Maundy Thursday

Tonight one of my friends took me to Mass at a little neighborhood church up in Woodley Park called All Souls Memorial. What is it about high church Episcopal parishes around here that makes me think that in all high church parishes the entire congregation is either geriatric or gay? I only saw one child in the church, and she was one of the acolytes. Nevertheless, it was a fun little congregation, though Maundy Thursday never gives one an opportunity to socialize after the service.

The liturgy was an interesting mix of mostly Rite I language but with a few weird things thrown in here and there. They had quite a large parish choir that sang very nicely, though they did get just a touch over-ambitious tonight (especially when I think they have Good Friday to sing on the morrow, an Easter Vigil on Saturday, then probably two or more Masses on Sunday morning!). During the footwashing, they sang the Durufle "Ubi caritas" which was a little rocky, with someone attempting counter tenor for the opening incantation who never should have tried, and there were several voices that stuck out here and there, especially in some of the more difficult harmonic passages. By the time of the offertory, however, the choir acquitted themselves with a very nice "Into the woods my Master went" by Jane Hawes. Their communion motet was Orlando Gibbons' "Drop, drop slow tears" which was pretty in a Romantic era sort of way, but not very period. The Anglican chant for the psalm was one by John Goss, but I didn't recognize it, so I found that interesting. I was also quite pleased to hear the Healey Willan Mass setting sung tonight. The church has a little tiny rinky-dink organ that from my seat appeared to have only two small manuals, seven stops, and sounded like it was a tracker. This parish is supposed to have money, so I don't know why they don't do a proper organ.

Before Mass we popped in to Bistrot du Coin for a bite to eat. The service was unusually late (8 p.m.!), so we thought we'd best eat beforehand.

Tomorrow is Good Friday, but it's not a holiday, so I have to go to work. I doubt I'll go to Mass at noon, but I might.....depends on how much work I get done.