0:00:02 > 0:00:03"Have more tea, Vicar." Yeah, go on, then.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Vicars. Pillars of the community.
0:00:06 > 0:00:07We high enough yet?
0:00:07 > 0:00:11As English as tea and cake, and cricket on the village green.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- Nice to see you, to see you... - ALL:- Nice!
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But times are changing...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Would you like to pray now? Would you find that helpful?
0:00:19 > 0:00:20No...
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Congregations are ageing, and faith is fading.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26People in this country do not go to church.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30So today's vicars are working hard to stay relevant.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32The safeguards that are in place
0:00:32 > 0:00:35are not catching people who are in desperate need!
0:00:35 > 0:00:38In this series, vicars from Hereford,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41the Church of England's most rural diocese,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43let us into their life and work.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Any time, any place, anywhere.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Swapping a briefcase for a dog collar...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- I'm terrified.- ..and battling to keep the show on the road.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57We need more people.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59It's all part of...A Vicar's Life.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Ripon College Cuddesdon, near Oxford,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14is one of the country's most famous theological institutions.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20It's where Matthew Cashmore has lived and studied for the past three
0:01:20 > 0:01:23years, preparing himself for ministry.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25See you later.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30Today, he leaves college and is about to put theory into practice.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It's a really bittersweet day.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37It's sad, because I'm leaving a lot of friends behind.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39But I can't wait to kind of be
0:01:39 > 0:01:41three years down the line and look back and go, "OK,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43"that's what God wanted me to do."
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Donning a cassock will be a radical change.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54As director of a large book seller,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Matthew had all the trappings of the boardroom.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00My life before was five-bed detached house
0:02:00 > 0:02:04in a lovely village in Oxfordshire with a beautiful car.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06I miss the car so much.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I had a gorgeous car!
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It's the only thing I regret leaving behind!
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Matthew is joining the diocese of Hereford as a curate, or assistant.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24No-one goes into the church for the money.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27But with the job comes a family home for son Edmund
0:02:27 > 0:02:29and wife Catherine.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Matthew and I have always grasped life,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36in all its glory, with two hands.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39So it's nothing new, really, for us.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44It's just a very different path than the one we were on together before.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Yeah, a vicar's wife.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Never thought I'd be one of those.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50Yeah, it's a big change.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Got to think very carefully about money now
0:02:53 > 0:02:56in a way that I haven't had to do for years.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57That's no bad thing.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Cut down your valance to the correct length
0:03:03 > 0:03:07and cut down with a hacksaw.
0:03:07 > 0:03:08I have no idea how this works.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11Catherine!
0:03:13 > 0:03:14Help!
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Matthew's curacy is a four-year apprenticeship,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24and the first step on the ladder is to be ordained a deacon.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26The ceremony is in less than two weeks.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32I've moved my entire family halfway across the country.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33Yep, look at the other side for me.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37My wife's giving up an amazing job in London to follow me.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I have no idea what's next.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41And that's...that's terrifying.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45There we are! Get in!
0:03:51 > 0:03:54It's a tough time to be ordained in the Church of England.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Average Sunday attendances are in decline,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02down 15% over the past decade.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Hard-pressed country vicars
0:04:05 > 0:04:08are having to take on more and more churches.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Near the Welsh border,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Reverend Nicholas Lowton looks after six!
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Have you had a lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- lovely time?- Yeah! We've had lots and lots and lots of people.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22You are so good.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24It's fete season.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29Today, a fundraiser for improvements to Saint Margaret's Church.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- How much is that?- It's five quid, but it lasts a year.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- A year?- Yeah. - Not in my kitchen, it won't.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37A sale where anything goes.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40THEY SING
0:04:40 > 0:04:45Hereford has more churches per head than any other diocese.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48To survive, they need to become multifunctional spaces.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56What we're wanting to do in here is to have a small kitchen and a loo.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Because, obviously... I mean, for occasions like this.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Whereas a few years back, they might have said, "Is there a loo?",
0:05:05 > 0:05:07they now say, "Where's the loo?"
