What Virtual Christmas Services Will You Be Watching?

For those of you not going to a church service on Christmas, what virtual Christmas services will you be watching (other than your own local church’s one)? I’m particularly interested in watching a service from a part of the world where it is safe to have a full choir (Australia and New Zealand? Anywhere else?). What would be a great big choral Christmas service to watch for someone a bit depressed from this current wintertime pandemic situation?
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Comments

  • I don't know if I'll watch a virtual service. But I usually catch Christmas mass from the Vatican on TV, and sometimes other church services, too. Don't know if that will be available this year. There are probably previous ones online, though.
  • St James King Street and Christ Church St Laurence will be offering full choral worship [the latest Sydney outbreak permitting]. Both accessible via YouTube, although SJKS also uses Facebook Live.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    All Anglican churches in the Northern region of the Sydney diocese will be closed as from tomorrow until further notice - a flow-on from the outbreak at Avalon in the last few days. The churches Barnabas_Aus mentions are not in that region. I'd not be surprised if all services were banned by the health authorities in the next few days.

    Stonespring - Either of the churches Barnabas mentions will have excellent music, both are High by any standards, but very different styles.
  • Rome ...
  • Again, depending on the situation in the UK, I'll probably stick with Old St Paul's, Edinburgh.

    Our Place is live-streaming Sunday morning Mass, but I'm not sure about Midnight Mass/Christmas Day. In any case, there's little or no singing.

    Last Easter Sunday, I watched the Sung Eucharist from Uppsala Cathedral (Lutheran Church of Sweden), which had a small choir (three ladies, and three men), but with full congregational participation in the hymns and other music (some of which was familiar to this Englishman!).

    Sweden isn't doing too well as regards Ye Plague, so I don't know if the Church of Sweden is still operating in the same manner as it was back in April.
  • English churches in tier 2 at least can have choral services, just no congregational singing - though that may change shortly!
  • It is the same in Tier 3. Boris said that places of worship are not closing.
  • Tier 4 churches are also still open for communal worship AIUI, but FatherInCharge may well change his rather ambitious plans, given the message to *stay at home*...

    A neighbouring church has announced the cancellation of all services until mid-January, but that may be mainly due to the sudden illness and hospitalisation (not Covid-related AFAIK) of the priest.
  • LydaLyda Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    I'll likely watch the Christmas morning service of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles offered by our ordinary, John Taylor. Not choral. :disappointed: I'll keep checking here for interesting choral services.

    ETA: The service might actually be lead by our suffragan, Diane M. Jardine Bruce.
  • The SEC has attempted to organise a virtual choir for the provincial online services, but the signs and portents were not good as the submission deadline was pushed back from Friday to Saturday.
  • The SEC has attempted to organise a virtual choir for the provincial online services, but the signs and portents were not good as the submission deadline was pushed back from Friday to Saturday.

    It's not exactly been well...pushed? Publicised? In more normal times, I sing in one of the SEC cathedral choirs, and I had no inkling that this was happening... Still less was I /were we encouraged to join in by T local PTB... Or was it made known that this was a thing. I know of one member of my congregation who may have been involved, and they serve on General synod so have alternate sources of information to the rest of us....
  • I'm in Tasmania and at our Anglican church we are still not allowed to sing at all. Our minister is particularly resistant to any concessions.
  • kingsfold wrote: »
    The SEC has attempted to organise a virtual choir for the provincial online services, but the signs and portents were not good as the submission deadline was pushed back from Friday to Saturday.

    It's not exactly been well...pushed? Publicised? In more normal times, I sing in one of the SEC cathedral choirs, and I had no inkling that this was happening... Still less was I /were we encouraged to join in by T local PTB... Or was it made known that this was a thing. I know of one member of my congregation who may have been involved, and they serve on General synod so have alternate sources of information to the rest of us....

    I found out on Facebook, not sure if it was from the diocese or the province (might have been both).
  • I would be happy watching a service from last year or any previous year.

