Categories: uncategorized
Date: 05 June 2011 19:34:40
No anthem at the Ascension Day service, just three 'ascension-y' hymns, a shortened communion (Thorne Mass of St. Thomas) and a thunderous organ voluntary to clear out the pipes (Paean, Howells). A glass of wine at the back of church - to give us that floating feeling? - some rather exotic snacks and some enjoyable conversation, ended the evening in a most agreeable manner. It was the Baptism of a very quiet baby on Sunday morning - I think he slept through most of the procedure. It was also 'Environment Sunday' which, although marked in a very low-key way, was made clear with the choice of anthem (Rutter's 'For the Beauty of the Earth'). Evensong was the best a service could be, for me. An ascension-themed sermon, which would have been given a cracking 10/10 by any mystery assessor, three fine hymns, psalm 47 (no clapping of hands here, please!) and the Mag. and Nunc. to Anglican chant. It can't get much better than that, even if the Ferial responses sounded strangely off-key. 'Come Holy Ghost' (Attwood) was sung beautifully: solo, SATB; and the whole service finished off with a flourish on the organ (Now thank we all our God, Bach.) It was as well to finish on a high note, as I now have three weeks off - but then will look forward to coming back.