Percy from the Pews
An earlier Mercury report quoted the dean as saying the younger generations don’t want to meet in “crusty old buildings”. But wait, for he added something that sounded like he was having a bit of the two bob each way: “But they might want to in nostalgic, well-preserved old buildings”.
The issue of the Anglican Church of Tasmania’s future is of tradition versus modernity. It’s emerging that it’s out with the old, swing along with the new. Not Rock of Ages, but the Rock of Today.
Emphasis is on youth, and it seems to me that with this there is disregard for the older generation that has shown its religious devotion through traditional worship. The quieter kind – not singing out with the rock beat.
You will find this emphasis embraced by the words of St David’s Cathedral’s Dean Lindsay Stoddart, who closed and deconsecrated Holy Trinity last Sunday, Bishop John Harrower being away in Melbourne.
An earlier Mercury report quoted the dean as saying the younger generations don’t want to meet in “crusty old buildings”. But wait, for he added something that sounded like he was having a bit of the two bob each way: “But they might want to in nostalgic, well-preserved old buildings”.
A definitive pointer to getting rid of Holy Trinity but doing up St David’s? The comments were pre-launch of the cathedral’s restoration campaign, which came just a few days before the announcement of Holy Trinity’s closure (respectively on August 15 and 19).
Yet the worshipping in a nostalgic setting could equally have been appropriate to Holy Trinity if there had been the will to embrace a rejuvenation campaign. In need of some tender loving care certainly, but very possible.
There was a succinct summary from the ABC’s Christopher Lawrence when he was compere at Holy Trinity for an April concert by the Hobart Orpheus Choir. He told the audience the exterior was flaking – but fixable.
The dean continued his tempo of today theme by saying the young ones didn’t want older formal services but more modern music, video clips, techno, even rap, casual dress – well, you get the picture.
The background of the dean is that he’s ex-Sydney and Youthworks, the Anglican youth organisation, and the bishop has a special interest in youth ministry (he was a mission/youth worker in South America).
On the future directions subject, I haven’t seen media coverage on what’s projected for BayWest, Sandy Bay, which has now absorbed Holy Trinity Parish by way of amalgamation.
Early August a glossy colour brochure was circulated and its opening statement was: “A capital city demands a church of note. The Cathedral Church of St David’s is of course the episcopal, liturgical and some would contend the architectural centrepiece of both the city and the Diocese. But there is a space, currently vacant, for a thriving parish in Hobart, pivotal in the Diocese of Tasmania.”
It went on to espouse the envisaged virtues of the scheme, including a new 300-seat auditorium, plus other facilities, added to a site that already has an existing church and hall. It was mentioned the plans hadn’t been finalised or approved by the new combined parish council, Diocesan Council or Hobart City Council.
The point about the cathedral being the “architectural centrepiece” is debatable. There are many others who say Holy Trinity is much more architecturally significant.
It is also arguable whether a techno-modern approach will, in the long run, prove the salvation of the Anglican Church in Tasmania. Only time will tell, so tune in many decibels from now.
