Wonder and Wondering

Christmas listening, watching and reading

2012-01-02T14:40:00.001Z

As well as family, food and drink, Christmas - for me without responsibilities to lead worship and preach - has provided some space for listening, watching and reading.

I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to the 'four' CD's I received. The first, the newly released box-set of the Beethoven Symphonies with Riccardo Chailly and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra - don't ask how many other sets I've got! Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians - beautiful, minimalist, repetitive music, which caused some 'interesting' responses from some family members. Bach Oboe Concertos and Sinfonias, played by Heinz Holliger, who recently turned seventy and still plays with virtuosity and extraordinary musicianship. And Paul Mealor, A Tender Light, which has some hauntingly beautiful songs, performed superbly by Tenebrae.

As for watching, this included 'The Holly and the Ivy', a black and white movie starring Ralph Richardson torn between his roles as a clergyman and a father - thanks Chris and Frances for the present. And The Lemon Tree, a film which tells the story of a Palestinian widow defending her lemon tree field when a new Israeli Minister of Defence moves next to her - it's real, challenging and moving. We thought that The Artist might be on general release but we'll have to wait until 6 January.

Other notable watching also including listening to the BBC2 broadcast of the Royal Opera House's stunning production of Tosca, with an entertaining introductory documentary with Antonio Pappano. Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood, was stunning in a different way! And then Claudio Abbado's Mahler 9 with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra on DVD, another Christmas present. This performance concludes with three minutes of silence before the audience gives a standing ovation.

As for reading, Mary Oliver's New and Selected Poems, Vol. 2, is everything I expected it to be. If you haven't come across her poetry, a small extract from Everything:
'I want to make poems that say right out, plainly,
what I mean, that don't go looking for the
laces of elaboration, puffed sleeves. I want to
keep close and use often words like
heavy, heart, joy, soon, and to cherish
the question mark and her bold sister

the dash...'

The poem concludes,
'I want to make poems
that look into the earth and the heavens
and see the unseeable. I want them to honour
both the heart of faith, and the light of the world;
the gladness that says, without any words, everything.'

And finally I've begun Eugene Peterson's The Pastor, which does to me what all of his books do, that is, remind me of my primary calling and help me to recalibrate.

Lest this all sound a bit serious, there has been much family, food and drink. Let January commence properly tomorrow.

Advent and Creativity

2011-11-26T15:09:00.000Z

What is it about Advent that seems to let loose a deluge of creativity? Is it because it's the beginning of the new church year; or because ordinary time has seemed so long prior to the Kingdom Season which doesn't really do it for many people; or because it's the first of three seasons which have a natural and progressive movement about them? Or is it because there is something about Advent which is essentially generative?

Repeatedly people say that Advent is their favourite season, and I'm one of them! This week I assembled our home Advent Candle wreath and crafted some words and prayers for each Sunday; I set up the daily Advent Candle; I sorted out the Advent playlist on iTunes; and thought about some reading for the season. And I began to recall some of the great works of art, and poems, that are informed by Advent themes.

I came across this brilliant video clip on Godspace which entertains and informs - Advent in 2 Minutes.

And also these beautiful words from John Van De Laar.

‘Advent reminds us that there is a new world coming – always coming. It also teaches us that this new world does not remove the realities of the old world, at least not yet. Rather, the new world exists in the midst of the old one. The signs of suffering and trauma that we see every day are not an indication that God’s reign has failed, or that God is not coming, or even that we still need to wait for some future fulfilment when all will be set right. Rather, the suffering we experience in this world is an opportunity for us to encounter God and to help others to do the same. The struggles of this life are a call to embody now the grace and restoration of God, so that we become the manifestation of God’s motivation and the channel of God’s presence and activity for those around us.

'Our challenge, as we begin the Advent journey again this year, is to hold fast to faith and to live, as best we can, in the midst of the struggling world, the hope-filled life of Christ. Despair is not an option for us. Rather, as we celebrate God’s coming, hope becomes the fountain from which our joy, our love and our life of Christlikeness can flow.’

AnamCara

2011-11-09T19:27:00.000Z

At the Baptist Order Convocation, someone quoted from a booklet, AnamCara: Collegial Clergy Communities by Mahan Siler. A number of us were captivated and so we ordered some copies from the States.

It really is a booklet and not a book, but this slim volume is dense with beautiful writing and deep wisdom.

'How do you stoke the fire of soul within your institutional role? How do you keep alive your curiosity about this mysterious generosity that wants to surge through you and your ministry? How do you lead with passion and vision within a congregation that may desire more management than leadership, more comfort than challenge, more efficiency than effectiveness?

'My response from fifty years in our vocation, is this: You cannot by yourself. Without soul friends, vital pastoral leadership is not possible. A single log will not remain aflame.'

And another extract, 'How do we get to that place where the Music of the gospel becomes again and again more important than we are? With friends, I submit. I imagine pastors circling up with other colleagues to "jam", to lose and find themselves again in the Music. I picture AnamCara as one of those gathering places where vocational friends, practice, improvise, harmonise, note the discordant sounds, learn from one another, laugh with one another over mistakes - in other words, to love the Music together.'

Reflections on Time and Music

2011-10-21T17:46:00.000+01:00

I've read two posts this last week which have reflected in different ways on time using music as a pattern. One is from Glen in relation to spirituality; the other from Stephen Hough on pleasure: its delights and dangers. Because music takes place in time as well as taking time, and because by its very nature it's elusive and can't be freeze-framed, seized, captured, it provides a rich means of connecting with dimensions of life that are similarly elusive and hard to grasp.

Welcome to Rev Jeannie's Poetry Blog

2011-10-15T08:11:00.000+01:00

I met Jeannie when I was a student assistant in a church in South London. And all these years later it's a delight to meet again as colleagues and friends. I was so pleased when Jeannie told me at the Baptist Order Convocation that she'd begun a blog. She's a deeply insightful human being who knows how to use words, as you'll see in the poem she read at the Eucharist in the Chapel and posted on Friday. So do visit her at Rev Jeannie's Poetry Blog.

CBA Ministers' Conference

2011-10-12T18:18:00.000+01:00

One conference over and another one to go! The Ministers' Conference went really well. Jonathan Edwards and Kathryn Morgan were great. And Nick Spencer from Theos, who I hadn't heard before, was very impressive. Keith Judson and Tim helped us relax at the end of the day with some entertaining, thoughtful, sometimes humorous, sometimes bitter-sweet, songs.

There are many things that I could comment on which were nourishing. But a couple of things in particular that have stayed with me: Dan Foster's sax playing; and the privilege of praying and anointing with oil those who chose to come forward after Communion. It felt to me as though we were standing on holy ground.

I'm now at the Baptist Order Convocation, which is a huge contrast and already I'm feeling refreshed by the space, the pace, and the comparative silence.

CBA Ministers' Conference

2011-10-09T14:35:00.000+01:00

This week's a bit crazy! Before the Baptist Order Convocation, running from Wednesday to Friday, is the CBA Ministers' Conference from Monday to Wednesday!! This year the theme is 'Faith in the Market Place' and the speakers are Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union, Nick Spencer from the public theology think-tank, Theos, and Kathryn Morgan, Baptist Union Mission Advisor. We've got Keith Judson performing, with son Tim, at an after-hours session on Tuesday evening, and I'm preaching at the final communion. I'm looking forward to it and it promises to be another really good conference.

On Wednesday, straight after lunch, I'll leave King's Park, Northampton and catch my breath as I drive down the M1 to London Colney to begin the next event! Come Friday I fully expect to have had a varied, rich and exhausting week!

First Baptist Order Convocation

2011-10-07T08:52:00.001+01:00

From Wednesday to Friday of next week, 12-14 October, we will be holding the first Baptist Order Convocation.

Well over two years ago, four of us, close friends for many years, found ourselves talking about the possibility of a Baptist Order. We invited another friend who had some more developed thinking to join the conversation. This took place in Oxford in October 2009 and we agreed to take things further. We each invited a friend on a similar journey to a 24 hour conversation, and also we asked someone to facilitate the gathering. On 11-12 March 2010 eleven of us met in Warminster and through a process of discernment produced The Dream, which has been something of a foundational document since. How this came about - from thoughts going in every direction to something quite coherent - had a touch of the awesome about it!

We met again on several other occasions but hosted a further conversation in January of this year to which we invited those who we thought might be interested. And over 50 people travelled to Milton Keynes. As expected, many questions were raised in addition to those we were asking ourselves. We're still working through these and there is no hurry, but there was a real sense of affirmation and a desire to take things further.

At the heart of what we're doing is a commitment to prayer and attentiveness through a daily rhythm of prayer, spiritual accompaniment and retreat. And there's a commitment to gather, regularly in a cell, and annually as an Order. Acknowledging a debt of gratitude to communities like the Northumbria Community and the Franciscan Third Order, we're continuing to explore ways in which we acknowledge our belonging to the universal Church and yet express that which is distinctively Baptist. This is no small task but one that feels hugely worthwhile.

It seems as though we're on an adventure with that mixture of both excitement and apprehension. I have to say that I'm really looking forward to what could be a significant milestone on the journey.

Mobile phones going off in concerts

2011-10-05T17:46:00.000+01:00

I really enjoyed this photo I saw on a bassoon-playing friend's Facebook!

EBF Council - Day Four

2011-09-24T19:30:00.000+01:00

The final day combined business and pleasure with an afternoon tour taking in the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum, concluding with another great meal including St Peter fish and chips!

The morning included a report from Paul Montacute from the Baptist World Alliance, who reminded me that globally Baptists number some 110 million! This was Paul's last Council as he soon retires and I was reminded of my first contact with him back in 1988 when we were both involved in the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in Glasgow. I was conducting the orchestra alongside Graham Kendrick's band.

The two resolutions agreed by the Council were on topical issues. The first concerned the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine and included a call for unity among the EBF and an invitation to the world family of Baptists to pray and work for freedom and justice in the Middle East and Arab world. The second resolution expressed sorrow and solidarity with the people of Norway and the Baptist Union of Norway following the recent attacks in Oslo and on the Island of Utoya. The resolve is that as member Unions of the EBF we stand up for the rights of those marginalised in their countries.

We said farewell to Valeriu Ghiletchi, the outgoing President, and inducted and greeted Hans Guderian as the new President. Hans spoke movingly of his three visits to Israel, the first as a self-conscious German visiting Israel. He set out three challenges that face the EBF: secularisation - which leads to a tiredness and a lack of expectation; nationalism - which provokes anxieties concerning the stranger; and injustice, which is the cry not only of the people in North Africa but also the people in Madrid and Tel Aviv.

We were formally invited to the Council next year which meets in Elstal, Germany, not far from Berlin.

On Sunday morning I preach at the Nazareth Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist Church in Israel, and then head for home. It's been a good Council, made special by the location. This sort of event is a reminder to me that I'm part of something bigger. I'm constantly struck by the diversity among us, and at the same time an obvious and expressed unity. Once more I'm challenged by the very limited resources that some of the Unions have in comparison to ours. Again I've enjoyed making new friends and getting to know existing friends better.

EBF Council - Day Three

2011-09-24T06:27:00.000+01:00

After Friday morning worship, at which Munir Kakish, the Pastor of Ramallah Baptist Church, spoke with great energy, the majority of the morning was given over to a presentation by Musulaha, an organisation working for biblical reconciliation in the Holy Land. The two speakers were Evan Thomas from the Messianic Jewish community and Salim Munayer from the Evangelical Palestinian community.

On this day of all days, with the Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas's request for recognised statehood at the United Nations General Assembly, it was timely to hear from two individuals who might well have represented opposing positions speaking as one.

Evan recognised in his opening that the Israel/Palestine situation was an insoluble, intractable conflict-out-of-control. Movingly he related three stories of how he came to be involved in the reconciliation process. The first was the experience of being a soldier at a security point in Gaza. On one occasion he found himself doing what was expressly forbidden: looking into the face of the person whose body was being searched, only to be met with the gaze of a Palestinian Christian brother.

Their presentation contained no easy answers but many valuable insights. They commented on the power of collective memory, noting that the day each year when Israelis celebrate their independence and the formation of a state, the Arab Palestinian community commemorate the day of Great Tragedy. They reflected on the dehumanisation inherent in body searches, and the pull towards the demonisation of the other, adding that when God's brought into the equation things can become considerably worse!

There was the recognition of the reality that the situation is as though the Palestinians and the Israelis are living in one very small house and intermingling is unavoidable. It's always tense, even in the forums within the church.

They drew upon the great reconciliation passages in the scriptures, from Ephesians 2 and 2 Corinthians 5. And they went on to review conflicting theologies. It would have been especially helpful to hear about their process of making peace but even within a generous portion of the morning there wasn't time.

This was a particularly stimulating part of the Council and one that I found especially interesting. Clearly there are no straightforward solutions though there are seeds of hope. Part of the way forward, as exemplified by Musulaha, is that of living together and staying with the pain while recognising the enormous cost that this unity entails.

During the day there were other good things that were brought as information and encouragement, and a chunk of time in the afternoon was given over to seminars. In the evening the whole Council visited the Nazareth Baptist School, where we enjoyed a delicious Middle Eastern BBQ followed with a presentation by the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel. This was interesting but, for me, familiar!

EBF Council - Day Two

2011-09-23T10:40:00.001+01:00

Thursday morning included a number of reports - it is a Council meeting after all! Tony Peck, the General Secretary, reflected widely on the kind of society we want, where God's kingdom is, and the task of engaging our society. He noted that several Middle East leaders weren't with us because of the huge changes in their countries. He made a plea for religious freedom, alluding to Thomas Helwys' Short Declaration of 1612.

We heard a report from the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague (IBTS) which went on to update the Council on the financial situation and options.

It was particularly good to hear from three delegates who shared stories from their churches. The first was from Terje Aadne, the General Secretary of the Norwegian Baptist Union, reflecting on the attacks in Norway. He spoke movingly about the deep shock that has affected the nation and the way that the nation has been united in this tragedy with a resolve to stay together and protect democratic values. The church, both State and Baptist, is making a significant contribution, having opened wide its doors in the days following.

Christer Daelander spoke of his relationship with the Baptists in Uzbekistan and shared something of the struggles of the church in a context where they face significant opposition and persecution. We heard from another delegate about an exciting church planting initiative in Latvia.

Late afternoon we had a break and visited the Nazareth Village which is an authentic reconstruction of a village from the time of the first century -an interesting experience culminating with excellent food! It was especially good to meet up with friends from the Association of Baptist Churches (ABC) with whom the Central Baptist Association (CBA) has a relationship through the Baptist Twinning in Israel (BTI) - with apologies for acronym overkill!

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of the Council takes place in the conversations during meals, breaks, and over a drink, when stories are told, new perspectives gained, connections made, and friendships formed.

EBF Council - Day One

2011-09-22T08:59:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was a travel day, exacerbated slightly by not being able to use air space over Greece. But it was in fine company and even EasyJet wasn't too uncomfortable.

A nice touch - at Luton Airport, Ian Handscombe, one of the chaplains, met us in the departure lounge and then came to see us off as we went through to the plane. Michael Banfield, the Senior Chaplain does a tremendous job and is greatly appreciated among the 8,000 staff who work at the airport.

We've now begun the first of the sessions, commencing with worship which was sung in Arabic and English. It was special to hear the reading from Luke 1, 'In the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a village in Galilee called Nazareth.' Karin Wiborn from Sweden emphasised 'Here in Nazareth' and stressed how the annunciation needs to take place in our lives.

This Council takes place at a very significant time for Israel and Palestine and there will be opportunities to pray for peace for Israel and Palestine.

