I – INFIDELITY
Bob Forrest continues with his series of articles

He loved his wife dearly. They shared a luxurious home and she had plenty of money to spend on clothes and jewellery. She was the envy of her neighbours. But, he was so busy at work that he had no time to give her the attention she craved; those little intimacies which mean so much to a woman. At last she gave way and had sex with another man.

Her husband came home unexpectedly and caught them in the very act. The man of course disappeared with alacrity. She was left in floods of tears.

Her husband was devastated. He went out and told his friends what had happened. They lost no opportunity to remind him of the provisions of the Law of Moses which states that a woman who commits adultery is to be stoned to death. They soon formed a posse, which included men who were quite pleased to have some legitimate target practice. The woman was taken from her home and dragged towards the place of execution. This was at a location just outside the town where plenty of stones were ready to hand.

Jesus happened to be standing at a street comer. He was stooping down and appeared to be writing something with his finger in the thick dust on the ground. He was recognised. Some of the men in the posse were barrack room lawyers and thought it was a golden opportunity to see whether Jesus would endorse the law of Moses in this case, or whether he would say something which overruled it. If he did, the ecclesiastical authorities would be able to bring a serious charge against him. So they reminded him of the provisions of the Law of Moses and asked him what he had to say.

At first Jesus said nothing in reply, and went on writing in the dust. But when they persisted with their questioning, he stood upright and said to them – “Let the man among you who has never done anything wrong throw the first stone at her.” Then he bent down again, and continued writing - the names for the misdeeds that men are most likely to commit.

They saw what he was writing, and were conscience stricken. One by one they sloped off, starting with the eldest. In the end none were left, and Jesus was alone with the woman.

Jesus said to her, “My dear, have none of these men condemned you to death in accordance with the Law?” She said, “none, sir.” Jesus replied, “nor do I condemn you. Go home and don't do it again.”

So she went home full of trepidation as to what her husband would say, or do. He was there and took her in his arms for the first time in many years.

ST GILES' CHOIR NOTES

The Choir was very busy as always over the Christmas period. The Advent Carol Service was particularly splendid, and one week later there was plainsong choral evensong. Following this, the Service of Lessons and Carols was quickly upon us, and in this we gave the first performance of an excellent carol, "Where riches is everlasting" by our organ scholar, Paul Burke.

We once again paid our usual visit to Trafalgar Square (having settled last year’s differences with Mayor Ken) and collected £286 for Multiple Sclerosis. It was extremely useful to again be able to leave our keyboard, robes and music in the vestry at St Martin in the Field during the preliminary visit to Hamleys. Regent Street had some marvellous lights, the best for many a long year. The evening was finished off by a memorable visit to Chimes in Churton Street to sample the excellent pies and cider.

Christmas Eve is always a busy day with four main services, but our organists were able to cover services at Northolt Airport Chapel and The Sacred Heart at Ruislip Manor in addition to St Giles.

We now look forward to the spring term with a very early Easter followed by a visit to Norwich Cathedral in April.
John Miley

ORGAN RECITAL BY ALEX WOODROW. ORGAN SCHOLAR, MAGDALENE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
ST GILES’ CHURCH SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY

We hope that you will be able to support this event. Admission is £5 at the door, and there will be a complimentary glass of wine at the interval.

Programme
Paean Kenneth Leighton
Prelude in D major (BuxWV139). Dietrich Buxtehude
Prelude, Fugue et Variation Cesar Franck
Sonata No.4 in Bb major Felix Mendelssohn
Suite in C major (arr. Flor Peeters) Henry Purcell
Toccata and Fugue in D (Dorian) J.S. Bach
Voluntary in G minor John Stanley
Fiat Lux Theodore Dubois

Alexander Woodrow was born in York in 1986 and he is currently Organ Scholar at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he studies organ with Anne Page and reads music as an undergraduate. In addition to his involvement in directing and accompanying the college choir in its weekly round of chapel services, he devotes time to piano accompaniment, chamber music and continuo playing.

He completed his school education at St Peter's School, York, and worked at two York churches, including giving a performance of the Pounlenc Organ Concerto accompanied by the Academy of St Olave's, a semi-professional chamber orchestra. For several years Alex attended the Oundle Summer School for young organists.

Alex has given recitals at St Michael's Cornhill, Shrewsbury Abbey, Brasenose College Oxford and St Oswald's Durham, and future engagements include Halifax Parish Church and Blackburn Cathedral