Categories: uncategorized
Date: 02 April 2007 18:00:11
Fortunately it was a dry, sunny day for the Palm Sunday procession - across the road from the Parish Centre and around the outside of the church. This year the choir was in the body of the congregation, with the choir master walking backwards, conducting us. Fortunately he did not trip over the boots of the policeman trying to safely ferry us across the road. The 'Greening' Mass setting was cut short, with not even a Kyrie to replace the Gloria. And we sang the easiest of anthems, 'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring', which we'd sung the day before at a wedding. The youth group play was not at all crazy this year, being the Passion Gospel dressed up as a TV news item. People who had experience of previous youth group productions were safely able to come out from hiding under their pews.
The vicar promised to dress up in angel wings and a bouncy halo for the Bedford Mile - a community fundraising activity to provide an athletics track for local schools and organisations. So did several members of the congregation, on the theme of 'St. Michael and All Angels'; we even had angel cake when the event was over.
Most of the choir were still awake to sing Evensong, and several of the congregation as well, although I am not sure about all of them. 'Lift up your heads' (Handel) sounded suitably angelic, particularly the three-part top voices sections. A good turn-out of sopranos is always helpful.