European Baptist Federation in Israel

2011-09-21T07:55:00.000+01:00

Life is rarely monotonous! Two Sundays ago I was preaching in a small rural church with just a few people - we had a good morning! Last Sunday I was at the Milton Keynes City Church, Christ the Cornerstone, for their Covenant Service with a large attendance. This coming Sunday I'm preaching at one of the Baptist churches in Nazareth, Israel.

I will be attending the European Baptist Federation Council which starts today and concludes on Saturday. I hope to post, given time and internet access. I'm really looking forward to being there and particularly to hearing the perspective of those from the Middle East.

If you're asking 'How does Israel and the Middle East feature in a European Federation?' I'm tempted to say, 'If it's good enough for the Eurovision Song Contest ...' The fact is that many of these unions and conventions are there because of strong relationships with European Baptists and they're most welcome.

facebook

2011-09-20T17:54:00.001+01:00

I've joined facebook. 'What took you so long?' some of you might say. I've had some considerable resistance - I won't rehearse the reasons - until last week when at the Baptist Union Communications Committee that I moderate, I came to the conclusion that I really should have a go. If it threatens to get out of control I'll simply delete it!

My son Andrew gave me a tutorial on Skype, and I was away. And I have to say I'm taken! It's been a fascinating experience of connectivity, and what's blown me away is that within a few hours I'd made contact with someone I haven't spoken to for thirty years!

I've just networked this blog to facebook, so I'll see how it works.

Twitter next? I don't think so, but you never know.

Recent viewing

2011-09-19T21:45:00.002+01:00

Wondering when I can next justify yet another viewing of The West Wing, I've been watching the re-run of The Killing on BBC4 in advance of a new series. The first showing got rave reviews and I recall reading something along the lines of 'What are we going to do on Saturday evenings when the series comes to an end?' It's been screened Sunday to Thursday evenings from 10.00-11.00 for four weeks so it's been late night viewing and catch-up when I've missed it. From the first episode I got thoroughly hooked by this compelling drama. I haven't seen the American spin-off but the original Danish is mostly understated but constantly taut with superb characterisation and a plot that keeps you guessing almost to the end. It's dark, it's bleak and it's strangely satisfying.

Just before we hit the ground of September running, we had a terrific day in London with our friends Chris and Frances. Chris is a composer - Microjazz is one of his most popular series of compositions - and a highpoint, just as we were about to tuck into gourmet burgers, was Chris presenting me with the first movement of a trio he's writing for the Horizon Ensemble. What a gift! We'd just been to the Curzon Renoir to see in 3D, Pina, a film documentary about the dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch. This was a wonderful, wonderful film, quirky, but moving and utterly enchanting. Clearly she had a huge influence on the dancers in her company and they spoke with reverence about the inspiration that she'd given them. The DVD came out the following week and I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

Another noteworthy film was Submarine, a coming of age film, again, quite quirky but lovely. I'd love to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy as it's getting almost constant five star reception. But September is far from over yet and I'm not yet back to enough of a moderate pace that would allow a cinema visit. Later maybe.

Peacemaking - ten practices and ten principles

2011-08-19T09:17:00.000+01:00

I've recently been pointed to the 'Just Peacemaking Initiative ... seeking peace and justice as disciples of Christ', a model of conflict resolution supported by the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). A team of thirty scholars (ethicists, economists, experts in international relations, and conflict resolution practitioners) together asked the question, 'What realistically is working to prevent real wars?' And out of this they agreed on ten practices that build peace and make war less likely. These practices fall into three categories: peacemaking initiatives, working for justice, and fostering love and community. You can read more about them here - click on the tab 'Just Peacemaking'.

In 'Tony Blair, A Journey', he describes ten central principles of resolution which arose out of his experience of The Good Friday Agreement, and reinforced by his experience in the Middle East:

At the heart of any conflict resolution must be a framework based on agreed principles.
To proceed to resolution, the thing needs to be gripped and focused on.
In conflict resolution, small things can be big things.
Be creative.
The conflict won't be resolved by the parties if left to themselves.
Realise that for both sides resolving the conflict is a journey, a process, not an event.
The path to peace will be deliberately disrupted by those who believe the conflict must continue.
The quality of leaders matter.
The external circumstances must militate in favour of, not against, peace.
Never give up, simple but essential.

In my experience of church life, as a church member, a Minister, and particularly as a Regional Minister which involves me in coming alongside churches in conflict, conflict is inevitable, it's a given. It needn't be destructive and can be positive and creative - the Chinese symbols for conflict are a combination of danger and opportunity. But for this to happen it does require some skills, and where a conflict has got stuck, often someone from outside the situation can make a significant difference.

While there are differences between peacemaking on the international scene and in a local church, actually they aren't so far apart and both Tony Blair's ten principles and Just Peacemaking's ten practices provide much to reflect upon.

The riots - 'profound theology and sharp social commentary'

2011-08-18T09:13:00.000+01:00

Amidst the plethora of opinion and comment on the riots, I've been looking for the sort of reflection and analysis that stands out as being of a special quality and depth. My Regional Minister colleague Phil Jump has written a helpful piece here. And on Wednesday, Simon Jones, at a sideways glance, flagged up what I think is a particularly insightful and penetrating piece by Luke Bretherton, really worth reading. As Simon says, 'profound theology meets sharp social commentary'. Click here.

oops! - Chailly and Pires

2011-08-17T11:33:00.000+01:00

I discovered this video clip through Rob and Laura, friends we met in Puglia. They're from Holland so are familiar with Riccardo Chailly who was the chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. I had the privilege of working with Chailly for two weeks when I was nineteen, and then for a month when I was twenty-one, in a festival in Montepuliciano, in Tuscany. He was the most inspiring conductor I ever experienced, and at that stage he was in his early to mid twenties.

In the clip, as Pires realises that she's prepared the wrong Mozart concerto, the two have a conversation over the music. Two things strike me. Firstly, Chailly's 'non-anxious presence'. This scenario could be absolutely disastrous, artistically and professionally, but he continues as if there's nothing wrong and importantly inspires confidence in Pires that 'I'm sure you'll do that - you know it too well!'. And second, that despite Pires' obvious anxious presence, when she makes her entry it's heartbreakingly beautiful and perfect. She is the consummate professional, not allowing the anxiety to drown her and drawing on her vast reservoir of skill, experience, and preternatural talent. Enjoy!

Holiday in Southern Italy with Tony Blair

2011-08-14T16:50:00.000+01:00

I've just got back from Cisternino, in Southern Italy, where we've spent the past two weeks. We've been there before and it was great to become re-aquainted and also make other discoveries of this beautiful part of Puglia, including Masseria Selvaggi, the Agritoursmo farmhouse where we stayed, and Materia (photo).

One of the reasons we return to Southern Italy is the climate. Again, the weather didn't disappoint, although there were a couple of blowy days and at the beginning of the holiday some cloud with even a bit of rain.

And then there's the food. We ate at a number of restaurants where all you needed was the antipasta. The most expensive meal by far was €55 for two, including wine and liqueurs, and that was at Il Portico, a vegetarian restaurant, which doesn't have a menu, the food just keeps coming. At another restaurant we shared a starter of mussels and for €8 were served 44 of the largest mussels ever. I followed this with a dish of raw salmon and sword-fish, something of an adventure, which proved to be delicious. I did order a side-dish of patatine fritte, i.e. chips, which just goes to prove that you can take the man out of Barking but can't take Barking out of the man!

And then there were the great people we met: Graham, Patrice, Cameron and Nathan; Andrea, Phil, Lewis, Bella and Eve; and especially Rob and Laura who we really missed when they moved up to Tuscany for the second week and hope to meet up with again. We also met David and his family, and it transpired that he was the architect who designed Milton Keynes Railway Station.

The place itself had a fantastic swimming pool, one that you could actually swim in. You could also lie on sunbeds and read, and so to Tony Blair - and no, we weren't staying with Silvio Berlusconi.

Between us we took a pile of books we were looking forward to reading. Cazz read many of them but the day before we went, 'Tony Blair, A Journey', took my eye in Waterstones, and as I dipped into it I found myself drawn. I ended up buying it at the airport and that's all I read - it's 720 pages and the type's fairly small!

I found it compelling and the praise on the back cover and on three pages at the beginning of the book was not exaggerated in my opinion. This memoir gives huge insight into the man and his perspective on what went on behind the scenes during some significant national and world events. It provided me with a greater understanding of the philosophy of New Labour and a deeper appreciation of where the Labour party now finds itself. There are many penetrating insights about effective leadership of an organisation, and indeed a country. And above all it challenged me to think deeply about a number of key issues for our world, seen in their stark reality in the events that have filled the UK national news over the last week or so. Add to this, a relatively light touch with numerous laugh-out-loud passages, and it made a superb read.

I was particularly struck by his reflections on the Middle East, and especially his analysis of the Muslim world. I was fascinated by the statement that he makes a number of times that he's more passionate about religion than politics. In the light of this I guess it's not surprising that these emphases have taken expression in his role as the Quartet Representative to the Middle East and the launching of his Faith Foundation.

If I'm not buried by a mountain of emails over the next few days I might reflect some more, but otherwise, 'Tony Blair, A Journey', comes highly recommended. And I still have a pile of books to look forward to I don't know when!

Wonderful Wedding

2011-07-10T21:19:00.002+01:00

On Saturday we celebrated the wedding of our son Jonathan to Naomi. It was a brilliant occasion with the weather mostly fine, even sunny at times, and with only one downpour. The service was at St. Michael's Church, Hernhill in Kent and led by Rev'd Jean Burrows. I had the privilege of preaching - an awesome privilege - and the worship was led by Richard James.

But the focus was on 'Jon and Nay'. Naomi was breathtakingly beautiful as she made her entrance to the Sarabande from Handel's Third Oboe Concerto, and Cazz and I were hugely proud parents as both our sons stood at the front of the church, Andrew as Jonathan's best-man. And the mother of the groom looked stunning!

The reception at Mount Ephraim was all that we hoped for with fine food and wine, and excellent speeches made on the staircase by Naomi's Mum, her Dad, Naomi herself, Jonathan, and Andrew. None were too long, but Andrew was the star of the show. Dancing followed to the live music of The Swinging Little Big Band.

The happy couple stayed at a local hotel and flew off to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday afternoon. The wedding photos are beginning to come through and we can't stop talking about it so I guess we'll continue to live in the goodness of this joyful happening for a while yet.

Bloodthirsty Women and the CBA Assembly

2011-06-19T17:10:00.000+01:00

Pat Took was our speaker at the CBA Annual Assembly on Saturday. Pat's theme was 'Living Together in Love' and predictably she was excellent. The whole day was really good with inspiring worship led by Colin Pye and our musicians, sharing of news, a brief AGM, and in the afternoon a stimulating exploration of covenant. Pat got us to think about how we as churches might draw up a covenant, an agreement, as to the right ways of behaving in church if we really are to live in love and not just talk about it.

On the Friday evening, as part of our encouragement of the inclusion of women at every level of church life, we had a four course meal, with Pat as the after-dinner speaker, aimed at women leaders. Pat has a winsomely mischievous streak, and this was in evidence as she mused on the accusation that the church has become feminised. She observed that most of the songs which justly receive this criticism are written by men! But she used this as the springboard to look at some of the songs women wrote in the scriptures.

Pat began with the Song of Miriam, then Deborah, then Judith (in the Apocrypha), Hannah, and finally Mary. The first three are extraordinarily bloodthirsty, with one song rejoicing after an enemy receives a tent-peg in the head, and another who loses his head completely. The songs of Hannah and Mary, while not full of bloodlust, are about the turning upside down of the status quo, so that the powerful are brought down and the lowly lifted up, and the hungry filled and the rich sent away empty.

It was entertaining and, while Pat was not for one moment advocating violence, she was perturbingly challenging.

David Mason and Penny Lane

2011-06-09T17:03:00.001+01:00

I see in Thursday's Guardian that the trumpet player David Mason has died aged 85. He played in the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Philharmonia, and I met him as one of the professors at the Royal College of Music, who would frequently turn up on examination and audition panels. Also, I recall playing in a performance of Bach's B Minor Mass with the Tilford Bach Choir and Orchestra and he was the principal piccolo trumpet.

He was a gentleman and one of the premier trumpet players of the time. But even when I knew of him he was something of a legend for playing on the Beatles' song, Penny Lane. The story goes that Paul McCartney was searching for a special sound for the song and heard Mason playing the piccolo trumpet in Bach's Second Brandenburg Concerto on television. Mason was summoned to Abbey Road by George Martin, the producer, and the rest is history. Even now when I hear David Mason on Penny Lane, it causes goosebumps.

Alan Civil was the horn player on Sergeant Pepper, and together with the other session players persistently kicked himself for agreeing a fee rather than royalties, so the story goes.

Die Schöne Müllerin

2011-05-28T15:41:00.000+01:00

There are two responses that could be made to Friedrich Müller's Die Schöne Müllerin, a collection of poems constituting a tale of unrequited love. Either, 'This guy needs to get the message. She doesn't love him. Move on. Get a life!' Or, as in the case of Franz Schubert, write a song-cycle which is regarded as one of the most sublime song-cycles of all time.

On Friday we went to hear Mark Padmore and Paul Lewis perform this at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford. The pre-concert talk they shared together was fairly ordinary, but the concert was superb. They've recorded this on Harmonia Mundi, and one of the high points can be found here on Spotify. It's called The Curious Man.

Musical Time and the Age to Come

2011-05-18T07:02:00.000+01:00

A dominant feature of this week seems to be death, with a funeral on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. And Wednesday is also the centenary of the death of Gustav Mahler.

This is being commemorated throughout the world with cycles of his symphonies this year. I see that Medici.tv is offering the complete symphonies with Christoph Eschenbach and the Orchestra de Paris streamed free (with registration), and Arte will be providing live webcams from the Mahler Festival in Leipzig.

In a recent publication, Resonant Witness, Conversations Between Music and Theology, edited by Jeremy Begbie and Steven Guthrie, there's a fascinating chapter on Musical Time and Eschatology. The point is made that 'Jesus was resurrected not just into the eternal life of God but into a new existence that happens to include such a rich variety of times that created time is not excluded.' To this is suggested that music might be uniquely capable of embodying the 'rich variety of times' that characterise the new creation that has been inaugurated by Jesus' resurrection.

Generally, tonal music is characterised by linear time - you are left in little doubt that the movement or piece has come to an end, to a resolution, to closure. Mahler wrote tonal music but living right at the end of the Romantic period took tonal music to the very limits. And this is particularly evident in the way Mahler used endings, final resolutions, cadences. Traditionally, strong cadences are the means of bringing a piece of music to an end, unless it's Dudley Moore doing a skit on Beethoven's endings!

Mahler sometimes avoids these obvious endings but in order to do so has to resort to different means to establish closure. Take the conclusion to the third movement of the Fourth Symphony, or the final movement of Mahler's Ninth Symphony (for a sensational performance of this see the Youtube clip of Claudio Abbado with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra in which there is silence at the end for well over a minute before the applause). Leonard Bernstein describes this conclusion as 'the closest we have ever come, in any work of art, to experiencing the very act of dying, of giving it all up.' He goes on to say 'But in letting go, we have gained everything.' So this ending proves to be not so much a denial of life but an affirmation of it.

The authors use these two musical examples - both well worth listening to just for their sublime beauty - to explore how a completion need not imply an ending, but rather 'suggest an opening out onto that which is without end or limit - that is, onto infinity or, better perhaps, the transcendent future of God's promise.' They refer to one of the Church Fathers, Gregory of Nyssa, for whom 'the world to come is not a world where we finally "arrive" and all loose ends are tied, but instead is one of infinite progression into the unfathomable mystery of God.'

