That preacher at the wedding is too long winded. eom

[mfcorey1]

Last edited Sat May 19, 2018, 10:28 AM - Edit history (1)

[madaboutharry]

1. I though it was moving and beautiful.

[mfcorey1]

6. I thought it was too long. He made his point about love early in the message.

[Hortensis]

28. And yet... It might be of interest to a political forum

these days that he focused most heavily on the teachings of Jesus. When it comes to politics, religious conservatives, in many nations and definitely here, seem to have compartmentalized religious principles well away from political choices. And these days conservative politics seem to be infesting almost everything, very much including corrupting religion itself.

Coincidence that he took this opportunity to speak to a billion people about doing right?

[demtenjeep]

73. Loved it

he flat out told them to love others before them.

Some of the stuffy royals needed to hear that

[d_r]

9. Me too nt

[BumRushDaShow]

2. He is the head of the U.S. Episcopal Church

As part of the Anglican liturgy, it includes a Homily (sermon), which is what he just completed.

[samnsara]

3. hes all i have heard since i woke up...

...funny watching all the royals squirm. I think Charles is asleep.

[BannonsLiver]

60. So he's squirming so much he's asleep?

[snowybirdie]

4. Sorry to disagree

Meghan is embracing her heritage and taking out royal stuffiness! Love the choir too.

[mfcorey1]

7. There is nothing stuffy about receiving a message . This one was just too long for

a wedding! Her heritage is the beautiful part of her and the message was about love which is generic to all people who embrace it.

[cwydro]

8. Was she raised an Episcopalian?

[Sgent]

13. Somewhat?

Her father was Episcopal, but she had to covert to CoE regardless before the wedding.

Note that the Episcopal Church is the Anglican / Church of England in the US.

[cwydro]

24. I know.

But someone said her “heritage,” so I wondered if she was Episcopalian as a child.

My parents are English. I was christened there and was attended Episcopal church as a child.

[cwydro]

5. Needs to wind it up.

Great speaker, but the Industrial Revolution?

[NCjack]

10. Paid by the minute. nt

[SoCalDem]

11. I'm surprised that there was not a time limit

I switched over to HBO's comedy wedding coverage until the wedding started back up..

[Siwsan]

12. I very much enjoyed listening to him

I thought his addition was a wonderful touch.

[MariaCSR]

14. You've never been to a black church.

That's how they do it. I thought it was incredible. He was preaching! Amen.

[Hortensis]

16. Amen, amen. :) It was especially meaningful at

this wedding, of course. And a gospel choir at a royal wedding. I think they did it wonderfully right.

Of course some will think it's too long, even those who actually flipped channels but want to complain about this couple's wedding choices anyway. This is the fast-forward era, short attention span era, after all.

[redstatebluegirl]

17. Yep, loved loved loved it!

Also loved seeing people squirm who had never heard a real sermon delivered with passion! Great sermon!

[EffieBlack]

19. LOL - this was actually pretty abbreviated ...

Good thing it wasn't first Sunday

[SallyHemmings]

26. Amen!

[MariaCSR]

50. Right??? They ain't seen how we get TURNT up in church fr

[nitpicker]

15. It wasn't the length, it was the histronics that got to me

He was NOT the main celebrant at the event.

It was not billed as a "black gospel wedding".

So why did he portray non-white clergy in such a light?

I think his ego got in the way.

[EffieBlack]

20. This is a tradition of the black church

He was actually pretty understated compared with many black ministers.

Harry and Meghan surely were familiar with his style and message and his homily was no doubt approved, practiced, and timed in advance.

But how does anything he said or did put any other black clergy in a bad light?

It's all good.

[Hortensis]

72. Agree. I read he thought someone was joking him

when he was told the couple wanted him to be the key speaker at their wedding.

Those not used to long sermons and who don't happen to care for his joyous style might be happier with his politics? He's progresssive and an activist for civil rights, including LGBT. His Episcopal Church is in hot water with its larger, more conservative coalition for changing its service for same-sex marriages.

