====== Church ======

<data social>
Description [wiki]     : Attending services at church, especially on Sundays
Image [image]          : ic:church.png
</data>

Church is a social event that comes up at least once a week on Sunday where [[Religion|Christian rites]] are performed. All kindred are expected to attend, and additional services are held around various holy days such as Christmas and Easter.

While Church can sometimes be used to pass messages to other Kindred, it is intended to be devoted to God and as such discussing business is considered to be highly inappropriate.

===== Organization =====

Usually the [[Priest|priests]] from the clan will host services on Sunday evening. All Kindred are welcome at these services, even [[Caitiff]]. It is expected every Kindred attends Church somewhere, and failure to do so will attract attention. After all, they are risking their immortal soul.

Services usually take place one or two hours after sundown, depending on the priest, and last about an hour. 

Each service starts with introductory rites where the priest enters and begins the Act of Penitence where all present ask forgiveness for their sins. Three parts of the bible are read by the priests, after which a sermon is given in which the priest passes on a message about morality and correct behaviour to the congregation. All of this is interspersed with the singing of religious hymns by the congregation.

Finally, the Liturgy of the Eucharist takes place, after which the Lords Prayer is recited by all present, culminating in the Communion. Those in good standing with the church - usually all members of the Clan - are given the "Blood of Christ", blood which has been blessed by the priest as part of religious rites. A concluding prayer is held, another hymn is sung and the service is ended. (( 1 Blood Point is gained from this ))

After the service has ended, the priest usually offers spiritual council to those in need, taking confession and visiting those who were unable to attend due to medical reasons.

===== Social Customs =====

It is customary to attend church with the local priest, that is, the one who holds services closest to your nest. However, some Kindred choose instead to travel further to a priest of their own religious denomination.

[[Caitiff]] may attend services, but those who are part of a clan should not speak with them. They, like non-Christians, do not partake in Communion.

Certain times of the year have different rites or extra services, especially during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

==== Clothing ====

All those in attendance should come well dressed, but church is not a place to show off wealth or fancy gowns. Instead, clothing should be well made and modest.

Gentlemen should wear dark suits and top hats, which are taken off before entering the church and not put on again until exiting. Dark gloves are usually worn, but may be taken off if it is warm, but no decorations or jewellery should be worn.

Ladies should wear hats or bonnets, gloves and a dress that covers their neck downwards in modest colours such as gray, navy or brown. The hat should not feature significant decorations and no jewellery should be worn. Unlike gentlemen, ladies do not take off their hats or gloves in church.

It should be noted that while it goes against custom and etiquette, it is not uncommon for ladies to still show off their hats at church, some even competing with one another in this. More than one priest has ranted in private conversation about the amount of feathers that can be found on their flock.