TRINITY SUNDAY
6th June 2004
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Risk is part of life, inseparable from growth, change, improvement, pleasure and glory. Once you start trying to eliminate risk from your life there is no stopping. You end up like Howard Hughes, a multimillionaire who spent his last miserable years stark naked in a sterilised room, living off gruel and cocooned in a sea of paper tissues. Paul Johnson
.....the old aristocracy is to be found in a condition of internal exile, lurking in rural idiocy, making jam and money from the land; preening for Hello!; lurching across the dance floors of farouche London nightspots or black runs in Gstaad; and running art galleries in Chelsea back streets. It's hardly the Red Terror, but nor does it add up to a serious role in British public life. Andrew Marr
Many would be cowards if they had courage enough.
Thomas Fuller
SCHOOL BOY FRENCH
I trust your schoolboy French is up to understanding what, from a religious point of view, is a naughty Trinitarian Limerick:
Il y avait un jeune homme de Dijon,
Qui n'avait que peu de religion.
Il dit: " Quant a moi,
Je deteste tous les trois,
Le Pere, et le Fils, et le Pigeon."
I'LL BE BUDGIED
A man was driving a little van very slowly through Shepparton. He was pulled over by a policeman. " Look," said the policeman, " it's not that you've broken the law, but I'm curious. Why is it that you keep pulling up, racing round to the back of the van and thumping the back door?" " Well, officer, I've two tonnes of budgies in there, and this is only a one- tonne van. If all the little devils landed at once, they would break the springs."
INTIMATIONS OF MORTALITY
The following poem I came across in an article by Paul Johnson. It was very highly regarded by Wordsworth, which is not surprising It is by Anne Laetitia Barbauld.
Life! We have been long together
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;
‘Tis hard to part when friends are dear;
Perhaps ‘twill cost a sigh, a tear; -
Then steal away, give little warning,
Choose thine own time;
Say not Good-night, but in some brighter clime
Bid me Good Morning!
Johnson writes as follows: " Mrs Barbauld was a very old lady when she wrote it, near death, so what she wrote was in her heart, and from her heart it enters ours, cleanly and directly. What makes it especially poignant is that she was not a religious woman in any customary meaning of the term. But she knew what all poets know - must know - that there is something after life."
My own researches reveal that she lived from 1743-1824 and was married to a mentally unstable clergyman who committed suicide. She was one of a circle of dissenting radical intellectuals and supported radical causes. She wrote a most interesting poem called " Eighteen Hundred and Eleven" it foretells the decline of Britain's " Midas dream" of wealth, and the rise of prosperity and culture in America, whose tourists will come to visit with nostalgia " the gray ruin and the mouldering stone" of England.AN
A COMPLIMENT WORTH TRYING
"God was showing off when he created you."
LAUDATOR TEMPORIS ACTI
I have many times asked myself, not without wonder, the source of a certain error which, since it is committed by all the old without exception, can be believed to be proper and natural to man: namely, that they nearly all praise the past and blame the present, revile our actions and behaviour and everything which they themselves did not do when they were young, and affirm, too, that every good custom and way of life, every virtue and, in short, all things imaginable are always going from bad to worse. And truly it seems against all reason and a cause for astonishment that maturity of age, which, with its long experience, in all other respects usually perfects a man's judgement, in this matter corrupts it so much that he does not realise that, if the world were always growing worse and if fathers were generally better than their sons, we would long since have become so rotten that no further deterioration would be possible. (Castiglione 1478-1529)
MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY
Fr Andrew Neaum
The first time I visited a gaol I was overcome with nostalgia. The atmosphere of the place reminded me of boarding school. It was not so much the lack of freedom as the all-male society. The simple masculine values were so much in evidence. Beautiful women and muscular men! The walls of the cells were plastered with pictures of gleaming pectorals and bulging bosoms. Dominant inmates swaggered around in minuscule shorts that showed off beefy calves and monstrous hams. I felt at home. It was boarding school all over again.
There are probably many reasons why there are fewer men in church than women, but one of them could well be the Church's refusal to recognise that to most males, God to be God needs muscle! Mariolatry and now women priests might well address the need for beautiful women, but where in the Church does a red-blooded male look for muscle?
