Welcome?

Lincoln Cathedral

As I headed into the highlands of Scotland to do a decent amount of the North Coast 500 (NC500), I reflected on the fact that I won't be going to be in a Church of England church or cathedral for a while (next stop, I think, Liverpool Cathedral). As I often don't get to worship outside of my parish or deanery, let alone further afield, it's been a wonderful experience being part of the congregation as well as wandering cathedrals as a tourist. As I've been doing so, I've reflecting on the welcome that I've received from each. How the church does welcome to those who aren't wearing a clerical shirt or dog-collar.

Where I can, I've been to either evensong or a communion service at the cathedrals I've visited. And, as I've previously written, Nikki and I went to Thorpe St Andrew for the Sunday morning service where we received a very warm welcome. The incumbent there, Fr James Stewart and I had had some email exchange ahead of the Sunday as I wanted to be certain there was a Communion service on the Sunday we were in Norwich. The atmosphere in the church felt very much like being in one of my own churches. A buzz before the service of people arriving, chatter and welcome. People greeted each other although it was apparent that there were a few unfamiliar faces due to it being the Sunday of the Annual Meeting. Fr James entered church with enthusiastic speed and greeted Nikki and me ahead of his greetings to regular members before he hurried off into the vestry to prepare for the service. During the notices, we were more formally welcomed 'Grandson of a predecessor, Fr Frank.....' - I wasn't expecting that but it was a very generous gesture. After the service Nikki and I went to see the plaque to my grandfather in the chapel (I've written about this in a previous post so am probsbly repeating myself).

Back to cathedrals - interestingly, none of those I've visited so far had a set admission charge, only a welcome desk where visitors were gently asked for a donation. All those that I visited; Norwich, Lincoln and Durham gave a warm and generous welcome. I told a little of what I was up to to those on the desk at Norwich who seemed genuinely interested. At Durham, when I returned the following day, the person on the desk remembered me and we continued our conversation. Whilst I visited Canterbury for evensong, I didn't have the chance to visit during the day. They do make a charge but the welcome at evensong from the stewards was warm. I was interested that at Canterbury the service was relatively short compared to the evensongs at Norwich and Durham (and indeed Winchester). I'm not sure why this is (the appointed lectionary psalm wasn't sung - another one was). I'm not complaining - just an observation.

Welcome makes a huge difference, I think. There are some cathedrals with a repuatation just as there are churches with reputations for being welcoming - or not. I was interested on my visit to Lindisfarne that when I went into the parish church there I think they were just finishing clearing up from refreshments after their Sunday service. A few visitors were milling around and coming into the church. There was no engagement from either the congregation members or the priest (when I say 'engagement' I mean something as simple as a smile or 'hello' - I didn't expect any sort of in depth conversation!). I'm not in a position to comment as to why - I'm not there week in week out contending with visitors/tourists who aren't particularly interested in what goes on (or doesn't) in the life of the church. It was just something that I observed.

And so now onto campsites and my travels. I've received a warm welcome wherever I have turned up, whether that be coffee shop, camping site or distillery! The only exception is my current campsite - it's a fabulous site but the person on reception when I checked in didn't appear particularly interested!

I'll continue to reflect on this and what welcome means and how we do it in the parish.