Dear Christis,

I am writing is response to the article in issue 35 entitled Service at the Minster?, by the combined talents of Jonathan Hassell and Rachel Backhurst. I have no objection or comment on the majority of the article with which I concur. But as you must guess by me writing, I wish to add a few points to what they have written. Some might well say after having read this that it seems un-important, but to me York Minster is place of worship that I attend. Indeed, with a point to show that perhaps I have a wider view of Evensong there than they have, can I say that I have attended 38 Evensongs, an Epiphany and an Advent procession, as well as three concerts since last May, which are perhaps less relevant to this case. ( I am aware however, that Jonathan has sung in a choir there on occasions. ) They say that they arrived “for quite a different service to normal”. Normal to them I presume, and in all honestly to most active Christian worshippers, but normal I feel gives the impression that it does not fit the stereotypical view that some have as to what a service should be. But what is that anyway? Everybody has a different view as to what they want from a service. They say there is very little congregational participation. True, but not everyone likes the other extreme of waving arms around madly during Kendrick songs to the sound of tambourines, or is this also a stereotype.

Not wanting to split hairs, the collection is during the hymn rather than the other way around, since the hymn is the dominant factor at that point. ( Incidentally, on certain occasions, there is more than one hymn. ) More of concern to me is to say that many people who do go regularly, “go without serving God”. I wonder whether the fact that people feel the need to be so physical with their serving God, it is actually for their benefit and others around them rather than God’s? To me, although everyone is different, the Evensong service, by having the vast majority sung by the choir, exquisitely I might add, means that you are free to think and bring to God what you want. The effect of it being a concert is something that might well occur on a first visit or as a tourist passing through. For those who have been regularly, it does not appear as a concert. The point about the sermon is no doubt valid on that occasion, but the Minster probably has more variation in preachers than most places, so as well as those who are less God blessed as preachers, there are those who are extremely gifted. ( Revd. Cannon Leslie Stanbridge, Succentor Canonicorum, for example. ) On the subject of content, let us remember that the Minster is there for those who want to follow God primarily, and not as a tourist side show with a showman giving his spiel. ( Without tourists though, the Minster would suffer greatly when it came to money, and so would York too. Although the Church is more than money, it helps, just ask any chaplain. ) Indeed, I feel closer to God in the Minster than outside, in a world that has so much hate and sin that it is easy wonder whether there is a God or not. It is a very personal thing, if that is the way you feel fine, but it is important that someone states it as an interpretation : the Minster does not have the same effect on everyone. I agree totally with the phrase “Everything about the service was beautiful: from the magnificence of the Minster building itself to the service sheets to guide you through, and the knowledge that you are participating in a cycle of worship that stretches back into history.” I hope me writing in reply to your article in constructive, rather than just a crossing of Evensong service sheets.

I think it is also important to become a little more global to try and set this service in its context. Evensong is one of only five services at the Minster every Sunday. There are two early Holy Communions and then a Eucharist at 10 am with Matins the last at 11.30 am for the morning. Evensong is at four in the afternoon, a more congenial time to try and get up for, in my opinion. The majority of people go to either of the main morning services who consider themselves to be members of the regular congregation, at which there is far more participation than the Evensong. Thus, if you do like participation, then Evensong is likely to be your least favourite service, as demonstrated by the article. The processions are extremely good, and I would recommend them. If you are available, go to the Advent procession on the first Sunday in Advent. Rachel and Jonathan will be glad to hear, that assuming it is akin to last year, they would upon going have to sing three hymns. No creed though, sorry, but you do get a chance to join in the prayers to some extent.

They did also liken the service of Evensong to a concert. I can see that some people may feel that way, but the concerts I have been too in the Minster are a far cry away. They are not held in the Choir but the Nave, and so have a totally different ambiance. They were exceptional, and the Minster does make an extremely good venue for choral works such as Handel’s Messiah or Bach’s Mass in B Minor. The only down side is that you have to pay to get in, unlike the services or processions. I believe that Beethoven’s Mass in C will be occurring later this term, Saturday week 6. I would say that if you had not been to the Minster yet for any of what I have mentioned, then you should at least once. Even if you decide it is not for you, you can spend the 45 minutes of Evensong wondering how long it takes to dust the ornately carved wooden choir surrounds. Just don’t blame me if you get addicted to the Minster.

Take good care,

God Bless you,

Magnus