Anglican matters...

The url for my blog is 'cyprus anglican' so I thought I'd write some stuff about my position in the church here. I'm the Organist and choir director, and this sunday we have not one, but TWO special services coming up. In the Morning we are running a special service known as 'Music Sunday' in which we are celebrating the wide diversity of music which God has given us to praise Him with. We're ranging from the Old Hundreth ('All people that on earth do dwell') through modern classical choral (A unison setting of Rutter's 'Look at the World'--my choir isn't exactly up to complicated parts yet,) Graham Kendrick ('We believe in God the Father', makes a good creed!) A Broadway show tune ('Any Dream Will Do') and lots more besides. :) It's going to be good fun.

The evening service is going to be full-on Victorian Choral Evensong. We weren't able to get the Magnificat chanted, so we are going to do 'Tell Out My Soul'. We are going to chant the Nunc Dimmitis and the versicles, however. Unfortunately we don't have any choir robes, so we cannot be robed. The organ also is unlikely to handle the strain well, so I'm hoping to drive home the point that we need a new instrument. This sunday we are starting what is going to be our lenten appeal--replacing our organ. At 25 years old, it's getting really rather nasty.

Look at me...

I've just finished the first three modules. Talk about last minute--I was up til 11:30 last night getting one essay done, then this morning fixing all the last bits that needed doing. Now I'm exhausted and have a long afternoon ahead of me. I was bouncy and excited for about 5 minutes and now am just feeling really tired and old.

What have I learned from this course so far?
Firstly--I'm not a serious academic. I enjoy academia and theology, but I would get driven stir-crazy if I tried to do this long term. I need to find a job which involves people. Teaching is an ever-present option.
Secondly--I need to start writing assignments way in advance, and take massive copious notes of all the quotes I like. What took longest for my assignments was finding all the quotes I needed and footnoting. Fortunately I read VERY fast.
Thirdly--music helps. I listen to music almost constantly when I'm working. I LOVE my iPod as no matter what I'm doing, I can have music on. :)
Fourthly--Chocolate also helps. I come from bourneville, I'm a chocoholic. :)