Dave Drury in Oysterville
As the gentle notes of Dave Drury’s acoustic guitar washed over us at yesterday’s vesper service, I was only vaguely aware of my surroundings. The windows behind him revealed the green leaves of the alders, unmoving in a gentle rain. All around me were people as quietly attentive as I. Pastor Adrienne Strehlow called the music “soul soothing.”
“These are what I think of as God moments,” she said. And I knew what she meant.
Yesterday, I had no vesper duties and it was tempting to take advantage of that situation to work in the garden or finish up some writing. Instead, I walked over to the church and, as is always the case when I make that choice, I felt the better for it when I walked back an hour or so later.
A God moment or a soul-soothing moment or simply a time-out-of-mind… whatever way you choose to see it, the summer Sunday afternoon services are a time of renewal. Often there are surprises and yesterday was no exception.
For one thing, Bud Goulter was in attendance. In all my years at vespers I had never seen him there before. I asked him about it afterwards and, in typical Bud fashion, he gave me a completely non sequitur answer. “I can’t hear,” he said. Go figure.
Another surprise was Brian O’Connor’s participation. It was a surprise to Brian, too! Just before Dave began to play “Moondance” in answer to a request, he spotted Brian in the audience and asked him if he’d like to sing it with him. Brian hesitated for only half a beat and then joined Dave for this final vespers number.
That, in itself, was inspiring. As a non-musical person, I am always a bit awestruck at how musicians can ‘magically’ interact. It’s a communication and connection that goes beyond my understanding. That they can do this spontaneously and in front of an audience is a bit mind-boggling. And that I know both Brian and Dave seemed to be icing on my vespers cake.
If asked, I doubt that I could put all of yesterday’s soul-soothing pieces into a coherent whole. Nevertheless, it was the sort of Sunday afternoon that will keep me going back. And despite Bud’s answer to my question, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back there, too.
Vespers was magical. A calm came over me with the words of Pastor Strehlow and the beautiful music of Dave’s guitar. The service ended way too soon, but such a perfect ending with Brian singing “Moondance”. My friends and I left with such joy. Thank you again for a very special afternoon.