these two poems were penned by stewart henderson and gerard kelly when my dad died of cancer (several years ago now). today ed died aged 19 of cancer... these poems seem as poignant now as then.
for ed:
this day in paradise
new feet are treading through
high halls of gold
this day in paradise
new legs are striding over jewelled fields in which
the diamond
is considered ordinary
this day in paradise
new eyes have glimpsed the deep fire ready
to flame the stale earth pure
this day in paradise
new blood, the rose red juice that gushed at golgotha
now ripples and races down the pure veins
of a recently arrived beloved
this day in paradise
a new heart pounds in praise
a new body shaped by sacrifice
this day in paradise
the daunting dart of death
has no point
no place
and no meaning
and whilst we mourn and weep
through these human hours
this day in paradise
the blazing embrace
between saviour and son goes on and on and on...
(by stewart henderson)
it was a marvellous healing;
after the months of asking,
of waiting;
after the desperate, slow deterioration,
the warring tides
of faith and doubt:
to be released in an instant,
from every pain.
it was as if the very molecules of his flesh
had been infused, invaded,
with the life of God,
until he was filled, fit to burst,
with the Shalom, the peace,
of the Father's rule.
limbs that had fallen flaccid with weakness
waved and danced with joy;
lungs that had so utterly failed him
sang out with strength and boldness.
he ran
through the unfamiliar sunlight,
drinking it in,
experiencing all at once
the thousand and one feelings
that for so long had been denied him.
it was a marvellous healing:
to be so totally restored,
made whole,
rebuilt.
it had just surprised him,
a little,
that he had had to die
to receive it.
(by gerard kelly)
last night derek was ordained priest. it was at an eden service. it was great to see eden in action. it's a youth congregation in sussex (where to be honest the churches seem pretty dead so it is a lifeline for many). 
the place was packed with young people. the band had a great vibe. liturgy, band, interactive ritual and projections combined seamlessly. it did feel at times like a clash of two cultures - the old church and the new congregation. but at least the bishop has the sense/initiative to do the ordination at eden. in the ordination it was shocking when the priests were invited up to pray and they were all men - obviously not the most progressive diocese!... 
last year i blogged about 
this looks like a 
