Readers of this blog will gradually [?] realise that, while I may say a bit about issues and problems that I face, I seldom say much about what I actually do. But I think the second major meeting of our Diocesan Review Group which happened today is worth a mention. Sometimes people see this kind of process as being, ‘What shall we put on this blank sheet of paper?’ I tend to see it the other way round. No problem filling the sheet of paper with all sorts of ideas, plans, visions, strategies. What I enjoy most is the refining and whittling away process out of which emerges gradually the architecture of the strategic plan. Rather like seeing sculpture as the process by which the work of art is slowly revealed from the solid block of marble. We’re some distance – and a lot of consultation – off that yet. But it’s great to see the enthusiasm and the growing belief that it is possible to make decisions and see change happen.
Month: June 2006
Second attempt at posting this sermon
Sermons and broadcast script
Music and the savage beast
Off to Balquhidder [where?] for a spot of chamber music – part of my gradual reawakening in that department. Another sign too of my vastly improved work/life balance since moving to Scotland. It was great – Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, a Bach Brandenburg Concerto and some other bits and pieces. I’m so out of practice these days – Mrs Vanacek would speak to me most sternly in her middle-European tones. But I allow myself to be tugged along in the slipstream. She used to say to me, ‘You are like person who plays violin in phone box’ Interesting then as I drove the 37 miles back towards Perth to find the two cars in front of me stopped at a fairly dangerous corner. What was happening? Just a spot of road rage as the driver of the front one got out, stood in the road and berated the one behind. I could understand how people get shot in such moments. He needed some Scott Joplin on the MP3 player.
Installing the Provost
It turned into something of an SEC bloggers’ night out. It’s interesting to meet people whom you think you know because you read what they choose to blog about in the night hours .. The service was, of course, extraordinary. Wonderful music – a real treat – and many signs of Kelvin’s flair for liturgy and the big occasion. Well – there was one completely OTT moment. To sing Parry’s ‘I was glad’ as Bishop Idris led Kelvin to his stall? It’s fine in Westminster Abbey when you are wearing a crown and stuff. So what would have been better? Not ‘Sheep may safely graze’, I think. As always, I ponder my belonging and not belonging. It was liturgically a long long way from Portadown! But a great gathering of the SEC family and I feel increasingly part of that.
Definitely in the details
Never left the house today – apart from going to Burrelton to get the papers so that I could look for a subject for my debut on Thought for the Day in the morning. I find Scotland a little difficult – so much less news than I am used to. But then, thankfully, there is no war going on either. And then E mails, letters and phone calls ad infinitum – 40 incoming E Mails today on subjects ranging from Perth to Myanmar. But at least, when they are all done, there is a certain feeling that the God of the details has been well served and everything is in everybody else’s in tray. The Voip phone is still not right – the WiFi connection to my study over a distance of about 10 feet isn’t all it should be. It improved a bit after we removed the brass tray which was leaning against the bureau in the hall but it is weaker than it should be. I can hear beautifully but the speaking is a bit intermittent – a good balance, don’t you think?