Quizzes and Wellcome and Understanding Islam

It's been an interesting week! Liz is delighted that the back fences have at last been replaced. On Wednesday the Understanding Islam course started in the Hinsley Room ably led by Dr Chris Hewer. 27 people came so I was very pleased and the session was excellent. I went to the National Gallery and enjoyed the exhibition of German stained glass. Part of the gallery was closed because of a strike! In the evening the Chorus party was distinguished by superb food prepared by Jackie and an enjoyable quiz.
On Thursday I visited the new Wellcome Trust exhibition in Euston Road. The collection is very well presented and there is a virtual library. The exhibition on "Dreams and sleep" was fascinating. The chorus started rehearsing Dvorak's wonderful Requiem for the Istanbul trip ably directed by Mark Griffiths.
Friday Liz was out with Fr Swavek and the catechists for dinner while I took choir practice. I was home in time to see the remarkable C of E vicar Peter Owen Jones on BBC2 in India being a holy man for a time in the Himalayas. Last week we was doing kung fu in China - this time he managed to balance on his head! Interesting that the poor community where he lived gave him so much. I watched the programmes on British dance from BBC4. The course I attended on Friday was about mental health issues in older people in Wandsworth. There are 2000 with dementia and an estimated 10,000 with mental health problems. Librarians can do a lot to inform people. The 2 councillors present were pleased to see me there.
Saturday to work and to Mass.Fr Swavek was celebrant and we had incense at Vespers for Baptism of the Lord. Deacon Peter was with us and a good team of young servers.
Mass went on rather long so we were late for the circle quiz at West Wickham.
Today we sang Cornelius 3 kings (with John in the pulpit!) and Sumsion in F, also the splendid Psalm 28. Vickie spoke in her sermon about the voices we hear in our heads. Do we hear "This is my son the beloved" or do we hear the voice that says "You messed up yet again!"? So much depends on our parents and teachers' comments about us.