Patron Saint of muscle
An old edition of Who's Who reveals that The Revd. Sidney Swann, M.A., born in 1862, rowed in the Oxford and Cambridge boat race in 1883, 1884 and 1885, won the Cambridge sculls and pairs and the Grand Challenge in 1886 and 1887 and, in record time, the Steward's in 1885 and 1887. He also, in Japan, "won most things started for on land and sea; rowing, hurdling, cycling, running, pole-jumping, weight and hammer." We learn that he was the first to cycle round Syria, that he rode from Land's End to John O'Groats and from Carlisle to London in a day, that he rowed a home-made boat from Crosby Vicarage down the rapids of the Eden to the sea and that he cut the record from England to France in 1911 by rowing the Channel in 3 hours and 50 minutes. We learn too that be built several flying machines, and drove motor ambulances in Belgium winning three medals. In 1917, when 55 years old, he cycled, walked, ran, paddled, rode and swam six consecutive half-miles in 26 minutes 20 seconds in competition with a certain Lieutenant Muller of the Danish Army. He eventually became very eccentric and was persuaded in 1937 to retire. Committed to a mental asylum he escaped, remarried after his first wife died, and finally died himself after falling off his bicycle! He should feature in our Calendar, the patron saint of Anglican muscle.
Although I mock " muscular Christianity", as a man I am not immune to its appeal. All too aware of the Church's less than virile image, I often find myself trying to counter it. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild rarely features in my preaching, writing or conversation!
Light on a dark horse
I have on my shelves the autobiography of one of the twentieth century's most virile of Christian poets, Roy Campbell. He was a hunter, fisherman, bull-fighter and scourge and satirist of effeminate left-wing poets. He converted to Roman Catholicism, was one of the very few intellectuals and poets who fought on Franco's side in the Spanish Civil War and was a very fine poet indeed. His autobiography, Light On A Dark Horse is a splendid though boastful read. His translations of the poems of St John of the Cross are still considered incomparable.
The samples of his lovely lyrics that I have space for are not necessarily his best, but they are favourites of mine and the second of them sometimes finds a place in sermons:
FISHING BOATS IN MARTIGUES
Around the quays, kicked off in twos
The Four Winds dry their wooden shoes.
MASS AT DAWN
I dropped my sail and dried my dripping seines
Where the white quay is chequered by cool planes
In whose great branches, always out of sight,
The nightingales are singing day and night.
Though all was grey beneath the moon's grey beam,
My boat in her new paint shone like a bride,
And silver in my basket shone the bream:
My arms were tired and I was heavy-eyed,
But when with food and drink, at morning-light,
The children met me at the water-side,
Never was wine so red or bread so white.
Bogus
This most attractive, swash-buckling, brawling, bull-fighting, fishing, soldiering, virile man's man, Roy Campbell, is apparently largely bogus! The subject of his enjoyable autobiography is mostly, though not quite entirely, a self-invented myth. He was nowhere near the virile dare-devil he paints himself or appears to be from his poetry. Which adds an ironic authenticity to his attractiveness. Virility is always largely an act is it not? It is a male's dream or fantasy, always a myth.
A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
I am no longer my own, but yours, put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you; let me be full, let me be empty; let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. Methodist Covenant Prayer
THANK YOU
Many thanks to the members of the Sudanese congregation's choir from Footscray for coming all this way to take part in our service today. The sounds of African music are particularly evocative to Margaret and myself, having been brought up in Africa, but we nearly all respond to African liturgical music, not least because it is an expression of such a natural and vibrant Christian faith. The Sudan is a country that has suffered most terribly for many, many years now, and our prayers for that country are much needed now as a fragile peace has just been negotiated. Many thanks too to those who have billeted our visitors, it will have been a rewarding experience I am sure. Thanks too to Margaret for organising the luncheon with an African flavour.
CONFIRMATION
I am in the process of negotiating a new date for a Confirmation service this year, sometime after September. This is because we do have several youngsters who are interested in being confirmed. It will necessitate putting on an extra Eucharist each week, on Saturday evenings at 6.00pm. This makes it easier for the sporty to attend in these times when Sundays are no longer sacrosanct and the weekends of most families extremely hectic. Classes will probably be on Thursdays sometime after school, but this is flexible.
10.30 EUCHARIST MUSIC
The hymn singing at the 10.30am service last Sunday was so thin, and such hard work, that it is forcing me to hurry up in my resolve to do something about it. We could, of course, have a said service, with no hymns, the easiest of expedients, but probably defeatist. Another possibility is to get a group of singers together to join the 8.30am choir practice on Thursday nights, but to sing at 10.30, perhaps with the judicious help of a microphone, though it would have to be judicious not to offend my prejudices against microphoned singing in church, for a start no pseudo American accents!! Any thoughts on these thoughts will be welcome. It would also help if those who attended the 10.30 Eucharist on Sundays concentrated themselves a little by moving forward instead of scattering themselves throughout the building. I am aware that many of us become so attached to our particular spot in church that to suggest a move brings on apoplexy, but there, with courage I have made the suggestion.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Dulcie Ackland and Iris Grant who celebrate their birthday on the 8th June.
THANK YOU
Thank you to all who contribute to the Emergency Food Cupboard. With the onset of colder weather we have had an increased calling on our food resources, particularly tinned chicken & vegetable soup, baked beans, tinned spaghetti, tea & coffee. Your continued support is appreciated.