    I don't see that it's vital to have something new.
  • I'll be hoping to watch either the Christmette from Salzburg cathedral where the music will be Mozart's Piccolomini Messe - that's at 23.30 Central European time or else the Pontifikalamt at 10.00 C.E.T. with Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai- at each of these the famous Stille Nacht will be sung.One can tune in to Salzburg cathedral using English words
    These are livestreams which are not recorded.
    Similarly all this week at 06.30 C.E.T. there is a Rorate Mass from the cathedral with traditional Austrian music.
    Today's cathedral Mass ,however,was broadcast by ORF (Austrian Broadcasting company) and so can be found on ORF III at' 10.00 Katholischer Adventsgottesdienst '- a rare chance for those who wish to see a recording of the cathedral services. You need to scroll down 'Sendung verpasst' (programme missed) It starts with some lovely pictures of snow covered Salzburg
  • Well, I daresay there's lots of archive material available on YouTube etc., and one Carols & Lessons from King's (for example) would be much like any other from previous years.

    However, it's also encouraging and instructive (IMHO) to see how different churches are coping with current events, and how those events are reflected in the music, liturgy, and prayers.
  • Christ Church St Laurence have just announced changes to their Christmas services due to NSW Government orders in the wake of the current COVID outbreak. Choristers are now limited to 5, liturgical chanting and congregational singing completely banned. This was the case during our earlier lockdown, but the music was still beautifully performed. Their masses are scheduled for 11.30pm Christmas Eve and 10.30am Christmas Day, both AEDT [UTC+11]

    St James King Street is almost certainly in the same situation.

    Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle will have full choral worship at 7.30pm AEDT [UTC+11], but I'm unsure if that will be livestreamed. I will post here if I get confirmation.
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Forthview wrote: »
    I'll be hoping to watch either the Christmette from Salzburg cathedral where the music will be Mozart's Piccolomini Messe - that's at 23.30 Central European time or else the Pontifikalamt at 10.00 C.E.T. with Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai- at each of these the famous Stille Nacht will be sung.One can tune in to Salzburg cathedral using English words
    These are livestreams which are not recorded.
    Similarly all this week at 06.30 C.E.T. there is a Rorate Mass from the cathedral with traditional Austrian music.
    Today's cathedral Mass ,however,was broadcast by ORF (Austrian Broadcasting company) and so can be found on ORF III at' 10.00 Katholischer Adventsgottesdienst '- a rare chance for those who wish to see a recording of the cathedral services. You need to scroll down 'Sendung verpasst' (programme missed) It starts with some lovely pictures of snow covered Salzburg

    This inspires me -- you mean this website, Forthview?

  • That is indeed the website - look at' Gottesdienstordnung' to get details.
  • We have our own "live" services however I'm sure we will be watching the Welsh-language service on S4C - my wife is learning the language and I just like the sound of it!
  • None.
    I will be bashing out carols at the 8pm on Christmas Eve and at the 11.00 on Christmas Day. By the time that's finished I will be mainlining on smoked salmon and bubbly .... and will be heartily sick of carols.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    One of the things I have NOT missed so far this *Christmas* is the singing (or hearing) of carols...we hates them, Preciouss, yess, we doess...
    :unamused:
  • MMMMMM Shipmate
    Then you won’t like this Crib service, Bishops Finger, but I think it’s worth a watch - https://windmillchurches.co.uk/crib-service/

    MMM
  • Bah Humbug!
    :wink:

    In all fairness, it's not all Carols that we hates, but some of them are just so sloppily sentimental as to be vomit-inducing. Give me the robust old folk carols of former times, preferably accompanied by a West-Gallery band...

    (I seem to be channelling Percy Dearmer, Martin Shaw, and Ralph Vaughan Williams...)
  • Bah Humbug!
    :wink:

    In all fairness, it's not all Carols that we hates, but some of them are just so sloppily sentimental as to be vomit-inducing. Give me the robust old folk carols of former times, preferably accompanied by a West-Gallery band...

