Hey hey for the seventh of May

Johannes Brahms:  German/Austrian composer. May 7th 1806 – April 3rd 1897.

The English poet Robert Browning was born on May 7th in1812.

“Petr Il’yich Tchaikovsy” -  there’s  a wonderful name for you!   This famous Russian composer was born on May 7th 1840.

On May 7th 1901 the famous actor Gary Cooper entered human life in Helena, Montana.

The infamous Argentinean, (Evita) Eva Peron was also a May 7th baby.

Most importantly, our dear mum Evelyn Maud Finch (her birth name) was born this day in 1913 – in Lowestoft, Suffolk, U.K.  Today would have been her 98th birthday, but by the mercy and grace of God she died 9 years ago at aged 89.    Her life had featured many hardships and very many joys.  We were sad when she died.  We were also glad that her passing was peaceful, and that she was well prepared for death.

Mum gave birth to ten children.  One (my sister Sylvia) died in infancy. The remaining nine of us yet live.  Although Mum was “Evelyn Maud” (she hated her middle name), we would often call her “Gert” or “Gertie”.


Coincidentally the two adult children of the late Betty Pusey also gave her the nick-name of “Gertie”.    Betty was the wife of the Revd. Cortland R. Pusey - a retired priest who worked with me at St. Stephen’s in Pittsfield, MA.  Guess what?  Betty (Gertie) Pusey was also born on May 7th.

My former colleague Margaret Quill is also a May 7th child. 

As is the wonderful Anna (Anne) Vincent, a fabulous Pittsfield parishioner, she is now almost blind but she is also filled with joy and hope.  I always telephone her on May 7th.

Rebekah Bjork is a fabulous parishioner at St. James’s, Cambridge, MA.  I am sure that you have already guessed that today is also her birthday.

On this May 7th in the year 2011 the good people of St. Stephen’s, Pittsfield gathered together in a memorial eucharist for the fabulous Phil Desch, who died a week ago at aged 90.  (see my  earlier blogs about Phil).

I  celebrate life and death on every 7th May.

Comments

  1. Ann9 May 2011 at 08:43

    We sent Phil off in grand style on Saturday. The congregation was large, the choir mustered about 15, we sang good old hymns that Phil had chosen - Nearer My G*d to Thee, and Shall We Gather by the River, etc. -- and a wonderful Easter anthem. A reception followed, with much food and MARTINIs. There was never a better funeral!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shoe insults

Last year I consulted with a local podiatrist: Dr. Robert F Herbold Jr. D.P.M. 4717 Swift Rd., Sarasota , FL – 34231  because I was being bothered with a couple of bunions  (yes I am at that age). I was very impressed with this Doctor.  He agreed that I had bunions, but he ventured that it was much too soon for surgery. (Now there’s a first). Instead he recommended some “arch supports” to relieve the tension for my feet, a tension which was exacerbating the bunions. What’s more -  he told me that he sells these arch supports at the miserly sum of $2.50 each (about 1/5 of the price in the local pharmacies). He is an honest man, and I recommend him to anyone with foot problems. So, a couple of weeks ago, having purchased some new walking shoes, I knew that I needed to buy a couple of new arch supports I took myself to his office. Once there, my mind went blank. I wanted to ask his front desk Clerk if I could buy some “shoe inserts” , as I could not remember the words “ar
Read more

The background, the couple, my friends, the wedding ceremony, the Shaykh, the Priest,

Image
The background   I have known the Keller/Bonsey family since 2000 when I became the Rector at St. James's, Cambridge, MA. They (Elisabeth Keller and the Revd. Steven Bonsey with their four children Noah, Sam, Josiah and Annie) had come back to Cambridge from Hawaii where Steve had been the Rector of an Episcopal parish. Steve had just been appointed as a Chaplain at Tufts University (no Sunday morning duties) so the entire family was able to enrich our common life at St. James's - which they did with great love and joy. I count them as friends and have stayed in touch with them since my retirement.  Noah, the oldest son is eloquent in Arabic (he spent a year in Damascus when Syria was a safe place).  He has developed a super career as an analyst of social media in the near East.    Noah worked in Tampa for a while a few years ago, so he and I were able to get together a few
Read more

It began in Bristol U.K. "A man dies" and "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Image
I well remember the swirling controversy in Bristol, U.K. when a (Presbyterian) Minister the Revd, Earnest Marviin created a ":Rock Opera", called "A Man Dies"  in and for his congregation in the Lockleaze area of Bristol, U.K. Earnest Mrvin I was a sixteen years old member of the Plymouth Brethren Church back in those days, so I most likely disapproved of "A Man Dies" .  We, (the Plymouth Brethren),  disapproved of everything! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had forgotten all about "A Man Dies" until earlier today when saw these pictures on the "Bristol, Then and Now"  Facebook page.   St. James Presbyterian Church, Lockleaze, Bristol  The Bristol Then and Now page includes the following commentary: Lockleaze, Bristol  -  'Jesus Christ Superstar' began at St.James (Presbyterian) Chur
Read more