0:05:11 > 0:05:14People's views have changed.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I don't believe all of this.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19It's not the fact that cakes are for sale by the altar that shocks,
0:05:19 > 0:05:20but the quantity.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21Brilliant!
0:05:22 > 0:05:26If all these churches are going to have a really good future,
0:05:26 > 0:05:27they need to look at
0:05:27 > 0:05:29how they're going to have to develop for the future.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37To plan for survival, Nicholas has organised a meeting of parishioners
0:05:37 > 0:05:40at the local hub of Peterchurch.
0:05:43 > 0:05:49Right, so to the mission action plan and what it's based upon.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51The overwhelming majority of people
0:05:51 > 0:05:54in this country and in this benefice do not go to church.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02If we're going to continue to operate in exactly the same way...
0:06:03 > 0:06:07..and expect a different outcome,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09we are deluded.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16We're going to be asking everybody to look at their churches and ask,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20"What can we do with this church?"
0:06:21 > 0:06:26We don't want to be the generation which finally put God's church...
0:06:27 > 0:06:28..to bed.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44In the north of the diocese, another fete is in full swing.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Oh, look at that, John! You're very competitive, aren't you?
0:06:49 > 0:06:51We are!
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Another mountain of home-made cake is on sale. This time,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56in aid of Easthope Church.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00It's just one of 14 churches looked after
0:07:00 > 0:07:03by the Reverend Matthew Stafford.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06This is a man who got a U at A-level RE, and look at me now.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08There you go, then.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Matthew's also affected by diminishing congregations.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15But his strategy is to bring church to the people,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18rather than bring people to the church.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23I'm like the Tia Maria advert of the 1970s.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Any time, any place, anywhere.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28THEY LAUGH
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Look at that colour! - That's lovely, that is.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33Thank you.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38A lot of the rural churches are on the brink,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40and that would be a fair assessment.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42The church is about people, not buildings.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47It might mean that we have to go about our church and our mission
0:07:47 > 0:07:48in a different kind of way.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51"Have more tea, Vicar." Yeah, go on, then.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Do you want sugar in it? - No, it's sweet enough.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56You need to be at events like these
0:07:56 > 0:07:59because this is where the mission happens,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01through those pastoral encounters.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Matthew's role in the community means he's there
0:08:06 > 0:08:07at the end of people's lives.
0:08:07 > 0:08:0950 years of funerals,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- I've never met anybody as good. - Oh, well, thank you.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14So that's a credit to you, you know.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Bless you. I don't take myself too seriously,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18but I do take what I do seriously.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21And that the end of the day, I wanted to do right by everybody.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22Well, I can see that.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28I am a priest that covers 14 churches across a huge patch.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31But what you're trying to do is ensure that they can actually
0:08:31 > 0:08:35call and make contact and, even if I can't help them,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37you can point them in the right direction.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Can we firstly thank Hayden for his outstanding hospitality
0:08:41 > 0:08:43this afternoon?
0:08:43 > 0:08:44APPLAUSE
0:08:44 > 0:08:48And it's my delight now to draw the raffle!
0:08:48 > 0:08:50On the pink!
0:08:50 > 0:08:55Anything between 391 and 395!
0:09:00 > 0:09:02In West Hereford, Ruth Hulse
0:09:02 > 0:09:05has just made the leap from curor to vicar.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Her promotion means she now needs an assistant.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13So Clark put his on, and Clark had...
0:09:13 > 0:09:17And stepping into her shoes is new curate Matthew Cashmore.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I can learn from you because you bring something new in,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and you are completely up-to-date with...
0:09:25 > 0:09:28I can fix your printer. I can sort your Twitter account out.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30I can mend your computer.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Are you telling everyone that I'm not technically sound?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Yeah, that's exactly what I'm telling people!
