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Ship of Fools: St Martin Gospel Oak, London

The Mystery WorshipperThe Mystery Worshipper Shipmate
edited September 2019 in The Mystery Worshipper

imageShip of Fools: St Martin Gospel Oak, London

Bells summon, trees clap their hands – and ladies throw off their robes: a lot to like!

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here


Comments

  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    That song you so disliked (and I do agree that it is rather repetitive) isn't really that modern as it dates from 1975! Worship music has moved on since then. And the imagery comes from Isaiah 55:12. I'm sure they chose it as their last song because it begins with "going out with joy".
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    Baptist Trainfan wrote: »
    That song you so disliked (and I do agree that it is rather repetitive) isn't really that modern as it dates from 1975! Worship music has moved on since then. And the imagery comes from Isaiah 55:12. I'm sure they chose it as their last song because it begins with "going out with joy".

    One of our organists sometimes plays us out with that tune!
    :grin:

  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Yes, I'd say that particular hymn is one of those that can work quite nicely in some contexts but won't work at all in other contexts. I'm pretty sure that a congregation of 25 in a church that can seat 300 is a context where it's not likely to work well, especially when accompanied only by organ.
  • mick Farrantmick Farrant Shipmate Posts: 2
    It is important to see any church in its demographic and community context. In the weeks prior to the "visit" the surrounding area saw three violent murders. Less than six months ago there was an extremely violent murder of a 22 year old young man less than a hundred metres from the church. Drug dealing and gang violence in the immediate neighbourhood is rife. The church is leading in local attempts to improve community cohesion in a very fractured and frightened community. It has strong links with the nearby mosque and will develop these now we have a new vicar after a 15 month gap. Although after the visit, the two page spread the week before last on gang and drug violence in Camden in the Observer says it all. Rather than nit picking about a hymn the church needs songs of praise about its efforts in the community. Its role is central to putting the community back together again
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    @mick Farrant , you are, of course, quite right. Don't forget, though, that MW Reports are a sort of snapshot, showing how the Reporter experienced a particular church on one particular day.

    I don't think the MWer denigrated St Martin's in any way, but your remarks are very helpful in putting the church into context - not always easy to appreciate 'on site', nor (if truth be told) always easy from a website.

    Anyway, full marks to St Martin's for your active witness in the parish! I minister in a similar environment, and it's not always easy, to say the least, especially if you're preaching on those Sundays when only the Pew, and the Wood, families seem to be in church...
  • mick Farrantmick Farrant Shipmate Posts: 2
    Today we had a bring and share meal after the harvest festival and food was collected for the local food bank. On Monday 6 members of the local mosque committee came on a visit; only one had previously been in a church. This person gave a speech of welcome at the new vicar's induction earlier this year. Alas our two nearest CofE vicars refuse to recognise women priests and the authority of the Bishop of London. Please visit these churches. I am not particularly critical of your report but others who do not know us may be unaware of what is really going on outside the church and what it is striving to do. Do come back later and talk to us as well as observe. I think MW is a good thing to do
  • Box PewBox Pew Shipmate
    edited December 2019
    I walked past St Martins recently and there is a very large and prominent CCTV camera array on a pole right by the West end of the church, complete with one of those eaves-dropping microphones. This suggests that crime has been an issue locally for some time.

    Congratulations to the Parish for their positive engagement with the truly difficult issues on their doorstep. If only all parishes were as pro-active in their community....

    I do hope this discussion doesn't put readers of this column off visiting a service at St Martins, however. Churches such as this need more visitors - as well as our prayers.
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