EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
30th September 2007
Graphics and cartoons appear only in the printed version
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
An Anglican Priest, a Catholic Priest, and a Rabbi died in a car crash. They went to heaven for orientation and were all asked, “When you are in your coffin and friends, family, and colleagues are mourning over you, what would you most like to hear them say?” The Anglican Priest said, “I would like to hear them say that I had been a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man”. The Catholic Priest said, “I would like to hear them say that I had been a wonderful teacher and servant of God who had made a huge difference in people’s lives.” The Rabbi said, “I would like to hear them say, ‘Look, he’s moving!’”
TRAVELLERS TALES (23)
(Andrew Neaum 2000)
Our two days on Iona soon came to an end. On the last evening Lil and I tramped the hills in the centre of the island for a couple of hours as twilight descended. We frequently scanned a beautiful horizon, broken by distant and not so distant islands, a view that cannot be much different now from when it was admired by St Columba and his monks.
Uncomfortable Tories
The present Iona community is based in Glasgow not Iona, though inspired by Iona. It also runs the worship at the Abbey, as well as a variety of courses there all the year round, except in the depths of winter. It is an ecumenical community with about two hundred full members who follow a rule, but don’t live in community, and in addition there are many more “friends” and “associates of the Community. Peace and justice are among the Community’s preoccupations, as well as healing and a concern for the development of music and liturgy. The Community is also noted for its work with young people and is one of the few non-fundamentalist church movements that grows and is widely admired by folk outside of the Church, as is Taizé. I note in passing how left-wing and libertarian most non-fundamentalist Christianity has become. Preoccupied with freedom, ecology, homosexual rights, wicked multinational corporations, the rich and so on. The Church of England used to be lampooned as “the Tory Party at prayer”. Tories these days sit rather less than comfortably in church. Even in Australia the young clergy almost to a man (and in sane dioceses woman) vote Labour.
A buckle and scrape
We left the Island after a good British breakfast at 10.00am and having bought a pewter Iona Cross for me to wear sometimes instead of a dog collar. I picked up the car in Fionnphort, only noticing later, at Inverary, that the car I had parked it next to had clouted it on his way out, leaving a great paint scrape and slight buckle at the front. As it was not my car, I would have to see about getting it repaired before we left.
Mull the spectacular
In spite of mist and mizzle coming in we took the scenic route across the island of Mull and were glad we did, because it turned out to be spectacularly beautiful. Up until then we had formed a jaundiced view of Mull, for it had seemed dull and dark to us with its conifer plantations and basalt rock, all shrouded by a canopy of thick cloud. Our trip across the island, down a great escarpment and then along the base of huge cliffs with a liberal litter of fallen boulders gave a much more pleasing impression. The sea was on our left, with islands everywhere. There were black faced sheep on and off the road, the season’s maturing lambs looking very crisp, neat and lovely. We ate lunch by the side of the road not far from Fishnish, where we caught the ferry and retraced our route to the small Corran ferry. Then, instead of going back through Glen Coe and over Rannoch Moor we headed down to Oban - a large town and the ferry port for great numbers of tourists making their way not only to Mull but to other Hebridean islands as well.
Inverary and Loch Lomond
By this time we were growing weary, but we had a quick drive round a bustling and pleasing loch-side city, with what appeared to be an impressive ruined castle as well as a great stone “folly” of arches up on the hill. We bought a nasty ice cream at Tesco’s and a quiche to eat later for supper and then we headed on through more lovely country, past lochs and mountains, through passes and valleys, all made mysterious and fascinating by mist and cloud. We eventually reached Inverary, a loch-side town which, a little self consciously, has preserved its ancient look. The waterfront and main street are lined with lovely old buildings all painted white but with a mascara-black outline to the doors and windows. We drove around an impressive 18th century castle, really a baronial mansion, set in lovely gardens and admired a couple of old stone bridges before pressing on to lovely Loch Lomond, which is the largest stretch of fresh water, by area not volume, in the United Kingdom (Loch Ness, being much deeper, holds more water). We ate our quiche looking out over the Loch and then set out along its edge, down a twisting, tree foliaged road until we left it all behind and rejoined the road to Perth and home, arriving at about ten past ten. It had been a most memorable and rewarding trip.
