not so silent

I had the privilege of being taken too for my birthday by my son to see/hear Evelyn Glennie the percussionist. Both my son and I at times attack the stretched skins. The event was at Lichfield cathedral the space I was ordained deacon. As an introduction to one of the pieces of music she told us how passionate she was of her snare drum, the one thing she would have on a desert island. Then she played. Striking the skin with the finely balanced sticks the sound came. I cannot hum the tune, la la the melody and it was not Evensong but it deeply moved my spirit. Somewhere between the erect hairs on the back of my neck, that inner tingle deep I my bowels and the silence in Moring Prayer. I am reminded my God is a shade more colourful, a tad more expressive, a little bit larger to fit in the box I keep him in at times.

Care in the community it is there 2 recent incidents that have sharply reminded me that as sceptical as I can be there is care in the community. I was taking coffee in one my coffee shops were I go to think and read. It is small and old fashioned place with only about 4 small tables. On this occasion there was across from me an elderly lady I mean proper elderly, bent over, shopping trolley with wheels, a slight vagueness about her existence and possibly a slight whiff of urine. We both had the same off the menu soup and a roll, she did not finish her roll I had another, crusty brown and seeds. She was obviously a more frequent visitor than I as the assistant know her name, she did not know mine name. the luxury of company and a cooked meal drew to a close and it was time to pay. The assistant asked did she want the usual? There was the usual possessive response and into a clean crisp white paper bag was placed a single crusty role. No husband. In an entirely reckless manner the lone e...

Romeo and Jesus I had the privilege of attending church recently. The service was very informal and long. During the service the was shown a clip of the film Romeo and Juliet. After I had returned home I was struck by what had stuck with me from the service. During the service there were many words used probably far too many. But at one point in there service I felt the hair stand on the back of my kneck. It was the words for Shakespeare the had given me a a sense of excitement.

Feet on the pavement Driving down the road the other day out of the corner of my eye I see a small child. She was about 2 or 3 years old. She had taken a firm position on the pavement. She squatted down low, nappy almost touching the slabs her chin firmly pressed against her chest her arms held up in the air. It was a protest. I could not hear the dialogue but her position told me enough to make some judgments. Two steps in front of the child is an adult, female. I presume her to be the mother of the protest. The child is asking for something, saying no to something unwilling to cooperate. The mother resists the demands, negotiates with the protestor, summons all her short years of wisdom as mother for this encounter. There will be many to come. Before me I feel is a deeply spiritual event. How often am I the child even with all my years? Feet firmly anchored to the pavement unwilling to move until my demands are listened too or meet? I can’t get down that low without much pain and str...

The day today was engagingly beautiful, clear blue skies that required no need for a coat to defend. For four week previous to today the man at the top of the John Hancock’s building tells us, 94 stories up, you could not see the next tower due to cloud. But today we can see far into the horizon of Lake Michigan. As we wondered thru Chicago towards Millennium Park we were unsure what we would find, newness and discovery are great companions on a journey. Perhaps part of what I have discovered on this journey is that expectation should be much more of a constant companion in everyday life. But do not rule out surprise. A life without surprise is a life without joy and I am aware now that too many of my days before this journey have been joyless, lacking surprise and light with expectation. But today is a day of surprise. As we walked across the water of Crown fountain towards the next event I was unprepared, for how can you prepare for joy. Before me, before us all was something of joy....

As an ex mechanic when raise the bonnet of the car there are a number of challenges that i feel more comfortable with the expert dealing with. When i take a walk down the aisle of a chemist here there is a growing sense of unease within me as I engage with the possibilities of self medication in the USA. For the most part self medication in England is the choice between Ibuprofen and aspirin and if you’re not sure go to the doctor anyway it is free and he has nothing to do if you don’t go and see him or her. I want you to have a think for a moment, count the amount of various holes ins and outs you have spaced around your body? The sort of places you often tell young children not to mess with in public or put anything into them. Remind me to tell you the time my daughter got a pea stuck in her nose. Anyway back to the point as I walk the aisle of the chemist where you can buy coffee and doughnuts i am astonished what the sell. I know I sound like the kid from the county again. But the...

There are things you should never overhear, confessions to and of a priest. The whisper of lovers, unless you’re one of the two. The cries of a desperate man under the pressure of life. The public admission of our dark parenting methods. There is a story that does the rounds of people I know. In the good old days if a child would not sleep grannies encouraged parents to dip the dummy into sherry or put a little drop into their bottle, it will help them rest, was the belief. I am sure you will know it too. After a long day, a longer night and then another morning on one of our train journeys the children around me are tired, excited, looking forward to going home. So show little signs of rest. As the family prepare to leave the train or de train as they call it here. Mom, I presume, says to the little one “if you don’t stop I’ll give you a RitilinshaKe”. I have to check that my hearing is correct and we agree Ritillineshake. The child then begins to sort of sing a song I want a shake, I...