THIRD SUNDAY after PENTECOST (11)
20th June 2004
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
He might have been a priest newly stepped down from the altar, the thunder of great litanies still in his ears....but as one gazed in reverence the hieratic calm of the face would be broken by a smile so mischievous, so quaintly malign, as to unfrock the priest at once and transform the image into the conjuror at a children’s party. W. Graham-Robertson describing the artist Burne Jones.
I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want. Mark Twain
HAIR RAISING
A man in a taxi wanted to speak to the driver and so he leaned forward and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, jumped up in the air and yanked the wheel over. The car mounted the curb, demolished a lamppost and came to a stop, inches from a shop window. The startled passenger said, “I didn’t mean to frighten you, I simply wanted to ask you something.” The taxi driver said, ‘It’s not your fault sir. It’s my first day as a cab driver. I’ve been driving a hearse for the past 25 years.”
MYSTERIUM TREMENDUM
Richard Holloway tells the story of a priest who lived in a slum and worked in a factory and lived the life of anonymous Christianity. When asked why he did it, he said he was there to keep the rumour of God alive in that place. At a time when the death of God is a cultural reality it is the preacher’s job to point to the experiences that keep the rumour of God alive. When all orthodoxies seem increasingly implausible there is still the reality of the mysterium tremendum. There is still marvel, mystery and wonder. There is still in the holy a possibility of en-counter with that greater than oneself. There is still the numinous, the other. There are moments of love which remind us that as Auden saw:
Space is the Whom our loves are needed by,
Time is our choice of How to love and why.
And there is still a Galilean carpenter whose words have amazing penetrating power and in whom the reality of God is for me more visible than anywhere else. At the foot of the cross, where all the certainties seem absurd, there is still a love that grasps and claims. M. Camroux
WANTING OR NOT WANTING TO BELIEVE
Fr Andrew Neaum
Because I have always deeply wanted to believe, have always tried to believe, have wrestled with belief in order to believe, have believed belief to be a beautiful, benign and liberating blessing, I am puzzled when I come across people for whom belief is the very last thing they want. People who, it seems, have never wanted to believe, have never tried to believe, have never wrestled with belief in order to believe, who most emphatically do not regard belief as a beautiful, benign and liberating blessing.
I think, for example, of the philosopher, novelist, literary critic and poet, C S Lewis, who, when on a bus somewhere in Oxford, finally gave up his struggle not to believe, and admitted God to be God, but described himself as the most reluctant convert in Christendom. To believe was the last thing he wanted.
Interference
Why? Because belief interferes with life. Carries consequences that to many seem awful. I remember my brother saying once that he would hate to believe fully and deeply because it might mean him becoming a priest, a fate worse than death.
Belief carries consequences, or should, consequences a good deal more profound than simply coming to church. Those who don’t want to believe are often those who have the wit to see that belief, if it is real, will profoundly change things in their life. Change not only their manner of life, but their goals in life, their friends, many of their hobbies, attitudes, perhaps even their vocation and personality.
If you are content and happy as you are, belief can seem the most appalling thing, and so you refuse to believe, or you believe in so shallow a way as to ensure that there are few if any consequences to your belief at all.
The reason that I have always wanted to believe is because I see the consequences of belief to be life-enhancing. In my background Christianity has always been such a normalising, healthy, positive thing that I could hardly fail to want to believe.
But this is not the experience of many folk. Their contact with Christianity has been such as to convince them that Christianity ruins life. Imparts the narrow mind, the pursed lip, the pointing finger, the simpleton’s philosophy, the prude’s tut tut, the wowser’s frown, the hypocrite’s self-righteousness.
It is this perception of Christianity, which in so many actual cases is so horrifyingly accurate, far, far more than philosophical problems to do with the existence or non existence of God, that causes many folk to desire not to believe.
A bit of a misogynist
One of the most influential Christians and Anglicans of this century was that fellow who sat on a bus trying hard not to believe, C S Lewis. A strange man who has always fascinated me. I admire him enormously. I have read nearly all his published works and letters, and three biographies of him, the last, fairly iconoclastic and not at all reverential, indeed very critical. He was a man with a dazzlingly brilliant mind, with some interesting psychological quirks and peculiarities, a stern moralist, but uproariously good company, especially in a pub, a great quaffer of beer, conversationalist, and a lover of bawdy stories. He used to have an annual party for his students at Oxford, one of the chief purposes of which seemed to be to get them all drunk. There was also a hard side to him and a streak of real sadism. He loved grinding the best non- Christian minds in Oxford into mincemeat in debate at a club called the Socratic Club. Only once was he ever matched in debate, and that was not by an unbeliever, it was by a Catholic female philosopher called Anscombe, which must have hurt him, for he was a bit of a misogynist.
His Christianity eventually softened his hard edge, to an extent at least, and in late middle age he fell in love with and married a divorced and argumentative American woman, which laid to rest his misogyny, she died a few years later and the story of their love and marriage was told in the film “Shadowlands”.
He made a fortune from his books, which still sell by the million, but that fortune was nearly all given away to charity. He was a superb Christian, I love and admire him as a man almost more than as an author.
