Where are our Pews?
It’s hard to miss: when you walk into the back of the Cathedral nave, there is a lot more space than usual. We are running an experiment this summer by removing some of the pews to make additional space and trying out different activities. This is a temporary arrangement: the pews are safely stored and will be returned in time for Homecoming in September, I promise!
If you go to any European cathedral or most American cathedrals, you will notice that instead of pews in the nave there are moveable chairs. This goes back to the Middle Ages when a cathedral was literally at the center of its city and was regarded as community space. Farmers’ markets (with live animals!) were held there. People took shelter there from major storms and from marauding enemies. When a monarch or bishop visited, the local people crowded into the space to hear about national and international events. The nave was where people celebrated great victories and terrible disasters. And, on the great feast days, people had the space to dance together as part of their outpouring of worship.
St. Paul’s was originally built as a parish church with pews. When San Diego became its own diocese, St. Paul’s became the Cathedral, and as such took on a new mission. In addition to being our parish home, we became the mother church of the diocese and the Cathedral for the City. Being true to the Cathedral charism, we reach out in all kinds of ways to the community around us and seek to have a voice in the life of the city. Our civic role can parallel that of our European sister cathedrals. We can be the heart of this city, and particularly of the Bankers Hill community.
Today cathedrals all over the world are seeking to regain that place at the heart of their cities. Durham in England, the National Cathedral in Washington DC, and Grace in San Francisco all host a broad variety of events in their naves, from yoga to gala fundraisers to crafts fairs. We know that many of our neighbors will not think to enter the church for a worship service, but they are attracted by cultural enrichment events and special celebrations. The new condo buildings in Bankers Hill have brought us new neighbors, and we want them to come into our space and discover how special it is, and along the way to discover the great ministries we offer.
Our summer space will host several art exhibits, sponsored by our Arts committee, and hopefully some movement classes (both yoga and Tai Chi have a spiritual dimension). I hope you will help me to invite your and our neighbors to “taste and see” our lovely space.
Your sister in Christ,
The Very Rev Penny Bridges
2 comments:
Exciting possibilities for new life and gathering many folk to join in the dance in the tradition of great cathedrals!
As we already have a huge amount of floor space for community events in the Great Hall, what need is there to denude OUR nave of OUR pews? Every event mentioned in this and other posts can easily be held in the Great Hall thus preserving the integrity and beauty of St. Paul's nave. These 'temporary' adventures have a way of becoming permanent despite promises and plans to the contrary. I have no objection to replacing pews with cathedral chairs (we can not afford them at the present timeI) but let's wait until we have them before creating this great emptiness at the west end of the nave.
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