York Minster concert.

Windsor!

So very sorry about the lack of posting. Wifi has been impossible on the run these past few days. Thankfully it is readily available from my room at the Falcon Inn at Stratford-Upon-Avon. This building was constructed in the early 1400's and has a half timber fairytale look. As I post this piece while sitting on my bed, I can see William Shakespeare's last home across the street below. This morning we visited Shakespeare's birthplace one block away, and the choir offered a concert at Holy Trinity Church, the place of Shakespeare's baptism and burial. The choir was magnificent! I am so proud of them!

Check

Choir members eating breakfast in Stratford Upon Avon. Headed for concert venue in York.

Tower of London

On Monday we visited Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. The Tower has served as a castle in wartime, a king's residence in peacetime, and, most notoriously, as a prison and execution site. The crown jewels are kept and displayed here. Within these walls Anne Boleyn was executed and is buried.

Monday Pixs

Sunday

The PHUMC Chorale sang during morning worship at Wesley's Chapel today. The group was well received and performed beautifully. The congregation was quite diverse and services were followed with a reception. The historic spots visited included John Wesley's home and grave as well as the graves of William Blake and Daniel Defoe.

Following lunch, we attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey. The Abbey is the nation's greatest church in the English speaking world, where the nation's kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066 ad

We're Here!

Yes! Our first group arrived in London at 7 am and the second group at 12 noon. At more than 600 square miles, London is one of the world's great cities. After settling into our hotel Kensington Close, we scattered to the four winds to visit such landmarks as the Tower of London, Picadilly Circus, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Park and Harrods. We gathered tonight for dinner at a French restaurant.

And they're off! United flight nonstop to London

We made it to Houston, Texas! London or bust!

Journey to the UK -- Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church

Greetings and welcome to the Virtual Word.  The impetus for creating this blog is to provide our Pulaski Heights United Methodist family members and friends with updates as our music ministry travels to the United Kingdom, March 16 - 25. 

Since the founding of the church in 1912, music has been a vital part of the ministry at Pulaski Heights.  Nine singing choirs and four handbell choirs perform regularly in worship and community-wide events.  Our English Gothic Sanctuary located in Little Rock's historic Hillcrest neighborhood houses a 1998 Nichols and Simpson 74 rank pipe organ and Carillon of 24 Paccard bells.  This "centennial tour" will include performances at Wesley's Chapel, London; Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon; York Minster, York; and St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

As the church's senior pastor since July 2010, I am indeed fortunate to make this journey with our gifted Chorale.  Hopefully this blog will serve as my small contribution to the effort.  I will provide updates, photos and other information throughout the journey.    Please pray for our group as we fly out on Friday.  Check back for updates. 

Blessings for a holy Lent.