0:00:03 > 0:00:05'How do you get a valuable piece of art
0:00:05 > 0:00:09'that measures 12 foot by eight foot out of a lorry
0:00:09 > 0:00:11'and into Leicester Cathedral?' That doorway...
0:00:11 > 0:00:12'Answer?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14'Carefully.'
0:00:14 > 0:00:16THEY LAUGH
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Ho, ho!
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Welcome to this birthday celebration.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23It is Pentecost Sunday, the anniversary of the church
0:00:23 > 0:00:28when the disciples of Jesus were inspired by the holy spirit
0:00:28 > 0:00:30to just spread the word of Christianity.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32If you're actually wondering what we're doing here,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35it just so happens that the guys here at Leicester Cathedral
0:00:35 > 0:00:39agree with me that every birthday celebration needs a present.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41# Happy birthday to you
0:00:41 > 0:00:44# Happy birthday to you
0:00:44 > 0:00:46# Happy birthday... #
0:00:46 > 0:00:50I promise you, this is a gorgeous present.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51Certainly worth waiting to see.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53And you'll have to wait a little bit longer,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56because I'll be showing it to you later on in the programme.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02'It's party time, as churches everywhere celebrate Pentecost,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04'the moment the church began.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I join dance group Arriba, as they tell the story through dance,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10we meet Leicester's Indian community,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13breathing new life into an old church
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and we're in the city's cathedral for some magnificent music.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22ORGAN MUSIC BEGINS
0:01:22 > 0:01:27# Holy, holy, holy
0:01:27 > 0:01:33# Lord God almighty
0:01:33 > 0:01:37# Early in the morning
0:01:37 > 0:01:42# Our song shall rise to thee
0:01:43 > 0:01:48# Holy, holy, holy
0:01:48 > 0:01:53# Merciful and mighty
0:01:53 > 0:01:59# God in three persons
0:01:59 > 0:02:04# Blessed Trinity... #
0:04:08 > 0:04:12DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Wow, what a great start to our Pentecost Songs Of Praise.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25And here, in the city of Leicester, there's such a multicultural feel,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27with people from all over the world settling here
0:04:27 > 0:04:32and of course bringing with them their different languages and faith.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34SITAR MUSIC
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Across the road from this impressive Hindu temple
0:04:37 > 0:04:40is the Anglican Church that was known as St Gabriel's.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Back in 2010, with dwindling numbers,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45the church was forced to close its doors
0:04:45 > 0:04:49and looked like it was destined to be sold to the developers.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51But they didn't reckon on the passion
0:04:51 > 0:04:56and commitment of Sunny George and his family.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I will desist from saying that it was Sunny George who was
0:04:59 > 0:05:02the driving force behind opening this church. No.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07I don't believe in coincidence, but I do believe in God-incidence.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11So, I can always see the explicit hand of God in everything
0:05:11 > 0:05:15that happens in our lives. It was a divine design.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19So, we used to pray to the Lord that we should get a place
0:05:19 > 0:05:21that we can call our own.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24A place that accords us a sense of belongingness.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27It was when Sunny met the Bishop of Leicester
0:05:27 > 0:05:29that he seized his opportunity.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33I said, "Bishop, if you could give us that closed church."
0:05:33 > 0:05:37He said, "Why that particular church? That's closed, that's up for sale.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40"Why don't you have some other church?"
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I said, "Because of the strategic location."
0:05:43 > 0:05:46On our right, we have the largest Hindu temple
0:05:46 > 0:05:49called the Swaminarayan Temple.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51And over there,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53we have the pub.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58And, right at the back, we have a supermarket.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00So, it's a thoroughfare.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The Lord says to me that you'll be able to catch not only fish
0:06:05 > 0:06:09but huge crocodiles there. I have that sort of feeling.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14So, on 10th of June, 2012, against all the odds,
0:06:14 > 0:06:19the church was saved and reopened as All Saints Anglican Church.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25It now attracts people from across the community in Leicester.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- So, in your service, you use a lot of dance and movement?- Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32You know, the Asian people are very expressive. They say,
0:06:32 > 0:06:37if you love someone, show it. How do you express your love for somebody?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39You jump with joy. You dance.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43So, in order to show the love for the Lord, they jump and dance.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50I can't really sing. And dancing is a better way of expressing stuff.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51I love every moment here.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55It's so colourful, it's so traditional as well,
0:06:55 > 0:06:56but, yet, it's so open.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03And many speak different languages, such as Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Let us all say together in whatever language we feel comfortable.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10South Indian languages, I don't understand.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14But it's still really nice to hear the different languages as well.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16SPEAKS HIS LANGUAGE
0:07:17 > 0:07:20The language has never been a barrier.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24The Pentecost, when the Spirit descended upon them, they started
0:07:24 > 0:07:28talking in tongues, which could be understood by anybody and everybody.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32You may not understand 100%,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35sometimes you only understand 50% of it,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39but, still, the Holy Spirit makes it intelligible to them.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46I'm not here to convert anybody. I just introduce people to Jesus.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49And then leave it... with Jesus and them.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19As promised earlier, the painting is now in position,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23and artist Paul Benney is ready to reveal it to me and a group
0:10:23 > 0:10:27of friends from the cathedral who have come in for a sneak preview.
