It was the 9th of September 2012, the sun was shining bright and the church was bursting with people. I found a lonely pew in the right wing where I sat and stared; still in a dreamlike stage since a big part of me was still living back in Denmark.
A woman in the pew in front of me, Violet Carey, noticed that I couldn’t see the lyrics on the screen from my seat, so she went off and got me the lyrics on paper. I still have that sheet; however I’m not sure whether I was actually allowed to take it home with me (Ops). Nonetheless it is a very dear sheet to me as it represents the first sign of kindness and hospitality.
Another sign of all the goodness in Christ Church was when the singing began (The song was “We Want to See Jesus Lifted High). First of all, people sang! In Denmark everyone (the only four or five people there) stands awkwardly and let the paid choir do the work. Secondly, they meant it! They raised their hands and closed their eyes and at first I thought “they are crazy” but then I realised “No I’m the odd one here” and “This is how it should be – this is honest worship.” Thirdly, they had a band! There isn’t much to say about this point, because it is just beyond awesomeness – I’ve never attended a church with a band before. Fourthly, the colourful flags! It was when the kids started to wave the flags that my silent laughter was mixed with tears. At this point I realised “This is not a boring church. This is not a boring church in Denmark. This is not my country! What have I done?!”
It was an extraordinary thing for me to observe – and yes, I did nothing but observe. I was incapable of responding to any of the words on the screen, I had gone completely into myself, I could only listen and absorb the surroundings.
A woman in the pew in front of me, Violet Carey, noticed that I couldn’t see the lyrics on the screen from my seat, so she went off and got me the lyrics on paper. I still have that sheet; however I’m not sure whether I was actually allowed to take it home with me (Ops). Nonetheless it is a very dear sheet to me as it represents the first sign of kindness and hospitality.
Another sign of all the goodness in Christ Church was when the singing began (The song was “We Want to See Jesus Lifted High). First of all, people sang! In Denmark everyone (the only four or five people there) stands awkwardly and let the paid choir do the work. Secondly, they meant it! They raised their hands and closed their eyes and at first I thought “they are crazy” but then I realised “No I’m the odd one here” and “This is how it should be – this is honest worship.” Thirdly, they had a band! There isn’t much to say about this point, because it is just beyond awesomeness – I’ve never attended a church with a band before. Fourthly, the colourful flags! It was when the kids started to wave the flags that my silent laughter was mixed with tears. At this point I realised “This is not a boring church. This is not a boring church in Denmark. This is not my country! What have I done?!”
It was an extraordinary thing for me to observe – and yes, I did nothing but observe. I was incapable of responding to any of the words on the screen, I had gone completely into myself, I could only listen and absorb the surroundings.
