Blessed is an alternative worship community based on the South Coast of the UK. It meets half a dozen times a year to explore the possibilities of the sacramental life in wildly, rabidly inclusive ways.
"Exploring the missional possibilities of the sacramental life, Blesséd characterises itself as outrageously Incarnational, rabidly Anglocatholic and wildly inclusive. We seek to find an encounter with God through Eucharist, Oil, Water, Penitence and Grace which transcends denominational labels and tired, static liturgy in a multimedia engagement with the Divine. Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough"
Greenbelt 2010 Programme
New Book - 31st July 2010
Fr. Simon has written a book to be published by SCM-Canterbury entitled Creative Ideas for Sacramental Alternative Worship.
This will provide tutorials on the blesséd process, a theology of sacramental alternative worship and examples of creative liturgy on both the page and on CD-Rom.
The scheduled date of publication is 31st July 2010 and includes a DVD.
It can be pre-ordered from SCM-Canterbury or Amazon
Review of the Book
A review by Canon Bob Cooper – Vicar of Pontefract, Proctor in Convocation
Over many years we have all read books which promise much but deliver little, books which flatter to deceive. However I am delighted to have read this short book because unlike many others, to use the vernacular, it “does what it says on the tin”.
Fr Simon’s style throughout the book is easy to read and chatty, but do not let that fool you into thinking that you are reading anything other than a profound and yet practical book.
As we read the pages we move from a brief introduction, through a contextual setting and then to a deeply practical and engaging book which will solve any issues which you may have, and take away all the excuses which you had created as to why you shouldn’t be doing this in the first place!
Fr Simon describes himself in his introduction as “no theologian”; this may or may not be true, but the book is so permeated with a practical application of liturgy, theology, grace and love that I rather wish all theologians would take a leaf from this book.
If you are looking for inspiration and help in working within this field then you need look no further. You can use it as an individual planning worship, or as a study guide with worship groups, PCCs and, dare one hope against hope, even Bishops’ Councils too!
I thoroughly recommend this excellent book, and my only caveat would be that your worship might not be the same again – so be prepared!