I did always say to myself that I would only blog when something inspired me to blog as opposed to “blogging” for the sake of it until you switch off or think “oh he’s is bloggin twoddle”.

So the radio silnce for a few days has been I have been having some “me” time and it was this blog that gave me the inspiration for that “me” time.

To explain. I was watching a BBC News interview with the British actor, David Harewood, who at the start of his career had a mental health issue and had to be sectioned.  He is fine now and does not have those sever episodes any more.  However, he does have to make sure he has some “down time”. 

He said that things that can spark his stress levels is Social Media, Twitter / Instagram / Facebook.  Particularly Twitter sometimes his phone can be buzzing and buzzing and buzzing.  His response is to delete twitter app (not his account) for a couple of days and just chill.  He said you can always download it again a few days later and just sign back in.

Now, I am don’t suffer with mental health, however, I do make sure I have my out times.  What I find most relaxing is to come home from work in this glorious weather, silence the phone and sit on the patio watching a movie or reading on the ipad.  (I don’t have Twitter or Insta etc on the iPad so the iPad won’t ping/ding/whistle).

Now we all have hectic busy lives and sometimes we can let it get the better of us. I certainly have done this.  When I worked in the city, I would still respond to emails until late at night, whether they were urgent or not.  A bad habit which is easily picked up with technology as it is in the 21st Century. Now don’t get me wrong, it was not becuase I was expected to answer at all hours God sent, it was just easier to keep the following day’s workload down.

So, I hope that you have your escapes from the mad world we live in, be it reading, music or what ever hobbie you have. If when reading this blog, you perhaps think, “Oh, I have not done this or that hobbie for a while”, well seriously think about ressurecting it. It will be worth it 🙂

Again, thanks for reading.

Well what a day. It started with a wonderful experience of a sunrise service at Sevington Church. Initally the thought of a 5.30 am start was a little “oh heck” but after telling myself “Oi Sibblad, get back in “city” mode, you were up even earlier than 5.30″ it didn’t seem so bad.

It was wonderful. Just as we started taking communion, the sun started rising through the trees (see the pic at the top of today’s post). We all felt truly blessed.

Then off to Kennington for the 10 am Family Communion where I was playing the organ. This is where the Sherlock Holmes reference comes in. Revd Eve gave her Easter Sermon with a twist. She desicribed the entire Resurrection story as if it was a Crime Scene with Sherlock Holmes – Inspired. So what was the crime being reported? Simple……Body Snatching!

There was not just the cold heard evidence but there were 5 possibly 6 key witnesses. These being: 1&2 – The Two Angels (one at the head and one at the feet). They had no real strong alibi as sometimes they were seen and sometimes not. Next were 3&4 being Peter and John. They had a very strong alilbi as they were nowhere near the scene of the crime at the time. Finally Witness 5) Mary. She was the first to see, the first to speak to Jesus and the first to spread the news. Once could almost say that rather than being a suspect, could she have been the first true apostle?

After extensive investigation by Dr. Watson, the following was concluded and proved: Jesus was the key witness, the prime suspect and the victim. However, the case was dimissed by the Crown Prosecution Service because Jesus rose from the grave and was not snatched. Amen.

Well this year, I have had probably one of the busiest but enjoyable Holy Weeks.

It started on Passion Sunday (14th April) singing the Bass Solo in Stainer’s Crucifixion in St Mary’s Ashford. I had not sung this particular solo part for nearly 25 years. I first sung it when I was at school for my music master John Hall (a gent who I would not be where I am in music today if it was not for him.) Now the only issue was I was stil recovering from flu and I really should have not sung. However, being the stubborn whatsit, I am (and no understudy), I was determined.

Thankfully, I am happy to report, I got through it with voice intact and the performance was amazing. The extended choir that came together as well as Tenor solo from Jerry Fox was outstanding.

So, now to Tuesday. Each year, I am asked by an organist friend of mine, to sing as the “Cantor” at the Bishop of Richborough’s Chrism Mass. This service always takes place in the crypt of the Canterbury Cathedral in the presence of Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. It is a lovely service, with a lot of incense, which is not good for a singer, particularly with the state of my voice on that day. All went well, but I was rendered “practically” silent for the rest of the week.

For those not in the “know” the Thursday of Holy Week is called “Maundy Thursday” and every church has an evening service of communion and stripping of the church to symbolise the preperation for Good Friday when Jesus was crucified. This year I played the organ and lead the choir at St Mary’s Kennington. It was a lovely moving service and I always leave this service feeling moved when you see the sanctuary stripped bare.

Now, while Good Friday, is the most solemn day of Holy Week, for me it was ironically the most enjoyable as a christian. It started with three hours at Willesborough and Sevington churches. In between the services at each church, the congregation carried a cross around Willesborough and stopping at various points to pray. We were blessed with glorious weather (condiering this was a British Bank Holiday weekend). The carrying of the cross was something I have never taken part in, and it was a very moving and spiritual experience.

Several weeks ago, I was contacted at work by a gentleman who was planning a pilgrimage from Southwark Cathedral, London to Cantebury Cathedral to raise money for Leukemia. He would be looking to stay at several places and wanted to know if he could stay in any one of our churches on the night that he was in Ashford. Dan Smith arrived on Good Friday evening and stayed at Sevington Church. He was a really nice guy and had been amazed by the hospitality he had received in the places he had visited.

He explained that he had found the pilgrimage on line and the route took him from Southwark, via Dartford, Aylesford, Ashford and finally to Canterbury Cathedral. His reason for doing a pilgrimage was a relative had suffered with the disease and he wanted to help. In his own words “Now I don’t bake cakes and I don’t run marathons” so the pilgrimage was the next alternative as a christian. Ashford to Canterbury was the final stage and he departed early Saturday morning and texted me to say that he had arrived safely in Canterbury at the Cathedral around 2pm. A great guy and an example to many. I hope we stay in touch.

So a busy and different Holy Week in 2019……I wonder what will happen in 2020.

Thanks for reading.