Rector’s Chronicle

This year, we ended the Choir School term on a weekday. Valedictory Evensong last Thursday was a beautiful occasion and if you were unable to be present, I recommend watching the on-demand service.

What glorious weather we are enjoying, and the perfect preparation for the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday!

Happy Ascensiontide! The feast of the Ascension used to be considered the official end of Eastertide which was then followed by nine days of prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – a kind of waiting period which echoes the account in Luke’s Gospel. 

The final class of the series will be held on Tuesday, May 18th, and it is entitled “Praying with All the Senses.”  All are welcome to attend.

Last Thursday, Friends of Music gathered to watch a short documentary centered around the recording of the new Choral Album, The Music of Gerre Hancock.

I am delighted to tell you that the Bishop’s office has agreed that Bishop Andrew St. John can confirm and receive people on the Day of Pentecost – Sunday, May 23, at 11am.

In the early days of the Christian Church, Jesus was not depicted in art but, rather, in symbolic ways; the fish, the anchor, the Greek letters Chi-Rho (later to become the Labarum or military standard of the Emperor Constantine), symbolic birds such as the peacock or the dove; or a ship sailing on the sea.

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh has deflected the media interest in the claims of racist attitudes in the Royal Family of Great Britain and, instead, people are reflecting on living a life of service.

So it begins! Holy Week is here and, this year, we will be able to celebrate with more music and a few more people in church than last year.