St Aidan’s, Clarkston, yet again
Our third visit to St Aidan’s, Clarkston, was no less eventful than the previous two!
A Patronal Festival Evensong is pretty-well fixed in the church’s calendar, so if people are likely to be away elsewhere, then there is a problem. This happened this time with the organist, and several of the Church Choir members, and some of our members not being available on the due date.
The new Rector Rev Nicholas Taylor, had hardly time to settle in before this festival, and Helen Raeside, the assistant organist had to get to grips with the music, some of which was new. Even problems with one of the radio mics seemed to conspire against us.
However, even with all that, it was a lovely service with an excellent sermon from the Rector of a neighbouring Church. The usual eats and drinks before and after gave us a chance to socialise with many folk we had met before.
Music……..
- Introit:- ‘Except the Lord build the House’….(JHM)
- First Hymn:- ‘Saintly Aidan’
- Psalm:- 89, Chant E.J.Hopkins
- Magnificat:- Chant J.Turle
- Nunc Dimittis:- Chant H Baker
- Second Hymn:- Dear Lord and Father…to tune Repton
- Anthem:- ‘O, Lord, my heart is not proud’ …Music by Margaret Rizza
- Hymn:- Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour!
- Vesper:- ‘May the road rise to meet you’…music by J.Jerome Williams
Lessons and Carols
It was in 1880, that Rev Edward Benson of Truro, later to become Archbishop of Canterbury, introduced a format of a service to cover the whole Christmas-tide story. It utilised nine Lessons and nine Carols (for choir and/or congregation). Lessons are read by various members of the Church, ending-up with the senior member of the Clergy. Whilst the readings are generally unchanged, there is a flexibility in Hymns or Carols, and many modern ones have crept in over the years.
It can be very emotive, especially if it is lit only by candlelight, and the sound of the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ by a young voice can be something else! I still remember the tingle when my son stood alone for his solo, to be followed by the rest of the choir joining him in the choir stalls.
It is probably the one time of the year when the occasional visitor to a church could join in with most of the singing, so it is the chance for the Church to ’show-off’ its beliefs, with a minimum of Liturgy, to the maximum number of people.
This year we joined with St Aidan’s at Clarkston in this marvellous event. We have been there before at a full Service, and it was very satisfying to go back. To use a well-known phrase, it was a ‘packed programme’ and again the building was full. Rector Colin, and Julie the organist, had put together a wonderful selection of all the well-known carols.
Some of Angelus, St Aidan's Christmas 2008
There was a tinge of sadness as one of the great choir members of St Aidan’s had passed away recently at a goodly age. He was very enthusiastic about the 85th Anniversary of the Church, and was looking forward to this one. But it was not to be! Also one of our very popular members was absent due to serious ill-health, after having been at all our practices.
The carols were:-
- Three lovely children sang the first verse of ‘Once in royal David’s city’.
- O Come all Ye Faithful
- Silent Night
- It came upon the midnight clear
- Angels from the realms of glory
- Joy to the World
- Of the Father’s love begotten
- O little town of Bethlehem
- While shepherds watched their flocks by night
- We three Kings
- Hark the herald Angels
Audrey McKirdy sang us ‘Mid Winter’ by Bob Chilcott, John Rutter’s ‘Shepherd’s Pipe Carol’, and his haunting ‘The Lord bless Thee’. Julie Legowski was again at the organ and accomplished as usual! And can I say that the combined choir excelled itself again!
Mince pies and mulled wine completed a lovely evening!….here’s to next year!
St Aidan is 85 years old?….never!
31st Aug 2008
Clarkston is an attractive leafy suburb on the Southern outskirts of Glasgow, and well-placed just off the main road is the delightful Episcopal Church dedicated to St Aidan. It is a ’solid’ little building and most certainly does not look its age of 85 years, due to the care and attention of those responsible. It is of unusual internal design with individual seating, and the Choir and Organ at the rear of the building. If you look under 2008 Events you will see a photo of the inside. A splendid new reception area and connecting corridor join the Church with the Hall.
They have been holding a number of celebrations in the week leading-up to 31st August, culminating in Sung Evensong, and we were priveleged to be part of it. The service was lead by Rev Colin Curtis, and the preacher was the Primus Idris Jones. Julie Legowski was the organist, and there was a total of 19 in the Choir. (unfortunately three of our members had fixed-up their holiday at this time….or were not well……..how in-considerate can you get!).
Our final practice was in the Sunday afternoon when we all had the chance to get our indecision and mistakes out of the way. Those who were not cognizant of Anglican liturgican music did well in absorbing the traditions of centuries within a short time! Some two hours later we broke for tea . You have to be careful, of course, not to drink TOO much tea!
The service itself was a wonderful event with an absolutely packed church and the congregational singing was great, with familiar and new music being used. (See under 2008 Events for the music) As is usual at these events more tea was provided at the end as well as a nice fruit punch!
All in all a wonderful end to the commemorations and we wish them well for the years to come.
Introit:- ‘Calm Me, Lord’ (David Adam/Margaret Rizza)
Nunc Dimittis:- new single Chant ‘St Aidan’
Vesper:- ‘A Parting Blessing’ (Music by J.Jerome Williams to traditional words)
The complete choir (and organist in the middle in the grey suit)at St Aidan's Evensong
Hope this gives you a flavour of the enjoyable time we had. There may well be some more photos later.
