Evangelical part two

 When I was at the (progressive) evangelical college - St. John's, Nottingham, UK  I  spent my parish year at a blue collar parish on a housing estate. 

It was dedicated to "St Martha the Housewife" would you believe it!.    That dedication did nothing to attract the housewives of the housing estate. 

The Vicar, Fr Alan Chappell was a self-described Prayer Book Catholic.

There I learned about the working class Anglo Catholic tradition, and about the meaning and purpose of Anglo Catholic Ritual.

A former member of the Plymouth Brethren learning to serve at the Altar!

Alan (Mirfield) was semi-closeted and gay. I learned to love and care for his wife,  We stayed in touch throughout the years.  Towards her end I visited them in Mansfield (UK).  Alan was her tender nurse.

When he died their son, (also a Michael), made sure that I could join in prayer at the time of his funeral.  Dear, dear Jean.  Dear, dear Alan.

I chose the determinedly Anglo Catholic Parish of All Saints in Notting Hill, London for my summer assignment. 

All Saints!   A Victorian Gothic building in all its splendour; with an outside "Calvary".

Here I encountered the best of the Anglo Catholic revival.

Here I first experienced 

"The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament".

I sat in the gallery lest I be tainted!

My verdict to Peter (the Rector):  "Theological untenable.  Emotionally wonderful!

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