Dear Friends
As we begin our service, they begin their trial
As we meet to support Ecclesia they meet to judge
As we meet in solidarity they meet in legality
As we begin in prayer, so do they
We are us and they are them
Yet we are one
We are them and they are us
As a body within Your body
We feel and see Flesh parting – from a flogging
The paschal range is played out before us
Hasty trials
Expedient decisions
Multiple denials
Bystanders from a distance
Courage
Some help to carry the cross
Mocking, hate, rejection,
Many victims
The state watches, bemused
Blood and water flow, separated
The water no longer offering the eternal welcome of Baptism
We trust You Lord to have the last word.
AMEN
[This is a prayer written by my colleague Rev. John Wessels. John prayed this prayer at a service that was held in support of and in solidarity with Rev. Ecclesia de Lange. The service of solidarity took place at the exact time as the Church appeal court met to decide on Ecclesia’s future as a Methodist minister as a result of her marrying her partner Amanda on the 15th December 2009. This past Wednesday we heard that Ecclesia had been discontinued as a Methodist Minister. If you would like to know more about Ecclesia you can collect a copy of “Ecclesia’s Story” from the back table. In grief, Alan]
Sunday, 21 February 2010
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