From Mr Roger Doe
Sir, - I am an Anglican, and my wife is, or was, a Baptist.
Though we had our two children baptised as infants, we decided that
the children would be involved with both traditions until they were
able to decide for themselves. So they experienced alternately an
Anglican parish eucharist with vestments and servers and a Baptist
"family service" with the minister in a grey business suit.
Aged ten, our son asked to come with me to the eucharist every
week, and, aged 11, our daughter did likewise. Now on holiday in
Devon, we all attended an Anglican parish eucharist celebrated with
similar dignity last Sunday, and today (1 February) my wife told me
that she wished to be received into the Church. It was all about
the dignity of the worship, including the robes.
Unless "robes" mean a crumpled surplice with "I-have-been-to"
academic hood and funereal black scarf, robes have great meaning
for young people. We suspect, however, that those who do not want
to wear them are not thinking about their relevance as much as
playing at being more Baptist than Baptists. Let us be proud of our
Anglican tradition.
ROGER DOE
Roseland House, Saxonhurst Road
Bournemouth BH10 6JH
From Canon John Goodchild
Sir, - The Revd Dr Andrew Atherstone (Comment, 31
January) suggests that congregations be allowed to choose what
clergy wear. But local expressions need to be combined with
catholic awareness.
The robed minister who has been ordained and licensed by the
bishop symbolises a congregation's part in the diocese, the
world-wide Anglican Communion, and the history of the Church.
Members of a congregation might wish to express their faith in
their own way, but a contemporary worship song should not be
allowed to replace the Nicene Creed on every occasion.
The clergy's uniform gives assurance that they are trained and
under authority, not just people claiming individual credentials or
approved by a local group. The C of E is diocesan, not
congregational.
JOHN GOODCHILD
39 St Michaels Road
Liverpool L17 7AN