AGAP Archives
2009
The 2009 programme fell within the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Birth of Saint Paul of Tarsus by the worldwide Church. As such, AGAP undertook a programme that would encourage widespread awareness of this through creative endeavours. Lentfest 2009 boasted the biggest programme yet with events across 29 venues and growing support from other agencies, such as SCIAF. Marketing now included posters across 10 Glasgow train stations.

A new play by Stephen Callaghan, entitled “PAUL”, told the story of Saint Paul with a large cast of community actors and musicians, and original songs by Erne Parkin, that led to a spin-off music show, “Pauline Pilgrim”. City Centre Galleries, Art in the City and Gallery 23 hosted an exhibition of work on the St Paul theme by 17 artists of various faith backgrounds. There was also the UK Premiere of The Saint Mark Passion by Frederik Sixten, directed by Peter Yardley-Jones at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. A Plainsong and Polyphony Weekend took place with James MacMillan and Fr Gerard Byrne and ther was a performace of Puccini’s “Messa De Gloria” by the Bearsden Choir. Singer-songwriters John Wilson and Martin Stephen Jones also returned to Lentfest and there was a touching tribute evening of music and words to honour the legacy of the late Fr Hugh McGinlay whose work left a big impression upon many.
Lentfest continued to provide a platform for other events, with contributions from Lourdes Theatre Group, Cathures, St Andrew’s Secondary School Chamber Choir and Glasgow Schools String Ensemble and a Poetry and Music Cafe that included an open mic. The launch was covered by STV news and interest continued to grow in the festival, with special media attention paid to an event that screened the 2000 movie “Spider-man” offering some film analysis that engaged with themes to do with vocation. Several newspapers picked up on the story for Easter Sunday 2009. Shortly afterwards, AGAP relocated to a new base at St Michael’s Church, Parkhead.
In the summer of 2009, Erne Parkin died suddenly, having given to AGAP the legacy of his time and talents as a musician, performer and designer. His passing was mourned by many AGAP friends who attended his funeral at St Joseph’s Church, Milngavie.
Arts in Autumn also continued with the staging of a new production of James Bridie’s play, “The Anatomist” directed by Stephen Callaghan, premiered in the James Bridie Room at the Glasgow University Union. A visiting art exhibition by digital artist Kenny McMillan displayed “the world’s largest and thinnest Bible”, using a technique called Motillism, which displayed the entire King James Bible in words that made up a giant image of Michelangelo’s “Creation” fresco. The Morgan Lee Band performed several folk concerts. Mass for the Artistic Community concluded the programme on the Feast of Christ the King.
