SACRED SEVEN

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen

In 1967, I came upon the song, Suzanne, by Leonard Cohen I was immediately mesmerised by this beautiful, sad song, full of poetic melancholy sung in a deep and whispering voice that reached my soul. A few years later, he produced the anthem ‘Hallelujah’ which is a deeply spiritual song and remains my favourite music to this day

Corsican Polyphonic music

This traditional form of music involves multiple male voices singing in acapella This can be either spiritual or secular To hear a concert of polyphonic music in a church is a profoundly moving experience It expresses feelings of sorrows, joy and pain at once. Polyphony is an oral tradition that accompanies the life of Corsicans, but it transcends their regional origin to be universally appreciated. It is a singing prayer to me that reaches my heart and soul

Ave Maria de Lourdes

This hymn is sung by the pilgrims during the candlelight processions in Lourdes, France I had heard of the healing miracles of Lourdes before, and whilst I was not a sceptic, I did not embrace entirely the subject of miracle During my first visit to Lourdes, however, I had an inexplicable experience – inexplicable from the point of view of the scientist in me. Now we visit Lourdes every year, sometimes twice a year Our preferred method of travel is by Eurostar to Paris-Gare du Nord then TGV, national high-speed train, from Paris-Montparnasse to Lourdes I hear this processional hymn in my head on the train to Lourdes. This hymn is a reminder of that humbling and transformative encounter in Lourdes.

The Lord’s Prayer

When my mother and I pray together we start our prayers with the Lord’s Prayer to prime our hearts and minds before we come to our Father God. My mother refers to this as a ‘center-ing’ time. I grew up praying regularly with my mother: I grew up in my mother’s prayers. And as I grew older, our prayer time became more precious to me as they offered a window into my mother’s private and earnest dialogue with God I believe my spiritual journey began when I started to pay attention to my mother’s prayers.

I dream of the day when we can see Andrea Bocelli sing live The Lord’s Prayer.

Elgar Cello concerto in E minor, Op.85

I rediscovered Elgar’s Cello concerto during my postgraduate years. Those were psychologically challenging times as I struggled with self-doubts as the magnitude of the work ahead became apparent Music has the power to transport and this reflective piece took my gaze temporarily away from the challenges ahead and persuaded me to look at the journey I had taken thus far. This music took me to a place where I was reminded of the pervading presence of our Father God and there I found a glimmer of hope and encouragement to take cautious steps forward to the challenges lay ahead

I have heard different versions of Elgar’s cello concerto over the years, but the one by Jacqueline Du Prè, conducted by Daniel Barenboim, in my mother’s vinyl collection, is the one I return to time and time again.

Einaudi, Una Mattina

Better known for being featured in the film, Les Intouchables, I am struck by how a handful of notes looping the silences and near silences can be so evocative This arresting piece makes me feel simultaneously peaceful, alert and entirely present in quietude somewhere in my inner space. It is to this interior that I try to reach when I am in prayer. I sense a gentle nudge to return to that space of prayers every time I listen to Una Mattina.

Silence

Music is not only in the notes, but in the space between them. Silence is an integral part of music and its role is particularly obvious in Corsican polyphony where the acoustics of fading soundwaves between notes create additional effects, and the effects can be inaudible at times As a member of the contemplative pray-ers group here at All Saints, I am drawn to stillness and silence. Listening to God is fundamental to our prayer journey.

Full Of Ideas

I got to know John when he joined the communications committee of which I was, at that time, chair. At the first meeting he told us quietly, but firmly, that he was an ideas man and not action man.

He did himself slightly less than justice He was right in that he was not a natural licker of stamps or folder of leaflets, but he had a very practical view on what issues we should be addressing. He also had an eye for potential pitfalls and I was grateful more than once for the opportunity to talk a tricky situation through with him

After a few meetings he did volunteer to research some of the further reaches of social media. Initially he thought we should be on LinkedIn, but after careful consideration recommended against it.

At my final comms meeting recently (after I had ceased to be involved) he was, of course, on hand with a recommendation as to which bottle of wine (there were several) we should open. As ever, he made a wise choice.

