Unity, diversity and conflict

We have just ended a very special Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in which, locally, we have shared in ecumenical celebrations with other brothers and sisters in Christ from the Málaga area. It has been a real blessing praying together with Roman Catholics and Protestants of different traditions. But, like every year, all the good wishes of wanting to carry on meeting and praying and working together on Kingdom-furthering projects, are likely to end in just that: good wishes. At our local church, we are keen to rekindle the flame of interdenominational prayer gatherings, which used to be part of the life of our community until only four years ago. We are not sure what shape that will take, but we are keen to explore Contemplative Fire type gatherings, and a deeper involvement in the ecumenical Circle of Silence here in Málaga, which meets monthly in one of the central squares to stand in solidarity with, and pray for, refugees and migrants. 

Ultimately, however, unity is a gift from God; and so is diversity. We are blessed to be part of a diverse Christian community in Málaga, where folk of different ages, genders, backgrounds, nationalities, theological persuasions and sexual orientations, are able to share together the same space. We think of ourselves (and call ourselves) and inclusive Christian community. Yet, this past Sunday, we have been reminded by one of the lectionary readings (1 Cor. 1: 10-18), that where there are people (community, human relationships, etc) there conflict emerges. Or, put differently, that there is no relationship without conflict.  For us, the question is not, whether we will ever experience conflict in our own so-far-idyllic community? But rather, how will we manage conflict as a community when it comes? Will we do it with generosity, openness and honesty, talking to one another respectfully and with humility? Or will we start taking sides, antagonising one another, and claiming that only our view is the right one, as in the Corinthian church Paul wrote to?

In light of this, it is with deep sadness that I read the recent House of Bishops’ report on civil partnerships last week. Sadness, because despite being described as a “pastoral” document, it is one that is going to cause more division and pain than unity and healing. But, also, because on an issue such as human relationships, the leading pastors of the Church of England seem to be concerned not with relationship, but with sex. In fact, sex seems to be not just a concern, but an obsession. Is this the most pressing and pastoral/report worthy social issue in Britain today? Where are our bishops, some may ask, when a united pastoral response is needed to the ongoing refugee crisis, to people-trafficking, to child poverty, to social inequality, to teenage gang violence and knife deaths, or to the great social fracture provoked by Brexit? The conclusion of the five-page-long “pastoral statement” is that the church’s teaching on marriage remains “unchanged”, and that, therefore, “clergy of the Church of England should not provide services of blessing for those who register a civil partnership” – gay or (now) straight (too). Now, we all recognise that this is a source of conflict among Christians (including bishops) who have different views on the matter. Yet, the way in which the senior leaders of the Church of England have sought to respond to this conflict is neither pastoral, nor conducive to unity or real about diversity. Rather, it continues to unnecessarily antagonise, to blatantly exclude and to dangerously reduce and shrink the space of generous orthodoxy that Anglicanism has historically inhabited.

In the footsteps of St. John of the Cross in Segovia

San Juan de la Cruz spent the last three years of his life in Segovia, one of Spain’s most stunning historic cities. There, he purchased an old monastery from the Trinitarian brothers, and an adjacent plot of land on the edge of the city, by the river. The mystic and poet had a good eye for real estate. The location of the new community house has one of the best views of the old walled city, its castle and cathedral. It is also surrounded by nature, nested by a cliff, yet within walking distance to the city centre. John of the Cross, with the other brothers in the community, built the original house, carving stones from a small quarry on the grounds, and erecting walls for their new home. 

Guy and I have just returned from spending a couple of days in St. John’s house in Segovia, and sharing with the brothers and sisters in the community. They have welcomed us with open arms and have proudly shown us all the secret places that were dear to John. The rock where he used to sit to teach his novices, the little cave where he used to go by himself to pray in silence, even the inner wine cellar mentioned in the Spiritual Canticle.  

We have also had the chance to discuss with them our future Los Olivos retreat-pilgrimages there: to bounce ideas, explore themes and activities, and plan pilgrimage visits to Avila and Segovia. Their warmth and enthusiasm have been contagious. We cannot wait to go back and walk in the footsteps of the Spanish mystic with Los Olivos groups and fellow pilgrims from 2020. 

 Daniel walking in the footsteps of St John from the monastery to Segovia cathedral.

Below, pictures of the monastery's cloister and one of the chapels.

The sacrament of community

Yesterday morning we went to church in Málaga. Since we moved to the area we have been worshipping with an inclusive Christian community in the city centre. Originally established with the help of Dutch missionaries in the 1880s, this Protestant community has been through many ups and downs. Having struggled over the past decades, in the last year or so the community has entered a new season. A new young trainee pastor, Rubén, has encouraged new growth (numeric and spiritual), as new folk have joined the small Christian community and spiritual formation and discipleship initiatives have taken off.

Rubén will be ordained next month, but in the meantime, he has been leading us gently into embracing more and more Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom of God, which is bigger than the church, but which includes the local churches as sacramental expressions of community. Last week Rubén sent a very moving and encouraging message to everyone in the church whatsapp group that ended with the words, “SOMOS COMUNIDAD” (we are community). What a beautiful reminder that we are all connected, that our paths have crossed, and that we are invited to journey together as we follow in the footsteps of the Rabbi of Nazareth. 

Los Olivos has always been about celebrating community, and being pilgrim communities, for a short time, during our retreats together. It is wonderful to see that despite the changes we have introduced this year, hosting our retreats in new venues and having larger groups, the sense of community has been preserved and enhanced. At this time of fragmentation in the world around us, when loneliness and isolation affects so many in our towns and cities, sharing with others on the sacred ground of community is not just a nicety but a deeply healing and humanising gift!

 Members of the church council

El Redentor Protestant Church Community (Málaga)

The sacrament of creation

We are privileged to live close to the Sierra Nevada National Park, one of the most dramatic and stunning mountain ranges on the planet. When you walk on its trails, through its forests, by its rivers, you can hardly avoid feeling a deep sense of communion with God’s creation. Yesterday, we had one of those special hikes. Together with our friend Ingo (from The Garden of Lemons in the Lecrin Valley, Granada), we led a church group from Denmark who are visiting the area. During the 4 hour walk, we hiked the Cumbres Verdes (Green Summits) of the National Park, in conversation with the poetry of John of the Cross, with God and nature. During our poetry walk, we sauntered in silence, stopping in spots of outstanding beauty, to hear the mystic’s poetry read in Spanish, Danish and English, and to reflect on the poems in dialogue with the landscape. We ended with an informal act of worship: Morning Prayer (Los Olivos liturgies), including hymns and talk by the priest, Fr. Paul, in Danish, and the reading together of the Benedicite Sierra Nevada. All in all, a truly joyful time, but also a reflective and meditative one, receiving with gratitude the sacrament of creation.

Malaga Retreat Countdown

We have less than a month to go for our late Summer retreat! In just four weeks, Mark Burrows will be helping us explore the work of poets and theologians, mystics and activists, who have shaped the heart of the Christian tradition. Also, the works of those who gave their witness at the boundaries. All shared the conviction that wonder is the beginning of wisdom (Socrates), the impulse that opens our lives to the “more” that is always present among us. All knew, in their ways, that mystery shimmers in an infinite variety of ordinary, earthly forms.

During this month, we have enjoyed revisiting some of the places connected with this retreat, including the Malaga Botanical Gardens (below), the Pompidou Museum and the Malaga Diocesan Spirituality House. All the preparations are now in place to welcome our retreatants to Málaga for “A Sense of Wonder”, in just four weeks.