FIFTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
13th September 2009
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
THE OTHER SIDE
An Australian couple living in Edinburgh decided to go back to Australia to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay in the same hotel in Nagambie where they had spent their honeymoon twenty years earlier. Because of hectic timetables it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So the husband left Edinburgh and flew to Australian on Thursday, with his wife due to fly only two days later. The husband checked into the hotel in Nagambie. Nagambie is a progressive town and so, unsurprisingly, there was a computer in his room and he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realising his error, he sent the email. Meanwhile, somewhere in Perth, a widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral. He was an Anglican priest who had been suddenly called to glory following a severe heart attack. His widow decided to check her email expecting lots of condolence messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read: To: My loving Wife, Subject: I’ve arrived. Date: September 12 2009, I know you are surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I have just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been pared for your arrival the day after tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was. P. S. It sure is flaming hot down here.
THIS and THAT
Andrew Neaum
It has been a very busy week, not least domestically because Elizabeth, due to give birth this coming Wednesday, went off to hospital for a routine scan and was kept in because of high blood pressure. So the delights of little Meg-minding had to be fitted in and around other tasks.
Many thanks
Many thanks to all sorts of people who came to my help at short notice, among them Heather Camm for ingeniously winning round a shy Meg to trust her for whenever such trust proves necessary at short notice. To Emily Shields for expertly and with pleasure amusing the little one while I took a confirmation class, to the choir for minding themselves at choir practice and to Pat Gibson for driving me to the hospital to find my car in the dark, once Nathan returned from Benalla.
Back to Church
Organising today’s “Back to Church Sunday” has required a great deal of hard work and creative thinking, mostly on the part of Heather Fitzgerald and Dorothy Cook.
When you think about it, how can you ask any Anglican “back to church”? For we are an inclusive church and so when true to our-selves regard even those who attend only annually or less as still very much belonging to us and as a valued part of the parish family. So how can we ask people “back” who consider themselves as never ever having departed, without insulting them?
Our approach has been as even handed as possible. Everyone of us has, in effect, been invited back, for all of us need to be closer in to the Church’s centre and deeper into faith than we are.
This is not least because the Church in general and the Anglican Church in particular is very much under threat in our affluent world. The contempt of the opinion formers and of what I like to call the “lumpen intelligentsia” is very noticeable. Militant atheism is now respectable, admired and treated far more kindly and less condescendingly than Christianity. Our congregations are pitifully small and for the most part elderly. If we hold the Church in affection and faith in God as in any way desirable, let alone possible, then to belong only in name, and to love without expressing our love in regular worship, sacrifice and communion we will not save the church from likely extinction in our local community. St Augustine’s is doomed without a vibrant congregation.
So we have invited everyone back to renew their acquaintance with St Augustines, to refresh their love, to glimpse once more the unutterable loveliness of Jesus of Nazareth and to relish a world view that places sacrificing love at the heart of meaningful living and of the Divine. All who have come back are welcome. May they in turn welcome their welcome and come back often for more.
Sweet zany Mother Church
On Wednesday I was called all the way down to Nagambie to anoint an old fellow dying in the hospital there. I was the closest Anglican priest that could be roused.
Who could not but love the sweet madness of Mother Church whose expensively educated clergyman, when asked to spend what amounted to almost three hours of precious time attending to a comatose stranger outside of his parish, is expected to do so willingly, without a thought and at no cost and does so. I love being a part of so zany an outfit!
Knavish tricks and blockheads
It was a pleasant trip to Nagambie. I have a new disk of traditional English Songs by the Broadside Band and I listened to it at top volume all the way there and all the way back. It contains a few songs that I love beyond telling. Not least of them is one of the very earliest versions of the English National Anthem which contains all the politically incorrect words that, perversely I find most agreeable. We used to sing them occasionally in church when I was Rector of Ararat.....
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall;
Confound their Politicks,
Frustrate their knavish Tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix.
God save us all.
Who but the most unutterable wimp could quarrel with those sentiments?
Another favourite is “Harvest Home”. It comes from Henry Purcell’s opera “King Arthur” and I remember my mother singing it with relish around the house. It is one of Purcell’s songs that in its time achieved widespread popularity as “Tithe Pig” a title referring to the parson in the song and the unpopularity of the Church’s 10% levy on farm produce. If ever an Anglican parson is unwise enough to preach “tithing” today he loses the affection of most of his flock! The verse my mother, a daughter as well as the wife of a clergyman, relished goes:
We’ve cheated the parson,
we’ll cheat him again
For why should a blockhead have one in ten?