Telephone counselling
The next morning I had one of those strange experiences that occur now and then in a Rectory. It was 6.30am and I was drinking coffee as I listened to the radio news headlines in the kitchen, when the phone rang. Thinking that something awful must have happened in Australia, I was relieved to hear a Scottish accent, one so broad that I had difficulty understanding it. It was a young fellow who said that he was seventeen and worried about pornography and being involved in it. He didn’t know what his mum would say should she ever find out about it. With some demands for repeats, and having managed to understand this much, I told him to hang on while I went to the study phone and so sat down for what turned out to be a twenty minute talk. I tried to persuade him that his local priest would be more appropriate than me, for he came from a fishing town up the coast, but he wanted anonymity. As we talked, it transpired that things were not as serious as I first supposed. His involvement in pornography was merely looking at pictures with his friends. His problems were teenage problems - girls, sex, drink, cannabis and a conscience. I attempted common sense advice and he began to relax. We were just on to the subject of cannabis, however, when someone picked up an extension, and a man’s voice said: “Douglas, who’re you talking to? Who’re you talking to at this time in the morning?” . “Dad, get off the phone!” “Who’re you talking to? Its those friends of yours I’ve told you I don’t want you to talk to!” ...... “Dad, get off the phone!”..... “Don’t you dare talk to your father like that! Who you’re talking to?” .... “Dad get off the phone!” This went on and on and on, until at last the lad said, “Sorry, I’ll have to go now,” and put down the phone. Whereupon Dad asked me angrily “Who are you?” I replied that he shouldn’t worry, I wasn’t one of his son’s friends, but just someone he’d rung for a bit of advice.... “Who? The Samaritans?” “No, just someone sane and ordinary and quite alright” I then put down the phone.
Marketing abstruse books
A few days after this we went and had lunch with the congregation’s philosopher and his family. They live in the centre of Dundee, in a little cul de sac of new, double story units or semi-detached houses, one of which they have bought. They have three lovely little girls, all of them very serious looking and rarely cracking a smile, though when they do, it is all the more beautiful for the rareness of the occasion, a great shaft of sunlight on a gloomy day. Since then a fourth child has arrived, also a girl. The mother is a serious vegetarian and the father has joined the cause, though he will eat meat when out. The mother, a delightful and thorough Christian, is also a little serious of demeanour, like her daughters, though again, this enhances the quality of her smiles. Her husband can be very funny and witty and does smile and crack jokes, though often from a poker face. I asked him about the philosophy books he has published and how publishers ever make a profit out of such abstruse stuff. This is something I have also often wondered about with the plethora of theological works published each month. He told me that the publishers will produce a print run of 1000, all in hard back, and libraries all buy them. So to sell the whole thousand isn’t beyond the bounds of possibility, and if they do so then they make a reasonable profit. One of his books is in a second print run. He gets about four pounds per copy each being sold at a retail price of forty pounds. You do better than this, apparently, if you are with one of the bigger publishers. He is with a University Press that he considers to be inefficient and bad at marketing. However, he sent one of his books to the Oxford University Press. They sat on it for a whole year, and then informed him that they would not publish it. Their Reader saying in a letter that he hadn’t had time to read the book, but from opening its contents pages he would advise against bothering with publishing it! How arrogant.
Vegetarian lasagne
We had a mighty vegetable lasagne cooked by Dad, full of all sorts of vegetables and beans and lentils and very tasty, satisfyingly cheesy and gunky. It was followed by strawberries and cream. His great passion is mountain climbing, so we talked a lot about that.
An All Souls’ baptism
The service on the Sunday that followed had a large congregation for once, made up for the most part of baptism relatives and friends. It went very well considering I was unacquainted with the Scottish liturgy for baptisms, which is more mellifluous than ours. The font at All Souls’ is in the back corner of the church furthest from the door and is a fixture. So we had the whole congregation out from their seats with us at the appropriate time, there being more than enough floor space for everyone. The two sisters to be baptised, aged 4 and 9, behaved well and the well known hymn tunes were reasonably well sung by most. I had two sermons available, one tough, and one easy and very short. I gave them the latter, nearly always the right thing to do.
