Jan 17 - Day 8

Today was a day off from all the exercise.  Instead it was a day to recharge batteries, physical and spiritual, a day to do my laundry and remake my bed. Can you believe it's been a week already, 1/4 of my program  completed. I slept in a bit later, showered, shaved, and got dressed in my Sunday best.  I went on line the other night as the chapel has a website with videos available of the services. I noticed that most folks were wearing coat and tie.  I didn't think about it, but when I entered the lunchroom many folks commented on how splendid I looked.  I was definitely "over-dressed" as a good number were in sweat clothes.

I found a parking garage close to the chapel (free on Sundays.) As I emerged from the car, my ears were met with the magnificent sound of the tower bells. I sat close to the front so as not to miss anything happening in the chancel which was larger than our whole church. The choir of over 100 filled both sides along the sides of the entire length of the chancel in two long pews. Even though the service was billed as an ecumenical service, it had heavy undertones of good old Episcopal liturgy.  Most of the prayers, sung liturgy, and the presentation of the bread and wine were definitely familiar.

As today's service was in memory of Martin Luther King Jr., so all the music and hymns were spirituals.  The first anthem (darn, I wish I had brought the brochure home with me!) was very syncopated and fast and the altos got off a bit but quickly found their way back.  Can you imagine the second basses the length of our parish away from the choir director who was on a raised podium at the front of the chancel.
I spoke to the choir director after the service, and asked how the choir kept together.  There is a delay in sound from the front to back (we had the same problem at Christ Church in Greenwich when one choir sat in the usual choir stalls and another choir sang from the balcony in the back.  The directors answer to my question didn't surprise me - they are fine when the watch the director!  Those of you who have sung in choirs should be smiling now!

After the recessional hymn, the choir sang the most beautiful piece acapella from the back of the chapel.  The sound and quality reminded me of the Christ Church choir singing at Westminster Abby with the sound reverberating along the ceiling of the Abbey.  It was truly soul enveloping and spoke to my heart and soul. I think I might have had a tear in my eye, as I haven't heard anything like that sine our trip to England in 1993 & 1996. I am definitely going back next Sunday. Don't tell the rector of the Episcopal Church in Durham that I am playing hooky!  There is a vespers service this Thursday evening at 5 pm and I plan to go.

I drove back to the center and picked two women in the program up and drove them to various stores and then it was home time where I started my laundry, replaced a light bulb in front of the clothes washer and fixed a doorknob to the front room. I went back to Duke and had supper.  I purposely sat with a newcomer, answered questions and took him on a quick tour before returning back to my room.

It's been a full and wonderful day.  I feel a bit guilty about not exercising, and we'll see on Friday if I should have worked out this afternoon. On the other hand, I do need to look out for #1 don't I???