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Face to Face: Gay & Lesbian Clergy on Holiness & Life Together

Author:	Jeffrey Heskins
Published By:	SCM Press (London)
Pages:	189
Price:	£14.99
ISBN:	0 334 04003 5

Reviewed by Chris Skilton.

Most denominations (some more publicly than others) are engaged in discussion and debate (if not serious argument) about what are coyly called “Lifestyle Issues”. Much of this revolves around attitudes to same-sex genital relationships between clergy and the thorny quandary about Civil Partnerships.

Jeffrey Heskins urges that what must happen, and by and large isn’t taking place, is a serious process of listening to the voice of gay clergy and their partners. Chapter 2 of this book is an important statement of the methodology he wants to follow, “a three way dialogue or conversation style that comprises their own perceptions, feelings and beliefs, those belonging to Church tradition and those of the contemporary situation under scrutiny” (p.22)

Heskins interviewed a number of gay clergy and their partners in taped conversations of about ninety minutes and uses those in the core of his book as they reflect on calls to ministry and priesthood, on their understanding of their relationship with each other, what it means to live a holy and godly life and how this relates to their current ministry and work. Heskins in his commentary points out the ambivalent attitude of many in authority in the church (which includes people like me!) and the climate of uncertainty and anxiety which this creates. There are moving testimonies to how a relationship with another person has enriched the relationship with God and vice versa. All the voices we hear are very positive about the relationship which they are in and about the core calling to faith and Christian service.

In one respect the book does provide a rich opportunity to hear the voice of gay clergy, but this strength is also to me its weakness. We don’t truly hear their voice - we read snippets of taped conversation ordered and edited by Heskins in different chapters, used to illustrate his own thesis and arguments about the need for openness, recognition and affirmation of gay clergy. I would have preferred to read a transcript of the whole interview and conversation - because then I might truly have had an opportunity to listen.

I cavil too at the decision to use a phrase from the Marriage Service as the title of each chapter (e.g. To Have and to Hold From This Day…For Better or Worse…And This Is My Solemn Vow). This is to introduce a confusing element to the discussion that distracts from the intention to let some persuasive voices be heard.

Chris Skilton

 

 

 

The Rising; Living the Mysteries of Lent, Easter and Pentecost

Wendy M Wright

Darton, Longman and Todd

London

2004

£9.95

191pp

ISBN 0 232 52583 8

Many people use a ‘Lent Book’ as a resource for our journey through the season, but here is a book which takes us from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost. It is very helpful to follow through these major events in the church’s year in the company of the same person. She writes that “The layers of our lives are sewn together by the stitching of the Christian year” (p.11) There is a chapter for each week, usually based on the Gospel reading from the Common Lectionary. Each one has a refreshing mix of reflection on the Biblical passage, use of spiritual classics (Catherine of Siena, Gregory of Nyasa, Clement of Alexandria, for instance, are quoted to good effect), poetry (Donne, Hopkins, Herbert) and personal experience. Some of the nuances of these were lost on me because of their American provenance - I can’t visualize flocks of sand cranebills ‘dancing’! However, Wright is able to move easily and naturally between each of these in well-written chapters that contain plenty of pauses for thought and reflection.

There are rich turns of phrase and ideas to pursue. She describes our Easter experience as where we are “met at the far limits of our resources with limitlessness”(p.118); on John 20: 23 she writes that “Forgiveness reconfigures relationships so that they might begin at a new starting point” (p.132). Some chapters will inevitably strike readers as more effective than others. I valued the one for Holy Saturday about what it meant for Jesus to descend into hell: the piece on Ascension about feet and dancing seemed more contrived.

This book could be used for personal devotion through this period; small groups could profitably read it together and preachers will find countless striking images and ideas to help preach on the passages. I thoroughly recommend this excellent book for ministers and congregations alike.