Just hymns

Last week there was a benefice group service, at a church where I now play, at 10.00. This morning - as the vicar needs to get to the next church for 1100 - the service (at the same place) was at 0930. I arrived at 0900 but the church was locked: the person due to greet worshippers was waiting outside.

The key-holder rota had gone wrong and we were temporarily locked out so the heat was not on, which is (I was told) the job of the person who unlocks.

Eventually it all got sorted out. There was no heat (the current energy crisis is causing caution) and the main door was left open (a hangover from COVID ventilation rules). Surprisingly, there was a small choir up in the chancel and the congregation (of 9) sat mainly at the back. It was decided that the communion setting would not be sung so it was just hymns today. One wonders what the point of a choir is in these two circumstances.

As a consequence the service was snappy and brisk without any needless padding. I played atmospheric music beforehand and a communion piece. My post-service voluntary was 3 minutes but half that would have done because the (digital) organ is right next to the coffee servery and people wanted their drink and biscuit.

It was a very autumnal day on the way but the sun had come out for the return journey.

Evensong tonight in another of the benefice churches.

Can a church service ever be perfect?

I doubt that one can go to church and not find a small issue with a service: perhaps just occasionally.

This morning was very close to perfect. I arrived in good time and found all the hymns (I had also looked in advance). The church was warm. I was able to set up some pistons and generals then I started to play 10 minutes before the service.

At 10am the church clock chimed: I had already stopped and we went into the first hymn. From that point onwards we followed the service book. There was no 'Show and Tell' and the sermon was very good (if a shade too long, perhaps).

I was struck by the confidence with which the choir and congregation joined in with the spoken parts of the service. At the end I played short voluntary and stayed for a coffee and a chat. These were nice people. There was no treading on egg-shells.

So often people go to church to act out a role. Some are persistently happy and expect others to be happy and jovial too.

It helped that it was a lovely day and that the church was light and spacious.

It mattered not that the organ was digital. In fact it did everything I wanted it to and I was not having to bother to avoid problem notes.

As much as I ever can I enjoyed church today.

Weekday worship and The National Burial Grounds Survey

What is not generally realised by people, I feel, is that church services take place during the week between Sundays. Vicars are obliged to say the daily office and often do so by themselves.

I went out recording headstone inscripitons today and the church lights were on: there were just a couple of cars parked outside the church gate whereas, normally, there are none. I wondered if it was a meeting of some sort. I didn't need to enter the church because, pausing by the south door, I could clearly hear words which I recognised a part of the communion rite.

Eventually the vicar and an older gentleman emerged and walked up the churchyard path. I introduced myself because - although the PCC know am working on the MIs - the vicar has not actually been on touch, although he knew about it.

He thought I was part of the The National Burial Grounds Survey and wondered where my special equipment was. I said I just had a camera, paper and pencil.

The National survey will not - as far as I know - record inscriptions but what I have seen so far is pretty impressive as regards accuracy and locations.