March 2010 Message

Dear Friends at All Saints',

Church was easy at the beginning of the 19^th century: a small Book of Common Prayer; two readings; a psalm or two; several hymns, a very long sermon. That was it. Holy Communion was rare, vestments virtually non-existent, no candles, no brass, no bells, definitely no “smells”, no altar hangings (the “altar” was called “board” or “table”), no chanting, no acolytes. It was basically a one-man show: the minister's.

A jolt had gone through the Anglican Church when, beginning in Oxford, a movement spread throughout the world, transforming our worship, and, indeed, our understanding of what the church is. The Oxford Movement professed and promulgated a radical idea: that the Church of England (including its sister churches overseas) was not the brainchild of a power-hungry king (Henry VIII) but the continuing church of Jesus Christ, i.e. the holy catholic and apostolic church and nothing else. Soon the beauty of ancient worship was rediscovered, especially the form and format of the Eucharistic liturgy. That our worship today is done “with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28) must be credited to the efforts of men like James De Koven whom we remember on March 22. He was a priest and professor at Nashotah House, Wisconsin, probably our church's most serious and committed seminary. He fought for, and reclaimed with vigor, our catholic heritage, the meaning of things we now often take for granted as Episcopalians: the candles and colors, the sounds of organ, bells, and other instruments, the dignity of worship “with Angels and Archangels”, the rich symbolism of our liturgies. Without him, we could do away with the Altar Guild, the Acolyte, Lay Reader, Eucharistic Visitor Programs, the Spiritual Life Team, and much more.

James De Koven paid a price for his commitment: twice he was denied consent to his election as bishop. In the paranoid fear of “popish” customs the initial response was to clamp down on the radicals.

131 years after De Koven's death we need to ask ourselves what he, and others like him, would think of the shallow informality, the trivialization of the Numinous, the folksy sloppiness that have crept into the church. At our recent vestry retreat it was felt that the quality of our worship is of utmost importance to us, that it is a treasure that needs to be guarded “against moths, rust, and thieves”. Catholic (the word means all-encompassing) worship involves all, leaves space for all, does not manipulate any one. It has no actors, no audience, no program. It follows the gentle living stream of tradition, still offering its clean water to thirsty souls who come in from the parched land of personality cult, split screens, incessant talking, and pop-crooners who deliver the flavor of the day.

May the solemn liturgies of Lent and especially Holy Week bless and touch you as we pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, the source and perfection of all virtues, who didst inspire Thy servant James to do what is right and to preach what is true: Grant that all ministers and stewards of Thy mysteries may afford to Thy faithful people, by word and example, the knowledge of Thy grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Georg Retzlaff+