Praise, Praise, and more Praise!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

It was somewhere near this time last year that The Choir of St Peter’s Weston Favell began another year of singing, praising and sharing those times in the love and fellowship of dear friends!!

As the academic year progressed, we were delighted to welcome new singers. And sadly during ‘24 we lost our dear friend Pip.

One of the newbies to the choir was Izzi.

They are the most incredible I have ever met!! They came to Northampton to complete “F1”

Not Formula One Grand Prix racing, but another year as “Dr Izzi” at Northampton General Hospital!

I am very glad to meet them. And I’m incredibly blessed to call them friend!!

Izzi even came to sing for me at St Marks Wellingborough when I led THE ADVENT STORY. This service will be held Twice in 2024, firstly at St Andrew’s Wellingborough, and then 11 days later we visit St Peter’s Isham.

Sadly it’s highly doubtful that I’ll have the dearest Dr joining us this time.

They have a new job at the fantastic Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Izzi and I managed a farewell “do” together!! I would’ve invited the whole village to celebrate your successes, but I was under strict instructions not to!!

We met in town for a cheeky ale, followed by an expensive Pizza, but washed down with the first Cocktail I’ve ever experienced!! The former Uni Student helped me choose!

Despite the price of Pizza. There is no comparison to how special this one is to me! They mean the world because they represent themselves and the world in one!! And the job they do, wow!!!

I have since admitted being reduced to tears on the journey home from their Farewell!!

What feels like a lifetime later, but actually only 19 days later. We reunited, in their new city of Leicester. To celebrate!! I celebrated Two years of being “out” as me! And to re-visit a place I often visited long before you knew, and to spend my celebration with Izzi, could not have been a better way of celebrating!!

Izzi says “Hello” (btw)

Izzi, you are the best!

The best Non-Binary people I’ve met.

One of the most important and most amazing friends I could ever have.

As a Doctor, you spend your working life making people better.

You are the best!

As a friend you’ve made me smile

You’ve made me laugh

And you’ve made me feel great

And look great!

Everyday, I think of you and know how much of a blessing it is to have you in my life!!

”Praise To The Lord” happened THREE TIMES at church on Sunday 25th August, when my last hymn was Lobe Den Herren!!

The last hymn was set by Johann Crüger, with a last verse arrangement by Noel Rawsthorne.

Closing Voluntary No.1 was an arrangement of the tune, by Gustav Merkel. And No.2 was a Voluntary in A Major, by Bartholemeo Monari.