INTRODUCTION
So here is the second part of my teenage years from age 15-19. I became a Christian myself, through a typical evangelical 'conversion' at age 15, so the faith that I had been singing about all my life now became something that had meaning for me personally.
1. Sizewell Hall
I have many happy memories of staying at Sizewell Hall, a Christian Conference Centre by the sea. This place has amazing vibes for me, and I could really 'feel' God's presence. I went initially 3 times for a 'Young People's Houseparty' week at Easter during this era. Later on, as a student I also went as a helper on the Old Peoples weeks, and on church weekends. But my main amazing memories were from Easters 1978,78 and 80. This was where I learnt this song - in my mind's ear I hear lovely young tenor voices (we sang it split into ladies' and men's parts) swelling the air in the conference room overlooking the sea.
2. Leeds Poly CU
So having gone as a student to Leeds at 18, I attended the Christian Union at Poly during my first year only. I was living in a Hall of Residence away from the main campuses so I went to the group that met at City Site at 5.30pm on a Thursday, where most members were older students who were living out in rented accommodation. (Most of the first year students were living in halls grouped together at Beckett Park, that had its own CU group). I never felt like I fitted in, finding it rather 'charismatic' compared to the type of worship I was more accustomed to back then. Here I learnt many of the classic 'modern' choruses, but it is this one in particular that always reminds me of Leeds Poly Christian Union.
3. Hope Hall - Gospel Service
My main Christian fellowship during my student years in Leeds was at the Brethren assembly Hope Hall, which I attended for 3 out of my 4 years. The morning meeting was somewhat similar to my own assembly at home, (although we used a different hymn books whose name I cannot remember) but the evening 'Gospel Meetings' seemed a little less dull than at home. Pretty sure we used 'Golden Bells' hymn book and this hymn was a new one for me, that I have never sang anywhere else .... I particularly like the tune!
4. Hope Hall - Christmas
At Christmas there was a singing group, who sang carols in 4 part harmony in the Carol Service. This was something new and exciting for me, to be in a church setting where I could read music and learn a formal choir part! Rehearsals took place during the 'Aftermeetings' (get togethers for all ages in people's homes following the evening service each week) in December. The actual Carol service was usually after the end of term, so I should have gone home by then, but so enthralled was I by the idea of singing harmony in church that I had to stay on! This particular Carol I now regularly hear at least once every Christmas, but it was new to me then. I learnt it well, so I can still reproduce the soprano, alto and tenor part without any music. And I was allowed to play a tambourine - I loved it! Whenever I hear it, I have happy memories of Hope Hall.
5. Youth Weekend
Every year I was at Hope Hall they tried a different approach to attempt to attract and retain students in the church. The most cringeworthy was the '415 Club' in my second year, a group that met at church at 4.15 on a Sunday afternoon (hence the name) for discussion etc, followed by tea before the evening service - it was a bit too juvenile in concept. But one good thing from that era was a church Young People's weekend away (rather like Sizewell) in Derbyshire. Here I learnt this song, sung as a round, and I have rarely heard it since.
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