The organist librarian

Friday straight from work to meet Liz at Clapham Junction to get the train to Windsor. Bought a senior railcard for £20 so return fare only £5. Checked in at new Travelodge next to Central station and had pizza in the room while watching again "Meet the Fokkers" with hilarious performances from Dustin Hoffmann and Barbara Streisand. Saturday Bruce joined us and we spent the day rehearsing with the Bridgeman Singers in Vicars Hall. Noble in B minor and a beautiful "Sure in this shining night" by Morten Lauridsen - very touching piece. To Zizzis for an excellent Italian meal. Sunday we arrived in good time for the 9.30 a.m. start. The superb George Malcolm Missa in praesepio as heard at the cathedral at Midnight Mass - what a joy to sing! At Mattins Howells Coll Reg Te Deum. To the pub for half of Old peculiar and at Arthur's excellent vegetarian lunch we enjoyed Kosovan beer! Evensong Parry 2nd service in D and Bob Chilcott's 7/9 version of the Sussex Carol. ...

Beautiful icon courtesy of Fr Rob To work and to the museum to say farewell to Sue Barber and show her the service booklet for Helene la Rue. So sad that the museum is closing and went to West Hill library to fill 2 trolleys with excellent stock for Battersea Park library. The library closes on Saturday and will eventually be replaced by a library in the museum building which is quite unsuitable. Missed going to St John's Upper Norwood for the first time in many years. I like the Easter gospel for today when John outruns Peter to the tomb but he is the one who believes.

After the rain of yesterday, Boxing Day is clear. We remember St Stephen first martyr, deacon and patron saint of servers. Watched 2 episodes of Monarchy on the computer. To Grandma's to put all her china and glasses away now the decorating is done and new carpet is down. Bruce fixed the downstairs phone up. I walked home and saw the end of Carmen from Covent Garden which I recorded. Also listened to the rest of King's Carols and midnight mass from the cathedral and watched Derek Jacobi in "The old curiosity shop". We enjoyed bubble and squeak. Bruce watched "The Terminal" after buying an enormous clock at IKEA.

Spoke to Ann and Paul on Skype. To Coulsdon for family Eucharist. We didn't sing Gloria or Lamb of God because Vickie said the congregation didn't have the words! I played lots of French noels. To Purley for 12 noon Mass. Fr Jim did his best to get people celebrating but the singing was pathetic despite having the organ played by "Bill". The little boy behind me shouted out "No! I want that!" and had to be removed to the sacristy. Liz came home from serving at the cathedral and we both went to second Vespers and Benediction. superb singing from the choir of Bethlehem Down by Warlock and O magnum mysterium by Poulenc. Messiaen Dieu parmi nous at the end - that final chord is amazing. Nice to see Deacon Peter. Grandma joined us for dinner of roast beef and mango pudding. Spoke to Graham on Skype.

To Lakeside home to sing carols at the simple communion service conducted by Bev. It is so hot in there and many of the elderly have dementia but it was appreciated. Sally gave me a lift home. Liz was baking rolls and mince pies - very delicious. Why does one eat so much at Christmas? I recorded King's carols as I had to play for crib services at 4 and 5 p.m. (an hour earlier than last year). What I heard in the car was excellent. There was lots of kids at the services. I played some French noels. On return home King's were on TV finishing with the stunning Tavener God is with us. I recorded from TV the Midnight Mass from Westminster Cathedral and this was stunning. Liz was serving at First Vespers, 6 p.m. mass and Midnight. I had a sleep. Bruce went to St John's. Coulsdon Midnight went really well. The Haydn Mass is just right - full of joy. Carols round the tree and we ended with "Ding dong" which we had not rehearsed. Stille nacht at the back. O holy night at c...

