When I first heard Penguin’s Playtime on the organ I knew that it was a tune I wanted, one day, to lead a procession out of church to. I even went so far as to make sure the church had a copy, should the opportunity ever arise. So when it occurred to me to pick the music for my final service Penguin’s Playtime was on the agenda. I chose the rest of the music carefully too. Beauty is Truth – the only piece by Lee Ward that I know of, written for the Keats anniversary some years ago; David Terry’s Missa Brevis [David was assistant organist here] and the Ives Jubilate, commissioned to celebrate Lee’s 10 years here as Director of Music. It all helped towards what was, somewhat surprisingly I have to admit, a most enjoyable service. It was lovely to see Lee, Andrew and Helen augment the choir [it’s not often Lee sings so I felt doubly honoured]; it was wonderful to see so many people in church in spite of the fact that it was half-term; it was less lovely to see the rain, but we need rain and in the end the party inside worked every bit as well as it would have done outside; and it was amazing to see all that chocolate cake! I’m fairly sure I ceremonially cut at least three. And all looking absolutely delicious, though I confess to not trying every one of them.
But before the cake came the speeches and I was warmed by Father Stephen’s kind words and Derek’s [which Stephen read out] and by the gifts so generously heaped on me. Later that day I took the train to Scotland wrapped in a warm glow of your love and good wishes. [You need a warm glow on night trains, they turn the heating off.] And the memory of your kindness stayed with me all week, and will stay for a long time to come.
Oh, and the bubbles. I’ve been trying to work them into a service for quite a while too. This was my last chance – thank you Howard for setting that up, it just finished us off nicely as we neared the end of aisle to go out in a cascade of bubbles.
Thank you, all, for your generosity, your messages and wishes, your cards and flowers. For those of you who wondered what the church was buying me with the money you gave I have to admit that I asked for a cheque – seemingly boring perhaps but a welcome boost to my pension.
I chose the psalm for the service that last Sunday – Psalm 84 – because it contains the words I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of ungodliness’ and that always spoke to me of my work as a verger – a doorkeeper in the house of my God. [And maybe it’s not too late now to have a quick look at the tents of ungodliness.]
With much love, gratitude and thanks,
Judy East
Penguins, Bubbles and Chocolate Cake
Judy East