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The church: The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rochester, Kent, England.
Denomination: Church of England.
The building: Bitty and rambling, neither is it particularly large by cathedral standards. The 13th-century eastern arm has been too heavily Victorianized to give much pleasure, but the Norman nave is much lighter, and this is where the bulk of the service took place.
The neighbourhood: The cathedral close is reasonably gracious, but within 200 yards you come across a lot of run-down housing, unfortunately not untypical of the Medway Towns.
The cast: The celebrant was the Dean, the Very Rev. Edward Shotter. He was assisted by other clergy.
Sung Eucharist, Epiphany Procession and Baptism.
How full was the building?
200+ in the nave, comfortably full but not crowded.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
A sidesman told me the service was to begin in the quire, but unfortunately, they seemed to have run out of service sheets. A lady later gave me a spare sheet.
Was your pew comfortable?
Chairs in both quire and nave. They were quite comfoortable, but there wasn't really room for kneeling.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Reasonably quiet, with the odd baby gurgling and the organ churning unobtrusively.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
"Dear friends in Christ..."
What books did the congregation use during the service?
Leaflet for the procession, Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard, and eucharist booklet (Common Worship).
What musical instruments were played?
Organ, together with the cathedral girls' choir and gentlemen of the choir.
Did anything distract you?
The sight of the head verger operating the thurible! Could they not run to a fourth server to do this?
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Fairly typical of the toned-down English Use adopted by most cathedrals these days. What was excellent was the use made of a rather unwieldy building during the procession. This started in the quire, proceeded to the very large crib in the crossing, where three kings (aged about 4) presented their gifts, including some real incense which was then used, and then on to the font, where the baptism took place. Finally there was a station at the nave altar, and the eucharist proceeded from the peace.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
There was no sermon.
Which part of the service was like being in
heaven?
They really knew how to make the best use of a somewhat unispiring building, and the idea of moving the entire congregation round was excellent.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The setting was the Messe Solenelle by Langlais, which I detest! The sanctus was particularly excrutiating and I don't blame the choir, who were excellent. I think it is meant to be discordant.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Not a lot to begin with. Eventually a steward came across and we had quite a long conversation. Overall one got the impression that most of the blue-rinse brigade in the area made the cathedral their spiritual home, although I am sure that once people begin to know you, the welcome becomes less guarded.
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
Nescafé in a plastic cup, with milk at a premium. Adequate, but nothing more.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8 – I enjoyed the service more than I expected, but I find cathedrals a little too impersonal as a rule.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
Yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The procession of the whole congregation around the building.
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