0:10:27 > 0:10:33This picture here is in a completely different league, isn't it?
0:10:33 > 0:10:34It's incredible.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37So I'm... For the first time ever I'm lost for words
0:10:37 > 0:10:41because it is such an incredibly compelling picture.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Paul, what's it called?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46It's called Speaking In Tongues.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I suddenly discovered that there are many stories
0:10:49 > 0:10:52not only in the Bible but in other sacred texts,
0:10:52 > 0:10:57that have fire as a representation of the spirit, as in the Holy Spirit.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59But the man there...
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Sheila, what was your first reaction when you saw this?
0:11:03 > 0:11:04How did it make you feel?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Honestly, when I first saw it I didn't like it.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10I didn't get into it at first.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14It's taken me quite a few minutes just standing and looking
0:11:14 > 0:11:18and listening and thinking, and then suddenly I was in there
0:11:18 > 0:11:20and I was with those people
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and I wanted to know more about what was going on.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I like the fact that you've used contemporary figures
0:11:26 > 0:11:28to represent the Apostles.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Why did you do that and who are they?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33They're just my mates! LAUGHTER
0:11:33 > 0:11:36It occurred to me that the painters of historical scenes,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38of biblical scenes in the Renaissance,
0:11:38 > 0:11:44until recently, will have always used their friends as models.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47It's very interesting to see the way that you've used this
0:11:47 > 0:11:50sort of reflective resin effect.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52What were you hoping to create with that?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Well, it's a technique I've used over the last year or two
0:11:55 > 0:11:58and I've got more and more extravagant.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03And this is the most ambitious piece I've tried.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05You can literally see yourself in there.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Yes, and that is a bit of a shock to start with because you think...
0:12:09 > 0:12:12"Shall I stand somewhere else where I can't see me?"
0:12:12 > 0:12:15And then you realise that is the sole purpose of it,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18that you're supposed to see you within that group.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21I like the way the fire seems separate from them.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22They are hardly aware it's there,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and very often we don't know when God is doing something,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28we need to pay more attention. But as a woman,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I feel that picture actually speaks to everybody, not just men.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36It's that hinge moment of a turning point from perhaps their grief
0:12:36 > 0:12:41and sorrow and anxiety to suddenly something new is happening.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43The eyes, the figures,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46the faces here, are still coming to terms with what's going on.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Some of them are quite uncertain about what's happening here.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51But there's a sense of momentum
0:12:51 > 0:12:56and energy within the painting which is deep and very real.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01It's bringing our experience today alive
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and bringing Pentecost alive with us.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34This is Rebirth, a contemporary Christian dance group,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38who've been touring the country as part of a national celebration.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41You look like you're having fun!
0:15:41 > 0:15:45In a minute these guys are going to teach me some moves, but before that
0:15:45 > 0:15:49we're going to find out about the festival that celebrates Pentecost.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The biggest birthday party...
0:15:52 > 0:15:53ever.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Tonight really is the celebration of Pentecost...
0:15:57 > 0:15:58'Seven years ago,
0:15:58 > 0:16:03'Andy Frost set up the festival to put Pentecost back on the map.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06'And today, churches across the UK are hosting parties
0:16:06 > 0:16:09'to mark the birthday of the church.'
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Andy, what do you mean when you say "the church"? What is the church?
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Well, the catchphrase for the Pentecost Festival has always been
0:16:15 > 0:16:17"The church has left the building."