Monstrous tyranny
The point of mentioning him is to indicate that the consequences of belief are not finger-pointing prudery, narrow-minded wowserism or naive and simplistic philosophies of life. Not at all. I hope my own lack of reverence, sense of the absurd and taste in humour, shocks any prudery in you. For priggery and prudery are not true consequences of belief. But what then are the true consequences? For me the greatest consequence has been a change of purpose and direction. The purpose of life lies now, not in me and mine, not in acquisition, success, ambition, achievement. Rather, life’s greatest purpose is simply to learn to love, to swap the monstrous tyranny and fascism of self at the centre of life, for the glorious tyranny of love, with others and God at the centre of one’s life, arm in arm with self.
I don’t achieve this of course, I am still a self-centred swine, but I want to be otherwise, and work towards being otherwise.
Life’s purpose, is simply to learn to love, a purpose as open to the fool as it is to the genius. A purpose that my life is slowly attempting to actualise, a purpose that knocks snobbery, for example, on the head. I can’t now, in my better moments, give a damn whether someone is clever or stupid, rich or poor, a bishop or a deacon, blue-blooded or black-blooded. The only thing that matters ultimately is goodness.
Goodness means, of course, simply selflessness, not wowserism it is found in non-Christian as well as Christian, and in the pub as well as the Church, perhaps too in the brothel, though I’ve no experience of those, you’ll be pleased to hear.
If life’s purpose is to learn to love, to see others as lovely as oneself, then disappointment at failure, at unachieved ambition, are got into a truer perspective. They are not all important.
Liberation
If life’s purpose is to learn to love and one applies one’s heart and mind to it, it helps contain lust, anger and exploitation, for how can advantage be taken of others, if others are as important to you as yourself ? But that doesn’t stop you admiring beauty, loving the opposite sex, revelling in life, good company, good jokes, getting angry at evil, it only forbids you doing so in ways that degrade, exploit, hurt, damage and so on and so on. Belief changes one’s whole perspective, it begins to free you from the tyranny of self, to liberate, freeing you to do more with your talents, and gifts and life, because they are there not for recognition, not for self aggrandisement, not for accolade and approbation, they are there simply to delight in, for the pleasure and use of others as much as for self, not to boost ego and self-importance.
Belief liberates you, liberates you from the tyranny of self, makes you free. To be truly liberated you have got to mix in the company of the liberated, drink, as it were, from the same cup, eat from the same loaf, join, as one, with those who see life’s purpose as love, love as summarised by a cross, join those whose Leader is the great Jesus of Nazareth, enigmatic, compelling, fascinating, no wowser, no prude, no holier than thou freak, no holy-Joe wierdo or dill, no judgemental jackanapes, or jackass, but a marvellous person to be a friend of.
Churchgoing, then, is all about keeping good company, and belief is all about liberation. Both belief and churchgoing enhance life, they don’t ruin it.
They have both enhanced and made mine,
Which is why I eat the bread and drink the wine.
A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
For children or grandchildren
I send my heart to you Lord, in thanks for these little ones: for the strange uprising of happiness that comes to me as my eye follows them. Sweet is the music of their wind-borne laughter, yes, sweeter than all musics. I listen to them, and I am one with the magpie and the dawn and the flower. And then I wonder what your thought is on them, - your children. Yet I need not wonder. For I look upward and lo! You are leaning out over the window of Heaven, and you are smiling.
Based on a Hebridean prayer
WELCOME !
Our preacher at both the 8.30and 10.30 services today is the Rev’d. Dr. Helen Malcolm. Many of you know her better than I do, and I am sure you are as delighted as I am to have her preaching once more in St Augustine’s.
INTERESTING SEMINAR
On Saturday the 24th of July there is a Seminar here at St Augustine’s at which The Rt Rev’d Andrew Curnow, Bishop of Bendigo and The Rev’d Dr. Andrew McGowan, director of Trinity College Theological School will address us on the subject “Gifts of the past for our future”. These two speakers are as probably as good as they come in our Church, so note the date. I hope to see you all there! There are more details to be seen on the Notice Board.
WORSHIP, EATING AND STUDY
Beginning in July, on Tuesday evenings, we intend to begin a series of Studies that would begin with an act of worship of one sort or another, go on to a meal together and then to read and discuss a booklet called “This Is Our Faith”. Anyone interested should sign up on the list in the Narthex.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Joan McCann who celebrates her birthday on Tuesday the 22nd and to Max Ralph for Wednesday the 23rd.
CONFIRMATION
Anyone interested in preparation for Confirmation this year contact the Rector
ST. AUGUSTINE’S PARISH FAIR
There is a Fair Meeting in the Narthex on Wednesday 30th June at 7.30pm. All are welcome.Adrian Evans
A.B.M.
