Planting seeds of Christian belief

John, Elaine and Gywneth with Joe at the Laity Conference in Lancaster

When is a difference of opinion a row? Or when is a disputed event a controversy?

As journalists we are anxious to get this kind of terminology correct so that we don't under sell a story or turn a non event into a seemingly earth shattering…. non event!

Quite where the discussions (is that strong enough) about Holy Communion at Blackburn Cathedral being blessed by a woman priests lies in this journalistic Richter Scale I am starting to wonder.

In her first interview following the dispute (getting stronger), Canon Sue Penfold said she didn't recognise the strength of feeling she had read about in the press and that everyone at the cathedral had treated the matter with politeness and courtesy.

Sue told us that she was never really a fan of there being two communions at the same service, one for those who could accept the communion wafer from a women priest and one for those who doctrinally struggle with it.

Canon Sue said she is happier with the return to the more convention communion services. She was anxious the cathedral now moves on in what harmony they can achieve on the matter.

Cassocks

The Reverend Gill Dyer from St. James Church in Lower Darwen took a different view, saying Sue had conducted herself with enormous dignity and suggested there had been a controversy (much stronger) and the row (it's almost tabloid now!) is one which will remain, perhaps unsaid, as long as church people struggle with their feelings about the right for there to be women priests.

Does Canon John really get ordinary people to do extraordinary things?

I spoke to Canon Sue at the Laity Conference in Lancaster where the theme was Unleashing Heaven, a bold headline with the bolder message that the church needs to be more proactive and plant seeds of Christian belief wherever those seeds can grow.

We met Canon John Holmes who it is said gets ordinary people to do extraordinary things. John was the main speaker and he was there to energise the assembled people with a message of vigour, excitement and a need to ensure Lancashire became very aware of what he believed the Good Lord can do in these trouble times.

Also on the programme, we heard from the Bishop of Burnley, the Right Reverend John Goddard who said the conference was vital to the growth of the church in Lancashire. I also spoke to parishioners Gywneth from Longton and Elaine and John from Stalmine who were looking to take ideas back to their churches. They were anxious to entice more young people through their doors and let them know that they see religion as being fundamental and fun.

Talking of which, do church and pub mix? They seem to get along famously in Belthorn, where a regular service is held at The Pack Horse and now this trend is spreading in the county.

We heard from the Reverend Alistair McHaffie of St. John's Leyland and who is opening a 'pub church' in the Broadfield Arms in the town. The new congregation will be for people who have questions about God, but are not interested in traditional church, rather than hymn books and cassocks, 'churchgoers' will call at the bar for a drink before joining a group for sandwiches, a presentation and discussion.

Sister Michaela talked about being a nun in the 21st century

We also learned this week that The Bethany Choir have arrived in east Lancashire. They are 16 girls and four boys from Tanzania and they will be with us for the next seven weeks.

Bishop's ears

They will be staying with churches in Clayton-Le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle and their visit is proof of the continuing links between our county and The Bethany Family in Tanzania.

Sister Michaela from The Our Lady of Hyning Monastery in Warton talked about being a nun in the 21st century and told us about a vocations weekend they have planned for the end of the month.

Finally, back to Canon John Holmes, you remember the man who can get ordinary people to do extraordinary things… well I managed to really ingratiate myself with John. After the interview was finished I dashed off to do another interview in north Lancashire, then drove down the M6 to Bolton for lunch and to edit my morning's work.

All done I was ready to set off to The Reebok when I realised I had picked John's mobile phone up by accident. Now at this point I would have to concede that my language was not suitable for the Bishop's ears… but I drove back to Lancaster and then on to the football.

So, sorry about the inconvenience John and two good things came of it. One you got your phone back and, secondly, I missed the first half an hour of Bolton's inept and frankly boring performance against Stoke. Everyone's a winner… except sadly, Bolton!

Joe Wilson

Joe presents the faith programme on BBC Radio Lancashire from 6am each Sunday.