Many people will tell you how important the organ is in a church, well you may have the best organ in the world but it is no good if you do not have a organist to play it. At Monks we have a electric organ which has been repaired a few times (they do not like the damp). We do not have a regular organist now but rely on Several organists from other churches to play for us . One plays two Sundays and another plays for the one Sunday. One lady (Claire) who used to play is now working in Uganda, in a school for young girls.
That leaves us short on two Sundays so we have to rely on cd’s, and if you have ever tried to sing to them you will know that is not very good. We have looked at a hymn box machine but they all way above our means. So we are thankful for what we have and hope and pray that one day we will have a new organ and someone to play it.
We did have an organist for many years who only stopped when her health failed at the age of 97. Dear Gladys started playing at the age of 14 and played in Baptist and Methodist Chapels in Atworth and Whitley before coming to Monks.
She was awarded a diploma for her long service to church music and was mentioned in the Churches press for her achievements. When we first met Gladys at the organ at Monks her husband Raymond was treasurer which when he passed to glory took on that job as well. They both served the Chapel as elders.
We have many memories of them and we will always remember Raymond standing behind her at the organ and when it came to the last verse would tap her on the shoulder to let her know it was the last verse. When Raymond could no longer stand Jan would hold her hand up and we used to get some strange looks from the pulpit when a visiting preacher came who did not know of our methods.
“Gladys had a lovely voice and would often sing along with her playing”
Even in her last year Gladys would get to as many services as she could, getting up the steps with her frame or wheelchair helped by her grandson Martin. She loved a cup of tea and a chat after a service and she loved the old hymns in Congregational Praise but not the modern ones which she said was written for guitars not organs. In all the time we knew her we never heard her say a cross word or moan about anyone of anything. So we remember them both with love and gratitude for their service and hope Gladys now has a brand new organ in heaven that will not break down.
God bless
Richard