A St Joseph from Bangladesh! To work on Saturday and a quiet day doing housekeeping things like deleting lots of items not found in the stocktake - dull! At Vespers we sang the O antiphon in Latin - what a thrill to sing that! I put our more leaflets for "Understanding Islam" - the poster is still up! To Mass and Philip and I were the servers for Fr Dwayne. Deacon Ed gave an excellent homily about Joseph - not heard him preach before. On the radio we had Prokofiev's "War and Peace" from the Met and in the opera quiz an extract from "O holy night". Liz went to take Ann Marie to the airport and borrow her car over Christmas. Watched Monarchy programmes on TV - the Queen is amazing! Sunday to collect meat from the butcher in Addiscombe and Liz was thurifer at the solemn Mass with Bishop John Arnold. We sang "Hail blessed Virgin Mary" and "For Mary, mother of the Lord". Started with "Come thou redeemer of the earth" and ...

A rosewood angel from Madagascar. Today we read of the Visitation and Elizabeth's joy at meeting Mary her cousin. O King— King and Desire of the Nations, made one by the cornerstone of your coming, of your being. How can it be? The cornerstone rejected, misused as rubble for rocks and stones to hurl and smash. They didn’t understand then (and often we don’t now) that cornerstones are for fastening onto, for building up, for foundations and transformation. Come, O King, Desire of the nations, Cornerstone. Save for us, formed of clay, the opportunity of being transformed by your peace. From Hasten the Kingdom: Praying the O Antiphons of Advent by Mary Winifred, C.A. (Liturgical Press, 1996). Dec 21 left work at work to be at Royal College of Music in good time for the orchestral rehearsal. Chatted to Peter Stevens the King's senior organ scholar who remembered our visit to the King's loft. He was playing the Harrison orgna in the great hall of the college which has paintings ...

The cathedral group met on Wednesday from 3 to 4 and had an interesting discussion on why Jews are so hated. To the hospital to meet up with Flo and Tom and Bruce. They had a delayed journey from Newcastle and Liz met them at King's Cross and brought them to the hospital and then to St Helen's school for Christmas lunch. Grandma was having a small op when they arrived and she came back form theatre at 6 p.m. I went off to chorus at 6.30 and got there on the bus at 7 p.m. Philip Sutherland was on good form. I met Father Luke at the hospital and at least the 2 sisters had 90 minutes together.

Today we read of the Annunciation to Mary and one of my daily meditation books has an interesting poem by Fr Killian McDonnell called "In the kitchen" ('In the sixth month the angel Gabriel ...' Luke 1:26) Bellini has it wrong. I was not kneeling on my satin cushion, in a beam of light, head slightly bent. Painters always skew the scene, as though my life were wrapped in silks, in temple smells. Actually, I had just come back from the well. Placing the pitcher on the table I bumped against the edge, spilling water on the floor. As I bent to wipe it up, there was a light against the kitchen wall as though someone had opened the door to the sun. Rag in hand, hair across my face, I turned to see who was entering, unannounced, unasked. All I saw was light, white against the timbers. I heard a voice I had never heard. I heard a greeting, I was elected, the Lord was with me, I pushed back my hair, stood afraid. Someone...

A recommendation for http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/advent/index.htm which has reflections by the bishops and leading clerics for each day of Advent. I was particularly pleased to hear Bishop Michael evans speak of a special celebration in Rome for the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley and Andrew Bradstock has an excellent article about his wonderful hymns in The Tablet December 15th.

Ann is 51 today! Can't believe it! Here is the excellent mediation from the Washington Advent calendar. The carol today on the website is "Joseph dearest" or "Resonet in laudibus". I have had the Flemish carol "In Bethlehem" on the brain - this is a new one (to me) from the blue Carols for choirs book arranged by john Rutter whcih we are singing in Sunday. Today we read the gospel of Luke about the annunciation to Zechariah of the birth of John the Baptist. O Radix Jesse Daily Reading for December 19 O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign to the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths and nations will bow in worship: Come and deliver us, and do not tarry. As Adonai is our lord and leader, it is the Root of Jesse that delivers us into love for each other—not a love that molds another into our own image, but a love that sees each one through the eyes of God. It is because Christ comes as a sign for all creation that king and servant are equal, ...

