Techno mass attracts young people to church

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Techno mass attracts young people to church

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People dancing to techno beats during mass are a new initiative to attract younger congregations.

17 December,2011 12:24 pm

The hall of the All Saints Church in Stockholm, Sweden was filled with people attending techno mass. The full church service is a rare sight in a country struggling with dwindling attendance.Olle Idestrom who is a vicar at the All Saints Church in central Stockholm first organised the techno mass in April and it was a resounding success. They also had one in October and the church, which holds 400 people was once again packed.We didnt quite expect this to become the resurrection it has. It has truly become a big deal. We are very grateful for that, it is fantastic that people who wouldnt usually attend church wants to celebrate mass on a Friday evening, Idestrom says.A fan of techno music, Idestrom sought to celebrate the joy of mass and christianity through modern music.It is great that we can celebrate a full service. At the same time it is curious that it has attracted so much attention. We are living in the 21st century and I didnt think playing electronica in church would be such a big deal, but it clearly is, he says.Idestrom who has been a vicar for 5 years says overall feedback has been positive. Though the techno mass targets younger church-goers, it attracts people of all ages. On a Friday night when the church usually would be closed Idestrom has experienced children down to the age of two and people up to 80 years dancing during mass.Overall people are very very positive. Its so varied. For example I saw bishops at the church meeting in Uppsala listening to techno music and starting to dance during morning prayers. We see people who usually wouldnt go to church who now come to celebrate the techno mass, Idestrom says.