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Ruth and husband John
0:09:42 > 0:09:46have invited Matthew and family to the vicarage for a barbecue.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Ruth, for you and me, I've got gin, obviously.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Obviously!- Hi! - What about Catherine? Hello.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57The relationship between all of them is really, really key
0:09:57 > 0:09:59in helping them to be the best ministry team they can be
0:09:59 > 0:10:01in the area, really.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05With their clergy wives and husbands, you know.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06It's important that we can get together
0:10:06 > 0:10:08cos they might just clear off.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16I've had a bit too much beer.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22It's a chance for Matthew to talk through one of his biggest worries.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29That fear of not being able to be the person that God has called you
0:10:29 > 0:10:32to be in this parish, in this community, is...
0:10:32 > 0:10:36That can be... I can completely see how people become paralysed by that.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I mean, I've only been ordained four years and I'm still...
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Some days, I'm still working it out
0:10:41 > 0:10:43and trying to hold on to that calling,
0:10:43 > 0:10:48that original calling, when God said, "I want you to be ordained."
0:10:48 > 0:10:50And still, that fills me with...
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- SHE GASPS - Wow!
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Near the Welsh border...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02..Nicholas is putting his action plan into action.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09St Mary's at Craswall sits on a hill in a scattered community
0:11:09 > 0:11:12of just 150 people.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15But the Black Mountains are a big draw for visitors,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17and Nicholas wants to capitalise on that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22He's found inspiration at his local pub.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Traditionally speaking,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33pubs and churches geographically are often very close to each other.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Which is understandable, because in different ways,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39they're both the hearts of a community.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Without enough regulars to support it, the Bridge Inn was dying.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Good morning!- Hi, Nicholas!
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- How are you?- I'm very well indeed.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51But when landlord Glyn took over,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55he turned the pub into a destination for visitors from across the world.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It now has a thriving bed and breakfast, and a campsite.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Through the weekends, it's always busy,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07people trying to get away to the countryside and relax.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10And the biggest draw of all, the yurts.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14They tap into the growing market for glamping.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15- Come in.- Thank you.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19Well, this is lovely!
0:12:19 > 0:12:22I'm not surprised you get hundreds of people coming to stay here.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25You've got people coming, repeat visits?
0:12:25 > 0:12:26We do, yeah. Believe it or not,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28we've had people from the States, Canada,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- New Zealand, Australia.- Really? - Honestly, yeah!
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- Come here specially, just to come here?- Just to see us.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36That is brilliant.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45Inspired by the pub, Nicholas has a plan for St Mary's.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- You get a lot of people here... - Yeah.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Instead of glamping, he and churchwarden Ken
0:12:51 > 0:12:53want to offer champing,
0:12:53 > 0:12:55or camping at church.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59It's unbelievably peaceful and quiet.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01It's perfect. It's absolutely perfect.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Yeah. It's only really, you know,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07when you sit down and have a period of time here that you start to
0:13:07 > 0:13:11appreciate the difference between what this is and what most people's
0:13:11 > 0:13:13lives are like, which are very busy and frenetic.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Craswall has a regular congregation of around 20.
0:13:19 > 0:13:25It's now one of over 900 churches on Historic England's at-risk register
0:13:25 > 0:13:28and needs hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of repairs.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Income from champing could lift the church out of trouble.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34And beyond.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Everything really points towards...
0:13:39 > 0:13:45..a really positive future for this church, serving an infinitely wider
0:13:45 > 0:13:49community than simply that of its village or even of this benefice.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58HE WHISTLES: When The Chariot Comes
0:13:59 > 0:14:02With the ordination on his mind,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05trainee Matthew is heading back to home soil.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09We are just crossing the border. There's the sign.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11"Welcome to Wales."
0:14:11 > 0:14:15We're in Wales. As you can see, everything has instantly changed!