I may not have done justice to about fourteen pages of fairly dense writing but I think this is the gist of what they're saying. And I have to say I'm taken with it. I wonder what Mahler would have thought!

Crammed with Heaven - new blog

2011-05-17T09:21:00.000+01:00

Chris Ellis has launched his blog, Crammed with Heaven. I've been really looking forward to this as Chris is a creative, insightful thinker and writer, and conversations I've had with him about the arts have always been enriching and enjoyable.

Crammed with Heaven, quoting Elizabeth Browning's poem, is about seeing, in relation to prayer, spirituality, worship and art, a special passion of Chris's. The next few weeks will be fascinating as he spends some of his sabbatical in Italy 'visiting ancient church buildings, looking at great works of art, soaking in the atmosphere, reading and thinking about art and spirituality and trying to improve my painting skills as I "look by painting"'. It's a tough call isn't it?

Go visit and check out the categories at the top as there's some great stuff there.

Welcome to the blogosphere Chris!

Baptist Assembly - really good and really sad

2011-05-03T10:41:00.002+01:00

I look forward to the Assembly because among a number of things it's great to meet up with friends, some of whom I see more regularly but others on just this annual occasion. And in this respect Assembly did not disappoint.

This year's Assembly had a special attraction as my former colleague and friend, Pat Took, became the President. Pat is a star! As I listened to her speak on a number of occasions I felt very blessed to have sat next to her for six years at our monthly National Settlement Team. She speaks wise words and in such a way that they stick. And her words at the Assembly were no exception. On the theme 'Your kingdom come' she spoke compellingly about the inclusive community, that this was 'the joy that was set before him' and that was worth dying for. In Jesus all exclusions are ended! Her challenge was that if all are to find their place at the Great Banquet each has something to lose of themselves. I hope we have ears to hear the almost passing comment that 'we need to accept a gracious amnesia'.

Wale Hudson Roberts picked up the baton in his morning Bible study with an authoritative and inspiring exploration of The Lord's Prayer and the key phrase 'Thy kingdom come'. Again, this prayer is a model of inclusion and Wale challenged the delegates with the statement 'global injustice is in the very air we breathe.' Kumar Rajagopalan concluded the session with a stonker of a prayer!

I missed Jeff Lucas' Saturday evening session and his seminars but heard very good things. However, I did take in John Colwell's Baptist Ministers' Fellowship address on 'A Priestly Ministry?' This was an exploration of the nature of the ministry to which we have been called and those who know John won't be surprised to hear that he has a high view of ordination!

Lynn Green spoke from Mk 10 on Jesus welcoming the children and what she said about the passage was true of her preaching, 'deceptively simple but deeply challenging'.

Julie Pennington Russell spoke at the evening session where those newly accredited ministers coming to the end of this season of their ministry were presented and recognised. She spoke on The Lunatic Farmer, encouraging people to 'trust the messy field of your life to God' and to 'trust the messy field of your church to God'.

Other notable features were the worship, which was led mostly by Andy Scarcliffe. He brought to the usual contemporary mix some innovative use of more established hymns. The high point, which I can't believe I'm saying, was one of my least favourite hymns, Lord of the Dance. He managed to transpose it into an entirely different feel through style and tempo - and it really worked. I could have even danced!

On the Sunday morning, the worship was in a Jazz style and there were moments which were unforgetable. All creatures of our God and king was transformed into something which for me was very beautiful - I can still hear the harmonies! The Communion, with the involvement of two hugely talented children questioning and commenting on what was happening, created a strange intimacy. The prayers of intercession were imaginatively crafted and presented.

Later on that morning, John Woodhouse was commissioned as Chaplain General of the British Army - a significant and moving occasion.

The Monday morning Public Resolutions focused on Christian Aid's campaign regarding the negative impacts for poor countries of tax evasion and avoidance by some multi-national companies. The presentation was informative and challenging and many people contributed to the debate, which concluded with the passing of the resolution.

There was considerable effort to ensure that the Assembly wasn't divided down the middle between Baptist Union and BMS World Mission and the obvious close working and sharing together is an exciting development.

So, all in all, a really good Assembly. But also it was really sad.

The husband of a minister from the Central Baptist Association, whom I was due to present at the recognition on Sunday evening, collapsed shortly after arriving late Saturday afternoon and died early that evening. Our prayers continue to be with Heather and her family at the devastating loss of Alistair and the churches at Wendover Free and Little Kingshill.

And then, shortly after leaving, I heard that another minister in the Central Baptist Association, Andrew Busby, who has fought a long battle with several bouts of cancer, died on Sunday evening, poignantly, probably at the same time as the In Memorium at the Assembly. Andrew was a one-off, a lovely man, someone I had come to have a special affection for and I will miss him. We pray for his family and the church at Amersham Free.

Rest in peace, Alistair and Andrew.

Archbishop of Canterbury - Narnia - Holy Week Lectures

2011-04-26T21:05:00.002+01:00

I've just come across the Archbishop of Canterbury's Holy Week Lectures, this year based on the Narnia Chronicles. They have the following titles: 'Not a tame lion'; 'I only tell you your own story'; and 'Bigger inside than outside'. Listening to the first one, it came as no surprise to encounter deep, rich and nuanced literary and theological reflection.

If you love the Narnia Chronicles, appreciate Rowan Williams' intellect and spirituality and if you've got a spare hour for each one, you can listen to them here.

Of Gods and Men

2011-04-17T17:41:00.002+01:00

Over the weekend I heard the best sermon of the year and it came through a film. 'Of Gods and Men' isn't the sort of film to watch if you're wanting a chilled, stress-free, undemanding Saturday evening. Fast, frenetic, action-thriller it isn't, nor is it remotely like a rom-com, and last weekend's 'Eat, Pray, Love' is about a million miles away! What it is is a luminous, poignant, deeply challenging film based on the true story of a community of brothers in a monastery in Algeria, which in 1995 came to the corporate decision to stay rather than go when threatened by religious fundamentalist terrorists. All but two of them were kidnapped and murdered as a consequence of that decision.

It's slow-paced with almost no music featuring frequent episodes of the brothers at worship. You witness their struggle as they face their fear at the real possibility of martyrdom. You see both their joy and their sorrow as they partake in their last supper together. Interestingly, the trailer has this scene set to the same music used in The King's Speech, the slow movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, while in the film the music is from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Within a nearly silent soundtrack it's effect is devastating.

On Sunday morning I preached on the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and as part of this explored the different expectations of the crowd and Jesus. Jesus was was setting out on the last leg of a journey to his death on a cross. Death would not have the final say, but that's a far too premature conclusion to reach at this stage of the journey in Holy Week. The way of Jesus is to be the way of his followers as he calls them to 'deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me'. It could not have been put more effectively than by 'Of Gods and Men'.

God and the Arts and Media - Where Faith and Life Meet

2011-04-04T20:35:00.000+01:00

I had a great time at Gold Hill on Sunday evening - how good that a church is addressing the subject of the arts. In the context of worship there were two talks, one from me, and one from Jonathan Dennis, a member at Gold Hill and a film writer and director. Jonathan's an interesting guy - check out his website Contender Films - and it was fascinating to hear about his experience of the media from within. He told a superb story about the promo for BBC's The Nativity which he wrote.

I had the opportunity in my talk to explore some basic questions about the arts. When we speak about the arts, what are we speaking about? How as Christians should we approach the arts, especially in the light of a not-too-favourable track record? Do the arts really matter - surely other things are more important? (Just in case you have any doubt about where I'm coming from, the answer is they matter a huge amount!) And how do we as Christians, both artists and appreciators, go about engaging with the arts?

Within a twenty minute slot - which I stretched a bit - we looked at a framework for thinking about the arts, around God the Creator, a good creation, a spoiled and broken creation, and a creation that is being made new.

I quoted Tom Wright, a terrific advocate for the arts, who writes, 'But the church desperately needs artists of every sort, from sculptors to storytellers, from painters to potters, from singers to seamstresses, and so on; artists whose work will draw attention not to itself but rather to the glory of God. After all, if in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, new creation has begun ... and if beauty is now let loose in all the world, it will rightly generate new forms, new possibilities, new delights.'

The only frustration was that I could only touch upon big issues, and there wasn't the space to make any real connection with art. There was opportunity, within the service, to pray for those there who work in the arts and media, not a small number at Gold Hill. And afterwards I had some stimulating conversations. So a very worthwhile evening.

It's my intention to begin a series of occasional events within the Central Baptist Association, with the title, Faith Engaging with the Arts. Watch this space!

God and the Arts and Media

2011-03-31T12:03:00.000+01:00

Just to flag up that on Sunday evening I'm speaking at Gold Hill Baptist Church on 'God and the Arts and Media', and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity! It's so good to be bringing faith and the arts together in this way.

A week of variety

2011-03-18T17:02:00.000Z

This week has been even more varied than usual. On Monday I was at the first of a two day consultation, Conversations with Alan Roxburgh, exploring what it means to be missional - this was very stimulating and it was a shame to leave, just as things were getting going!

On Tuesday I accompanied someone on the final part of the journey as they made the significant step back into accredited ministry after a long period out of ministry.

Wednesday I was leading a Quiet Day for Workplace Ministry, and among the things we explored together was the subject of improvisation. This was fun, at least for me, and the feedback suggests that they found it helpful too. I used some of the ideas I touched upon on Wonder and Wondering back in late April, early May 2008.

And on Thursday, I visited three churches supported by Home Mission, along with the Home Mission Grants Manager, Rachel Tole. We had a great day with three churches, each doing a significant work in very different contexts: Houghton Regis, Toddington, and Newton Longville. I came back feeling really inspired!

Today has been more ordinary, bits and pieces, odds and ends, thinking more about Sunday morning at Newport Pagnell and Baptist Union Council on Monday. But with the prospect of a day off and a performance of Brahms, German Requiem, at Christ the Cornerstone, tomorrow evening.

Welcome to A View from St Albans

2011-03-16T19:34:00.000Z

Simon Carver, from Dagnall Street Baptist Church, St Albans, has started a blog. Emily Dickinson begins one of her poems, 'Tell the truth but tell it slant', and Simon has that gift of coming at things so that you catch glimpses of truth that otherwise you might have missed. He was one of the speakers at a CBA Ministers'Conference a few years back, and the title of his session was, 'Zombies, Johnny Cash and Eschatology: a clash of cultures or an opportunity for mission'. I guess I hadn't expected to be watching the opening sequence of Dawn of the Dead in such a context, but it was typical Simon, creative, provocative, stimulating and entertaining. You can hear Simon regularly on Premier Radio and local radio if you live in St Albans, reviewing films. I'm looking forward to his posts. He can be found here.

Play it again, and again, and again

2011-02-25T12:27:00.001Z

We've been on holiday this week and one of the things that we enjoyed was to complete Series Seven of The West Wing, for the -th time. I confess to feeling some kind of embarrassment about saying just how many times we've watched this brilliant tv drama on DVD. Another thing we did was to meet up with our son, Andrew, in London, and see The King's Speech; the second time for us, the first for him. Again, I feel a need to apologise for 'the second time'.

Why my discomfort about seeing something again (and again)? I guess it's because once you've seen a film, like reading a novel, you know what's going to happen. (Also there's probably something around for me about 'wasting time'.) But in my defence - there I go again - although there is some predictability and lack of surprise, the experiences have been just as enjoyable as the first time, albeit different. And repeated viewings still disclose new things, and give depth and richness, that aren't taken in on the first viewing.

My reaction surprises me to some extent, because when it comes to other forms of art, it's a given that to return to a painting or piece of music is a desirable and even necessary thing to do. Reacting to a work of art on first seeing or hearing is vastly different from reflecting upon it.

This last week I've been listening again to the Chaconne from Bach's Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin. Alex Ross, in his latest book, Listen to This, describes it as 'a quarter-hour-long soliloquy of lacerating beauty ... with its white-knuckle virtuosity, its unyielding variation structure, and its tragic D-minor cast.' The first time of listening is an experience of high drama, especially when played by Itzhak Perlman - available on Spotify - but to appreciate its scale, its architecture, its depth, and the extent of its beauty, requires repeated listening. Significantly, within the piece there is an 'again and again' aspect as it consists of sixty-four variations on a four bar theme.

In The King's Speech, at the climax of the film, as the King addresses the nation at the outbreak of war, the accompanying music is the slow movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. The rhythm which defines the music's character and mood, is repeated relentlessly and unapologetically. Music without repetition would be something altogether different.

'Again and again' can be boring within art, but it can be life-giving. And actually, despite our culture's obsession with novelty and newness, 'again and again' is a constant in life. It's a constant of the Christian faith as well. Just one example, 'Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' And the apostle Paul goes on to comment, 'For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the the Lord's death until he comes.'

How we handle the 'again and again' so that it isn't mere ritual devoid of energy and life, is another matter, but 'again and again' is ok.

Big Society, Big Mission

2011-02-07T09:14:00.000Z

This is the title we've given to this year's CBA roadshow, created by my colleague Helen Wordsworth, and delivered by the two of us. So far we've been to Chesham and Luton. Monday is in Northampton, and Thursday, Milton Keynes. The final presentation is at Kings Langley next Wednesday.

It's a great engagement with the theme, exploring how we both serve our communities and make disciples. Although it will be interesting to experience the response this week, reading the main news story on today's BBC News website, Cuts 'are destroying big society'. It goes on to say that the government are 'destroying' the UK's volunteer army and undermining its 'big society' vision with its cuts programme, according to a voluntary sector expert.

In the opening section I've been given the task of adopting a somewhat cynical view of what the government is up to in its Big Society agenda, to which Helen responds more positively. I have the easier task and must try not to overplay it, especially this week.

Being Human

2011-02-02T09:01:00.002Z

It was with real excitement that I looked forward to series three of Being Human on 23 January. I came to the first series late through DVD, although when I initially read about it I was intrigued.

Having watched the first two episodes of the latest series, I'm feeling again what I felt through the previous two series: frustration that I need to be a bit circumspect about my enthusiasm.

You see, Being Human is about three different characters, who at the beginning of the first series, share a flat. One is a vampire, one a werewolf, and one is a ghost. That's not likely to be welcomed as a great opener to a sermon, or the introduction to an illustration. And actually that's a real shame - my sons' generation would be there in a flash. But knowing how some Christians find C.S. Lewis dubious, and Harry Potter decidedly dodgy, I guess that Being Human really would be a bridge too far.

The real interest in the plot is that the vampire is 'on the wagon', the werewolf is surprised to be one, and the ghost initially can't work out why she's a ghost. In the second episode of series one, she asks, 'Am I going to be like this for eternity?' None of them are human but they are desperately trying to be human, and doing so through relationship. And the issue of what it is to be human in community underlies the whole storyline. It's hugely theological!

There are moments of great hilarity, with some wonderful one-liners. There are moments which are deeply tender and moving. I need to come clean and acknowledge that there is some gore as well as some sexual content; but overall this is a drama which is both comedy and intensely serious, with a terrific story line which gets better and better.

In the first episode of series three, Mitchell goes to purgatory to rescue Annie, the ghost, who's been dragged there, at the close of series two. There he's made to face up to his crimes, and the engagement with themes of sin, guilt, shame, and in particular repentance, was profound. In the second episode, the ongoing themes of the need to love and be loved, and belonging were richly explored.

Running concurrently with the third series is an online spin-off, Becoming Human, which I'm going to take a look at.

