I felt like I drank from a water hydrant yesterday, with all of the information I heard and observations that were made. Our team went to a High Anglican service in the morning, probably the "highest" that I've been to before. I was glad that we weren't prepped beforehand about it, but had the opportunity to take things in. I was struck with a few observations in particular:
-There were a lot of crucifixes around the church
-I didn't see anyone my age. It was all elderly people or young families
-There was no mention of Jesus in the sermon, but in a positive light, the rector did base his talk on questions that the congregation has been asking (showed a hunger)
-A lot of people welcomed us after the service
-I had a difficult time following the mass, because they did not give much direction through the book of prayer
I think the biggest thing I wondered was how a non-Christian would feel in a service like that. I am a Christian who has grown up going to church, and I had a very hard time following through the service and knowing what was going on, and what different things are for (ie: the incense). How much more difficult and "uninviting" would it be for someone who has never been to church before?
That question plagued me as our team met with a Brit from the Camden team in the afternoon. He told us that we had just experienced what any non-church goer in England would, and that now we can relate more to them.
Classic Anglicanism. I'm surprised you didn't have a comment on the number of times you stood, sat then knelt. Growing up Anglican you catch on to these things. I'm not sure which prayer book you were using. I am used to Alternative Services which is always jumbled to follow but every Anglican church I've been to has a leaflet on how to find the sections.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about how attending an Anglican service would be for a non-Christian. I find so many things are just implied. It's implied that you know how to follow the book, and when to sit or stand. I also find Jesus is implied a lot as well. Sermons are always rooted in His teachings even if He doesn't appear in the opening credits.
Cheers from across the pond!
Helen