Things we do ...

Sunday. Not yesterday's sun-day, but a quietly cool day of grey skies and slight whispers of drizzle. Also no day of rest for us - even though the lectionary had us thinking about keeping the day of rest and why, for people like us, musicians and/or service leaders, Sunday is a huvtae day. And today it was more so than usual, as the usual morning service was followed in fairly short order, at 2pm, by a congregational singing practice followed by a barbecue. 

We didn't get away from the service as quickly as we'd thought, as there was a new arrival in our midst who had been in church when Himself was in practising and who revealed that, fairly new to the town, she'd been looking for a church that was open and had chanced on ours. Himself was happy that he'd been able to welcome her and tell her a bit about us, as there she was, apparently finding herself at home in the back pews and staying to drink coffee and meet people. We hurried home in time  to change and have some strong coffee and food before heading out again, where Himself had to set up his music stand and radio mic before gathering his class together.

We sang some hymns that I've long wanted to sing, as well as doing the vocal and physical exercises that we do every week in our choir and which make an enormous difference to the way someone sings, produces their voice, interprets a line. It seemed to go down really well - and the singing was good.

Then there was the barbecue, prepared by the Bishop-elect of the United Diocese of Argyll and The Isles (sounds good, eh - he's a great cook!) who'd been slaving outside the back door among the midges. He was soon joined by Hoy the collie, who'd been at the singing inside the church but was soon eyeing the sausages with great interest - just look at the photo! By the time we left, you'd have been excused for thinking we'd all been at the bevvy instead of tea and coffee - there was a great deal of hilarity.

I'm actually writing this before dinner, as I have a big day tomorrow and need to be up insanely early. Till then, mes amis, till then ...