Associate Rector’s Reflections

What then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. - 1 Corinthians 14:26

I recently was saddened to read of the death of one my favorite seminary professors at Sewanee, the Rev. Dr. Marion J Hatchett. Marion, who was in retirement, had been the long-time professor of Liturgics (the study of worship and rites) at Sewanee, and he was one of the main reasons I chose Sewanee as the place to prepare for ordination. Marion was one of the principal shapers of the liturgical life of the Episcopal Church over the last 40 or so years. He was instrumental in the revisions which resulted in the current Book of Common Prayer (1979) and the Hymnal 1982. He was passionately concerned that the over-riding concern of those planning and leading liturgy was that the congregation be edified, or "built up" in the Christian faith through the weekly and daily experience of participating in the liturgy of the Church - an experience where Sunday to Sunday and daily, the worshipping People of God grow more deeply into their Baptismal calling, and integrate more thoroughly faith, worship, and daily life. Last year, Marion was honored by the General Theological Seminary in New York, where he did his doctoral dissertation, as Alumnus of the Year. In his acceptance address, Marion spoke words of wisdom that continue to edify the Episcopal Church beyond the hour of his death:

The American Church jumped way out ahead of the Church of England and other sister churches in a number of respects. One was in giving voice to priests and deacons and to laity (as well as to bishops and secular government officials) in the governance of the national church and of dioceses and of parishes. The American Church revised the Prayer Book in a way that went far beyond revisions necessitated by the new independence of the states. At its beginning the American Church legalized the use of hymnody along with metrical psalmody more than a generation before use of "hymns of human composure" became legal in the Church of England. At an early stage the American Church gave recognition to critical biblical scholarship. The American Church eventually gave a place to women in various aspects of the life of the church including its ordained ministry. The American Church began to speak out against discrimination against those of same-sex orientation, and the American Church began to make moves in establishing full communion with other branches of Christendom.

Historically the American Church has been the flag-ship in the Anglican armada. It has been first among the provinces of the Anglican Communion to take forward steps on issue after issue, and on some of those issues other provinces of Anglicanism have eventually fallen into line behind the American Church. My prayer is that the American Church will be able to retain its self-esteem and to stand firm and resist some current movements which seem to me to be contrary to the principles of historic Anglicanism and to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

Marion and his wife Carolyn lived out their faith in the Sewanee community by continually practicing lavish hospitality to students and faculty, opening their gracious home on many occasions. I learned much from him just sitting in his office with other students during class breaks while he took a furtive cigarette break and told old parish "war stories." He made most all of us feel that it was more than an unlikely event that we would actually be ordained! (I couldn't say that for everyone involved in the ordination process!) I am so grateful that Marion Hatchett was part of my formation as a priest and for helping bring the worship of the Episcopal Church into the later part of the 20^th century and into the next. For a bibliography of Marion Hatchett's published works, see: http://www.amazon.com/Marion-J.-Hatchett/e/B001K8KTCK. As one blogger put it, I'm sure Marion will be making sure that the liturgy in Heaven will be done well and in order and in accordance with the rubrics. Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and may light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Peace and Blessings, Bill Bennett, Associate Rector