0:16:17 > 0:16:19The church isn't the building. The church is me and you.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21And I hope that as we celebrate Pentecost,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24we leave our buildings behind and begin to see the church
0:16:24 > 0:16:27is about me and you, people, ordinary people doing extraordinary
0:16:27 > 0:16:30things because God has done something in our lives.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32It's about celebrating the spirit of God at work in our lives
0:16:32 > 0:16:34as the people of God, as his church.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I think it's really important for people to understand
0:16:39 > 0:16:43where the roots of their faith come from and for people to get involved
0:16:43 > 0:16:45in today's culture, for them to understand
0:16:45 > 0:16:49the history of their church and to understand how important it is
0:16:49 > 0:16:52that Jesus is in their daily lives. That's really important.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Anyone can be part of it, whether you're a dancer, singer,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59comedian, actor, actress.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Anyone can take part, which is great. Great news.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10And that's just what dance group Rebirth are preparing to do.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22So, D7, how do you actually tell the story of Pentecost
0:17:22 > 0:17:24through dance?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Basically, keep it biblical, the story of it
0:17:27 > 0:17:29and the day of Pentecost and
0:17:29 > 0:17:31everything it represents and how
0:17:31 > 0:17:34God's spirit came down and enabled people to do extraordinary things.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36And we want to show that in a very dance element way,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38and show the strength and skill that we have.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44It's very diverse.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48I'm from Canada myself and one of the dancers here is from America
0:17:48 > 0:17:50and we are all from everywhere.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56You are creating a story through dance.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59What's the difference with this story?
0:17:59 > 0:18:00Everyone loves to dance.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03That's the main thing about dance - it's fun.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05But the fact that we get to dance for God
0:18:05 > 0:18:07and that there is a message behind what we do,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11I think it makes it so much more rewarding to ourselves as a group.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26All right, D7, I'm in your capable hands.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27I need you to teach me a little move
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- so I can feel part of your dance troupe.- Cool.
0:18:32 > 0:18:335, 6, 7, and...
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- Like it! - SHE LAUGHS
0:18:41 > 0:18:48# Holy Spirit, rain down
0:18:48 > 0:18:52# Rain down
0:18:52 > 0:18:59# Our Comforter and friend
0:18:59 > 0:19:04# How we need your touch again. #
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Mariam is a palliative care doctor,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33and as part of her job she visits patients in their own homes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I mainly look after people
0:21:35 > 0:21:40with advanced, progressive, life-limiting conditions.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Obviously, time is really precious
0:21:41 > 0:21:45and you want to make it as comfortable as possible for them.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Personally, I felt that it was almost a calling for me.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56I felt that it was God guiding me to do something that would help.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01Quoting Mother Teresa's words, "Not everyone can do great things,
0:22:01 > 0:22:05"but we can do small things with great love and compassion."
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- Hi, Tony.- Hi, Mariam.- Morning. How are you?- Fine, thank you. Come on in.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Today, Mariam is visiting Tony,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16who's been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Would you like to see me eat something?
0:22:19 > 0:22:20- That would be great.- Sure.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23'I actually enjoy visiting people in their homes.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27'I think it's a privilege because you're going into their space.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30'The challenge is you don't know what's going to face you there,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32'how much you can help.'
0:22:34 > 0:22:38I would say it's one of the most fulfilling parts of my role.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43It also stops you from feeling that eating is such a massive effort.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Yeah, yeah. It makes it so much easier.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- I've found that it was quite tiring sometimes to eat.- Yes.
0:22:50 > 0:22:57'I've always thought about medicine as itself, not as something'
0:22:57 > 0:22:59that could really fix people.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03We all die eventually, but if we could do something to help
0:23:03 > 0:23:05carry a bit of that cross for them,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09and make even the smallest difference,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13it's crucial for them to have some comfort, ease in their suffering,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17then I thought, "Well, that's something that would work for me."
0:23:17 > 0:23:20When she's not out on visits,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Mariam is based at the hospice, Loros.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- Hi, how are you?- Fine, thanks.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28'I wouldn't dream of working in a place that is glum and gloomy.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32'The hospice is a place where we try our best to make sure that
0:23:32 > 0:23:36'people get as many happy moments as possible when they are here.'
0:23:36 > 0:23:39It's a job that demands not just Mariam's medical skills,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43but also takes a good deal of emotional strength.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46'Sadness does touch you frequently.'
