| |
 |
 |
|
| Comment on this report, or find other reports. |
|
| Our Mystery Worshippers are volunteers who warm church pews for us around the world. If you'd like to become a Mystery Worshipper, start here. |
|
| Find out how to reproduce this report in your church magazine or website. |
|
|
| 2628: St Mary
on Paddingon Green, London |
|
 |
|
Mystery
Worshipper: Aileen.
The church:
St Mary on Paddingon Green, London.
Denomination:
Church
of England, Diocese
of London.
he building:
A beautiful church, built in the 1700s, the work of the late
18th century English-Canadian architect John Plaw and one of
only two of his structures still standing in the UK. Of yellow
brick, the colour yellow predominates both inside and out. It
has lots of trees and grass around it, with many buried there.
The church:
Together with St Saviour, Warwick Avenue, they make up the parish
of Little Venice. Their website states that St Mary's is very
popular with young families, and there were certainly plenty
of friendly men, women and children in attendance. On their
feast of title they put on an annual parish barbeque at the
vicarage, which is always well attended.
The neighbourhood:
Little Venice, just north of Paddington, is so called because
of the junction of the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals.
It's a popular area that hosts a number of waterside cafes,
pubs and eateries. There is a university very close, and a primary
school, and a police station just along from the church. There
are also many lovely areas with trees and flowers and things
for children to play in.
The cast:
The Revd Gary Bradley, vicar, plus deacon and subdeacon who
were not named.
The date & time:
First Sunday of Advent, 1 December 2013, 9.30am.
What was the name of the
service?
Solemn Mass and Homily.
How full was the building?
About 50 in the congregation, plus clergy, choir and musicians.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
I was welcomed by a man who smiled and spoke to me. He also
gave me the paper that tells us about the history of this church.
After mass, my hand was again shaken, and I was invited to go
across to get tea and coffee. Adults and children spoke nicely
to me.
Was your pew comfortable?
The pews were very comfortable, and were yellow with soft red
cushions and kneelers. They had wooden doors at the end to close
them.
How would you describe
the pre-service atmosphere?
Many people were talking. The organ was playing – very
lovely.
What were the exact opening
words of the service?
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen."
What books did the congregation use during the
service?
We were given a pink paper with the hymns and the Bible readings
in it, and all the words spoken by the readers and the clergy
and the singers.
What musical instruments were played?
There was just an organ, played very well, right up above and
behind us. There was also a piano downstairs but it was not
used today.
Did anything distract you?
I really wondered about Jesus being "light" and the candles
in this church being about the light of the world. I liked them
and worried about them and also thought about them a lot.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip,
happy clappy, or what?
From their website: "The liturgy on Sundays is a traditional
High Mass with three sacred ministers and fine music provided
by a voluntary choir." And that's what we got, asperges
and all! No clapping. The music was very well sung.
Exactly how long was the
sermon?
15 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how
good was the preacher?
9 – Father Bradley spoke very well and looked resplendent
in his fine vestments.
In a nutshell, what was
the sermon about?
What would Christmas be without candles? The candle is a symbol
of Jesus Christ, the Light of God, and the gospel. Christ came
to earth and took our nature upon himself. He gave his life
for us all. His death was a time of darkness, but now there
is the light of Christ in the world. He brings hope to us all.
Advent brings us the opportunity to live and find Jesus again.
Jesus shines and saves us, and loves us. With him we can free
ourselves from darkness.
Which part of the service was like being in
heaven?
I felt like belonging to Jesus and being with him in heaven!
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
I am not accustomed to the asperges. To me it's like ordained
people walking around shooting some water on us all!
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Several people near me told me to come and have tea or coffee.
They chatted to me a lot!
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
We had tea and coffee and sweet cakes to eat. It was really
nice. Lots of people again chatted to me. The vicar also chatted
to me and shook my hand.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
9 – If I lived near this church, I would enjoy being a
member of it. It is a really beautiful church and very lovely
friendly people too! Also excellent music.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
I was glad to be a Christian and also felt especially united
to him through the eucharist.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
How Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit love and care
for us. |
|
|
|
 |
|
| We rely on voluntary donations to stay online. If you're a regular visitor to Ship of Fools, please consider supporting us. |
|
 |
|
| The Mystery Pilgrim |
|
| One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here. |
|
 |
|
| London churches |
|
| Read reports from 70 London churches, visited by a small army of Mystery Worshippers on one single Sunday. Read here. |
| |
|
|
|
|