0:14:18 > 0:14:22Moving to Herefordshire has brought Matthew closer to where he grew up
0:14:22 > 0:14:23in the Welsh valleys.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27He's here to visit his dad, Michael,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31who was shocked by his son's decision to be ordained.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- Cheers.- Nice to see you again. Shall we sit down?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Why don't you believe in God?
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Oh, you're getting personal!
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Because I don't believe there is a God.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Because there's so many other gods in the world
0:14:48 > 0:14:51and so many other religions and what have you,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55and more so that are causing wars at the moment,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and at the end of the day, it's not because of that,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02it's just that I don't believe there's a big man up the stairs.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07You don't have to believe in a god to be a good person,
0:15:07 > 0:15:12a good, charitable person, and to love people. You know?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16So, what do you think about me becoming a vicar, then?
0:15:17 > 0:15:22Well, like I said, no matter what you do, I will always support you.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25You know, as long as you don't try to push it down my neck.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- You...- I can push beer down your neck, but not God!
0:15:29 > 0:15:32But if you try to push God down my neck,
0:15:32 > 0:15:33the more I will go against it.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Anyway, nice pint of beer.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's a lovely pint of beer!
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
0:15:46 > 0:15:47Jesus.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53With his ordination looming, Matthew is on a four-day retreat.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Holy Mary, Mother of God,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59pray for us sinners now, in the hour of our death.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03It's his last chance to contemplate what will be the biggest life change
0:16:03 > 0:16:05he's ever made.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10I think I've got every emotion that it's possible to have.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I've run out of adjectives to describe how I'm feeling!
0:16:16 > 0:16:17I just had a moment where I thought,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19"I can't quite believe that I'm in
0:16:19 > 0:16:21"this room and this is happening now."
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I'm frustrated about the fact that I seem to have left everything behind
0:16:26 > 0:16:28me that I was any good at.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31All of that equates to diddly squat.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33..on Earth as it is in Heaven...
0:16:33 > 0:16:37There's a huge chunk of me that just wants to get into it now.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39And I pray that the Church is open
0:16:39 > 0:16:44to someone who wants to push and wants to help change.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Near the Black Mountains, churchwarden Ken...
0:16:59 > 0:17:04..and his friend Peter are dusting off the Boy Scout manual for a very
0:17:04 > 0:17:05different kind of retreat.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08A trial night of champing.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13We've got 13 people coming here to camp.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16It's all part of trying to broaden the use of the church,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19which I think is vital for its long-term survival.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Wow! Look, isn't it gorgeous?!
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Ken's been spreading the word,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31and plenty of people are willing to give it a go.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- Great!- Oh, my goodness!
0:17:34 > 0:17:36It's the most fantastic place,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38and it's not as cold as I imagined it might be.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Trish has volunteered to be head chef.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45How many champers does it take to light a fire?
0:17:47 > 0:17:49I'm making some old cider
0:17:49 > 0:17:51to warm us up.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54I've got loads and loads of bread rolls, does anybody want some?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Nicholas is late to the party.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Oh, hello!
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Where's my drink?!
0:18:03 > 0:18:05How lovely to see you.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Good evening, Nicholas.- I know you.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08THEY LAUGH
0:18:08 > 0:18:10Lovely to see you.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12When do you start singing Kumbaya?
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Never, don't worry. - Just so I'm warned!- Don't worry.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17As soon as we've had a bit more cider!
0:18:17 > 0:18:20You are lovely beyond imagination. Thank you very much indeed.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Peter, is this the sort of thing that you'd pay for,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26to come and stay here overnight?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- The answer to that question... - No, of course, yes.- You would?
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Yes, vast sums!
