Preaching with a purpose

Playing for a funeral is quite a responsibility. The family and friends are grieving and they don't want hiccups from the organist. Fortunately all went well. They had recorded music for the coming in and going out of the coffin. So I was just required to provide some music before hand and accompany the hymns. Organs are supplied with rear view mirrors so that you can see what is going on behind you in the congregation. For the hymns you have to give a solid lead and not be put off if the congregation don't seem to be singing very much. The secret is to set a good pace, not to quick and not too slow. I did not know the departed man but noted that he was six months younger than myself, a significant thought. As John Donne said,"Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee." We all have to face up to our own mortality. If you are recently bereaved you might find my poems helpful Poems of loss

Tomorrow I'm to play on a proper church organ for a funeral. Today I went to the town and had a practice. I'm a violinist really and piano comes second. I have some experience of playing for church in little rural churches where there are little electronic organs. This means playing a real church organ, a pipe organ, is a bit daunting. There is such a powerful sound comes from this organ. The minister was desperate as all the other organists are on holiday or in hospital. So I have to grit my teeth, steady my nerve and do my best, which is usually adequate but not faultless.Fortunately this type of organ sounds well even without the pedals so I won't be getting my knees knotted but use hands only. If you want to see what other music I'm interested in look at this link My music lensography