0:23:46 > 0:23:49I think, when I get overwhelmingly sad,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52it's my faith that helps me cope with it.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54'A lot of people are quite worried about offering
0:23:54 > 0:23:57'spiritual support to a certain extent,'
0:23:57 > 0:24:00so it's wonderful to know that we're doing it just right for you.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02'Because I know how my faith helps me
0:24:02 > 0:24:05'understand people who have a belief,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09'not particularly a religious belief,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12'I'm able to actually explore a bit more sensitively.'
0:24:12 > 0:24:15The team are just amazing.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18I'm getting a bit upset. It's...
0:24:18 > 0:24:22It's rather wonderful, it really is.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- Well, I know that you're an inspiration for me.- Aw, thank you.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31I believe that the Holy Spirit is within each breath, and, um,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35when it's difficult to actually stop and think sometimes,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37when you just feel it's getting a bit much,
0:24:37 > 0:24:42we have to actually take that moment to take a breath in and out
0:24:42 > 0:24:43and think, that's God's breath,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46that's the Holy Spirit coming in and out.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Come, Holy Spirit of God.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Renew us with your grace and fill us with your love,
0:27:39 > 0:27:44that your creation may sing of your glory.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45Amen.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Amen.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52And may the spirit of truth lead you into all truth,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54and give you grace to confess
0:27:54 > 0:27:59that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
0:28:02 > 0:28:08the Son and the Holy Spirit come down upon you and remain with you always.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- Amen.- Amen.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17# Steal away
0:28:17 > 0:28:21# Steal away
0:28:21 > 0:28:26# Steal away to Jesus
0:28:28 > 0:28:31# Steal away
0:28:31 > 0:28:34# Steal away home
0:28:34 > 0:28:40# I ain't got long to stay here
0:28:41 > 0:28:47# My Lord, he calls me
0:28:47 > 0:28:53# He calls me by the thunder
0:28:53 > 0:28:58# The trumpet sounds within my soul
0:28:58 > 0:29:05# I ain't got long to stay here
0:29:06 > 0:29:10# Steal away
0:29:10 > 0:29:13# Steal away
0:29:13 > 0:29:19# Steal away to Jesus
0:29:21 > 0:29:23# Steal away
0:29:23 > 0:29:27# Steal away home
0:29:27 > 0:29:34# I ain't got long to stay here
0:29:34 > 0:29:40# Green trees are bending
0:29:40 > 0:29:45# Oh sinners stand a-trembling
0:29:45 > 0:29:52# The trumpet sounds within my soul
0:29:52 > 0:29:58# I ain't got long to stay here
0:29:59 > 0:30:03# Steal away
0:30:03 > 0:30:07# Steal away
0:30:07 > 0:30:14# Steal away to Jesus
0:30:14 > 0:30:17# Steal away
0:30:17 > 0:30:21# Steal away home
0:30:21 > 0:30:27# I ain't got long to stay here
0:30:28 > 0:30:33# I ain't got long
0:30:33 > 0:30:41# To stay, stay, stay, stay, stay
0:30:41 > 0:30:45# Here. #
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Well, I hope you've been inspired by the message of Pentecost,
0:30:54 > 0:30:58the incredible people we've met, the stunning art,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00and of course, the music.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01I've loved being in Leicester
0:31:01 > 0:31:04and Songs Of Praise will be back in this great city
0:31:04 > 0:31:06later on in the year, but until then,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10we leave you with our final hymn, Breathe On Me, Breath Of God.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Before we go, I have exciting news
0:32:49 > 0:32:53of this year's Big Sing recording at the Royal Albert Hall
0:32:53 > 0:32:55on Sunday, 14 September.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58We'll be singing fabulous hymns and Christmas carols.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00It's going to be a wonderful evening.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03The phone lines and box office will be open from 9:00am tomorrow.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Please don't try calling now.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09The number to call is...
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Calls cost up to 5p a minute from most landlines.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Calls from mobiles may cost considerably more.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16You'll find the telephone number
0:33:16 > 0:33:18and more information on the Songs of Praise website...
0:33:22 > 0:33:24If you can't make it, don't worry.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26You'll have a front row seat
0:33:26 > 0:33:29by watching on the BBC wherever you are.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Next week, we celebrate fathers and fatherhood.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Claire meets up with hymn writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty
0:33:37 > 0:33:40and there's also music from Matt Redman.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42We'll also have some great Father's Day hymns
0:33:42 > 0:33:44from St Patrick's Church in Jordanstown.