The Holly Bough Service at Liverpool Cathedral: a location and occasion for encounter?

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present paper, set within the developing science of cathedral studies, was to analyse the qualitative comments added by 113 of the 567 participants who submitted responses to a quantitative survey while attending the Holly Bough Service in Liverpool Cathedral on the afternoon of the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2019. These qualitative comments added depth and texture to the quantitative responses to illuminate five core aspects of the participants’ experience: the aesthetic and spiritual qualities of the Cathedral; the aesthetic and spiritual qualities of the Holly Bough Service; the aesthetic and spiritual qualities of the Cathedral’s musical tradition; the wider sense of connection with the Cathedral; and the impact of the ministry of the Cathedral clergy. The qualitative comments also drew attention to matters for further reflection by the Cathedral. Conclusions are drawn regarding the general effectiveness of Cathedrals within an increasingly secular environment, and the specific effectiveness of Liverpool Cathedral’s mission strategy of ‘Encounter’.

KEYWORDS:

• Cathedral studies
• Christmas
• carol services
• qualitative methodology
• congregation studies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nelson A. Pike

Nelson A. Pike holds a BA in History magna cum laude with Distinction from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He is currently resident at Liverpool Cathedral where he works under the Canon Theologian, The Reverend Canon Professor Leslie Francis on research concerning the intersection of cathedral studies, the psychology of religion, and modern culture. He is a member of the Young Adult Service Corps of the Episcopal Church placed in the Tsedaqah Community in the Diocese of Liverpool.