Sexagesima Sunday Service at St Andrew's Cathedral

This morning I attended worship at the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, King Street, Aberdeen. It was a dry morning, and the sun was shining in all it's glory, it now feels more like spring, "Thanks be to God". The service starts at 10:45, so I normally arrive at half past ten, in order to prepare myself to partake in the Eucharist. I have noticed that for some reason, known only to themselves, the cathedral staff do not have the door open, rather one has to open the door, it's not a very nice feeling doing that, imagine if a member of the public walked up and saw the door shut, they would presumably believe the Church to be closed.

There were two greeters at the door, elderly women of the cathedral, who with a smile and a, "Good Morning", handed me the liturgy, service sheet, and hymnal. I advanced down the aisle to the pew that best suited me, not to fat back, and not to far to the front, just perfect for someone like me, who still holds the protestant ethic of sitting at the back. I knelt and prayed, as is my custom, and watched the Cathedral fill up, there was around 30 to begin with. Later the Nigerian element came in, late and bumped the numbers up to a nice round 50.

The service was jolly, and quite up lifting, the ten minute sermon, was a little blasé, to say the least, and the traditional quote from the Lady Vicar, "continuing on with last weeks theme", what pray tell, would happen if you were not there last week? I was however, and I did not pick up any theme last week, nor did I pick one up this week, there was a slight message there, under a mire of repetition of the Old Testament Lesson, which was the story of the healing of Naman the leper, a slight message, but rather rushed, and I still have not picked up the theme, which is supposedly self worth.

I was very disappointed with the prayers and intercessions, rather rushed I thought, I know how it works, in reality there should be several intercessions, but alas I think I counted four, and they were rushed. I hope that I don't sound to critical, because I must emphasise that the service was uplifting and the Eucharist was as usual, extremely beautiful, and the music was divine.

There is one thing, that I really can't let drop, so much so that I am considering writing to the Cathedral staff, during the Sanctus they trooped in the children, it was very disrespectful.