The Course in Christian Studies is a two year course exploring faith weekly with others. Since 1987, over 2,500 people from Essex and East London have undertaken the course, run by the C. of E. Diocese of Chelmsford. Prior to the pandemic, the course had always been run through local groups meeting together regularly. During the pandemic teaching moved on Zoom and also on-line. Frances Pennel-Buck from Mountnessing decided that she would like to undertake the course using the on-line option. She found this convenient, fitting in with her life-style. Frances talked about how it was interesting to engage with people from other traditions within the C of E and explore more about her faith. Recently she attended an evening at Chelmsford cathedral were a large number of people received certificates. She was struck with how joyous an occasion this was for all concerned. She plans to engage more with the group of churches with which she is involved, particularly with preaching and helping others learn different techniques of prayer at St. Giles Mountnessing.
More information about the course can be found at https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vocations-and-discipleship/discipleship/course-in-christian-studies
Playlist
Phil Collins – Against all odds – Title song from the 1984 film. Grammy award for the Best male pop vocal. USA no 1 and five more countries. UK no 2 and Top 10 in ten more countries. Sold 1 million + in USA and 600,000+ in the UK.
Tony Bennett RIP & Diana Krall – The best is yet to come. From the 2006 album – Duets: An American Classic. Album released to celebrate Tony’s 80th birthday. Grammy award Best traditional vocal album USA no 3, Belgium no 1, UK no 15. Over 3 million sales world wide.
Elbow – One day at a time – originally released in 2009. After being featured in the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, UK no 4.
Whitney Houston – Greatest love of all – USA no 1, selling over 2 million copies, no 1 in two other countries. UK no 3, selling 400,000+ copies.
Louis Armstrong – What a wonderful world – 1968 UK no 1, Top 10 in seven countries in 1988 after featuring in the film – Good morning Vietnam.
Birthdays competition
Alison Krauss has won 27 Grammy Awards and had nominations. She has been called “The Queen of Bluegrass music”. She is 52 years old. We heard her duet with Robert Plant – Gone, gone, gone. This single won the Grammy heard for best pop collaboration. It is from the album – Raising sand – Grammy album of the year. USA no 2, UK no 2, Norway no 1. Over 1 million sales in USA and 600,000 in UK. Alison recently celebrated her 52nd birthday.
Stormzy was 30 years old on 26th of July. We heard his collaboration with Ed Sheeran – Take me back to London. From Ed Sheeran’s 2019 album – Collaborations – No 1 in 20 countries including UK and USA.
Above, Cat Stevens in 1967.
Below, performing at Glastonbury in 2023.
Cat Stevens recently celebrated his 75th birthday.
We heard his 1967 track – Matthew and son – New Zealand no 1, UK, New Zealand no 2, Ireland no 3, charting also in Australia, Spain and Germany.
Thanks to Chris and Bob in Harlow, Chris in Guildford, Sian in Manchester and Frances in the studio for taking part. We had no correct answers. The winner today with 2 points was Sain and Frances scored one point.
Patrick requested a club classic from 1993, German singer Haddaway – What is love – no 1 in five European countries, UK no 2, USA no 11.
Sinead O’Conner RIP – Streets of London. Sinead’s passing was announced at the age of 56 years.
Elly O’Keefe – Other side of the storm. Recent release from contestant in the 2020 Voice.
Regular listener Chris in Guildford selected 1977 for the chart this week.
Chart this week in
No 3 Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Fanfare for the common man. UK no 2. From the album – Works Volume 1. UK no 9, USA no 12, Top 20 in 8 more countries. Classic composer Aaron Copleand wrote the music in 1942. He said, “This is fantastic. This is doing something new to my music”.
No 12 Detroit Emeralds – Feel the need in me. This re-recording peaked at no 12. In 1972 it was a UK no 4.
No 15 Showaddywaddy – You got what it takes. UK no 2. Originally recorded by Marv Johnson in 1959, USA no 2.
Rachel Sage – Only you – 2023 version of the Yazoo 1982 UK no 2.
Ewan McFarland – You’re wasted on me – new release, from the album – Fade out fear.
Join me on Friday 11th of August when we will be hearing from Gervase and Sue Vernon about the charity https://www.hopeintoaction.org.uk
This charity seeks to help churches provide a home for homeless people.