Like most vicars, Fr Philip Gray reckons that few worshippers can access services at St Margaret’s Church without his knowledge. Stationed in possibly the draughtiest doorway in Christendom week after week, greeting his congregation and afterwards sending them away with a cheery smile, he has acquired a kaleidoscopic knowledge of the comings and goings of his flock. Or visitors.
Truly it’s a case of once seen never forgotten. Yet even he has had to admit that his defences were pierced on Christmas Eve when a mystery worshipper attended the late-night First Mass of Christmas.
What’s more, the man in the shadows filed a review of his observations on a website curiously entitled Ships of Fools after slipping away into the night with his female companion, who, he said, had tears rolling down her cheeks as she watched the preparation and incensing of the gifts while we sang the offertory hymn “It came upon a midnight clear." ‘
Other observations by the spy who came in from the cold for an hour or so included:
- Before the service, people were greeting each other at the back of the church, laughing and talking. But those sitting were quiet and expectant.
- The church's 123-year-old organ was played throughout, and a sizeable choir sang excerpts from a French Mass setting.
- The preacher, retired canon Bernard Gribbin spoke sagely, and delivered the 15-minute sermon fluently and gently.
- The faithful were helped by being handed the order of service with all the responses, readings, and notes for the chanted parts.
- And, finally, the shadowy worshipper admitted that the service made him ‘absolutely’ glad to be a Christian. ‘It was a very powerful service.’
‘It was a fascinating read and I’m sorry he never introduced himself, because he clearly enjoyed the experience,’ said Fr Philip. ‘Perhaps he’ll come again and give us 9 out of 10 instead of the eight he handed out this time!’
He added: ‘We had over a thousand people at our four main Christmas services and I imagine that perhaps another 200 of them would have come more than once. Certainly I would estimate that attendance figures were around 15-20 per cent up on last year.'
‘It was also very satisfying that those Christmas worshippers also dug deep in their pockets to support our Christmas Appeal, raising over £3,600 for the InnChurches project. This is a very tangible way in which St Margaret's has expressed its love, concern and support for those who are homeless and need shelter.'
‘We are also supporting those churches in central Bradford which are opening their doors to provide hospitality in these coldest months of the year.’
Verdict: A good advert for St Margaret’s.
To read the full report, click here
Mike Casey