Drew and I have taken a break from church duties, and in our new found free time on Sunday mornings, we’ve tried some different ways to connect with God. We’ve taken some time to ourselves, at our Church of the Loveseat (as Drew so aptly named it…) and shared some music and thoughts with each other. We also decided to spend some time visiting other churches. We didn’t want to be searching for another church or “church hopping,” but simply wanted to experience some different worship experiences.

This morning, we went to St. Peter’s Anglican Church. I wanted to try something traditional, and Drew was willing to go along. I guess I didn’t think about the fact that Anglican means “high” church (A term I really don’t like). I didn’t think about all the “smells and bells” that would accompany the worship. The incense gave me a headache, and reminded me of those “new age” stores. Incense is never something I associate with worship, and it sort of threw me at first. I mean, I hear about it and read about it, but just haven’t experienced it in worship often. When they processed by us, swinging the incense ball to and fro, I fought back the urge to cough.

I can appreciate the imagery of the incense representing our prayers wafting up to heaven though, and once it dissipated a bit, it was bearable. After that, the symbolistic and ritualistic side of the worship fascinated me. I was intrigued by the processional, and wondered why the bearer of the cross was holding one hand to his forehead. What’s a Verger? Or a Thurifer? It was all very interesting.

The rest of the the service was followed word for word out of the bulletin. Part of me loved the flowing and poetic nature of the prayers and the texts, and the other part of me resented having to keep my nose buried in the bulletin. Drew commented later that he had to focus so much on the order that he missed out on what was happening.

The classical musician in me loved the music. Traditional worship is refreshing some days, and other days it can honestly just be boring. Today it was refreshing. I especially loved singing the Kyrie. It was printed in the bulletin and looked like the Gregorian chants that I studied in my music history classes. Music without stems and measure markings is way too cool. Singing it was mystical and (to me) fulfilling.

I enjoyed hearing all the Scriptures read (an Old Testament, Psalm, and New Testament reading) rather than the selected text that we were focusing on. Unfortunately, the preaching left something to be desired, at least for me. I tried to focus, but spent more time bringing my drifting mind back to attention then actually paying attention.

Communion was also intriguing. The words spoken were somewhat familiar and comforting. Watching the motions gone through during the reading was interesting. Again, lots of ritual. We opted out of taking communion, knowing that we’d be more focused on taking communion correctly; nervously watching our neighbors to see if we’re doing it right, than focusing on the true meaning of Holy Communion. One thing I love about my husband is that he doesn’t take communion lightly. He won’t take it simply because he’s expected to. He takes time to mentally and spiritually prepare himself, and if he doesn’t feel ready, he won’t hesitate to not take it. He’d rather not take it than take it flippantly.

We had an ending hymn, and then a dismissal, and then the recessional, complete with the swinging incense ball. (I wonder if they have a class on how to swing it… seemed like there was some technique behind it.) We said hello to a couple of the pastors (several of which I know because they are regular customers at the coffee shop I work at) and then were on our way. Drew made a comment about needing to use the Neti Pot when we got home to clear the incense out of his nose.

All in all, I enjoyed the experience. The biggest thing I appreciated was the fact that there seemed to be real reverence in the worship. I know many people probably go through the motions without really thinking about it, but there was a sense of holiness and respect for the God we were there to worship. I think in many churches, there is such a sense of making church “comfortable” (which is very important, don’t get me wrong) that we lose the sacredness of it all. I don’t want church to be boring and rote (the boy across the aisle from us appeared less than impressed with the service… made me wonder if he has any way to really engage during worship) but at the same time I don’t want to lose sight of how holy God is and how puny I am. Maybe I don’t incense for that, but it was a good reminder…