An Altar in the World

2011-01-31T18:51:00.000Z

I've just come to the end of Barbara Brown Taylor's, An Altar in the World. I've found it one of those books that is such a pleasure to read that inevitably it brings a slight sadness to conclude. On the back cover blurb it's described as 'lyrical', and 'reveals the countless ways we can discover divine depths in the small things we do and see every day.'

Barbara Brown Taylor takes some fairly large themes, but grounds them in twelve practices. So, Vision has the chapter heading, The Practice of Waking Up to God, and Incarnation, The Practice of Walking on the Earth. You really could read the twelve chapters in any order, although it seems most appropriate to conclude with Benediction, The Practice of Pronouncing Blessings.

In The Practice of Feeling Pain, which develops into a brief exploration of the Old Testament book of Job, she writes, 'Pain is provocative. Pain pushes people to the edge, causing them to ask fundamental questions such as "Why is this happening?" and "How can this be fixed?" Pain brings out the best in people along with the worst. Pain strips away all the illusions required to maintain the status quo. Pain begs for change, and when those in its grip find no release on earth, plenty of them look to heaven - including some whose formal belief systems preclude such wishful thinking.'

In a chapter on Prayer, 'The Practice of Being Present to God, she talks of an experience of shared silence with a group of students. 'Young people whose heads stay full of iTunes, Spanish homework, instant messaging, play practice, parental advice, Guitar Hero, cross-country, term papers, e-mail, romantic sags, CSI, chorale, X Box, debate team, Second Life, baseball, and the procurement of illegal substances can be startled to hear the sound of their own heartbeats for the first time. They had no idea there was so much space inside of them. No one ever taught them how to hold still enough long enough for the shy deer-soul inside of them to step into the clearing and speak.'

'The shy deer-soul inside of them' - what a gorgeous, evocative image!

This is a beautifully written, deeply thoughtful book, though highly accessible, which not only interests, nourishes and moves the reader, but does so through drawing one into an internal dialogue with the author's themes.

The sub-title is, Finding the Sacred Beneath our Feet, and the final poem, taken from a book, 'The Essential Rumi', I loved for an obvious reason,
'Today like every other day we wake up empty
and frightened. Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.'

Modern British Sculpture

2011-01-30T11:27:00.000Z

On Saturday I visited the new exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, Modern British Sculpture. Whenever, I go to an exhibition of sculpture, I'm never quite sure what to expect, and though I go with an open attitude, I tend not to be excited. By now I ought to have learned because I don't think I've yet been disappointed, and I've been thoroughly wowed by Anthony Gormley, and Anish Kapoor, to name but two.

Overall, it was really good, but it started better than it ended for me. If one of art's purposes is to provoke, Damien Hirst's, Let's Eat Outdoors Today, certainly did that with its repugnant and repellant display of decaying food on a barbecue, and a picnic table, surrounded by real flies, masses of them. I'm glad to say that it's contained within a sealed glass box! Hirst explains 'how we all avoid dirt, but ultimately go back into dirt', and his interest in how we try 'to isolate the horror from our lives and remove it'.

The high points for me were Jacob Epstein's Adam, Henry Moore's Reclining Figure, and Barbara Hepworth's Single Form (Memorial). I thought this last piece, which normally resides in Battersea Park, was mesmerising, and will abide with me for some time.

All You Have to Do is Listen

2011-01-20T09:39:00.001Z

I see on the BBC News website that a growing number of music-lovers, unhappy about the way album tracks are enjoyed in a pick-and-mix fashion, have decided to take action. Groups of music fans sit in front of a vinyl turntable, with seriously good speakers, dim the lights, and listen to a classic album, all the way through. They're called Classic Album Sundays, and the rules are simple but strict: no talking, no texting, you must listen to every song on the album.

We're not talking about so-called 'classical' music, but classic albums. This month's album was David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and Kate Bush's The Hounds of Love featured in a previous month.

Call them geeky but they make a good point. I think my iPod is brilliant and I use the shuffle feature frequently and with delight, but it has limitations and does less than justice to the 'songs' which normally were conceived as part of a whole. Add to that, present day culture in which music is heard, or rather played, as a constant background to the rest of life, and their point is all the stronger.

Music operates at a number of levels, but there are times for listening to music, attentive listening to music. I make no case for aural wallpaper, but there is a helpful distinction made between listening to music on what Aaron Coopland calls 'the sensuous plane' 'for the sheer pleasure of the musical sound itself ... The plane on which we hear music without thinking, without considering it any way'; and what Rob Kapilow in his book, All You Have to Do is Listen - Music from the Inside Out, calls, '"listening for the plot", that is listening for the way musical ideas are connected and strung together to create a purely musical "story"'.

Both are legitimate, but 'listening for the plot' can be deeply enriching, though hard work, especially in music which isn't immediately whistle-able, and which takes time to develop without providing immediate gratification. The fact is that some, and maybe much, appreciation of beauty isn't simply presented on a plate without any effort.

It seems to me that this reaches into other aspects of life, such as how we listen to people. I guess that most of us have given the appearance of listening whilst thinking about what we're going to say next. Or simply giving the impression of listening while being somewhere else in our head. But to listen to a person, to really listen, requires hard work. And it's something that's of vital importance. A conviction that I've held for many years is that one of the greatest needs of a person is to be heard.

Anne Long, in her wonderful book, Listening, shares three images of listening: as gift, hospitality and healing. She issues a challenge as she speaks of the ears of the Body of Christ, needing to be alert and functioning if they are to be of any use.

And then there's the issue of how we listen to God. From my tradition as a Baptist, we stress the importance of discerning the mind of Christ, and listening to what the Spirit is saying, but I think we could learn a lot more from those traditions who really listen, attentively and at depth, and not just for the first stirrings of feel-good, or the first 'word from God'.

Music, people, God. No talking, no texting, just listen.

The King's Speech

2011-01-16T13:24:00.000Z

On Saturday we went to see The King's Speech. Just before Christmas, I enjoyed the latest Harry Potter and thought it had some real substance and darkness to it; I enjoyed also The Last Voyage of the Dawntreader, though it could never live up to the book; but The King's Speech was in a different class and totally enthralled me. (Admittedly they were three very different films!)

I was deeply touched by moments of grace throughout the film, the friendship between two unlikely people, and the gargantuan struggle that climaxed in an epic display of strength in weakness. At the end of the performance, the audience applauded, something that I can't remember happening before at the cinema.

On Thursday I led a Retreat with students from the South Wales Baptist College. They were a really nice bunch and I had a good day with them. One of the things that we touched upon, reflecting on music, and music especially in relation to the psalms, was the 'stickiness' of music. Music very quickly attaches itself to experiences. And this is never more so than in films. I think it was the Allegri Miserere which for one person had a very negative association because of its use in a film. This is highly instructive for our use of music in worship, and something I need to be frequently reminded of - what works for me might well not work for you, and indeed have the opposite effect!

The music in The King's Speech included Mozart's Clarinet Concerto - though you don't hear anything, or very little, of the clarinet - and the slow movement of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. However, I will never listen to the slow movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony without seeing King George VI, summon up every ounce of energy pronouncing his speech to the nation at the outbreak of war. It was one of those all-time great moments for me. Go see!

Cuts to the Arts

2010-12-30T10:45:00.001Z

Richard Williamson is a professional musician who coordinates Music Network, which brings together Christians in the music profession. On his blog, Music Ministry, he posts on the effect of cuts to the arts. Just down the road from where I live, the Central Bedfordshire Council intend to stop funding their music service from 2012. Other Councils intend to do the same or to reduce funding by 50%. The effect will be that the only young people who will get instrumental tuition will be those who can afford to pay for it in full.

Richard writes, 'There is a major short-sightedness in the decisions that are being taken. On the face of it, cutting funding for the arts is an easy road to take. Very few will complain as many see those involved in the arts as elitist and undeserving of Government support. You only have to read comments on various forums on this subject to see that many in this country believe that the arts should be able to "stand on their own feet" and that such elitist groups don't deserve "government handouts".

'However it is my belief that if you remove funding from the arts, there is great danger of ripping the soul out of a nation. The fact is that most arts organisations would be unable to survive without public funding. Britain has a rich cultural heritage and it is that cultural heritage that has defined us as a nation over centuries. If the arts are decimated, we stand in danger of irreparably damaging the heart and soul of the nation. If all we are willing to fund are the utilitarian 'useful' areas of our nation's life, we lose the very thing that makes us who we are.

'If we also remove opportunities for young people to learn to play an instrument, particularly in more deprived areas, we lose a force for good in society. It is a well attested fact that giving young people the opportunity to develop musical skills can begin to turn whole communities round. Look at Venezuela for example with the Simon Bolivar programme - but there are also examples here, such as El Sistema in Scotland and the 'In Harmony' programme currently running in Liverpool and elsewhere, not forgetting all of the wonderful education work done by many of the orchestras in the UK. Those of us who have been involved in such programmes can testify to lives, families and communities being transformed.

'What is most worrying is what we are storing up for the future if young people are not given these opportunities. It will be extremely difficult to stop us becoming a cultural desert if the tide starts rapidly receding from our cultural shoreline, and it will almost certainly have a very damaging impact on the whole fabric of our society.'

I'm with Richard on this. He goes on to speak of the responsibility of Christian musicians, 'Each of us is called to bring something of the beauty, mystery, creativity and love of God to a world that is increasingly starved of these things. Without these life has little value ... We can share and celebrate beauty, we can help people see beyond the mundane to explore mystery of life, we can as creative people speak of the creator who brought everything into being with such astonishing diversity and we can share the love of God with those who have little hope.'

I'm hugely grateful for the opportunities that I had as a young person, only possible because music in the London Borough of Barking was heavily funded. Without that funding I wouldn't have come remotely close to being a musician. While I recognise this not as a right but a gift, I'm deeply concerned at the effect of withdrawing funding to our society.

Stile Antico, Vingt Regards and Lauridsen

2010-12-29T11:34:00.002Z

Musically, Advent moving into Christmas has been a rich experience, beginning with the Advent Carol Service at Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes and concluding with Christmas Eve Holy Communion, also at Cornerstone. Back in the distant summer, a high point was hearing Stile Antico sing as part of the 2010 Proms Season, and so I purchased their new release, Puer Natus Est, a performance of Advent and Christmas music from the Tudor period by Byrd, Sheppard, Tallis and Taverner. This is exquisitely beautiful, sung with precision and purity.

Another new experience has been listening to Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant - Jesus, by Olivier Messiaen. A work of twenty movements lasting nearly two hours, it's demanding stuff, and I confess to not having listened to it in one stretch. But there is a transcendent quality to this music, expressed through a sound world which is unique. Messiaen experienced synesthesia, whereby he couldn't help but associate particular colours with musical sounds, so his music is extraordinarily colourful. Two years after completing this work consisting of twenty 'watches' over the infant Jesus, Messiaen said with characteristic modesty, 'I have tried to be a Christian musician and proclaim my faith through song, but without ever succeeding.'

Again this year I've been caught up in a sense of eternity in the hugely popular Lauridsen, O Magnum Mysterium.

The Messiaen, played by Pierre-Laurent Aimard, and the Lauridsen are available on Spotify, though sadly the latter isn't sung by Polyphony, whose performance is sublime.

Emmanuel, God with us

2010-12-25T09:34:00.000Z

'Christmas carols try to put into words what is almost impossible to express: that God has come among us as one of us and is on our side. They attempt to explore the mystery of God - in Jesus of Nazareth - opting into the world and not exempting himself from it. We can sing about it for ever, but we also need to dare to think about what it means.

Carols are wonderful attempts to re-tell the familiar story of how God entered our world - not on a war-horse or in a tank, but in a vulnerable baby in occupied territory in a place of weakness. And this is how God decides to be "with us", Emmanuel.'

Nick Baines, Ready, Steady, Slow, 21 December

The Nativity, Mary, and Edwin Muir

2010-12-24T10:34:00.000Z

Over the past four evenings I've watched The Nativity and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've heard a number of criticisms, some reasonable, but overall I thought it was one of the best tv accounts of a Bible story I've seen. And there were moments in the final episode that were were stunning.

What I won't forget is the way that it presented the huge cost to Mary, who was prepared to lose everything, and the tortured anguish that Joseph experienced. I thought that the casting of the particular woman to be with Mary through the birth was a touch of brilliance, and the instant when Joseph's hand clasped Mary's as the stars coalesced and the baby was born brought out the tissues!

During the season of Advent I've been especially struck by poems about the Annunciation. From the tradition of which I've been a part, Mary has been someone largely ignored. Over the last few years, through art especially, I've come to a new appreciation of this remarkable woman, which was only enriched by The Nativity.

I've been reminded of Noel Rowe's Magnificat, and yesterday I read again some of Luci Shaw's wonderful poems in, Accompanied by Angels, Poems of the Incarnation. On the first Sunday of Advent, at the Advent Carol Service at Christ the Cornerstone, we heard Edwin Muir's poem, The Annunciation:

The angel and the girl are met,  

Earth was the only meeting place,  

For the embodied never yet  

Travelled beyond the shore of space.  

The eternal spirits in freedom go.   

See, they have come together, see,  

While the destroying minutes flow,  

Each reflects the other's face  

Till heaven in hers and earth in his  

Shine steady there. He's come to her  

From far beyond the farthest star,  

Feathered through time.

Immediacy  of strangest strangeness is the bliss  

That from their limbs all movement takes.  

Yet the increasing rapture brings  

So great a wonder that it makes  

Each feather tremble on his wings.   

Outside the window footsteps fall  

Into the ordinary day  

And with the sun along the wall  

Pursue their unreturning way  

That was ordained in eternity.  

Sound's perpetual roundabout  

Rolls its numbered octaves out  

And hoarsely grinds its battered tune.   

But through the endless afternoon  

These neither speak nor movement make,  

But stare into their deepening trance  

As if their gaze would never break.

Spotify Classical Playlists

2010-11-20T15:42:00.000Z

Spotify is a sensational resource for lovers of music. If you want it for free, you have to put up with the adverts. For £4.99 a month you lose the adverts. For £9.99 a month there's no advertisement, enhanced sound quality, and you can listen off line as well as listen to your playlists on your iPhone/mobile. I'm still on the free package and use it extensively to access millions of tracks, including latest classical releases.

I've just come across Spotify Classical which consists of a huge number of playlists, some predictable, some highly creative. Again, it's a terrific resource for music lovers.

Spiritus

2010-10-19T17:00:00.001+01:00

Last week at our Conference, Sue Hardwidge who was leading Morning Prayers, read Steve Turner's poem Spiritus, and then Dan Foster, improvised a sax solo around the melody of 'God in my living, There in my breathing', by Tim Hughes. It was sublime! Here's the poem:

I used to think of you
as a symphony
neatly structure,
full of no surprises.
Now I see you as
a saxophone solo
blowing wildly
into the night,
a tongue of fire,
flicking in unrepeated
patterns.

Engaging with Word and World - CBA Ministers' Conference

2010-10-14T12:37:00.000+01:00

This year's CBA Ministers' Conference has happened, and happened very well! High Leigh provided us with their new (for us) main conference hall which is spacious, bright and well equipped; comfortable rooms and good food.

The speakers were excellent. David Kerrigan, the General Director of BMS World Mission, spoke on the Servant Songs from Isaiah, and brought fresh insight, a personal openness, and a connectedness with life, ministry and mission. David Shosanya, was stimulating, imaginative and graciously provocative as he spoke about Word and World in continuity, and in conflict. Maggi Dawn prepared us for Advent, enlarging our boudaries, helping us to engage with art and poetry, in a way which was enriching and delightful.

