Transcendence @ York Minster

I took the opportunity in Sunday evening to travel to York Minster where Visions the long standing Church 'for people who don't like Church' and York Minster have formed a partnership to offer

Transcendence
a monthly multi-visual Eucharist which unites the traditional with the future and advertises itself as an "Anglo Catholic fresh expression of Church"

It is the brainchild as I understand it, of Sue Wallace of the Visions and Jeremy Fletcher Canon Precentor of the Minster 

Located in the East Crypt (a stunning location within an all together remarkable building which was made all the more evocative because of the late night and contrasting quietness of the building) I thought it a remarkably celebration of the Eucharist.

Unashamedly liturgical, based wholly on the Anglican Common Worship Eucharist it made no concessions to the newcomer or the curious visitor who might be unfamiliar with the words or format - but then any such participant could not have failed to have been drawn into the beauty of the music and visuals.

It succeeded precisely because it was uncluttered with superfluous introduction or explanation - the quality of the music and visuals and the familiarity of the majority of the congregation ensured that all who wished could readily participate.

The high point of the music was the contribution of 4 male voices from the Minster choir - whose supreme 4 part skill and effective use of the acoustics of the building translated well into the setting, making pre-recorded Gregorian chant beloved of alt worship groups seem thin. But the contemporary music and singing worked well too - "be thou my vision" sung congregationally to a dance beat etc.

Two fairly major hiccups need sorting for next time ( both alt worship classics which I have fallen foul of in other situations).

Firstly there was no indication at all outside the public face of the Minster as to how to get into the building - access was through a poorly lit door in the Minster car-park which hardly seemed like public space - two car loads of participants from Leeds never found the way in and returned home disgruntled.

Secondly the stretched but crinkled sheets used for display were fine for visuals but rendered words virtually unreadable. Neither were conducive to welcoming the newcomer and gave the hint of an "insider" feel - well anyone we would expect to come would know where the door is and what the words are.

While I am sure that the intention is for this to develop as a local initiative - its venue and ethos offers a wider significance.

Firstly the resources available from the two contributing churches ( the location and liturgical experience being matched by the superb technical expertise of Vision's resident DJs and VJ) mean that it could be an "exemplary event" which could stimulate other developments elsewhere.

Secondly The Anglo-Catholic end of the Church has been slow to respond to the cultural links which its rich tradition of ritual offer - too many Anglo-Catholics preferring to simply be snotty about alt worship groups adopting the likes of incense etc . . surely here is something which could inspire the A-C networks and places such as Walsingham to offer something which values the ritual but connects culturally with the young adult age group

Thirdly the location also says something about the value that "mainstream" Church represented by the Minister places upon new patterns of worship and Church - here is a Minster/Cathedral effectively performing one of it key roles to be a centre of excellence in worship.

So it was a delight - evocative and deeply worshipful . . . .

For those who might be interested the next Transcendence
is on the first Sunday 4th of November at 8pm.

Comments

[Sue]

Please apologise to the disgruntled Leeds folks. We thought there were going to be stewards on duty but there weren't. We will get the more-obvious South door open next time! And good point about sheets, I think I know how to fix that. (I'll attach fixings to the bottom end and stretch).

[Tom Allen]

Sorry the write-up now seems a little strong on the two problems than I had intended - I wasn't too clear headed at the time. It really was excellent - and technically proficient to enable to the reflective as well. It is interesting how often technical hitches deflect from the reflective - but not here!

Sue has made clear that all are welcome - could I encourage others to come next time - and encourage Anglo-Catholic clergy to come as well - they can see that tradition is valued and enhanced by the contemporary.

[Fr. S]

Maybe you should experience the National Youth Pilgrimage to Walsingham in August which consistantly has elements of progressive worship in it: a multimedia stations of the cross (since repeated elsewhere in Derby Diocese for example), 'stations of the spirit' and each year a three hour liquid worship. See www.ipriest.org.uk/walsingham/2007/ Walsingham has invested heavily in using new media in liturgical worship which makes it a creative and challenging pilgrimage. You should try it.

[Tom Allen]

Simon
I was waiting for someone to suggest "multimedia Walsingham" and was praying that no- one would - not sure whether to laugh or cry at the suggestion! I will offer a post explaining why the whole idea completely misses the point being made by the York experiment.

[Paul Fromont]

Hi Tom. I really appreciated your review. Thanks. Also I think its important for you to point out "hiccups". I think that's really important and needful - accessibility is so important. Sue clearly recognises that so, well done.