Worship in the Middle English Tradition

You know how it is. Exciting new traditions can get a bit same-y.

Over the last ten years, ever since we reopened the Beaker Folk as a Continental-style cafe-bar, we've had Worship in the Beaker Style; Cafe Church; Worship in the Taize Style; Messy Church; Worship in the Gregorian Chant Style; Worship in the Celtic Manor; Worship Provencal; Worship  by Numbers; Mossy Church.

And after a while they've all gotten a bit same old. A bit tired. And it's forced us look back at ourselves, to wonder if the real problem is in us, not the worship mode.

And we don't really like looking at ourselves. So we needed something really new to inspire us. And when I say "new" I do of course mean "antiqued."

I am proud to announce that today's the first day of Worship in the High Mediaeval English Style. Hnaef has kindly translated the Book of Common Prayer into Middle English. And we're using Wycliffe's Bible and readings from Piers Plowman.

So we're going to be worshipping in the manner of English worship, if the Reformation had happened 200 years earlier than it did. How authentic can you get? I'm very excited.

Now we just have one thing left to resolve. Which accent should we read it in? Some reckon Brummie would be most like the way the people in Post-13th Century Reformation England would spoken. But I still reckon a Welsh accent sounds more spiritual.