| Did you know? | 'Gothic' is something that resembles the architecture, style of sculpture and other arts prominent in Western Europe from the 12th to the 16th centuries and also relates to the literary style characterized in the late 18th century by subject matter concerning the supernatural, the grotesque and gloom. The term 'Goth' emerged in the early eighties as a splinter group from the Punk movement. The next Goth Eucharist will be at 8.30pm for 8:45pm on Tuesday January 31st in the Clare Chapel of St. Edward's. |
The Goth Eucharist is held at St Edward King and Martyr in Peas Hill, Cambridge, once a fortnight, and the specially written service combines traditional scripture and prayer with a mixture of rock and classical music.
 | | The Goth Eucharist in action |
Incense is burned during the 45 minute service, and the church is lit solely by the light of candles, including dozens of nightlights arranged on the chancel steps in the form of a cross, creating an intense and intimate atmosphere for the proceedings. The St Edward's church website explains the service 'revolves around the baptismal candle and reflects a serious engagement with the depressing and darker sides of our lives before moving towards a position of hope and happiness found in the empathy of the Lord Jesus Christ.' The service is conducted jointly by the Chaplain, Fraser Watts, and Assistant Chaplain Marcus Ramshaw, who combines work at St Edwards with a part-time post as a research assistant in the Faculty of Divinity. Marcus wrote the liturgy specifically for the Goth Eucharist, on the afternoon of Christmas day 2004. He believes that the church should be more open to less conventional ways of approaching faith and worship, and is keen to make members of the Goth community welcome among the church's congregation. This is an exciting new fortnightly service which seeks to find new ways of making the life of the Church meaningful to people from alternative, and particularly Goth communities. It takes place every alternate Tuesday at 8.30pm in the Clare Chapel of St. Edward's Church and anyone is welcome to attend. The service lasts about 45 minutes and most of the congregation go on to The Calling, a Goth evening at the nearby Kambar nightclub. Go in peace... [Click on the audio at the top to get a feel for the scene]
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