The organist librarian

Swam, mosaic and ready to grout, long stand at tai chi which the ladies did not like! To Dr Ojo and he will ask for a new hearing test and possibly new hearing aids. Caught up on magazines and watched the Crossrail 3 programmes, University challenge and excellent programme on the Orient express. Dreadful email from John Williams - he doesn't change. Tony Potter died aged 88. Funeral on 9th so babysitting.  Liz went to an Indian cookery course and found the company had gone bust. She got a refund. 

played Willan on Bristol and St Stephen and Peeters on St Stephen. At the end Bach Wachet auf. Kyries from Missa Camino by Paul Hutchings went well. We sang a hymn I did not know "From glory to glory advancing" tune Sheen by Holst (NEH). Before service Leon appeared to check when the Kyries would be sung. I was amazed to see him take down the notice about quiet during voluntaries as it had been agreed and he left a new list of hymns for Advent. I spoke to Bill who confirmed the ladies had joined St James to sing an anthem at the earlier service. I came away. Apple pie for lunch. Lovely Advent service at St John's -  we sang Howells Gloucester Magnificat, Richard Lloyd and Richard Rodney Bennett and listened to Bach. Dennis was there and got panto tickets. Watched antiques roadshow, Simon Reeve in Ireland, The Hunt. Uploaded rest of holiday photos. I wasn't able to go on the climate change march.

A great visit to the superb organ at Bedford Park and the large Walker at St Mary Acton. I played Thalben-Ball Elegy and Andrew Moore. Lunch at Field's then took the boys to meet Father Christmas as St Vincent's school fete. Abandoned attempt to get to Bloomsbury Baptist for the recital as 207 was so slow but met Rizwan on the bus and had a good chat. He is a Sufi and a friend of Alan Rainer. First candle lit on the Advent wreath by our youngest server!

Both went swimming. A quiet day clearing the garden of leaves and putting the  contents of the boxes into bags. I took the bags of clothes to Emmaus Lambeth at West Norwood. Did the draft Provincial President's calendar. Watched Citizen Khan, Simon Reeve in Ireland.

Swam and not many there. To art and worked on the Iguassu picture. Good interfaith lunch and 20 there. A good discussion on National interfaith week and IS and the arms trade. My article on Jerusalem published in Westminster Interfaith newsletter and PMM pubIished the short article about the Sarum course. I was surprised that hymns for Sunday were changed and got this reply. "I wish to preach on O Come Emmanuel and the other hymn is in Anglo Catholic repertoire and if not well known can at least be tried if you can play the tune,please. As Bill, Shirley and Phillipa attend Monday rehearsals at St.James I intend in future to use the same or similar choices of hymns in both churches as they have suggested.Many thanks for your adaptability and cooperation.Kind regards, Fr.Leon" In other words the work I have done on hymn choices is being dismissed out of hand. Why was I not told about this arrangement? Very annoyed and unhappy.   Wached University challenge and Simon Reeve in ...

Tuesday swam. To RAC club to meet Michael Redman for lunch. I had forgotten to wear a jacket but there was no problem. Siriol did not come. Had roast beef and Yorkshire pudding in the Long Bar. Took a photo of the lovely swimming pool. Then to Aldgate East for visit to the East London mosque which is very impressive. I popped into Whitechapel gallery and saw Emily Jacir exhibition.  Liz and Jan came and Juber was a most informative host explaining Islamic history very clearly. We also saw the old synagogue which the mosque has purchased - it is right next door and there were still old prayer books and shawls under the seats. Then we went to Moorgate and got a train to Alexandra Palace. The dinner was good (steak pie and trifle) and was in the Lanesborough room which has remarkable frescoes. The silent film was brilliantly accompained by Duncan Mackenzie. Buster Keaton in the Cameraman and we also saw London scenes. There were some technical hitches and at one point the organ stopp...

Swam. Dynorod came and cleared drain - he suggested drilling holes in the cover so I dd that so rain water can get in. Mosaic and 7 at tai chi with Hendrika. To Halfords to get tyre caps and windscreen cover - severe frost this morning. Worked on Face Book events and wrote Oremus article about Laudato Si' series. Football but went to Beckenham - 5 from Norwood there. Watched Doctor in the house.

Played Vierne Epitaphe, Thalben-Ball Elegy,  George Thalben-Ball  on Gopsal and Crown Imperial it being Christ the King and St Cecilia. Camino Kyries start next week and rehearsed for Christmas. Turns out the Advent service uses Penitential rite 3 so we will sing the complete Kyries after the lighting of the Advent wreath candle.  Both went to interesting scriptural reasoning at British Museum on pilgrimage and to Strada Great Queen Street on free dessert offer! Excellent food and service - veal, sea bass. Watched Antiques roadshow and The Hunt.