After work to Lahore Tahari in Tooting High Street. I chose to go by train and bus but I was beaten there by everyone else who went on the 44 bus! An excellent meal for only £9. Prawn korma, rice, carrot with honey, mango juice. 10 of us went and Jo joined us.

O Adonai Daily Reading for December 18 O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm. (Listen) ‘Adonai’ is the Hebrew word for ‘Lord.’ God has a person name in the Bible but it was considered too holy for normal use, so when the reader at public worship in the synagogue found the holy name in the text, he read the word ‘Adonai’, ‘Lord’, instead. The original text of the Hebrew Bible was written in consonants only and the name of God occurs as YHWH so that its pronunciation can only be guessed. The name of God which is rendered ‘Lord’ is associated with the description of Moses as ‘I am who I am’ in the account of God’s appearance to Moses in the burning bush. The designations ‘Lord’ and ‘I am’ indicate that God is both known to us and beyond our knowledge. He gives us his name, yet this name directs our attention to God as he is in himself, rather than any idea...

A sheep from Kenya made from discarded items. O Sapientia Daily Reading for December 17 • The Third Sunday of Advent O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High and reach from one end of the earth to the other ... come and teach us prudence.

To community workers meeting and useful discussion on children. To branch development team meeting for mince pies and shortbread and "Safeguarding children". To Coulsdon for choir practice and had to point out that there could only be one tempo and that was my choice as conductor! Going OK - wish we had more rehearsal time but we haven't!

No rose vestments at Coulsdon. Teresa got 3 kids to light candles on the wreath but did not light the pink one! We sang Bach's "Zion hears" and I missed the repeat so managed to get back on right track again! We also sang "The Lord will come and not be slow". Walker's "Stay awake" and Palmer's "When is he coming" both going well. I played Bairstow and Statham on "Veni emmanuel" and Gordon Giles has an excellent meditation on this hymn in his book "O come Emmanuel". A lovely Christmas lunch with Louise, Tom, Bruce and Josie. Big turkey, spinach soup, ginger and pear souffle, Christmas pudding. To the hospital with Bruce and Josie to see Grandma who has moved wards for the 3rd time - this time to the urinary one. Watched Antiques Roadshow, the last Cranford and last Parkinson. David Beckham on his best behaviour!

Friday's choir practice went well and we have a practice on Monday to work on the carols. Worked Saturday and the reading group met and went out for lunch at Antipasto. I went along at 12 and ordered rigatoni and tiramisu. It came quickly so I was back at the library at 1 so Elizabeth could go along. There were 12 at lunch and it only cost £10 as Graham organised half-price! To Brompton oratory where I met Liz. Rose vestments but the priest did everything including the readings and the psalm read without response. He also stands at the high altar with his back to us. Very unimpressed by it all. The homily was good but the same delivery for everything meant that it all went by in a blur! To the Royal Albert Hall and got parked near the hall. Robert Dean was on good form although the jokes were pretty bad. What do you get if you drop an organ down a mine shaft? A flat minor. And if you drop the Albert Hall on an army base? A flat major. It was a fun concert and we were wearing our br...

Staff meetings graced by the unexpected arrival of a potential new children's librarian who had been offered the post and was nice! Also a visit from a lady keen to do a Korean puppet theatre workshop in the library! To chorus where Robert rehearsed classic carols for Saturday which is a sell-out!

Day off but to Coulsdon to discuss January music with Vickie. Home for lunch and then on train to Victoria. There was a closure at Vauxhall so buses were diverted so I ended up walking to Tate Britain where I met Bruce in the Millais exhibition. We had tea in the members room and visited the modern art sections. I watched 2 new films Estabrak's "Self-portrait with Aunt and Rebecca 2007" and "Finding Grandma's garden" by Denis Hyka and Violana Murataj from Tirana. To chorus where Robert Dean rehearsed Classic carols. Christmas letter is ready at last and emailed.

