First off the bacon party went very, very well. There was organic bacon, double-smoked bacon, nitrate-free bacon, thick bacon, slim bacon, bacon wrapped scallops, BLTs, and all manner of other pork side paraphernalia.

Today was my first Sunday service (ever) and it was at an Anglican church. Anglicans are a kind of middle path in the Christian world- they don’t identify completely with either Protestant or Catholic doctrines, so their theology and rituals are a mixture of each. One of the ties that binds the Anglican Communion is the Book of Common Prayer, the content and use of which can be explained by its full title- The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church According to the use of the Church of England Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches and the form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

I’ve been to Christ Church Cathedral before for their weekly Gregorian chants that take place during the service of Compline. It was an evening service with dim lighting and only a handful of people attending.  The place looked very different this morning, with around a hundred attendants of all types and ages.

It was quite the experience, with a deep feeling of community. It was a choral Eucharist, so in addition to the sermon, reading of scripture, and communion, there were plenty of songs to be sung. As I sat there, listening to various proclamations, I wondered how anyone could want to take this away, how people could be so quick to call down the Christian religion. It seemed so peaceful and innocent, with simple moral rules and an established creed. The power of the idea was almost tangible. This was the genuine experience I had been looking for.

I didn’t take part in the communion, I had mixed feelings about it. It seemed disingenuous to be swallowing the blood and body of Christ, even though I don’t believe in transubstantiation. I wasn’t comfortable going through with the ritual, even though I didn’t think it meant anything. Perhaps I was scared of being converted.

Another aspect that impressed me was the amount of charity. Sure, the collection plates made their rounds, but what was impressive were the various charitable funds and initiatives the Church was involved in. They were contributing to the local downtown eastside women’s shelter, providing toques filled with gifts for the poor, and various other outreach programs. It was touching and it was great to see theory being put into practice.

It was a good first experience. I’m looking forward to next week.