Christmas was boom for Anglicans, despite church decline
-06/01/06
Whatever the woes of
Christmas was boom for Anglicans, despite church decline
-06/01/06
Whatever the woes of the Church of England and the overall decline in UK church-going, congregations from around the world-wide Anglican Communion reported record attendances at their Christmas services, says Jim Rosenthal of the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) at the Feast of Epiphany today.
The Christian Feast of the Epiphany marks the time when, according to the gospels, Magi representing earthly power and wisdom came to bring gifts to the infant Jesus, recognising God’s choice of the weak and powerless to fulfil the divine purposes of love in a world of might and violence.
Carol Services and the traditional Midnight Mass found many churches with standing room only this year, and some places had to turn people away for safety reasons. This was in contrast to news that a number of evangelical mega-churches in the US were closing on Christmas Day.
The usual all-night queue at Kings College Chapel, Cambridge, was again evident as hundreds tried to get into the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast world-over by the BBC each 24 December. This is likely the most widely broadcast Christian worship service in the world.
The Rev Paul Lillie, writing from Jerusalem said: ìJerusalem Episcopalians braved checkpoints, rainy weather, and brisk winds in order to greet the Holy Child of Bethlehem with their usual warmth and generous spirit.î
Bus loads made their way to Manger Square to sing Carols. To finish the season, the new bishop co-adjutor in Jerusalem is being consecrated today in St George’s Cathedral ñ where Israeli anti-nuclear campaigner Mordechai Vanunu has been given sanctuary after his release from prison for alleged spying.
In Times Square New York, the church of St Mary the Virgin was packed at Midnight on Christmas Eve as the US Primate offered Eucharist.
At St Paul’s Cathedral, London, people were turned away at the Carol service, presided over by the Bishop of London, as safety regulations would not allow more inside. Well over 3,000 people were in attendance. At Midnight the cathedral was full again for the Eucharist.
Grace Episcopal Cathedral San Francisco ñ well known for its adventurous spiritual and social ministry ñ reports that 6,000 people worshipped at the 5 services over the weekend.
Carol Barnwell, Diocese of Texas spokesperson said that all churches held services on Christmas Day and that Christmas Eve found “record crowds” in all the churches of the diocese.
Carols at Canterbury Cathedral, Mother church of the Communion, also welcomed long queues for the service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams ñ who highlighted the need for forgiveness as an antidote to war and terror.
Positive reports were also received from Ireland (where the Anglican primate called for an amnesty for immigrants) and across Europe.
The Church of England and other historic denominations in the UK and throughout Europe have continued to be impacted by declining memberships in recent years.
However, Anglicanism and other forms of Christianity have been growing, sometimes dramatically, in Africa and Asia.
For Anglicans, Christmas runs through the Feast of the Epiphany (6 January), thus ìthe twelve Days of Christmasî. Some churches are known to keep some decorations around until 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ, the Purification of Mary, also called Candlemas.
[Also on Ekklesia: Attack on Royal Mail over Christmas stamps; Christian aid groups launch virtual gifts for Christmas; Christmas was not ‘banned’ after all; Quakers urge ‘waging peace’ for Christmas goodwill; Put which Christ back into Christmas?; Hindu disagreement continues over Christmas stamp; US activists arrested for Christmas campaign against the Grinch; 5 steps for a more ethical Christmas; Muslims offer to guard Christian churches in Indonesia]
Christmas was boom for Anglicans, despite church decline
-06/01/06
Whatever the woes of the Church of England and the overall decline in UK church-going, congregations from around the world-wide Anglican Communion reported record attendances at their Christmas services, says Jim Rosenthal of the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) at the Feast of Epiphany today.
The Christian Feast of the Epiphany marks the time when, according to the gospels, Magi representing earthly power and wisdom came to bring gifts to the infant Jesus, recognising God’s choice of the weak and powerless to fulfil the divine purposes of love in a world of might and violence.
Carol Services and the traditional Midnight Mass found many churches with standing room only this year, and some places had to turn people away for safety reasons. This was in contrast to news that a number of evangelical mega-churches in the US were closing on Christmas Day.
The usual all-night queue at Kings College Chapel, Cambridge, was again evident as hundreds tried to get into the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast world-over by the BBC each 24 December. This is likely the most widely broadcast Christian worship service in the world.
The Rev Paul Lillie, writing from Jerusalem said: ‘Jerusalem Episcopalians braved checkpoints, rainy weather, and brisk winds in order to greet the Holy Child of Bethlehem with their usual warmth and generous spirit.’
Bus loads made their way to Manger Square to sing Carols. To finish the season, the new bishop co-adjutor in Jerusalem is being consecrated today in St George’s Cathedral – where Israeli anti-nuclear campaigner Mordechai Vanunu has been given sanctuary after his release from prison for alleged spying.
In Times Square New York, the church of St Mary the Virgin was packed at Midnight on Christmas Eve as the US Primate offered Eucharist.
At St Paul’s Cathedral, London, people were turned away at the Carol service, presided over by the Bishop of London, as safety regulations would not allow more inside. Well over 3,000 people were in attendance. At Midnight the cathedral was full again for the Eucharist.
Grace Episcopal Cathedral San Francisco – well known for its adventurous spiritual and social ministry – reports that 6,000 people worshipped at the 5 services over the weekend.
Carol Barnwell, Diocese of Texas spokesperson said that all churches held services on Christmas Day and that Christmas Eve found “record crowds” in all the churches of the diocese.
Carols at Canterbury Cathedral, Mother church of the Communion, also welcomed long queues for the service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams – who highlighted the need for forgiveness as an antidote to war and terror.
Positive reports were also received from Ireland (where the Anglican primate called for an amnesty for immigrants) and across Europe.
The Church of England and other historic denominations in the UK and throughout Europe have continued to be impacted by declining memberships in recent years.
However, Anglicanism and other forms of Christianity have been growing, sometimes dramatically, in Africa and Asia.
For Anglicans, Christmas runs through the Feast of the Epiphany (6 January), thus ‘the twelve Days of Christmas’. Some churches are known to keep some decorations around until 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ, the Purification of Mary, also called Candlemas.
[Also on Ekklesia: Attack on Royal Mail over Christmas stamps; Christian aid groups launch virtual gifts for Christmas; Christmas was not ‘banned’ after all; Quakers urge ‘waging peace’ for Christmas goodwill; Put which Christ back into Christmas?; Hindu disagreement continues over Christmas stamp; US activists arrested for Christmas campaign against the Grinch; 5 steps for a more ethical Christmas; Muslims offer to guard Christian churches in Indonesia]