It seems that changes to the choir and music at Kendal Parish Church have caused a stir, so let me explain what we’ve done.

From September, we’ll have a mixed choir of all ages: it will include men and women, girls and boys.

In the past, we’ve had two choirs: a robed choir of men and boys and a congregational choir of men and women.

Now we have one choir, which expresses the diversity of our church family.

We will also continue to have the wide range of services we have always had.

These will range- from our weekly Parish Communion and Evensong Services, or the Nine Lessons and Carols at Christmas, to the informal ‘Gathering’ service each Sunday, and Taizé once a month.

We encounter God in different ways.

Some find formality and tradition helpful, while others like informality, or stillness and simplicity.

There will continue to be something for everyone at the Parish Church.

Our decision to have a mixed choir came about after a consultation in the church about our worship and music.

Many people suggested it, and the church council overwhelmingly agreed. The decision has been widely welcomed.

We are sorry that some people are upset, and know that some feel a much-loved tradition will be lost.

Everyone has been invited to be part of this new choir.

But some have decided to leave, either because they only want to be part of a men and boys’ choir or because they think that the quality of the music will be lost because we can no longer employ a professional Director of Music.

But many are keen to be part of this new stage in our church life.

It is true that we cannot, at the moment, fund music as we have in the past.

We are responsible for a huge, beautiful and historic building which costs a lot to run so that it’s open to everyone throughout the week.

We rely almost entirely on the generous donations of our congregation and visitors.

If we continued to fund music as we have done we would run out of money and couldn’t do all the other community work we are called to do.

Important and precious though our musical tradition is, Kendal Parish Church is about far more than this.

We are a parish church, open to all, in good times and bad.

We want all people to come to know the love of God in Jesus Christ, and we want to seek the good things of God for our community.

To do this, we are absolutely committed to keeping our traditions alive, and just as committed to growing new things.

From our open doors to Mayor’s Sunday and Remembrance, our Easter Fun Day, Summer BBQ and our work with local schools, organisations and with Manna House, this is a church which is doing new things while cherishing the old.

We’re seeking to be a growing community of Christians who love and serve our neighbours.

We’re proud of our church’s heritage and excited about our future.

We’re excited to see our worship enhanced by a mixed choir of all ages.

It may take time, but it will be great.

The traditions that many people love and expect of this church will remain.

We will have new things too, so that we reach out to bless all those who call this their church.

And our choir continues, but now open to all ages, to women and men, girls and boys in our community who want to make beautiful music.

We’d love you to come and join it too.

The Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, Kendal Parish Church