RedSquirrel
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 27881
Reg: 06-13-08
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09-30-12 05:08 PM - Post#4015354
in church this morning with the music. 
We are fortunate enough to have two churches in our parish: the one in town is the family-orientated modern one with a music group, and ours is more traditional. People can choose which style of service they prefer which I think is excellent for the oldies who don't want to change. But the management does insist on bringing these new songs into our worship.
I'm the youngest in the choir by about 25 years, maybe more. I'm the youngest in the whole congregation - there are no children at all. I actually like the modern songs, but they are written for guitars and a beat, to be sung in unison. They don't sit well with an organist in his 80s and a robed choir classically trained to sing 4-part-harmony. We can't do it, and it's embarrassing trying.
This morning was completely cringeable, and with the organist struggling noticeably, 1 soprano in tears, 2 more refusing to sing, and a much-needed bass who has said he won't be back until things change, I had to say something to the priest. Now I'm wondering whether I've got myself into hot water. 
Life can be so difficult, can't it?
 Rosey's blog: Squirrel's nuts--
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Kiwifarmer
SJ Eloquent One
Posts: 4811
Reg: 09-13-02
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09-30-12 05:19 PM - Post#4015356
In response to RedSquirrel
Oh......that's a pity....oldies dont like change do they? Hope the pastor can sort out the music to suit sooner rather later.
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RedSquirrel
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 27881
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09-30-12 05:52 PM - Post#4015368
In response to Kiwifarmer
Well I don't regard myself as an oldie just yet (although I admit to loving the old hymns) but I just can't see the point of changing what we have, just for change's sake. At the moment the clergy are lucky enough to be able to offer a choice. People are happy with that, and it works. If they make both churches modern, they will lost the oldies in ours, but they won't gain any of the younger set because they all go to the other church anyway.
We had the same thing in Australia. They keep going on and on about modernising to attract new people, but new people aren't coming, and they are driving away the existing congregation. How is that economic sense, or any kind of sense?
Rosey's blog: Squirrel's nuts--
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kaleidoscope
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 25381
Reg: 02-13-09
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09-30-12 07:16 PM - Post#4015388
In response to RedSquirrel
Maybe you need the Vicar of Dibley to bring more people back to church. 
Yeah, if it ain't broke don't fix it!
Friends aren't people you particularly like for any special reason. You just like people because they're your friends.
Rosamunde Pilcher, The Empty House |
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RedSquirrel
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 27881
Reg: 06-13-08
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10-01-12 01:53 AM - Post#4015424
In response to kaleidoscope
They already have a service for the animals in Australia - in fact it is next Sunday! 4th Oct is St. Francis of Assisi Day, he is patron saint of the animals. Last year they had dogs, a ferret, and a crazy escaped rabbit joined in from the house across the road. Baaaa-men!
Rosey's blog: Squirrel's nuts--
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"Use what talents you possess — the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." ~ Henry Van Dyke |
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hockeymom24
SJ Eloquent One
Posts: 3355
Reg: 04-03-11
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10-01-12 06:16 AM - Post#4015450
In response to RedSquirrel
we have a mix of old and new... We always make sure we have at least 1 if not 2 hymn type songs and a couple of the newer type songs that the younger families enjoy.
there will always be comments and people not happy, though.
Mom to 1 precious boy! He loves hockey.
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carpe scrapum
SJ Divalicious
Posts: 14322
Reg: 12-27-05
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10-01-12 07:26 AM - Post#4015466
In response to hockeymom24
It great that there are two churches to go for different styles. Why change the traditional one when you can just go to the other one? Seems silly especially when they have such a large population of elders in the congregation.
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RedSquirrel
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 27881
Reg: 06-13-08
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10-01-12 08:49 AM - Post#4015474
In response to carpe scrapum
Exactly. Our congregation stands at around 80 per week. Over 100 in the other church. That is enough to pay the bills. Why change a winning formula? 
Rosey's blog: Squirrel's nuts--
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"Use what talents you possess — the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." ~ Henry Van Dyke |
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Kiwifarmer
SJ Eloquent One
Posts: 4811
Reg: 09-13-02
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10-01-12 03:24 PM - Post#4015580
In response to RedSquirrel
Exactly. The parishioners will be glad you have the gumption to explain their position.
My mum changed from their usual church to a new one when they changed to format of the service to modernise it. .... It's not uncommon..... Sadly
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RedSquirrel
SJ Queen of the Crop
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Reg: 06-13-08
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10-02-12 02:19 AM - Post#4015686
In response to Kiwifarmer
The organist is in his mid-80s, and with arthritis and 2 replaced elbows, his fingers aren't as nimble as they once were. If this carries on, I can see him and his wife (soprano in the choir) retiring. That would very likely mean the loss of the choir, since they/we are all very close, and it's not as if you can pick replacement organists off trees over here.
With no organist, the clergy will bring in a music group like the other church has, and bang, there will go the congregation. And me and DH.
Even if half of them find another church, that will still lost half the income from collections. It would be mad.
Rosey's blog: Squirrel's nuts--
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"Use what talents you possess — the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." ~ Henry Van Dyke |
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Kimberly M
SJ Diva
Posts: 8881
Reg: 07-22-08
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10-02-12 10:45 AM - Post#4015738
In response to RedSquirrel
Our church has two services on Sunday morning and Sunday night. The early service is more modern with a praise team instead of a choir and typically the younger people come to that service. At the later time they do the traditional service. I realize not all churches are able to do that but it seems to keep most of the congregation happy.
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When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.”
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scrappinmamma
SJ Grand Poobah
Posts: 2154
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10-02-12 12:42 PM - Post#4015764
In response to Kimberly M
Rosey, I'm glad that you said something. You are probably calmer that the rest and the church will probably be happy you did!
Kathleen - Happily married mom of 2 Lil Darlings!
In memory of those, we loved and lost...
Teegan, Jeannie, Janice, Ruthann and Auntie Cathy.
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kaleidoscope
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 25381
Reg: 02-13-09
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10-02-12 12:52 PM - Post#4015776
In response to scrappinmamma
Hopefully the priest will listen to what you said.
Friends aren't people you particularly like for any special reason. You just like people because they're your friends.
Rosamunde Pilcher, The Empty House |
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RedSquirrel
SJ Queen of the Crop
Posts: 27881
Reg: 06-13-08
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10-05-12 10:39 AM - Post#4016318
In response to kaleidoscope
Update.
We all know bad news travels fast. Well apparently this had got round the parish before lunchtime.
Last night at choir practise, the team priest came to visit us and to apologise profusely that the music had caused an upset. I hadn't realised this, but there is another traditional service at the other church as well, and they got the same music. He and his team have been besieged by calls from disgruntled congregation and choir members all week!
It will not happen again. He promised. He's so nice. (That's the guy whose father was the canon in my church when I was a child.) It was good of him to give up his time to come and reassure us. I'm glad that's sorted!
Rosey's blog: Squirrel's nuts--
--------------2010 2011 2012 2013
Layouts-------56----45---25---.42
Cards.---------82--129---75---.43
Xmas cards---53----91---66---..3
"Use what talents you possess — the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." ~ Henry Van Dyke |
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