| |
 |
 |
|
| Comment on this report, or find other reports. |
|
| Our Mystery Worshippers are volunteers who warm church pews for us around the world. If you'd like to become a Mystery Worshipper, start here. |
|
| Find out how to reproduce this report in your church magazine or website. |
|
|
| 1801: St John
the Baptist, Bishop Monkton, North Yorkshire, England |
|
 |
|
Mystery Worshipper:
Jacobsen.
The church:
St John the Baptist, Bishop Monkton, Yorkshire, England.
Denomination:
Church of England, Diocese
of Ripon and Leeds.
The building:
Limestone, designed by the noted Durham architect C Hodgson
Fowler and built with steeple and porch in the Old English style
in 1879. It occupies the site of two previous chapels of ease.
From the outside it seems deceptively large, as the long wall
runs parallel with St John’s Road. Inside, however, it is tiny,
seating 120 at most. Two banks of pews are separated by one
central aisle. There is some very nice stained glass, especially
a side window depicting an angel and child. An appeal is currently
being launched to pay for an extension that will house loos,
a kitchen, a quiet room and social space.
The church:
This is a true village church with enthusiastic volunteers,
witnessed by the albums of photographs on display to celebrate
the craftsmanship of kneelers and flower arrangements. The church
advertises and supports village activities such as the duck
race (plastic ducks being raced down the beck that runs along
one side of St John’s Road) and the local primary school’s bank
holiday fun day for children.
The neighbourhood:
A beautiful Yorkshire village a little over a mile from the
main road, with stream, one shop, and an indigenous live duck
population. It is set in the agricultural triangle between Knaresborough,
Boroughbridge and Ripon. The spring bulbs, many planted by residents
in common ground, are a glorious sight.
The cast:
The Very Revd Keith Jukes, dean of Ripon and Leeds. Since the
parish is a benefice of the cathedral, the dean is also its
vicar.
The date & time:
Sunday, 30 August 2009, 10.30am.
What was the name of the service?
Joint Parish Eucharist with St Leonard's Church, Burton Leonard.
How full was the building?
I counted 29 in the congregation and 16 in the visiting choir
from Burton Leonard. It sounds a small number, but was quite
substantial, given the small size of the church.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
The sidesman giving out the service sheets said hello. I was
also approached by a churchwarden who introduced himself and
asked me where I was from, and also told me about this particular
service. Finally, as the members of the congregation entered,
they said hello to right and left as they moved down the church.
Was your pew comfortable?
Standard dark wood pews, rather narrow from front to back, with
carpet to soften the effect. Beautiful wool worked kneelers,
some with standard patterns, but others of local views and buildings,
cats, dogs, mice, etc. Sufficiently comfortable for an hour’s
service.
How would you describe the pre-service
atmosphere?
The visiting choir were rehearsing, and there was a good deal
of talking at the front of the church. This quieted down, and
the last few minutes were occupied by an organ solo, the slow
movement from Winter (Vivaldi’s Four Seasons).
What were the exact opening words of the
service?
The service opened with a lively choral introit, after which
the dean said: "Well, with such a rousing beginning, these
next words are very poignant." He then went on to recite
the scripture sentence: "Proclaim the glory of the Lord
amongst the nations, his marvellous deeds to all peoples: great
is the Lord, worthy of all praise."
What books did the congregation use during the
service?
There were no books. A full service leaflet for the day was
provided, plus a sheet with the notices for the week.
What musical instruments were played?
An electric piano keyboard for the introit, and the church's
two-manual organ for the remainder of the service.
Did anything distract you?
It wasn’t the warmest of mornings, and I was happy to snuggle
up to the radiator, which was on!
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or
what?
Vested priest and robed choir, traditional Anglican service.
Jazzy introit, hence the keyboard, but good standard hymns.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
10 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
8 – The dean's first comment was that younger priests had
described the day’s readings with a rather unkind word. He confessed
that the readings were not necessarily the easiest to connect
up or make relevant, but he did it, using a personal anecdote.
And he got absolute and intense silence while he did it!
In a nutshell, what was
the sermon about?
The readings were Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (my beloved comes to
me and bids me go away with him), and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
(mere lip service does not honour God; what comes out of a man
defiles him, not what goes in). He related these passages to
genuine love and worship.
Which part of the service
was like being in heaven?
The obvious thought and care which had gone into preparing this
special service, which also marked the launch of the appeal
for the church extension.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The first hymn was in a key too high for a contralto, so I defaulted
into harmony. By the second hymn, my voice had warmed up. This
can happen when there’s a choir with real sopranos around.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
The lady in the pew in front of me turned round to thank me for
my singing! Not, I think, the harmony. We got into a conversation
about the projected building works, the history of St John’s,
and her recent visit to London. She steered me toward the refreshments.
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
Tea and coffee in disposable cups, plus biscuits.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8 – I found the style of worship congenial. The people
were friendly and welcoming. Handshakes at the peace, with no
mention of swine flu precautions.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
Very.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The windows of wonderful Victorian stained glass. |
|
|
|
 |
|
| We rely on voluntary donations to stay online. If you're a regular visitor to Ship of Fools, please consider supporting us. |
|
 |
|
| The Mystery Pilgrim |
|
| One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here. |
|
 |
|
| London churches |
|
| Read reports from 70 London churches, visited by a small army of Mystery Worshippers on one single Sunday. Read here. |
| |
|
|
|
|
