As we gear up for Homecoming, and say good bye to summer here at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, let’s talk about one of the most important areas of worship in our church: music! Specifically, the HANDBELLS. Here are five facts I bet you didn’t know about handbells and handbell ringers:

1. In medieval times bells were baptized and had the power to ward off evil spells and spirits. Bells were hung in doorways to protect visitors and the visited from the evil spirits, which always wait around the door awaiting the chance to slip inside. A visitor would ring the bell to drive the spirits away then pass inside - which is the likely origin of the present day doorbell!*
2. There were about 45 handbell founders known of who made handbells in England from around 1700 up to today. Only two of these firms still exist in England, Taylor’s of Loughborough and the world-renowned Whitechapel Bell Foundry in the area of London from which it gets its name. Our church owns five octaves of Whitechapel Bells.*
3. Many mistranslations of the Latin “cymbala” used both for cymbals and bells in early times exist in psalms today, e.g. “Praise him upon the loud cymbals (big bells), praise him upon the well tuned cymbals (tuned handbells).”*
4. Not every ringer in a bell choir is able to read music. Anybody can learn how to play bells with a little help from the director.
5. If you enjoy music, and haven’t quite found your niche at PPC, the handbell choir would be a great option for you!

On Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 16th, there will be sign up sheets outside for those who may be interested in ringing in the Van Etten Handbell Choir this year. Signing up isn’t a commitment. If enough newcomers are interested I’m willing to lead a short workshop on bell ringing techniques to help newcomers and pros alike. I look forward to another musical year at PPC!

Sincerely,
Adrian Estabrook

* These facts courtesy of www.bellringers.com