The Tale of the Tintinnabulum

To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells, From the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

Worship at a Glance

Feb. 5: Communion

Feb. 12: Carillonneurs

Feb. 19: Kristin Schwecke, Soprano

Feb. 26: Nicholas Davis, Baritone

In the spring of 2007, when the Senior Adults visited Goodson Chapel at Duke University, a most unusual arrangement of bells strung from a wooden cross caught my eye. The instrument was called a “tintinnabulum.” An odd word, I thought, but upon further digging in my memory, I recalled the word “tintinnabulation” in the poem “The Bells” by Edgar Allan Poe. So taken was I with this new instrument that then and there I thought, “Centenary must have one!” I quickly sketched the tintinnabulum to show David Pegg, Director of Music Ministries, and Camille Jones, Director of Handbell Choirs. They immediately agreed that this would be an exciting addition to our worship.

When, after much research, I could not find a liturgical connection to the tintinnabulum, I emailed the Chaplain of Goodson Chapel, Sally Bates. She replied, “I like to think that it is announcing the arrival of the liturgical processional. First the cross, then the light of Christ, then the clanging ‘herald.’ Lift up your heads! Something wondrous is about to happen, give your attention here! The bells signal the procession even before the cross can be seen by most of the congregation.” Sally also generously gave us information for its construction and stated “any good craft person” could produce a like instrument. I then contacted fellow Centenary member Paul Meier to ask him to create the cross for the tintinnabulum. He readily agreed.

Next, I knew I needed to find the all-important bells. After months of silence from the original company I contacted, I found a new supplier with which it was a joy to work (even with an exchange for a larger size of bell). Because of their kindness and support, I christened these bells “The Holy Spirit Bells.”

One week before Christmas 2008, Paul, his wife Linda, and I met at their home to construct the tintinnabulum. I measured and cut the ribbons in liturgical colors and attached the bells to them. Paul attached the finished streamers to the top of the cross, and Linda dropped a tiny drop of glue on the ribbons to keep the weight of the bells from pulling the knots out of the ribbons. Finishing our project in one afternoon, we delivered the tintinnabulum to the choir room that day!

On Christmas Sunday, Anne Morgan, bell ringer extraordinaire, led the procession into the sanctuary “to the tintinnabulation that so musically wells from the bells, bells, bells.” The morning’s bulletin contained the following dedication:

To the glory of God and in the appreciation for the Music Ministry at Centenary United Methodist Church. Given by Linda and Paul Meier and Helen and Warren Kennedy.