In these days of financial and political turmoil, you might well be considering an evening of relaxation at the theatre. In which case, I imagine that Shakespeare may not necessarily be your first choice of escapist entertainment, and even if he is, then his greatest tragedy, “King Lear”, is unlikely to have you singing itsRead more

Here we are, two thirds of the way through Lent, just two weeks to go before the glorious celebrations of Easter Sunday. But will we be celebrating? We’ll come back to that. Last Month Danny reminded us of the three pillars of Lenten observance offered by the church, abstinence, prayer and alms giving. I wonderRead more

Feel like giving up? In a few days we will be into our seasonal observance of Lent, hopefully each making our own commemorative journey towards that most precious moment in time, when a sacrifice, borne out of love, was given to save the world, a life freely given in suffering to save each of us,Read more

Sun, sea, and Santa Like most church organists, from time to time I crave a break from the rigours of Christmas services and umpteen performances of the same old carols. Previously this has been impossible to find – Israel and sundry Muslim countries all seem to cater for tourists who might be missing their firstRead more

Here we are again at the start of a New Year, 2025, New Year’s resolutions abound, people are full of hope, anticipation and good intentions… well at least some will be. Others at the other end of the spectrum will be gripped by anxiety, full of fear, their anticipation more a resignation that nothing willRead more

Happy New Church Year! Yes, it’s that time again as we leave one worship year for another, and as always, it must mean we have entered the season of Advent, which just like its Lenten cousin, calls upon us to make an effort to physically bring ourselves to a halt, to somehow put everything thatRead more

Whatever next? (“to sleep…perchance to dream…”) As a church organist, I have tended to take All Saints Sunday, the first in November, for granted – put down “For all the saints” on its one annual outing, and be grateful that it is only 8 verses – one modern hymn book has a Saints hymn withRead more

How quickly we forget Well here we are again, coming to the end of Harvest festival season. The crops are in, churches have been adorned, services have been taken, produce has been sold or donated to help those who are in greater need. And hopefully time has been taken in amongst it all to sayRead more

A Right to Disconnect I have been following with interest, the recent media articles relating to a legal right to be able to disconnect from the workplace. This week it became enshrined in Australian employment law, whilst countries such as France, Spain and Portugal are already well ahead in their desire to protect both theRead more

How should I live? It is the perennial question that keeps us coming back to the Bible, listening to preachers and (hopefully!) reading Cooksmill Thoughts for the Month. Lucky Ephesians then who, in the set Epistle for 4th August, get a master-class on the subject from St. Paul. Paul begins by praising the virtues of gentleness,Read more