We received a lot over the forty-eight hours, but some highlights. David Kerrigan reminded us of the limits as well as the goal of the preacher, to bring people to the brink of mystery whereby they cast themselves on the mercy of God. He connected us with Henri Nouwen's 'The Return of the Prodigal', the reflection on Rembrandt's painting, contrasting the two very different hands of the Father in the painting, one strong, the other tender. But also he reminded us of Nouwen's illustration of the Flying Rodleighs the trapeze artists. The point is that the flyer does nothing having launched themself, while the catcher does everything; the flyer must trust, and if he tries to do anything he falls.

David Shosanya impressed me with his passion, boldness and sheer nerve, in engaging with local and national government. He has that rare gift of being full on but also gentle and gracious.

Maggi spoke of the faith of Generation Y, those born after 1982, who don't have a hostile attitude to faith, but show mainly indifference. She spoke about 'leaving something on the doorstep' in encouraging them to take a step, and then maybe another step, and she shared some of the creative Advent initiatives that she's been part of in order to do just this.

A Question Time in the early part of Tuesday evening worked very effectively - thanks to Helen for being David Dimbleby, and an impressive panel of guests. We even had the Question Time theme music! And later in the evening Maggi's concert was all that I hoped it would be, bringing her blend of music as a singer/song-writer, with lovely spoken transitions between songs. She participated in the Communion Service, with a song she'd taught the previous evening, and concluded the conference with a sung blessing over us. It was a bit 'Wow!'

For many people the programme isn't what the conference is about but time spent together apart from the normal rhythm of ministry, talking, laughing, praying, eating and drinking. These three days each year require a lot of planning, they're totally absorbing while they happen, and I confess to breathing a sigh of relief when they're over. But they are a significant and enjoyable occasion in the life of the Association.

CBA Ministers' Conference - Engaging with Word and World

2010-10-10T18:26:00.000+01:00

I'm really looking forward to the Ministers' Conference this week. We're at High Leigh in Hoddesdon, with three speakers, David Kerrigan, BMS General Director, leading the Bible Readings; David Shosanya, Regional Minister in the London Baptist Association; and Maggi Dawn, singer/song-writer, priest, theologian, author, broadcaster, and blogger. The theme is Engaging with Word and World.

The annual conference provides some input but also creates space apart from the regular rhythms of ministry, and while we hope that people will be nourished by the worship and the addresses, we certainly expect that refreshment will come through being with friends in a relaxed environment.

In particular I'm looking forward to an informal concert to be given by Maggi on Tuesday evening. I'm not sure that we'll be able to create the ideal ambiance at High Leigh, but this is something different for our conference and it'll be great to have some good music. Maggi is taking a session on Wednesday on Preparing for Advent, so there's a welcome emphasis upon the creative this year.

European Baptist Federation - Day 4

2010-09-25T22:08:00.001+01:00

Today was the last day of the Council, and a half-day only. Morning Worship included a reflection on 1 Samuel 3, God's call to Samuel. Looking back over the last few days, we've been led with huge enthusiasm and creativity, and I've valued in particular the emphasis upon worship songs from around the world which has been refreshing.

The main session included the culmination of the work of the Resolutions Committee which met four times in all. Being part of this committee has helped me to connect with EBF very quickly and I've valued the experience. At the same time I smiled at the prayer of a previous EBF President, 'Lord, let me now have your pity, I'm on the Resolutions Committee'. The two resolutions were carried, so the Council, while conducting a considerable amount of important business, also had something significant to say.

Other aspects of the morning were finance, priorities for the future, and EBF Aid. And we welcomed First Baptist Church, Bahrain.

EBF Council has been a very positive and encouraging first experience of wider Baptist life in Europe. Along the way I've been informed and inspired, deepened some friendships and made some new ones. Next year we meet in Nazareth.

Having been outside the building only to make a phone call home each day, it was wonderful to spend the afternoon and evening in Rome. In the limited time, we visited the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and two of the beautiful fountains. The sun shone a bit and walking around Rome was delightful. Other highpoints were ice cream at Giolitti's, which was exquisite, and a very reasonably priced meal near to Piazza Navona. And the company was really great fun to be with providing a perfect end to a good few days.

European Baptist Federation - Day 3

2010-09-24T22:48:00.000+01:00

It's been raining in Rome, not that that's made any difference as there's been no opportunity to go outside. Still, tomorrow is Saturday and we finish at lunch-time, so some sun would be appreciated!

Continuing the emphasis upon Youth and Children, Morning Worship contained an address by Svejetlana Mraz on Proverbs 22.6, 'Train children in the right way'. Understandably, the music at the Council has an Italian feel, though today there was a decided Latin rhythm, with a kyrie eleison in the style of a bossa nova, and a benediction alla rumba. It was a tad disconcerting feeling the urge to shimmy while singing 'Lord, have mercy', but it did work, just!

The morning session began with a focus on Mission with inspiring stories from the Indigenous Mission Project (IMP) which has planted 110 churches since 2002. Its goal is to facilitate evangelism and the planting of new Baptist churches in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Some of these situations are far from comfortable and we heard of a pastor in Turkey who had been kidnapped, threatened with death, and police protected from extreme nationalists. It was good to hear in the same session about Baptist Muslim Encounters.

Hearing about challenges in other parts of Europe makes me think how very comfortable we are in many parts of the UK and how resource rich we are by comparison with many parts of Europe. During the break it was good to meet up again with Bader from the Association of Baptist Churches (ABC) in Israel and to hear news of the churches there.

The second part of the morning we came to the discussion of the resolution concerning the future of the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) followed by a decision. I don't want to pre-empt the reporting of this, but the discussion was very supportive and the decision nearly unanimous.

The session before lunch brought 'Encouraging Stories of what God is doing' from the Austrian Baptist Union, and the Baptist Union of Norway. Later on in the afternoon a session concerning an agreement between the EBF and the CPCE, the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe, which might have been dry, turned out to be moving, particularly on account of the dark history between the Lutheran Church and the Anabaptists several hundred years ago.

After an evening meal I attended what was originally intended to be a small working group but became an open meeting to look at the issue of Christian marriage. Inevitably this included the broader issue of human sexuality and an open discussion was had in which convictions were shared and stories told. This felt to be the beginning of a conversation, the start of a journey, which I hope will be continued.

This was followed by a further Resolutions Committee to work on the statement again. A long day.

European Baptist Federation - Day 2

2010-09-23T22:05:00.001+01:00

The first meeting of today took place over breakfast with the Resolutions Committee, of which I discovered I'm a part! Our task is a work-in-progress, meeting together to help formulate some statements which express the mind of the Council and to which Council can agree in the form of final resolutions. The second meeting took place over the evening meal and already it's become an interesting journey.

The Morning Worship demonstrated to me again the power of one musical instrument, in the hands of a skilful performer, to elevate the worship. On this occasion it was a cello played quite superbly, and the worship included a creative marriage of instrumental music, using the cello, and spoken words. One of the emphases of the Council is Youth and Children, and we were encouraged to view the apostle Paul as a model mentor to young Timothy.

Reports occupied the first part of the morning session and showed something of Tony Peck's (The General Secretary of the EBF) remarkable grasp of a huge geographical area with considerable diversity. Preliminary discussion began on the future of the International Baptist Theological Seminary in the context of an encouraging report celebrating its success and affirming its value within Europe as an academic institution and a place of formation for ministry and training for mission. Further discussion will take place tomorrow, but this is a big issue and it was good to pause to pray for the Seminary and in particular the people involved.

There are a number of points in the agenda for 'Encouraging stories of what God is doing', and this morning we heard from the First Baptist Church of Iraq. This was introduced by a reading from Habakkuk 3. 17, 'Though the fig tree shall not blossom ...' The speaker noted that Habakkuk made no mention of an absence of water or electricity and a temperature in excess of 50C in in his list of things that weren't happening! We received an enormously encouraging story of life and growth in the midst of struggle. And though completely different, encouragement came with hearing from the Irish Baptist Network who are among us with the simple desire to get to know the wider Baptist family.

The afternoon began with a focus on 'The Church of Today and Tomorrow' concentrating on youth and children. We were presented with a fascinating exploration of different youth milieus based upon Catholic research in Germany. This has far-reaching ramifications about the very narrow range of young people with whom we as churches engage and was instructive for the situation in the UK. After discussion groups, we continued with further reports, concluding with more 'Encouraging stories ...' this time from the Baptist Union of South Serbia, and then from Russia.

Tonight we were given an Italian Evening with a strong musical flavour. After an assortment of items the finale was a folk duo from Calabria, consisting of voice and twelve string guitar, and electric guitar. This was real class, but what was compelling was the spectacular playing of the electric guitarist, wooing his instrument with delicious effects.

Internet access is limited to the foyer, and populated day and night by people concentrating intensely over their lap-tops, muttering the mantra, 'Are you connected?' Writing this blog I'm one of them!

A good full day.

European Baptist Federation Council - Day 1

2010-09-22T22:00:00.001+01:00

'Day 1' carries the danger of promising more than can be delivered, because for most of the delegates the day has been spent travelling. My day began at 2.30 a.m. which got me here in good time - understatement - and there's been a trickle of arrivals throughout the day.

The Council began properly with a meal this evening and the opening service of worship. The Italian welcome has been very warm and there is a real buzz as people gather for this annual event from all parts of Europe and beyond. The EBF embraces a number of Baptist unions from countries which aren't in Europe. But they're here because in some way their existence is inextricably linked with the EBF.

Of the 55 member churches 45 are represented. And today I've had conversations with people from Lebanon, Palestine, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Netherlands. And I've just sung, 'Bind us together, Lord' - a very, very long time since I last sang that - holding hands with a long-standing friend from Yorkshire on my right, and the Vice President of the Russian Baptist Union on my left.

The President of the EBF, Valeriu Ghiletchi, preached at the opening service on 2 Cor. 9, 'My grace is sufficient for you.' A fascinating character, he is a former Bishop of the Moldova Baptist Union, and presently an MP in the Moldovan government.

So, the next few days look promising.

Arrivederci - off to Rome for the EBF

2010-09-21T11:32:00.001+01:00

I'm off to Rome for my first European Baptist Federation (EBF) Council, very early tomorrow morning. OK, so there are worse places to go than The Eternal City, although the reality is that the only opportunity for sight-seeing will be when it's over - an opportunity I'm going to seize!

I'm looking forward to meeting Baptist Christians from different parts of Europe from diverse situations. And it'll be good to connect with Arab friends from the Association of Baptist Christians (ABC) in Israel who are part of the EBF. One of the big things on the agenda is the future of the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) in Prague. I hope to have Wi-Fi, and if there's enough space in the schedule I may blog while I'm there.

Just to help get in the groove I've downloaded, Respighi's Roman Trilogy, which consists of three suites, The Pines of Rome, the Fountains of Rome and Roman Festivals. This music is described as 'picture postcard music' and is brilliantly orchestrated, and characterfully colourful. The recording I have is with Antonio Pappano and Rome's numero uno orchestra, the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionali di Santa Cecilia.

Song of Songs, St Paul's, Saatchi and Settlement Team

2010-09-10T16:31:00.001+01:00

The last week has gone up a gear, or several, after a fairly relaxed August. During that time the highlight was a day spent in London which began with a lunchtime Prom at the Cadogan Hall with Stile Antico singing Renaissance settings of the Song of Songs. I'd heard a snippet of their CD and on the strength of it bought the CD only to discover their debut the following Monday as part of the Proms season. It was superb, and as one reviewer expressed it, 'the sensuous vocabulary vibrated with that mellifluous vocal bliss'.

The day also included Evening Prayer at St Paul's Cathedral, as well as very quick visits to the Saatchi Gallery and the Tate. I could live without the former and on this occasion the Tate had loaned its Rothkos to another museum so was a tad disappointing. Two other features were coffee on the veranda of the eighth floor of the OXO Tower overlooking the Thames, and a brisk walk following Evening Prayer to see the Gherkin, which was sensational close up and in the late afternoon sun. All in all, a pretty brilliant day.

This last week, solidly work, included meeting with the Principals of the Baptist Colleges, and the tutors. This is an annual event which happens concurrently with our September National Settlement Team and Team Leaders' Meeting. As part of this it's very good to meet up with friends, and especially blogging friends. I particularly enjoyed conversations with Nah Then and Living Wittily. I'm struck again by that unexpected sense of community that blogging has brought to my life.

St Michael le Belfrey - The Vinyl Years

2010-09-05T16:54:00.001+01:00

On Saturday I received a CD of a compilation of the music that came out of St Michael le Belfrey back in the eighties. This church, literally in the shadow of York Minster, experienced considerable growth under David Watson's ministry, and continues to be a significant church in the city.

St Michael's was one of those Anglican churches that was at the vanguard of Charismatic Renewal, though always in a way that was respectful of its tradition. And that's expressed in the music, which was influenced by folk music - The Fisherfolk were regular visitors and a great encouragement in the use of all of the arts - but remained within the English Church music stream.

Listening today, the songs retain their beauty, simplicity, creativity, biblical and theological content, and that elusive 'something else' which for me made them highly significant. In a very real way it provided something of a musical bridge when I was finding faith again - I certainly didn't expect to hear a worship song, 'Jesus, my Saviour' in 5/4 time! Maybe it was the lovely oboe playing of Andrew Maries, the musical director and driving force, which provided a link with my world at that time. Or maybe it was the creativity and musical excellence of Chris Norton, now a good friend, and with whom we enjoyed a splendid day in London on Saturday, talking among many things about 'The Vinyl Years'.

I guess that I still listen out for hymns/songs that have 'beauty, simplicity, creativity, biblical and theological content, and that elusive "something else"'. I don't expect every hymn/song to have all of these qualities, but when there is a good mix the result can sometimes be something special. The grumpy old man in me, especially in a nostalgic mood, wants to say, 'But it doesn't happen that often!' Am I asking too much?

Susan Tomes, Out of Silence - A Pianist's Yearbook

2010-08-18T13:41:00.000+01:00

While on holiday I read a number of books, including A Night Train to Lisbon, by Pascal Mercier; One Day by David Nicholls; and Nick Hornby's Juliet Naked, which I haven't finished. The outstanding read was Susan Tomes, Out of Silence, which is a diary of a year in the life of a pianist. The inspiration for the book comes from Schumann's remark that 'I am affected by everything that goes on in the world, and I think it all over in my own way'. I've been following Susan Tomes' blog Susan Tomes: Pianist & Writer and find her posts engaging, as she reflects on life and music, often touching on something quite profound but with lightness and grace.

As a pianist, her work consists of solo performances, chamber music - most notably with the Florestan Trio with whom she has made numerous recordings on the Harmoni Mundi label - and concertos with orchestras.

The book isn't a day-by-day diary, but various short chapters compiled into each month. This isn't a page-turner but a contemplative read, more andantino than allegro. It has particular interest for the musician but isn't exclusive, and reflections are wide-ranging and include tennis, diving, football, and gardening.

A few highlights. On the relation of music to time, 'Music replaces clock time with musical time, a completely other way of guiding our thoughts and feelings through an experience with its own shape, its own build-up of tension and its own resolution. Our favourite songs seem timeless in more ways than one.'

She compares players 'who thrive on the physical sensation of playing, and on the feeling of being plugged into an enjoyable community effort which links everyone through music' with musicians 'who instinctively feel that music is not only a lovely noise but also a portal to something else, something that lies behind the right notes played in the right order. They understand music as symbolic of thoughts and feelings, a vehicle for expressing how the world strikes you.'

