THE STONE FAMILY 

We’re all in different places this Christmas and were so enjoying the family celebration we had earlier in December that we forgot to take the customary team photo! Here’s our round-up of news:

 

Alastair: This year has been very busy for me. At uni I have been increasingly involved with extra music bits: in the spring I organised joint performances of the Fauré Requiem with both the college choirs I play for, as well as taking them on a trip to back to my roots at Coventry Cathedral; in the summer I was drafted last minute into a pit band to play Keys 1 for ‘Carrie’ at the Oxford Playhouse; and this past term I’ve been heavily involved with the new ‘Music at Pembroke’ initiative – accompanying a new choir and occasionally conducting the orchestra, and sang in a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at Oxford Town Hall. All the while continuing to sing with other chamber choirs and play as many recitals on other college organs as possible. Next year is shaping up to be just as exciting – I’ll be conducting Pembroke’s production of ‘Guys and Dolls’, and I’m a repetiteur for the Opera Society’s production of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’... and I’ll be sitting my final exams. During the holidays I worked back of house in a pub, and although it was slightly miserable, it has allowed me to fund myself living in Oxford, which continues to be very enjoyable.

 

Tim: It’s been a wonderful year! After spending New Year in isolation it’s only improved, most of my time still being taken up by studying but over the year I’ve really enjoyed plenty of time spent serving in church both as a cook and a musician as well as practicing my trade as a baker. Obviously the biggest highlight is after two years of long distance, Charity and I are back in the same country again and we’re delighted to be spending the Christmas holidays in Singapore and Cambodia with her beautiful family! Other high points include playing guitar for a variety of Christian festivals over the summer, watching Chelsea for the first time at Wembley and the innumerable times of food and football with good friends. 2023 looks to be a big year with graduation looming but I’m definitely ready to not be a student anymore and I’m excited to see what God is preparing for me to do as I transfer into the next stage of life! Bless you and Merry Christmas!

 

Buff: After 12 very happy years in Coventry, I leave for Brighton on January 13th 2023. It was a big decision to leave St Catherine’s but I missed David too much; getting to Brighton was difficult on public transport; and our plans to spend time together in school holidays were disrupted by COVID twice! However, I did manage the Edinburgh marathon with PB 20 mins faster than Brighton last year; we had a blissful week in Northumberland out of the summer heat wave to a beautiful coastal cottage and a visit to Holy Island. And how good it was to celebrate two family weddings – Huw and Annabel, and then Becky and Fraser! Summer camp with young people from my parish was a delight and challenge but remains one of the most significant things I do. St Catherine’s has returned to much of its health and strength and we’ve worked hard on getting ready for handover to a new incumbent. I shall miss my colleagues and congregation but look forward to a 3 month sabbatical looking at how to be green in a low income urban environment. And then... I’m hoping to find something useful to do which matches David’s hours...

 

David: And it’s a happy Christmas from me here in Brighton, where I’m well into my second year as Chaplain and Teacher of Religious Studies at Brighton College. This role continues to be a great combination of the challenging, the stimulating and the enjoyable. I now have a Lower Fifth form to teach in addition to three Fourth forms and have recently introduced the Chaplain’s ‘Thought for the Week’ as a regular video for pupils, staff and parents to view online (tinyurl.com/29kwmmv2). On the pastoral front, I can happily attest to the magnetic qualities of hot chocolate and cookies. And then, not that I have personal experience (yet...) but ‘Is there something beyond death?’ was published this year as my contribution to the EXPLORE Project (https://explorechristianity.info/), one of “a series of booklets for people who are curious about the Christian faith.” I continue to broadcast a service each Sunday morning on Coventry’s Radio Plus, accessible from anywhere via https://www.radioplus.org.uk. I’m greatly looking forward to Buff being in Brighton permanently with the continued down-sizing that this will involve. After all, no-one needs three butter dishes...

 

With our love and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

 

David, Buff, Tim and Alastair Stone

 

​Here’s are some photos and videos from across the year...