Praise be to Goth . . .

A chaplain is helping to show young “Goths” the light – with a special church service.

The Rev Marcus Ramshaw, a Goth himself, leads the unusual fortnightly gathering at St Edward King and Martyr, in Peas Hill, Cambridge.

Having songs by Depeche Mode and Joy Division blasted through the sacred vault of Clare Chapel may shake a few of the church’s older congregation, but for Mr Ramshaw it is about welcoming an excluded minority.

He said: “As Goths there is a broad sense of an outlook of life that focuses on the bad things.

“The point of the service is that we all get desperate at times. We all get knocks and sometimes life seems hopeless.

“The Goth Eucharist re-establishes a link; God is still there for you even if you have been blinded.”

More than 15 people, dressed in black, attended the service, celebrating its first anniversary, followed by a night at The Calling, a Goth night at Kambar, Wheeler Street, Cambridge.

Mr Ramshaw, St Edward’s associate chaplain, dressed in the black robes normally used in the requiem but he said it was a traditional orthodox service.

A specially written liturgy by Mr Ramshaw was read during the 45-minute candle-lit service. He said the atmosphere is intimate, with the congregation seated around the fully-dressed altar.

The paschal candle, used normally during baptism, was in the centre of the group, surrounded by five other candles.

Bible readings accompanied the lighting of each candle.

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