    (I seem to be channelling Percy Dearmer, Martin Shaw, and Ralph Vaughan Williams...)

    They are to be found in pubs around Sheffield.
  • Yes, and there are some fun YouTube clips...not this year, though, I suspect.
    :disappointed:

    AFAIK there are some West-Gallery bands here in Kent, as well, but, like most live music/singing groups, probably not performing just now, either.
  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    We have some great CDs - you need to hunt out Coope, Boyes and Simpson on YouTube. Good robust singing in the Derbyshire/Yorkshire pub tradition. Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band have their moments. In a different vein, look for Peter Holman and Psalmody singing fugueing carols on their CD "While shepherds watched" - very much in West Gallery style but from East Anglia.

    On Sunday we hummed "While shepherds watched" to "Lyngham" - in the past we've sung it to "Cranbrook".
  • Either the ( minor) basilica of Sancta Maria non Immaculata or Christ Church St Laurence ( Sinny, Oz) for midnight Mass. Could still make it to St-Pat's-in-the-West ( maximum 300 inside and stragglers in the cloister) for carols at 11-30 pm followed by Mass; however rain is predicted....
  • We have some great CDs - you need to hunt out Coope, Boyes and Simpson on YouTube. Good robust singing in the Derbyshire/Yorkshire pub tradition. Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band have their moments. In a different vein, look for Peter Holman and Psalmody singing fugueing carols on their CD "While shepherds watched" - very much in West Gallery style but from East Anglia.

    On Sunday we hummed "While shepherds watched" to "Lyngham" - in the past we've sung it to "Cranbrook".

    Ah yes - Cranbrook. A fine Kentish Tune (or possibly Tune of Kent), stolen by those evil northerners to use on some ditty about being out on the moor without a Hat, and being et up by Worms...serve 'em right...
  • stonespringstonespring Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    Well, I daresay there's lots of archive material available on YouTube etc., and one Carols & Lessons from King's (for example) would be much like any other from previous years.

    However, it's also encouraging and instructive (IMHO) to see how different churches are coping with current events, and how those events are reflected in the music, liturgy, and prayers.

    Is there a way to watch a video online (not just audio) of a recent year's recording of Carols from King's if you are in the US? The YouTube clips I am finding are at least 14 years old and the audio is a little distorted. Are there any other recordings of services from other places in previous years that you would recommend for the quality of the video and audio that can be watched on YouTube and that people would recommend?

  • Sojourner wrote: »
    Either the ( minor) basilica of Sancta Maria non Immaculata or Christ Church St Laurence ( Sinny, Oz) for midnight Mass. Could still make it to St-Pat's-in-the-West ( maximum 300 inside and stragglers in the cloister) for carols at 11-30 pm followed by Mass; however rain is predicted....

    Is the first church you are mentioning St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney? Where is St. Patrick's in the West? Do you mean St. Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta?

  • What is the situation now with choral and congregational singing in churches in New Zealand? Are there any NZ churches that people would recommend for online videos of their Christmas services?
  • SojournerSojourner Shipmate
    edited December 2020

    Is the first church you are mentioning St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney? Where is St. Patrick's in the West? Do you mean St. Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta?

    Yes and yes


    [edit: code]

  • Yes, and there are some fun YouTube clips...not this year, though, I suspect.
    :disappointed:

    AFAIK there are some West-Gallery bands here in Kent, as well, but, like most live music/singing groups, probably not performing just now, either.

    The Derbyshire/Sheffield stuff has all been online this year, via Zoom, but the Festival of Village Carols is on YouTube as they did a broadcast to that as well. It is good fun in the flesh, although generally standing room only.
  • Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle Vigil Eucharist is now available on Youtube.
  • Thanks that will be worth a listen
  • yohan300yohan300 Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    There are lots of choral Christmas services in the UK e.g. Westminster Abbey:

    https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/streamed-services

    ..but pretty much every cathedral, collegiate church, public school chapel etc has streamed services with carols.

