31 August

Dear Friends,

Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Faure

In June of 2022 while attending choir practice in ERC, I was captivated by a truly beautiful anthem, Cantique de Jean Racine composed by Gabriel Faure. It is a prayer of thanksgiving and set to a wonderful melody. It was obvious from their delight and enthusiasm that every choir member loved singing this masterpiece. When they discovered that I would be returning home before the Sunday when it was to be performed, they expressed regret. I assured them that I had heard it sung perfectly at their rehearsals. After my last service Hilary and I returned to the manse to pack for the journey home. During packing I tuned in to my favourite radio programme, Sounds Sacred, a programme of popular religious music. Imagine my surprise and delight when the deejay played a recording of the choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge singing  Cantique de Jean Racine! It was a blessed coincidence and we received it as a blessing on the previous two months of ministry in ERC and a thanksgiving for all the kindness we had received here. What are coincidences? They are those times when God prefers to remain anonymous.

Denis Campbell