Excellent playing by Sandy May at Bromley Parish church and they now serve real coffee! Liz went to Lakeland and I picked up the goods. Ernest says Celia is much the same. Cold! Ca me home and washed up as cannot use water and dishwasher because of blocked drain. Liz was serving at Mass with Cardinal. Diversi-tea at Morden Islamic Community centre  walked to the mosque by mistake..   B rilliant event with cakes from Azerbaijan, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Slovakis and many more plus Salvation Army! Kate was there and met 3 Jews also former Saturday assistant who is now a GP!  To Tate Britain but impressed by Frank Auerbach's daubs. Fr Alexander smoke vespers and Mass - good choir from Peterborough with Andew Reid.  Taxi to St John Hyde Park Crescent for opening recital of the Hill organ by James O'Donnell. Tom Flood's concerto for organ and wind rather loud also Stravnsky Octet. Schumann, RVW, Bach, Saint-Saens and Widor. Lots of champagne and canapes.

Liz stayed at Acton and babysat so she could go to Ciaran's assembly. I went to art and finished the Jersey picture and did the ground for the Iguassu picture. We set off after lunch for Rochester airport and had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn. Had a short swim and to Rochester cathedral for evensong. Purcell in E minor. I felt the young assistant overconducted and there was not enough piano singing especially in Call to remembrance. The 6 men did well but tended to sing rather loudly. Saw Ben afterwards. We were back in time for the Medway Towns meeting and an excellent dinner with Michael and Ubbo Bakker. Slept well and had a swim and sauna and jacuzzi. Very good breakfast and then to St Thomas of Canterbury Rainham where Pete showed us the parish centre and church and we briefly met the new priest. It will be fine for the quiet day in May. Went to hearing aid clinic and I am due for a test and new moulds. He sorted out the broken left one and the tube and cleaned out the m...

Tuesday Up early to get to Twickenham by 9. Free study day on Laudato Si' at St Mary's Twickenham with theologians, economists, physicists, geographers, philosophers! Mary Grey and Peter Tyler were the highlights. It amuses me that academics argue over hermeneutics of a scripture verse when we have huge global climate problems! Boys sang well at Mass Ebner, Hurford and Vaugahn Williams. To Tablet St Mary's debate on freedom of speech vs religious rights with Jack Straw, Francis Campbell and Adrian Pabst. I spoke about the interfaith group and British values.

To messy play and Sean went straight in and enjoyed painting and the sand boxes. Then for a cappucino and soft play. At Tamar's a small group and the guitar and ladder. He was joining in much more than before, Thomas Bonneville gave the interfaith group of 10 an interesting presentation on interfaith Animal alliance. Margaret went on about foxhunting and do animlas go to heaven? Then to House of commons committee room 9 for fascinating debate on arms trade. Norman Lamb a Liberal MP and Andrew Feinstein former ANC MP who has written a book on this. Thomas said he became vegan after hearing how dairy cows are inseminated to produce more calves and increase lactation then the calves are taken away and killed as their meat cannot be eaten.

Plumber Danny Searle came and sorted kitchen sink and toilet was blocked. £70. To mosaic and painted ceramic tile to be fired for faces. Tai chi.  To British Museum - the Celts exhibition was good but quite a lot of people. Was it done to fit with the shop? Much preferred Egypt faith after the Pharoahs which was relatively empty and lots to see. Tea and pasta at  cafe opposite St Martin;s and went to evening prayer in the Dick Sheppard chapel. Karen Armstrong attracted a large audience in last of series on religion and violence. It was a bitty talk with ideas firing off in lots of directions. A Syrian spoke at the end. Home to meet Liz back from Newcastle. 

After lunch got to Hyderi early by car Rizwan was setting up. The Shakyh turned out to be young. Why he could not contact me is beyond me! I tried phoning, text and email and posted the book to him. Started late and then rabbi and Sikh came late. The latter rambled on and did not say a prayer for peace! Then the Shakyh spoke about migrants and there were various speeches calling for action but nothing specified at all. At last we did conversations for the soul and people enjoyed it. Cut short by prayers at 4.30 which were long. We had refreshments. I was alarmed that 6 of the booklets were not returned. Left at 5.15. It went well and good thing I stayed calm. At least the Brixton sessions were advertised. 3 came from SGI. Caught up on The Hunt and Antiques roadshow. Spoke to Bruce who is in Spain! Liz liked her birthday present.

