-
Ask! Tell!
Today shall not pass on this blog without noting the change in the law that now allows gay people to service openly in the military in the USA. The so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule that has now been consigned to history was an emblematic piece of hypocrisy. The idea was that it was OK…
-
To Pollokshields
Off to Pollokshields yesterday for the institution of the Rev Paul Romano at St Ninian’s church. Ten minutes before kick-off it seemed as though there was no-one there, but by the time we started, there was a great crowd, surely one of the largest to gather in St Ninian’s in recent years. The church itself…
-
Opera Review – Orpheus in the Underworld
Scottish Opera – 10 September 2011 As published on Opera Britannia Rating: Scottish Opera is at the start of taking a bawdy romp around Scotland and Northern Ireland with an inventive, witty and utterly filthy Orpheus in the Underworld. This is an exemplary touring show – satirical, relevant, well sung and with plenty of naughtiness…
-
Michael Bawtree Organ Recital
Michael Bawtree is playing an organ recital tonight in St Mary’s. As I announced on Sunday, he will be giving a similar organ recital in three of the great organ centres of the world over the next couple of weeks – St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Notre Dame in Paris and … St Mary’s Cathedral…
-
More on animal blessings
There has been some correspondence regarding the animal blessing service which takes place at 1030 on 1 October 2011. Firstly, Freda has been in touch on behalf of Misty who cannot be there on the day and asks what can be done. Well, actually the request is more specific than that. Freda says that Misty…
-
The happiest in the world?
There is an interesting piece on Forbes Magazine’s website about a piece of research which has come up with the finding that, in the US at least, clergy appear to be those who have the greatest job satisfaction for amongst many other groups, they reported themselves to be the happiest of all. I think it…
-
Blessing of the Animals
Could I just give quick notice that we will be having a Blessing of the Animals at St Mary’s Cathedral on 1 October 2011 at 1030. It is the Saturday nearest to St Francis’s Feast Day and a part of the committment we have to engage with thinking about creation. The service will last about…
-
Ten Years Ago Tonight
I’ve waited before posting a “ten years ago” today kind of blog post to late evening because in my case I heard about the attacks in the US literally rather late in the day. On the morning of 11 September 2001 I woke up in Paris. I’d gone there to look for and look at…
-
Back to School
People are sometimes surprised to discover that I went to school in Bearsden. I don’t know why. After all, my prominent Bearsden accent is clear for all to hear. Today I had a trip back down memory lane with a visit to Bearsden Primary School where I was a pupil in the 1970s. I’ve not…
-
Tales of the City #6
The scene is the building I live in. Utter chaos. Extensive stoor. Very Dirty Workman: OK then, that’s us. We’ll be off then. hesitates Er, can I ask you something though? Me: Yes, what is it? VDW: Er, well, I just wondered. Are you a minister or something? Me: Er, well, yes, as it happens.…