I was reading in the July edition of Australian Presbyterian that the 450th anniversary of the reformation in Scotland will be marked in September by a service in Sydney that will coincide with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.
These sorts of services appeal to folk, who due to open ended appointments or recognition for past service always are part of Assemblies. Call them ‘the moderati’. For some reason when asked how the Australia wide church should mark a historical event, they automatically think that having one service in middle of Sydney makes a cracker of difference to people who aren’t in Sydney. But there you go.
(Personal disclosure: I might be on the Committee which proposed the service, and God willing, I should be in attendance on the night.)
At least marking the 450th anniversary of the Reformation in Scotland makes more sense that last year’s world-wide commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. That’s right, the reformer whose Genevan church was a pattern for reformed churches world-wide, whose systematic theology, The Institutes Of The Christian Religion established the framework for reformed theology; had his legacy celebrated at a date which commemorated his birth. Sigh. These are the sorts of commemorations inspiring for those who live to see the numbers on their car odometers reach a single number which is followed by zeros.
So, with pleasure I announce Friday, July 23 2010 is the 373rd anniversary of the occasion when, upon first hearing the Book of Common Prayer being used in St. Giles’ Jenny Geddy uttered the words “Villain! Dost thou say Mass at ma lug?” and hurled a three legged stool at the presiding Dean of Edinburgh.
(I think my maths is right.)
More thoughts on how to mark Jenny Geddes Day as the week progresses.
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