 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
The church: Holy Trinity, Greensboro, NC, USA.
Denomination: Episcopal Church in the USA.
The building: The church itself, and the other associated buildings, are gray stone. In the middle of the U formed by the church and buildings is a courtyard where they have just built a labyrinth and memorial garden.
The church: Holy Trinity is the home of the Servant Leadership School, a program that offers classes in servant leadership, as well as other classes on spirituality and how we can put that spirituality into action.
The neighbourhood: Holy Trinity is located in downtown Greensboro, NC, in one of the older parts of the city.
The cast: Celebrant: Virginia Herring. Preacher: Jamie L'Enfant. Assisting: Timothy Patterson.
Holy eucharist: rite two.
How full was the building?
About two-thirds full.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Yes, as he handed me an order of service. He also was nice enough to take my coffee cup when I couldn't find a trash can in the narthex.
Was your pew comfortable?
About as comfortable as wooden pews go.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
The main thing I remember is that the organ was rather loud in the time before the service. I was a bit worried that it would be overwhelming throughout the service, but as soon as people started singing, it was very nicely balanced.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
"Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins."
What books did the congregation use during the service?
Book of Common Prayer (1979), Hymnal (1982). Most of the service and the service music was included in the order of service as well.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ and piano.
Did anything distract you?
The two little girls sitting in front of me repeatedly dropped their crayons on the pew, making a bit of a clatter.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Broad church, with beautiful liturgy, including sanctus bells, but no incense.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
10 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
8 – I liked the way they shifted the lighting to bring the focus to the pulpit, bringing down the lights in the congregation and the choir, and leaving lights on the pulpit.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
The text was the Samaritan woman at the well, and focused on water, and how it nourishes and changes us. She looked at how Christ's living water affected the Samaritan woman's life, and ended by asking us to think about where we draw spiritual water ourselves.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The choir's offertory anthem was wonderful. It started with a melody, and then slowly added other lines, weaving a counterpoint in and out of the original melody.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Probably the organ before the service.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
I was there with my girlfriend, and we ended up going to greet some people that she knew.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 – Unfortunately, I live about an hour away, so it really wouldn't be practical.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Absolutely.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
How beautifully the great thanksgiving was celebrated – so graceful and spiritful.
| The Mystery Worshipper is sponsored by surefish.co.uk, the internet service provider from Christian Aid. By offering email services, special offers with companies such as amazon.co.uk and smile.co.uk, surefish raises more than £300,000 a year for Christian Aid's work around the world. Click here to find out how to become a Mystery Worshipper. And click here if you would like to reproduce this report in your church magazine or website. Top | Other Reports | Become a Mystery Worshipper! © Ship of Fools 2002 |
|
 |