Enjoying reading the posts at Love Blooms Bright, a blog for the Advent season. Set up by wonderfulexchange, with guest writers, Love Blooms Bright offers words, images and quotations to help us enjoy and prepare for God’s coming among us. The contributors are drawn mostly from among the clergy and laity of the Scottish Episcopal Church, … Continue reading »
Sic transit gloria funghi
O tempora, O mores. So there it was, a beautiful red-cap mushroom, both complementing and contrasting with the grass in which it sat. The following day we saw it again, this time with a slightly flatter top, but still showing off its beauty for all to see. And then, just a couple of days later, … Continue reading »
Young Voices
At the RSCM Scotland Young Voices Festival in Haddington yesterday. 32 young people – the same number who were in Glasgow last year – singing their hearts out. The singers came from Queensferry (Parish Church), Haddington (St Mary’s), Edinburgh (St Peter’s, Lutton Place), Bridge of Allan (St Saviour’s) and Dunblane (Cathedral & St Mary’s), and … Continue reading »
Where to start?
“The End.” “The End.” So much opportunity. So many good things. But it wasn’t to be. Although in some ways it’s back where it was before, in other ways, it’s quite different. We are changed. And that’s good. And some of the good things will continue, and develop further. But it will take some time … Continue reading »
A story (or a parable) – whatever
One upon a time there was a young musician – let’s call him Alex. As a teenager he became aware of another young musician – let’s call him Michael. Like Michael, Alex was a pianist and conductor, albeit a bit younger – unlike him, he was totally unknown and at an early stage of his … Continue reading »
Welcome news about Trijicon removing bible verses on scopes
BBC News reports that US firm are to remove Biblical references on gunsights Apparently they have responded to the concern felt by many people. In a statement, Trijicon say “Trijicon has proudly served the US military for more than two decades, and our decision to offer to voluntarily remove these references is both prudent and appropriate.” … Continue reading »
Disturbing news that Scripture references are used on military gunsights
I have written today to Trijicon Inc. (http://www.trijicon.com/contact.cfm), regarding the disturbing news from the BBC that Scripture references are “inscribed on gunsights widely used by the US and British military in Iraq and Afghanistan”. Trijicom are “manufacturers of sighting systems for use by Law Enforcement, Military and Individual customers”. While Trijicom claim “We believe that … Continue reading »
Playing for pantomimes: bad jokes, lead sheets… and beer
This morning I heard Andrew Gold’s ‘Thank you for being a friend’. Now – as Obi-Wan Kenobi might have said – I haven’t heard that for a long, long time. It instantly brought up memories of playing in a 5-piece band for pantomimes when I was about 20; in one of these, the last song … Continue reading »
Mozart ‘Requiem’ at Dunblane Cathedral
Well, my first term with Stirling University Choir has now come to its conclusion with a lively performance in Dunblane Cathedral of Mozart’s final work, together with two other works by the Master, rounding off with Justorum animae by Lassus. The concert, on the 218th anniversary of Mozart’s death (5 December 1791), brought together two … Continue reading »
“Towards a New Narrative”: Symposium on Scottish Sacred Music
Well, I’m now preparing for the forthcoming Symposium on Scottish Sacred Music at Pluscarden Abbey, near Inverness, Scotland. Over 150 people are expected to come to this Benedictine Abbey for the three-day event, which will include talks and recitals of sacred music from Scotland. Day 1: Tuesday 1 September 2009: Mediaeval & Renaissance Scottish Sacred … Continue reading »