Yet another all good message.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. I suppose you have never been in a black church?

Being Episcopal, his homily was pretty "staid" compared to some Baptist sermons. I'm sure you have heard many famous black "preachers" highlighted over the years (MLK, Jesse Jackson, etc), and this was nowhere near that because "black gospel weddings" as you so term them, would be call and response during a sermon.

And note, he is the Presiding Bishop (titular head) of the Episcopal Church USA.

[EffieBlack]

31. Call and response

Now THAT would have made this wedding pop!

[BumRushDaShow]

35. In my black Episcopal church

we have some call and response - although the other big jumping black Episcopal church here in the city goes full on.

[EffieBlack]

38. At least no one got happy and started shouting this morning

My great aunt used to fall out every Sunday right at the same point in the sermon. When we were kids, we would wait for it - better than going to the movies.

[BumRushDaShow]

40. !!!!

At least it wasn't hot all up in there in that cathedral-size "chapel". Here, you'd have the ladies getting the hand fans out and whatnot. I know they had to finally replace the AC in our old building a bunch of years ago because the big ceiling fans weren't cutting it.

[EffieBlack]

43. Brown Funeral Home fans with the picture of the black family on the front would have been perfect

[BumRushDaShow]

44. !!!!!!!!!

And have their "pocket" calendar in your purse (my mother always got her little calendar from the funeral home every year).

[EffieBlack]

46. You know exactly what I'm talking about

[BumRushDaShow]

47. I remember my grandmother had one of those (beautiful) fans

when I was little.

[kwassa]

27. You are nitpicking.

[MicaelS]

59. You have obviously have never had the pleasure of attending..

A black church and be preached to by a black pastor. The differences between black and white pastors is striking. Frankly, I am 60 yr old white man, and would rather listen to the average black pastor, than the average white one. Black pastors just seemed to be filled with more of the Holy Spirit than white ones.

[Demsrule86]

64. You are wrong.

[EffieBlack]

18. I thought he was awesome

And the bride and groom seemed to love it, which is all that mattered.

[BumRushDaShow]

23. You know who perked up? Grandpop!

Philip paid rapt attention and was in awe. The man will be 97 years old next month!

[Brother Buzz]

22. It was long winded if you didn't engage in what he was saying

I was lying in bed, listening to it on the radio and grew tired of it quickly. I was to lazy to change the station so I started listening and began to enjoy what he was saying, and that was without a cup of Joe in me.

[GulfCoast66]

25. In good Baptist terms his job was to give a Sermon

Had it not been him it would have been some boring white Brit droning on about something for the same 15 minutes or so.

He gave a good inclusive message and brought something from the brides heritage into a 1000 year institution.

I am sure some there were uncomfortable about it. Good.

[Demsrule86]

65. I have to say...some of the comments on the Head Bishop of the American Episcopal church border on

racist...not saying you...This man is not Baptist...and if you think this is a Baptist service well, it is not. People of all colors go to the Episcopal church. I thought he did a fine job...you should have seen my Episcopal wedding...it took almost two hours.

[GulfCoast66]

67. I sincerely apologize since apparently I communicated poorly

I was responding to those who said he spoke to long. That was his job. To deliver the homily. At least I think that’s what Episcopalians call it. The part of the service that in the Baptist church would be called the sermon. And I should have noted that I am no longer Baptist, nor really Christian for that matter.

That gentleman delivered a powerful message about love. The lack of that kind of message is what drove me from the Baptist church and religion all together.

Again, I apologize that my meaning was a veiled by poor writing.

[Demsrule86]

76. No no, I am so sorry. I was not referring to you...and I see I posted incorrectly if you thought I

was. Please accept my apologies. The Episcopal church is know for their long services so it does seem lengthy those not accustomed to it.

[Kittycow]

29. I didn't perceive it as lengthy...

I was hanging on every word, thinking back and forth between romantic love and the lack of love for the common good exhibited by many in the US.