One in ten, one in ten,
For why should a blockhead have one in ten
Full fathom five
Best of all though is a song which I knew only by name until I bought the disk. Called “Tom Bowling” it was written by Charles Dibdin towards the end of the 18th century; Dibdin was a difficult man who fell out with most of his colleagues and died friendless. “Tom Bowling” was written in memory of his elder brother Captain Dibdin and is heartfelt and exquisite. It would be beautifully appropriate at the funeral of a sailor:
Here a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling
The darling of our crew;
No more he’ll hear the tempest howling
For death has broached him to.
His form was of the manliest beauty,
His heart was kind and soft;
Faithful below, Tom did his duty
And now he’s gone aloft
And now he’s gone aloft.
Tom never from his word departed
His virtues were so rare:
His friends were many and true hearted
His Poll was kind and fair;
And then he’d sing so blithe and jolly
Ah! Many’ the time and oft;
But mirth is turn’d to melancholy
For Tom is gone aloft
For Tom is gone aloft.
Yet shall poor Tom find pleasant weather
When He who all commands
Shall give, to call life’s crew together
The word to pipe all hands:
Thus Death, who kings and tars despatches
In vain Tom’s life hath doff’d
For tho’ his body’s under hatches
His soul is gone aloft
His soul is gone aloft.
Vanity of vanities
Folk who never come to church sometimes beat me over the head with the tiredest of cliches, namely “the roof would fall in if I came to church.....” Good grief! Who do they think they are? As if their footling peccadillos could rival mine! How monstrous their vanity. The Victorian poet James Thompson put this well in a favourite verse of mine:
Once in a saintly passion
I cried with desperate grief,
O Lord, my heart is black with guile,
Of sinners I am chief.
Then stooped my guardian angel
And whispered from behind,
“Vanity, my little man,
You’re nothing of the kind.”
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays
William Prothero. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14th Sept
Aaron Wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17th Sept
Kate Horder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19th Sept
Anniversary congratulations
Dulcie & Peter Ackland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17th Sept
MUCH IN A NAME
The Parish Council decided at its last meeting that in honour of Roz Dunlop’s many, many years of service to children in our parish, “The Den” will be re-named The “Roz Dunlop Room”. Probably “Roz’s Room” for short.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meeting on Wednesday this week, the 16th of September, will be a dinner meeting held at Dookie Pub. Meet at the car park (tennis courts to car pool at 5.30). Please advise the office if you will not be attending. Non-attendance without notice will invite a bill for the meal ordered but not consumed!
YOUTH GROUP: ARISE 255
This Monday, the 14th we will be looking at Leader’s childhood favourite Bible stories. Is Danita up the Nile without a basket?? Come along and find out 5.30 - 7.00 pm in the hall. All are very welcome. For any enquiries phone Mary on 58299418
SPRING FASHION PARADE
This is in aid of G.V Health Extended Care Auxiliary. It takes place on Thursday, 1st of October at 10.00am in St. Augustine’s Hall. The charge of $15 includes morning tea. For further details contact Mimma’s Hair Studio 58318220
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
The Friendship Group meets on Tues 15th Sept at 1.30 in Church Car park. We are visiting Greg & Verna Pestell’s home to see their collection of Depression Glass All are welcome. Pat Griffin 58001168
EVENING GUILD
The Evening Guild meets next on September 17th we are having our trip to Avenel (Gadd’s) as we were unable to be accommodated at Longwood as arranged. Because of longer distance to travel we must leave the hall car park at 12.30pm. If you have any queries, phone Betty 58211558
PLEASANT SUNDAY AFTERNOON
GARDEN PARTY
October 4th at 2pm! Come along to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the lovely gardens surrounding the Church, if the weather is inclement it will beheld indoors. Devonshire teas, plant sales, entertainment and a speaker. For further details contact Rosemary Mitchelmore 58214076
THE NEXT OUTREACH
Contributions for the next issue of Outreach are sought. Any item that you feel concerns or should concern, entertain or amuse the church or our community would be welcome. Your submissions must be lodged at the church office by Sunday 4th October. Ron Rose
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Sept 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Church Sunday
Sept 15th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friendship Group
Sept 17th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evening Guild
Sept 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 2.00pm
Sept 26th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Sept 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confirmation
Oct 1st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Fair/Garden party meeting
Oct 1st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G.V Health Aux./Spring Fashion Parade 10am
Oct 3rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 1pm
Oct 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blessing of Pets 10.30am
Oct 4th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pleasant Sunday afternoon at St. Augustine’s
Oct 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clergy Conference until 8th October
Oct 10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 2.30pm
Oct 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tour of the Church 3.00pm
Oct 13th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Moving On” Grief Support Group
Oct 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Men’s Breakfast 8.00am
Oct 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Labyrinth Workshop 2.30pm