Early on in the book she has a fascinating section on 'Music for the right time of the day'. In the context of a holiday in Southern Italy, this felt particularly pertinent. Some music just didn't seem right to listen to in the morning, and strangely I couldn't bring myself to listen to Mahler for the whole two weeks. And then some music seemed particularly appropriate, while some felt universal.

In short, this is a lovely, graceful, enriching book, and one to return to.

Holiday in Sicily

2010-08-17T16:17:00.001+01:00

I've recently returned from a holiday in Sicily. This is our fourth holiday in Southern Italy, working our way further south each year, and next year the only way is back up! All the regions we've been to have been unmistakably Italy, and Southern Italy, but each has had that which is obviously distinctive. Sicily is no exception.

We were situated just north of Catonia, near Acireale, with the sea two kilometres on one side and Mount Etna on the other, surrounded by lemon trees. The place, a lemon farm, is aptly called Il Limoneto. It was pretty idyllic, constantly sun-drenched and extremely hot - by the end we were looking forward to the air conditioning at the airport - and the only down-side was the mosquitos which were a bit fierce.

For us, Italy provides a wonderful context to slow down, read, listen to music, eat and drink, visit leisurely places of interest, and of course passegiata. And all these are possible because of the nature of a holiday which opens up space by limiting the options normally available to us.

Sicily is featured in many films, notably, The Godfather trilogy, and Cinema Paridiso which for me is one of the all-time favourites. We have yet to see Il Postino, which again is set in Sicily, but the DVD is waiting at the top of a pile by the tv. Even for Southern Italy, Sicily feels like going into a bit of a time warp. Like the rest of Italy it might be becoming increasingly secularised, but the centrality of the church in local culture still seems fairly dominant, especially in August when every small town seems to be celebrating their local saint.

Italian ice-cream is something we always look forward to, at least once a day. But in Sicily the big thing is granita, which is a sorbet coming in an assortment of flavours, sometimes with cream on and eaten with an accompanying brioche. I thought they were a bit over-rated and kept faith with the ice cream.

Etna was awesome and although we drove some distance, we got less than half way up Europe's biggest active volcano. We met some French guests at Il Limoneto who were vulcanologists combining work and holiday and had some fascinating conversation.

Other places had particular historical interest, or were just beautiful. In Enna, a town built high upon a hill, there wasn't a great deal to see other than extensive views of the surrounding countryside. However, I loved the humour in the Rough Guide to Sicily about the Museo Musical Art 3M, 'a mishmash of an exhibition that features projections of the work of artists who have a (sometimes remote) connection with Sicily - for example Caravaggio, Lo Zoppo di Gangi and Antonello di Messina - all to the rather hammy accompaniment of originally composed orchestral music. A few photographs and costumes are also on show, as well as a reconstruction of a sulphur mine, a reminder of an industry that once dominated this part of Sicily. If you're in a tolerant mood, it'll do to pass twenty minutes or less.' Sadly it was just closing so we didn't have the pleasure.

Driving in Italy is usually something of an experience but in Sicily it's taken to another dimension. Again, the Rough Guide comes up trumps likening the Sicilian driver to 'a dog on drugs'. I thought that veered on the side of generosity. A lovely touch which we were reminded of once again as we touched-down in Sicily, the Italians clap the pilot - nice!

Horizon Ensemble - Chamber Music on a Summer's Evening

2010-07-21T18:11:00.000+01:00

This Sunday, 25 July, The Horizon Ensemble will be at Howgills - 42 South View, Letchworth - for a concert of music by Beethoven, Mozart, Finzi, Glinka, Faure, and others. The concert begins at 7.30 p.m. and is in aid of Saint Katherine's Church, Ickleford, building fund.

The Horizon Ensemble consists of Katie Canell on clarinet, Mary Cotes on piano, and me on bassoon. At this concert we're introducing two new pieces for us, a Duo by Beethoven for clarinet and bassoon. This is a delightful three movement work, which has the additional benefit of giving the pianist a break! And I'm playing a setting of a beautiful Faure song, Après un rêve.

If you're near Letchworth, do come, it would be great to see you!

Private Passions and tender music

2010-07-18T13:55:00.004+01:00

This morning I was visiting Vale Community Church's Sunday Brunch. This is an event which takes place twice a month and provides 'opportunities to make new friends and explore the Christian faith'. It's an exciting initiative for all ages and proving an effective way of being church.

On the way back I listened to Private Passions on Radio 3. Whenever I look ahead to the coming week on tv and radio, I always check out who Michael Berkeley's guest is, and this week it was a repeat of a programme with Nick Clegg.

Private Passions is a 'Desert Island Discs'-style programme, though much more substantial in terms of the music played and discussed. It has considerable depth without being stuffy or elitist and I would rate it as consistently very good and sometimes extraordinary. I could point you to pieces of music that I heard for the first time on this programme.

What I heard today was particularly interesting in the light of the position Nick Clegg now finds himself in. And this is a man who understands the arts, music in particular, and has a great love for them.

He spoke of the Mozart Laudate Dominum, sung by Kiri te Kanawa, as 'tender', and after listening to this Michael Berkeley commented that of the hundreds of guests on Private Passions, the weighting was towards music that elicits tears rather than joy. He then picked up on Nick Clegg's use of 'tenderness' and made a connection with 'the fragility of the human condition' and our sense of 'impermanence', which produces a longing and a yearning. This expresses for me something of my understanding of the essence of music.

In 'Chasing Frances', the book I posted on a week ago, Chase Falcon says, 'The object of all great art is beauty, and it makes us nostalgic for God. Whether we consider ourselves people of faith or not, art arouses in us what Pope John Paul called a "universal desire for redemption".' And 'Art or beauty is not the destination; it is a signpost pointing towards our desired destination.'

And CS Lewis, in The Weight of Glory, writes, 'The books of the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through was a longing … For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.'

Ordination of Dan Foster

2010-07-17T20:17:00.002+01:00

Today was the ordination of Dan Foster and his induction as Minister of Howlands Baptist Church, Welwyn Garden City, where he's served as a minister in training for the last three years during his time at theological college.

Dan is an accomplished professional jazz saxophonist, and his call is to bi-vocational ministry, working four days for the church and the rest as a musician. This seems to me an excellent arrangement, continuing to engage with and connect both worlds.

Ordinations are always special, and today was no exception, but a high-point was Dan and the pianist Peter James, from his group Kairos, playing an improvised arrangement of 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind'.

Check out Kairos, who have a number of CDs and are available for gigs - I recommend them enthusiastically. This is a group which doesn't settle into the familiar groove; they make a sound I haven't encountered elsewhere in the Christian sub-culture.

The wonderful Baroness Floella Benjamin

2010-07-16T21:04:00.000+01:00

We had a memorable day at Jonathan's Graduation Ceremony at Exeter University. As a proud parent I was looking forward to it, but expected it to be something of an assembly-line-event with all of the graduates receiving a quick hand-shake and certificate. It was anything but!

This was due largely to the presence of the wonderful Chancellor, Baroness Floella Benjamin. The ceremony began with the entrance of the University dignitaries and professors with the Chancellor the last person to appear. And what an appearance! There was such a sense of theatre as she literally graced the steps to her seat, before dramatically turning to address the congregation. What followed was an inspiring, motivational speech - more like a sermon - where she oozed presence. There were even three points, all beginning with 'c' - consideration, contentment and confidence.

The graduates were then presented. And no-one got anything as ordinary as a hand-shake. She embraced, hugged, kissed, caressed the graduates, speaking at length to each of them. What enthralled me was the manner in which she greeted everyone appropriately, with total attentiveness, huge warmth and elegance.

There were some final words to the graduates, which, taken at face value, might have been over the top, yet were spoken with such pride and affection, and communicated with the gorgeous smile, the wide open, sparkling eyes, and the elegant hand gestures.

I guess I've been a fan for more years than I care to remember, but today I became a fan for life! It made what would have been a special day whatever, very special. Thank you Floella.

Chasing Francis

2010-07-07T17:15:00.001+01:00

Three years ago I read a book by Ian Morgan Cron, Chasing Francis. It takes the form of a novel which charts the loss of faith of a minister of a seemingly successful church, and the spiritual journey that ensues. This involves a trip to Italy to visit his uncle who is a Franciscan priest, where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and connects with a more ancient way. In the process he regains his faith but not as he knew it.

It is a delightful, imaginative, insightful read, and I made copious notes as I read it.

Why mention it now? Well, yesterday I saw this commendation by Rowan Williams, 'I've now read it twice and found it equally compelling both times. It's a challenging, disarming, and delightful book, and the vision behind it is a serious one. It's a remarkable book'. The Archbishop of Canterbury was speaking at a Fresh Expressions Conference, and he drew out the five principles the book emphasises for the church: transcendence, community, beauty, dignity and meaning, which are well worth pondering.

These are some of the great quotes that I took three years ago:

'The Christian subculture overpromises and underdelivers.'

'In sacred places, something gets done to you that you’ve been unable to do for yourself.'

'The Bible is the story of how God gets back what was always his in the first place. People are looking for a story that can explain the way the world is. I think they’re open to being romanced by the glory of the painting.'

'All ministry begins at the ragged edges of our own pain.'

'Sometimes God’s presence is most strongly felt in his absence.'

'Finzi’s [an English composer of the last century] Ecologue is lyrical and haunting; it surfaces all the unfulfilled desires of your life.

'I am always brought to tears when I hear a marvellous performance followed by a standing ovation. I feel that at the climax of our cheering, we cross a boundary and unwittingly begin applauding some other reality, a performer we know is there but who cannot be seen. We want to thank Beauty itself.'

'The church is realizing that there is an awareness of God sleeping in the basement of the postmodern imagination and they have to awaken it. The arts can do this. All beauty is subversive; it flies under the radar of people’s critical filters and points them to God.'

The Sixteen at Christ the Cornerstone

2010-07-03T19:12:00.000+01:00

A great evening at Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes, with a performance by The Sixteen of Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and John Sheppard. This was part of their nationwide Choral Pilgrimage Tour, twenty-six venues, most of which are historic churches.

Tallis, Byrd and Sheppard, all Catholics, held appointments at the Chapel Royal and needed to be supremely adaptable to the changing circumstances: Henry VIII was succeeded first by his Protestant son Edward VI, then by his fervently Catholic daughter Mary, and finally by her half-sister Elizabeth I. Although a more moderate form of Protestantism was established in her reign, it was no small thing to express their devotion to the Catholic faith through the glorious music they composed.

A nice touch: when the Church of Christ the Cornerstone, the first ecumenical city centre church, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Friday 13 March 1992, Basil Hume, was the first Roman Catholic Cardinal to preach before the reigning monarch in over 400 years.

Dancing in the Dark

2010-07-01T14:37:00.001+01:00

I watched this on The Rest is Noise and it blew me away. The music won't be everyone's cup of tea but I thought the effect was stunning and beautiful. Augustin Hadelich plays the 'Rhapsodie' from Bernd Alois Zimmermann's Sonata for Solo Violin. Watch on full screen.

Congratulations Jonathan!

2010-06-28T21:56:00.000+01:00

Jonathan has just received the final result of his degree in Economics - and he got a first! We are proud parents and he's pretty chuffed!!

Jon's got a real passion for the subject and works with focus and determination, so it's well deserved. He's staying in Exeter and in September begins a MSc with a view to going into International Development.

Wondrous wild flowers on Chaffron Way

2010-06-26T16:26:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Milton Keynes Council and the Parks Trust for another stunning demonstration of its commitment to the natural beauty of our city. On the Furzton section of Chaffron Way are two huge swathes of wild flowers that drench the iris with colour. It is absolutely stunning. As we went closer to take some photographs another couple was there already and shortly after another man arrived.

The woman was overawed by such a profusion of 'my favourite flowers' and wanted to lie down in them. She half expected to see fairies, which says something about the magical quality of the experience.

For the foreseeable future all roads to and from MK will be via Chaffron Way!

'Cross Purposes'

2010-06-23T15:31:00.002+01:00

I've just read about a fascinating exhibition just opened in London, 'Cross purposes - Shock and Contemplation in Images of the Crucifixion'. What's staggering is that it is at the Ben Uri Gallery, the London Jewish Museum of Art. Norman Lebrecht writes, that it's 'drawn torrents of abuse from Jewish supporters of the museum, who argue (rightly) that the crucifixion image has been the incitement for 2,000 years of Christian persecution of Jews. The gallery counters that the man on the cross was Jewish; it's time to reclaim that heritage and discuss the terrible act from the victim's viewpoint'. It certainly sounds like it's worth a visit.

Alpha & Omega - The Event

2010-06-20T20:42:00.001+01:00

Had a great evening on Saturday at Melton Mowbray Baptist Church's weekend celebration of the work of the artist Brian Maunders. During the day the church had many visitors coming to see the main attraction which was Brian's tryptich, Alpha and Omega, as well as many of the sketches for this, together with other pieces including a display of paintings, drawings and etchings.

The central panel is inspired by the Revelation of St John the Divine and represents God's desire to call humankind into a relationship with him. The panel on its left depicts stories from the Old Testament with figures that include Job and Jonah. The panel on the right is inspired by passages from the New Testament. I don't think there are many Baptist churches with such a visual display, and I felt proud to be associated with the church!

In the first half of the evening I spoke about music and the arts from a Christian perspective. I explored the power of music, and that strong sense when music becomes a means of encounter with God. I went on to set out a structure for thinking Christianly about the arts. It went well and I certainly enjoyed myself, but wonder whether I tried to cram in too much so that it was a bit dense to listen to. I think that I tried to do two talks in the space of one.

After wine and cheese - though not for Mary Cotes, my superb accompanist, and me! - we gave a forty-five minute recital. The piano was a lovely baby grand, the acoustic was great, and we played well. And overall I think it was probably the best that I've played since music was my main occupation in life.

The audience were treated to a Tarantella by the totally unknown composer, Milde; two movements of the Mozart Concerto; a lyrical piece by Faure; a serenely beautiful slow movement from a Vivaldi Concerto; Sarah Watt's fantastic, Everything is Somewhere Else; and for the first time, A Simple Song, from Leonard Bernstein's Mass. Both Mary and I can't get this out of our heads and we love it! So if you have Spotify, go listen! What went down very well, although it wasn't the musical highlight, was me singing 'The Bassoon Song', with interjections played on the Bassoon. It's Victorian Music Hall stuff - not great music but a lot of fun.

The half an hour a day practice - there was a time when I'd spend that warming up! - will now reduce to ten minutes a day until the beginning of July when the next concert comes into view.

Walking humbly with our God

2010-06-16T07:56:00.000+01:00

I was with my colleague, Bishop Peter, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Northampton, yesterday. He spoke of a Groundplan within the Diocese, which has the title, 'Walking humbly with our God', taken from Micah.

This appeals to me because it doesn't have the Star Trek stridency of some of our mission statements and strategy straplines. Not that it's any easier to do! I was reminded of the mission statement of Portrack Baptist Church, which I love, 'plodding hopefully in the right direction'.

[On reading this through, 'Star Trek stridency of some of our mission statements and strategy straplines' makes for a challenging tongue twister!!]

Alpha & Omega - A Celebration in Art

2010-06-15T08:26:00.001+01:00

On Saturday I'm taking part in an Art Weekend at Melton Mowbray Baptist Church, where I was the minister. The weekend celebrates the work of gifted artist, Brian Maunders, a member of the church. And as part of the weekend there will be an inauguration of a huge three-part mural Brian has painted in the main church building.

When I was minister at the church we explored Brian's vision and, sadly for me, it wasn't the right time. However, the time has come and when I saw the mural in progress I was very excited.

