Episcopal Tourist, Trinity Church

Yes, I am Still in St Louis. Last week I was at the cathedral. This week I chose Trinity, a small parish within walking distance. They describe themselves as Inclusive, Diverse, Anglo Catholic. When I entered about 10 minutes before the service there were only a few people, but just like at St James they all came in at the last minute. There were 75 or so in all. The congregation did appear to be as advertised, gay, straight, black white, economically diverse etc., and very friendly.

The organist began with the majestic Nimrod movement from Elgar's Enigma Variations. It begins softly and lyrically but swells eventually to a great and sonorous fortissimo. Again I was very moved by the beauty and tonal splendor of the "King of Instruments."

All the elements of high church were present here incense, bells, chanting, procession, vestments etc. The priest chanted in a rather small voice and it was a bit hard to hear. The opening hymn was 368 Holy God we praise thy name.

There was a bit of drama, the first reader did not appear and at a signal from the rector an acolyte quickly went to the lectern. By this point the assigned reader had realized her error and was coming down the aisle. But she was too late and had to slink back to her seat.

After a chanted psalm and the second reading we had a full tilt Gospel procession. Again, they stopped right in front of me. The Gospel book was censed and Deacon Leip read John 14:1-14.

The Deacon also preached the sermon. He began by welcoming us to the day after the rapture provoking quite a good laugh. He them immediately plunged into the text which can be so troubling to non fundamentalist Christians. It is so often used to exclude Here is the circle. We are inside and you are not. Then in presenting the importance of context, he explained that this Gospel was the last to be written some 90 years later. Community was of great importance to the Jews and to the early church. To be cut off was devastating. The Jews were beginning to expel the Christians from the Synagogues. John sets forth a new community with Jesus at the center. The other implication , that those who do not profess faith in Christ are dammed to hell was not the intent. Our Presiding Bishop got into a lot of trouble with our own theological conservatives when she said that to say that God was not working in other ways was was putting limits on Him. He asked ironically "Does God hate the same people you do?"

Deacon Leip spoke also of his work in a local hospital with other ministers and rabbis, of the respect they gave to each other and then asked "does not God hear all who work for justice, compassion, and transformation of suffering. Is he not present in nature, in a baby's cry and in our last breath?" Amen!!

The children came in with exuberance and were welcomed by all.

We exchanged the peace after the short prayers of the people. The small choir made a valiant attempt at a Samuel Sebastian Wesley anthem O Lord my God. The Eucharist was celebrated, Rite II form B. The Sanctus was the familiar Schubert but the fraction was the Welsh hymn all through the night sung to "For the gift of earth and heaven thanks be to God." I received kneeling at the altar rail. Fresh baked bread was used and gluten free host was also available. The final hymn was 375 Give praise and glory unto God. This was not the recessional as the altar team waited for the postlude From the South Sea Islands by Alan Rideout. This was a delightfully rhythmic and syncopated piece. The numerous children danced happily as did the rector Anne Kelsey as she processed out. Everyone in the congregation enjoyed this immensely and applauded organist Jeffery Nall with enthusiasm.

Several people came up to me and we had some nice conversation. I spoke with the rector and deacon. They and others invited me to coffee hour where I met several others , some of whom were big opera fans who either attended or worked as volunteers or as board members. Eventually we had to leave as they were setting up a soup kitchen in that room.

This is a lovely, very friendly small, parish and the Anglo-Catholic ritual was dignified and well done without any hint of stiffness.