39 Dorset Square
London NW1
2050 BST
Catching up with some photos, first of all, here is the view of Dorset Square from my window. The area is vaguely Georgetown-esque in appearance: leafier than London in general with numerous small shops, restaurants, pubs, etc. Since this weekend and today were the May Bank Holiday, the majority of commercial places were closed.
And the hallway of the hotel right outside my room - the hotel is obviously very old in that the corridors are like rabbit warrens with numerous twists and turns. Sorry about the picture being on its side, but I can't figure out right now how to rotate it in Blogger.
After (finally) adjusting to the time difference and dealing with replacing items from my missing suitcase, I swung by Westminster Abbey for Choral Evensong. I think that for my church reports I will use the "Mystery Worshipper" format from shipoffools.com since it works so well.
"On the tourist route at Westminster Abbey"
Mystery Worshipper: Civilized Engineer
The church: Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster, London
Denomination: Church of England
The building: A huge 13th-16th-century Gothic church with numerous architectural layers. It has been the location of every coronation since 1066 as well as many other occasions of state.
The cast: An astonishing number of participants for a weekday service. 2 unnamed clergy (in office vestments with bands!!!) and 3 vergers, including one with the biggest beadle pole I have ever seen. It looked like it weighed about 40 pounds, and I wouldn't even speculate on its cost. I would be far too intimidated to carry something like that myself. Also, a choir of 22 boys.
The date & time: Monday, 5 May 2008, 5:00 PM
What was the name of the service? Choral Evensong
How full was the building? I would guess about 200 people. The choir stalls were full, and the transepts were used as well.
What were the exact opening words of the service? "Lift thine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh help." (Introit sung by the choir.)
What books did the congregation use during the service? No books, but there was a handout of the particulars for this week's services (settings, etc.) and a laminated permanent card with the generalized order of service.
What musical instruments were played?
Did anything distract you? The experience was, to me, similar to that of attempting to worship at Bruton Parish in VA. On one hand, it is a positive that something of the divine draws so many tourists to services at the Abbey. But it is still distracting to be surrounded by them.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what? Very stiff-upper-lip, but not at all spiky. It is impossible to escape the Established nature of the Church here - whether or not this is a good thing depends on your ecclesiology.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven? The anthem, "Immaculate Mary, our hearts are on fire..." and the Kenneth Long Magnificat/Nunc Dimittis settings.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place? The fact that only myself and one other gentleman bothered to kneel during the Confession and the Prayers.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)? 7. Obviously, the liturgy is butter-smooth and the building is incomparable from an historical standpoint. However, it would be impossible to make it one's "parish."
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian? Hell yeah.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time? Can I have two ? First, the enormous beadle pole. Second, my completely un-suave double-take caused by passing by the grave of Isaac Newton (yes, that one) on the way out.
Peace out, y'all - past time for dinner.
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