Review of Transcendence - the new Visions Service which was held in York Minster on 7 October.

Imagine the scene.  It's a very wet Sunday night.  It feels like autumn at long last. I was tired after a Sunday of services, harvest goods, recycled rubbish etc.  I had committed myself to trying out the new Visions service so I was going to go.  But I didn't much feel like it.   The Minster was floodlit and looking fantastic.  I entered through the Chapter House doors (though normally the South step doors will be open) and found my way to the Crypt (which for those of you who are not familiar with church architecture is the bit under the Quire, which for those of you who are not familiar with church architecture is the bit with pews behind the organ).  As I went down the steps to the Crypt, my senses were stirred immediately.  It was dark, but not in an oppresive or alarming way.  It  was warm and atmospheric.  There was gentle music playing and there were already quite a few people there - some people that I recognised and some I didn't.

I had a choice to make - should I go for sitting on a chair at the back of the Crypt, safe in the darkness, or do I see if I can lower my (not insubstantial) rear end onto a cushion on the floor?  The chairs were already quite full so I decided to risk the floor cushion.  If I was going to 'do' church in a different way, I might as well go the whole hog.  The cushion was a good choice.  It was good to lean against the pillar of the church and to think about how long it had been there - how many people had leant against it over the centuries.  It was also good to be at eye level with some of the fantastic projected images which were all around.   It was like being inside a fabulous painting.  There was something to look at all around.  The projected words encouraged us to spend the time preparing for the service. The Minster Verger brought in incense and the room was immediately filled with the aroma. It wasn't overpowering and it gave another edge to the whole experience.  Watching the smoke from the incense curl up and be caught in the beams of the projectors took me right back to the Priest in the temple offering praise to God with all his senses.

The service went ahead with few announcements and with a great sense of order and calm.  It reminded me of sharing worship with the Monks at Ampleforth Abbey - but it was more accessible.  We sang hymns with familar tunes, but with new words which made me think more as each line came along. We prayed using stones to help us focus.  We had a scripture reading and Sue Wallace preached to us on the theme of faith.  4 of the Minster Choir sang to us which was nothing short of heavenly (actually I am guessing this as I have yet to try out the real place).   All the elements of service which I am used to and which I enjoy were there, but done with such creativity and skill.  I didn't think it was wierd, it was just totally different for me.  I found space to think and to worship God, I found time to re-charge.

Transcendence is a collaboration with York Minster - and it showed.  The Precentor (which for those of you who are not into church terminology is the Priestly Music Man) led the communion element of the service which was at the 'high' end of church liturgy, and it was wonderful to hear him sing some of the communion prayers.  He explained to us that the aim of the service was to celebrate that which is very old along with that which is the future in worship.  In the opinion of this quite trad Evangelical, the service did this very well.  It was impossible not to think of the thousands of people who have worshipped in the Minster over the years, but also impossible not to be impacted by the 21st century technology and creativity.

I was proud to be a member of St Michael's and delighted that one of our congregations was responsible at least in part for this service.  The next Transcendence service is at 8.00pm in the crypt (you know what that is now) of the Minster on Sunday 4 November.  Do give it a try.  And go on - try the cushions.

Mark Rance