Lighting candles and writing prayers : observing opportunities for spiritual practices in churches in rural Cornwall

ap Sion, T. (2019) Lighting candles and writing prayers : observing opportunities for spiritual practices in churches in rural Cornwall. In: Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion. Brill, pp. 54-74. ISBN 9789004382640

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Abstract

Although there has been a growing number of empirical studies examining the content of written prayer requests left on prayer boards and in prayer books in cathedrals and churches, there has been no study of the contexts in which such personal devotional activities take place. In a survey of provision in nineteen churches in North Cornwall during August 2013, the present study aimed to explore whether and how rural churches provide for personal prayer and reflection for those outside their gathered congregations. Results indicated that where provision for personal prayer and reflection was evident, it usually took one or more forms, including opportunity to: enter an ‘open’ church; write prayer requests; light votive candles; or add names to memorial books. It is argued that analyses of these physical contexts may offer important insights into how churches understand and express their ministry to visitors seeking this kind of personal devotional space within their church buildings.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	This item is available from the research repository at Warwick University.
Divisions:	School of Humanities
Depositing User:	Tania Ap Sion
Date Deposited:	27 Mar 2019 11:39
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2019 14:20
URI:	https://bgro.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/419

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