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The church: York Minster, York, England.
Denomination: Church of England.
The building: The largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Enough medieval stained glass to glaze the centre court at Wimbledon. A glorious building and worth travelling half way round the world to see – lots of people do.
The neighbourhood: Well, it's York, which is one of the most interesting cities in Europe, awash with medieval buildings. Actually, at the time of writing this report it was also awash with the River Ouse, so take your wellies!
The cast: Celebrant: the Dean, the Very Rev. Raymond Furnell.
10 o'clock Holy Communion.
How full was the building?
Bulging at the seams, with all 3000+ seats filled and many people standing at the west end. There were many young people in attendance, which makes a pleasant change.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
People were streaming in at quite a rate when I arrived, so there wasn't time for any conversation except to establish that you were going in for the service and not for a gawp at the building. And as all the congregation were strangers to each other, there was no welcome from other members of it either.
Was your pew comfortable?
Not very. Rather hard wooden chairs and no kneeler. I hate having to sit to pray. However, as some peope were perched on the stone seats under the arcading across the west end, and others had to stand, I suppose I shouldn't complain.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
With the cathedral filling up so fast, the atmpsphere had something of Waterloo Station about it, with the cathedral staff signalling to each other across the vast spaces to indicate where there were some empty seats, and leading the punters – worshippers, I mean – to them. However, once people were seated, they were quiet, which created an air of expectation.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
"Welcome to this service of Holy Communion this Easter Day."
What books did the congregation use during the service?
Printed order of service, which included the words of the hymns.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ.
Did anything distract you?
A surprising number of people seemed to be getting up and walking out, then coming back a few minutes later. Surely they can't all have been incontinent? In any case, as far as I know the nearest toilets are at Bootham Bar.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Very formal, as you would expect in a cathedral, beginning with a procession.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
19 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
5.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
"Behold, I make all things new." How Christ can change people and situations constantly, and how we should welcome being instruments of his changes.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
I found being in so large a congregation very moving. It's not often you see wine being consecrated by the gallon.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
I really think they should have waited until everyone had communicated before launching into the post-communion hymn. Communicating in the middle of several thousand people lustily singing an Easter hymn doesn't have the desired effect, I found.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
If I could have been bothered to file out behind the other 2,500 people, the clergy were at the West Door chatting to the congregation as they left. As in most cathedrals, you could stand around looking lost all day and nobody would speak to you until it was time to lock up and they wanted you to leave. In fact, standing around looking lost is what most people go to York Minster to do.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
Couldn't get near it: even the Minster can't manage coffee on this scale. In fact, the Dean caused some amusement by announcing that, although there would be coffee after the service, he hoped not everyone would want some, continuing that he wasn't going to tell us where to find it, but those who knew would no doubt go, and the rest would have to watch where they went.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
6 – like a lot of cathedrals, it is rather impersonal.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes, especially being part of so large a congregation.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The Great West Doors being thrown open and the clergy processing out in the most magnificent vestments, and hundreds of tourists (lots of Japanese and Americans) gawping in from the steps outside.
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