The organist librarian

To post office to renew freedom pass. To Coulsdon to choose May music with Vicky - there is "trouble at mill". To Windmill pub for lunch with Gerry and David. I took the wedding photo book and enjoyed roast lamb. The pub has been refurbished very well although it seems very echoey. Came home to sort out Coulsdon matters. To Hinsley Room for last Lent group session - 9 came and at last we got to the point on welcoming migrants. We also completed the evaluation form with a unanimous request for courses on the Bible. Hannah was particularly vocal on this so much so that I twice had to ask her to let others speak! They enjoyed the wedding book. To Westminster Abbey for evensong sung by the lay clerks - Tallis. The third lecture by the Archbishop of Canterbury was well attended. It was on Faith and history but seemed to be mostly about the historical Jesus. I did drop off for a bit! There was a 10 minute break for questions to be handed in and assessed during which the organist pl...

Spoke to Ann on Skype - they enjoyed Dresden. To Coulsdon and arrived early so we chose music up to halfway through April. Got train in good time to be at Understanding Islam course by 1 p.m. Chris on good form and told us about prayer. The Regents Park mosque visit is set for the 27th at 12 noon. I shall be away so will go to the Croydon visit on March 1st. 11 people came to the first of the Lent groups "Who is my neighbour?" from 4 to 5 p.m. A lively discussion and it is sad to learn of our society where people refuse to be greeted even though they see one at church or at home. To first part of Mass (Fr Michael O'Boy gave an excellent homily on winning the lottery) and then to chorus for Dvorak. Mark Griffiths seems to talk too much and he goes on to 9.15 every week. Liz and I got train to pick up the car.Interesting to find that one of the Islam course folk is a religious from Beckenham who have seen at Catenian clergy suppers!

Who is my neighbour is the Westminster diocesan Lent book. I found an old paperback on my shelves of Thomas a Kempis "The Imitation of Christ" and it is inspiring stuff. Avoiding gossip and idle talk - good idea. At the spirituality day we unusually ate in silence at lunch time and it was helpful. Well not quite silence - we had a CD of quiet guitar music!

Sure enough there had been trouble from kids Thursday evening so a security guard will be coming from Monday night. I was grateful for the prompt response. To choir practice and we started on the Stainer Crucifixion for Good Friday. A restless night without Liz being here. Set off at 9 to park car at the cathedral and tube to Chiswick. Nice to be back at the scene of the wedding (Louise and Tom were busy all day so we couldn't meet up). Fr Michael O'Boy led the session on the Lent group theme which is migrants. Lulu in my group was very anti-migrant and I became annoyed. The subject is a sensitive one so it may be hard to discuss. To Hinsley Room for Justice and Peace meeting (about 12 there). Fr Augustine Hoey spoke well on prayer and finding God in the silence. Met David, an Anglican from Richmond, who went to Knock with Fr Dwayne. Catherine and Ann were there too. Mary made some nice cake. Vespers and Mass. Fr Michael Seed probably not loud enough as celebrant. Downing Colle...