Whilst in London this week I managed to catch a splendid free
lunchtime concert at St Martin in the Fields.
It was encouraging to see the place packed with all ages come to listen
to the American musicians: Linda Chatterton on flute accompanied by Matthew
McCright on Piano.
It was strange to be in the pew – normally in church I’m ‘up the front’! So I savoured the moment.
The programme was varied (always a useful phrase that!). There were familiar pieces that felt warm and comforting like Bach’s Sonata in E Flat Major or Borne’s Fantasy on Themes from ‘Carmen’ – I felt everyone wanted to hum along during that last piece. There was also a brand new work especially commissioned by Chatterton and McCright from the Kentucky composer Brian Ciach. This was a brilliant ‘world premiere’ full of sparkle and hope. Another modern piece, and one new to me, Raian’s ‘chainstitchembroidered’ was more of a challenge – and I’ll let you read into that what you will!
It struck me as I sat in the pew that when we come to church on Sundays we probably have a similar reaction to the lectionary readings and liturgy we hear and use. Some of it warms our hearts and affirms faith – surely a necessary part of any Sunday service. Sometimes we’ll discover new things which instantly hit the spot and thrill us with new vistas. And other times we’ll be confronted and challenged by a truth that we find disturbing and uncomfortable – yet to dismiss it would be to miss the possibility of hearing God’s whisper.
All of this is surely true of our journey into Holy Week and Easter. Many of us are so familiar with the events we are just about to commemorate and celebrate. Some will reassure us, one or two might come new to us and maybe, when we’re least expecting us, an odd one might disturb us – and probably make the most impact.
‘Lord – give us all open-hearts this Holy Week’ – Amen.
With best wishes,
It was strange to be in the pew – normally in church I’m ‘up the front’! So I savoured the moment.
The programme was varied (always a useful phrase that!). There were familiar pieces that felt warm and comforting like Bach’s Sonata in E Flat Major or Borne’s Fantasy on Themes from ‘Carmen’ – I felt everyone wanted to hum along during that last piece. There was also a brand new work especially commissioned by Chatterton and McCright from the Kentucky composer Brian Ciach. This was a brilliant ‘world premiere’ full of sparkle and hope. Another modern piece, and one new to me, Raian’s ‘chainstitchembroidered’ was more of a challenge – and I’ll let you read into that what you will!
It struck me as I sat in the pew that when we come to church on Sundays we probably have a similar reaction to the lectionary readings and liturgy we hear and use. Some of it warms our hearts and affirms faith – surely a necessary part of any Sunday service. Sometimes we’ll discover new things which instantly hit the spot and thrill us with new vistas. And other times we’ll be confronted and challenged by a truth that we find disturbing and uncomfortable – yet to dismiss it would be to miss the possibility of hearing God’s whisper.
All of this is surely true of our journey into Holy Week and Easter. Many of us are so familiar with the events we are just about to commemorate and celebrate. Some will reassure us, one or two might come new to us and maybe, when we’re least expecting us, an odd one might disturb us – and probably make the most impact.
‘Lord – give us all open-hearts this Holy Week’ – Amen.
With best wishes,
ps this has nothing to do with the above but it made me smile...earlier today I was at a Ministers’ Meeting – as it had been scheduled for 8am in a church hall we were sat there enjoying our bacon rolls when someone comes through the door with a puzzled and anxious look enquiring – ‘Is this the Young Offenders Breakfast?’ - you can imagine the response!!
Thanks for your kind words, Ian! And thanks for attending the concert!
ReplyDeleteBrian Ciach
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