What is “Reawakening”?

by Dr Stephen Bullamore

I hope that by now, the readership of this blog have some idea of what is meant by “Reawakening” in relation to the works at St Mary’s. There is clearly a building project going on (who can miss the scaffolding) to renew much of the fabric of the building; the internal facilities will be enhanced with new toilets, the Magnus room and a new Café area. But these physical repairs and improvements are only the start; they are the tools with which we will continue an ongoing process of “Reawakening”. We are reawakening our church to renewed possibilities. Possibilities of collaboration with other organisations, possibilities of attracting visitors to share in our heritage, possibilities to draw people to faith.

The “physical” Reawakening- the coping stones on the roof, are rapidly being replaced with locally sourced stone

I note an ongoing process of “Reawakening”. A healthy church, or any organisation really, is perpetually in a state of renewal as new members of the congregation arrive and contribute their own gifts. I am reminded of how I started in post as Director of Music just over ten years ago. There was a group of singers, few in number, declining to call themselves a choir; the music of the church needed “Reawakening”. But rather like a fire which has died down overnight, with some refreshed fuel (in the form of new members, particularly youngsters) and plenty of oxygen (some would claim “hot air” from the Director!) the choir was reawakened. This process is continual, with new recruits to the choir each term and a continual training programme to develop their skills.

Four young choristers who have contributed to the “Reawakening” of our magnificent choir!

I very much hope that this “Reawakening” will be a great deal more than a building project. Through generosity of time and money we have been given a wonderful opportunity to spark an outrageous and continual reawakening of our church, placing it not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally at the heart of Newark.

Stephen Bullamore, Director of Music

To find out more about singing in the choir, click here or contact Stephen on choir@stmnewark.org.

There are opportunities for children, young people and adults to a high standard, enhancing our worship, in our professionally led choir.