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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>I have been quite involved with the liturgical and
parochial life of St George's and would beg to differ with Mr
Bryant.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>The community and liturgy at Doncaster is far from the
sidelines of life and is very much at the centre of its community. They
have a thriving choir of boys and men, and also a most impressive girls'
choir.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>If Mr Bryant would like to accompany me to Evensong and,
afterwards, to the pub, I would be delighted to introduce him to the Vicar and
Director of Music.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=468595701-14102008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Mark</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
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<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> bellhistorians@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:bellhistorians@yahoogroups.com] <B>On Behalf Of </B>David
Bryant<BR><B>Sent:</B> 10 October 2008 16:39<BR><B>To:</B>
bellhistorians@yahoogroups.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: [Bell Historians]
Minsters<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Optima color=navy size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Optima">“</SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Optima><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Optima">I know we have discussed the
definition of a ‘minster’ in the past, but why has there been a sudden
proliferation of churches being designated as “the minster church of
…”? I notice on Campanophile that St Mary’s,
<ST1><ST1><ST1><ST1>Reading</ST1></ST1></ST1></ST1> has become another church
with delusions of grandeur!<O></O><FONT color=navy><SPAN
style="COLOR: navy">”<O></O></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As you are doubtless
aware, Richard, minster is a somewhat imprecise word generally referring to an
ancient missionary centre pre-dating the parochial system. Unlike cathedral
(principal church of a diocese and location of the diocesan bishop’s throne)
or abbey (monastic institution, present or former), there are no concrete
attributes which define a minster so the word was ripe for reuse, or
misuse.<O></O></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Presumably the
modern-day CofE, in designating these pseudo-Minsters, is trying to indicate
that they are the new centres of missionary activity. I confess I find it more
than a little pretentious, and an indication that the CofE recognises that it
is in a long decline – why else would it consider that it needs new missionary
centres when in theory the whole of England is already covered by its
parishes?<O></O></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">And in practical
terms, it doesn’t seem to make any difference. The one I pass most often is
‘Doncaster Minster’, cut off from its unpleasant town by the main road and
generally having an air of being very much on the sidelines of
life.<O></O></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">David</SPAN></FONT>
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