Springtime in my Garden - 10

Here we see my plum tree - it was planted just 4 years ago, and my word, is it growing!



Britain's best known plum and undoubtedly the nation’s favourite. This reliable British bred garden variety produces heavy crops of egg shaped, medium sized fruits that are ideal for both culinary and dessert use. ‘Victoria’ Plums make delicious pies and jams, or simply eat them straight from the tree in late August.

Grafted onto a semi-dwarfing rootstock, to produce a compact, productive tree. Plum ‘Victoria’ is self-fertile and therefore does not require a pollination companion.

Maiden Tree - Height and spread: 2.5m (8’). Rootstock: St. Julien A.

I fear the fruit might not set if we don't sing the well-known hymn by Edward Plumptre.

Thy hand, O God, has guided
thy flock, from age to age;
their wondrous tale is written,
full clear, on every page;
thy people owned thy goodness,
and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness;
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy heralds brought glad tidings
to greatest as to least;
they bade men rise, and hasten
to share the great King's feast;
and this was all their teaching,
in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

When shadows thick were falling,
and all seemed sunk in night,
thou, Lord, didst send thy servants,
thy chosen sons of light.
On them and on thy people
thy plenteous grace was poured,
and this was still their message,
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Through many a day of darkness,
through many a scene of strife,
the faithful few fought bravely,
to guard the nation's life.
Their gospel of redemption,
sin pardoned, man restored,
was all in this enfolded:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

And we, shall we be faithless?
shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
shall we evade the conflict,
and cast away our crown?
Not so: in God's deep counsels
some better thing is stored;
we will maintain, unflinching,
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy mercy will not fail us,
nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us,
thy victory shall be won;
and then, by all creation,
thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.



Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Euan Fraser, whose funeral will be held in Inverness Cathedral at 1.00 pm today.

Feast of Corpus Christi

Here we see Bishop Mark Strange carrying the Blessed Sacrament in procession along the streets of Inverness on the Feast of Corpus Christi. It is a glorious sight!



We hail thy Presence glorious,
O Christ our great high Priest,
O'er sin and death victorious,
At thy thanksgiving feast:
As thou art interceding
For us in heaven above,
Thy Church on earth is pleading
Thy perfect work of love.

Through thee in every nation
Thine own their hearts upraise,
Offering one pure Oblation,
One Sacrifice of praise:
With thee in blest communion
The living and the dead
Are joined in closest union,
One Body with one Head.

O living Bread from heaven,
Jesu, our Saviour good,
Who thine own self hast given
To be our souls' true food;
For us thy body broken
Hung on the Cross of shame:
This Bread its hallowed token
We break in thy dear name.

O stream of love unending,
Poured from the one true Vine,
With our weak nature blending
The strength of life divine;
Our thankful faith confessing
In thy life-blood outpoured,
We drink this Cup of blessing
And praise thy name, O Lord.

May we thy word believing
Thee through thy gifts receive,
That, thou within us living,
We all to God may live;
Draw us from earth to heaven
Till sin and sorrow cease,
Forgiving and forgiven,
In love and joy and peace.



Happy Feast!

Springtime in my Garden - 9

Here we see one of my favourite features in the garden - the Tree Lilies!



Tree lilies® are the breathtaking result of years of painstaking breeding; these incredible varieties of oriental lily can grow as tall as 2.5m (8ft) in as little as two years. One single Tree Lily® bulb can produce up to thirty 20cm (8”) trumpet blooms and will take on a shrub-like appearance over the years.

The sturdy stalks are almost 5cm (2”) thick, so they won't need supporting and the foliage remains lush all season. It couldn't be easier. Grow them through shrubs in borders, against walls and fences, or in large pots for the patio, and let them look after themselves. Height: 2.5m (8’). Spread: 60cm (24”).

I planted these bulbs in 2009 and this is going to be their 5th year of flowering. They are truly amazing! I use the old stalks as bio-fuel in my woodburning stove.

Springtime in my Garden - 8

You may well be wondering what exactly is hidden inside this odd looking container? Well let me tell you, they are runner beans!



