Methodist women to smash crockery

Telegraph (UK) ^ | 11/20/2001 | Victoria Combe

[dighton]

THE Methodist Church is inviting all women worshippers to smash crockery during next Sunday's service as a symbolic "act of violence".

The addition of plate-smashing to the liturgy is the Church's novel way of marking the International Day of Action against Violence on Women.

"We hope the act will provide a powerful image of the violence experienced in the home," said the Methodist Church's Women's Network which composed the service.

For health and safety reasons, women are asked to secure the crockery in a plastic bag before beating it with a hammer "to prevent flying debris harming participants".

The crockery smashing will happen during the Act of Confession and Reconciliation and worshippers will then make a cross out of the broken pieces.

The minister will lead a prayer, saying: "We stand in solidarity with women and all victims of violence who are piecing their lives together."

The order of service, called Soaring Wings and Strengthened Dreams, also includes the testimony of a Baptist minister's wife who was beaten after church for serving Angel Delight at Sunday lunch.

The Rev Frances Biseker, one of the authors of the order of service and a minister in Stourbridge, West Midlands, said the plate smashing was designed to "bring into the open something very hidden".

She added: "We chose crockery because it is a very domestic item and many women may have been hit by flying crockery. We want to help women to come forward and tell their stories."

Previous story: Guard dogs keep a flock at prayer

© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2001.

[Arkinsaw]

Same with my church, and a whole lot more than you would think. The hierarchy is perplexed because the locals won't support their liberal ideas. Maybe they will get a clue one of these days. God bless.

I wish you all luck, I really do.

[Miss Marple]

You know, those of us who are Methodists and still in the church are doing what we believe is correct. We are not bolting churches that we built, some of us for generations, but rather trying to call the church back.

It seems to me that there are a lot of people interested in bashing others' denominations. I do not appreciate the attacks on my membership in the church. There are loonies in almost every Protestant denomination, whether you are talking about Southern Baptists, Presbyterians, Church of Christ, or Lutherans. The Catholics have their share of losers as well.

Is YOUR denomination perfect? Where do all your funds go? Are you CERTAIN about that?

We left our church back in the 1980's and helped start a non-denominational, independent church. It has gone on to be quite succesful. The only problem with it was that the pastor was the one who decided the theology, order of service, and general rules. Over time, it became a church unlike what we had intended. So we reurned to our original church, sadder but wiser. There is no perfection in any church, and we do the best we can.

[dread78645]

violecnce begets violence.
but I'll admit there is a certain madness to their methodists . . .

[WVNan]

You are correct, daves. The locals are very picky and also very clever when it comes to where their money goes. I've had some congregations that simply refuse to send any money to the Conference. They use their money to support local mission work. Of course the Conference officials send letters and "reminders" all the time, and they just ignore them. If the District Superintendent comes around they pretend to be penniless. "Gee, we're so sorry we can't send any more on our apportionment, but we are just barely paying the bills." Yes, the "connectional" system does keep congregations from breaking off into splinter groups as happens so often with Baptists, who operate on a "congregational" system. The ones with the biggest headaches are the Church leaders in our system. But they deserve it, and brought it on themselves. At least the Baptists conservatives managed to get the leadership positions away from the liberals. We keep trying, but it doesn't look promising. So, we pretend that we are autonomous and there's not much they can do about it.

[Centurion2000]

Symbolism over substance.

[Khepera]

bimp

[xm177e2]

There are equal rates of domestic abuse against men and women, by men and women... this sort of thing only empowers women who abuse their husbands (all they have to do is claim their husband was abusing them, and they can do whatever they want to him).

[daves_brother]

I'm not sure I understand where you think I was trying to bash your church.

[Palladin]

Heh! Certainly gives a new meaning to the traditional covered dish event!!

[redheadtoo]

Boy, I hate dramatic and empty gestures. I should post this on tonight's pet peeve thread.

Smashing crockery is like all the stupid red ribbons that they wear in Hollywood. The Methodists can smash every dish they own and make the pieces into any shape they wish. It will no more help protect women against violence than the red ribbons help to cure AIDS.

[Miss Marple]

Well, I am not sure where you were either, now that I re-read this whole thing. My apologies.

I think I will now retire, since I am obviously a tad grumpy and sleepy.

Good night!

[Graewoulf]

I have found when reading statements that are from the 1800's and before, that I have to re-read the statement twice, at least, before I understand the intent of the writer.

The colorful speech patterns of the past are so different from ours today, that misunderstandings can easily develop.

[daves_brother]

I thought I remembered a national news story along these lines a few years back.  I found this article on the UMNS site, but I think I recall reading about it on secular news sites as well due to the size of the church.

Large United Methodist church in Georgia 'redirects' funds from churchwide causes

The Board of Stewards of the 5,200-member First United Methodist Church here [Marietta] voted March 22 to "redirect" funds expected from the congregation for churchwide causes.

At the same time, the board voted to pay about 75 percent of funds apportioned to the congregation for North Georgia Conference and jurisdictional ministries.

(Click link for remainder of article...I don't want to start a thread within a thread, especially with an article this old.)

[Graewoulf]

No, just a feeble attempt at dry humor.

FYI, reply # 31 sums it up for me.

[Palladin]

It's just as well. British ladies are abominable cooks. If they smash all the crockery, their husbands will have to get dinner at the local pub.

I see a new Brit sit-com arising out of all this.

[daves_brother]

I thought so! I thought it was funny, but didn't want to offend if you were serious.

[daves_brother]

Thank you.

Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite. (Well, that's what Mom used to say.)

[He Rides A White Horse]

I'll call them crack pots, Miss Annie...;)

[He Rides A White Horse]

Betty Crockered.

[The Grammarian]

I always thought the Methodists had degenerated into left-wing, lesbian-ordaining CRACKPOTS, and this proves it.

Not all of us. There's still an evangelical wing. It just doesn't get much press.

Dang liberals, hijacking my church....

TG