If you thought “That image looks familiar”, it’s because we used the crown of thorns when our augmented choir last performed Stainer’s sacred oratorio The Crucifixion in 2012. And you saw it once more in 2020 when we launched our plan to perform the work again on Palm Sunday … a plan that came to nothing because the pandemic arrived half-way through rehearsals!

2021 didn’t happen for the same reason, but we’re delighted that we’re able to offer The Crucifixion at 6.00pm on Palm Sunday as an introduction to Holy Week. It’s not quite the same as last time – the choir will be more distanced than usual, the congregation will be masked, and we won’t be able to offer refreshments afterwards. However, the music will tell the same story, and our choir has been augmented by a number of keen singers from local churches and choirs. We’ll be accompanied on the organ by Willie Campbell from Dunfermline Abbey, and directed by Walter Thomson, the Choir Leader from Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church.

Do come, and be prepared to join in the hymns …