The variety I am growing this year is called 'Achievement Merit' - yes, it has won an RHS Award of Garden Merit! It is a British re-selection that gives improved form of the ever popular Achievement. Heavy yields of long, smooth, slender, straight pods that have exquisite flavour are produced in abundance over a long season. Red flowered variety, particularly attractive in the garden.

I sowed 32 seeds on 19 May, and the strongest 14 plants will be selected for growing up my two wigwams. At the time of writing (27 May), 8 seeds have germinated. As usual, the seeds were supplied by Thompson & Morgan.

STOP PRESS! By 10.00 am today, 16 seeds had germinated. By 8.00 pm, 27 seeds had germinated.

Springtime in my Garden - 7

The two smaller seed trays on the right contain more infant petunia plants - the two larger seed trays on the left contain antirrhinums.



The antirrhinums are majus 'Madame Butterfly' F1 Hybrid. Awarded an All American Selection medal for its unusual azalea-shaped snapdragon flowers, Antirrhinum ‘Madame Butterfly’ creates a riot of colour throughout summer. The unique, double snapdragon petals prevent insects from pollinating the flowers, so they last much longer than single-flowered varieties. Perfect for a long-lasting display in cottage garden beds, borders and containers. This award winning variety also makes a superb cut flower. Height: 65cm (26"). Spread: 45cm (18")

Trinity Sunday

Today we adore The Holy Trinity.



Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy sceptre claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.



Happy Sunday!

Springtime in my Garden - 6

Here we see some young geranium and petunia plants.



The geraniums are Thompson & Morgan's Jackpot F1 Hybrid and the petunias are Easy Wave Union Jack Mix. I am growing the petunias in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Springtime in my Garden - 5

Here we have a view of two of my infant tomato plants - the variety this year is Apero F1 Hybrid.



The seed, supplied by Thompson & Morgan, has a RHS Award of Garden Merit - impressive! Apero has strong plant habit producing a good crop of long trusses of bright red, small 16g cherry plum fruits each with a superb balanced acid/sweetness flavour.

Roll on Harvest Festival!

Springtime in my Garden - 4

Here we see three of my six tomato plants - they sure have a lot of climbing to do!



The plants are less than 1 ft tall at present, and are expected to reach a height of 8 ft before the growing tips are removed. This photo was taken on Pentecost - the seed was sown on Good Friday.

Springtime in my Garden - 3

In addition to the wallflowers, I planted tulip bulbs in my raised bed for colour and dramatic effect in the Spring.



Tulip Greigii Cape Cod produces orange flowers edged with yellow on short stems ideal for planting in large pots on the patio or group planting at the front of flower borders.

I purchased these bulbs at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate. They provided me with a container and invited me to fill it with bulbs - I filled it up like an ice cream cone - with plenty of bulbs siting outside the container. I don't think the lady at the check out was very amused - but they look wonderful in my garden!

These bulbs were supplied by Taylor's - suppliers of flower bulbs to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Springtime in my Garden - 2

Wallflower My Fair Lady Mixed is the perfect Wallflower for your spring displays.



It features a bright mix of pastel shades on neat, compact and uniform plants. An eye-catching variety for bedding, borders, containers and window-boxes. The flowers have an irresistible fragrance in the evening, and the bees love them!

A packet of seed costs £2.49, and the average content is 400 seeds. A real bargain!

Springtime in my Garden - 1

We have had a solid chunk of 14 weeks of spiritual posts during the Seasons of Lent and Easter, so now that we have returned to Ordinary Time I thought I would give the blog a more relaxed feel for a few weeks.



One of my favourite spring flowers is the wallflower. The seed sown last year was My Fair Lady Mixed from Thompson & Morgan. Wallflowers are a hardy biennial - you sow them one year to flower the next.

I can take no credit for having sown the seed. They was sown by the Verger of St Andrew's Cathedral on 30 June - 2 days after I broke my leg. This photo was taken yesterday, Pentecost. Spring is very late this year in the Highlands.

