Notes from St Mary’s Church
Musical gifts...
The diverse group of “The Occasional Carol Singers” – family, friends, people met at parties, and anyone who wants to sing – performs annually for nearly 40 years, starting off with two families of adults and children but now numbering 35 or so. The group rehearses traditional carols on Sunday evenings in late November, then performs in pubs, clubs, stores, restaurants and town centres to raise money for the Benefice churches and a local charity, chosen annually by the group. It has raised at least £25,000 over the years, probably a lot more.
It has always been such fun! People join in as they walk past, and it brings back vivid memories of Christmases past. There was the time a mouse sat on one of the men’s boots as we sang “Good King Wencelas” in the falling snow under a streetlamp, the time an actor dressed as a swan danced to our music, the group of 20 or so lads in “The Wallace Hartley” who demanded words to join in “Once in Royal” and sang with enthusiasm, the suppers after rehearsals, the harmonies, the company, and the sense of taking the real meaning of Christmas out to people.
Just over a year ago, our then Interim Vicar, possibly after following us round carol singing and being left holding a contented baby in a working men’s club like you do, suggested putting together musicians and singers from the Benefice in a combined musical group: “The Benefice Occasional Singers” to sing at occasional church events.
When you start to check, we have an amazing number of musicians in our congregations. We have guitarists, rock guitarists, flute players, recorder players, singers in all ranges, folk musicians, keyboard players, bass players, percussion, and of all levels of ability from national orchestras to little experience if any. At St Mary’s we have more members of the congregation who are musicians than not. St Thomas has at least as many musicians, and then we have our wonderful organists. We have a long list of people who are interested in joining us occasionally, signing up for each event as able, but then we MUST attend the two or three practices before the chosen event, of course.
Last year the BOS sang and played at Easter and Holy Week events, a Lambing Service, Rushbearing, Harvest, and Christmas, at both churches when we could,
“Those who sing pray twice”, is ascribed to St Augustine though not evident in his writing. Singing or playing an instrument keeps you younger, stimulates the brain, is good for mental health and wellbeing and is free! Yes, you have probably guessed it by now: we are always on the lookout for new singers and instrumentalists, so when and if we start recruiting next, do think about whether you would like to give it a try? There is no audition – all are welcome.
At the time of writing it is still Epiphany: we are remembering taking gifts to our King. How about taking your musical gifts to Him to use?