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Mystery Worshipper: Freddie.
The church: Most Holy Trinity, Reading, Berkshire, England.
Denomination: Church of England.
The building: It's a dull building on the outside (mid 19th century I'm told) but as soon as you step inside then it's all different. In what would otherwise be a dreary square preaching box, there are wonderful wooden pews, a Queen Anne pulpit, a beautiful paschal candlestick, a spectactular looking organ, and an amazing rood screen by the 19th century architect Augustus Welby Pugin (originator of the neo-Gothic style). Statues and side altars abound. Ornate candlesticks and reliquaries grace the high altar. Almost all of the church's furnishings were painstakingly assembled from other churches that had been closed. One would think that all this gaudiness just wouldn't work – but it does!
The church: It seems to be a church that attracts people of all ages and nationalities. One thing that worried me before coming here was that it might be an entirely "gathered" congregation of people who like this sort of thing. But this is clearly not the case.
The neighbourhood: The church is in a poor, run-down piece of urban Reading, opposite a snooker hall and a few convienience shops. It is cut off from the town centre by a hideous 1960s ring road.
The cast: The celebrant and preacher was the Rev. David Peters, vicar. The curate, the Rev. Charles Card-Reynolds, assisted as deacon.
The date & time: Easter Day 2006, 11.00am.
Procession and Sung Mass with Baptism.
How full was the building?
There were about 80 to 90 adults and about 15 to 20 children. The church is quite a small one so we felt quite snug. The front pews were, of course, empty except for the baptismal party.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
A lady smiled as I entered, wished me a good morning, handed me a service sheet and a hymnbook, and guided me to a pew. A gentleman a couple of metres along nodded in a friendly way as I sat down. I'm afraid I looked quite the tourist, gawking about at the magnificent church appointments. There were lots of handshakes at the peace ceremony.
Was your pew comfortable?
A beautiful 18th century pew which, I learned, came from the Church of Sts Philip and James, Oxford. It was perfectly comfortable for the length of the service, especially as we stood or knelt or walked around rather than simply sat for the whole time.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
It was quiet to begin with, but as more people came in just before service time, the noise level increased a little. However, there was no glad-handling or waving around. People were obviously there first to worship and later to visit. That's just the way I prefer it to be.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
A bell rang and the servers and clergy emerged from a side door. The celebrant, vested in a stunning gold cope, chanted, "Let us proceed in peace," to which we answered, "In the name of Christ, Amen." Then we all processed around the church singing the opening hymn.
What books did the congregation use during the service?
There was a printed service booklet containing all the responses, including those for the baptismal service, as well as the hymn numbers. It also included rubrics and other explanatory notes at certain points, which I thought would especially be appreciated by those unfamiliar with Anglo-Catholic tradition. We sang our hymns from the New English Hymnal.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ and a small orchestra. The choir, which the parish magazine boasts of as "the best in Berkshire," was extraordinarily good. They are a paid professional choir, supported by a legacy. They carried off Haydn's Missa Brevis and a Telemann motet flawlessly. The magnificent music perfectly complemented the ritual and the Easter liturgy.
Did anything distract you?
Everything, in the best possible way – the interior of the church, the singing of the choir, the birettas of the clergy, the wonderful multi-ethnic congregation. I would defy anybody to come into this church, even if there were nobody else there, and not be distracted by it.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Stupendously over-the-top, high-as-a-kite, old-fashioned Anglo-Catholic liturgy, with more incense, music, gold, candles, relics and birettas than you could imagine ever existed. The baptism ceremony went very well also. After the opening procession, Father Peters shed his gold cope in favor of a gold chasuble, complemented by the deacon's gold dalmatic. Mass was celebrated facing eastward. The peace ceremony was formal, not the free-for-all one often finds. At the consecration, the organ played a fanfare as the host was elevated and clouds of incense wafted upward.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
13 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
9 – I had been told beforehand that Father Peters was a good preacher. In fact, I would consider him to be one of the best preachers I have ever heard! He spoke in a a clear and forceful voice and made good eye contact with the congregation. He had notes in front of him but referred to them hardly at all.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
Without the Resurrection there could be no joy, not even the joy expressed in art. The achievements of mankind are the most accurate reflections of the glory of the Resurrection. We will soon see the risen Lord face to face at the altar – the very same Lord seen by Mary in the garden, by the travellers to Emmaus, and by the doubting Thomas. One phrase that he repeated several times throughout the sermon has stuck with me: "For Christ is risen and nothing else matters."
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
Most of it, to be honest. I loved the music (it's not every day you hear an orchestra at mass) and the ritual. I enjoyed the sermon, the rose-scented incense, and the baptism of another member of the Church. I loved the fact that this was all happening in such an unlikely place as central Reading and with so many people from so many ethnic backgrounds. It was Easter Day and it felt as though the world was coming together to celebrate, and I loved that.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Not all that much, I must admit. But after the mass had ended, I didn't like the fact that the servers came back out into the church to extinguish the paschal candle and tidy up so quickly whilst most of us were still in our pews. The undercroft room where we met after mass was rather damp and drab, quite a let-down compared to the magnificence of the church itself. But these things are minor quibbles really.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
The lady collecting hymnbooks said that there were refreshments downstairs. A couple of people smiled as they walked past and another lady asked me if I was new and needed to know the way. She led me out and introduced me to Father Peters, who was standing by the front door still in his gold chasuble and biretta. In the undercroft someone handed me a glass of Prosecco, and I started a conversation with a few people standing nearby who turned out to be from Slovakia. Several others spoke with me as well. Father Peters asked the usual questions – where was I from, was I new to Reading, wouldn't I please come again. All in all, it was a nice, friendly gathering.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
I had never tasted Prosecco before but found it to be quite nice. I was told by several people (as they refilled my glass) that this was a tradition of the parish. There were also little chocolate eggs being passed out to the children, which kept them occupied. Coffee and tea were also available, and I noted that they were fair-traded. Excellent Easter Day refreshments (especially the Prosecco) which set me up nicely for my lunch.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
9 – If I lived anywhere near here I would come every week. But I don't so it will be whenever I visit my family.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Without question.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The incense and fanfare at the elevation of the Host. Christ is risen and nothing else matters!
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