Blog

  • Advent wreath – more

    Many thanks to all those who chose to correspond on the subject of Advent Wreaths. For the record, we don’t have advent wreaths in Sweden, but rather a thingy (adventljus?) which places the four candles in a straight line. These may be decorated with green stuff but are more likely just to be metal. This…

  • The thurible has landed

    After a rather busy day of travel, I’ve arrived at my destination in Sweden, the Sigtuna Foundation, which is lovely. Today began with a challenging wrestling match with madam cat who had no inclination to go to cat prison for 4 days. She did not believe me when I told her that I would be coming…

  • No white smoke in Aberdeen

    Despite all our candle-lighting of last evening, the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney has been unable to elect a new bishop today. That will be frustrating for many people. I feel for all the candidates in these elections. They are very publicly exposed to scrutiny in what is a pretty unkind process. That process begins…

  • Poetry Break

    Let us have a little break for a poem – as heard in the Archers on Thursday… The Bargain My true love hath my heart, and I have his, By just exchange one for another given: I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss, There never was a better bargain driven: My true love…

  • The Advent Wreath Candle Controversy

    I was just in conversation with my American correspondent in the Diocese of Argyll about Liturgical Matters. It transpires that there is schism between us. It is my belief that the candles on an Advent Wreath should be red, with the possible addition of a white one in the middle at Midnight Mass. It is…

  • Preparation

    I’m just about getting my head around the services to come over the next few weeks. An office day yesterday sorted out a lot of the questions and the Great Printing can soon begin. The presses will roll next week, when I am safely out of the way in Sweden. I’ve no idea who thought…

  • Book Review – Inspires

    Rabble-Rouser for Peace – the authorised biography of Desmond Tutu by John Allan (Rider Books – £18.99) Episcopal biographies are a very specialised form of literature. I remember during one of the many (over 50) interviews that formed a part of my selection for ministry being told that all that I needed to do was…

  • Daily Service

    You can find a recording of St Mary’s Choir singing the music for the Daily Service here for seven days. They were singing in a rather empty sounding Wellington church.

  • Shelly Marsh

    Just back from the delights of seeing Shelly Marsh installed as the Rector of St James the Less, Bishopbriggs. They are a lucky congregation indeed – she is very special. It was the first time I had been there. Someone said beforehand that it was like being in a Berni Inn. I know what they…

  • Daily Service

    Don’t forget that St Mary’s choir is on the Daily Service on Monday morning. You have from now until then to work out how to tune in on 198 Long Wave.