This film explores four unique religious acts of worship:  the solemnity of a confirmation in the rural location of Sheriff Hutton, the contemplative and meditative Buddhist Puja, the Anglican Evangelists celebrating Harvest Festival and Diwali celebrations from Bradford’s Hindu community. All contemporary acts of worship, all saying their prayers in Yorkshire.  The film glimpses at four different religious ceremonies in Yorkshire. The overview follows certain religious groups as they...

This film explores four unique religious acts of worship:  the solemnity of a confirmation in the rural location of Sheriff Hutton, the contemplative and meditative Buddhist Puja, the Anglican Evangelists celebrating Harvest Festival and Diwali celebrations from Bradford’s Hindu community. All contemporary acts of worship, all saying their prayers in Yorkshire.  The film glimpses at four different religious ceremonies in Yorkshire. The overview follows certain religious groups as they celebrate important events.  Opens on purple screen then red, blue and gold backgrounds along with the symbols which correspond to said religions.  [All 4 symbols appear on screen] Title; Saying Their Prayers  Title; The Church of St. Helen and the Holy Cross, Sheriff Hutton, Sunday 23rd July 2000 Choir singing  Title; The 900th Anniversary Eucharist The image of the Church fades in, whilst bells ring and the footage follows the congregation as they walk toward and into the church. The shots include exterior and interior shots of their church before starting the service.  Prayers are bestowed upon people and the Reverend remarks about baptism and being born again. Hymnals and more prayers about repenting follow until he separates the two people being confirmed in the service that day. They stand before the Reverend as they pledge allegiance and then they kneel before the Reverend. The breaking of bread and sharing of wine then occurs for both the newly confirmed and rest of the congregation.  This segment is concluded as the film fades into the blue screen and credits roll. Credits; With special thanks to The congregation of the United Benefices of St. Leonard – Farlington, St. Nicholas’ – Stillington, St. Mary’ – Marton, St. Helen and the Holy Cross Sherriff Hutton, John Oakley, The Right Reverend Anthony Hunter, Reverend David Lee Title: Saying Their Prayers The new section opens on a wood, with prayers narrated over. The purple background is shown.  Title; Buddhist Puja, Wednesday 13th September 2000 Title; The Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre, Kilnwick Percy Hall, Pocklington  The film cuts to people playing instruments which intertwine with shots of different Buddhist objects. The book for this ceremony is then pulled into focus with “prayers for meditation” titled. The film then pans to the prayer’s sitting crossed leg facing an altar. The followers are filmed receiving food and eating it before cutting back to the meditation ceremony. Images of flowers are interspersed within these other images. The film then shows the exterior of the building the ceremony is occurring in, fruit is then placed on the altar and the film fades out to credits.  Credits:   With special thanks to:  The Resident teacher Venerable Kelsang Chödzoms and All the members of the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre Title: Saying Their Prayers  The film now focuses on another church; sign: ‘Welcome to St. Paul’ Church, service every Sunday  8:45am, 10:15am, 6:30pm’ Two smaller screens appear on gold background showing clips of the congregation. Title: St. Paul’s Church, Holgate, York Title: Harvest Festival, Sunday October 1st 2000 The film is opened on the Reverend reading the Lord’s Prayer. The ceremony then moves to hymnals lead by 2 members of the church with a guitar. The smaller screens reappear this time flipping through image of the prayers, singing, and procurement of canned food for the Harvest. It also includes statements from members of the church thanking for the Harvest.  The film then captures the congregation singing alongside complementary actions. Then the hymns and prayers lead this segment to close.  Credits; With special thanks to: The congregation of St. Paul’s church, The Church family, The Nicholls family, Don’t Fret, Rev. Derek Wooldridge  Title: Saying Their Prayers  Title: Diwali, October 2000, Festival of Lights Title: The Hindu Cultural Society, Bradford A sign reading ‘Happy Deepawali’ opens the last section of the film. This then fades to rolling images of multicoloured lights and Hindu Gods. A performance by some of the children breaks this sequence. The festivities continue with a circle of dancing and singing, with musicians playing traditional instruments filmed also.  The film then turns its focus to the prayers; people are shown bowing before a shrine. The burning of candles follows this. The congregation pray over a tray holding candles which is passed around, some members make donations. [prayer plays overtop this footage] Clips of fireworks, lights, burning of incense and singing plays the film out.   Credits: With special thanks to Daval Sharma M.A. CIBC. M.I.B.A and All the members of the Hindu cultural society, Bradford Final credits: With special thanks to all the religious communities who contributed to the making of this film. Camera:  Andrew Burns, Edward G. Torsney, Chris Spence, Anton Short, Dominic Day Editing:  Edward G. Torsney  Graphics:  Andrew Burns  Sound:  Salonica Simpson, Ian Holdforth  Director:  Binny Baker A4E Contemporary Video Collection City of York Council  Yorkshire Media Consortium  Yorkshire Arts The Old Dairy, Sound and Video Studios  © 2000 Supported by The National Lottery through the Arts Council of England