By ASR Paul Curd
It is never lost on me the privileged places we often find ourselves as Scripture Readers. The mere fact that we can operate as we do on military bases is an incredible grace from God and we never take this access for granted.
Apart from the already amazing opportunities I have day to day in my work, there are the ‘pinch yourself’ moments when I have the chance to be behind the scenes at major events. As part of the Chaplaincy team, Scotland-based Scripture Readers get to be right in it all: up in the castle during the ‘Big Blaw’ tune up—a complete static run through of all the bagpipe tunes. Behind the entry gates, dancers and performers line up to go on, under the stands band members from all over the world snake through the meleé, instruments in hand, to get to their next entry point, or maybe for well-earned refreshments during the longer breaks between sets. I do my best to keep out of the way. Some years I have caught up with the US Band with a giant bag of Scottish tablet or had a chat with the Royal Marine Band at the tea and soup tent, or with the drone team as they were setting up 100 drones at the top of the castle.
Having gone up by coach along with the band, thus arriving early, I am able to mingle with the pipers and drummers while they wait to warm up. Because of my regular visits to the Army School of Bagpipe Music & Highland Drumming in Redford Barracks, where many of those present trained, and with several from all over the world who come back each year, many conversations are catch-ups. It’s always heartwarming to see familiar faces. I am trying to learn Highland Drumming, so I was thrilled to have a go on an actual snare drum with a locally based Reservist.
While gospel conversations do take place, most of the time is spent building relationships, explaining the role of a Scripture Reader, being salt and light among individual backstage workers and performers or even practicing my German with the Heeresmusikkorps (the German Army Band) or the Drum Major from Austria.
It’s an incredible environment to find yourself working—hardly feels like work at all—but after four hours on my feet, witnessing the pipes and drums as they riotously head out down Castle Hill to Scotland the Brave and Black Bear, I find my coach and sit down tired but content and reflect on the amazing privilege it is to get involved behind the scenes on behalf of Jesus Christ.
‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might!’ Ecclesiastes 9:10
PRAY WITH US
- Give thanks to God that He keeps doors open for Scripture Readers to operate ‘behind the wire’.
- Pray that Scripture Readers would be the ‘aroma of Christ’ (2 Cor. 2:15) as they build relationships with military personnel.
- As our Scripture Readers seek to make Christ and His glorious gospel known, pray they would work at it ‘with all [their] might.'