Crèche Puzzle (Indiana) The crèche puzzle, called Visiting Emmanuel, was created by artist Jerry Krider of Columbia City, IN. Not only did Mr. Krider create a work of art, he developed a consistent iconography, or series of images and symbols, throughout the piece. The puzzle consists of thirty three pieces, symbolic of Christ's 33 years of life on earth. Near the center of the puzzle, sheltered in a stable, is the Holy Family. Three trees in the puzzle are symbolic of the tree crosses at the crucifixion of Christ. Two shepherds – one facing the nativity and the other turned away, are representative of those who accept and “turn their eyes on Jesus” and those who turn from Him, rejecting Him and His claims. A sleeping shepherd lies on the back of a donkey indicative of those who deny Christ simply by refusing to open their eyes to who He is. This same figure, when not lying on the donkey, will kneel – symbolizing a humility and allegiance when responding to Christ. From the Advent ...

Oxford tube back to London and Liz went shopping and to the Advent schools service in the cathedral (complete with donkey). To work and then to Anchor centre, Garratt lane for Wandsworth pensioners forum Christmas party at which I sang and played carols on an out of tune piano. They really enjoyed it and I sold more CDs! Back to work on the bus and to the Power station community forum. The news here was more positive about remedial work and plans which will take around 3 years. I cried off Kevin's Catenian membership meeting.

After a quiet morning at the library to Oxford on the Oxfordtube. Amazing value - only £6 return on the coach for over 60s after 3 p.m. Found the b and b whihc was pretty basic (actually the breakfast made up for the room. Into town on the bus and walked to St Cross college with a detour into the treasure trove of Borders book shop! A pleasant reception presided over by the genial master. Met Helene's niece who had read my blog and her mother and boyfriend. Also a charming lady who had come all the way from Chicago! Strange how the English don't like talking to people they don't know. Not like the Australians at all! There were tributes to Helene on the piano and we requested memorial cards. Walked to St Mary's where seats had been kept as the church was full! An amazing concert of tributes and Helene would have loved it. Met Helene's brother and his second wife. He said he had seen Stravinsky at the Festival Hall with his hat and coat on during the curtain calls af...

At Coulsdon we enjoyed singing "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (anon) I practised and after a sandwich with Bruce we went to the hospital. Took Dennis to Victoria and want to vespers in the cathedral. The 10 layclerks sang well. To Starbucks for a new toffee hot chocolate. To the cathedral organ recital by the organist of Chelsea Old church, Paul Dean. He expertly played Buxtehude, Bruhns and Bach. Home to decorate the tree with Bruce and watch Cranford.

JSBach Fugue in C minor stylishly played - cool outfit and smile at the end! St Sulpice Paris player is Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin.

Makes you think!

Sine Nomine from Rugby sang at Mass. Beautiful Monteverdi Kyrie and Agnus Dei, Poulenc's "Salve Regina" (why was this at communion?) and best of all Anthony Piccolo's "I look from afar" with a spine tingling ending. Fr Michael was the priest. To Beckenham for organists association supper at Christian Strover's, Delicious chicken with ravioli and tomatoes. Lemon meringue pie and blackberry and apple crumble. Excellent food and company! Dennis and Bruce staying the night having visited Grandma and helped Liz with stairwell painting at Grandma's.

Fra Angelico Annunciation A wet day and at work! Carroll Stuhlmueller has a good meditation on today's readings. "The key to today's feast lies in the purifying force of obedience to God's will. Such obedience does not consist in complying with external directions nor in any grovelling loss of personal integrity, Yet it is the most compelling, non-negotiable demand - to be fully who we are at the depths of ourselves. There is always the temptation, experienced from the very beginning by our first parents, to settle for something less which nonetheless seems very good. Like Mary we are not capitulating to an unreasonable taskmaster but to the expectations of what we really are at the base and root of ourselves". From Biblical meditations for Advent and the Christmas season Paulist Press 1980. I am reminded of the Muslim insistence on complete obedience to God. We are freed by our obedience to serve the Lord in so many different ways. I sing of a maiden that is mak...

