Dear Friends,
As I am writing this, I am listening to a debate on the BBC about the advanced level music curriculum in the UK. (A-levels are normally studied between 16 and 18 years of age). It seems that those responsible for the music syllabus decided to reduce the number of composers and removed the jazz musician Courtney Pine from the list, thus provoking a huge outcry since it not only removed the only study of jazz from the syllabus but also the only black British composer. It was fascinating listening to Courtney Pine talking about his music with such humility – he had not even realized that his music was part of the A-level syllabus until a student sought him out after a concert! I am pleased to hear that the study of jazz and the music of Courtney Pine has been restored to the syllabus. Speaking about the loss of live music during the lockdown, Courtney Pine said, “that morose feeling only lasts for a while, and we crescendo back to being full-fledged musical expressionists. I can’t stop dreaming about music! …You cannot stop that creative flow!”
Through the scriptures, and throughout history, whole genres of musical forms have made connections with communities of people and their stories – Folk songs, African-American Spirituals, Gospel, Jazz – these are all forms rooted in community-life and protest. The choristers still learn the psalms – some of the earliest songs of praise and songs of protest, and all bound up in the community of faith. We are so blessed at Saint Thomas Church to have such a rich repertoire of musical forms, and to have the texts that root them in our history, our faith, our tradition, and our lives.
What a joy to have a group of boy choristers back in our midst. We follow the advice of the Department of Health and the Department of Education to the letter.Before the pandemic, the Vestry announced that it would be expecting all lay-leaders to engage in Diocesan-led anti-racism training. (This is already a requirement of the clergy). The Diocese have announced the resumption of training on-line with four two-hour sessions. The first group of sessions scheduled for March is now full, but there are spaces for June and September. The workshops are open to clergy and laypeople of the Diocese and there is no cost to attend. The leaders say, “Dialogue is the foundation of the workshop. We use group exercises and examine scientific and historical evidence concerning the origins of the concept of race and its legacy.” If you are interested in attending, here is a link:
A number of you have asked how many staff were temporarily furloughed recently. The answer is a total of 32 but that includes part-time workers and most of the Chantry priests. The Vestry is continuing to cover medical benefits and pension contribution, including the employee contribution. We all hope that this situation will change soon. Many peer houses of worship had to implement these difficult decisions many months ago, including Westminster Abbey. We have not had to furlough staff until now. However, please refrain from asking vestry members either the names of those who have been furloughed, or anything relating thereto, as the vestry is not at liberty to share personal information, or discuss the working arrangements of employees. Thank you for your understanding in this sensitive area.In the meantime, as we approach the feast of Candlemas – the Presentation of Christ in the Temple – you can help us during this difficult year. I am sure that many of you, like me, have been inundated with requests for help from the museums, cultural organizations, and charities that you support. Saint Thomas Church and Choir School is no exception – we need your help more than ever, particularly because of the number of deaths that have happened over the past year. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2021, please help us!Like many organizations, our auditors were unable to complete the 2019 audit until the latter part of 2020 after the strict lockdown was over, and when there was a large backlog of work to be done. I am pleased to tell you that the audit is complete and you can read more about this below.Finally, as I mentioned above, we are about to celebrate the beautiful feast of Candlemas. On Tuesday, February 2, the Gentlemen of the Choir will sing at the Blessing of Light and Solemn Eucharist.
Candlemas
by John D. Boyd, S.J.Beewise we gather our wax all year
From bramble sorrow and thistle tear,
Briar sadness and spine of pain:
Bitter flowers that bloom again!
But deadest winter brings a day
When thorns have lovelier bloom than May;
When candles are fashioned and lit by One
Who fashioned her wax to be lit by the Sun,
Then watched her Candle burn: the price
Of sin-consuming sacrifice.
Today she shares the Flame anew
To make us priest-and-victim too.And Mary-mothered flames and Flame
Live their sacrificial Name.
Affectionately,
Your Pastor and Priest,
Carl
