Day Out

Today it was off to the Cathedral where I was looking forward to the coolness of the building as another scorching day hit.

I love our Cathedral Church – one day I must get along with my camera and just spend some time clicking away, and not just the angels – today however wasn’t the day for it.  Today I was there for the annual Ministry Celebration Service which this year included the licensing of those who lead the All-Age Worship at All Saints.  Celia had a previous engagement and Johnathan had to rush away to a rehearsal before the service was over – no end of demands for an opera singing plumber.  But I managed to snap the other four at the end of the service:

It was nice to see several members of the congregation also there to support them and Mike, our Lay Reader who was preaching:

He had admitted to me last week to being slightly nervous about preaching in such a big building with the bishop present, but I doubt that anyone would have known it.  There was a sprinkling of people from all corners of the diocese and it was great to catch up with people, but I missed the usual splash of red from the Cathedral Choir and the congregation could have done with some choral support as the music was obviously unknown by the vast majority of those present.  I also missed the mighty hug I usually get from Frikki after Cathedral services, hopefully I will get that on Sunday when the Diocese returns to witness installing two canons.

Trumpets Too

Tags

Scottish Episcopal Church

Bells ringing out in the sunshine could clearly be heard above the hum of the traffic along Great Western Road in Glasgow last night. At the West Door there was the soon to be Rector and Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral, bedecked in a dalmatic.
A steady stream of people from all over made thier way through the doors as the sound of the bells was replaced by the swell of the organ and the hum of traffic by the hum of voices.
“Clergy who are robbing to the right and down the stairs.”
Others were handed an order of service and found a place to sit.

The stage was set.

Then the processions, choir, priests, visiting clergy, bishops, a primus, and then,
then came the trumpets.
What a start and it was only the start.

The service moved us on and up,
moments of passion – Parry’s I Was Glad;
moments of quiet contemplation – Totus Tuus;
moments of solemnity – as the new Provost was blessed and anointed;
moments of contemplation – the new Provosts intercessions;
moments of insight – Bishop David’s sermon;
moments of sheer delight, wonder and awe – the Gospel;
and moment upon moment of joy.

If ever you are in the West End of Glasgow, take a visit to the Cathedral, it is a wonderful building, and maybe if you are lucky you will happen along when there is a service and you too will be touched by such moments.