THE P
RTAL
My Journey to the Ordinariate
by Anna Rane
April 2011 Page 10
My journey is a strange one – although others may have had similar rather eclectic experiences !
When asked how I became a Christian I answer , “ My parents took me to church as a child ”. However , my Mum had always been to the Methodist chapel like her parents - despite my Nan being from Belgium and a Roman Catholic ! My Granddad ’ s family were staunch “ chapel ”. My Dad is C of E , but we followed my Mum , so I was Baptised in a Methodist Church .
Sunday School was well meant but apart from some Bible stories I don ’ t recollect much else . The older ladies who did Sunday School tried to set up a village club consisting of board games but that didn ’ t last long as no-one in the village came .
My Sister was good friends with a farming family and they went to a Baptist Church five miles away and the Dad drove a battered minibus picking up people in the village , so she started attending and I followed . They were a young persons ’ dream bible study , prayer , worship and youth group all rolled into one , and Sunday School which catered for different ages . This gave an excellent grounding in my faith . It became real – not just a bunch of Bible stories . Plus the minibus with seats along each side which tipped over when you went around a bend was great fun at the time !. As my faith grew I made the decision to be baptised as an adult – yes a second baptism ! I stood in the pulpit and told everyone about my faith , and then a group of us were dunked to the chorus of the hymn Low in the grave He lay “ Up from the grave He arose ...”.
Change number three was going to University . I joined the Christian student group but it was sickly sweet , so I started going house church in a local school . This was welcoming but like many at this age I slipped away . I met this guy who kept asking me out . I didn ’ t even consider going out with him as one of my housemates fancied him . We would often chat at student union Disco ’ s , often about our faith . I felt we were poles apart . He said he was Anglo-Catholic ; which I did not understand . I felt Catholics worshipped Mary , so didn ’ t feel he was a Christian ! However my friend was persistent and we started going out together . After many deep and meaningful conversations I met his parents . I had the privilege of asking his Dad , who was a C of E priest , very pointed questions . I will forever be indebted for this opportunity . We went to the local Church of England Church and thus began my journey into the Anglo-catholic faith and my Confirmation .
Mary ’ s “ Yes ” to God
I soon discovered much more about my faith . It took me a while to accept that I wasn ’ t worshipping Mary but honouring her for saying “ yes ”. Now I sing “ Ave Maria ” with such gusto ! I love the symbolism in Catholicism . It adds such a richness to worship .
The debates about women priests came . It was inevitable that they would be permanent . By this time we had married and started a family . The C of E has affected us . We could not go to our local village Church where there was a woman priest , so we went to a church 15 minutes away . Then the priest left and the local Bishop was divisive . He ensured the resolutions were rescinded . The vote deliberately took place when faithful PCC members were unable to attend . Lies were told about the timescale of the vote .
The Ordinariate
So we left . We currently go to a church thirty minutes away . We love it and are a part of the family . However women bishops are on the horizon and the Ordinariate gives us a haven where we can practice our faith without worrying about it being ‘ safe ’. Our parish priest wants to join us , but for justifiable reasons cannot come yet . Members of our congregation want to come but we do not know how many will be ready to leave on Ash Wednesday . Our nearest group will be 45 minutes away . We hope this will change as more realise the C of E cannot provide for people who do not want a church which will have women bishops , marry same-sex couples , and other laxities in the name of being ‘ all inclusive ’.
We are a faith with a distinct doctrine and need to keep hold of this . It is frustrating that we have to be reconfirmed but that is a small sacrifice to pay for following God ’ s will , especially compared to priests who may lose financial security and stability . As I explained to my 10 year old son , we should be proud to take opportunities to share our faith as Christ told us and reconfirmation is a public way of doing this .