Liturgical Hair

Parishioners sing into the night at St Andrew’s Leytonstone, in a fund-raising hymnathon.

After the usual stalwarts of coffee mornings, bazaars, quiz nights and raffles, what other options are there for parish fund raising, when the organ, inevitably, needs expensive attention?    The historic 1914 Lewis & Co organ at St Andrew’s, Leytonstone, in north London, needs the bellows releathered – so far they’ve had a hymnathon (an account here from someone who took part), concerts and so on, and raised £11,500 of the £25,000 needed.

Now St Andrew’s organist Kathryn Rose has come up with the best idea yet to raise the rest – liturgical hair.  Starting in Advent (1st December this year) and going all the way through to Pentecost, for every £30 given, she will keep her hair dyed in liturgical colours for a day.  So that’s purple, red, green and white – or please Kathryn, can we have gold?  Kathryn writes eloquently on why churches should cherish their pipe organs here.  She’s promised to post pictures – she deserves our support!

Donations via JustGiving here

Or you can text a donation : send ORGN99 £10 to 70070

Follow Kathryn on Twitter @artsyhonker

Table of Anglican Liturgical Colours (or Hair Colour Chart if you prefer)

(This chart of liturgical colours comes from the website of St John the Baptist in Peterborough, a church dedicated in 1407 and situated right in the heart of the City.  The 15th century carvings in the ceiling of the south porch are well worth a look.)