Rushing, mighty windbags

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 16 May 2008 16:39:57

The Eucharist part of the two-part Pentecost service finally got under way after 11 am - nearly an hour late. The first part was a free-form open-air service, which became very loud and very carried-away. Consequently, the Eucharist happened at breakneck speed, so the Holy Spirit needed a rocket pack as well as tongues of flame to keep up. We determined to get as much singing as possible into the second half, having been kept waiting so long - so we managed the Alleluias, if not the Gospel Acclamations; the St. Eustachius Mass, two hymns and 'Spirit of the Lord' (Harper). The last hymn was 'Shine, Jesus, Shine', but by then everyone was too exhausted to sing with much enthusiam. A few hardy souls stayed for the whole 2 1/2 hour service, so coffee was sorely needed and gratefully drunk.

The vicar joked that the 6pm Evensong would be delayed until 8.30pm and then promptly ran out of the vestry before we could whip him. Strangely, the music was the same as Saturday evening in the cathedral - Stanford and Ives, but this time with our choir singing the Sweeney responses. To extend the day even further, two psalms were sung (67 and 133), both fortunately short.

Thank goodness we get the next two Sunday evenings off to recover.