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Music: the other handmaid of piety

1 Charles Wesley spoke of poetry as the handmaid of piety. In that case, there must be another handmaid, namely music, which carries the poetry and plays such a role in our weekly worship.

1.1 The task of the URC Musicians’ Guild is to support, train and represent United Reformed Church musicians, whether they be singers or instrumentalists (organists, pianists, members of music groups or any other kind) and also to advise churches of our denomination on all matters musical. We also aim to provide a group within the United Reformed Church which may be consulted by the Church on matters connected with music in worship.

1.2 There is a strong regional structure, with most of the United Reformed Church Synods being represented. Branches provide choral workshops, instrumental sessions, training days, mutual support and, perhaps most important, an opportunity for members to participate in undistracted worship at their meetings.

Currently there are branches in the following parts of the United Kingdom:

Eastern England

East Midlands

Merseyside

North-East England

North West England

South-East England and Wessex

(covering a broad area from Bournemouth

to Kent, including south London)

South Western England

West Midlands

Yorkshire

We are in touch with the Clerk to the Scottish Synod regarding the position of member churches of the United Reformed Church in Scotland.

1.3 The Annual General Meeting is an occasion when all members have an opportunity to meet together, and for that reason it is set in the context of a Celebration Day which has relevance to other aspects of the work of musicians. In 2000 the Celebration Day was held at Carr’s Lane Church Centre, Birmingham on 28 October. In spite of the fact that that was the day when Railtrack closed down much of the railway system, we had a good attendance; but it was very disappointing that our new General Secretary, Juanita Watson, appointed that very day, was taken ill and not able to assume her duties for the time being. Her recovery is slower than she (or any of us) would wish, but we all wish her a complete return to health.

1.4 This year, 2001, the Celebration Day is to be held at the American Church in London, Tottenham Court Road, on Saturday 27 October, and the following year at Windermere United Reformed Church and the Windermere Centre on 19th October 2002. Any reader of this report will be welcome at either of these events.

1.5 The magazine, the Guild Review, is published three times a year and keeps members informed on current affairs relating to music in the United Reformed Church.

1.6 An important part of the work of the Guild is to advise local churches whose organs need overhaul or replacement. Such advice is only given when asked for, and is free to local churches, apart from out-of-pocket expenses, though churches are encouraged to make a donation to the Organ Advisory Service. A list of organs which for one reason or another are no longer needed is also maintained.

1.7 As we continue to pursue our aim of making the music of our worship more worthy and meaningful, we again ask for your support and prayers and, where appropriate, your active involvement.

Membership of the Guild remains a modest £4 per annum for individuals and £10 for corporate (church) membership. By the time this report appears in print membership forms and other information should be available from Mrs Juanita Watson, ‘Quavers’,

35 Arundel Crescent,

Solihull,

West Midlands

B92 8RQ,

or alternatively John L Harding, ‘Rainbow’s End’, 105 Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich IP4 3NU, who remains responsible for the Organ Advisory Service and Redundant Organ Register.