The psalm was as I expected pretty disastrous. Bill has had his op but not well enough to come. Shirley arrived at 9.20 and we went through it. When she went down to the lectern there were people abut and I do not think they helped at all. We went through it again at the organ which meant I only played one voluntary. The warning buzzer is working and is loud! Phillipa arrived at ths point so the situation was one singer who had rehearsed but is new to all this plus 2 who had not rehearsed together. Leon went through it on Tuesday. They stood in front of the lectern so all I could hear was Leon on the loop. The main problem was starting! By the third verse things were more confident. The alleluya Leon was of course busy so I played and sang loudly. In future it will be done upstairs or said. After service we rehearsed psalm for next week, Camino Kyries, Salazar Gloria and On Christmas night. I did play Griffiths on Maria zu leben and Lloyd Webber on Hemsley. I copied my contract and pu...

To Hurtado centre at Wapping for session on listening. Only 6 there but interesting reflection on Philip and the Ethopian eunuch. Back home. Threw out frozen cauliflower cheese and had pasta and pan au chocolat. Prepared materials for the mosque (still no reply from the Shakyh) and stuff about organists visit to Acton. No trains from Selhurst so parked and bus and tram to East Croydon. Got there are 5.40 to find Emmanuel doing smoke, the girls with wimps, the new guy book. George and Paul Tobin. I said Good evening to Mr M and he once again ignored me. The bishops and Fr John very friendly. The cardinal thanked the servers. It was a mass for evangelisation with bibles given to catechumens. I did nothing while Emmanuel cleared the altar! There were prayers for Paris and an appeal for Aid to the Church in Need.I went straight to the Vigil at Trafalgar Square for Paris and lots of French people there. I saw Bishop Paul and the secretary of the Muslim council who greeted me as John! Catri...

Swam 20. Spent the day doing hymn lists up to Baptism of the Lord and Leon accepted them. He did mention that WE might need a congregational rehearsal of the Taize Wait for the Lord. I would not have thought that necessary. I must say I am unusually ambivalent about St Michael's. The All Saints debacle with the rebuke about starting the hymn too soon during the Peace and the late start, the laughing and chatter on Remembrance Sunday, the unresolved tuning issue, above all the uncertain future and the bad atmosphere. Add to this the refusal to outreach at the station at Christmas and I really think this cannot last. The cathedral also gives cause for concern - the lack of welcome from one key person and the appalling treatment over no longer being catechists. Why? Worked on the mosaic and the programme for Laudato Si' series is complete! To the Tablet lecture at the Emmanuel centre by Paul Vallely about the synod on the family. Really interesting survey and answered the questi...

Swam. To art and worked on Jersey picture. Liz off to Newcastle until Monday so gave her birthday present and card.  An interesting lecture on chant curing people in medieval period at St Sepulchre. . Cards and calendar posted to Oz. At last to Leighton house (took a bit of finding). Interesting Arabic material and photos of the last surviving guardians of Mohammad's tomb. On the 9 to National Gallery for Goya portraits (expensive but worth it) but I do wish they would limit the number of visitors. The film is good. To Festival Hall for free Philharmonia concert of two Julian Anderson works which he introduced. Then bus to St George's cathedral for Nick Gale memorial concert. Stephen Disley played. Durufle requiem was too loud - organ and choir. Diction very poor and not a blended sound - very little difference in volume. Some voices stick out especially altos. Chatted to two of them at reception in Amigo Hall and saw the Harpers and Richard the organ tuner. Home via Vauxhall....

Swam 20. Spent the day on Catenian business and emails about the interfaith group. Laurence Jones is no longer a Catenian - he joined in 1977 - sad really. I managed to get onto the portal and discovered Head office had a very old email address for me - no wonder I have not been receiving circulars! The visit to Hyderi mosque to discuss Sunday's meeting was cancelled. Liz went to servers council but there were too few to meet. I sent an email to the Catholic Herald about an attack on Paul Inwood in the paper and on Face Book -outrageous! Peter Sanders rang about his visit to St Michael's on Thursday. He said John Mander had pushed Alan into the Kellner tuning and Nigel Groome had said he would not play that organ as it just sounds out of tune! To Vaughn House for the launch of Monks and Mystics 3. Lots of people there I knew and delighted to see Shakyh Hamzy. The speakers were good Fr Jonathan from Ampleforth, Archbishop Kevin and Dr Shomali. I said I found mosques full of wa...

Swam 20 and Liz came. To mosaic and did gold tiles. 8 at tai chi and Tony talked a lot. To St Michael's and met with Leon who summoned Carol. W discussed the last 2 Sundays and my contract which I found when I got home. Also talked about Christmas and an 11 o clock start. Went through psalm for Sunday and Camino setting. Not enough time to do Rizza. He knows Fr Peter! To Mike's for Catenian council meeting - Philip was a pain again. I wish they would stop thinking about the past and start thinking about the future more! 