I'm also used to boring Catholic sermons that drone on, so that's my frame of reference.

[T_i_B]

30. I thought it was a really good sermon

I also thought the ceremony was an interesting mix of high and low church Protestantism.

Some might have me down as a little odd for thinking about the theological implications of a royal wedding, but it's all part of the history and significance of such things. Be it Henry VIII, John Knox, the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell, the Restoration and the Glorious Revolution.

[MaryMagdaline]

33. I haven't watched it yet but read about Ave Maria Cello piece

Do Anglicans play Ave Maria in church or was this a nod to inclusiveness?

I know DU has musical and religious historians on board

[BumRushDaShow]

36. Anglo-Catholic Anglican/Episcopal churches do

because it is all about "the smells and the bells".

My church is Anglo-Catholic Episcopal (also known as "High Episcopal" ), is almost Catholic in terms of the service except no Pope or Mary-worship, although we do have a Lady (Mary) Altar. We have 14 stations of the cross on the pillars (instead of 12) and Confessional boxes in the back.

[MaryMagdaline]

48. You may be the one to ask

Princess Di's brother made the sign of the cross at her funeral. None of my Protestant friends knew if this is s common thing among Anglicans.

Do Anglicans make the sign if the cross?
Do American Episcopalians make the sign of the cross?

[BumRushDaShow]

49. Yes

You nod when the name "Jesus" is mentioned and bow when the procession with the cross comes down the aisle... and you make the sign of the cross when -

1.) You dip into some Holy Water and make a sign of the cross with the droplets as you enter the church aisle
2.) You are facing the high altar and genuflect before going into the pew
3.) Whenever the priests says - "In the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit (or "Ghost" depending on version)"

Believe it or not, the Church of England is generally considered "low" church nowadays. But then the whole concept of "church" was always baked into their original governance where it is separate in the U.S.

I did finally catch the beginning of the BBC replay (that I had missed) and they mentioned the invitations had indicated that guests (females) should wear "day dresses and hats". And traditionally, you covered your head with something (veil/hat) when in church and I know for (older) Catholics, that is a biggy and for many black churches of any denomination, that is an expectation.

[Demsrule86]

66. I went to a church like that as a child...we now have two services...the high Episcopal at 8:00 and

the family service at 10:30.

[BumRushDaShow]

68. We do too

"Low Mass" and "High Mass". Usually there is no Communion at Low Mass and it is a shorter service (I think ours is at 7:30, with High Mass at 10). Of late, they have just been doing the Low Mass during the weekdays.

[Demsrule86]

75. I wish my kids went to church more. I don't know how you make it without faith.

[zeusdogmom]

53. Been used at my Lutheran church

Our choir has also sung all of the choral music performed at the wedding. We don't have boy sopranos though.

Guess our congregation is a little on the "high church" side. You should see what's in store for tomorrow - Pentecost.

I thought the service was lovely, the sermon rocked and so did the gospel choir. Even the congregational singing was good.

[MaryMagdaline]

34. Not odd at all - would value your insight

[BumRushDaShow]

37. I was waiting to see Communion

but I expect that was only done for the family out of sight. Thus somewhat "low" church - but then I think because of the circumstances, they have to do it that way.

[EffieBlack]

39. I didn't notice that they didn't take Communion

Did they do that in previous royal weddings?

[BumRushDaShow]

41. I expect they did it just for the immediate family when they left to "sign the register"

The logistics would be too much (although the Catholics manage to do it for thousands by having literally hundreds of priests and deacons walking around with chalices and hosts).

Plus they didn't show an "offering" but I expect they bake that in there somewhere too in a different fashion.

[EffieBlack]

42. Ahhh

[underpants]

32. Very good engaging sermon

[WillowTree]

45. It was too long. It was also wonderful!

I enjoyed every minute of it.

[WhiteTara]

51. well, it wasn't about you and it had meaning for them.

You get to change the channel.

