Dear Brothers and Sisters<br><br>Fr Mark and I would like to thank you all for the wonderful weekend that has just passed. The party on Friday was great fun as we were entertained by the band and a jolly group of pirates wearing the most alarming face masks. The church choir sang beautifully as they did on the Sunday when at the Eucharist they led the hymn singing and sang Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus " which means so much to me as I had it sung at my first Eucharist. I was delighted that Christian played the Theremin, surely for many the first time they had seen and heard this most unusual instrument. The atmosphere was lovely with old and new friends enjoying a glass and some cake. Thank you so much to Gabrielle, Ollie, and Joy who sent out invitations and organised the evening and to all those who took a part in any way including of course those who came to share this special time with us both.<br><br>We were both touched by the speeches made by Sue, Mike and Joy and the presentation by Charles. Thank you so much for the very generous gifts you gave us. We did ask that we might have vouchers for a garden centre and were overwhelmed by the amount that we received. We do need to buy furniture for the new garden and conservatory and you will help us go a long way in their purchase. The next day, vouchers arrived by post for a very special delicatessen in Eastbourne which sells cheese and wine and a great deal more. We are really looking forward to exploring this shop when we arrive in our new home. Thank you all so much for being so kind.<br><br>The Eucharist on Sunday was a real delight. Friends came to join our regular congregation and the whole thing was beautiful. Favourite hymns were sung with real enthusiasm and the anthems sung by the choir were lovely. This was the anniversary of our Ordinations and that made it so much more special for us. Thank you to the readers and to Marilyn for leading the choir and playing the organ so beautifully. We were both delighted that Christopher, the Lord Bishop of Southwark was with us for the service and that his chaplain Alun Ford joined him. Bishop Christopher said some very gracious words at the end of the service and was kind in appointing me as a Canon Emeritus of Southwark Cathedral.<br><br>After the service we had drinks and thank you to those who organised this. We also have received many individual gifts and cards for which we are very grateful. Thank you to Michael Brooks who has worked loyally alongside us for the whole time we have been among you.<br><br>We have had an " Indian Summer " at St Augustine's and are most thankful to you all for making it such an enjoyable and creative time of our ministries. We shall of course miss you all and the lovely church building and its surrounds, however we both know that this is the right time to move on and to take more rest after many long years of service.<br>And so thank for all that we have shared. Holy times and much fun and laughter. No goodbyes but rather au revoir.<br><br>We both send your our love and prayers for the future.<br><br>Fr Colin and Fr Mark
Citation for the Archbishops’ Certificate in Church Music awarded to The Reverend Dr Michael Brooks on Sunday, 4th December 2022 written by June Williams, Vice-President of the Guild of Church Musicians.The Guild of Church Musicians was founded in 1888 under very distinguished patronage. It is the oldest church music organisation in the United Kingdom.In 1960, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, asked the Guild to create the Archbishop’s Certificate in Church Music as a qualification for musicians in Anglican parishes.About twenty-six years later, the qualification was expanded to include Roman Catholics and the Free Churches. It became the Archbishops’ Certificate. Amusingly, Cardinal Hume said that he considered himself to be the apostrophe!Those taking the Certificate have to complete studies, including significant essays and examinations in liturgy, worship, and performance, with an extended and searching viva voce. Michael impressed the examiners in each part of the examination, passing with distinction.His musical curriculum vitae is impressive, encompassing playing the guitar in Christian bands, the trombone in ten different orchestras, and conducting the Southwark Sinfonietta.Michael (being a medic) follows Alexander Borodin (also a medic) as a composer, he also follows Paul Hindemith and Ralph Vaughan Williams in enriching the concerto repertoire for the less common instruments. His Trombone Concerto has received two premieres – one by the Dulwich Symphony Orchestra and then, in its revised version, by the European Doctors’ Orchestra.He has not neglected the church. There are eleven anthems and liturgical settings, with an Evening Service performed first here at St. Augustine’s – I believe, last month.And, as you know, Michael is also an ordained minister.It is a great pleasure to present Michael with the Archbishops’ Certificate in Church Music.Well done, Michael!
Please go to <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/handels-messiah-is-as-much-a-christmas-tradition-as-pantomime/">https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/handels-messiah-is-as-much-a-christmas-tradition-as-pantomime/</a> or download the attachment.