8th Sunday of Easter - Pentecost

Today we celebrate the 50th (and final) day of the Easter Season, and recall that day when the Holy Spirit descended on the infant Church.



Sing to him in whom creation
Found its shape and origin;
Spirit, moving on the waters
Troubled by the God within;
Source of breath to all things breathing,
Life in whom all lives begin.

Sing to God, the close companion
Of our inmost thoughts and ways;
Who, in showing us his wonders,
Is himself the power to gaze,
And his will, to those who listen,
By a still small voice conveys.

Holy men, both priests and prophet,
Caught his accents, spoke his word;
His the truth behind the wisdoms
Which as yet know not our Lord;
He the love of God eternal,
Which in Christ was seen and heard.

Tell of how the ascended Jesus
Armed a people for his own;
How a hundred men and women
Turned the known world upside down,
To its dark and farthest corners
By the wind of Whitsun blown.

Pray we, then, O Lord the Spirit,
On our lives descend in might;
Let thy flame break out within us,
Fire our hearts and clear our sight,
Till, white-hot in thy possession,
We, too, set the world alight.

Praise, O praise the Holy Spirit,
Praise the Father, praise the Word,
Source, and Truth, and Inspiration,
Trinity in deep accord;
Through thy Voice which speaks within us
We thy creatures own thee Lord.



Happy Sunday!

Inverness Cathedral - 12

Here we see The Pilgrims Table and Cathedral Gift Shop set up for morning service - no, not Matins! We are open during the summer months between 10.30 am and 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday.



Here is the food price list:

Filled roll with garnish £2.50
Home-made soup £2.00
Cream scone £1.50
Cream meringue £1.50
Scone and butter £1.00
Pancake and butter £1.00
Caramel shortbread / rocky road £1.00
Sliced cake £1.00
Scottish shortbread 50p
Biscuits / flapjack 50p
Crisps 50p
Fresh fruit 50p
Bread roll 50p
Jam / butter / mayonnaise / mustard 20p

Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne.
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their joys are one.

“Worthy the Lamb that died,” they cry,
“To be exalted thus!”
“Worthy the Lamb,” our lips reply,
“For He was slain for us!”

Jesus is worthy to receive
Honour and power divine;
And blessings more than we can give,
Be, Lord, forever Thine.

The whole creation join in one,
To bless the sacred Name
Of Him Who sits upon the throne,
And to adore the Lamb.

Inverness Cathedral - 11

Here we see the counter at The Pilgrims Table - just before opening time!



These are the beverages which are on sale:

Coffee £1.50
Hot chocolate £1.50
Tea £1.00
Cartons of soft drink 50p
Cans of fizzy drink 50p
Bottled water (still or sparkling) 50p
Glass of milk 50p

We do not have a license to sell alcoholic drinks.

The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty victor’s brow.

The highest place that Heav’n affords
Belongs to Him by right;
The King of kings and Lord of lords,
And Heaven’s eternal Light.

The joy of all who dwell above,
The joy of all below,
To whom He manifests His love,
And grants His Name to know.

To them the cross with all its shame,
With all its grace, is given;
Their name an everlasting name,
Their joy the joy of Heaven.

They suffer with their Lord below;
They reign with Him above;
Their profit and their joy to know
The mystery of His love.

The cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him,
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
Their everlasting theme.

Inverness Cathedral - 10

Here we see the Old Boys' School which is located close to the new entrance at the liturgical south east corner of the Cathedral.



In summer the Old Boys' School houses the Pilgrims Table and the Cathedral Shop. Here visitors can find refreshments and souvenirs. Across the car park stands the former Bishop’s Palace, Eden Court, now incorporated into the theatre which perpetuates the name of the cathedral’s founder.

In earlier days the building in our photo was the Choir School for the Cathedral. Now the top line of music is sung by female sopranos rather than boy choristers.

Angel voices, ever singing,
round thy throne of light,
angel harps, for ever ringing,
rest not day or night;
Thousands only live to bless Thee,
and confess Thee
Lord of might.

