By Andy McCue, 27 August 2003 13:55
NEWS It's official, religion is the new rock and roll and one enterprising vicar from Bath is to become the first in the UK to broadcast a live Sunday morning service over the internet this week in the hope of luring teenagers off Kazaa and onto Christianity. For those unable to drag themselves out of bed and into their Sunday best, the virtual service from the St Philip and St James church will use broadband technology to allow remote worshippers to watch and listen to the full sermon and sing along to their favourite hymns. Despite obvious advantages for the elderly, disabled or ill who cannot make it to church, Reverend Alan Bain, who will conduct the web service as part of his regular Sunday service, said in a statement that the move is an attempt to tap into the youth audience. "We want to see if we can attract a wider, younger audience to our church, even if they're not with us in person. With more and more people getting broadband internet access at home, adding a technological twist seemed the most logical answer," he said. The pilot virtual sermon will be broadcast at 10.30(BST) on 31 August from here using Telewest Broadband's blueyonder service. Chad Raube, director of internet services at Telewest Broadband, said in a statement: "Sadly, it seems some Sunday rituals such as the sitting round the table with the family are on the decline, but this is a fantastic example of tradition embracing technology." Church-goers with a dial-up connection will still be able to watch the service but Telewest admitted it will be a "much smaller, jerkier image".
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