A Special Commemoration Service

I played for the two Special Commemoration services today at different churches in a benefice; I could have done three but I was not available.

The first was attended by about a dozen people and the singing was not very enthusiastic (I was told by my friend who came with me).

The second service had ringing beforehand (half-muffled) so I grabbed a rope: it was very well attended. Various uniform organisations were represented (British legion and the Brownies): banners and flags were presented at the start and the whole affair was dignified. The singing was lusty.

To be honest, had I got into a time machine and travelled back to the first half of the 20th century (say 1950) the atmosphere and type of person there might well have been the same. This was a sort of worship one does not see very often except, perhaps, in cathedrals

Two services and two long drives

I set off at 0720 to get to a church some 54 miles away for 0900 in time to prepare for a 0930 service. I arrived by 0845 despite having gone the wrong way on the M1 at Collingtree (the road signs were dreadful) but I was able to double back after 2 miles. The M1 is limited to 60mph for much of the way to Luton. I needed to leave at Junction 9 and found my way easily having 'driven' it on Google maps.

I had looked up the organ on NPOR but there were no photos and the additions of the pistons had not been recorded. So, when I arrived I found a really nice instrument with plenty of stops and a comfortable console. If anything it could do with a manual 16' or a swell suboctave, but it hasn't: so there!

The service went well and I sight-read the communion setting and anthem. I grabbed a cup of coffee and drove to the next village for the 1115 service and also managed to have one ring on a bell. The organ I expected to be there was not! It has been replaced by a rather lovely small one manual German instrument.

So, I played the same hymns at both services (plus one new one to me at the second) and heard the sermon twice. This was fine because the incumbent was excellent. She has an excellent rapport with both congregations and didn't faff about and waste time. She spoke with authority and in a strong voice, using good diction. I would have been happy to be a member of her flock had I lived locally. We must have some dodgy clergy in my area.

Lunch was at the local pub where I had a satisfying roast lunch and apple crumble.

The return journey took me through Dunstable (I had decided I'd had enough of the M1) and Woburn then up the A509.

I had offered to play on a whim having seen this advertised on Organists Online as I posted yesterday. It was a good day out.

Enjoyable church

I played for a service this morning - I shall not say where - and they had a stand-in vicar (I'll call him George) because the usual priest was on holiday. He was excellent. He was a retired RE teacher (ordained) who knew how to give the service both pace and dignity. His sermon was one of the best I have ever heard as it was pitched at normal people yet had something profound to say which he illustrated with pertinent examples from his own life, but without banging on at length. I loved his style, vocal modulation, and his strong sense of authority which was blended with pastoral empathy and an obvious humility.

It turns out he plays the organ occasionally so he appreciated my playing, which was a bonus.

When I arrived the church heating was on but the door was wide open: this is for Covid ventilation - I get it - but a waste of money in some ways and not very environmentally friendly.

The service was introduced by one of the churchwardens who did not use the microphone and she had to restart having moved nearer the congregation. Another lady read the intercessions but her first action was to push the microphone stalk away from her by 90 degrees!

The congregation was small but the choir had some 8 members who sang a communion hymn, alone, quite well, although the sopranos were weak.

All in all, this has cheered me up but I fear George is a rare 'animal' in the church these days. It was so nice to have things done correctly.