A course of five lectures entitled 'Lent and the Arts' was kindly arranged for us on Thursday evenings during Lent. This article is about the first three.
On 1st March, after a short act of worship, we listened to Canon Neil
Heavisides talking about Music. He told us that he believed in the
importance of silence. Silence is the starting point from which music may then
emerge. Silences in a musical work are significant.
Canon Heavisides read us a poem by Ursula Vaughan Williams and then commented on
a selection of musical pieces he had brought for us to hear. The first was
Charles Stanford's 'The Blue Bird'. This he particularly liked because it seemed
to have no ending, until it finally floated away and disappeared. We heard
plainsong, and the recording of Psalm 22, Allegri's Miserere; the one with the
top C. We enjoyed all 13 minutes of it - wonderful!
We ended with a Taizé chant. Canon Heavisides started, and we were all able to
join him, in the simple repetition - gradually fading to silence again.
It was both interesting and useful to realise how music in various forms could
be a delightful and practical way of helping in meditation and prayer.
NB: Grateful admiration must go to David Webber for pressing all the right
buttons to play the recorded music provided by Canon Heavisides.
The second lecture entitled 'Architecture' was given by Canon Jonathan
Mackechnie-Jarvis. He agreed with the maxim 'We are closest to God in a garden'
and pointed out that it was better for us to be secure, protected from the
weather and reasonably comfortable - hence the building of churches. These also
provided pictures and other educational aids for their congregations.
Canon Mackechnie-Jarvis described various features in a group of local churches,
both ancient and modern. It was interesting to hear that St Christopher's,
Warden Hill, has outstanding stained glass of exceptionally high quality. He
then spoke about three French cathedrals and other English churches of varying
architectural merit, several in London and one in Milton Keynes.
We were advised to visit Westminster Abbey before 7.30am to avoid the numerous
back-packers: a visit to St Faith's Chapel was recommended. This is always open,
free and may be approached via the Chapter House.
The talk was interspersed with music: The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams,
Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers and the sound of a packed Notre Dame de Paris singing
with an impressive organ accompaniment.
A set of interesting slides clearly showed us examples of different styles of
building. We saw the stained glass at St Christopher's, and breathtaking
vertiginous views looking down from scaffolding high inside Gloucester
Cathedral.
Canon Mackechnie-Jarvis has much knowledge and love of church buildings which
came shining through in his interesting and thought-provoking lecture. He ended
his talk by sharing with us this prayer by John Donne:
Bring us, O Lord, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to
enter that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor
dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no
fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal
eternity, in the habitations of thy glory and dominion, world without end. Amen
Lent in Art. Paul welcomed Canon David Hoyle and remarked on his
ability to explain the meaning of paintings, thus enabling others to enjoy
reflection and meditation based on this knowledge. Our act of worship included
an account of the Crucifixion: John 19. Canon Hoyle then interpreted for us a
number of paintings, including:
The Original Sin - Breughel. The Garden of Eden is here full of flowers and
animals, with a distant Eve about to pick an apple. God has given an abundance
of good things to enjoy, but sin can come of wanting too much of one thing. We
must use all of God's gifts.
Christ in the Wilderness - Stanley Spencer. We follow Christ there. He reflects
what we desire. We realise how far we have to go.
The Temptation of Christ - Botticelli. The devil turns good things into
temptations, eg food. He himself appears good and does not look evil (no horns
or tail!).
The Crucifixion - Mantegna. Here is a purpose-built place of execution; people
go about, taking no notice of what is happening. The Disciples gather around the
cross of the penitent thief, bathed in the light of Jesus and welcome him into
the Church.
An Altar-Piece - Van der Weyden. Jesus is high on a cross. It draws us to the
truth of Christ and repentance as the Eucharist is celebrated.
The Transfiguration - Raphael. On the mountain, Christ is raised high between
Moses and Elijah. Below, the Disciples glimpse God's glory but they are in
confusion; even their instruction book does not help.
The medieval artists painted Christ on the Cross showing his face in all its
agony; suffering to save sinners. A later style obscured Jesus' face or
portrayed an unreadable expression.
Engraving of the Crucifixion - Rembrandt. Jesus on the cross is raised high and
bathed in light to emphasise Christ's identity with the Father; the penitent
thief shares in the light but the other is in darkness.
How very truly Paul spoke when he mentioned Canon Hoyle's gift of drawing out
the meaning of religious pictures. We looked at them with greater understanding,
and received valuable help in our use of Lent, to prepare, as Canon Hoyle said,
for our vocation, which is to share in the glorious future which breaks out on
Easter Day.
