Today Ben and I walked to St Augustines, a church of around 25 poeple near Anglia Square. The scene that met us as we walked through the door was a bit of a surprise - it was very open, with chairs arranged around the edge of the room in a circle. The first person to greet us was the pastor (or is he a vicar, being CofE?), Nicholas Vessey, who seems a very nice chap. A few other people said hello too.
The service began with a few notices, then one of the members of the church explained why she had made a gift of a 'singing bowl' to the church - this is something she discovered at Lidesfarne, and is struck to make a ringing tone to mark the beginning or end of sacred time or silence. So Nicholas began the service by stricking the bowl for a time of 'silence with children'! It was nice to have the children acknowledged and included in that way.
A few readings and songs ensued, followed by a short sermon about giving our how we want to clothe ourselves in Christ but often our earthly bodies and the things we need to do can get in the way. This struggle, whatever we struggle with in our earthly lives, is something we can give to God and through that be closer to him. Nicholas asked afterwards if anyone had any comments or questions at the end (no one did - he did say it's difficult to get people to participate in the Church of England!)
Some liturgy was used for communion, but not in a rigid way. I'm reliably informed port was used, it was a shock to take a mouthful of alcohol rather than sickly sweet grape juice!!
I felt very whole this morning. It's nice to not have to smile and make unecessary conversation with people we hardly know and who look uncomfortable when they run out of things to say. I like feeling complete - contended to be somewhere. Definately want to go back.
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6 comments:
Indeed, without being tempted to revert to the words `just emergant enough`, I felt that St Auguistnes has an... appropriate community emphasis, and not in the Oak Grove serving hte comunity way, more in a `our community is our church` way which was, like La said, condusive to the feeling of whole-ness that one *should* feel about church
wow cool, I'm glad you enjoyed it and had such a positive experience! I've never actually been there, although did go to a meditation thing once.
I think you should have written this up as a 'mystery worshipper' review on www.ship-of-fools.com
Glad yoe enjoyed the service. It is a lovely church, maybe see you there one day.
I believe Paul and Heather who people have left comments on their blog go there and really love it.
I have been once and people were very friendly.
No, I'm sorry, there are too many people and they meet in a church. You two can't possibly go there ;)
LOL!!!
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