Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 October 2007 22:36:22
The church was decorated with helium balloons declaring 'welcome', the Bishop was in attendance and one person was being baptised as well as confirmed. Two of the younger confirmands were from the choir; the others ranged in age from ten to eighty. Our anthem, 'O taste and see' (Vaughan Williams) went well - it certainly helped singing it from the bell tower steps as we were closer together and able to see the conductor better. After the service, we practised what we preached - with champagne provided by a chorister celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary, followed by wine, cake and coffee. The church was packed and because the vicar wanted to personally greet everyone who had come 'Back to Church' - and give them chocolate - there was a huge bottleneck at the door.
We had to make a quick getaway over to Buckfast Abbey for the Chamber Choir concert (more motets and a Schubert Mass) before dashing back across the moor for the daughter church evening service and Compline. Our carbon footprint was large this Sunday - I hope the creator didn't mind.
It was hard to sing well with only a few candles for illumination, plus a modern Compline service which we had never sung before. Fortunately, the anthem - 'Lead me Lord' (Wesley) was well-known, so that passed without a hitch.
By the end of the day I was all churched out.