The Cumbrae Revels

31/01/2013

Here’s some pics from last Saturday. I was on the island of Greater Cumbrae at the Cathedral of the Isles to see its two new canons installed. They are the Dean of that diocese – the Very Rev Andrew Swift and the Provost of St John’s Cathedral, Oban the Very Rev Nicola McNelly.

Here they are:

This is how they process in the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles. (This tradition developed due to a history of Viking Raids, I believe)

This is the bishop sporting a slighty twisty lappet.

This is the light fitting that I once again failed to smuggle off the island but which I found myself coveting when I should have been praying.

Andrew Swift, Cathedral of the Isles, Dunoon, lappets, Millport, Nichola McNelly, Oban

2 responses to “E and B”

Martin Ritchie

16/03/2010

One of the interesting things about choral evensong is that in some places it can seem like a living tradition that can speak to anyone, whereas in others it can appear to be dry as dust, pompous and irrelevant. What do you think the “method” is that produces a living choral evensong as opposed to an antiquarian one?

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kelvin

16/03/2010

That’s a good question, Martin and I agree, it can be miserable.

I think that worship tends to take off when those planning it and organising and leading it care more about what we are doing when we worship than in the form in which we worship.

I suspect that Choral Evensong is not best led by liturgical, musical or prayer book fundamentalists or by those who happen to find this a way of encountering the holy.

A culture of offering the best we can be to God helps. Good relationships between musicians and clergy help. As usual, clear liturgical books in the hands of the faithful help. And whoever is leading needs not to be frightened of a bit of silence now and then amidst the music.

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