NINTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST
2nd August 2009
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
INITIATING CHANGE
It was the bad old days when the mentally disturbed were incarcerated in institutions from which it was hard ever to emerge. One of the reasons that these bad old days came to an end was because the Minister of Health happened one day to be walking past just such a mental institution without realising it. All the patients inside were shouting “13! 13! 13!” The fence was too high to see over, but he noticed a little gap in it and so looked through to see what was going on. He reported later to his ministerial colleagues, “As I looked through some swine poked me in the eye with a stick. Then they all started shouting ‘14! 14! 14! ......’
THIS AND THAT
Andrew Neaum
For the past few months I have been living life with one of my fingers redundant. My “trigger finger” complaint had slowly been getting worse and worse. Because the finger affected was my ring finger, which is not crucial to most tasks, this was not too difficult to cope with, though if I made a mistake and clenched it, or if I threw anything hard with its hand, it was very painful indeed.
Since the operation on the finger last Monday, I have been learning to cope with only one hand and this has been much more restrictive. Showering has been a challenge, driving impossible and forbidden (for the first few days) and doing up buttons and tying shoe laces very difficult. I have now abandoned the sling and use the still bandaged hand for this and that, though carefully. As I tap away I am beginning to detect possible improvement in the treated finger, enough to begin to dispel my initial pessimism, but until the bandage is off and I see the specialist next Wednesday I retain my doubts.
Private health
Private health does not save us any money at all. On the contrary it ensures the loss of loads of it. The advantages it confers appear to me to be only two. I wonder if one of them is moral and whether the other is worth it.
The first advantage conferred is the “privilege” of jumping the queue. This is something that to a true Englishman is always morally reprehensible. Orderly queuing and outrage at queue-jumping is one of our defining national characteristics, or used to be. The second advantage conferred by private health cover is one’s own choice of a specialist or doctor. The choice, however, is hugely limited by one’s ignorance of who is available as well as by one’s lack of information as to the expertise and competence, or lack thereof, in those who are.
I walked all the way to the Private Hospital for my ordeal on Monday because my car happened to be otherwise occupied and I thought a walk would do me good. I walked at great speed to ensure that I arrived on time for I hate being late for appointments. I need not have bothered though. I had a four hour wait before being wheeled into the operating theatre. That, however, is my only complaint. The care granted to me was kindly and efficient, the anaesthetic as gentle as a Sunday afternoon doze and the post operative pain was all but non existent. So thank you to all concerned. Even the long wait was rendered bearable by my foresight in taking with me the latest copy of The Spectator, which I was able to read from cover to cover. A great relief to avoid having recourse to the truly dreadful magazines usually supplied in public waiting rooms and places.
By courtesy of Amazon.com I received in the post last week Roger McGough’s latest offering of verse, “That Awkward Age”. It did not disappoint. I read most of it aloud at a sitting to Rachel, with much laughter. Possibly the very best of all is a verse in which McGough, a gleeful grim reaper if ever there was one, scythes down and subverts beautifully the wishful-thinking denial of brute death’s reality, so often evident at funerals these days:
I Am Not Sleeping
I don't want any of that
“We're gathered here today
to celebrate his life, not mourn his passing."
Oh yes you are. Get one thing straight,
you're not here to celebrate
but to mourn until it hurts.
I want wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I want sobs, and I want them
uncontrollable. I want women
flinging themselves on the coffin
and I want them inconsolable.
Don’t dwell on my past but on your future.
For what you see is what you'll be
and sooner than you think.
So get weeping. Fill yourselves with dread.
For I am not sleeping. I am dead.
The Church as refuge
We were able to help a lovely, but severely distressed young mother and child this past week. She had fled Melbourne on impulse and in a terror and fear generated by a mental condition that made them horrifyingly real to her, though non existent to the likes of us. At a loss as to where to go in Shepparton, hugely frightened, she came to St Augustine’s simply because she knew that we were a church that had been dear to her deceased grandfather. We were eventually able to contact her friends and family so to set her right. We do more of this sort of thing than many folk often realise at St Augustine’s. Our church is very much a refuge as well as a place of worship, thank God..... The poem quoted above comes from: “That Awkward Age” by Roger McGough, published by: Viking
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (8)
Canon D Neaum 1912-2001
And here a glimpse backwards, before my day. In 1909 (I think it was) my father, Mr Smedley and a Mr Blount bought the first Rolls Royce ever to come into Belper. The only one of the three who could drive was Pa, so he took the wheel to drive on the narrow, grass verged road from Derby to Belper. On the way he came upon a blockage on the road: a horse and dray coming towards him and a woman with a child in a pushchair walking the other way. As there was no way past and the back-wheel-only brakes failed to hold on the metal road, he did the only thing possible and turned on to the grass verge and into the ditch. Mr Blount never forgave him for putting human and animal life first and so damaging the car. He never spoke to him again. Mr Smedley dropped the idea of learning to drive and took to drink. The Rolls Royce was duly repaired, but as the other two dropped from the partnership it fell to my father to be the first owner of a Rolls Royce in Belper.