Throughout the weekend there will be an exhibition of Brian's works and techniques. The event is launched on Friday evening with a talk by Dr Angie Smith, an art historian and member of the church. On the Saturday evening, I'm speaking about my perspective on art, music and Christianity, which is followed by a bassoon recital with Mary Cotes on piano. During the Sunday morning service Brian's work will be inaugurated.

So, if you're near Melton Mowbray over the weekend, do visit. And it would be great to see you at the evening event on the Saturday, which starts at 8.00 p.m.

Maggi Dawn, The Writing on the Wall

2010-06-14T13:26:00.000+01:00

I've just received Maggi's new book, ahead of the publishing date! It's called The Writing on the Wall. It 'provides a fascinating introduction to the Bible's best-known stories ... then shows how it has become enmeshed in Western culture ... and how the Bible has influenced everyone that matters - from Shakespeare to Ian McEwan, and the Beatles to Monty Python.

Maggi is a creative thinker and stimulating communicator and this promises to be a great read. If you haven't visited her blog, go here.

Stuck in the box?

2010-06-13T17:05:00.002+01:00

On Saturday we held our annual Central Baptist Association Assembly. It was the normal mix of worship, news, interviews, welcome and in memorium, AGM, address and, after lunch, workshops. A good number turned up, and I've only heard good things, so far! From my perspective, it was an excellent day, with a number of high points.

The workshops were well attended, even after lunch, and the one that I hosted, 'Love Your Local School', was led by a new minister to the association, David Skinner from Houghton Regis. In Reading he was deeply involved in a number of creative projects, one among asylum seekers, and another, in schools. REinspired was the result. Picking up on the Baptist Union mission emphasis upon Crossing Places, he stressed that the school is a unique crossing place as a centre and focus of the community. Many of the people attending showed that they were already in engaged, but he explored a number of very creative ways of furthering this engagement.

The other high point was the address by David Kerrigan from BMS World Mission. The theme for the day was, 'Stuck in the box?' and he brought an imaginative and challenging reflection on the subject. David is a class act and he was on great form. He showed this TED video clip, 'How to start a movement'. It's three minutes long - go see!

Over lunch I talked with David about blogging. His blog, thinking mission, can be found here, it's well worth a look. My last blog was 3 April, so it's been a significant gap. We had a great conversation about the blogging community, and how surprisingly meaningful it can be, and about levels of energy and what causes them to rise and fall. I've thought about a post on a number of occasions, but it's felt hard to get back into it. I'll be interested to see what happens in the coming weeks. There have been loads of things that I could have blogged on, and it may be that I revisit some of these.

Lament and the evening of Good Friday

2010-04-03T14:01:00.000+01:00

During Lent I read Lucy Winkett's Our Sound is Our Wound - Contemplative listening to a noisy world. It is a beautiful and insightful read. There were a number of passages that made a particular impression on me, including this one in a chapter on Lament:

An artist told me in conversation that he had visited a convent and talked with one of the sisters there about what Mary, mother of Jesus, would have done on the evening of Good Friday. They imagined together that she would have gone to visit the mother of Judas. He painted this scene: two women, two uncomforted mothers, sitting talking together about their terrible, terrible day. The imagined scene of these two mothers sitting together after the death of their sons was reminiscent of another meeting, this time not of grieving but of expectant mothers before - the visit of a younger Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. If Elizabeth had lived to see her own son John the Baptist executed, the three would have had much to share on that first Good Friday: the uncomforted mothers of sons at the heart of the story of salvation.

Come near, but not too near

2010-03-03T09:21:00.000Z

As part of my reading for Lent, I'm following Maggi's Giving it up - which not surprisingly is a great accompaniment. Today she reflects on Moses and the Burning Bush. I particularly appreciated this comment:

Without detracting from the fact that love is the very essence of God, we need to take infinite care not to domesticate God, not to clothe our idea of God with our own preferences and our own wishes. As soon as we cease to be surprised and disturbed by the infinite, we have made our expectations too small, and once again we will need to be both called by name and held back by transcendence.

'Called by name and held back by transcendence' - that's a thought to stay with.

Lectio Divina

2010-03-02T17:35:00.000Z

Last week, meeting with a group of newly accredited ministers, Mary spoke to us about Lectio Divina. It was a stimulating session, which culminated in an experience of:

reading receptively
meditating reflectively
prayerfully responding
contemplatively resting

I loved the quote with which she began:

'We read under the eye of God until the heart is touched and leaps to flame'. (Abbot Marmion, Sixth Century Benedictine)

Cantus firmus - The Enduring Melody

2010-02-28T17:18:00.003Z

Recently I posted on Michael Mayne's, This Sunrise of Wonder. Having read Jim's post on Mayne, and also Glen's on Musical Church I want to follow it up with a further book I've just read by him.

The Enduring Melody, his final book, is a journal begun at the time of being diagnosed with jaw cancer and published just a few days before his death. The bulk of the book is entitled, 'The Questioning Country of Cancer'. But there are two preceding chapters, one which is a reflection on aging, and the other, which is the theme of the book, the cantus firmus, which is the Latin for fixed melody, or enduring melody. In the introduction he says, ‘From that icy moment of diagnosis, when you know that everything has changed, I recognised ... that this would prove an unwanted but important test of the integrity of what I most deeply believed, both as a human being and as a priest: a kind of inquest on all those words spilled out of pulpits or in counselling others or at hospital bedsides. A few months earlier I had attempted to tease out what I had come to think of as ‘the enduring melody' of my life. This was the time to see how well it would stand up to the fiercest scrutiny.'

The theme comes from ancient music, plainsong, in which the cantus firmus is the basic, or fixed melody line around which counter melodies are sung.

Mayne wasn’t the first to explore this. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his Letters and Papers from Prison writes, ‘God requires that we should love him eternally with our whole hearts, yet not so as to compromise or diminish our earthly affection, but as a kind of cantus firmus to which the other melodies of life provide the counterpoint. ... where the ground bass is firm and clear, there is nothing to stop the counterpoint from being developed to the utmost of its limits. ... only a polyphony of this kind can give life a wholeness, and assure us that nothing can go wrong so long as the cantus firmus is kept going. ... put your faith in the cantus firmus.' Craig has done some fine work on this, some of which emerged in his Whitley Lecture.

For Michael Mayne, the cantus firmus, the enduring melody, is what he built his life on, the truths that lie not at the surface but at the deep centre, truths that have been refined and pruned over a lifetime. I'm drawn to the idea that each person is developing the enduring melody of their life. For some, the basic melody is still being written, for others there are already numerous improvisations and more being written.

Michael Mayne speaks of Jesus Christ, ‘that solitary figure [who] stands at the heart of my own cantus firmus.’ I guess that the apostle Paul says something similar in his cantus firmus, ‘For me to live is Christ’. Glen is suggesting something similar, though helpfully in the context of community where there is enormous scope for improvisation around the cantus firmus.

The Resurrection at the Royal Festival Hall

2010-02-12T15:32:00.000Z

On Thursday evening Cazz and I travelled from Milton Keynes to the Royal Festival Hall to hear a performance of Mahler Symphony No. 2, 'The Resurrection', performed by the Philharmonia. Last Saturday, drinking coffee in MK and reading the paper, I saw that it was happening, we had nothing planned so decided to go for it!

I love the music of Mahler. For me, it embraces the whole of life. It is epic and miniature, tragic and comic, grotesquely ugly and sublimely beautiful, extravagant and sparing, it is deep and kitsch, everything between, and more.

While not his largest scale work, the Second Symphony comes close. It requires a large choir, two female soloists, an enormous orchestra including two harps, two sets of timpani, four percussionists, six trumpets, seven horns, six clarinets (including Eb and bass), two off-stage bands, and last but by no means least, an organ. It isn't cheap to put on and therefore not a frequent occurrence.

I guess even an ordinary performance is pretty dramatic, and at an hour and a quarter it's not short. The fifth and final movement has one moment when the choir makes its sung entry, and it should be as quiet as possible. And so begins the final build up, the ultimate resurrection, which concludes with all the musical resources going for it, and leaving you at the end thoroughly exhilarated!

It was a wonderful experience, with some outstanding contributions from the principal oboist, cor anglais player, flautist and piccolo player, and the trombonist made a sweet, sweet sound. Another striking thing was the gorgeous sound that the Philharmonia violins make. We could have done without hearing the conductor singing along, not very nicely, at certain quieter moments, but hey!

As we walked back across the Waterloo Bridge, gazing over the Thames at the enchanting capital, and frozen to the bone, I reflected how I repeatedly forget what the power of a fine live performance does for me. And not just Mahler, or indeed 'classical'music. I find it hugely life-giving. And last night, with such massive themes in the music of death, darkness, light, resurrection, humanity, God, it was something that deeply touched my soul and was more than just the tingle-factor.

This year is the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth, and next year the 100th anniversary of his death, so we should be in for something of a Mahler-fest. Let's see what the Proms has lined up.

John Dankworth

2010-02-07T10:18:00.001Z

Just read on Sarah's blog, and the BBC website, of the death of Sir John Dankworth, the jazz legend, and founder of the Wavendon Allmusic Plan, which led to the establishment of The Stables in Milton Keynes. Last night was the fourtieth anniversary celebration with an all-star line-up, at which the announcement was made at the end of the concert by Cleo Laine, John's wife.

A great man and a huge influence on Allmusic. May he rest in peace.

Music and Mental Health

2010-01-30T09:35:00.000Z

Stephen Hough, the concert pianist, has posted a moving blog on the healing power of music and the mind, after giving a performance at the Chelsea Mental Health Centre. 'Playing a recital in this setting was like playing with sacred fire: the musician as magician, the hearing as healing.' Read here.

Conflicts, Caravaggio, and The Wesley Pulpit

2010-01-25T12:50:00.001Z

Sunday was a Bedford day, with a service at Cotton End in the morning, at which I was invited to preach on James 4 as part of a series, 'Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from?' That was fun!

In the evening I was the guest preacher at the All Bedford Churches Together Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity . The passage for this occasion was The Road to Emmaus, which happens to be a favourite, especially in the light of an experience I had whilst on sabbatical two years ago, which I recounted to the congregation.

I read a wonderful novel by Salley Vickers, The Other Side of You. Central to the plot was the story of ‘The Supper at Emmaus’, and more specifically, the painting by Caravaggio that hangs in the National Gallery. I visited a number of different galleries, but I will never forget sitting in front of Caravaggio’s painting and looking at it, really looking at it. A group came along with a guide, and she very helpfully pointed out some fascinating features of the painting. But then she said, ‘You need to look at this and appreciate that this is the split second before Christ disappears from their sight’. And something happened for me, call it ‘the light coming on’, or an epiphany, but I was deeply touched, and also entered a new dimension of experiencing art.

It was a good evening with excellent singing by the choir of St Paul's Bedford, supplemented from other churches, and splendid organ playing. But what made it that bit more special was to preach from the so-called Wesley Pulpit, which is where John Wesley preached the Assize sermon before the Honorable Sir Edward Clive, Knight, one of the Judges of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, on Friday, March 10, 1758, on the theme, 'We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ', from Rom. 14.10.

What's on David Bowie's iPod?

2010-01-24T14:23:00.001Z

I've always been an admirer of David Bowie, and I was intrigued to see that The Guardian had an article, What's on David Bowie's iPod?. If you have Spotify, you can listen to the whole playlist here.

I was blown away with this blast from the '60's, Stay with Me by Lorraine Ellison. Bowie writes, 'Ellison only got to record this goose bump-making classic because of a Sinatra cancellation at the studio. The vocal build and release on this track is galvanising.' And it is, it really is! I've listened on Spotify but downloaded it from iTunes.

There's a lot more that's interesting, including, John Adams, For With God No Thing Shall Be Impossible, from El Nino. Bowie's comment, 'Just over a minute long and propulsive like a storm. I want to crush furniture. The emotional in search of the divine.'

'This Sunrise of Wonder'

2010-01-22T10:42:00.001Z

For several years I've been quoting Michael Mayne, but only second-hand, and reading of 'The Enduring Melody', his last book before his death, I thought I really ought to go to the source. In view of the name of my blog, and bolstered by delighted reviewers, I chose 'This Sunrise of Wonder' to begin. And I have absolutely loved it!

It is a book, made up of twenty-four chapters, or letters, written to his grandchildren. The writing was done while staying in a chalet in the Swiss Alps during a Study Leave when Mayne was the Dean of Westminster, 'but the study has been done over the years by reading books and observing people, by watching and listening, by giving attention and learning to make connections. I did not have to look very far once I had spotted the thread I wished to pursue, for it runs through the work of most artists and many scientists and some theologians, and it is the theme of this book. For these letters are, above all, about wonder.'

Mayne says of his task, 'So much of what I want to share with you could be summed up by saying: to ask "What is art?", "What is poetry?", "What is music?" is one way of asking "What is a human being?" For I believe the mystery of what I am and what you are has to do before all else with our capacity to create, and be possessed by, such things. It is a sharing in the creative act that is no less than God-like, and that, too, is a source of wonder.' He draws on a huge number of poems, authors, playwrights, painters, composers and scientists, theologians, ancient and modern, in making his connections. And he does so from a life which was not without its pain. Mayne suffered from ME and 'The Enduring Melody' is in part an account of his battle with cancer of the jaw and was published a few days before his death.

'This Sunrise of Wonder' however, is a celebration of life. It's a book to savour, to read meditatively. And having finished it, I want to keep it close to hand to dip into again and again.

Entry-level Church

2010-01-21T10:52:00.000Z

On Tuesday we held a 'Meet the Team' lunch for ministers in the Bedfordshire area. This was a relaxed occasion where we chatted over food, shared news, and heard from ministers. It was good to be together.

In the conversation, one thing that was striking and encouraging was the number of what was described as 'entry-level church' events that were taking place. One church has been doing Pulse Cafe once a month in a neighbouring village where there is no church; a church plant has as its main event, Brunch, mid-morning on a Sunday; and another church holds a regular 'Tea Time Church' at 4.30 on a Sunday afternoon. Most of these don't take place in the church building. All are proving to be inviting to people who otherwise would not come into church. In many respects they are variations on Cid Latty's Cafe Church, which takes place in Costas, but it was the notion of 'entry-level church' that I was taken with.

The obvious thing they hold in common is that they take place around food, that they are informal and non-churchy, and that they are driven by a tremendous desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ with their local community. Hearing from those involved, the other common factor is that they are hugely demanding in time, energy, and people resources.

'All you need is love'

2010-01-19T16:22:00.000Z

HT to Sarah at Razzamajazz for this.

On December 7th, 2009 at 1.30 GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played "All You Need is Love" together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and share a song.

As Sarah says, 'This is lovely'. Enjoy!

'Making the Most of the Church Meeting'

2010-01-19T16:14:00.000Z

Monday was the first night of an event that we're putting on in five locations around the Central Baptist Association, 'Making the Most of the Church Meeting'. And it was an encouraging beginning with over 70 people attending. In previous years we've taken as themes, 'When Christians Disagree', 'Fit4Life' with an introduction to effective communication, and 'Help! I'm a Deacon'. All of these have been well received.

The Church Meeting in our Baptist churces often gets a bad press, and for good reason! But it really can be a high point in the church's life. So, what makes for a great church meeting? And when it isn't so great, what happened? And how can we make all our church meetings work better for us? These are the questions that we looked at on Monday evening and we'll stay with over the next few weeks.

