Day 319: 11/16/11- Two Funerals and The Orpheus Club

Day 319: 11/16/11
New Thing: Two Funerals and The Orpheus Club                     

Inspiration: St. David's    
Cost: $0
Time: All Day   
Bottom Line: A Foretaste of that Heavenly Banquet

The Graveyard at St. David's

Reflection: Today was really beautiful in many ways. We had two funerals (which is a new record for me) on this very rainy Wednesday (which you may know is my favorite kind of day weather wise) and they were both amazing. The first began with the burial in St. David's graveyard of a very longstanding and active member. As we stood in the rain listening to the droplets on the umbrellas and canopy, the beautiful words of the prayers seemed to really seep into the very air around us. The service that followed was the largest funeral I had ever attended and was a powerful testament to the hope of the Resurrection.

The second funeral was just as stunning and it began with an interment at the cemetery at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge. Again, it was powerful to stand in the rain along side the family in their time of need as it always is. Then we all went back to St. David's for the service which featured the amazing Orpheus Club of Philadelphia. The man who's life we were celebrating was a long time member of the Club which was Founded in 1872. The Orpheus Club is the oldest mens' singing group in America and they sang the single most beautiful arrangement of "For All the Saints Who from their Labors Rest" that I have ever heard. I had goosebumps the whole time. Pretty sure that that is the arraignment they sing in heaven.

Then I got to go to my cozy house where Ken had my favorite dinner ready for me and played a little violin with Delia. So awesome.