SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
10th December 2006
Graphics and cartoons appear only in the printed version
IF ONLY
After a long drought it had begun, at last to rain. And it rained for days and days. The Goulburn had swollen and broken its banks, and the whole district was flooded. Not to be outdone by the weather, a travelling salesman rowed a boat across to a homestead where an orchardist, his wife and children were sitting on the galvo roof. “Pretty bad, eh” called the salesman, clambering up to be with them. As he sat chatting he noticed a battered old Akubra moving round and round in circles on the flood water. “Do you see that?” asked the salesman. “Oh, that,” said the farmer. “That’s Grandpa. Last week he said that come hell or high water, he was going to mow the lawn today.”
What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
BLOWING THE WHISTLE
ON LOYALTY
Andrew Neaum
One of the virtues most lauded by my mother and therefore inculcated into her children with some vehemence and panache was family loyalty. We could tear each other apart en famille, but in public we were to be always back to back. Where necessary it was Neaums contra mundi.
Naughty
Understandably then, I was given pause to ponder when in 2002 I received a misspelt letter from an archdeacon in our diocese accusing me of being disloyal to my bishop. I had written a letter to the local press that attempted to tell the truth about a synodical debate more clearly and honestly, I thought, than the did the “official” diocesan press release. Naughty!
Just how absolute a virtue is loyalty? Is “my family right or wrong” or “my diocese and bishop right or wrong” an example of laudable loyalty or deplorable servility? Is “whistle-blowing” a euphemism for “betrayal” or a courageous and often necessary exposure of evil?
Jesus on loyalty
Jesus of Nazareth has a thing or two to say on the topic of “my family right or wrong”. Recall his much debated Lukan saying: “whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple....” This difficult saying is best interpreted as a deliberately vivid and provocative comment upon loyalty, indicating that the family cannot be allowed to claim a member’s absolute loyalty. Our first loyalty must be to Jesus.
What or who do we mean by “Jesus” though? Jesus of Nazareth and indeed Jesus the Church’s Christ, is an elusive and enigmatic figure. Exactly who he is has to be discerned through the filter of oral tradition, ancient writers, a foreign and distant context, imperfect texts, two thousand years of theological, historical and political argumentation, subjective experience, the present day realisation of his life in the Church and so on. If our first and overriding loyalty is to be to him, it must be only to the Truth about him.
Loyalty to family of diocese
Loyalty to Truth is in fact the overriding loyalty that alone gives sweet authenticity to lesser loyalties. I am most loyal to my family, not when I offer a family member unconditional support, be she right or wrong, but rather when I stand up against her, just because I do not want the family’s name sullied by anything that is less than true and good and lovely. So too with one’s diocese and bishop, or any organisation to which one belongs. This truth is most vividly captured in a passage from a little known novel by Bryan Houghton called, “Mitre and Crook”.
.....loyalty to the divine institution is quite distinct from loyalty to its temporary incumbent...... Blessed Colomba of Rieti...was a Dominican nun who lived in Perugia. She suffered from almost every type of mystical phenomenon - ecstasy, inedia, levitation and the rest. The Master of the Dominicans felt uncertain whether her spirit was from God or from the Devil. This was about 1490, when people still believed in both. In consequence he would have the girl examined by the Holy Father himself who was on a visit to his favourite son, Cesare. This was duly arranged. In the great hall of Perugia, which you have doubtless visited, there sat enthroned the Sovereign Pontiff, Alexander VI, with Cesare on his right, Lucrezia on his left and the Papal Court around. Colomba was introduced. Upon sight of the Vicar of Christ she immediately went into ecstasy, as should all good nuns. I seem to remember that she levitated and railed at the Pope from somewhere near the ceiling. “You who are the Vicar of Christ and act as the vicar of Satan! You who hold the Keys of the Kingdom but only unlock the doors of brothels! You who are captain of the Ark of Salvation and have a girl in very port! You who.....” After twenty minutes of this sort of stuff, the Papal Court felt rather anxious for poor Colomba’s safety. How do you get girls out of ecstasy? However, Alexander Borgia turned to the Master of the Dominicans: “Have no fear, my son; her spirit is certainly from God since everything she says is true.” ........ Columba was in opposition to the person of the Pope precisely out of loyalty to the institution of the Papacy.
