Les-b-in the house of the Lord!

By Sal Kovech

Volume 1, Issue 7

October 21^st 2001
Holy Trinity and St Peters, Wimbledon

On recommendation from a fellow YLGC member, 2 of us braved the elements to attend the 10am service at Holy Trinity and St Peters Wimbledon. The spacious modern church set in a semi-circle was inviting after the torrential rain outside. What a shame the service was not more appealing.

We were put through the ordeal of a "small persons service" led by a rather nervous lady who seemed to be a member of the worship group. Included in the half hour was one of my personal highlights of children liturgy - the song " Prayer is like a telephone". Oh, how I could cast my mind back to youth worker days singing this delightful little ditty with the 4-6 years olds. What they seemed to miss was that this song has actions - but as a teacher on half term I was not in the least bit inclined to volunteer my services. The children seemed incapable of listening as the adults talked down at them. There is a lesson to be learn here - either don't try to have children's services or aim them at the target audience - even if it does make you look very silly indeed.

The setting for the morning was aimed almost exclusively at young couples with children. As a very single person with no wish to ever procreate, I felt very out of place. However, it is the one time that I have ever yearned to have a brat clinging to my leg - just so I didn't feel so conspicuous.

Following the kiddies bit was Iona worship for suffering. It was a nice piece of liturgy but was executed in a poor way. For the meditation, we were asked to get into small groups and talk about the inequality of justice and business. Not something I ever like participating in, within the context of a church service. It felt out of place - I would have preferred lighting a cnndle for the suffering people of the world than a discussion. But each to their own I suppose!

The whole service felt very amateurish, but this may be to do with the lack of vicar at the moment. The worship group sung with enthusiasm but I felt were in need of some more musicians to add to the vocal element.

I am told that Holy Trinity is welcoming to gays and lesbians - on this occasion I did not stay to test my line "I'm gay - what you going to do about it?". So I retreated to the safety of my friend's house for a nice cup of coffee! It is a church I feel has potential - and on reflection I would have been better off attending the parish Eucharist in the evening. Whether I ever get to do this will remain to be seen!

Score on the door: 3/10 (mainly because I am told it is friendly).

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