Apparently because I'm a Select Vestry member I get a copy of this book. It's mainly a list of all the Church of Ireland clergy in the diocese.

Some hae meat an canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit.

Music by Haydn and James MacMillan this morning!

There is a week of prayer for Christian unity this week. It comes at a time when some people, under the guise of Christianity, have abandoned all presence of love, hope and charity.

It must be incredibly scary to acknowledge that standing up for social justice might just cost you your life.

Forsake me not in mine old age!

We have a light shower of rain this morning at Bushy Park Dublin parkrun, but we won't let that put us off will we?

Thou hast set up the right hand of his enemies: and made all his adversaries to rejoice. (Psalm 89:41)

A colleague and I are making plans to have a once a month staff board games evening in the Vestry (the warmest place in the building and relatively self contained) and I hope we pull it off. It gets people together and even if it is just we hang out and drink tea the mental health impact is big

Dropping for Evensong at Christ Church this evening, and for day 15 of the month we had the whole of Psalm 78 - all 72 verses.

My journey to church and back was by bus today. Must say it was quite pleasant. Listened to some music, resisted the urge to doom scroll on my phone, and just watched the world go by. I prefer to be on my bicycle, but that's going to be out of action for a week or so.

What a tune! Angel voices ever singing round thy throne on high!

When I was at university in Liverpool, a big port city, these words were painted on the outside of a pub frequented by sailors.

Whoops. I posted the music from the music list without noticing that the DoM had changed the mass setting! Eek!

It is with sadness that I learned the news of the passing on Thursday of Michael Denton, who was the Administrator of Christ Church Cathedral when I first arrived in Dublin. He was a true gentleman and a dedicated servant of the church. My condolences to his wife Margaret and the rest of his family.

I HATE them that imagine evil things: but thy law do I love. (Psalm 119:113)

Parish meeting this morning, and thankfully no transport related mishaps today. Although I must say bringing a car into the city centre is not a pleasant experience. It's much nicer by bike, or public transport.

Cycled in the rain to the vestry meeting this evening, and the chain broke half way. Got there late, the doors were locked, and nobody answered my messages to let me in. Didn't fancy standing in the rain all night, so now in a taxi on the way home. I guess I'll miss this meeting.

Today is not the 12th day of Christmas. That was yesterday. Today is the day of the Epiphany. This is a hill I'm prepared to die upon!

I'm having an Epiphany

The music for Morning Prayer in St Ann's for the 2nd Sunday of Christmas: Anthem: Berlioz L'Adieu des Bergers (The Shepard's Farewell) Canticles: Noble Jubilate in b Te Deum Part 1

In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran and ceased not in the night-season ; my soul refused comfort. (Psalm 77:2)

Praised be the Lord: for he hath heard the voice of my humble petitions. (Psalm 28:7)

PRAISE the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me praise his holy Name. (Psalm 103:1)

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26 Happy New Year from all at St Anne's!

Sounds like many New Years parties I've been to!

Minister accused of using only “meaning­less TV appeals” as road deaths reach decade high Government ministers responsible for road safety have been accused of failing to act on rising road deaths and of launching only "meaning­less televised appeals to people to drive carefully" -- it comes as…

Just cos I've not heard it this year... youtu.be/9-CQzSVj_jM?...

My choir sings at services on 50 Sundays in the year. The 2 we don't do are the Sunday after Christmas and the Sunday after Easter. I briefly considered still going to church this morning, but instead enjoyed a lazy morning at home.

There is a certain inevitability to the 2026 edition of the Amended Oxford Book of the Year collection...

'Tis the day when tradition dictates that Church Musicians curl up under their duvets, not to be seen again until the feast of the Epiphany.

Calls to offer a generous welcome amid fears about immigration were issued by #Bishops in their #Christmas sermons this year #christmassermons #churchofengland

Here's a Christmas cracker joke that you've not heard before. Nope.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven's all-gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.

Delighted to hear the Stuart Nicholson arrange of "I saw three ships" on Carols from Kings on the BBC. Such a good version!

I know that it's the OFFICE that's closed, but I'm not sure it's a good look for a cathedral to say on their socials that they are closed over Christmas! 🤷‍♂️

It's Christmas Eve, and I'm away visiting family. So I have no carol services, no Midnight Mass, and no Christmas Day service to sing. I can just relax and chill out. Feels strange.

About to start the Civic Carol Service, our Nine Lessons and Carols. I'll see you all on the other side!

Not the most favourable report card... 🤣

Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent. In St Ann's we have two choral services today: * Morning Prayer at 11.00am * Civic Carol Service at 7.00pm We look forward to seeing you at one or both of these services.

Our Black Santa charity collection continues today outside St Ann's until Christmas Eve, raising much-needed funds. stannsandststephens.ie/giving/black...

Applications are now open for our postgraduate composition study scholarships! ✒️ Grants of up to £8K each will be available to selected applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent and who are planning a professional career in composition.

This evening in St Ann's we welcome the colleagues and friends of Davy, our neighbours on Dawson Street, for their annual Christmas carol service.

Davy have their offices just over the road from the church, and have been very good friends to the parish over the years. And their own choir is really rather good. I always make time to sing for this service.

I was booked to dep at Christ Church cathedral this evening, but Evensong was cancelled - apparently due to illness. It's nice to unexpectedly get time back at this time of year.

As a member of the Select Vestry I am obliged to promote our Christmas charity collection. Please spare a few euros, if for no other reason than to thank all the volunteers for standing out in the cold!

If you're going to wink, you need a damn good reason!

Our annual Black Santa sit-out charity appeal starts today, with the official launch happening tomorrow lunchtime. If you're passing St Ann's at any point in the next 2 weeks, so stop by. Or you can always donate online. stannsandststephens.ie/2025/11/13/l...