with another.

This is different from the Uniat Churches of the Roman tradition, who recognize the papal supremacy but retain their own distinct liturgy. The worldwide Anglican Communion is moving towards a future similar to one of these. Archbishop Rowan Williams favours exploring a system of associate churches.

The trouble with the Anglican Church is one of authority ( who makes the decisions? For far too long questions of authority have been shelved, settled or ignored by gentlemen's agreement, but now some questions, like those of homosexuality, demand more than that.

YESTERDAY'S MAN?

Nobody respects the man who retires and then goes round criticising his successor. It happens in management, the professions and in the Church. When a vicar retires it is generally recognized that he should clear out of the parish and retire quietly! However popular he was during his incumbency he should leave the next man (or woman) to get on with the job. Not so with George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury. Now Lord Carey, on a lecture tour of the United States, is quoted saying, "When I left the Church of England it was in good shape." What does he hope to gain by such utterances?

FAITH IN THE COUNTRY

A country vicar friend of mine was visiting one of his flock, a shepherd up on the hills. As he entered the cottage he found the old man reading the Bible with enthusiasm. "Hello, Dan," said my friend, "I didn't know you were acquainted with the scriptures." "No, no, vicar," came the reply, "I'm looking for a good name for my new sheepdog."

DIARY DATES

SUNDAY: Longhorsley Bible Convention.

Meetings at 11am, 3.30pm and 6pm

College Valley Service. 5.30pm singing, 6pm service.

All Saints Gosforth. Chamber Choir and Orchestra. Mozart's Coronation Mass. 7pm

MONDAY: Welcome Methodist Church, Cramlington. Thanksgiving and Memorial Service. 7pm

WEDNESDAY: Wallsend Memorial Hall.

Ceilidh and Supper (for St Luke's). 7pm

THURSDAY: St Mary's Monkseaton.

New Tyneside Orchestra and King's School Choir launch flower festival. 7.30pm

FRIDAY: Holy Saviour, Milbourne (Ponteland).

Three-Day Flower Festival begins 11am

St Mary's RC Cathedral. Induction Mass for Fr Peter Leighton as new dean. 7.30pm

NEXT SATURDAY: Walbottle Methodist Church. Flower Festival. 10am-4pm

St Mark's Shiremoor. Summer fair (with bacon stotties) 11am

St Columba's Wideopen. Summer Fair. Noon-3pm

St James', Benwell Lane, Newcastle. Summer fair. 2-4pm

Wesley Methodist Church, Low Fell. Summer fair. 2-4pm

St Margaret's Scotswood. Summer fair. 2-4pm

St Hugh's Gosforth. Concert by Savoyard Singers and Strawberry Tea. 2.15pm

Durham Cathedral. Miners' Festival Service. 3pm

NPlease send items for Church Matters to Francis Wood, 52 Albemarle Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3NQ or telephone [phone]