Thou who art beyond the farthest
mortal eye can scan,
can it be that thou regardest
songs of sinful man?
Can we know that thou art near us
and wilt hear us?
Yea, we can.

Yea, we know that thou rejoicest
o'er each work of thine;
thou didst ears and hands and voices
for thy praise design;
craftsman's art and music's measure
for thy pleasure
all combine.

In thy house, great God, we offer
of thine own to thee;
and for thine acceptance proffer,
all unworthily,
hearts and minds and hands and voices,
in our choicest
psalmody.

Honour, glory, might and merit,
thine shall ever be,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
blessed Trinity!
Of the best that thou hast given
earth and heaven
render thee.

Inverness Cathedral - 9

Here we see the magnificent new entrance to the Cathedral which was completed just under 1 year ago. It cost in excess of £160,000.



This entrance, which is located at the liturgical south east of the Cathedral, provides disabled access to the building. It also forms a link with The Pilgrims Table and Cathedral Gift Shop which will feature in future posts.

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Saviour, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Inverness Cathedral - 8

We are blessed with a wonderful flower guild at the Cathedral. The members meet on Friday mornings before retiring to the Pilgrims Table for coffee and cake.



Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.



I feel sorry for Her Majesty who was obviously struggling with the descant during the final verse!

I now invite you to listen to HRH The Prince of Wales as he delivers a message to the churches of this land. The message was recorded last month.

Inverness Cathedral - 7

Here we see Bert Richardson, the Director of Music at the Cathedral, practicing the organ. The original organ, built in 1869, was never completed according to specification. Several years ago it was found to be in need of extensive repair and restoration, and so the decision was made to replace it with a state-of-the-art digital organ. This was built by Makin’s of Leeds.



With a voice of singing declare ye this, and let it be heard, Alleluia.
Utter it even unto the ends of the earth.
The Lord hath delivered his people, Alleluia.
O be joyful in God, all ye lands,
O sing praises to the honour of his name, make his praise to be glorious.

7th Sunday of Easter

Today we celebrate (for the second time!) the Ascension of Our Lord. We shall be singing our hymn to the Tune 'Llanfair'.



Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!

See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
his prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the first fruits of our race. Alleluia!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!

There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
partners of thy eternal reign, Alleluia!
there thy face forever see, Alleluia!
find our heaven of heavens in thee, Alleluia!



Happy Sunday!

Inverness Cathedral - 6

Here we see the High Altar in the Cathedral. The sanctuary is apsidal (one of the many echoes of French architecture in the design), and the windows depict Jesus in Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. These themes are repeated in the reredos above the high altar.



See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph; see the King in royal state,
Riding on the clouds, His chariot, to His heavenly palace gate.
Hark! the choirs of angel voices joyful alleluias sing,
And the portals high are lifted to receive their heavenly King.

Who is this that comes in glory, with the trump of jubilee?
Lord of battles, God of armies, He has gained the victory.
He Who on the cross did suffer, He Who from the grave arose,
He has vanquished sin and Satan, He by death has spoiled His foes.

He has raised our human nature in the clouds to God’s right hand;
There we sit in heavenly places, there with Him in glory stand:
Jesus reigns, adored by angels; man with God is on the throne;
Mighty Lord, in Thine ascension we by faith behold our own.

Glory be to God the Father, glory be to God the Son,
Dying, risen, ascending for us, who the heavenly realm has won;
Glory to the Holy Spirit, to one God in persons Three;
Glory both in earth and Heaven, glory, endless glory, be.


See, the conqueror mounts in triumph - Chris... by ChrisLawtonOrganist

Inverness Cathedral - 5

Here we see the Bishop's throne. The bishop’s throne (‘kathedra’ in Greek), carved locally, is the only surviving piece of the original woodwork inthe chancel. It is the symbol of the bishop’s authority and office as a teacher and leader of mission, and makes this a ‘cathedral’ church.



1. Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first begotten from the dead,
thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people's head.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!

2. Here our humblest homage pay we;
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith's discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia, alleluia!
thou art here: we ask not how.

