The Bishop of Oxford

The Bishop of Oxford has said that the church should marry gay couples. The issue does not worry me. I have known and worked with a variety of people with - let's say - differing sexual orientations. Most of these have been decent human beings who just want to get on with their lives. (I do not care for extremely rampant 'campness' such as we see on TV but I'm not getting into that here)

The problem the church has is Saint Paul and his teachings.

I've never liked St. Paul ever since I had his letter to the Romans as a set book for Divinity 'A' level (that's R.E. to you). What is more, I think the church has - over the years - based much of its teaching on St. Paul rather than that of Jesus. I am not particularly aware of what St Peter stood for. Surely he was the rock upon which the church was built.

There were similar problems 40 years ago (and still are in some places) over the church marrying divorced people.

The poor of C of E: it cannot make up its mind.

Let's go to the pub

Oddly, I played for a Sunday wedding today. It seems to be the done thing to go to the pub before a wedding if you arrive early. The noise before the service seemed to suggest that guests were well-lubricated but at least they calmed down for the service and listened as the bride's sister sang a solo in the signing of the registers. She was very good too.

Late (and long) wedding

What was I saying yesterday?

Today I went to a churchyard in Cambridgshire to do some memorial recording as I had been told there were no weddings until September: this had clearly changed. At 12.05 I saw two smartly dressed people who confirmed there was 13:00 wedding. At about 12:20 the bells started to ring so I decided to go up to the ringing chamber to see if there were any inscriptions up there. I confirmed that I could ring and was invited to do so. At about 12:55 I departed but the others carried on (it was odd to ring both before and after a wedding I thought and it would take a long time out of one's day).

I descended the tower stairs but, at the bottom the door is right next to the West door which was open, and I saw and heard the vicar. He said something about "We've got some tissues somewhere". So I assumed the bride was waiting to come in and was having an tearful moment. She did not enter and the bells started up again. The poor organist was running out of pieces to play.

I hid a few steps up the spiral staircase, not wanting to spoil any photographs of the bridal party entrance. I waited. eventually I decided to see what was going on as I had a choice of two exits. There was nobody at the West door so I escaped.

The bells rang for another 15 minutes until the bridal part eventually entered at 13:15. The service finally ended at 13:55. This, to me, is annoying. What is there to do? All a bride has to do is put on a posh frock and go to church. OK, it is a special service but it is just a church service.

Why are so many brides late?

Long weddings

When I used to play for weddings in the past they used to last about 35 minutes. These days they often last just short of an hour. Why? Many reasons. One is the captive audience and the chance to preach.

Today I rang for a 12:30 wedding which had no organ music. The hymns were accompanied and led by a gospel quartet and a small electronic keyboard.

The person taking the service was not robed. He gave a talk in the middle of the service and looked like a game show presenter as he was holding a hand mike. I expected him to start calling out Bingo number at any time.

The talk was far too long. People were getting restless. Why does a member of the clergy want to share his entire views on marriage on the actual day of the marriage? Surely he should do some of this in the preliminary meetings with the couple.

Just saying!

Called upon

I am getting called upon to play for quite a lot of services this year. This afternoon I am driving some 23 miles to play for a renewal of wedding vows. There are three hymns and the entrance and exit music is provided by a CD. I have to say the fee is quite large but it was fixed by the church and they even asked if I needed more!

I do worry about driving a long distance, not because of the driving but in case the car gives up and I do not arrive. There - I have jinxed this afternoon already.

I have no idea how many people will be there; I guess it is just close family. I also assume this couple are getting on in years and perhaps this is a milestone anniversary for them.

If they have the bells I shall not go up and ring because they are rather heavy. I went there some 55 years ago but I think they have been rehung since then!