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Gothic Church in England
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A vicar is running a unique service in Cambridge England designed for people interested in the darker side of life. DRESSING in black and listening to rock music may not seem the usual activities of a church congregation. The Reverend Marcus Ramshaw, associate vicar at St Edward King and Martyr Church, said about 20 Goths regularly attend the 45-minute service. The service includes a specially written liturgy and Goth music, such as Depeche Mode and Sisters of Mercy. Mr Ramshaw, 34, who is a Goth, said he hoped to make the church meaningful to people from alternative communities.
"We have been piloting it for about a year and it is a service in which people are encouraged to be truly honest about their feelings," Mr Ramshaw said. After the service, most of the congregation go to the Calling, a Goth evening at the nearby Kambar nightclub. The Rev Marcus Ramshaw, St Edward's associate chaplain, who has been a regular at The Calling himself for the last four years, started the service to appeal to people who might not otherwise go to church. Mr Ramshaw said: "I am a Goth myself and realized that quite a lot of people I knew were spiritual rather than religious and were desperately looking for a spiritual home. "I thought this could be one way of encouraging people into church that wasn't Bible bashing and would show people that Christianity can provide hope and support." "From going to the Kambar, I realized a lot of people there were very spiritual and quite religious. The service is very honest about how rubbish life is. It is not stuffy. Goths seem to be quite into depression and this is a way of letting out all your anger and frustration." |
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Candles are lit throughout the 45- minute service, and the music becomes more positive towards the end. "There is a short homily which will tackle issues such as suicidal feelings and despair." He added: "Most of the people who come to the Goth Eucharist don't go to church normally.
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This is something they feel non-threatened by and they feel included. "It has taken a long time to reassure people that you could be a Goth and a Christian. They are not incompatible. It is an area the church can really reach out to. Christianity is all about finding light in dark places."
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