Christina Thomas

The Spiritual Importance Of Wine

John and I forged a wonderful friendship over his many years as the All Saints Cellarer, a role particularly valued and appreciated by our sociable and usually very thirsty community. On his induction day, I was expecting to show John the lie of the land, padlocked cupboards where the stocks are kept and, critically, where to store his corkscrew. But, since he was most surprised when I confessed that I really had no idea of the mediaeval origin of the role, a most interesting history lesson followed and of course I now hold the role of “cellarer” in a completely different light!

A cellarer was an important monastic official, as St Benedict elaborates here: As cellarer of the monastery, there should be chosen from the community someone who is wise, mature in conduct, temperate, not an excessive eater, not proud, excitable, offensive, dilatory or wasteful, but God-fearing and like a father to the whole community. He will take care of everything but will do nothing without an order from the abbot Let him keep to his orders.

John was all those things and more He was a good man, honest and decent, whose values were tied to a strong sense of duty and service He was kind, loyal, curious about all sorts, and a great contributor. We will all miss him enormously.

Tina Ellis

KENNY’S FRIEND

It wasn’t love at first sight, but over the course of five years’ “Kenny sitting” while I was on holiday, John and Kenny developed that relationship unique to a former Guards officer and a rather stupid, ageing mog. I really appreciated John’s wholehearted enthusiasm for my rather undemonstrative cat, and appreciated even more evenings spent sharing yarns over a bottle of his unusual wine. He welcomed the guests to the Thursday lunches with the same aplomb Always with a twinkle in his eye, always with an idea to improve the lot of his fellow humans, he was a good man. Kenny and I miss him hugely.

Judy Graham

A Force For Good

I was stunned by the news of John’s unexpected death and, when I sat down to think why, it was because he was a man of so much energy and positivity that it seems almost impossible to have that enthusiasm taken from us. I loved the way he applied himself to projects for the All Saints Communications Group or writing an article for the magazine He preached an excellent sermon about the spiritual dimension of wine and we reproduced it as an article in the mag It began, in true John fashion, with knowledge, confidence and panache. He wrote “Under the Rule of St Benedict the Cellarer is second only unto the Abbot in importance to the community”

One sunny Saturday morning soon after John came to All Saints, a few figures could be seen kneeling in the church yard, heads bowed, shoulders hunched. “You know,” said John, to his fellow-weeder as he wiped his brow, “What we should do is run a few sheep here instead of us.” Straightening our backs for a moment we gave this idea our full attention. It would, as he pointed out, give the concept of the All Saints Flock a whole new dimension; it was trendily environmental; and it would entitle Father Joe to the shepherd’s crook if not the mitre. Sadly, this alluring project floundered on the twin rocks of yew trees (fatal to livestock) and the need, as we discovered when we looked into it, for 24 hour security. What Father Joe would have thought of it we shall never know. In the following years John showed himself time and again a good friend, thoroughly entertaining companion, full of originality, wit and surprises, and also a dedicated and

The excitement with which he approached events such as the opening of Battersea’s new shopping centre, where I believe he sang as part of the choir, or Music by the Bridge was inspiring. The way he would introduce the wines and describe how they complemented the MBTB music programme was a joyous way to start the evening And, of course, it helped sell more wine and raise more money. I was delighted to count John as a friend and will miss him greatly. It somehow seems fitting that the last thing John did was pull on a pair of running shoes. He was always someone looking for the next challenge.

Paul McCarroll

diligent hard worker in any of the aspects of All Saints life in which he served us.

As if he did not have enough on his All-Saints plate, he also showed up a few years ago for bee-keeping. He was lent a veil and warned to wear long trousers and keep his ankles covered This he did, but unfortunately his track-suit bottoms proved no match for an attack launched by defensive bees. Though thoroughly stung, like the Coldstream Guard he had once been, he stayed uncomplainingly at his post, but declined to sign up for another tour of duty. Renouncing the veil he continued to serve us as Sidesman, welcomer, lesson reader and expert Cellarer. Now to our great loss he has heard his final last post and reveille and been piped to his eternal rest

Charmian Martin