According to this report, a bishop said that services are too long: good for him!
Addressing the Lichfield Diocesan Synod, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill said the increased use of Eucharists by almost every church in the country had resulted in longer services that were “less simple and inclusive”. He said: “Morning Prayer used to last 50 minutes with a good sermon; family services only 45 minutes. But a sung Eucharist can takeanything up to an hour and a half.” He felt the move was not encouraging people to try their parish church: “this is a good way of saying ‘Go away’ to young people who come to visit us,” he told his audience.
Yesterday's ordination service was a choral Eucharist. Which makes me ask, Why?
At over two hours, it wasn't surprising people were starting to wander around at the back. There were some great bits in the service. I loved the Taize.
We'd been there 90 minutes. We'd done what we needed to. . And then for some reason we had a Eucharist, just to add an extra half-hour for no good reason.
Well ok, it's for a very good reason. If you're some way further up the liturgical candle than I am. I'm not even sure about the ritualisation what Jesus asked us to do at the Last Supper.
Was he actually just asking us to remember him every time we eat and drink?
Choral Eucharist in a cathedral is a wonderful thing. Especially when the choir sings Ave Verum Corpus as you take communion. but I can't help wondering what Jesus makes of it.
And after 2 hours+ I guess most people wanted to get on sharing a meal with a relative, friend or colleague who'd just been appointed to minister in the church
Location:Leaving
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