Paradise
Writing Challenge 2023
Posted by Chris Sissons on Aug 2, 2023
Writing Challenge ยป Chris Sissons
To write about inner healing, what better place to start than in Paradise? Paradise Square is a lovely 18th-century square a few yards away from Sheffield Cathedral.
It was a place where people met to hear public speakers, whether for protest, religion or entertainment. The modern car park is on cobblesets and the square slopes, with the highest point furthest from the balcony on the right of the photo, where speakers often stood. “They paved paradise, Put up a parking lot”.
The most famous speaker in the square, or at least the only one with a commemorative plaque, is John Wesley, the great eighteenth-century preacher. His plaque reads: “John Wesley July 15th 1779 ’I preached in Paradise Square in Sheffield to the largest congregation I ever saw on a weekday’.”
He was an Anglican priest and had arranged to preach at the Parish Church, now the Cathedral. They thought better of it. And so, he preached in Paradise Square.
Wesley had previously ‘consented to become more vile’ through field preaching and so the change of plan would not have upset him. He was controversial because he was an enthusiast and we can’t be doing with that in church.
These religious debates added to the conflict in the city. A few decades later Wesleyan Methodist Churches, eg Carver Street, were scenes of religious struggle (it is now probably the only Australian-themed wine bar in the world with a pulpit!). One minister there, Jabez Bunting, had a national profile and I believe he was President of Methodist Conference more than once. He was also a Tory and a keen Sabbatarian. He argued that children should be taught to read in Sunday School (so they could read the Bible) but not to write as this was a skill that would enhance their career. He was not untypical of the Ministers in those times.
But the Sunday Schools were hotbeds of Socialism and its precursors. How so? Because the only available Sunday School teachers were older brothers, who passed the good news down the generational line!
South Yorkshire is the County with the lowest church-going population in the country. Religion in Sheffield is not generally a source of controversy today. Somehow, you can find most Christian denominations and other religious faiths worshipping around the city. They rub along reasonably well. (There was a spell a few years ago, where church services around the city were interrupted by Muslim women bearing a huge chocolate cake as a gift!)
There are lots of reasons why cities exist, somehow become established with some purpose or other. We can say they exist to provide opportunities for jobs, education, entertainment or community. And these perhaps explain why this city is in this place.
But do cities have an inner purpose? Are they places where people find support for their inner lives? Does a massive choice of worshipping communities help or hinder? We tend to think of cities as places where people are lonely or driven by stress into alcohol or drugs or gambling. But do they offer hope as well? Where do you find paradise in your city?
This year's Writing Challenge, fueled by prompts, is about the City of Sheffield. Be surprised by what's included and even more surprised by what's left out. This is Post 17 and there are 21 altogether. Share your thoughts and your love for the City in the comments. The first Post 0 is Context: Sheffield. The last post 16 is Lost Answers, Lost Questions. The next post 17 is Silence! (Cough, Cough ...).
Comments
Leave a comment.
Leave a comment.
)
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Palladium
Internal