April 2002
Inside the stained glass window
Previous Small Fires

Visions are attached to the large evangelical Anglican church of St Michael-le-Belfry in York, made famous by the ministries of David Watson in the 1970s and more recently by Graham Cray. Although Visions differ in theology and church practice, St Michael's have always been supportive, and Visions have been involved in combined church events elsewhere and at York's huge cathedral.

York is an ancient city, founded by the Romans and still possessing its medieval city walls. St Cuthbert's is its oldest church, founded in AD687, and the east wall is mostly reused Roman masonry. Nowadays the centre of the church is occupied by modern offices in a glass and timber pod, leaving the old sanctuary area just the right size for a Visions service.

Visions, appropriately enough, are notable for their spectacular visual effects. The sense of sight is fed magnificently. Typically, all available wallspace will be papered with huge video projections, augmented by slides and TVs which may be showing different sequences to those on the walls. I counted at least three things mixed at once on the TVs, but was later told that there had been up to seven.

Visions' imagery is either nature, such as fish, flowers, landscapes; or medieval religious, icons and stained glass. All is sumptuous in colour and richness, and the combined effect is 21st century psychedelic stained glass, like being inside a stained glass window.

The congregation numbers about 30, and its age runs from 20s to 40s, with a couple of children. We are welcomed by Sue Wallace, in her black leather worship trousers (joke) and wielding a radio mic. This is Easter Saturday night, and the service will follow the trajectory from tomb to resurrection. To one side is a black bier, on which lies a spotlit figure in white bandages.

Worship opens with a hymn, lyrics mixed into the projections over the images. Visions write their own songs in an upbeat but dignified techno-dance idiom, and also recast older hymns in the same style. Sue leads the way with her powerful voice – I am relieved to find that the hymns still work for those with voices two octaves lower. The response of the congregation is better than at many alternative worship services. The clear melodies, strong beat and many verses seem to encourage participation.

Then we all troop outside into the churchyard, where there is a blazing fire inside a circle of stones. We cast our sticks with their griefs into the flames. It's a cheerful and beautiful moment as only a fire outdoors at night can be. Someone is carrying the tall Easter candle. While a liturgy is read incense pins are pressed into the side of the candle to represent the wounds of Christ, and then it is lit by lowering it [carefully] to touch the fire. We pass the candle to one another around the circle with the words, "the light of Christ".

Then we follow the candle indoors again to find that the "body" on the bier has gone, replaced by a pile of bandages beside the flowers. We renew our baptismal vows, signing one another on the forehead with water. There follows a Celtic communion liturgy, with several people (one ordained) officiating. Many alternative worship groups have dispensed with the presence of an ordained minister at holy communion, for various theological and practical reasons, but Visions believe in a continuing role for them.

We pass round the bread among us, each taking a small piece, and then the cups are passed around. So much as usual, except that we are supposed to keep our piece of bread and dip it in the wine when it comes. This instruction is contained in the middle of a paragraph projected on the wall; I scan it carelessly, miss the crucial instruction and swallow my bread immediately. Then I realise my error, but resist the temptation to be the only person to take a swig from the chalice! If I'd had my wits about me I could have used a finger...

After the service more wine and nibbles are passed round, and then a meal is served – some hot dishes, rice, pasta. Nice. Bet that doesn't happen every service!

Visions' songs are available from their website, and many of the images and video loops can be downloaded from The Scriptorium, a web-based worship resource library which they were instrumental in setting up. Sue Wallace's book of prayer activities Multi-sensory Prayer is available from Amazon.

© Ship of Fools 2002