Sunday Worship in the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
Two things hit you about the parish church compared to any other church building in Wincanton. The first is its age. Like most English parish churches it has been a place of worship for centuries, in this case since Anglo-Saxon times. The fact that most of what you see today is the work of those vigorous re-creators of the past, the Victorians, with their obsession with the "Gothic" simply emphasises this. It is a building rich in symbolism and ready for sacred song and serious ceremony. The second thing about it, is its size. It is a big church easily able to accommodate several hundred people and the Victorians gave it an imposing great organ, stalls for a large choir, an elevated altar with a cross and candles, stained glass windows, and banners. More recently a modern Communion Table or Nave Altar has been added.
Sunday 7th of February 2010 was bitterly cold. As we walked towards the church the evocative sound of a peel of church bells rang across the town – quintessentially English. As we neared the door the peel changed to the insistent tolling of a single bell, signalling the service was about to start. On entering we found the church was warm and we were greeted by an eager team of helpers who gave us a sheaf of papers and a hymnbook. The papers consisted of the Order of Service for Holy Communion, the Bible readings for the day and the Baptism Service, for this was to be one of those Sundays when the baptism of a baby would be taking place.
The organ rang out loudly and the choir processed in clad in a very impressive set of dark blue-green robes – recently purchased from a church in the US. They were followed by the Rector, the Revd Nigel Feaver, wearing a cream robe (an alb) with a wide, decorated stole about his neck. At the front of the Church, dressed in their Sunday best, sat about thirty members of the family of the baby to be baptised. He was being carried by his proud mother who looked splendid in a white lace mini and red high heels.
Nigel's manner was relaxed, informal and friendly as he welcomed the family and explained the point of the symbols that would be used in the baptism ceremony, the sign of the cross, the splashing of water by the font and the lighting of a candle, and after we had all sung a hymn, the baptism service started. As well as the baptism party the church was well filled by the normal Sunday congregation and everyone joined in fully. Having a written sheet makes participation easy and clear and with it comes an awareness that with little variation these are the words that have been used in this place for centuries to welcome a new member into the Church.
The family then all followed Nigel to the back of the Church where the font is always situated and the proud mother handed the baby to Nigel. This is a dangerous moment which can result in some drama if the baby chooses to howl, but this baby seemed very happy to be marked with the sign of the cross and splashed three times from the font in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. As this happened all those around were asked to remember their own baptisms and to be ready to help and support this child and his family. Fascinated by Nigel's beard and his glasses, the baby appeared to thoroughly enjoy being carried by him from the font up the central aisle to the altar and back again while everyone clapped.
At this point during a hymn Nigel slipped on a green brocaded chasuble, the traditional robe for a priest to wear when celebrating Holy Communion and the service proceeded with readings and some very well thought out prayers lead by a member of the congregation. This was followed by "the passing of the peace" when everyone turned to shake the hand of those around them and say "the Peace of the Lord be always with you. " Here is a little ceremony shared by Quakers, Catholics and Anglicans which expresses the hope that Christians are or should be a supportive circle of friends. Receiving Jesus in and through the re-enactment of his last meal when the bread and the wine are referred to as the body and blood of Christ is as central to Anglican worship as it is to Catholic and the form of the service, the liturgy, is almost identical. True, some different terms are used to express what is happening, but in both cases the essential point is that Jesus is seen as entering into, strengthening and influencing each person who partakes.
When the words, "Draw near with faith and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ" were said, most of the adults present went up to the altar to receive communion and several children went up for a simple priestly blessing. The service ended with a final rousing hymn after Nigel had offered an invitation to everyone who wished to stay behind for coffee or tea and a biscuit. This was all laid out on tables at the back of the church presided over by members of the Social Committee. Nigel then rushed to the door of the Church so as to be able to chat and greet personally all those who were not going to stay, particularly the baptism party who clearly had a family celebration in mind.
Because the service included a baptism on this occasion there was no sermon. Normally there always is, but it struck me that this service had been a powerful demonstration of how effective ceremony, symbol and singing can be as ways of communicating what Christianity is all about. Looking around to pick up the mood it seemed to me that many had found that morning service meaningful and satisfying.
To see more about the Parish Church visit www.wincanton-parish-church.co.uk
John Baxter
Comments
Login to comment!