Heaven be praised, my little granddaughter arrived safely today by elective c-section. She is apparently very ginger and very healthy. I am so relieved!
A long prayed-for reconciliation has been made. My two sons , with each other, and one of them, with me. I earnestly pray for it to stick. I'm so thankful for this. It has been rough. However it was accomplished, I'll take it!
That the people who have to deliver the hospital bed work on Saturdays, and have manoeuvred a delivery slot for Monday, after I totally forgot until 5.30 this morning that I hadn't rung them yesterday as agreed with the hospital. (Afternoon plans depended on a particular thing happening, which didn't, so phoning dropped off the mental to-do list.)
We have just celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of our parish church with solemn evensong on the actual day, and a solemn high mass yesterday. I know that one hundred and fifty years is not a long time in the history of many churches in Europe and the Americas, but in Oz it’s rather different. Thanks be to God for a beautiful church, welcoming clergy, and a joyful, giving congregation.
We have just celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of our parish church with solemn evensong on the actual day, and a solemn high mass yesterday. I know that one hundred and fifty years is not a long time in the history of many churches in Europe and the Americas, but in Oz it’s rather different. Thanks be to God for a beautiful church, welcoming clergy, and a joyful, giving congregation.
Congratulations and it's good to see you back on board. Are we going to get a Mystery Worshipper report in due course?
Alas, no, @Cathscats, though I do wonder if having coffins draped with a black velvet mortcloth with "Memento Mori" and cross-bones appliqued in white silk might concentrate a few minds and boost attendance.
The Church of Scotland knew what they were doing vis a vis psychological terror in the C19th.
I think most were plain black velvet, with a fringe. Some trades associations had their own for members and those might have an insignia. But ours has "Memento Mori" in 3 inch high letters, and crossed bones.
No idea when it was last used, but it would have been many decades ago.
An Ann Mackie left everything to the church "for behoof of the Poor" and instead of just putting the proceeds of her estate into the Poor Box, the Session bought the mortcloth (the previous one had been bought in 1713 and was "shabby") so that it could generate funds for the poor. So I guess we'd have to donate any mortcloth income to the Food Bank?
Sadly a Mystery Worshipper was not present, but here are photographs from Evensong and the Mass.
To Piglet,
The music at Evensong:
Procession: Glorious things of thee are spoken
Psalm 127 Office Hymn: The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended Mag. & Nunc: Peter Klatzow Preces and Responses: William Byrd The Anthem: Locus iste: Anton Bruckner Hymn: We love the place, O God, Hymn: Christ is made the sure foundation Postlude: Fugue in Eb: Johann Sebastian Bach
Klatzow (b. in South Africa in 1945) won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. Locus iste was chosen not only because it is beautifully appropriate, but also because it was written in 1869, which is the year in which the church was opened.
To my shame I hadn't brought this to the Prayers thread, because, to be honest, I thought it a long shot, but daughter-in-law, who has a raft of mental illnesses as well as two young boys and another child on the way, has been awarded a Personal Independence Payment, plus a Mobility Addition. We thought she might get something, but would have go to appeal, but it has been awarded in full at th first time of asking! Thanks to the cpecialists, her GP, the social workers and a pat on the back for H for simply asking and filling in those awful forms, and for our son J for supporting her.
Our Fr. New Rector has been with us one year (actually tomorrow). It's been a wonderful year, and we shall be celebrating after the Eucharist this morning. God has truly blessed us.
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Whee! Another baby woman!
Thank you all for your good wishes
I love this place
* see the Cancer thread in Hell.
This is truly good news
Prayers for a full recovery
Congratulations and it's good to see you back on board. Are we going to get a Mystery Worshipper report in due course?
The Church of Scotland knew what they were doing vis a vis psychological terror in the C19th.
No idea when it was last used, but it would have been many decades ago.
I am still grinning every time I think of it!
Sadly a Mystery Worshipper was not present, but here are photographs from Evensong and the Mass.
To Piglet,
The music at Evensong:
Procession: Glorious things of thee are spoken
Psalm 127
Office Hymn: The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended
Mag. & Nunc: Peter Klatzow
Preces and Responses: William Byrd
The Anthem: Locus iste: Anton Bruckner
Hymn: We love the place, O God,
Hymn: Christ is made the sure foundation
Postlude: Fugue in Eb: Johann Sebastian Bach
TBTG. Lord, you did something very special here.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory, and may Piglet find blessing and peace in her life without him.
@sionisais, Deo gratias!