0:18:31 > 0:18:33THEY LAUGH
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Well, I find it amazing, actually, round here that the number of units
0:18:37 > 0:18:41for accommodation that have gone up in the last 15 years,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and they all seem to be full.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48Right, well, you're about to indulge in your Bacchanalian extravaganza.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- I shall leave you.- Time you should leave, then, I think, Nicholas,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- so that we can get on with it. - Lovely to see you all.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Enjoy. See you tomorrow. Bye-bye.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03I thought it was brilliant. I'm amazed the number of people here,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05and they're going to have a really good evening.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I shall be interested to see what state they're in
0:19:07 > 0:19:11by the time we have a service here at 9.30 in the morning!
0:19:11 > 0:19:14# So on that bog there was a tree
0:19:14 > 0:19:16# A rare tree and a rattlin' tree
0:19:16 > 0:19:19# A tree in the bog And the bog down in the valley-o
0:19:19 > 0:19:21# Rare bog a rattlin' bog
0:19:21 > 0:19:23# A bog down in the valley-o
0:19:23 > 0:19:25# Rare bog a rattlin' bog
0:19:25 > 0:19:27# A bog down in the valley-o
0:19:27 > 0:19:30# On that twig there was a leaf... #
0:19:37 > 0:19:40The church has many ways of opening its doors to new members.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44But none more meaningful than a baptism.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Why am I trying to put a coat hanger on me head?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50In Much Wenlock,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Matthew Stafford is about to welcome new life and a congregation
0:19:54 > 0:19:55of mainly non-churchgoers.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02I always try to do, on a baptism service, or any service,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04whether it be a baptism, a wedding or a funeral,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08is to make sure you give people the most positive experience
0:20:08 > 0:20:10of being here, putting them at ease,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13in the hope that they might just come back.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Today, Matthew gets two for the price of one.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Twins Ollie and Charlie.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Are you going to have a cuddle with Nanny Cass?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Parents Dan and his partner Shawn
0:20:27 > 0:20:31met at school and have been together for four years.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32You all right?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35What's not to like about him?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38He was actually in the Navy until about two years ago,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and I think that sort of made a man out of him.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46It also made Dan reassess his views on the church.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49As you get to teenager age, you're not sure what you believe.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51And then, when I joined the Navy, straightaway,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53it's something that you need.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55I suppose I'm back into it a little bit now.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56Maybe I drop in and drop out a little bit,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58but it is important that they're christened.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- Nice to see you, to see you... - ALL:- Nice.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13One of the biggest crimes of the Church is that we made God boring.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18I always try to sort of have a laugh and a joke with people.
0:21:18 > 0:21:24You're trying to lift people's spirits, appropriately,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27in every situation you find yourself in.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Charlie Kenneth Daniel,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I baptise you in the name of the Father,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and of the Son,
0:21:38 > 0:21:39and of the Holy Spirit.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Amen.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Didn't you do well for me? Yes, you did!
0:21:45 > 0:21:49So, Lord Jesus, open Charlie's ears to Your voice,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53and his mouth to Your praise both now and always. Amen.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57I think it's about giving them something to believe in,
0:21:57 > 0:22:01some sort of path to follow if ever they feel that
0:22:01 > 0:22:03they're sort of lost.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I think that's always good.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Dan and Shawn are turning to the church to get married next year.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16It's not the way the church of old would have it...
0:22:17 > 0:22:20..but these changing times call for an open mind.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24In the big scheme of things, does it really matter?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Because what they're trying to do is ensure that
0:22:26 > 0:22:32actually that they are bringing some security and permanency
0:22:32 > 0:22:34to their family situation,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38and I think that's something to be celebrated and nurtured.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51At Saint Mary's in Craswall, it's the morning after the night before.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Head chef Trish has already got breakfast on the go.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01We're going to have Canadian pancakes with maple syrup and bacon,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and eggs for those who are keen.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08I was snug as a bug, lovely rugs, and it was fine.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Not everyone slept so well.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Good morning.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16HE LAUGHS
0:23:16 > 0:23:19OK, OK, I got cold.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22It's quite a mess, really, the floor.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25God might be forgiving,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28but the vicar won't be if the church isn't ready in time
0:23:28 > 0:23:29for All Saints' Day.
