Evensong strangely distancing

Evensong in St Mary's Cathedral Edinburgh was a salutary experience for someone who is usually in the choir stalls. A stark reminder, in fact, of what a self-centred experience it can be.

It wasn't the building. Or rather, I wouldn't change a thing so the layout in any attempt to 'involve ' the congregation - I can't bear the architectural rape that goes on in churches. I would, however, do away with the sound system that encourages the clipped casual delivery of the precentor.

But there was so much that could be better done, from having a welcomer at the door to sort out the intentional worshipper - or at least listener - from the bewildered Korean or the family seeking a loo, to the singing of the psalms - today's remained more or less an indecipherable sacred mystery. The responses were rushed and clipped beyond affectation, and the anthem in German without a word of clarification. There was no office hymn, the traditional collects were abandoned in favour of something banal.

And finally - bet you're glad - the choristers: it's fine processing briskly with (a tad ostentatious) right angled turns, but it is not fine to appear giggling in a side aisle while the organist is still playing the closing voluntary. People were still sitting listening/praying - apart from the bemused Koreans who felt free to start taking photos and gesticulating - and your playground antics were the last straw.

You did sing well, though ...