Martin Luther

Yesterday our Men's choir had its annual field trip and we traveled to Worms, Germany.
Enroute, we found a place by the Rhine river where we had a picnic (brunch). We carry everything with us: tables, benches, food, drink and all the amenities that go with it. When it comes to eating, we can have the site set up and ready to consume within 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, knives, forks, drinking glasses, etc., are washed, dried and put away for the next picnic.

We first visited the Jewish cemetery - the oldest in Europe. One headstone dates back 1000 years. We had a guided tour of the Dome, which was our main focus. Although I had visited the Dome in the past, I never really understood that much about the history. Seeing the exact spot where Martin Luther stood before the Emperor in 1521 and made his famous statement: "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me, Amen."

In the course of the Reformation from 1521 onwards, the Lutheran teachings became more and more popular among the citizens of the town. Luther’s appearance before the Kaiser and Imperial Diet linked the Reformation to the town in a special way. However, Worms remained a multi-confessional town where four main faiths were represented in the 18th Century (Lutherans, Catholics, Reformists, Jews).

Luther was labeled “anti-Semitic” for his feelings about the Jews. He reflected popular sentiment among most European Christians. What Luther ALSO did was make the bible accessible to people who didn't read Latin... instead of the Catholic Church telling people what the bible said, people could read it for themselves. As to whether THAT was positive or not, you may decide.

It was positive Abe.

I woman in our town wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of our paper criticizing the bishop of the Catholic Church here, how he had told the people of the diocese they were immoral, but she said they were good people. Then he told them who to vote for, and they voted for whom they thought would serve the people best and knew they were following God. Then he told them how to feel about many other things, and she said that was enough.

She wrote beautifully and is not a woman who speaks on soapboxes but from her heart, saying, God I am here to serve you and speak from my heart about my fellow Christians who I love.

I called her and told her I agreed and how I loved her letter.

To me Christianity in any form is more than anti-semetic, anti-gay, anti-abortion or anti-anyone. It is about acceptance and love and having picnics by the river with friends and learning about history.

Love, Carol

Interesting Carol. The "anti" sentiments attributed to christianity is often expressed for political purposes. The focus that you have expressed is what makes christianity something to respect. Unfortunately, the love aspect is often overshadowed by hate.

Abe it must be a wonderful part of your life to belong to that choir, and what a fascinating place to visit. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Well said Carol. "It is about acceptance and love and having picnics by the river with friends and learning about history."

Pam,
yes it is. The majority of the choir is made up of wine growers/producers. For most of the members I think it is a form of relaxation and participation in the community. For me, it helped to become part of the community. We now sing some English songs. At our concert on June 1st, we did a medley called "Europa Reise" where we sang traditional songs of Germany, Greece, France, Italy, England, Poland and one in Russian. Our choir director is of Russian origin.

We are always open for an invitation. Can't guarantee the number of members available however. Old age/demise is taking its toll.

Not that it has anything to do with the subject, but does the choir travel by bus? I'm wondering about those picnic tables and benches.

Don't let age stop you from doing the things that you love is going to be my mantra! Abe if you do manage to haul some of the ol' dears across the pond with you, we'll match you up with a couple of choirs here that'd make Martin Luther stand up and take notice.
You can leave the tables and benches behind. We'll be sure and order a few up ahead of time, and then we'll see if Dick'll join in the fun too! I know you don't like singing much Dick, but we'll need someone to write the back story and sell it to the press to pay for all those airline tickets and gas surcharges.

Dick,
For concerts nearby, we just car pool. For distance and especially our annual outings, we hire a bus. This year it was a new Mercedes Bus and there was a painting of a piano on the side of the bus surrounded by music notes. Really neat.
In the compartment under the bus, we place large folding tables and benches plus all the food and most importantly, the wine and Schnapps.

Pam, that sounds like a great idea - especially getting Dick involved. Do you think we can squeeze a tune out of him?

I love singing but come from a long line of people who couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial bucket. When I sing, dogs howl in protest and people put hands over their ears. I'm a good listener, though.
My favorites today are seen on PBs now and then: Celtic Woman and Celtic Thunder. Both are big hits in the USA.

Abe I think that Dick is trying to bow out gracefully but I know from experience that when people love to sing they often sing a lot better than they give themselves credit for. Sometimes a little encouragement is all that's needed although humming works too.
I love Celtic music, and it is the basis for folk music in my area so there is plenty of it here, in fact there is an entire music sub-culture that is really fun. This week is the jazz festival and so there is plenty going on in this neck of the woods.

I agree Pam. Dick probably sings in the shower too. The acoustics are great.

I can see your next bus trip in my mind Abe...singers, tables, benches, plenty of liquor...and a shower stall. Might be good for a comedic kind of skit and then definately worth writing about too!

If I sing in tune it is more by good luck than good management.


... and I live in the land of song. Listen to Land of Our Fathers (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau) at the Millennium Stadium:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpYogExUngU&feature=related

Well if those great big men can stand and sing in public with all that heart, there's hope for all of us!

I love rugby.

I like watching rugby, but I was never brave enough to play it...the crunching bones with no padding is tough to take, even for me!

This is how they begin as schoolchildren:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=n3S7wgcRZHQ&feature=related

I liked that singing. I was the guy in the middle moving his lips a little but not making a sound.

Pam,
You might have hit on a great idea.
We often hear about people singing in the shower, but has there ever been a video made of it?
Picture a bunch of shower stalls filled with members of a choir singing. Of course if they’re in the shower, they are presumably not clothed. That would work for a male choir, but what about a mixed choir? I think that would be a hit.

Of course I have also highjacked this thread.

You stripped it bare.

Shelagh, in my original post I did talk about the choir.
Does the "bare" part reference singing in the shower?

Abe I suppose it might be a bit overwhelming to see a choir in a shower...however these fellows, local favourites from the coal mines that no longer exist here (the members are all miners and sons of miners) are awesome. It starts out a bit screechy with the strings on the recording, but the Men of the Deeps are fabulous. And they've sung in some deep dark holes as opposed to showers... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvOTCnmA5-4

Great video Shelagh--little darlings and since the words were there I could even mumble through it too.

Catherine Zeta Jones is from Mumbles. She bought a property (off Plunch Lane) with Michael Douglas overlooking Langland Bay, Mumbles. I think we met Michael on his bicycle on the coast road around Caswell Bay a couple of summers ago -- but it could have been a look-a-like. It was a very good likeness.

Here's Mumbles:

http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=12923

Bonnie Tyler also has a house in Mumbles.

I'm with Dick. I don't sing much, but really enjoyed "Celtic Women" and "Celtic Thunder" on PBS. I even managed to catch "New Tricks" at Dick's suggestion and thoroughly enjoyed that as well. Goodness, Dick. Are you rubbing off on me? I can think of worse influences, so thanks for suggestions.

I'm glad you enjoyed New Tricks, Zada, but keep in mind that most of my influences are bad.