An interesting video

It's well worth visiting Advent calendar each day.

Enoy!

Well my peculiar sleep patterns are catching up on me. Waking at 1 a.m. and blogging for an hour can mean not waking at 6 a.m. to go swimming and this happened today. Still I had time as I was due at Clapham Junction for 9 a.m. and senior development meeting. Liz dropped me at the station as she went to get the ladders for the painting. I was on the train but it was not announced or I didn't hear it as I was reading my Advent devotional material. To my horror I end up at Streatham station so i take a train headed for Wimbledon. Alas I should have changed at Mitcham Junction or stayed on it to Wimbledon as I just missed the train to Victoria when we reached Sutton. I texted Jane to say I would be late and I was there 30 minutes late. The meeting was 4 and half hours and we did not discuss the most important item "Safeguarding children". I wonder why managers do not affirm staff more - thanks and good comments are easily forgotten if there are negative vibes about. We did h...

To St Anne's Wandsworth for the Council Christian fellowship carol service. The preacher was good but wore a suit and pink tie. The Swaffield junior school choir sang 3 items unaccompanied and there were some growlers! They did not sing the congregational carols as nobody had given them the words! The Mayor read a lesson. Saw Sandra MacNiven and Neville Squires who is now church warden at St Mary Merton. His beard is quite gray! To Wandsworth Museum and had a long chat to Pat about the closure and her redundancy. Saw Barrie Temple's watercolours (Dawn was there - she volunteers at the library for the Englsih conversation group). Had a last look round the collection before it goes into store for at least a year. To Trafalgar Square where the tree is up but not yet lit. Such a queue in the Post Office I just bunged stamps on Ann's cards and posted them! To Westminster Abbey for 5 p.m. evensong. On Dec 6 1927 Sydney Nicholson founded the Royal School of Church music there. We ...

What a blessed day! I spoke to Ann on Skype and went to Homebase to get paint for Liz as she is redecorating Grandma's house while she is in hospital. She did not have the procedure today but Louise and Bruce visited her. Liz was on sacristy duty at the cathedral. Fr Paul Fox from Chelmsford led the spirituality day. It was lovely to see everyone again as I missed last month as a result of the fall. There were also some new faces and I sold some CDs! Paul spoke about Kairos time and ordinary time and the need to wait patiently. I went to confession with him and he was wonderful. It is such a joy to lay the burden down and start again. Paul works in prisons so has a wealth of experience. The final Sharing in his life session was attended by 7 and they enjoyed it. 3 of the group had been to the Holy Land and spoke of the moving experiences in the desert and in Galilee. Hannah gave me a wooden rosary from Bethlehem. I've never been given a rosary before and I am so happy to know t...

A lovely soapstone carving of a donkey from Kenya - or is a tapir? To Woodcote Grove House Coulsdon to lead carols with Vickie.This year we were not outside but in the main lounge which was hot! Vickie visits 4 times a month and is well known. All went well despite some typos in the leafle including a last line omitted from "Infant holy" which was included as many of the staff are Polish. Stars were blessed to go on the tree so I put up Mum and Dad and dear Helene la Rue. Red wine and mince pies - my second lot this year! How many times for "O come all ye faithful" this year I wonder? Could I live in such a home? I wonder - Dad did and liked it but Mum didn't enjoy it much.

