Dear Friends,
The Young Rite has been
active the last few months and continues to grow.
Belgium
As of Sunday the 5th of September 2010 the Young Rite has a new circle in Gent, Belgium.
Reverend Marc Croux was ordained to the priesthood on the 24th of May this year. He has
now received the authorisation to celebrate the public services of the Young Rite and has
constituted the Circle of the Dancing David. Marc is our first Belgian priest and we trust
that he will soon have an active circle with enthusiastic participants.
Slovenia
The Centre of Sophia in Celje now boasts an impressive library containing several thousand
books and two part-time librarians. The Eucharist is celebrated regularly and a programme
of lectures, study groups and other activities provide inspiration to a growing group of
spiritually minded people.
South Africa
In South Africa Reverend Jannie has been busy setting up the Centre of Sophia. The centre
will host services and study groups. A new website is in the make: www.centreofsophia.org .
Consecration for the
Order of Ecumenical Franciscans
On the 14th of August 2010 Sr. Magdalena and Br. Thomas (Alyssa and Colin Stebbing) were
consecrated to the Episcopacy in the Newington Green Unitarian Church in London. The
Eucharist was celebrated by +Louise and Right Reverend Alistair Bate CCP conferred the
consecration. +Alistair was assisted by the co-consecators Most Reverend Andrew Linley,
Most Reverend John Kersey, Right Reverend Adrian Glover and Right Reverend Louise Lombard.
Alyssa and Colin Stebbing dedicate their work as bishops to Saint Clare and Saint Francis
and are active for their Order in Texas USA.
Liturgy
With the assistance of Most Reverend Dean Bekken of the Universal Catholic Church, the
Director of St Alban Press, a printed liturgy is now available. Copies may be purchased
from the St Alban Press (www.stalbanpress.com).
The Holy Eucharist
The "workhorse" of the Liberal Catholic community is undoubtedly the Holy
Eucharist. Bishop Markus explains his views on the inner working of the Eucharist and why
this service is so compelling to so many people in his latest book The Pillars of the
Temple. For example: "Therefore I contend that a collaboration between
humans and invisible entities arises in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In the
first part material is brought in: A physical environment in which the work may be
executed, energy, emotion and thought, all purified and brought in by those present at the
celebration. These are the raw materials. During the second part these raw materials are
accepted and transformed into something larger than the sum of its parts. It is
consecrated, set apart as an influence to encourage and stimulate the progression along
the path of evolution. The third part sees this applied to the environment, to both
individual and collective gain. During the entire process, from beginning to end, the
participants play their role. And participation stimulates the individual development.
Irrespective the nature of the entity we regard as participant. The development they go
through isn’t a sort of present, a pat on the back, but is due to their own
efforts." The book is available via Inspiration Press (http://Press.InspirationDevelopment.nl).