Anti Desert Island Discs

2010-01-06T13:49:00.000Z

Charlotte Higgins, 'On Culture', in the Guardian, posts on 'What pieces of music would you happily never hear again?' She quotes Alan Bennett's diary for 2009, in which he writes:

'It's years since I was on Desert Island Discs but these days I'd find it much easier to choose the eight records I don't want than those that I do. I don't ever want to hear again: Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition; Rimsky Korsakov, Sheherazade; Schubert, Fifth Symphony; Beethoven, Pastoral Symphony; Mozart, 40th Symphony. And it isn't that I've heard them too often. I just don't care for any of them.'

Interestingly, Charlotte Higgins, is reluctant to name her pieces, but does include Bellini, Donizetti, and Bruckner.

I too am reluctant to name pieces, partly because some pieces come and go, but then come back. Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique would definitely have been an example, along with Schubert's Ninth Symphony, due mainly to playing them too many times. But now I feel some shame for this as I'm wowed by Berlioz and awed by Schubert! Tchaikovsky similarly. I performed The Merry Widow by Lehar so many times that I thought I could never face hearing it again - it's not the greatest music anyway - but even now I find myself wistful for the Vilja-Lied, and I may even download it for nostalgia. My idea of a musical hell included Country and Western, but not so long ago I purchased three Johnny Cash CD's! As yet, Prokofiev continues to hold no interest, but this too might change!

Now, if we were talking hymns or worship songs ...

If you're adventurous enough to put down what you would happily never hear again I'll be glad to hear from you.

A Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T11:40:00.003Z

A Happy New Year!

A good Christmas with one major disappointment. Christmas starts properly for us when we attend the Carol Service at St Albans Cathedral. On 21 December we set off with masses of time, but bad weather and accidents on the road meant that we arrived home two hours later having got not even close! Actually, in retrospect, if we had got there, probably we wouldn't have got back!

I've got used to not being involved in Christmas services, but I did have the opportunity to lead some prayers of intercession at the Carols by Candlelight at our home church, and I was asked if I would teach a round on Christmas Day. By way of explanation, a few weeks back I taught Jubilate Deo from Taize and it went spectacularly well with all ages! I thought that something similar on Christmas Day wasn't likely to do it for most people, but nonetheless taught 'Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo', again from Taize, and again it worked a treat! I have to add that we sang another song from which I wish to totally disassociate myself - 'Christmas, isn't Christmas, till it happens in your heart'.

Otherwise, Christmas has included many good things. A pleasurable excess of homemade Christmas cake - thanks to Sarah - and Christmas pudding, some good TV/DVD's - Doctor Who, Hamlet, Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra (again), and Valkyre (not the opera but the Tom Cruise). We went to see Avatar, which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially as a first in 3D - see Glyn's post here.

Present wise, it was a bit of a Schubert-fest, with Ian Bostridge singing, Die Schöne Müllerin, Mark Padmore singing Winterreise - spectacular - and the last three piano sonatas with Murray Perahia. Some Mahler still hasn't arrived.

The other high point was reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbary, a beautiful book, and fitting conclusion to 2009. Right at the end of the book are these words in response to hearing the strains of Satie's Gymnopédies,

'there's a lot of despair, but also the odd moment of beauty, where time is no longer the same. It's as if those strains of music created a sort of interlude in time, something suspended, an elsewhere that had come to us, an always within never.'

Greetings and a prayer

2009-12-26T09:38:00.000Z

A 'Happy Second Day of Christmas'!

And a favourite prayer:
Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as he came to share our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Ten things tourists should know about Milton Keynes

2009-12-20T16:28:00.000Z

If you are one of the countless people for whom the mention of Milton Keynes evokes a smirk, then read here about our great 'city'.

Mary - Godbearer - at Hopeful Imagination

2009-12-20T09:32:00.000Z

Today I'm blogging at 'Hopeful Imagination'. Do pay a visit!

Music that made you stand still in wonder

2009-12-10T08:08:00.000Z

Maggi has tagged me with a music meme. The point is to write about moments when music just made you stand still in wonder, but not to write about your all-time-favourite music.

This is really hard, as there are lots of those moments! So, what do I choose?

The first time I heard the Ode to Joy from Beethoven's 9th Symphony made a huge impact and marked the beginning of a passion for music. I was about seven years old and as a consequence asked for the LP for Christmas - sad child! I didn't know where the Ode to Joy came in the music - it's near the beginning of a long final movement - and so the family had to endure the whole symphony to make sure the wrong piece hadn't been purchased! Even now, when I hear the melody introduced in the subterranean depths of the string section, and then joined with a counter-melody played by the bassoon, it has the same effect.

The most recent moment is Mahler's 10th Symphony, the Finale. I blogged on this recently, and received a delightful comment. Since then I've been ambused again and again as I've listened to this sublime music.

On a Sunday, driving home from preaching at one of the CBA's 150 or so churches, I listen to Private Passions, a brilliant programme. It's a sort of Desert Island Discs, but with much more conversation around the music. There have been a number of occasions when music has had the 'stand still in wonder' effect, which is a bit disconcerting when you're driving!

One piece was Miles Davis, Time after Time, taken from 'Live Around The World'. The guest introducing this, spoke about how Miles takes the tune and breaks your heart in one way, and then in another, and yet another. And listening to it for the first time, it's just as he said. There's a wonderful moment when Miles plays without his signature Harmon mute and wallops a seriously high note, and the silence that follows makes you stop breathing.

There was a period in our lives when Cazz and I would listen to Late Junction on Radio 3 introduced by the gorgeous-voiced Verity Sharp. Right at the end of the programme, in the early hours of the morning, we heard a version of 'The Air That I Breathe' by The Hollies, played by the virtuoso violinist Victoria Mullova, accompanied by the jazz pianist Julian Joseph and the fantastic percussionist Paul Clarvis. We subsequently bought the CD, 'Through The Looking Glass'. What a great song!

We attended a concert at The Stables with the guitarist Martin Taylor in which he spoke of a recent tragedy in his own life. He played his own take of a tune that had become very special to him and wife, The Londonderry Air. It was one of those occasions when time took on another dimension.

I could talke about the slow movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, Jan Gabarek, Officium, and others.

But finally, I recently came across a video clip on You Tube of a friend from years ago, Dermot Crehan. Dermot is a superb classical vioinist who also is a hugely respected Irish fiddler. He was the solo violinist on the soundtrack of 'Lord of the Rings', and on this clip performs 'Were You At The Rock?'. He's accompanied at one point by another friend, Andy Findon, playing Irish flute. It's a moment of understated wonder.

I'm tagging Sarah Watts, Craig Gardiner, Simon Jones, Glen Marshall

Stephen Hough on Advent

2009-12-01T11:20:00.000Z

For the four Sundays in Advent, Stephen Hough, the concert pianist, is posting an Advent blog, taking four pieces he has recorded and connecting them 'to spiritual themes from this pre-Christmas season'. The first piece is Cesar Franck's Prelude, Chorale and Fugue which 'contains a profound musical journey from darkness to light'.

He interprets what's going on in the music through a theological lens, and it's good stuff. Go read and then listen on Spotify, although you'll have to settle for Murray Perahia, as Stephen's recording isn't included yet.

Advent

2009-11-30T17:45:00.003Z

Advent is a rich time on the blogosphere. This includes Hopeful Imagination which has started up again for the season. And all of this is a good thing!

I started to take Advent more seriously when I was at theological college, when Paul Beasley-Murray, the principal, spoke with some energy about the Church's festivals. He also shared his own family's practice of Advent Teas, which is something we've adopted ever since, lighting our own Advent wreath and using a short, simple liturgy, in the context of a meal.

Over the years, Advent has become more significant for me, in itself, and also as the start of a new Church year.

On Sunday, unusually I was at a church where we sang five Advent hymns! Additionally I was given the honour of lighting the first candle. And then, at home in the evening, later than usual, we had an Advent Supper and did the same thing again, but without the hymns.

The frustration with Advent is that for many of our churches it's simply Christmas-come-early, and yet Advent offers something distinct and deep.

I like what Neil Brighton at Distinct Reflections says, 'Advent expresses an important dimension of the Christian life; a life of expectant waiting and a period of hopeful purpose. As those who live after the end of the beginning but before the beginning of the end we should have an attitude towards God that is faith filled and yet hesitant, humble and yet assured.'

There are particular pieces of music that I listen to especially this time of the year, one being, James MacMillan's, Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, a concerto for percussion and orchestra, played on my recording by Evelyn Glennie. It's superb!

And this year I've purchased Salt of the Earth:A Christian Seasons Calendar, which tells the story of the Christian Year through scripture, liturgical colour and artworks. So instead of January, February, March ... it's Advent, Christmas, Epiphany ... In every other respect it looks like a conventional calendar, with the addition of the lectionary for Sundays and some background to the stunning artwork. It's ordered from America, and so proved expensive with postage, but it's beautiful.

Mahler 10

2009-11-26T16:29:00.007Z

I'm a big Mahler fan - ever since I went to the first night of the Proms in 1975 and, standing up in the gods, I heard Mahler's Eighth. Mahler's Tenth and final symphony was unfinished, although substantially complete in draft form, so any performance is a realisation by someone else. There are several of these, but those by Deryck Cooke are the ones that form the basis of performances today. And you're in no doubt that you're listening to Mahler.

I already have one recording of just the first movement, but last week I read this moving account by Gareth Davies, the principal flautist in the London Symphony Orchestra, of his experience, following the discovery and treatment of cancer. For some time after his return to work he found himself playing great music, yet simply going through the motions and feeling nothing. It was during a performance of Mahler 10 that a switch flicked in his brain. Read the post here.

As a consequence, I've just bought Sir Simon Rattle's Mahler 10 with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and I'm loving it, especially the flute solo in the last movement.

Charity Concert, and flowers

2009-11-15T20:15:00.001Z

On Saturday I took part in a Charity Concert in aid of MHA, which is a charity providing care homes, housing and support services for older people throughout Britain. It was organised by Birgitte Grace, the chaplain at Westbury Grange and a member of the Baptist Church of which I'm a part. Bee, as she's known, is doing an excellent work, and the way she spoke about MHA demonstrated her commitment and compassion for vulnerable older people.

I did two sets, accompanied by Mary Cotes, who also accompanied Claire Turner, more recently a mum, but previously a mezzo soprano with Welsh National Opera. Katie Neaves, a violinist was the other instrumentalist, taking a night off from the National Tour of The Sound of Music. Additionally, the Arts1 Musical Theatre Choir sang.

This group describe themselves as 'a vibrant and exciting adult choir for singers looking to enjoy making a fantastic sound whilst having fun and meeting new friends.' It was an absolute delight to hear them perform with such enthusiasm and clear enjoyment. Their musical director, James Grimsey, who led them in songs from shows, popular music and other well known melodies, has something of the Gareth Malone, from The Choir, about him. Certainly he generated a huge amount of energy from his singers.

The evening was in the Church of St Peter and St Paul's, Newport Pagnell, and on this occasion it was actually warm! The finishing touch from the evening was that for the first time ever, I was given flowers, beautiful flowers, and I was thoroughly chuffed!

Anish Kapoor and The Sacred Made Real

2009-10-23T17:00:00.000+01:00

I spent Friday in London and visited firstly The Royal Academy to see the exhibition by Anish Kapoor. It's been described as 'a succession of physical and psychological experiences to draw us into his search for a poetic sculptural language that seems to reach beyond the object.'

It consists of a number of exhibits in wonderful shapes, colours, different materials and textures, and the overall effect is dramatic, sensual, playful and allusive. The photo of the amazing sculpture in the Courtyard, 'Tall Tree and the Eye', doesn't do justice to the effect of the reflections in each sphere.

I heard a children's guide ask repeatedly, 'How does this make you feel?' and this tellingly reinforced that this is not a head-thing!

I then went to the National Gallery for The Sacred Made Real. This consisted of hyper realistic sculptures and devotional paintings from seventeenth and eighteenth century Spain, depicting Christ in his sufferings, as well as the saints and the Virgin Mary. This art is 'stark, austere and often gory, with the intention of shocking the senses and stirring the soul'. While my soul wasn't greatly stirred, the paintings, which are clearly influenced by the sculptures, and the sculptures, carved in wood and then polychromed by another artist, are masterpieces. A nice touch is that on the audio-guide, incidental music to the exhibition has been composed by the pianist, Stephen Hough.

Of the two, the sacred was made more real by the Anish Kapoor, than by The Sacred Made Real!

Cheers

2009-10-20T09:45:00.001+01:00

Last week, at our Ministers' Conference, Roy Searle began the Communion with the theme music from 'Cheers', an Eighties American sitcom, making the point that in Celtic spirituality there is no sacred/secular divide. This became the theme song of a church Roy pastored in a challenging area of Stockton on Tees, back in the Eighties.

It's called, 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name'.

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries,
sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go,

where everybody knows your name,

and they're always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same.
You wanna be where everybody knows Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

It reminded me of a song we sang regularly at the churches where I was the minister, 'Here we are, gathered together as a family'. This said something about the community that we were seeking to be.

Hope

2009-10-19T08:36:00.003+01:00

For the next week Living Wittily has committed himself to one sentence Blogposts. I read this one sentence yesterday, which I returned to today. It's from Frederick Buechner, Listening to Your Life, in which he is reflecting on the Seven Virtues.

'Hope is the glimmer on the horizon that keeps faith plugging forward, the wings that keep it more or less in the air.'

In a culture, and especially a church culture which veers towards the exaggerated, I appreciated the understatement, the more modest claim, the rootedness, in this description.

Bach's music never stops praying

2009-10-15T12:15:00.003+01:00

Alex Ross, who is the music critic for the New Yorker, and author of the sensational book, The Rest is Noise, while retaining his blog with the same name, is now blogging on Unquiet Thoughts. He includes this snippet from a new book on the Hungarian composer, György Kurtág, whom I confess to not having heard of. I found this response to the question, 'Are you a believer?' a fascinating one.

'I do not know. I toy with the idea. Consciously, I am certainly an atheist, but I do not say it out loud, because if I look at Bach, I cannot be an atheist. Then I have to accept the way he believed. His music never stops praying. And how can I get closer if I look at him from the outside? I do not believe in the Gospels in a literal fashion, but a Bach fugue has the Crucifixion in it—as the nails are being driven in. In music, I am always looking for the hammering of the nails…. That is a dual vision. My brain rejects it all. But my brain isn’t worth much.'

Retreat with Roy Searle - retrospective

2009-10-14T19:54:00.003+01:00

We've just had an excellent Ministers' Conference/Retreat with Roy. Roy is one of the founder leaders of the Northumbria Community, and also a Baptist minister. Roy is well known to many of us as a friend, and as I expected, he nourished our souls, informed our minds, and told a lot of memorable stories, some moving, some very funny. And we prayed.

Among many things that were said, he reminded us that pastoral ministry is not about running the church; that Sabbath is a gift that we can give to our Western consumerist society. He asked provocative questions, 'how is it with your soul?' and 'what are you and God working on at the moment?' He talked of the need for Speak Easys, where people can do just that. He encouraged us in a way of being with God where we don't set the agenda. He emphasised the need for integrity and authenticity. He told us of the mission statement of the church where he began in pastoral ministry, 'plodding hopefully in the right direction'. He led us in creative, thoughtful, non-driven worship.

The relaxed between-times at meals, refreshment breaks and at the end of the day, provided ideal conditions for making and nurturing relationships, and the space provided on Tuesday afternoon was particularly renewing. And just to add that the food at King's Park, Northampton was varied, plentiful, and very tasty. Kippers for breakfast, with a poached egg, was a real treat! Thanks Steve, and indeed all the staff who were extremely hospitable. So from my perspective, as well as the feedback I'm receiving, a good time, doing what it was meant to do.