The organist librarian

Woke in the night dreaming I was in a church and everything was red. The apse and cross came towards me and I knelt and said "Stop Lord!" then woke up. What is that all about? I was thinking about Tony at tai chi talking (too much) about a higher being but who decides which of is is "right" in a dispute? So often I take the flight position and escape the situation but in the long term that may not be the right course. It was good to chat to Harry Bramma last night about Ivor and his preaching as Canon at Southwark cathedral. Doing more work on attaching old photos to the family tree. To Catenian council at Brendan's and then to Acton. Wednesday to Tamar's and Seán joining in with all of it. Took towels and clothes to Acton homeless concern and after lunch to Hinsley room. 15 came for the start of Laudato Si' series including some new faces. Archbishop Kevin on excellent form. William and I went to Brixton and had a coffee at Morleys and saw the David Bo...

To Christ Church Streatham for the eucharist to celebrate Ivor Smith-Cameron's 60th anniversary of ordination. A remarkable assembly of friends including Andrew Wilson, Harry Bramma, Siriol and Chennai trip friends. Nice lunch and met people I used to know at Battersea Park library. Met Franciscan Fr John from Bradford. Came home and then to cathedral to put out leaflets about interfaith group and deliver letter. Saw George and Jerry. George was friendly and introduced me to his sister. Saw Rebecca and I came away - my blood pressure was definitely up and I felt tightness in my chest! To Holy Apostles Pimlico - nice Italian young priest, electronic organ for the hymns, 4 servers who did not acknowledge the altar at all! Saw Maureen and Freddie. Sean and Ciaran stayed overnight. I slept with Sian who woke at 5.30 with nappy down and bed wet! He went back to sleep OK.  Just 11 in church this morning/ I played Bairstow and Statham on Veni Emmanuel, Peeters on Conditor alme and Les Cl...

Monday 5th the place was invaded by lots of trainee teachers from Bishop Leslie Newbiggin training college on a seminar and after morning prayer in the first floor foyer we joined their session. It seems Ivor was at the founding of Church of South India and the consecration in 1947 of Bishop Leslie in St George's cathedral, Madras! The chapel at LTE is in memory of his parents. A psychiatrist spoke well and Prof Cornelius welcomed us and took us to a school for special needs kids who danced for us. Yesterday we got money from the ATM to pay Alan - this avoided bringing £480 in sterling which others did. I can't understand why we can't do a direct transfer to Prem's account? I finished reading An African love story by Daphne Sheldrick. Tunde was holding forth on lack of black promotion in the C of E -  he is canon prebendary of St Paul's.

Presenting the Paisley pattern mosaic to Alan and Ivor

Finished reading Mustafa Akyol's book "Islam without extremes: a Muslim case for liberty". Played the paino after a pizza lunch - Mendelssohn and Bohm Lyric suite. It needs tuning. Evensong at St John's Dyson in F and The heavens are telling. Cathy off key again! We sang The spacious firmament a good Enlightenment hymn by Addison. A very pleasant dinner at Alan and Ivor's and met lots of interesting people. Ella from Pakistan said a lot about Muslims which was interesting. Sarah spoke about the interfaith walks and we had a short service including The old rugged cross.