Those who are in authority, be it in Church or State or wherever, tend to surround themselves with the like-minded and congenial, those with whom they can work easily, those who will offer support and encouragement and absolute loyalty. This is understandable, no one would want to work with folk who undermine, carp, back-stab and tear down rather than build up. However the uncomfortably critical, awkward, outspoken and maverick, might well be the most profoundly and usefully loyal of all followers, if hearkened to and given a head.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2006
Friday 15th December
7.30pm Service of Readings & Carols
Followed by a glass of wine or cuppa and a nibble
Christmas Eve Sunday 24th December
5.30pmChildren’s Crib Eucharist
8.00pm Eucharist (Katandra)
11.00pm Carols
11.30pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day Monday 25th December
8.30am Sung Eucharist & Carols
8.45am Eucharist (Dookie)
10.30am Eucharist and Carols
REACH OUT FOR IT
If things go according to plan the Christmas edition of Outreach is available in the Narthex. Please take your copy and deliver any others that you are able to. Please do deliver them though and don’t leave them sitting in your car casualties of your good intentions.
NAME TAGS
The two new and lovely cupboards for our name tags in the narthex have enabled us to put away the clumsy easels and so open up the Narthex. Please take and use your name tag and try to replace it in the line that bears cards with names that share the same initial letter as yours. Eventually there will be large letters at the top to make this easier, but at present we are still culling, rearranging and fiddling with the system. Please bear with us. Many thanks to Frank Bush for his fine work and for providing them to us for the cost only of materials.
DVD
We have had a DVD player deposited upon us with a note too cryptic to understand. If anyone knows anything about it, please do have a word with Heather Camm or the Rector.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays
Marj. Malcolm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11th December
Margaret Osbrough. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13th December
Caitlyn Foster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14th December
Tolsa Baxter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14th December
Anniversaries
Maurice & Nancy Fennell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12th December
Heather & Roger Camm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11th December
SETS OF PLEDGE ENVELOPES
There are still a few Pledge envelopes uncollected. It is important that they find their destination, please take and personally deliver the set of anyone you know.
CAROL SERVICE
The Carol Service is on this Friday, the 15th of December at 7.30pm and is followed by nibbles and drinks, should anyone be considerate enough to bring along something to share. It is well worth inviting a friend or two along. Sadly there won’t be a sermon.
MOVING ON FROM GRIEF
I2 December 7.30pm Narthex
“Coping with Christmas
and other Celebrations”
Christmas is not necessarily a happy time. Do you have a loved one whom you miss very much at times of celebration? Do you have a terminal illness? Have you suffered the loss of a relationship? Is retirement coming up soon, or have you recently retired? Have you gone bankrupt or do you face the possibility of so doing? Have you experienced the loss of your career, pet, farm animals or of something else precious in your life? Do you have a loved one who has died since last Christmas?
Loss and Grief are a normal part of life. Come and learn how to cope with it and how to survive and maybe even enjoy celebrations. Come and learn how to help family members and friends survive and enjoy Christmas. All who joined us last year are encouraged to come along again this year.
ANGLICAN CALENDARS
The Anglican Calendars have now arrived for those who placed an order. They are available from the office upon payment of $10 each.
LECTIONARIES
The lectionaries that folk have ordered are now available.
NEXT YEAR’S DUTY ROSTERS
It is time to start thinking about what duties we wish to be rostered for next year. We can mow lawns, read lessons, welcome, intercede, provide tea after services, help with the flowers and so on and so on. There are lists in the narthex for folk who would like to sign up or sign off. Unless you sign off you will automatically be assumed as wishing to stay with the duties for which you were rostered in 2006. We might well this year print up rosters for only half a year to allow for revision.
