Choirs, worship songs, after service coffee - the all new religion chat thread

[niminypiminy]

A new place for us to share the lovely, silly and annoying things that happen in church life and share our great love of Graham Kendrick.

I'm sorry about your mum, Niminy.

And good luck with the worship band. What will your musical contribution consist of?

Oh Niminy, so sorry to hear about the loss of your mum

Will be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping all goes well.

Niminy do let us know how it goes....

Anyone know Edinburgh? I'm there tonight and I've been getting recommendations on Twitter where to go tonight. I am wavering between "glorious high church with a progressive congregation" Evensong and Benediction at Old Saint Pauls which I'm told will change me . Or a large lively evangelical church which seems to be known everywhere as Gs and Ps, and is hugely popular. That is very not me. But I'm trying to explore different forms of worship, so I'm thinking maybe I should go there, it will stretch me more. What do you reckon?

Hope it went well Niminy and so sorry to hear about your dear Mum.

Someone kindly stood in for our keyboard player at church today but their playing style/ sound was very 'Music Hall'. Anyway at least we had someone to keep us in time.

Edd if it were me I'd definitely be in Old St Paul's. It may or may not change you but you don't get the chance to participate in Benediction that often. It's an extraordinary kind of a thing. Large evangelical churches are easier to find.

Music this morning was actually fine. We ended up with a hymn that goes to Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) which went really well with a violin (my instrument) playing the lead. Matt Redman songs not so much but hopefully as a peacemaking gesture it did its work. The thought of music hall-style hymns and songs is .

I'd go to Old St Paul's Edd. Nice to think of you in my neck of the woods - I'm a bit further north.

Thanks. That's settled then

Didn't know Benediction was a special thing...

And 😂 And 😵 to knees up mother brown stylee songs lisette

Gosh, yes, well, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is certainly a special thing. Super high anglo-catholic in this case, but I guess they must also do it in RC churches. I found it a little strange - quite distancing, whereas usually our interaction with the Eucharist is so intimate, drawing us in to the body of Christ. In this service it's revered to the point of exclusion almost I felt, if that makes any sense. Though I expect that sounds heretical to some, in which case I apologise.

Is there anyone Anglo-Catholic around? If so, can you tell me why in the church I went in to on Saturday all the crosses and statues were already covered in purple cloth, whereas at the church I went to last night, despite it being pointy highest of high they weren't? Just curious, wondering if it's simply local preference or whether there is a theological point being made?

I was attracted to Old St Pauls because it dates from 1689 but that does seem super high church!

Don't get me wrong Lissette the service was absolutely beautiful; I was just a little puzzled by the Benediction.

I didn't think that Edd from your post at all. The ceremony was just a little different to the usual. I don't know the answer to the purple cloth question but I'm sure someone will know! Praying for your dd1.

A local church I visit has a keyboard player who plays by ear, very much in the musicals, show tunes style. Lots of flourishes and arpeggios. He's incredible talented, but it is a little S disconcerting when it feels as though morning has broken could segue into hello dolly any moment. He sways like Liberace (?), too!

I think our keyboard player was playing by ear too - he had lots of little flourishes etc. ah well, it was a different experience!

EddCox I think there are a couple of different traditions for veiling the cross, some churches do it right through Lent whereas I think that some only do it for the last couple of weeks (or maybe just passiontide). I assume this is local tradition rather than highness of church. Our cathedral veils right through Lent.

My aunt's funeral was during lent. I carefully selected flowers, and caused a bit of consternation when I turned up with them. My church doesn't do the stripped/covered tradition.

My last church veiled only on Maundy Thursday - they had a majestas (image of Christ in glory) behind the high altar, and the veiling of that on Maundy Thursday, with the reserved sacrament, also veiled, in front of it, and the rest of the church stripped bare, speaks so powerfully to me of Holy Week. I think everywhere has its traditions and ways of symbolising what is happening through Lent and passiontide.

I have to say Edd that ai'm not high enough up the candle for Benediction! I'd say I was probably liberal catholic rather than trad or Anglo-C.

Veiled in my church at the moment. It describes itself as 'liberal Anglo-Catholic'.

Our church straps the altar on Maundy Thursday too.

*strips

We have done, and will do nothing like that. If we stripped the altar we'd have a problem as we store the Christmas decorations under it

I really appreciate hearing how powerful and meaningful it is for some of you. I clearly don't have that gene, whatever it is. Hopefully, God loves variety as they say!

Hi everyone, lurker here coming into full view. I am after advice on whether or not to join a house group please.
Background - I was not a Christian growing up (did go to church parade with guides etc) but slowly became one over my 20/30's starting originally from wanting to get married in a pretty church! Couldn't really say exactly when I became a Christian but have attended church regularly now with my DH and kids for 8 years. We go to a large church and I love it and so do my family. I feel close in my relationship God and it is such a massive joy and help in my life. I am not very good at reading the Bible (rarely do outside of church) but enjoy reading books such as Jesus Calling most nights before bed.
Our church is so large we feel we don't really know anyone properly. We know lots of people to have superficial conversations with - how ar the kids etc so Hoise a Group would mainly be to make deeper friendships rather than further any religiousness (although hopefully that would happen too).
Trouble is House Group would be really hard to fit in. DHrarely gets back before 9pm and every night kids have something on in the evenings (4 kids) so no idea how to actually fit it in.
However a 2 people have approached me recently to ask if I want to join one and believe it or not DS's spellings this week were 'ou' words and spellings 6 and 7 were 'house' and 'group' !!!! I am starting to think God might be dropping hints!
Is a House Group really worth it in your experience and any how do you fit it in practically if you have young kids (no family nearby to help out). Also (minor point) do people sing at House group? I don't enjoy singing and mime in church and would cringe if I had to sing in a small group!
Sounds daft I know.

Ime house group is where it really happens. I love mine but then it came about absolutely through the hand of God. I would pray about it and trust that you'll find the right group for you. Mine is during the day in my village so perfect for SAHMs.

No singing at ours, I'm sure many many people would be uncomfortable with that.

Thanks building. I have heard house groups are important. Will definitely pray and perhaps leave it in God's hands.