3. Though the lowliest form doth veil
thee as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia, alleluia!
we in worship join with them.

4. Paschal Lamb, thine offering finished
once for all when thou wast slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall forevermore remain,
Alleluia, alleluia!
cleansing souls from every stain.

5. Life-imparting heavenly manna,
stricken rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia, alleluia!
risen, ascended, glorified!

Inverness Cathedral - 4

Here we see the main sanctuary of the Cathedral - the Paschal Candle showing the we suffer from the odd draught or two up in the Highlands!



Some people celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord today, others celebrate the feast this coming Sunday. We shall celebrate it twice! We shall sing 'Hail the day that sees him rise' to two different tunes. Today we shall have the tune 'Ascension', and then on Sunday we shall have the tune 'Llanfair'.

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!

See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
his prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the first fruits of our race. Alleluia!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!

There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
partners of thy eternal reign, Alleluia!
there thy face forever see, Alleluia!
find our heaven of heavens in thee, Alleluia!



We are certainly having plenty of alleluias on the blog this Eastertide!

Inverness Cathedral - 3

Here we see the chancel screen - to the left is the pulpit, and to the right is the lectern.



The pulpit is of Caen stone and Irish marble, supported on columns of granite from Abriachan, and was carved by the local sculptors, D & A Davidson. The panels depict St Andrew preaching from the cross, the Good Shepherd, and St John the Baptist preaching. The chancel screen the work of Sir Robert Lorimer (1923), is a memorial to those members of the congregation who died in the First World War. The names include a Victoria Cross winner and a chaplain. Above it is a hanging rood (crucifix) with the symbols of the four Gospel writers on the arms. The brass lectern, from which the Scriptures are read, is a link with the cathedral’s origins, being the gift of the last priest to serve the Bishop’s Mission Chapel.

Lord, Thy Word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth;
Who its truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.

When our foes are near us,
Then Thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.

When the storms are o’er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.

Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy Word imparted
To the simple hearted?

Word of mercy, giving
Succor to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!

O that we, discerning,
Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee!

Inverness Cathedral - 2

Here we have a fine view of the Cathedral taken from the West Door on the 6th Sunday of Easter. Prominent on the south aisle is the white ensign.



The white ensign (the flag of the Royal Navy) hangs here for safe–keeping after use on the Cenotaph in London. Over the ‘west’ door is a gable of pierced tracery, and a sculpture of Jesus’s commission to the Apostles, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel’. The flanking statues are of Saints Andrew, Peter, Paul and John the Baptist.

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
virtues, archangels, angels' choirs:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O higher than the cherubim,
more glorious than the seraphim,
lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th' eternal Word,
most gracious, magnify the Lord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
all saints triumphant, raise the song:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O friends, in gladness let us sing,
supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Inverness Cathedral - 1

Well, we have now moved 350 miles north of Ripon and are back in Inverness. The daffodils which were just coming out in Ripon on Sunday 7 April, were just coming out in Inverness on Sunday 5 May - not the same ones of course!



Here is the scene from St Andrew's Cathedral - we see Inverness Castle across the River Ness. I cannot remember seeing the river so full, nor the trees so late coming into leaf. Nature is about 3 or 4 weeks behind normal. Still, spring is on the way - time for us to sing one of my favourite hymns.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

Refrain

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

Refrain

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

Refrain

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

Refrain

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Refrain

6th Sunday of Easter

In the gospel today we hear Jesus assuring us of his gift of peace.



Jesus lives! thy terrors now
can no longer, death, appall us;
Jesus lives! by this we know
thou, O grave, canst not enthrall us.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! henceforth is death
but the gate of life immortal;
this shall calm our trembling breath
when we pass its gloomy portal.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! for us he died;
then, alone to Jesus living,
pure in heart may we abide,
glory to our Saviour giving.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! our hearts know well
nought from us his love shall sever;
life, nor death, nor powers of hell
tear us from his keeping ever.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! to him the throne
over all the world is given:
may we go where he has gone,
rest and reign with him in heaven.
Alleluia!