ANGLICARE CHRISTMAS APPEAL
A basket for donated gifts (unwrapped) will be in the narthex for the next two Sundays. Gifts of cash are also welcome. The aim of it all is give joy in the form of gifts to disadvantaged children.
FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Bev & Michael Condon on the birth of twin Granddaughters Layla May and Jade Margaret O’Brien. Also to Nancy & Maurice Fennell on the birth of their grandson Nicholas Charles. From all reports all are doing well.
EMERGENCY FOOD
Donations of non-perishable Christmas foods would be appreciated as a special treat for our emergency food bags.
Hospital & Aged Care & Home Communion Visitors
LUNCH/MEETING
Monday 22nd January 2007
at “Galways”
Let the Parish Office know one week before
so we can make a booking
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Dec 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carol Service
Dec 16th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding
Dec 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baptism Preparation
Dec 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Council
Jan 19th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastoral Care meeting 1.30/Library
Jan 20th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 3.30
Feb 10th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 3pm
Feb 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Mar 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ash Wednesday
Mar 3rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 2pm
Mar 10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 1pm
Mar 10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 3pm
Apr 8th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Easter Sunday
May 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patronal Festival
May 25th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Synod
May 26th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Synod
May 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pentecost
May 24th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Fair meeting 4.30pm
June 18-21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clergy Retreat
Oct 15-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clergy Conference
Nov 10th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Fair
Duties for 10th December 2006
Celebrant 6.30pm Sat 9th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Bryce. Preacher Helen Malcolm
Celebrant 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant Dookie 8.45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Neaum
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Pearson, Bev Condon
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Fisher, Charlotte Brewer
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelle
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenny, Zebedee, Joe
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margaret Neaum, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maureen Cormican, Christine Evans
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson, Children
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beryl Goodfellow, Erma Wilson
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Moran, Sandra Simonis
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe Pearson, Bob Galt
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Pleming, Jenny Pleming
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Reither
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norm Mitchelmore, Lawrie Tinning
Welcomers Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ros Dunlop
Duties for 17th December 2006
Celebrant 6.30 Saturday 16th Dec. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Bryce
Celebrant Dookie 8.45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Bryce
Celebrant Katandra 10.45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heather Fitzgerald, Victoria Heenan
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Pearson, Nancy Noonan
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan, Jason, Campbell
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Neaum, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Pleming , Carole Henderson
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Condon, Christine Jones
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heather Pearson, Cecily McDonnell
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nola Brewer, Cheryl Richards
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joy Campbell, Trevor Batey
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adrian Evans, Alan Akers
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shirley Dean
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lionel Waterson, Adrian Evans
Welcomers Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy Cook
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Liam Bognar, David Burrow, Hamish Fisher, Melissa Galizia, Leon Meyer, Marven Mould, Jan Riches, Cheryl, Don, Greg, Judith, Maurie, Peggy & Carers, Robert, Ross, Sherena, Su, Jim, Wayne.
Rest in Peace
Gwen Isobel Kay
Anniversary of Death
Emily Griffin, Christopher Walsh, Joyce Elliott 10th, Bernice Batey 11th, Alma Watts 12th, Anna McInnes Videt Ball 13th, Bernard Baxeley 16th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 11th December Rector’s Day Off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 12th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
12.15pm Simply Soul Soothing - Lady Chapel
7.30pm Grief Support meeting
Wednesday 13th December
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist- St Augustine’s
11.30am Bible Study - Library
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Thursday 14th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharists at Tarcoola Village
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony Village
5.30pm Choir Practice
7.30pm Bible Study - Narthex
Friday 15th December
7.45am Mattins and Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
7.30pm Carol Service
Saturday 16th December
Associate Priest’s Day Off
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
4.00pm Wedding
6.30pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 17th December
8.30am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine’s -
8.45am Eucharist - St. Luke’s Dookie
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary’s Katandra West
5.30pm Evening Prayer