This morning, Andy and I strolled into the Parish House door to the beautiful, old gothic St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, only to hear, filtering down the reception area: Mouret's "First Suite in D" or The Masterpiece Theater Theme, being played by a solo trumpeter, along with the huge pipe organ. We hurried to hear the prelude before the service. Then the organist went to the grand piano and played for a duet of two chorusters singing a beautiful medieval hymn. The choir there sounds like a choir of angels on their own. Add in that beautiful pipe organ and the trumpeter, through out the service and we had quite an unexpected and heavnely musical feast.
High Episcopal services often incorporate classical music pieces, as well as old Celtic traditional hymns and compositions into their later Sunday morning services. And they serve real wine as part of the communion. If you have been baptized in any Christian faith, you are welcome to take communion there. I was raised in the Episcopal/Anglican church. I'm so glad because now I am again enjoying the splendor and beauty of their form of worship. They've come a long way in tolerance as well. The Priest, Mother Valerie Ambrose, is not only a lady, but she is gay. And I challenge anyone to find someone who exudes more love and warmth than Mother Val. It just fills the entire sanctuary and preceeds her where ever she walks.