The holiday break is over and my wife and I are safely back home as is our eldest daughter after spending Christmas in NYC with our youngest daughter who lives there. NYC is a wonderful place to be during Christmas. The city is alive, as always, but especially so at this time of year.
It is our family tradition when in NYC to visit one of the landmark churches during Christmas and this year we went to the Choral Christmas Eve Mass at Trinity Wall Street - always a wonderful and worshipful experience.
The following Sunday we went to a more "local" church near our hotel. Christ and St. Stephen Church. A small church located on 69th Street.
Episcopal churches are almost like Starbucks in NYC, practically one around every corner. What attracted us to this particular church was its size and the fact that it has the only Schoenstein Pipe Organ in NYC. The church also has a professional eight voice choir. Nigel Potts is the Organist and Choirmaster at Christ and St. Stephen's church and was on board the Sunday we were there along with half of the choir who were simply amazing.
After the service, I was able to visit with Nigel who graciously gave me a tour of organ console and even more graciously allowed me to play the organ. Nigel is a professional recitalist having played at such noted venues as St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in London.
Nigel explaining the organ's unique features and tonal colors.
Me having a great time playing it.
The week in NYC went fast. The weather there almost balmy for this time of year. Now we're back in the northern plains with a real temp of 6 degrees and a wind chill of about -25 degrees and dropping. Nevertheless, it's good to be home.
Until next time, stay faithful.
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