An Anglican Church Service

Today was mostly a free day, except that we had to attend church together. Normally, if I were back at school, I would have to attend chapel three times a week. Because we're traveling all the time, we obviously don't have time for chapel and instead have group worship on Sundays. This morning we attended a traditional Anglican service. Which, I must say, was an experience.

I have never attended a traditional Anglican service before. Most of what I know about the Anglican church comes from my history courses: that this sect began under the reign of Henry VIII so he could get a divorce, though there are other reasons behind it.

The Rydal parish church is a stone structure down the road from Rydal hall, where we were staying. Bells announced the morning service. It was still a little damp outside from the rain yesterday, but it would end up being a beautiful sunny day anyway. Narrow stained glass windows lined the small room. Many of the people there were also staying at Rydal Hall.

The two priests, or ministers, were dressed in white robes. Upon a closer inspection I noticed that they both wore black cassocks underneath, which surprised me. The Anglican church's close connection with the Catholic church was something I noted throughout the entire service. An older woman assisted the main pastor, which made me wonder about the Anglican's church's views on women in ministry. Conservative? Liberal? Or is this particular parish special?

The entire service reminded me of growing up in the United Methodist Church in Detroit, where I lived as a child. Priests dressed in traditional garb, the numbering of the hymns on the wall, in those aspects an Anglican service is similar to a Methodist one (elements of Catholicism were extremely prominent in today's service, though). However, the differences are stark to a sharp observer.

Most of my biblical and theological studies are associated with Protestant teachings, which meant that the service's continual emphasis on the Virgin Mary perplexed me. I have never before taken part of a service that focused on her. The hour and a half service was structured around the Nine Joys of Mary, which are centered around the life of her son Jesus Christ. Meditative chants interposed the prayers and sermon, some of which were in Latin. In a way the meditative chants are refreshing: they allow the participant to meditate and reflect upon important messages within the Christian faith. As a Protestant, I don't necessarily agree with the emphasis on Mary (though she is, of course, important), and it is one of these key differences that alienates our group from the congregation. To be honest, today was a special day dedicated to Mary, so maybe not all services are like this.

Nearly everyone who took part of the service—save maybe, the singers—stopped and bowed their heads before the altar and genuflected. How different is the Anglican church from the Catholic church, aside from the fact that Anglicans don't follow the Pope?

I found the sermon itself to be short. In a break away from the chanting and traditional prayers, the priest spoke about the Paraplegic Olympics, which are happening now in the United Kingdom.

For the first time in my life I felt very much an outsider taking part in communion. Initially I was unsure if we would be allowed to take communion, since I understand that certain churches won't allow it unless you are a member. But this was a hospitable community, and Chris did tell us tonight that some other conservative churches may be less hospitable to outsiders (such as St. Paul's in London, which I believe we are attending for a service). 

Usually, one goes up near the altar to receive communion, but instead we were instructed to circle the altar as a group. Real wine was used, which didn't faze me, but it did make me wonder why American churches are more conservative in alcohol use during communions and why this difference exists.

The church itself is very old. The congregation's attire clashed with the stone walls and stained glass windows. What makes this particular church historically significant is the fact that Williams Wordsworth used to be the chapel warden. A plaque commemorates his special pew, near the front left.  

I think it was definitely an experience, and while it was uncomfortable most of the time I think it was a good experience. We will be attending a Quaker service as well as a Benedictine service, so we'll see how that goes.