Edgy Things

Posted by Warren Hartley

My partner and I went away for the weekend recently just for a few days relaxation away from our laptops, mobile phones and work which are our almost constant companions.  As is our habit when we go away, we had done a little research online to see if there was a church nearby that we could go to on Sunday.  Sadly we don't feel like we could just turn up the nearest church to our hotel and be confident that the vicar or the congregation would be comfortable to have a gay couple worshipping with them.  

So having done our homework, we found a magnificent old church that was middle of the road high church so it suited both myself and my Roman Catholic partner. The service was quite nice with a good choir and friendly people in the congregation.  As we were leaving the church, on our way to hire bikes for the day, the vicar engaged us in conversation.  He was both friendly and welcoming and asked me if I had a parish connection back in Liverpool.  I naturally mentioned that I worshipped at St Bride's.  He gave a wry smile and said, "Oh yes, I know St Brides, I've been there myself several times in the past...they do quite edgy things there at St Bride's".  I found this comment very amusing at the time and quite heartily agreed. As I reflected on this during the day as we cycled round beautiful coastal paths and ate ice cream on the beach, it saddened me a little.  Now, I sincerely believe the vicar meant the comment as a positive attribute however the fact that the progressive, creative and inclusive community that is St Bride's is uncommon enough to be remarked upon is a sad thing.  

I long for the day when all church/faith communities are creative and inclusive communities where people can come together to learn, to grow and to discover the God who created us all in our myriad of differences, gifts and weaknesses.  I'm idealistic enough to believe that the church should actually be an edgy institution that is leading the way to make this vision a reality rather than the multiple institutions we have, each carving out smaller and smaller circles and smaller and smaller boxes for people to live within.  I count myself so blessed to be part of a church community where I can grow and be encouraged and to do "edgy things".  Is St Bride's perfect?  God save us from such a fate!  Instead I pray for self awareness, sensitivity and compassion to keep doing what we are good at, grow in areas where we need to and be humble enough to admit we get it wrong from time to time.  That sounds like a much healthier model of community to me. 

So "edgy things"?  Bring 'em on St Brides!