One further small remembrance of Mrs Smedley, bless her. We used to go shopping for her and the reward was always the same: a hard small “pastry” ball each, which, when put into the mouth was so hard that teeth could not inflict any punishment. One had to suck and suck for up to half an hour. The result was quite pleasant as the ball lessened in size until it vanished.
Of the last two houses down that side of the street I can recall only one, a retired missionary (Methodist, I think) who was one of those delightful folk who exude our Lord's presence. There was no thought of annoying him, for he would invite us in for a glass of milk and a chat which included stories of his various wanderings in God's work. Most of this was in South America. Perhaps he was the one who sowed the seeds of just such a way of life in me. God knows.
The end plot in our street was vacant and became our playground. It was grass covered and apart from being our playground was used by any workman whose task lasted for more than the day, to house their equipment, always a source of interest to us lads. It was in this place that I received my first bloody nose. A new playmate joined us and to our astonishment, brought with him a pair of boxing gloves. Tossing up for who should be the first victim the lot fell upon me. As I was putting on those peculiar padded gloves my opponent came straight for me with a heavy punch on my nose. How quickly that part of the face bleeds! I have never tried to box since.
One day as Fran and I were walking home from school via the Station, the route which led us to the bottom of Albert Street, when we came upon a wonderful machine. It had four small iron wheels which carried the frame on which was a tall barrel with a fire under it and the necessary chimney. We had noticed a pony grazing in ‘our’ plot and soon found that its work was to pull the machine. With the machine were two men, higher up the street was a heap of yellow sand and filling all the atmosphere, the beautiful smell of hot tar.
Until that time both pathways had been gravel and now the time had come to bring them up to date. As we stood watching, one of the men had brushed the path for a few metres and the other was holding a large bucket under the tap in the barrel through which a stream of hot tar flowed. The bucket was fitted with a nozzle which allowed the tar to be sprayed over the path. This done the whole patch was covered with sand, swept level and rolled with a one man roller.
At our time of arrival, about 4.30pm, one side of the path was almost finished. We continued watching until knock-off time came for the workmen. The pony was called and it pulled the machine onto the empty plot for the night. The fire was raked out, a stone put on top of the chimney, the tap padlocked and both men and pony went off, as also did we for it was past tea time.
After tea we had only one thought in mind, the tar machine. Our intention was to get at the tar with our sticks, but every attempt was a failure until Fran found how to open the cap at the top of the barrel. We were made! Sticks covered with warm tar and ready for anything. But what? There was not much of interest to enhance its beauty with tar. It was getting dark when the evil idea entered our heads; why not tar all the gate knobs in the street, all twenty-seven, no, twenty-six, we left our own untouched. That done, it was time we were back at home, so throwing away the evidence, our sticks, we went home.
Some short time later Pa came in and without a word walked to the garage and returned with a tin of petrol (there were not many garages in those days) and a handful of waste, again saying nothing. Some half hour later Pa returned, put away the petrol, washed his hands and sat down. “Now” he said, “tell me why you did it?” What could we say? He then went on to say that some of the neighbours had ruined their gloves (most women wore gloves then) and our enemy Mr Rolson had gone to fetch the Police. He told us that he had washed all the knobs we had fouled and to teach us not to play tricks that would harm others we were both to get a good hiding. And didn't we get one, on the bottom, by hand. (To be continued )
Actually I vote labour, but my butler’s a Tory. Lord Mountbatten to a canvasser: 1945 election.
“TWO GRIEFS TO BEAR”
On Tuesday, August 11th at 7.30pm, Barbara Whyte will be the Guest Speaker at the Grief Support Meeting, her subject: “Two Griefs to Bear - How do you Come Through Something Like This.” All are welcome to what should be a most interesting and thought provoking evening.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays
June McKellar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6th August
RAFFLE TICKET SELLING ROSTER
Selling tickets for our great Parish Fair raffle can be fun. It’s surprising the people you meet and the friendly response you get from the public. This year we have three venues from which to sell – Fairleys IGA, City Walk Arcade and Safeway Archer Street. There are thirteen days spread over different dates and venues to choose from. Please volunteer for one or more of the time slots over these days by placing your name on the rosters on the narthex table.
THE ANGLICAN WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA
Two lunches are being held in the Diocese these are open to All Women and their friends: Tuesday 4th Aug at St. John’s Wodonga at 12 noon for the Hume Archdeaconry. Wednesday 5th Aug at Holy Trinity Benalla at 12 noon for the Goulburn Archdeaconry. Bishop John Parkes will be the guest speaker at both lunches.
PARISH FAIR / GARDEN PARTY
There is a planning meeting on Thursday 6th August 4pm in the Den. All welcome, all are encouraged to attend.
ATTENTION WOODWORKERS
Please! Your expertise is needed to build a number of wooden articles for the children of the parish for the Catechesis. Please phone the parish office or speak to the clergy.
GAIL & IAN AWAY
Gail & Ian are away until Saturday 7th for a week visiting and delighting in Ruth, David, Abigail and Joshua.
