Categories: uncategorized
Date: 11 April 2009 16:04:44
Buckfast Abbey has a wonderful accoustic - we sang 'The Crucifixion' (Stainer) from the choir stalls with other RSCM choirs, last Saturday. A thoroughly enjoyable day, with afternoon rehearsal and cream tea to assist us with our practising.
Palm Sunday dawned bright and clear - just the right weather for following a donkey (led by the children of the vestry group dressed in 1st century clothing) across the road from the vicarage and into the church. The choir processed in the middle of the long line of congregation, this time, which helped to keep the singing of 'All Glory Laud and Honour' and 'Ride on Ride on in majesty' rather more together than in previous years.
We were asked to sing the chorus of 'This is our God, the servant King' during the children's dramatised reading - not our usual fare, but the words were rather fitting for the theme. Various members of the congregation appeared to appreciate the communion anthem 'Bread is Blessed and Broken' (Iona).
After such an upbeat morning service, evensong seemed rather subdued. The highlight of the mostly monochrome service, for me, was the anthem 'Were you there when they crucified my Lord' (arr. Westbrook).
And on to the end (my God and my friend) to Holy Week, with daily Compline and talks on the four Gospel Passion narratives, by the guest speaker, Ven. Sheila Watson, from Canterbury. (Who more than one member of the congregation remarked was the best advert for Women Bishops that they had seen.....)