Last Week Before Lent

As usual Cobourg is overflowing with Culture these days and last week I decided to make the most of it. (Though what I didn't do, as you can see, was to take a class in digital photography!) On Sunday afternoon I attended a marvellous concert by La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra at Victoria Hall. The Hall is so small that tickets were sold out by the time I started looking, but no worry - just turn up and if someone's late there's a seat for you. I don't really know what they do with people with tickets who arrive late. Just send them home?

The orchestra performed wonderfully with three young artists "in the spotlight" for the first time. If I'd saved my programme I could have told you what they performed, but it was great anyway! The little ones were trotted out and the picture is of the littlest of the little ones.


On Thursday evening there was the monthly poetry reading at "Meet at 66 King". I'd never been before and wasn't quite sure what to expect. It's very relaxed and homey but even so I felt somewhat out of place and left before the readings ended. One of the poems read was about the disappointment sometimes experienced on rereading one's "perfect" poem just a few hours after it was written. That's how I feel about what follows. It doesn't age well! However, if you'll indulge me, here's my latest. I wanted to challenge a friend to compose a tune, so I wrote a hymn.

Jesus was a friend of sinners,
Healed the sick and raised the dead,
In his living God’s grace sharing,
In his dying God’s love daring,
Preached a gospel of forgiveness,
Paid the price in my own stead.

Friend of Sinners, you are my friend.
You have given me so much:
Love and mercy without ending,
Power of hell and death’s power rending.
I must pass the message onward
To a world that needs your touch.

But that message oft is stifled,
Overcome by fear and shame:
Fear that friends will just ignore me,
Fear that enemies will scorn me.
You were not ashamed, Lord Jesus,
On the cross to name my name.

Here’s my prayer, though meekly offered,
As I walk my walk today,
May I feel you right beside me;
Know your Spirit here to guide me;
Pass the message ever on, through
How I live and what I say.


Friday evening was very different as I went to the Park Theatre to experience the FabFour, Canada's premier Beatles performers. It looked like another sold out crowd and was lots of fun with people dancing in the aisles and young kids doing their thing down by the foot of the stage. I was never particularly a Beatles fan but the encore on Friday was "Hey, Jude" which is probably my favourite Beatles' melody, so I went home quite happy.

I guess this was my Mardi Gras week as Lent is just around the corner