An evening with John Bell
Just over a month ago I had the pleasure, along with about one hundred other people, of attending an evening of singing with and listening to John Bell.
It may well be that even if you don't know who John Bell is, you have met with his music. He is a minister of the Presbyterian church and part of the community of Iona Abbey in Scotland, though he is based in Glasgow. Many of the modern hymns we sing in our churches are the product of Wild Goose Publications - favourites such as Will you Come and Follow Me? and Jesus Christ is Waiting.
Back to the event. Picture a cold, rainy Hobart evening. One hundred or so people crammed into the hall at the back of Scots Memorial Church, there to listen to John Bell and to sing new songs, some in four-part harmony. John's message was one of the message of the words of our songs as well as the community of singing together. Are the lyrics appropriate to our time or do they reflect an earlier (often Victorian) time? We were challenged to write and sing songs that addressed the difficulties of our lives today - divorce, miscarriage, war and AIDS to mention a few, songs that acknowledged the sadness and tragedy of situations, without trivialising them or sweeping them away so they won't be noticed.
This is the second time I have had the pleasure of hearing John Bell. He has visited Hobart previously and hopefully will come again. Some of you may even have visited Iona Abbey. I'd highly recommend joining in the warmth of the fellowship next time he comes to Hobart.