Pharisaios Journal Anniversary

Today, I was going to write about my adventure with my grandchildren to see "Shrek the Third", but having just received a personal email from the editors, noting the sixth anniversary of The Pharisaios Journal, I was drawn away from Shrek and toward the Diocese of Wenchoster. Shrek will keep for another day.

In the beginning:

The year was 2001 and it was coming up to Trinity Sunday. A Pharisaios Blog was already in existence publishing deep theological reflections on hemorrhoids and other sundry ecclesiastical topics; there had been a flurry of idea exchanges between the two Pharisaios editors, rumours of rumours, and dreams about a proper website. A second Blog then appeared with new chapters from the Curates in Space saga. And then, in a flash of lurid green, on the day of the feast itself, the Pharisaios Weekly was born.

Doesn't that whet your appetite for more? Sometimes when I reference their site, I worry that I quote beyond fair use, but it's hard to choose what to leave out. Please go visit, because there is more, so much more.

When you get there, be sure to scroll down and click on the Procession, which includes a letter from the bishop, songs, such as "The Haemorrhoids Song", diaries of a country cleric and a city cleric, and "I am the Bishop of the Diocese," with apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan, all of which are must-reads. An early edition of the journal references this news story:

A meeting took place yesterday, at an undisclosed location, of senior Anglican clergymen dedicated to opposing any moves to ordain women into Holy Orders in the Church of England. Calling themselves “Militant Innocents Against the Ordination of Women” (henceforth referred to as MIAOW) they set about devising a programme intended to mobilise their grass root supporters up and down the country, and to act as a focus for ecumenical dialogue....

Moving on to the second Procession, we find a letter from the Dean of the Cathedral of Wenchoster, from which I quote:

The Cathedral Chapter has been asked why we spend so much of our time maintaining these electronic pages, but the answer is simply that it helps us reach out to our parishioners, both those who physically live here, and those who associate themselves with us because of our open Christian ethos. In an age when the Anglican Communion appears to be fragmenting, the Diocese of Wenchoster stands as a beacon in the darkness, welcoming all who are willing to live with and worship with and have faith with difference. The New Testament churches founded by Paul all had their individuality. None were alike, but they still possessed unity. We firmly believe that unity is possible without, and different from, uniformity. It is in difference that we are strengthened, for different lights of understanding cause different aspects of our faith to be illumined.

This is why we do what we do. And if you wish to walk with us on our pilgrimage, you are welcome.

Rupert Henry Philpott-Thrashington

I don't know about you, but I want to walk with them on their pilgrimage.

Included in the second Procession are more hymns, icons, notes on liturgy, and the account of a new curate's test-walk through his town - all from the early days.

I will close by taking note of the touching pastoral concern shown by the Diocese of Wenchoster in issuing this virus-alert:

Clergy and laity in the diocese of Wenchoster have been warned to take extra care when managing their e-mail accounts after a new virus attacked the computer network at the Diocesan Offices last Monday. Hidden within an attachment sent by a company advertising home visits for cassock measuring, the now named “Alpha” virus swiftly deleted all references to priesthood, and replaced the Canon Law database with a long list of useful scriptural references for use in times of doubt and sorrow.

I ask you, "Do you get virus-alerts from your diocese?"

You have been warned: never open an email with an attachment concerning home visits for the purpose of cassock-measuring.