0:23:30 > 0:23:3220 minutes. We'll do it.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42With seven minutes to go, Nicholas arrives.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46They've been very clean and tidy, which is good news.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49We like people to be clean and tidy.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50Morning.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54And the pews are filling up with both regulars and champers.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57Morning, campers.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58LAUGHTER
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Heidi hi.
0:24:00 > 0:24:01How lovely to see you all.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03For those of you are completely unaware,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05because the place looks totally immaculate,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08there were loads and loads and loads of people sleeping here last night.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Rather than simply during my sermon,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14which is the normal state of affairs.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16And it's wonderful to see you survived the experience.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23I will give nobody any prizes for guessing what the first hymn is.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29It's number 134. Do you all have things to bang?
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Yes.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- Are you going to make a loud noise? - Yes.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Let's find out.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38And yes...
0:24:38 > 0:24:41# For all the Saints
0:24:41 > 0:24:45# Who from their neighbours rest... #
0:24:48 > 0:24:51One thing we're really lucky with here
0:24:51 > 0:24:55is that the people are genuinely
0:24:55 > 0:25:00excited about the changes which will transform Craswall Church from
0:25:00 > 0:25:04simply a church used twice a month for worship
0:25:04 > 0:25:08into a place which is going to be living and lively,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11which is what all our churches ideally should be.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Amen.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Churches packed to the rafters might be a rare occurrence...
0:25:27 > 0:25:29..but in Hereford Cathedral, it's a full house.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Matthew Cashmore is about to be ordained as a deacon
0:25:34 > 0:25:37by the Bishop of Hereford.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39I look a bit like Mr Bean. What's going on there?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42THEY LAUGH
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Despite decreasing congregations, in 2016,
0:25:46 > 0:25:51nearly 500 new clergy were ordained in England.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Around half of those were women.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I do remember how I was feeling, actually.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Very, very nervous,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01but really excited.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04You know, before you get married, and you weren't nervous,
0:26:04 > 0:26:05and then all of a sudden you're nervous,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09- but it's nervous excitement. It's good.- Good. It's good excitement.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11- Everything fits.- Yes.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Isn't it nice today?
0:26:16 > 0:26:19ORGAN PLAYS CHOIR SINGS
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Matthew's ordination oath will change him forever
0:26:22 > 0:26:26from a layperson to a member of the clergy.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35Deacons are called to work with their fellow members
0:26:35 > 0:26:38in searching out the poor and weak,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42reaching into the forgotten corners of the world,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45that the love of God may be made visible.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Matthew Cashmore.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Send down the Holy Spirit...
0:26:59 > 0:27:01..on your servant Matthew...
0:27:02 > 0:27:04..for the office and work of a deacon.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08It's a covenant. It's a commitment,
0:27:08 > 0:27:13it's a relationship between you and God,
0:27:13 > 0:27:20and God claims you, and you completely and utterly...
0:27:22 > 0:27:23..are His.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30It's utterly and completely...
0:27:32 > 0:27:33..overwhelming.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- ALL:- We welcome you as fellow servants in the Gospel.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith...
0:27:42 > 0:27:44After three years of study,
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Matthew the business executive has been left behind.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51From now on, it's Father Matthew.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58The moment Bishop Richard laid his hands on my head, it kind of...
0:27:59 > 0:28:05..everything changed. I'm excited and happy and joyous and...
0:28:06 > 0:28:09..probably going to crash very quickly after this.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Give a big hug! I love you.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Next time, Nicholas helps a struggling farmer and his wife.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- Where are you going to move to? - Don't know.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27Newly ordained father Matthew takes on his first challenge.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Come to church tomorrow. I'm preaching.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33And the Bishop gets closer to God than he'd like.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35When I first told him about the cherry picker,
0:28:35 > 0:28:36I don't think he believed me.