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| 2552: Aboard
RMS Queen Mary 2, Atlantic Ocean |
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Mystery
Worshipper: Honeydripper.
The church:
Aboard RMS
Queen Mary 2, Atlantic Ocean.
Denomination:
Today's service was non-denominational Protestant, but Roman
Catholic services are also held.
The building:
The QM2 is Cunard's largest ship and (with 2400 passengers and
1400 crew) one of the largest passenger vessels afloat. It is
the only one with regular crossings of the Atlantic. The service
was held in the Royal Court Theatre, which is otherwise used
for lectures, dramatic productions, and cheesy floor shows.
(There's an intentionally retro feel to the whole ship: the
singing and dancing evoke Las Vegas ca. 1962.) The keyboard
was stage left; the commodore spoke and the lessons were read
from a podium, stage right. There was a small altar with a cross
and a single vase of flowers, front and centre.
The church:
It's not really a community at all. Aside from the 8-10 members
of the crew who attend, the congregation are new every Sunday.
The neighbourhood:
Approximately 360 nautical miles east of New York City, en route
to Southampton. Water to the horizon.
The cast:
Commodore Christopher Rynd (the ship's master) presided; the
two readers of lessons and the organist were crew members. All
except one reader were in uniform (whites).
The date & time:
2 June 2013, 11.00am.
What was the name of the
service?
Interdenominational Church Service.
How full was the building?
The theatre is huge, so the congregation looked sparse, but
I'd guess we numbered 100-150. It's hard to say because a considerable
number were in the balcony, which I couldn't see well from downstairs.
Did anyone welcome you
personally?
As we entered, we were handed service leaflets and greeted by
a member of the ship's company.
Was your pew comfortable?
Very plush theatre seating, almost too comfortable.
How would you describe
the pre-service atmosphere?
People were quiet, listening to the organ. Conversation was
pretty much limited to "Excuse me" as people took
their seats.
What were the exact opening
words of the service?
"A very good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome
to our Sunday morning service."
What books did the congregation
use during the service?
No books. We were given (reusable) service leaflets, one with
the words of the service and another with the lyrics of a couple
of dozen hymns. The service was billed as interdenominational,
but it was in fact morning prayer from the Book of Common
Prayer (1662), "miserable offenders" and all.
What musical instruments
were played?
Electronic keyboard set on organ – generic baroque and
old favourite hymns sight-read well by (we were told later)
the ship's chief electronics officer.
Did anything distract
you?
There was a mobile phone that rang, making me wonder about how
someone had a connection in mid-Atlantic, but for me the major
distraction was the incongruity of the theatre setting and the
recollection of the Royal Cunard Singers & Dancers from
the previous evening.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip,
happy clappy, or what?
I'd call it dignified, ordered, and restrained. The commodore
was aware and wanted us to be aware that we were in a tradition
of worship at sea. He said as much when he introduced the prayer
for those at sea and the Naval Hymn, "Almighty Father,
strong to save." He also introduced the other hymns by
telling us a bit about their composition and history.
Exactly how long was the
sermon?
No sermon.
Which part of the service
was like being in heaven?
The hymns were splendid old chestnuts (e.g., "Love divine,
all loves excelling") and the small and dispersed congregation
sang robustly. I seem to have been surrounded by choir singers.
(I asked one of my neighbours and, sure enough, he said he sings
in a Welsh male chorus.)
And which part was like
being in... er... the other place?
The decor of the theatre is completely appropriate for its major
uses, but somewhat jarring in this context. Also, the number
of empty seats made it impossible to ignore the poor attendance.
Perhaps a smaller and less grandiose room would provide a better
setting for this fine service.
What happened when you
hung around after the service looking lost?
After the service, the members of the congregation left the
theatre pretty briskly, so there would have been no one left
to speak to me. The commodore and other officers were at the
door and shook hands and chatted with us as we filed past.
How would you describe
the after-service coffee?
There was none.
How would you feel about
making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
5 – The QM2 is a splendid way to cross the Atlantic, but
I suspect that living on it would get old pretty quickly. If
I did, however, I'd be grateful to have this service to attend.
Did the service make you
feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes. It continues a valuable tradition in a traditional way,
and it employs some of the Western world's finest hymns and
prayers.
What one thing will you
remember about all this in seven days' time?
Probably the bearing of Commodore Rynd, who is straight out
of Central Casting. |
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| The Mystery Pilgrim |
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| One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here. |
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| London churches |
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| Read reports from 70 London churches, visited by a small army of Mystery Worshippers on one single Sunday. Read here. |
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