The British-Slovene Society once again filled St. Martin-Ludgate Church in London for our annual Christmas service of Carols and Readings on Friday 6th December.
Readers of the Bible’s Christmas story ranged in age from seven to over eighty: carols and readings alternated between Slovene and English. Organist Aljoša Skorja once again made the 17th century organ loft resonate with his mighty chords, ably assisted by singers Jessica Parnell, Lucy Peck and Maria Jurd. Marija joined violinist Nikola Pajanović on the piano for a moving rendition of Gounod’s Ave Maria.
The new Slovenian Ambassador the UK, Sanja Štiglic, was present, and kindly donated Slovene wine for the social gathering afterwards, for which we are most grateful. Our thanks also go to the Sekne family in Šenčur, who donated seven kilos of potica – their daughter Zala graduated at Oxford and Cambridge. And to the Office for Slovenes Abroad for their ongoing support.
The service was introduced for the first time by Chairwoman Evelina Ferrar, who spoke of our sadness at the sudden death of her predecessor, David Lloyd. Our new Trustee, James Walker, took responsibility for practical arrangements, ably assisted by his wife Brigita. A collection raised £235 for Barka, a Slovenian charity for people with special needs.
That we can hold such a happy gathering owes much to the kindness of the Venerable Luke Miller, priest of this beautiful Christopher Wren Church. He officiated the service movingly – and gave us a fine example how to make one’s voice resonate in a building with tricky acoustics.
