Christian worship services at festivals

[RumbaRue]

I think it's kind of funny, considering just about everything at a Ren-faire is steeped in Paganism.

Huzzah for us Pagans!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

There may be paganism among the patrons (and even the cast) at Ren faires today, but that is in this century, not necessarily how it was during the time period.  Back then, most people were very religious, contrary to today. 

So if the faire is trying for some degree of historical accuracy (yes, I realize Queen Elizabeth I and Robin Hood were centuries apart!), even the casts' garb, especially the nobles, may consist of a cross or paternoster.

And there are those of us who do participate in religious ceremonies who enjoy being able to attend a service at a place we love!   

[Lady L]

Well, said, Lady Renee!

Anyone that wasn't Christian during the Renaissance would be considered a heretic and you know what happens to them, right? The church was a very powerful force at that time.
Pagans were not tolerated, so Ren faires are not very historically accurate by allowing that, but we do tolerate more these days. I find it odd that people think there was a lot of paganism 500 years ago. If they were pagan, it would be kept a secret. To involve/appease more people, the church eventually tried to incorporate some of the pagan beliefs into Christianity. For example, the Christmas tree was not originally a Christian symbol, but it became one.
Anyway, that's how I understand it.

[Anna Iram]

Yeah...the Pagans would definitly have been run into hiding by the Witchcraft acts of the times. Along with those of the Jewish faith and anyone else who didn't agree with the current Monarchs spiritual beliefs.

http://elizabethan.org/compendium/7.html

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/queen-elizabeth-i-jews-catholics.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft_Act

I'm a huge history buff and fascinated by the political/religous tug of wars of the times. Don't think I'd want to visit a faire that attempted to re-enact that particular dismal slice of our past in all of it's facets. Yikes!

As for attending a service at faire, I think it would be a lovely gesture to those fairegoes who might have to make a choice between faire and church each Sunday. I'm not a church goer, but I am..or at least try to be... very spiritual and I'd attend. If they were able to make it historically accurate to the time or the Monarch even better.

[irish]

I do remember years back, that Queen Elizabeth (Baj) and her trusty jester (Bubboon), did a prayer. It was the "Lord's Prayer". It was so moving as he expressed it in sign language.
I cried, just to be there with two people who were my dearest friends at faire. I was able to feel the love, warmth and serenity of that little gathering, in the 'grove'.
I think if some would enjoy a 'universal service', it could be offered, without offense to anyone. I know I would enjoy it, very much.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

At Bristol, the service was Church of England/Anglican, or very similar to the Episcopal Church in America, part of the Anglican Communion.

The thing about the service, no matter what denomination, is that attendance is voluntary, so if someone doesn't like it, then there are many other shows to attend, held at the same time.  There should be no reason for anyone to become offended by any services that are offered, and that's the nice thing about faire. 

And also the bad thing.  So many choices, so little time!       

[BLAKDUKE]

If either of the 2 GCRF editions had a Latin Mass I would surely attend.

[girlmacbeth]

i'm loving this topic but was wondering if there is any all Christian faires in the us especially the mid-west

[Leneas Distara]

At Bristol, the service was Church of England/Anglican, or very similar to the Episcopal Church in America, part of the Anglican Communion.

I think for the BARF this would be the most logical service, seeing the Tudor Era influence at our fair. Heck Henry VIII drove the split from the catholic church though he did believe in the traditional Catholic mass.

In a bit of irony one of those in my rennie cadre actually happens to have once been a catholic priest who converted to gnosticism and know holds title of Bishop. Even better is this is his character that he brings to the BARF!

[ItsTheBishop]

At Bristol, the service was Church of England/Anglican, or very similar to the Episcopal Church in America, part of the Anglican Communion.

I think for the BARF this would be the most logical service, seeing the Tudor Era influence at our fair. Heck Henry VIII drove the split from the catholic church though he did believe in the traditional Catholic mass.

In a bit of irony one of those in my rennie cadre actually happens to have once been a catholic priest who converted to gnosticism and know holds title of Bishop. Even better is this is his character that he brings to the BARF!

I'm conversant in the use of either the 1549 Book of Common prayer or the Roman Rite according to the Knott Missal. Was there a group at BARF that wanted some sort of service?