1. Morning Worship Liberation
St Augustine
First Archbishop of Canterbury
21st May 2015
Information from
Augustine of Canterbury comes across today as a very human saint, one who could suffer like many of us from a failure of nerve. For example, his first venture to England ended in a big U-turn back to Rome. He made mistakes and met failure in his peacemaking attempts with the Briton Christians. He often wrote to Rome for decisions on matters he could have decided on his own had he been more self-assured. He even received mild warnings against pride from Pope Gregory, who cautioned him to “fear lest, amidst the wonders that are done, the weak mind be puffed up by self-esteem.” Augustine’s perseverance amidst obstacles and only partial success teaches today’s apostles and pioneers to struggle on despite frustrations and be satisfied with gradual advances.
Bishop Justus Church of England School

2. Gather The Lord be with you And also with you
In 596, Pope Gregory the Great, sent Augustine as the leader of a group of forty monks to re-evangelise the English Church. Augustine appears not to have been a particularly confident person, and in Gaul he wanted to turn back, but Pope Gregory's firm resolution held the group to their mission.
The monks finally landed in Kent in the summer of 597 where they were well received by King Ethelbert whose wife, Bertha, was a Christian.
Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He died in either 604 or 605.
Information adapted from ‘Exciting Holiness’:
Augustine was prior of the monastery of St Andrew in Rome.
Once established on England Augustine returned temporarily to Gaul to receive ordination as a bishop.

3. Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this
Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches." Jesus told them still another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises."
Matthew 13:
Can you relate this reading to the little bit of information you have just read about the life of St Augustine?
Receive

4. Engage Gaining Confidence
St Augustine appears to have lacked confidence…
but eventually he became the first Archbishop
of Canterbury…
Reflect
How confident are you?
What is confidence?
Advice
how to gain confidence
Moving on
Augustine wasn’t too sure about moving on to England from Rome
but despite his reticence he is now a major figure in the Church’s history in England
Discuss how it feels to move on—from primary to secondary?
from one house to another?
from secondary school into 6th form?
Think about a time you have moved on from something
talk to a partner about what it felt like
what was difficult and what went well…
Other Ideas
Ask students to write down a list of their likes and dislikes—the more confident they are the more optimistic they will be…..
Ask students to write down a list of their strengths and weaknesses—the more confident they are the more strengths they will have…..
Mustard Seeds and Yeast
St Augustine was Archbishop in England at a time when many were not Christians….. From a small beginning the faith has spread and been a major influence in England
Sow seeds—cress seeds are very quick and satisfying to grow in a classroom—sow them onto damp cotton wool
What small things can you do to make a big difference?

5. whose servant Augustine was sent as the apostle of the English people:
Respond
Almighty God,
whose servant Augustine was sent as the apostle
of the English people:
grant that as he laboured in the Spirit
to preach Christ's gospel in this land
so all who hear the good news
may strive to make your truth known in all the world;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

6. Go Following God’s saints in the ways of holiness and truth
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.