Seven ministers from Scarborough and Filey have produced their first CD: ‘A Clergy Life’. The Singing Vicars are the Reverends Andrew Allington, Mark Haynes, Pam Jennings, Liz Kitching, Mike Leigh, Jason McCullagh, and Clare Stainsby.
The Revd Mike Leigh, vicar of Newby, Cloughton and Burniston, was a member of Opera North before he felt God’s call to become a vicar. He said, “Being part of The Singing Vicars is great fun, we are fundamentally opposed to taking ourselves seriously, and we’re secretly pleased the Good Lord did not give us the gifts to go on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
“For me, being part of The Singing Vicars means I can share friendship and fellowship with fellow clergy; we praise God together, laugh at the many eccentricities of church life, and raise money for some great causes.”
The Singing Vicars have performed regularly in the Scarborough area for over 5 years to raise money for charities including Christian Aid, the Samaritans, Scarborough Hospital, Feed the Minds and other local charities, but ‘A Clergy Life’ is their first CD.
Songs on ‘A Clergy Life’ include a Christian version of the Grease Medley, Elvis’ Love Letters, Only You, and You Raise Me Up. 5000 Men takes The Proclaimer’s 5000 Miles to tell the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and Believer’s Medley is a 1960s-style blending of I’m A Believer, Daydream Believer and Holy, Holy – singing “I’m a believer, Jesus is walking by my side”.
The title track Clergy Life mixes Gilbert and Sullivan’s A Policeman’s Lot and Rock Around The Clock to look at the demands and joys of clergy life: “When the schedules are waiting to be finished, and the church’s central heating has gone wrong, and somebody thinks there’s mice behind the organ, then the clergy life is not a boring one”.
Churches Bright and Beautiful looks at everyday church life, with lyrics including, “Dear Nancy cleans the toilets and checks for smells and leaks. She goes through lots of Dettol; she’s been in there for weeks”. Churchgoers will also love the version of Mrs Beamish, who refuses to share the peace on Sunday morning: “One false move in my direction, you’ll need to believe in the resurrection!”
Their next concert will be at Westborough Methodist Church in Scarborough on Sunday 5th July at 7pm, where they will be raising money for St Catherine’s Hospice and Christian Aid.
‘A Clergy Life’ is available to buy on the night of the concert or from Mike Leigh on 01723 363205 or Clare Stainsby on 01723 361841, costing £10 – all proceeds go to Christian Aid.