    As to live choral services on the 25th, I'll be watching Chichester Cathedral's Eucharist, as the choir is on excellent form at the moment:

    https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/worship/live-streamed-services

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF32d7mfwRHhfBUq2x_ySAg/videos?view=57

    ...but I'm sure many other cathedrals will be offering similar.

    A massive thank you to the choirs and clergy who will be working tomorrow.

  • Indeed, and thanks for the info re Chichester.
  • NOTE: in about 2 hours (7:30 pm Pacific), San Francisco's Grace Episcopal Cathedral will stream its Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist

    There's a screen box about 1/2 way down the page. They have other things to stream, too. Looks like the services are all free; but some other events require paid tickets.
  • Saw Lessons and Carols from Durham this morning on youtube. It was very pleasant.
  • Just finished hearing Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine ... D.C. ...
  • OblatusOblatus Shipmate
    edited December 2020
    During the pandemic I've found that I don't like to sample this and that video...I won't start one unless there's time to finish it. So I've got quite a backlog of services I'd like to see but probably won't. This Christmas Day is marvelously unstructured, so there's no trip to the usual (but quite excellent) family feast in the suburbs. I plan to listen to King's L&C, following along in the booklet and my Oxford Book of Carols, and then view our parish Masses: just the evening one from yesterday, if the preacher is the same for both that and this morning's Mass; if two different preachers, I'll watch both. At least for the sermon but also the music.
  • Just finished hearing Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine ... D.C. ...

    And again today ...
    Presider was the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. ... newly appointed Cardinal Gregory Wilton ... a convert ... formerly a Baptist, as I recall ...
  • Not a service but an interestingly different and thoughtful selection of the best of Christmas choral music, with a Messiaen organ piece as a postlude.
  • My little mission is still homeless. Our plans to resume public services were delayed by the second UK lockdown. By the time the lockdown was lifted, the time for the scheduled demolition of our previous host church was so close that it seemed pointless to return and advertise our presence there, only to have to leave a few weeks later.

    So our Christmas services were all virtual, live-streamed from my home on our Facebook page, with the videos later being uploaded to our YouTube channel. Please pray for us as we negotiate securing a possible new home.

    Vespers (which we prayed in the early afternoon.)
    Vigils (11.30pm)
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    @cgichard that is beautiful, bookmarked for this evening's listening.

    Prayers for you and your community, @Cyprian.
  • We had our own services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (with sanitising of services in between!) Later on Christmas morning we watched the Welsh-language service on S4C - my wife is learning the language and could follow much of it, I can't though! It was a typical Nonconformist service from a small Presbyterian chapel near Caernarfon.
  • One thinks of such Chapels as resounding with beautiful choral singing - what happened this year?

    I watched bits of both our live-streamed services on FarceBark. The sound quality of the Midnight Mass film wasn't very good, so FatherInCharge's homily was difficult to hear, but Christmas morning Mass (filmed by a different person) was OK.

    To ensure safety, and to minimise the need for twixt-Mass sanitising, FInC had ingeniously contrived a temporary altar in the south-west corner of the church, in what is usually the young families' area, close to the Crib scene. This sufficed for the small congregation (just 11 at that service), and seemed to work quite well. The advantage of having lots of space!
  • DooneDoone Shipmate
    Prayers for you and your community, @Cyprian 🕯
  • Along with the local church service live, earlier in the day, I watched the youth Christmas Eve offering. It was a delight. Each from their own homes, often in front of the family Christmas tree. Many also were in costume. They ranged in age from toddler to older teens. There were songs, scripture readings, and storytelling. They all did such a good job I would love to see it again next year. I am guessing they were relaxed and comfortable because they were in their own homes, rather than standing in front of a bunch of people in the church.
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