Our special “Gold Coin Appeal” is here again. I will be at all services for 2 weeks commencing July 4th through to the 18th. Water is the project we will be supporting this year Kya Inn in southern Myanmar aim to build a reservoir, if successful this will meet the needs of 152 households in this community. We all know how precious water is, so please remember to bring your donation to make this appeal a worthwhile effort from our parish. I thank you in anticipating all of you digging deep again. Nola Brewer
OFFICE ROSTER FOR MONDAYS
We have a vacancy for anyone willing to help in the parish office on a Monday. It is Father Andrew’s day off and we would appreciate anyone willing to staff the office so that he can enjoy it undisturbed. Duties would normally be no more than answering the phone and recording any messages. We don’t envisage a lot of work as most people know that the office is unattended on Mondays. So it could be a good time to catch up on some reading etc. Any willing people please contact the office or Father Andrew. Heather Camm
PRAYER SUPPORT GROUP
The Prayer Support Group meets for the first time on Monday, in the Chapel at St Augustine’s for an hour. At that gathering those attending will be asked if they would prefer to meet on a Wednesday as was originally planned. The primary purpose of the group is to pray for the clergy, the parish council, the sick and for those who minister to them, and for any other matters brought forward by either the clergy or parishioners. There will be a reading from scripture, a period of praise, a time of quiet and listening and a time of prayer and intercession.
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR WILL?
We gratefully received a bequest of a thousand dollars a week or so ago. Have you made your will? When you make it, or remake it, don’t forget to leave a thank you bequest to St Augustine’s or St Luke’s or St Mary’s To support the Church and Lord you love while alive is a most wonderful thing. To do so once you have died is equally wonderful.AN
IMPORTANT DATES
Jun 20th Ecumenical Service Dookie
June 22nd Playgroup 10am
June 22nd Bishop in Council
Jun 21st Prayer Support First Meeting
July 2nd Dookie Guild
June 27th Baptism
July 6th Baptism Preparation
July 24th Seminar
Aug 8th Ecumenical Service - Katandra
Sept 11th Wedding
Sept 17 -18th Synod
Oct 3rd St Francistide Pet Blessing
Oct 16th Wedding 3.00pm
Oct 23rd Wedding 3.00pm
Nov 6th Wedding 3.30pm
Nov 13th Wedding 2.30pm
Nov 13th Parish Fair
Nov 21st Bishop’s Visit
Nov 27th Wedding 1.30pm
Dec 18th Wedding 1.30pm
DUTIES FOR THE 20th June 2004
Readers 8.30 Heather Pearson, Frank Harder
Readers 10.30 Lionel Waterson, Maureen Cormican
Servers 8,30 Beth, Kate, James
Servers 10.30 Joan McCann, Jennifer Pleming
Euch. Assists 8.30 John Griffin, Carole Henderson
Euch. Assists 10.30 Bev Condon, Maureen Cormican
Intercessors Pat Griffin, Jennifer Pleming
Welcoming 8.30 Eileen Quaife, Jeanette Berry
Welcomers 10.30 Jill Waterson, Nola Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30 Bob Galt, Joe Pearson
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Nola Brewer
Tea 8.30 Shirley Dean
Mowing Norm Mitchelmore, Lawrie Tinning
DUTIES FOR THE 27th June 2004
Readers 8.30 Pat Griffin, Joan Harder
Readers 10.30 Peter Martin, Andrea Fisher
Servers 8,30 Michelle, Stephen, Debbie
Servers 10.30 Joan McCann, Carole Henderson
Euc. Assts 8.30 Heather Fitzgerald, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30 Christine Evans, Carole Henderson
Intercessors Carole Henderson, Nancy Noonan
Welcoming 8.30 Gwen Betson, Joy Campbell
Welcomers 10.30 Adrian Evans, Cheryl Richards
Sidespeople 8.30 Merv Cowland, Gwyn Cowland
Sidespeople 10.30 Alan Akers, Adrian Evans
Tea 8.30 Cecily McDonald
Mowing nil
FOR PRAYER
Liam Bognar, Ashely Close, Neil Feldtman, Richard Goodfellow, David Green Ron Hall, Jean Hastie, Thelma Irwin, Fr Wayne Ireland, Millee Jeffery, Marie Law, Joyce Maloney, Betty Mercer, Ann Mills, Marj Millerick, Margaret Noble, Richard Pearson, Ray Prosser, Margaret Robinson, Rodger Saville, Peter and Eva Swindells, May Wallace, Brian Ward, Malcolm Waterson, Darryl, Glenda, Graham, Geoff, Jenny & Daryl, Elizabeth, Faith, Michael, Ruby.
Rest in Peace
Lawrence Ivan Jones
Anniversary of Death
Arthur Solatsey, Arthur Taylor 20th, Elsie Cloak, Florence Robinette 21st, Joyce Rutherford,
Maude Stone 22nd, Nancy McRae 23rd, Charles Causon, Thomas Dickie, Sylvia Allen 26th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday June 21st
(Fr Andrew’s day off)
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
7.30pm Prayer Support Group - Chapel
Tuesday June 22nd
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.00pm Variety of Meetings - Wangaratta
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Wednesday June 23rd
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
1.30pm Hakea Lodge
Thursday June 24th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
1.00pm Evening Guild
5.30pm Evening Prayer
7.30pm Choir Practice
Friday June 25th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Saturday June 26th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Sunday June 27th
8.00am Mattins - Lady Chapel
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine’s/ Baptisms
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary’s Katandra