2011 April | Religion & Values

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One last thing on the royal wedding

Posted by religion

on April 29, 2011 at 6:29 pm

Tammy Mass (pictured) didn’t mind traipsing through the mall today with a tiara on top of her head.

Mass, 51, an administrative assistant at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, said her head adornment was her way of paying homage to the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

I ran into Mass today when I was interviewing All Souls’ rector the Rev. Patrick Bright for a story.

She said she wore the tiara to lunch at the mall food court even though her 24-year-old daughter didn’t believe she would do it.

Mass said she watched the royal wedding and couldn’t help but think of Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana, whose wedding she watched years ago. She said she also loved the Bishop of London’s wedding homily and found it to be very relevant.

As for wearing the tiara to the mall, Mass laughted and said she didn’t see why she should take it off for lunch. It was obviously eye-catching.

“It does attract attention at the mall, at the food court,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mass and Bright said about 30 women who are members of the church met there in the wee hours of the morning to watch the royal wedding together on the big screen in the church’s family life center.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Rumblings of a (possible) perfect storm

Posted by religion

on April 29, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Only the Thunder could bring about the perfect storm.

If the Memphis Grizzlies triumph over the San Antonio Spurs Friday, downtown Oklahoma City churches will suddenly have one more huge event to contend with on Sunday.

Some downtown churches are already operating on an adjusted scheduled due to Sunday’s Memorial Marathon, while members of some ministries are preparing to deal with the street closures and heavy traffic associated with the event.

Some of the churches, like First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, are having their Sunday service on Saturday as a way to head-off traffic and scheduling issues on race-day.

This year, with the last day of the Festival of the Arts — one of the event’s busiest — on Sunday as well, even more people are expected in the downtown.

And now, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s success may deposit even more crowds onto the streets of downtown: The first Grizzlies vs. Thunder playoff game is scheduled for noon Sunday.

At least one church leader, the Rev. Susan Joplin, said “It’s a good problem to have.”

“I think it’s absolutely thrilling that we have so many things going on downtown,” said Joplin, a canon at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW 7.

“I keep calling it a renaissance. Something new is happening in ways that we haven’t seen in a long time in Oklahoma City.”

While the NBA game could pose a surprise challenge for some downtown ministries, Joplin said it shouldn’t be an issue for St. Paul’s.

She said this year, the church is having “casual day” and encouraging members to dress informally. Also, she said the church is inviting runners to an outdoor Runner’s Communion Service at 10:30 a.m. in the church’s new labyrinth. She said St. Paul’s also is offering tours of the church beginning at noon.

“We just decided to go with the flow rather than fighting against it,” Joplin said. “We are in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. Let’s be part of that heartbeat.”

Meanwhile, the Rev. Mark McAdow, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, said most members of his church at 131 NW 4 will be immersed in marathon activities on Sunday.

“For us, it (noon Sunday playoff game) will be fine. With the marathon, we’re not having services anyway,” he said.

McAdow’s church offers activities through its Second Wind Ministries, such as a service for runners and their families on Saturday, and a free pancake breakfast and children’s play area on Sunday. Many of the church’s members also will serve as course marshals for the marathon.

McAdow said he’s not the type to be distressed about the game time and its possible ramifications regarding crowds and traffic, although he said he’s sorry the game is starting so early.

“I’m not the kind of guy to get upset about something like that,” he said.

“We need to support each other.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Royal wedding sermon

Posted by religion

on April 29, 2011 at 5:43 pm

OK, I wasn’t the only one interested in the Bishop of London’s wedding sermon for Prince William and his new bride.

A reader noticed that the link to the entire sermon text that I posted did not work.

I’ve posted a new link there that should work.

Also, I’m posting the link here: Bishop of London’s royal wedding homily

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Royal Wedding tidbits

Posted by religion

on April 29, 2011 at 12:54 pm

I got up this morning to watch the royal wedding, partly because I had watched Prince William’s parents tie the knot years ago.

I have to admit, my first impressions were whimsical: I loved all the hats the women wore and I thought both Prince William and his brother Prince Harry looked handsome in their uniforms.

Of course, I thought Kate looked lovely and her wedding dress was beautiful.

Then I was curious about the wedding ceremony itself and I was touched by it.

I was struck by the regal voice of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. I’ve seen quite a few pictures of the man but never heard him speak.

Most inspiring was the homily delivered by the Bishop of London Richard Chartres.

What’s interesting is the great quote that he used to begin his sermon: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Chartres said it is a quote by St. Catherine of Siena whose feast day is today.

That caught my attention because I happened to do a story recently about Sister Nancy Murray who portrays St. Catherine of Siena in a one-woman play. Murray, who is the sister of comedian Bill Murray, presented the play as a fund-raiser earlier this month for Sacred Heart Catholic School in El Reno.

Anyway, hearing the quote by St. Catherine was a pleasant surprise this morning and very apropos for the wedding homily.

In fact, the entire sermon was inspired.

If you are interested in what the Bishop of London had to say, I’ve included a link to the text below.

Royal wedding: Bishop of London’s homily

(AP PHOTO/Clara Molden, Pool) : Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge surrounded by Archbishop Rowan Williams, right, Prince Harry, second from right, and Michael Middleton, left, in Westminster Abbey, London during their wedding ceremony today.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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