Dedication of Cross in Memory of Dr Donald Davison | ||
Canon Robert Jones and
Bishop Edward Darling with
Rosemary Davison and her family (from left) Ruth Patton, Andrew Davison & Debbie Davison |
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On Sunday 8 October a beautiful new silver Cross, in memory of the
parish's former organist, Dr. Donald Davison, was dedicated in the
context of the weekly Sung Eucharist.
The Cross, which now enriches the Edward Garrett Memorial Chapel,
was the gift of Donald's wife Rosemary, his daughters, Ruth and Debbie,
and his son Andrew.
Donald Davison served as Organist and Choirmaster in St. John's from
1977 till his death in 2013.
Here he made an enormous musical contribution to the developing
liturgical patterns as evident in both the
Alternative Prayer Book (1984)
and the current The Book of Common
Prayer (2004).
He was widely recognised for his influential input as Music Editor to
the interim hymnal supplement
Irish Church Praise (1990) and, more importantly, to the present
Church Hymnal (2000), both of
which contain many of his fine hymn tunes and musical arrangements.
In this respect, he worked closely with his former rector, Bishop
Edward Darling, who was the General Editor of the two hymnals and who
was invited back to St. John's to perform the dedication of the silver
Cross which now honour's Donald's name. |
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The Rector, Canon Robert Jones, gave an address based on Psalm 150, which was very appropriate as Donald spent many hours with the choir ensuring correct interpretation of each Sunday's psalm. | ||
Rosemary Davison with her family | ||