[mfcorey1]

57. No need for the snark! I felt it was too long and he made his point early.

Some thought he did and some thought he didn't. My channel stayed where it was. Now you might have rudely changed your channel but I endured.

[WhiteTara]

61. Sorry, mfcorey1, I wasn't going for snark

sorry that's how it came out. I confess, I didn't watch any of it, but I did see the hats on AM Joy and they were priceless!

[TomSlick]

52. I thought it was wonderful.

There should have been an altar call after.

[EffieBlack]

74. Lol!

[raging moderate]

54. Only fourteen minutes, right?

That was what the timeline indicated on the little video I saw. It seemed okay to me. And he did a great job! (except he mispronounced the name of Teilhard de Chardin-eh, bien!).

[mn9driver]

55. Having listened to many of Bishop Curry's homilies,

I can tell you that this one had two levels. On one level, it was a wedding homily about love.

But on a deeper level, which is the way he preaches, it was actually quite political. The US Episcopal Church is currently “on probation” with the worldwide Anglican communion. This is because we have welcomed EVERYONE into the US Episcopal church, at every level, from congregants to Bishops. All you have to do is commit to the two great commandments.

Many Christian denominations aren’t ok with that. Including the Church of England.

[OldHippieChick]

56. This was far from being too long and IMHO, had

nothing to do w/ race. Cowboy churches (notoriously white) will go on for hours. Many protestant ministers/pastors give sermons of length and they are repetitious as they wish to make their point. It was stated that the Crown is based upon the Church and that the service would be heavily Christian. This is a marriage before God, not a civil ceremony. I thought he was a masterful orator. The only one seeming to be lost was Camilla.

[lame54]

58. A long winded preacher?...

They must long and hard to find him

[mulsh]

62. When the American Episcopal minster launched into discussing de Chardin it confirmed for me

that the young couple chose better than than they knew.

Since studying de Chardin's works in my Catholic High School religion classes I've long maintain that modern philosophy eventually comes down to de Chardin.( The church censored his works but the good Christian Brothers made sure we were well versed.)

Besides it was some added Afro-American culture the royals and all of us can benefit from.

[Demsrule86]

63. I thought it was moving and beautiful...he is the Bishop over the entire Episcopal church.I

I am an Episcopalian and he is a wonderful man...proud that he is there.

[Judi Lynn]

69. Took too much time? Why bother to watch at all?

The people there certainly didn't have anything else they intended to do, they were there for the entire event.

Why not just ease off your criticism. It wasn't actually designed to please you, but to fit the occasion, address the elements involved, etc.

I trust the man knew what he was doing. I certainly could afford to take the time to listen to him.

To attack him just might be out of place.

[Alethia Merritt]

70. I like your thinking. It takes a fairly long time for a positive message on LOVE to sink in.

However, messages of hate like "LOCK HER UP" and "WITCH HUNT" tend to make their mark quickly and are readily absorbed.

"Love thy neighbor as thy self" takes longer, especially when one is trying to block it out.

[Judi Lynn]

71. You're so right. It comes down to a matter of character, after all.

Some can hear it, some won't.

Thank you, so much.

Welcome to D.U., Alethia Merritt.

[raging moderate]

77. Fourteen minutes.

That's how long the tape ran, and it showed the sermon start to finish. I thought it was lovely!

[MustLoveBeagles]

78. I thought he was terrific

He was one of the highlights, so was the choir. I went to gospel service many years ago. This was understated and streamlined by comparison. Not everyone will like it. YMMV.

[Raine]

79. I thought so at the time, I was sleepy and anxiously waiting

for the vows BUT I listened when it was repeated and it was a terrific sermon, very uplifting, inspirational and really special!

[mfcorey1]

81. I have to admit that when I went back and listened to it again, I came to the same

conclusion. I later understood that it was actually supposed to be a sermon instead of just comments. I was unfamiliar with a sermon at a wedding. My bad!

[3catwoman3]

80. I thought he was delightful - animated and enthusiastic.

I listened to it again during the recaps. And I'm not even traditionally religious at all.