Church learns old worship tradition

A visiting theologian is bringing Celtic spirituality to an Episcopal cathedral.

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE
Published November 30, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Facing an altar glowing with rows of candles, the large crowd of worshipers sang robustly and offered their responses fervently.

This was not a traditional service at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral. With its ethereal music, contemporary liturgy and overwhelming emphasis on peace, those who are homeless and hungry, and the interconnectedness of God and his creation, this Sunday evening Eucharist was being conducted in the Celtic tradition.

On hand was J. Philip Newell, an internationally renowned poet, scholar and teacher whom many credit with the revival of Celtic spirituality.

This week, Newell is a theologian-in-residence at St. Peter's, where he is presenting a series of lectures on Celtic spirituality.

"Celtic spirituality is a modern term," Newell said during an interview before Sunday's regular 6 p.m. Come As You Are, or CAYA, service.

The author, who was visiting from his home in Edinburgh, Scotland, explained that Celtic spirituality is a form of Christian spirituality with centuries-old roots in Scotland and Ireland. It asserts that what is deepest in humans is the image of God, not sin, and teaches that creation is essentially sacred.

Describing Celtic spirituality as an early form of the environmental movement, he said it teaches that people should focus on sharing the earth's resources. Celtic forms of spirituality also emphasize solitary prayer and meditation as well as Eucharistic fellowship.

Newell, who describes himself as primarily a writer, but also "a wandering teacher," spent four years working at the Iona Community, an ecumenical group of believers based in Scotland that has foundations in Celtic spirituality.

The Celtic tradition doesn't dismiss its pre-Christian roots, he said. Those who spread Christianity to the region did not have an attitude that "we have light and you don't," he said.

Speaking of the way in which the tradition regards its saints, Newell, whose books include Listening for the Heartbeat of God and Sounds of the Eternal, explained that Mary is less of a queen. Instead, she's regarded as "a barefoot country girl," a mother. Peter is seen as a simple fisherman and a friend.

The foundation of the Celtic Eucharist is to invite worshipers to see "the sacredness of the ordinary," he said. "What we do in our sacred sites is not more sacred than what we do in our homes."

[Last modified November 30, 2005, 05:06:03]