Happy Sunday!

Ripon Cathedral - 22

We end our trip to Ripon by visiting Kirby Malzeard Methodist Church. Kirby Malzeard is located six miles north west of Ripon.



Here we see my cousin, Janet Jordan, practicing the hymns for Divine Service on Low Sunday. Her husband Michael is putting up the hymn numbers - an important job!

1 Born in song!
God's people have always been singing.
Born in song!
Hearts and voices raised.
So today we worship together;
God alone is worthy to be praised.

2 Praise to God!
Sing praise to the one who has made us.
Praise to God
whose image we bear.
Heaven and earth are full of God's glory;
let creation praise God everywhere.

3 Christ is king!
He left all the glory of heaven.
Christ is king!
Born to share in our pain;
crucified, for sinners atoning,
risen, exalted, soon to come again.

4 Sing the song!
God's Spirit is poured out among us.
Sing the song!
We're created anew.
Every member part of the Body;
given God's power, God's will to seek and do.

5 Tell the world!
All power to Jesus is given.
Tell the world!
He is with us always.
Spread the word, that all may receive him;
every tongue confess and sing his praise.

6 Then the end!
Christ Jesus shall reign in his glory.
Then the end
of all earthly days.
Yet above the song will continue;
all his people still shall sing his praise.

Ripon Cathedral - 21

Here we see the former deanery situated at the north side of the Cathedral.



It is no longer the home of the Dean of Ripon, rather it is now the Old Deanery Hotel. After attending the Sung Eucharist in the Cathedral on Sunday, why not walk over the road to the Old Deanery for lunch? Here is the Sunday Lunch Menu:

Starters
Vegetable soup
Moules marinières
Ham hock terrine, piccalilli, crispy poached egg
Gin and beetroot salmon gravadlax, pickled fennel salad, textures of beetroot

Mains
Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes
Roast chicken, greens, boiled potatoes, jus
Pan fried salmon, kale, creamed potatoes, tomato and mussel broth
Gnocchi, roast tomato and garlic sauce, basil pesto

Dessert
Coffee parfait, toasted marshmallow, honeycomb, compote
Textures of rhubarb
Apple and custard tart, caramel ice cream
Cheese board, celery, grapes, water biscuits & home made chutney

One course £13.95
Two courses £16.95
Three courses £19.95

Ripon Cathedral - 20

Either side of the high altar, the two choir aisles contain side chapels. The side chapel shown here is at the north west corner of the Cathedral close to the gift shop. It has modern furnishings and is used for some midweek celebrations of the Eucharist.



Come, ye faithful, raise the anthem,
cleave the skies with shouts of praise;
sing to him who found the ransom,
Ancient of eternal days,
God of God, the Word incarnate,
whom the heaven of heaven obeys.

Ere he raised the lofty mountains,
formed of the seas, or built the sky,
love eternal, free and boundless,
moved the Lord of life to die,
foreordained the Prince of princes
for the throne of Calvary.

There, for us and our redemption,
see him for all his lifeblood pour,
there he wins our full salvation,
dies that we may die no more;
then, arising, lives for ever,
reigning where he was before.

High on yon celestial mountains
stands his sapphire throne, all bright,
midst unending alleluias
bursting from the sons of light;
Zion's people tell his praises,
Victor after hard-won fight.

Yet this earth he still remembers,
still be him the flock are fed;
yea, he gives them food immortal,
gives himself, the living Bread;
leads them where the precious fountain
from the smitten rock is shed.

Bring your harps, and bring your incense,
sweep the string and pour the lay;
let the earth proclaim his wonders,
King of that celestial day;
he the lamb once slain is worthy,
who was dead, and lives for ay.

Laud and honour to the Father,
laud and honour to the Son,
laud and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal,
while unending ages run.

Ripon Cathedral - 19

This window depicts St John the Evangelist. Today, as we think of Sts Philip and James (Apostles and Martyrs) we give thanks for all the saints.



For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesu, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!