Oct 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St Luke’s Service for Health Pros 5.30pm
Oct 31st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Oct 31st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 3.30pm
Nov 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .All Soul’s Day - Requiem 5.30pm
Nov 7th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 2.30pm
Nov 13th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Working bee - Parish Fair&Garden party 5pm
Nov 14th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Fair & Garden Party
Nov 21st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 3pm
Nov 28th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Garden Working Bee
Nov 28th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 3.30pm
Nov 28th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 2pm
Dec 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings
Dec 12th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Quiet Day
Dec 20th (I hope). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carol Service 7.00pm
Dec 24th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christmas Children’s Service 5.30pm
Mar 7th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cologne New Phil.Chamber Orchestra 2.30pm
Duties for 13th September
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danita Potter, Gwyn Cowland
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Noonan, Christine Evans
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelle, Heather Fitz, John Griffin
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan, Venita, Valerie
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson, Children
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clergy
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clergy
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joyce Cavill, Gwen Betson
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max & Bev Ralph, Dorothy Cook
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Moran, Margaret Johnson
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zeb and Ben, Dorothy Cook
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyn & Merv Cowland
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Pleming
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Dean, Val Bambrook
Tea 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Fennell, Sandra Simonis
Welcoming Table 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Val Rose, Pat Griffin
Welcoming Table 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev Condon,Heather Fitzgerald
Mowing 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay McGregor, Merv Cowland
Duties for 20th September 2009
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Fitzgerald, Liz Gyles
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrea Fisher, Joan McCann
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beth, Michelle
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank, Dale, Aaron
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev Condon, Nancy Noonan
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev Condon, Carole Henderson
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Pleming, Joe Fernandez
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Dean, Bev Reither
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Pleming, Lesley Kenna
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe Pearson, Norm Mitchelmore
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Akers, Nola Brewer
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pat Griffin
Welcoming Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Hoare
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .no mowing this week
READINGS 20th September
Proverbs 31:10-31; James 3:1-12
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Nicole Ackland, Alison Baldwin, Laura Bates, Liam Bognar, Cath & Ken Birkitt, Tom Downie, Lorna Ford, John Green, Kath Grills, Frank Harder, John & Kate Horder, Lesley Kenna, Bronwyn Mitchell, Sophie Mould, Joan Morris, Betty Reilly, Kevin & Isabelle Richards, Carriann Shaw, Peter & Eva Swindells, David, Glenda, David & Judith, Peter, Dawn John & family, James, Ken, Tracey, Jo, Tony & Jack.
Rest in Peace: Les Baldwin
Year’s Mind : Amy McClusky, Frederick Stagg 13th Herbert Smith, Eileen Vlasij 14th, Graeme Dempsey 15th, Donald Malcolm, Glen Wells 16th, Bessie Jones 18th, Gerald Green 19th,
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 14th September Rector’s Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer
5. 30pm Arise 255
Tuesday 15th September
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
12.15pm Simply Soul Soothing
1.30pm Friendship Group/meet in car park
3.30pm Evening Prayer
4.00pm Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
4.00pm Confirmation Class
Wednesday 16th September
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
3.30pm Evening Prayer
4.00pm Eucharist/ Kialla Gardens/Banksia
6.00pm PCC at Dookie. Meet in the car park at 5.30
Thursday 17th September
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharist - Tarcoola Acacia/Hakea
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
12.30pm Evening Guild/meet in car park
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
4.00pm Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
4.00pm Confirmation Class
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 18th September
7.45pm Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
5.30pm Prayer Meeting - Library
6.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday 19th September Associate Priest’s day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
2.00pm Wedding
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 20th September
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am Family Eucharist - St Augustine’s/Baptisms
12 noon Interment of Brian Smith’s Ashes
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke’s Dookie
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary’s Katandra