A rather mixed day. I played Solemn melody, Elgar For the fallen and Nimrod and St Anne fugue. These were spoilt by the new choir member Shirley laughing and joking which upset me a lot. I spoke to Bill about it and he seemed unaware. Also told Leon and we are meeting tomorrow. I said nothing to Shirley which was perhaps just as well as she left with the Williams. The act of remembrance was very low key and in the porch which made it impossible to hear. I did hear the intro to the National anthem but I only played 2 verses and the people sang verse 3 unaccompanied and went very flat. 19 in church. No Last Post. After lunch worked on invites for next year and have 5 speakers so far Catholic, Anglican, humanist, Muslim and Jewish. I went to evensong. Adrian not there and Bridget talks too much. She did not rehearse the section of the Stanford which  I pointed out was not together so the same thing happened at the service in the Nunc. We sang Holy is the true light - no attempt at pp...

Got to Heythrop early via West Brompton.  Archbishop Michael spoke on Christian relations with Muslims. Professor Sajjad Rizvi from the University of Exeter spoke well about Shi'a views and Building Bridges. After lunch Damian on Jesuits and Martin read the paper from Jean Jacques Pérennés OP on the Dominicans. By then people were leavng! The three days have been inspiring and empowering. I liked the quote "we want to see in the other what we find in ourselves" and the church is a fabric of stories. Fr Alexander celebrated Mass. Fr John O'Toole was there. The festival of remembrance was impressive.

Got bus and tube to Heythrop. Cardinal Kasper's excellent talk was read by Fr Curran. Professor Raymond Cohen and David Niehaus SJ were both excellent. Anthony O'Mahony spoke on Paul VI's visit to Jerusalem in 1964. It was an excellent day focusing on Jewish Christian relations. Abp Kevin agreed to speak on Laudato Si', Bishop Paul will come to some of the sessions, Anthony will find me an Orthodox speaker and a Jewish lady has offered. Met Revd David Wheeler. Xavier came home with me and we changed for clergy supper (black tie) but he went off to Tooting to see a family soon after we got here. Fr William was on good form but the meal was not great nor was the speaker. 

Swam 20. Met Jon Dal Din and Sr Eileen waiting for circle line. Nice to be back at college and lots of people I know there not least Xavier, Fr John O'Toole. Also an opportunity to meet people from Peterborough, West Midlands and Dublin! Rita, Kim, Fr David, Sr Elizabeth, Alfred Agius, Damian. Michael Barnes is on sabbatical. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald excellent and I got in a question about Paul Knitter to Gavin d'Costa! Cardinal Kasper unwell so not coming in person tomorrow which is a pity. Good lunch. Martin Ganeri was as always dull. Archbishop Kevin much better. To mass at cathedral and Brian gave an excellent sermon on the lost sheep. Buxtehude at the end. To St George Hanover square for concert by recorder, viola da gamba and harpsichord (Yao) which was excellent and nice eats. Helen introduced me to an adult piano student who paints and lives in Bromley.   New work by Freddie Meyers. 

Swam 20. Did the minutes of the Catenian meeting and started emailing about Cambrudge and the interfaith group Laudato Si' series in 2016. To local glass shop and got mirror for the mosaic frame for £15. Posted calendar and other items in West Norwood and got gold tiles. Served at Cathedral chapter Mass. Boys sang Faure Messe Basse and Parry and I was acolyte. Rebecca was there and Richard. Mr M said nothing to me! Tea and then to Initiatives of change for Renewal Arts on transforming power of the arts. June Boyce-Tillman was great and got us all singing. Jodie Marshall from Sheffield told us how theatre transforms kids. Kwame Reed spoke about poetry and drama against gang culture. It was inspiring! To Acton and Sean to Tamar. Renewed Watermans membership as the parking permit was not in the car. Sean seemed a bit off and at one point went in the lift on his own which upset him. He slept for ages. Ciarán loved the presents especially the Peruvian panpipes and animal items. Watche...

Swam 20 -  the lady who cuts corners on her back shouted at me as I overtook her! To mosaic and not many there. Linda charged for 4 weeks again. Started work on a new one. 6 at tai chi including Rosie who is an artist. Caught up on emails. Liz went to doctor at Shirley Oaks hospital - it is muscular. To Catenians and Fergus Poncia on great form. Fr Keith Sylvia from Addiscombe very nice and he spoke well. 25 there including Gerry Haines! 

Arrived at church to find we had 2 baptisms in the middle of the service. I don't mind this but they did go on a long time. Celebrated All Saints with Flor Peeters and Howells Sine nomine. The service started 9 minutes late - I stopped and started not knowing how long to play for. I have asked for somebody to coem and tell me if there is a delay and how long it is likely to be. I dashed off to get to St Paul's cathedral for the talk on the theology of desire by Professor Coakley. At St John's a lovely Durufle Requiem. Enjoyed Antiques roadshow and Downton.