Wednesday 12 May 2010

Pageantry and Symbolism


The announcement read, 'The Mayor Councillor Ulla Karin Clark cordially invites Dr Jane Sabes to attend her official installation as Town Mayor of Wokingham in the Town Hall on Tuesday 11th May 2010.'

There everyone was in royal robes and regalia - the town crier, the macebearer and mayor's attendant and chaplain, the town council, the mayor's consort, Lady Elizabeth Godsal, holder of the Office of High Steward appointed by the Queen and other honourable dignitaries. Formal nominations were read to appoint the new mayor with subsequent formal speeches seconding the nomination. The same process followed for appointing the Deputy Mayor. Then came the acceptance speeches and appointment of honorary constable, honorary parade marshall, honorary meteorologist, and honorary translator. Those congregated concluded the service with a rousing rendition of God Save the Queen.

A few months prior to this auspicious occasion, Jan Pearce, dear friend from Stanborough Press, gifted me with a treasure from her library, The English Ceremonial Book - A History of Robes, Insignia and Ceremonies still in use in England authored by Roger Milton. This is a 'must read', background knowledge necessary to understand the significance of such ceremonies.

I am convinced that no one does pageantry and pomp quite like the British! It is absolutely beautiful to behold, sends chills up my spin and creates a large lump in my throat. Most importantly, I offer Brits my sincerest gratitude for these official occasions that help me visualize just how majestic it will be when we someday participate in crowning our Saviour the Lord of all lords, the King of all kings.

Saturday 8 May 2010

Church Official and Students Converse


You should have been part of today's lunch and afternoon discussion, conversation between 20 Newbold students and Lowell Cooper, Vice President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The occasion of Cooper's visit to Newbold College is to provide Board training at this Sunday's spring meeting. But, it seemed important to include a conversation between students and church leadership, to assure youth that the Church leadership welcomes, even actively seeks their input.

Newbold College of Higher Education is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Church has a global membership rapidly approaching 20 million, with 66,000 churches and an equal number of 'companies' (fledgling churches), operating nearly 8,000 schools, 750 hospitals, clinics, retirement centres and orphanages, 61 publishing houses and 116 ADRA (Adventist Disaster Relief Agency) offices located throughout 232 countries of the world and regularly employing 891 languages to share God's love.

As you might imagine, the students' questions reflected the youth and international character found at Newbold College and within the Church. The students wanted to hear what plans the Church leaders have to ensure proper representation of young people at the upcoming world church quinquennial gathering, how initiatives designed to better communicate the gospel to the modern mind(e.g. traveling theatrical companies) might secure funding for their innovative work and how we can retain individual culture while remaining a global church.

The most poignant observation Cooper offered, to my mind, was that 'we are not called to individualism; rather, we are called to community.' It is true. Psychologists claim that the most common malady suffered by society today is a sense of alienation. And so, perhaps we should focus less on consensus and more on a commitment to one another. After all, family is defined, not so much by being alike but by being in love.

Sunday 2 May 2010

The Bulls Eye


Crown glass was the most commonly used type of glass for window panes until the 19th century. The process was first perfected by French glassmakers in the 1320s and kept a trade secret for many years. Crown glass began to be made in London in 1678.

Window panes were made by blowing a bubble, then spinning it until flat. This produced a sheet of glass that left a bump, or crown, in the centre. The thinnest, most desirable glass was at the edge of the disk while the glass became thicker and more opaque toward the centre. This thickening of the centre piece produced a distortion through which everything looked curiously wavy, and the glass itself was seen to be faulty and uneven. Thus, the 'bulls eye' was reserved for less expensive homes or for the more inconspicuous windows in costlier dwellings.

By the end of the 19th century, mass-produced flat glass, such as my grandfather and uncle used to install in school houses, replaced the old method. However, this once least desirable portion of crown glass has become the 'in thing' to have in one's home with a price tag to match. Curious, items that once were considered least desirable have become priceless.

This photo was taken of an office window pane along the docks in Liverpool but I've found crown glass being installed in upscale restaurants of Maidenhead and trendy home remodellings.

I do hope that you enjoy my sharing yet another example of new knowledge I've gained since coming to England. Wishing you happy wanderings and unanticipated encounters as well.