As a former church chorister, organist and choirmaster, Archbishop John has a passionate interest in church music being‘ done well’, whether complex musical settings or just simple hymns and songs, believing that it can do much to enhance quality, spirituality and effectiveness of many an act of worship.
He also enjoys a wide variety of music, watching sport – especially cricket and rugby – playing golf very occasionally, cooking and walking. He is married to Jo, an emergency nurse practitioner, and they have two grown-up children.
One of our own, Andrew McHaffie, grandson of St Oswald’ s stalwarts, the late Joyce and Bill McHaffie and nephew of Morag, returns to the church on Harvest Sunday 14 October when he will speak about the work of the RNLI and his role in the organisation.
Formerly the youngest person ever to be appointed coxswain of a lifeboat when he took charge of the station at Tobermory, Andrew was further promoted to the post of Fleet Coxswain with responsibilities across the UK.
Not that the McHaffie’ s were ready to surrender the role with the RNLI on Mull! Andrew was succeeded as coxswain by his younger brother David.
In fact, one wonders whether accidents and disasters follow the Clan McHaffie around with Dad Neil, in addition to his role as Principal Teacher( Pupil Support) at Tobermory High School, being a First Responder and Coastguard volunteer on the island.
PILGRIMAGE- PRAYING WITH YOUR FEET
In modern times there has been a growth of walking as a leisure activity, and for many this offers the time of spiritual reflection. Even Protestant churches, which are often said to be too intellectual, have taken up such activities. Luther called Pilgrimage a‘ good spiritual exercise’, but he was sceptical of pilgrims trying to‘ earn’ their salvation by such enterprises, as they did not understand that God gives His grace‘ unearned’.
Many experiences these days spiritual refreshment as they start alone on a pilgrimage either on one of the many St James’ ways, or if they join a group of pilgrims, organised by many churches. Most pilgrims experience their walk as a special life changing event, some speak of it as of the most important journey of their life.
When you are walking, even the‘ soul starts moving’, you do not only get to know yourself, but come into contact with landscape and nature, and also with those that would have gone before you on the way, saints, even
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