This year for Christmas the national Church is encouraging everyone to think about the power and joy of music. The Christmas theme, Follow the Star: Join the Song highlights how…
This year for Christmas the national Church is encouraging everyone to think about the power and joy of music. The Christmas theme, Follow the Star: Join the Song highlights how singing can help draw us closer to God and each other through the journey from Advent to Epiphany.
In Wiveliscombe Revd Hugh Allen has created his very own Advent song, using a traditional German tune and adapting it with words for a 2023 audience. Hugh says that the idea for the Advent song struck him while listening to a CD of the Vienna State Opera House choir. He recounts, “One of the tunes, ‘Softly Falls the Snow.’ has a lovely lilt and is pointing the way towards Christmas and I thought if I can use that tune, rewrite the words and see how it goes, I’ll have a lovely song for Advent.”
Together with the assistance of his next-door neighbour, Charlotte, a clarinet player with the Royal Marine band, they collaborated to bring the song to life. Charlotte verified the new lyrics against the melody, making adjustments to align the tune, resulting in the creation of a four-versed composition.
Hugh reflecting on his limited musical abilities, mentions, “Although I can’t play an instrument or sing, I listen to a lot of music, neither can I clap to time, but I enjoy music and this was a lovely tune. The words lead us to look forward to the birth and with it the message we all take away – hope – hope for the world. That’s just what is needed at the moment.”
Old Cleeve church near Blue Anchor Bay used the carol accompanied by a group of musicians. It will be sung again in St. Luke’s Wiveliscombe when Charlotte and Wakana, a Japanese pianist, will lead the congregation.
Hugh hopes that you too will use this new carol. If you’d like to use this new carol too, please email Hugh.
A group of angel statues with links to kings, queens, Sir Christopher Wren and Westminster Abbey are being celebrated by a Somerset church community, two centuries after they first arrived in Somerset.
The group of 17th centaury angel statues with links to kings, queens, Sir Christopher Wren and Westminster Abbey arrived in Somerset two centuries ago.
Members of Holy Trinity Hamp in Bridgwater welcome the BBC to their church for the forthcoming harvest edition of Songs of Praise.
The Chew Valley Nature Photography Festival brought photographers, conservationists and local residents together to celebrate the biodiversity of the area and reflect on the call to care for God’s creation.
Across the country and throughout our diocese farmers are struggling to deal with the effects of the intense heat, lack of rainfall and the outbreak of the disease, bluetongue.
The service in Porlock highlighted the story of community, forgiveness and reconciliation.
The arrival of the Bride at a recent wedding at Holy Cross, Mark caused a something of stir both locally and in the national and even international press.
Tony O'Mara, who has overcome his own 40-year addiction, has been nominated for the BBC award for his work supporting others in the place that helped him change his life.
On the first Sunday in August, Bishop Fiona joined the South Quantock Benefice Lammas service.
The Church of England is introducing the Building Management Portal, a new national digital system for managing applications relating to…