In January 2022 I spent 4 weeks at an Anglo-Catholic church in a nearby town, as part of my lay ministry training. I somehow got busy after that and never posted these reflections. But, over a year later, they still make sense to me, so here they are….
My church experience has been fairly eclectic and itinerant – a mixture of Anglican parish churches, central London evangelical, Methodist, an independent community church with charismatic tendencies, and a church plant on a new estate. During the central London evangelical phase I at one point set up an ecumenical prayer group at my place of work, wanting to overcome some barriers and bring people of different Christian backgrounds together. (It wasn’t without its challenges but that’s a whole other story). Throughout this journey, I’ve discerned an increasing call to ministry, which took me back to my Anglican roots and led me to lay ministry training. I’ve also realised that much of what I’ve done, in and out of church, could be classed as “pioneering” and part of my training has included a course in Pioneer Mission Enabling. So I approached the placement church with openness and curiosity, wanting to learn about a tradition that I’m less familiar with.
My nearest two Anglican churches are in fact Anglo-Catholic, but somehow I had never felt this style of worship was for me. I couldn’t seem to get a handle on what it was about or how to be part of it. This time was different. What made the difference? Here, in no particular order, are some of the key elements.
The first thing was participating as a leader of worship. I must admit I felt some trepidation initially, as there seemed to be so much going on in the service and so many things to remember. The service moves around the physical space in the church according to what is being focused on. However, I was gently guided and directed by the priest and sacristan about where to stand, which way to point and how to carry out the duties I would be responsible for in the service. At times I felt like a baby elephant blundering around in a china shop, and my comfort zone quickly became a forgotten abandoned place, but somehow it didn’t matter.
The worship is colourful, theatrical and engages all the senses. There is incense, candles, icons and choral music. Those leading the service wear ornate robes. I hadn’t robed before, but on this occasion it felt entirely right – though I was reminded of the words of the song by Jarrod Cooper, which includes the line “in royal robes I don’t deserve”! I felt truly immersed in the beauty and mystery of God, whilst at the same time being reminded of Jesus’s physical incarnation and continued presence with us through the Holy Spirit. I loved the drama of it. As a performing musician it resonated with my experience of playing in an orchestra. It also brought to life the idea of the ‘divine dance’ in which the three persons of the Trinity interrelate and interact.
Secondly, the building itself is very beautiful, with many outstanding historical features. It evokes a sense of awe and reverence and provides a sacred space where people can find peace and encounter God.
Thirdly, use of body and posture is a key part of worship. Anglo-Catholic worship involves genuflecting, bowing, kneeling and crossing oneself. There is deep respect towards Jesus. Again, the words of the song King of Kings seem apt: “All within me falls at Your throne” “Your Majesty, I can but bow.” I found that by physically engaging my whole body, my mind and heart followed. One of the most moving moments for me during the service is when the gospel is read, and a member of the congregation steps forward into the aisle and opens their hands to receive the gospel book. Being the person reading the gospel felt like a great honour.
Fourthly, I started to understand why things are done the way they are, whether that’s the role of saints or the devotion to Mary. (There is a lot to be learned from looking at the lives and faith of those who have gone before us; and it was rightly pointed out to me that the mother of Jesus must be special). Seeing all this through the eyes of regular worshippers was helpful, together with explanations by the priest, and I also gained a lot from the book I was given on my last Sunday: “God’s church in the world: the gift of Catholic mission” edited by Susan Lucas.
I realised that a Catholic-style liturgy, with its focus on Mass (Holy Communion) can be very missional. It reminds us frequently of God’s presence with us and of His transforming power in our lives. It invites everyone to take part and there are many different roles, whether upfront or more behind the scenes. Over time, participation in this worshipping community results in transformed lives. Dare I say it, it felt more inclusive than some other churches I’ve been in. For me personally, I felt I could be myself, even though in a disorientatingly unfamiliar context.
Perhaps this was because the people were so lovely. There was a warm welcome and much kindness shown to me during my brief stay. Week by week, as I participated in the services and heard people’s stories, I gained a sense of a community with Jesus at the centre, walking together through life’s ups and downs. Although the worship is formal and liturgical, the attitude of people seemed mainly unassuming – mass is a regular spiritual discipline, that draws us into greater closeness with God just by the act of doing it. Being a Parish Church, it is available to everyone in the area. During my time there I was aware of people dropping into the church looking for support or spiritual help. I also had the chance to help at a funeral service which gave me an insight into how the church touches the wider community.
Gazing into the mystery and holiness of God, and participating in the sacrament of Mass, was a profoundly moving experience for me. The mixture of love and suffering that characterises Christian faith felt tangible. I was reminded that whilst we may make efforts to connect with God, He is looking right back at us with infinite love and compassion. God is active in our world, and His love is inclusive of all. It is our privilege as church to notice what He is doing and join Him in working towards His kingdom.
On the journey 