There can be few more tranquil and thought provoking churches in the North than St Marys on Holy Island. Once you successfully negotiate the tides to access Holy Island (Lindisfarne) you arrive on this sacred piece of land. St Marys whilst small, is of great significance to the very base of Christianity in the North.
The weekend of 24/25 and 26th July saw it celebrate the festival of St Aiden known as the “Apostle of the North”. Saint Aidan was an Irish monk who famously founded the Lindisfarne island monastery on Holy Island in 635 AD. Invited by King Oswald of Northumbria, Aidan left the monastery of Iona to become the first Bishop of Lindisfarne, successfully restoring Christianity to Northern England through his reputation for kindness, humility, and charity.
On the Friday evening I had the joy of attending Sung Compline at St Marys Church, the vicar of which is Rev Canon Dr Sarah Hills. The choir was a partnership of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London and Trinity Church, New York. The Directors of Music for both were in attendance to conduct (Melissa Attebury and Dr Andrew Earis).
We were spoilt with wonderful music from John Rutter, “Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom” with anthems – Rest by Ken Burton and Abendlied by Josef Rheinberger. It is always restoring to hear the Nunc Dimittis.
A reflection was given by The Very Revd Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle.
The peace of this wonderful service brought to mind the first sentence of the Desiderata “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence” – the congregation could not help but leave with a feeling of greater peace – I am already looking forward the service next year.
Written by Sarah-Jayne Rhodes, Local Ambassador (Borders)