Poetry. Paul welcomed Revd Kathryn Fleming who came to speak about
Poetry. Kathryn read English Literature at Cambridge, and is now Assistant
Curate at St Mary's Charlton Kings.In our act of worship, Paul chose to read
from John chapter 1, which starts 'In the beginning was the Word …'.
Kathryn kindly provided us with copies of poems and extracts. She remarked that
poetry is making the most of thoughts and words. Poetry may make plain and
enhance the meaning of a writer's thoughts.Her first piece of poetry was an
extract from 'Ash Wednesday' by T S Eliot, 1888 - 1965. This was part of Six
Preludes for Lent, published just after Eliot's conversion.'To Keep a True Lent'
by Robert Herrick, 1591 - 1674, thought of Lent in a more practical way.
Centuries later we still tend to focus on giving up palatable pleasures during
Lent. In the final verse of his poem Herrick tells
us,
"To show a heart grief-rent;
To starve thy sin,
No bin;
And that's to keep thy Lent."
There were two poems by Elizabeth Jennings, 1926 - 2001, the first: 'Easter
Duties'. After reflections and questions she suggests,
"I offer small heartbreak,
Catch grace almost by Chance."
The second: 'Dust'. That we are dust is a sobering thought, but we may take
heart when it is
said:
"But in that dust is wrought
A place for visions, a hope
That reaches beyond the stars."
John Donne, 1572 - 1631, wrote many poems. It has been said that 17th century
poets were very clever, but their work lacked action and emotion. However, in
this poem Donne throws himself on God's mercy, demanding action. It is full of
emotion and energy.Kathryn spoke about the selected poems, drawing out their
meaning and linking them with our journey through Lent. She also read several
other poems. Included in these were some verses about a Mothering Sunday service
in which the bunches of flowers were enhanced by the appearance of a beautiful
butterfly. Other poems had thoughts of repentance and renewal, and of remaining
faithful when assailed by doubts.To end the evening, Paul, empathetic as always,
allowed us a short time of complete silence. Now we were able to reflect on the
thought-provoking and interesting interpretation of the poetry which Kathryn had
presented to us.
Film. Canon Mike Parsons, who came to talk to us about 'Film', has an
important role in the training of clergy in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire,
Herefordshire and parts of Bristol. Paul commented that 'Film' was an
appropriate choice for our last lecture as films might be considered a
comparatively modern art-form. In our last act of worship Paul read an account
of the Passion from Mark chapter 14.
Canon Parsons told us how the Church has difficulty in answering the questions
of the estimated 40% of people who have no link with any sort of church. He felt
that scientists now have more insight than philosophers into the queries and
problems of young people. Films can have a tremendous impact upon young adults,
and may be able to answer the questions of ordinary men and women in this group,
who seem readily to identify with films. Canon Parsons regards films as a
valuable learning tool, and uses a wide selection, ranging from Matrix, through
Shirley Valentine and Charlie Brown to The Simpsons.
Selected for us to watch was an extract from the end of 'Dead Man Walking', a
film based on a book of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, a Roman Catholic
nun. We were provided with an outline of the story.
Sister Helen receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet, sentenced to death for the
brutal murder of a young couple. He asks her to be his spiritual adviser. Sister
Helen must face Poncelet's unrepentant anguish. She must also deal with the rage
and hatred of the victims' families. They believe their unbearable loss can only
be soothed if they witness Poncelet's execution.
This film was not easy to watch; the dialogue was full of pain and tension; the
visual detail was distressing; while the background music fulfilled its purpose
by underlining the anxiety and stress. Eventually, Poncelet was able to repent
and acknowledge his guilt, and accept love and redemption.
The victims' families were present. One was unforgiving and revengeful: it was
torn apart by these emotions. The other wanted to forgive and move forward: the
healing process had begun.
'Dead Man Walking' showed us the detail of a death sentence in piteous reality.
These pictures and words are difficult to put aside, and may be in our minds
during our Easter worship, as we reflect on the cruel death of Jesus.
We do not know if what we have seen may be used to advantage in some way.
Individual responses will, no doubt, vary tremendously.
Thanks. I have been told that Felicity had the idea of using the Arts as
the theme for five lectures in Lent. This idea was then developed by Paul and
his team. All the talks were linked by the thread of our worship, which included
readings by Paul, and the series provided a valuable part of our preparation for
Easter. We have been privileged to hear interesting lectures, given by
knowledgeable and gifted speakers, and our thanks go to all who have played a
part in this rewarding and most successful project.
Clare Holden, April 2007