Quote of the week
A quote of the week, coming from some article I read at the time, and probably of no interest to anyone but me, relates to the tendency of disputants in argument to deprecate a virtue or quality because of its questionable origins. For example, if the great virtue we know as “sacrificial love” originated in the herd instinct of animals, i.e. in the individual being willing to die for the good of the herd to which it belongs, then sacrificial love loses its claim to any worth or admiration. Not at all! My neat quotation puts paid to that nonsense thus: “theories stand or fall on their grounds, not on their backgrounds”! To be continued
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthday
Bev Reither. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30th Sept
Heather Fitzgerald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Oct
Christine Evans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Oct
ANGLICAN CHURCH CALENDAR 2008
To order one of these fine Calendars for next year please place your name on the list in the Narthex. They cost $12 each.
WELCOME
We welcome members of the Sudanese Community as our Choir at 10.30am today and Matoc Achol as our preacher. It is good to widen our vision periodically and to share something of the vibrancy of African worship and faith. There is also a chance to contribute cash to Yirol hospital in the Southern Sudan to enable the purchase of basic medical equipment that we here take for granted. After the service and a cup of tea there is a Bring and Share Luncheon in the Hall where not only will there be singing and dancing but also a chance to see snatches of a video taken by Matoc of the hospital we are contributing to and to hear Greg Thompson of Anglicord tell us something of what is happening in the Southern Sudan in relation to Anglicord and its work and assistance there. We have back-up sausages to barbecue for those who have forgotten to bring any lunch to share, so don’t stay away, come and join the fun.
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Choir for trekking here to join us, and to Greg for his ready contribution to the day’s proceedings. Thank you too, to those who have offered accommodation. I am sure that there have been many blessings for so doing. Thanks as well to Matoc for his part in planning this day and to our Catering Group for their wholehearted support.
RETIRING COLLECTION
There are bowls for donations to Yirol Hospital in the Narthex. Please be generous. There will also be bowls available in the Hall at the Luncheon.
PET BLESSING
The St. Francistide Blessing of Pets Service takes place on Sunday the 7th October at 5.00pm. Start training your pet in prayerful postures and decorous liturgical gestures.
WORLD VISION
Shepparton World Vision Club invites you to
Dinner with Tim Costello on Friday, 12th Oct. at 7.00pm in the Eastbank Centre. $50per person. RSVP BY 5th Oct. Contact Jill Clark 58252310. Invite a friend or make up a group. No tickets at the door.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
There is a Men’s Breakfast next week, on Saturday the 6th October. As usual it starts with the 8.00am Eucharist, for those who can make it, and the breakfast begins at 8.30am for the sluggards who can’t. The talk is likely to be of sweet Rugby and perhaps also Policing. The fellowship and food will be excellent. Sign up in the Narthex, please.
GARDEN NEWS
There will be a Garden Committee Meeting at 10am on the 5th October in the Library. The monthly Working Bee will be on Saturday 6th October commencing 9am. Come along and enjoy beautifying our garden and surrounds.
CHAPLAINCY ECUMENICAL DINNER
The Chaplaincy Committee’s Ecumenical Dinner is on Fri. 19th Oct. at G.V. Christian Fellowship, Pine Road, at 6.30pm. Tickets are $12.50 per person, (primary school children $6) and are available from your church rep. or from Margaret Watters 58213136
ENRICHING RELATIONSHIPS
When was the last time you spent quality time concentrating on your relationship? How much do you value your marriage? Do you and your partner “speak the same language”? A one day seminar based on Gary Chapman’s popular book “The five Languages of Love” is being held at the Senior Citizen’s Centre in Shepparton on Saturday 13 October. The cost is $30 per person, including catering, and is presented in a relaxed, friendly and humourous atmosphere. For more information please contact Jacqui Westblade of St Mel’s, on 58232351 or jacw@aapt.net.au.
(St Mel’s Parish and Centacare)
PIES FOR SALE
Order a fine Pat Griffin’s pie. A large pie can still be ordered, either apple or apricot, for only $5.00. A medium pie costs $3.50 and pies for individuals cost $1.50. Great bargains. Extra large pies can be ordered for $12.00. The profits from these pies will be ploughed into the great Guild Cake Stall effort for the Parish Fair. Pat’s phone number: 58 311606
DON’T FORGET YOUR ENVELOPE
In the Narthex is an envelope with something valuable in it. Pick yours up please!
