Another Day in Oxford.

The Botanic Garden was founded in 1621 as a physic garden.  Today it is a very peaceful place to walk and relax.  But first a photo of my parent's wedding, sixty three years ago today.  Three of the five children in this photo live on.  My cousins, Alan, Sandra and Barbara.  In memory of Bill and David, the youngest, seen centrally.  

Now to the present.   Michaelmas daisies, my Mum's favourtie.  

Today I began at the Harris Manchester Chapel, for the Unitarian service.  I heard about Albert Schweitzer  (14 January 1875 – 4 September 1965), a French theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary in Africa. He was born in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire, though he considered himself French and wrote mostly in French.

This did not prevent him being interned in World War 1. 

Schweitzer, a Lutheran, challenged both the secular view of Jesus current at this time in certain academic circles, as well as the traditional Christian view.  He felt the mesage was spot on but the belief system primitive. As I understand it.  

He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize his philosophy of "Reverence of Life', which seemed quite Buddhist to me.  

He also founded the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Gabon, West Africa. As an organist, he studied the music of J S Bach and influenced the Organ Reform Movement.  Today we heard two pieces by Bach, bringing hope for the future.  Towards the end of his life he opposed nuclear weapons, which I think is brilliant. 

A fitting time to return to the lovely plants.