Does anyone on this forum go to church?

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I believe that the best thing about Quaker Meetings, which I have attended -- is the SILENCE !
I am not being sarcastic --- it really gives time to THINK, as opposed to many Services, which seem to abhor a "Pause" !

A bit like the Hokey- Cokey --- Up down, in, out , shake it all about !
Now I AM being sarcastic --- but you know what I mean !

[Angela Woodford]

But I love a Gospel Choir, too, NEILL. The energy! The harmonies!

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Angela ---- Ah YES ! ---- Gospel Chiors ----- !

I remmeber when "Songs of Praise" was televised fom Southwark Cathedral, and a lot of people heard that music for the first tme.
I am also appreciative of African chiors --- having lived in Africa !

[ailurophile]

ailurophile wrote:
I believe Chichester is now the only English cathedral which does not have a compulsory admission charge

I don't believe so - I certainly got into Durham for free when I was there.

My mistake Josh; I've just checked Durham's website and you're quite right, they do not charge. I must tell my 'informant' in Chichester cathedral!

[J.R.]

I believe that the best thing about Quaker Meetings, which I have attended -- is the SILENCE !I am not being sarcastic --- it really gives time to THINK, as opposed to many Services, which seem to abhor a "Pause" !

I think that's because it's very hard to talk whilst eating porridge !

[Kim2s70-77]

the "Venemous Bede." !! Ha!!

[englishangel]

Durham Cathedral West End



Durham Cathedral East End



A wonderful "Northern" cathedral standing up to weather on the hill top with nothing between it and the North Sea.

[huntertitus]

It is reputed to be the finest Norman building in the whole of Europe

[Vonny]

I only go to church for funerals. Have never been a church goer. Obviously I went to chapel at Hertford/Horsham but that was only because we had to.

We had a look inside Exeter Cathedral last summer and definitely didn't pay for entrance.

[englishangel]

It is reputed to be the finest Norman building in the whole of Europe

I wouldn't disagree with that.

The whole cathedral square is part of the University and the Music School is still there. The Castle is also student residences for University College.

The University Police station is there too and I got very funny looks taking these pics as it was 8.30 am (hence the lack of tourists) because we had gone the day before and discovered my camera battery was dead (rechargeable) so I got up early to take the pics the next day before we moved on.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I would claim Salisbury as the most beautiful --- but then I am biased, having spent all the Holidays from CH there, during the War,
Also, I sang in the Choior (Can sing-- but not spell !)----which has impressed our current Organist --- until I explained that during the said, War -- they were short of Bass Baritones and I had been in the CH Chior(?) --- "Chapel Singing Group"(Still can't spell -- EnglishAngel -- Help ! )

Salisbury has a "Ticket Office" at the entrance which "Encourages" one to buy a ticket, entitling one to a conducted Tour.

For obvious reasons, I know of ways into the Cathedral, avoiding the Office !!

[Angela Woodford]

We had a look inside Exeter Cathedral last summer and definitely didn't pay for entrance.

I really enjoyed my Exeter Cathedral summer. I was told that the entry fee system had been going for just over a year, Vonny, after endless debate/agonising by the Dean ("call me Jonathan") and Chapter. On the whole people were willing to pay an admission charge - which I made a concession whenever possible - when they saw what incredibly specialist maintenance and restoration is needed. I was allowed to charge at my own discretion, however! When visitors objected, I really tried to smooth things over and listen to their perfectly valid point of view. Sometimes I could see that the entry charge debate would ruin their visit and refused to charge them when they felt strongly about the issue - why be confrontational? That visitor would have an wonderful time and as often as not come back and give a generous donation.

The lovely newly-weds who ran in to light a candle after their civil ceremony!

The breaved couple who tearfully came in to pray after the death in action of their soldier nephew.

The soprano who arrived late for the African Sanctus rehearsal, who I smuggled into St Edmund's Chapel to change into her choral outfit!

Sometimes, visitors would ask me my own favourite things to see. Of course, I always spoke of the cat entry hole beneath the 1484 clock - cat in charge of mice and rats! - it's charming. And then there's the painting on the St Gabriel Chapel door of St Apollonia, Middle Ages Patron Saint of dentists. The Saint is holding long pincers with an extracted tooth...

I enthused over St Apollonia, and have every reason to believe that the Saint was looking out for me recently. Over a week ago I slipped and fell on the wet paving stones outside my back door. I fell t over a, injuring my face and smashing four front teeth. The horrendous cost of veneers, implants, crowns, cappings etc filled me with fear. I found a dentist who would do trauma assessments quickly, just to know the sheer horrible expense of a repair job. The assessment was a basic £16.50, but as Emily, the lovely girl dentist, began X-raying, my mind began reckoning up - ker-ching! ker-ching! Incredibly. the teeth were still alive, and if I could wait an hour, she would do what she could. "I'm going to be a toothless hag!" I wailed. "Like a Blackadder Crone!"

I went back to the waiting room, fortified myself with water from the cooler and read Psychologies magazine, hoping that I would find advice on adjusting to the status of a toothless crone. Back in the chair, wearing the wraparound sunglasses I tried to make out what the dentist was doing... difficult! Three quarters of an hour later she handed me a mirror. It was like a scene from 10 Years Younger. She had restored my teeth - but how? Miraculous! Incredible! Shrieks, ecstatic hugs!

Total cost - £16.50. I absolutely couldn't believe this. The Saint and her pincers must have inspired Emily the dentist ! If anything, my front teeth looked a bit nicer.

Sorry, rather off-topicky, but I'm so, so grateful. A Saint in action.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I should just like to mention, that the Salisbury Diocesan requirement from my church, is OVER £55,000 per annum !!!

We have a Congregation of anout 150, a newish Church and two "Rectory" houses to maintain, a Youth Club Building, large Church Hall, and outbuildings. After maintaining all these and ALSO supporting a Church in the Southern Sudan -------
I sometimes wonder whether the Diocese ever consider, that OTHER places of Worship, have Expenses to cover ------


I know I am "Notorious" but I wonder what Christ would have to say ????

[englishangel]

I don't know if I am imagining it but I seem to remember reading that the Honorary Dean (is there such a person?- an elderly gentleman I believe) at Durham is an Old Blue.

[DavebytheSea]

We are a churchgoing family - and not simply that St Mylor (proudly boasting its foundation in 410) is one of the oldest and prettiest waterside churches you could imagine. Although our congregation is usually small, I was astonished at the presence of no less than four Old Blues at our Christingle a year or so ago. I know also that no less a forumite than the Great Plum himself has read a lesson there!

The last Sunday in August is our Patronal Festival when the surrounding "woods and waters fair" reverberate to the enthusiastic rendering of the tune Middleton and the words "Praise the Lord for our foundation here in Mylor's hallowed ground"! We are even hoping to introduce "Eastern Monarchs" this Christmas - certainly it is to be sung in the Exeter University Carol Service - Jonathan (ex Pe A and Gr W) is Senior Sacristan there and Catherine Barber (another Old Blue) is his assistant as well as being president of MethAng (the Methodist and Anglican Society).

So yes - we go to Church.