Anyone up for a chat thread?

[Shane R]

It finally happened. We ran out of competent pianists (they were all sick) and I had to sit down at the organ and draw on the piano instruction my mother gave me many years ago. I never learned to play the bass line. But all of the hymns in the bulletin were simple and I could play the melodies.

 

[Paidiske]

That's more than I could do. When we run out of competent pianists, I lead them a cappella...

 

[seeking.IAM]

It is fortunate you may still sing. No singing other than the Cantor in my Diocese due to COVID-19.

 

[Paidiske]

Singing is only just coming back here. Yesterday we were allowed to sing (outside) for the first time in months. From today we are allowed to sing (up to 50 people) inside. But we have basically eliminated the virus here.

 

[Philip_B]

We are having a service of 9 lessons and meditative pauses. Silent Night.

 

[Shane R]

We've got Lessons and Carols followed by Midnight Mass tonight. It's a service I don't have a part in, since it runs too late for my little daughters.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Although now meeting in person for Sunday Mass, our Vestry decided to do Christmas Eve services virtually, but in-person reserved seating on Christmas Day. I'll miss midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

 

[Philip_B]

 

[Shane R]

The parish schedule for January is pleasantly busy. We've got 2 baptisms, an episcopal visit, and a wedding scheduled.

 

[Paidiske]

Having just done three funerals in the last two weeks, I'm grateful to be looking forward to a quiet January.

And it gives me a bit of time to do some strategic work and planning, and start tackling some of the things in the parish that desperately need work. (Like, since all our kids' stuff stopped over Covid shutdown and hasn't started again, what we want to do for kids!)

 

[Philip_B]

 

[Paidiske]

I'm preaching on that passage tomorrow.

 

[Philip_B]

I am reading it tomorrow. I used it as a parallax banner on our parish website.
Swansea Anglican Church inc Gwandalan & Summerland Point, Newcastle Diocese

 

[Shane R]

Continuing churches typically observe the gesima Sundays. Tomorrow is Sexagesima on my Ordo Kalendar.

 

[Paidiske]

We're counting it as the fifth Sunday after Epiphany.

I'm just getting a bit freaked out by how close to Lent we are. Planning for Easter all seems to hard in a Covid-overrun world!

 

[Shane R]

We would typically schedule midweek Evensong with a communal supper all through Lent. I don't see it getting any support this year.

I'm wondering how people will react to the imposition of ashes. Because you have to actually touch someone to give them the ashes.

 

[seeking.IAM]

...I'm wondering how people will react to the imposition of ashes. Because you have to actually touch someone to give them the ashes.

We are streaming the liturgy followed by drive-through in the parking lot for the imposition of ashes. Our Rector said folks will be given a choice of ashes on the forehead per usual, or sprinkling of ashes on the head which he says has some historical precedent.

I have never heard of the latter. Can any of you clergy shed light on that?

 

[Philip_B]

We are streaming the liturgy followed by drive-through in the parking lot for the imposition of ashes. Our Rector said folks will be given a choice of ashes on the forehead per usual, or sprinkling of ashes on the head which he says has some historical precedent.

I have never heard of the latter. Can any of you clergy shed light on that?

Sprinkling is the episcopal preference and guidance in our Diocese.

 

[Arcangl86]

We are streaming the liturgy followed by drive-through in the parking lot for the imposition of ashes. Our Rector said folks will be given a choice of ashes on the forehead per usual, or sprinkling of ashes on the head which he says has some historical precedent.

I have never heard of the latter. Can any of you clergy shed light on that?

Ashes on the forehead is apparently an English thing. Outside of the English speaking world, sprinkling of ashes is still a thing.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Thank you for the education.