SPRING DAY OUT
This is in aid of the Diocesan Bushfire Relief Fund and takes place at Delatite Winery on Saturday 12th September 2009. It is hoped that Michael Leunig will be available as Guest Speaker. There will also be music, stalls, raffle, an auction, kids treats & a treasure hunt. Adults $30, Children $10. Special rates too for family groups (2 adults & 2 children) Bookings Essential. Place this date and event in your diary.
ANOTHER EPISCOPAL VISIT
On August 18th at 7.30pm, Peter Carnley the retired Archbishop of Perth and Primate of Australia visits us to hold a seminar on the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission II (ARCIC II) & Global Anglicanism. Anyone interested in Roman Catholic and Anglican relations should be present. Peter Carnley is a member of ARCIC II as well as a notable scholar. There will be an entry fee of $10, with refreshments to follow. Any discerning Roman Catholic friends should be informed of this visit.
PASTORAL CARE MEETING
On Wednesday the 5th August at 11.15am in the Library. All welcome.
CONFIRMATION THIS WEEK
Both Adult and Junior Confirmation classes take place this week at the usual times.
WELSH CHOIR
Please advertise well and encourage people to attend the Welsh Choir Concert on Sunday August the 9th starting at 2.30pm. Tickets available at the office.
PRAYER GROUP
Don’t forget to support the Prayer Meeting on Friday Evenings, in the Library at 5.30pm. These are not long sessions, but companionable, heart-warming and effective.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Aug 9th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Welsh Choir 2.30pm
Aug 11th “Moving On” Grief Support/Guest Speaker
Aug 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bishop Carnley’s Visit
Aug 18th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Friendship Group
Aug 20th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evening Guild
Aug 29th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Sept 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 3pm
Sept 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Day Out/Diocesan Bushfire Relief
Sept 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Church Sunday
Sept 15th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friendship Group
Sept 18th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evening Guild
Sept 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 2pm
Sept 26th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Sept 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confirmation
Oct 1st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Fair/Garden party meeting
Oct 3rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 1pm
Oct 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 2.30pm
Oct 4th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pleasant Sunday afternoon at St. Augustine’s
Oct 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clergy Conference until 8th October
Oct 10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 2.30pm
Oct 31st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden Working Bee
Oct 31st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 3.30pm
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
READINGS 9th August
2 Sam 18:5-9.14,31-33, Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Duties for 2nd August
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyn Cowland, Danita Potter
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine Evans, Andrea Fisher
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beth, Michelle
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dale, Aaron
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Condon, Jenny Pleming
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Condon, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greg Pestell, Joe Fernandez
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joyce Cavill, Gwen Betson
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nola Brewer, Frank Steen
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev & Max Ralph
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nola Brewer, Charlotte Brewer
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Dean
Welcoming Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Val Rose
Mowing 1st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gary Grant, John Horder
Duties for 9th August 2009
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Gyles, Heather Fitzgerald
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan McCann, Courtney Craven
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelle, Beth
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Venita, Valerie
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Fitzgerald, Children
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Griffin, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christine Evans, Jenny Pleming
Welcomers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Dean, Bev Reither
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Brewer, Sandra Simonis
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Batey, Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Pleming, Lesley Kenna
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pat Griffin
Welcoming Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Hoare
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .none this week
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Nicole Ackland, Alison Baldwin, Laura Bates, Liam Bognar, Richard Goodfellow, John Green, Frank Harder, Kate Horder, Jenny Laws, Win Lawrence, Jacquiline Liversedge, Sophie Mould, Kevin Richards, Isabelle Richards, Barbara Swan, Peter & Eva Swindells, David, Glenda, David & Judith, Jo, Tony & Jack.
Rest in Peace
Lillian Uttley
Year’s Mind
Dorothy Fowler, James Cooper 2nd, Mabel Gaskin 3rd, John Brown Sheperhd, Charles Fennell, Steven Daly 4th, Leo Rogers, Georgina Dalgleish 5th, Alma Nowell, Brett Wells, Albert Dean 6th, Donna Dyson 7th, Margaret Grentham, Bruce Ball 8th,
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 3rd August
Rector’s Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer
5.30pm Arise 255
Tuesday 4th August
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
12.15pm Simply Soul Soothing
3.30pm Evening Prayer
4.00pm Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Wednesday 5th August
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
11.15am Pastoral Care meeting/Library
3.30pm Evening Prayer
4.00pm Eucharist/Banksia Kialla Gardens
6.00pm EfM/Den
Thursday 6th August
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharists/ Tarcoola - (Bev Condon)
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
4.00pm Fair & Garden Party meeting/Den
4.00pm Children’s Confirmation
4.00pm Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 7th August
7.45pm Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
11.00am Mercy Centre
5.30pm Prayer Meeting - Library
Saturday 8th August
Associate Priest’s day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 9th August
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am Family Eucharist - St Augustine’s/Kid’s Ch
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke’s Dookie
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary’s Katandra
2.30pm Welsh Choir performance