The clock changes tonight....

The clocks change tonight and with that comes the seasonal move through All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance Sunday. Before we know it, it will be Advent and then Christmas and Epiphany. A busy time for all church musicians. Good wishes for your planning, rehearsals and services - don't forget to check out the many new resources around to help you.  Click on some of the links on the right of this blog to investigate what publishers are making available.

Five marks of Mission

Bishop Stephen has just launched his latest video reminding us all of the importance of Mission as God's Church here on earth. He has endorsed the "Mission Action Plans" in each parish (MAP) and encouraged churches across the region to refresh and re-launch their planning for growth and outreach.

Bishop Stephen refers to the Five "T"s - his easy to remember summary of what the Five Marks of Mission urge all churches to aspire to: “Tell, Teach, Tend, Transform and Treasure.” You can see the video here:

More tickets available for "Mission Worship"

The organisers of this year's "Mission Worship" in Eastbourne from 25-27 November 2011 have just released extra tickets for use in an overflow hall, the main conference having been fully booked some weeks back. The list of presenters is impressive - this promises to be an excellent event. Watch this blog for more news and see here for details of the tickets.

World Record attempt for Carol Singing

Via the Diocesan Office, I have received the following from Richard Jones, BibleLands Regional Representative about a world record attempt (Guiness Book of Records) for Carol Singing. It would seem that a Carol Service could be used as part of this but, before committing to participate, do read the Rules on their website carefully. The various conditions needed to make this a record attempt are not immediately straightforward. However, it might make an excellent way of engaging with your wider local community were your church to fancy taking this on.

World Record Attempt for Carol Singing

New Resources

A list of recent publications from a variety of publishers can be seen here  Do get in touch if you want to know more about any of them.

"Come and Sing" Evensong

The Archdeaconry of Cambridge Church Music Society has announced its next ‘Come and Sing’ Evensong. This will be held at St John the Evangelist,  Hills Road,  Cambridge, on Saturday 12 November. Philip Asher will conduct with organist Edward Lilley. The Archdeacon of Cambridge will lead the service. 

Be a chorister for a day

Ely Cathedral is hosting a day for boys 6-9 years of age interested in becoming choristers at the Cathedral. See here for more information. Voice trials for the boys' choir and for Ely Cathedral Girls' Choir will be held early in 2012.

Ely Cathedral Octagon Singers

New singers are being sought to become members of the Ely Cathedral Octagon Singers ("ECOS"). If you would be interested in joining the adult voluntary choir of Ely Cathedral please contact the Director for further information or see here. Applications from tenors and basses would be especially welcome but all singers aged 16 years and over warmly encouraged to consider applying.

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to our seven newly Authorised Lay Music Ministers. They received their Certificates of Authorisation from Bishop David at a memorable service in the Cathedral on 16 October 2011. Please remember Chris, Mark, Nicola, Ruth, Fiona, Pam and Patti in your prayers as they develop their music ministry in their own parishes. They are seen here pictured with myself and Nicky Redsell (Co-Tutor).