A Timeless Treasure

“Poor John!” you say. “Was it really worth you trekking through brambles and briar patches, up hill and down dale? All to raise a few bob to fettle a broken down organ in a church full of oldies like you?”

I’m assuming you’ll have read my posts early in July reporting on my ‘interesting but rewarding’ hike up the Calder valley, Day 1 and Day 2 (click on the links). The whole question of whether our beleaguered organ is worth repairing, has been asked over and over again. My friend Pam Dimbleby, musical director for our two Rastrick churches, has argued persistently, with a patience that often hides her passion and hard work, that it is indeed worthwhile. Pam wrote a short article for our church’s ‘mini-magazine’ which forms the bulk of this post. I’m copying it in full, so she’s acting as my guest blogger.

-o-O-o-

Last week Rod and I were in Cologne and decided to go to the service (Mass) at the impressive cathedral there.  The music was wonderful – the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord), Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) etc.  were sung first by the priest as Cantor (like vicar Michelle with our Music Group setting) then repeated by the choir, then by us, the congregation. Very moving!

The thing which moved me the most though was the beginning of the service!  A small bell gave the congregation the prompt to stand.   

           Silence.   

Then the organ struck up, sudden, loud and magnificent, filling that great space as the clergy processed in.  So moving that I was almost in tears…and I thought, “That’s why we’ve been able to keep our organ!”  These are my own personal thoughts, but, like many of you, I also wondered why God should want us to keep this organ when money is needed in so many places, but, like many of you, I also believe that he DOES!  

…and I think it’s because we mustn’t lose sight of the most important thing here – and that is to Worship!  …and this will last beyond our generation – who knows what plans God has for the future which we’ve helped to enable?  We don’t see the big picture but God does.  Through the Cologne Cathedral organ, God seemed to be saying to me, “Told you!”