Sanctus was really riotous this week. Well as riotous for Sanctus 1 anyway.
With the city centre riots still being fresh in our minds here in the Northern Quarter, we offered ourselves to walk the riot-torn streets and pray and reflect on what we saw. It must be said that streets don't look riot-torn at all, so don't worry about coming into join us next week.
We reminded ourselves of the situation here a month ago by viewing some YouTube footage before putting on the armour of God and venturing out into the wider world of the city centre.
We walked to Piccadilly Gardens, the meeting point for many involved in the riots, and lit a joss stick as a sign of purification.
Then, we moved on to Miss Selfridge, reflecting as we went on how casually the arson seemed to ignite the store. Outside the Arndale Centre on Market Street, we speculated on the nature of what we all do in dark places were we cannot be seen (to reflect our recent dark & light services) and then Sunday people walked to the wall of post-it-notes, a place were people felt free to express themselves about the situation.
Was this sacred space? Set aside for a reason?
And finally outside Afflecks Palace we did 'clean graffiti' - we wrote our messages on the wall, with water that would not stay. Very daring! For most of us this felt very risky, especially with the police helicopter overhead and the community support officer walking by. I don't think any us of could really riot, but we can pray.
Next week a tabletop service...
Picture: Manchester Evening News
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