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Oct 7th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .St Francis’ Blessing of Pets Service
Oct 9th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grief Support
Oct 10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vestry 3pm
Oct 12th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .World Vision Club Evening with Tim Costello
Oct 13th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 3.30pm
Oct 14th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harmony Village Memorial Service 2pm
Oct 15th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastoral Care meeting 1.30
Oct 15 -18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clergy Conference
Oct 17th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Council
Oct 19th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chaplaincy Ecumenical Dinner
Oct 25th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Fair & Garden Party Committee mtg.
Oct 27th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 1.00pm
Nov 10th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Fair
Nov 17th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 3.00pm
Nov 17th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 5.00pm
Nov 24th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 2.00pm
Nov 24th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 3.30pm
Dec 1st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 2.00pm
Dec 8th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 4.00pm
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
At the beginning of each month (That is next week) this list is cleared and ALL names need putting down again on the list in the narthex and signed in. No names should be listed without a person’s permission.
Tony Armstrong, Liam Bognar, Jack Cook, Nicky Cavill, Sam Chapman, Donna Dyson, Charles Grant, Stephen & Charlotte Goulopoulos, Frank Harder, Vida Hardy, James Karkham, Sylvia Kennedy, Denise McKellar, John Moore, Margaret Neaum, Doris Nichols, Margaret Noble, Margaret Osborough, Reg Oxenford, Jan Riches, Edith Robins, Sandra Simonis, Robyn Stone, Peter & Eva Swindells, Lorraine Vogul, Natalie Whyte, David, Faye, Joy, Glenda, Layla, Camron, Heather, Kate, Faye, Warren, John, David & Judith, Roslyn, Alexandra & Charles.
Rest in Peace: Mavis Tryde, Nancy Cooke
Anniversary of death:
Thomas Smout, Vasilios Papadopoulos, Valentine Mackin 30th, Harold Walter, Valerie Carnegie 1st, Anthony Euling, Marjorie Boud, Lillian Kingston 2nd, Verna Martin 3rd, Daisy Priestly, Gordon Ayre 5th.
Duties for 30th September 2007
Vigil Eucharist at 6pm 29th Sept. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Bryce if here
Celebrant 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 8.45 St. Luke’s Dookie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 10.45 St. Mary’s Katandra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Bryce
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ian Bryce, Victoria Heenan
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Pearson, Carole Henderson
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle, Daniel, Ben
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan, Sally, Erin
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Carlyon, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Griffin, Hearther Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson,Margaret Neaum
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita Saville, Heather Nichols
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Steen, Nola Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merv Cowland, Gwyn Cowland
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nola Brewer, Alan akers
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heather Pearson
Mowing 29th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adrian Evan
Duties for 7th October 2007
Vigil Eucharist at 6pm 6th Oct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Bryce
Celebrant 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 8.45 St. Luke’s Dookie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum
Celebrant 10.45 St. Mary’s Katandra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Bryce
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norm Weaver, Carole Henderson
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Brewer, Jenny Pleming
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer, Michelle, Beth
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny, Ben, Bethany
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carole Henderson, Andrea Fisher
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Pleming
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pat Griffin, Erma Wilson
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sandra Simonis, Hilder Lidgard
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Ralph, Bev Ralph
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlotte Brewer, John Pleming
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Val Bambrook
Welcome Tbl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.30 Dorothy Cook 10.30 Dorothy Cook
Mowing 6th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Grant, John Horder
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Mon 1st. October Rector’s Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 2nd October
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
12.15pm Simply Soul Soothing - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.00pm Baptism Preparation
Wednesday 3rd October
7.45am Mattins only- Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice for 10.30 Eucharist
5.30pm Hospice AGM
Thursday 4th October
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Tarcoola
11.00am Eucharist- Harmony Village
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
7.30pm S.I.C.C. at St. Augustine’s
7.30pm Study Group - Carole’s Pad
Friday 5th October
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Garden meeting
11.00am Eucharist - Mercy Health
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Saturday 6th October Associate Priest’s Day Off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist (Traditional Rite)
8.00am Mens’ Breakfast
9.00am Garden working bee
2.30pm Wedding
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist
14th October 7th Sunday after Pentecost
8.30am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
8.45am St. Luke’s Dookie
10.45am St. Mary’s Katandra
5.00pm Blessing of Pets Service