To Norwood circle meeting. This morning I went off with the car keys so left them for Liz at the swimming pool where I did 32 lengths. My suit jacket, Catenian case with Provincial councillor collar and above all CDs of "Christmas in Coulsdon" were all in the boot of the car. Liz rang work to say she was still at the hospital as Grandma was in pain so I got trains and tram to Addington Palace golf club and got there early! There was a discussion about officers for the year of our 1000th meeting Feb 2009. Colin gave me a lift home. Good session at tai chi with Andreas who is off to Chile this week. I met Josie Ogden who is writing a novel about Battersea in the 50s and wants to chat to people who remember it then. 3 of the ladies at tai chi were helpful to her.

A remarkable carving from the Cameroon with the Christ child in a traditional basket - see the Episcopal Diocese of Washington Advent calendar. This morning we sang "O thou the central orb" by Charles Wood and Wood in the Phrygian mode which was my audition piece 3 years ago! Also the Russian 3 part Kyries and Chris Walker's Stay awake. I played "Nun komm der heiden heiland" by Bach and Buxtehude and Willan on "Bristol". Discussed the carol service on the 23rd using choir suggestions and produced a draft list. We only have 2 rehearsals and 3 sopranos are missing next Friday so I am suggesting an extra rehearsal as I am not missing the Albert Hall concert with King's Cambridge on the 21st! To King's College hospital and eventually found the restaurant where we had lunch. Liz showed me the lovely chapel and I bought a red ribbon for World Aids day. Dennis had come over from Ireland to see Grandma and she was delighted to see him. I dropped ho...

The diocese of Washington has an excellent Advent calendar and here are the 3 wise men made from corn husks! One is Buddhist, one Hindu and one a Sherpa priest. We have a Divine Fairtrade Advent calendar to share and the Advent wreath is up!

Here is a magnificent icon painted to mark World Aids Day. At the CAFOD Live simply service today in the cathedral, we heard a lot about HIV/AIDS in Africa. The Angolan London prayer group danced the Light of Christ down the nave. I had to light a taper from the candle and pass the light to the bishops. Guess what? The light went out and I had to relight the taper. Keep calm! Bishop John Hine, Bishop MacMahon of Brentwood and Bishop Kieran of Arundel joined the Cardinal. Actually the cathedral was only half full. The music group were great mostly from Stroud Green and we had Bernadette Farrell's Advent litany and God has chosen me. A nice version of St Theresa's prayer by Michael Talbot (not as good as David Ogden's) and we went out to "We are marching in the light of God" with everyone holding candles. I helped Liz clear up as she was looking after the sacristy. Paul Clubb was thurifer at Mass and we had 3 boys to help. Mgr Mark gave a great sermon about meeting ...

For a laugh a page read Alan Bennett's "The uncommon reader" about how the Queen takes up reading. Also excellent is James Naughtie's "The making of music a journey with notes". I am also enjoying "The Museum" which accompanies the TV series about the British Museum. We have some excellent meditations for Advent by Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and Gordon Giles.

It is a year since Eugene was tragically killed at Mitcham Common and the trial starts soon. I took part in the "dedication" of a bench in Battersea Park in his memory as his mother Maureen used to work at the library and here are the photos from the occasion when I said some prayers. We must do all we can to end this senseless gang warfare in which innocent people suffer and die.

Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild restless sea, day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying "Christian, follow me" As of old St Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake; turned from home and toil and kindred leaving all for his dear sake. To Battersea for Anne Walker's farewell after 42 (!) years in the library service. A gathering of faces from the past including Tony Shaw (local historian), Victor Chapman, Roger Coton - I almost expected Mr Otway to reappear! The staff room for once looked nice with lit candles. I couldn't stay long so Anne gave me a bottle of Merlot! She liked the photo I gave her from my own leaving do at Battersea. How glad I am to be at Battersea Park - that building at Battersea is no fun but good for the waistline! Ann's daughter Laura is now 34 and of course Dennis is 30! Train to Coulsdon South in pouring rain where Caroline picked me up. The 7.15 service went really well. We sang the Haydn Gloria, Greening's ...