EVENING GUILD GARAGE SALE
Do not forget the Garage Sale, June 18th and 19th. We require all those unwanted bits and pieces. Contact 58 315601 or 58 251 962.
PRAYER SUPPORT
A Prayer Support Group is in the formation stage, planned to meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm, in the Chapel, at least to start with. There will be more news of this in the pewsheet next week, but anyone interested is welcome to discuss it with the Rector, Joy or Peter Martin, or of course anyone else! I envisage a start on Wednesday evening the 23rd of June. No parish, surely, can consider itself complete with out some such regular meeting for prayer
SPIRITUALITY IN THE PUB
This takes place at the Terminus Hotel, High Street this Monday, the 7th June 7.30-9pm (meals from 6pm optional). Come and join in the conversation as Cecilia Merrigan CSB and John Stuart present their views on ‘Conscience: A Modern Context'. This is organised by the Catholic Church and it is good and heartening to go and mix with some of the best of our fellow Christians from across the Tiber.
THE PASSION
Churches talk " The Passion" . Sun. 13th June at 7.30 at Wesley Uniting Church. A panel of presenters will offer their views about the movie, and will encourage people to talk openly and honestly about their own views. Presenters include Monsignor Peter, Paul Tuesner and Dallas Terlich. A light supper will be provided Please R.S.V.P. to Paul on 58 31 6157
STAND AND STARE
What is life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
W H Davies
IMPORTANT DATES
June 8th Playgroup 10 am
June 8th G.F.S. Townsend
June 9th Vestry
June 11th Rural Deanery /Shepparton
Jun 12th Wedding 2.00pm
June 13th Children's Church
June 15th Afternoon Guild 2pm
June 17th Evening Guild 1 pm
Jun 18 - 19th Evening Guild Garage Sale
Jun 20th Ecumenical Service Dookie
Jun 23rd Prayer Support initial meeting
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 6th June 2004
Readers 8.30 Heather Carlyon,Norm Mitchelmore
Readers 10.30 Hilder Lidgard, Christine Jones
Servers 8,30 Beth, Rachel,Emma
Servers 10.30 Jenny Pleming,Zebedee,Tiana
Euch. Assists 8.30 Bev Condon substitute!,John Griffin
Euch. Assists 10.30 Christine Evans,Carole Henderson
Intercessors Victoria Heenan substitute!,Joan McCann
Welcoming 8.30 Anita Saville,Heather Nichols
Welcomers 10.30 Christine Jones,Sandra Simonis
Sidespeople 8.30 Norm Mitchelmore,Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming, Jennifer Pleming
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Mowing Mervyn & Stephen Cowland, Alan Akers
DUTIES FOR THE 13th June 2004
Readers 8.30 Norm Weaver,Jeanette Smith
Readers 10.30 Andrea Fisher, Joan McCann
Servers 8,30 Michelle, Stephen Debbie
Servers 10.30 Zebedee, Tiana
Euc. Assts 8.30 Carole Henderson, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30 B Condon substitute, Maureen Cormican
Intercessors Heather Carlyon,Children
Welcoming 8.30 Pat Griffin, Edna Wilson
Welcomers 10.30 John Pleming, Jennifer Pleming
Sidespeople 8.30 Trevor Batey,Victoria Heenan
Sidespeople 10.30 Alan Akers, Adrian Evans
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Mowing nil
FOR PRAYER
Liam Bognar, Ashely Close, Neil Feldtman, Richard Goodfellow, Iris Grant, 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, Gary Webb, Glenda, Graham, Geoff, Jenny & Daryl, Elizabeth, Faith, Michael, Ruby.
Rest in peace
Milan Marcetic, Ian Robinson, Rohan Lynas, Geoff Waite, Sister Caroline.
Anniversary of Death
Malcolm McInnes, Reginald Keeley 6th, Ruby Wood, Peter Walker, Beatrice Norris 8th,
Frances Crawford, Robert Malcolm 10th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday June 7th
(Fr Andrew's day off)
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday June 8th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
12.30pm Palliative Care Meeting
7.30pm G.F.S. Townsend
7.30pm Baptism Preparation
Wednesday June 9th
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
11.00am Banksia Lodge
1.30pm Hakea Lodge
7.30pm Vestry
Thursday June 10th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
2.00pm Valley Nursing Home
11.00pm Meeting with Mental Health
5.30pm Evening Prayer
7.30pm Choir Practice
Friday June 11th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.30am Rural Deanery - Shepparton
5.30pm Evening Prayer
7.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday June 12th
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
2.00pm Wedding
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Sunday June 13th Pentecost 2
8.00am Mattins - Lady Chapel
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
9.00am Eucharist - St Luke's Dookie
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine's Children's Church
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary's Katandra
5.30pm Evening Prayer