THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
3rd July 2011
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
UNDER POPULATED
When Mother Teresa died, she went, as her beatification would indicate, to heaven. God greeted her at the Pearly Gates. "Art thou hungry, Mother Teresa?" he asked. "I could eat," Mother Teresa replied. So God opened a can of tuna and reached for a chunk of rye bread and they began to share it. While eating this humble meal, Mother Teresa looked down into Hell and saw the inhabitants devouring huge steaks, lobsters, pheasants, and pastries. Curious, but deeply trusting, she remained quiet. The next day God again invited her to join him for a meal. Again, it was tuna and rye bread. Once again, Mother Teresa could see the denizens of Hell enjoying lamb, turkey, venison, and delicious desserts. Still she said nothing. The following day, mealtime arrived and another can of tuna was opened. She could contain herself no longer. Meekly, she asked, "God, I am grateful to be in heaven with you as a reward for the pious, obedient life I led. But here in heaven all I get to eat is tuna and a piece of rye bread and in the Other Place they eat like emperors and kings! I just don't understand it..." God sighed. "To be frank Teresa," He said, "... for just two people, it doesn't pay to cook."
THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER (3)
Andrew Neaum
My computerised daily journal dates from 1998. As of Monday night it consists of one million, two hundred and two thousand and four words, most of them inconsequential and of little interest to anyone except myself.
Reverential and admiring
I am glad, though, that I have developed and maintained the discipline of journalising my life. Not least because if ever I have cause to read past journal entries I reacquaint myself with the self I used to be. Fascinating of course because (as I never tire of confessing) my relationship with myself has always been reverential and admiring. The person I discover myself to have been in the past is less different from the self I now am than I am wont to suppose. I can see few signs of progress, or any improvement in goodness, spirituality and wisdom. I console myself by reflecting that goodness, spirituality and wisdom are blind to themselves, except in others!
I recently set about typing out some longhand journals from 1977, the early days in my first parish in Rhodesia. It brought back vividly to mind those happy times and reminded me of all sorts of people and events that I had nearly forgotten.
The very first journal I kept was when I went to England in my twenties to teach. This was a very significant period of my life, during which I turned myself back full face to God and eventually offered myself for ordination. Sadly I destroyed this first journal, deeming it too personal and revealing to risk anyone else ever getting hold of it. I regret destroying it enormously.
Jokes, cartoon and fun
Unless too pushed for time I really enjoy putting together this pew sheet. It is great fun searching out decent cartoons and jokes and assessing the risk factor in them. One of the results of the recent assault upon the Christian faith by cocksure atheists has taught me, is that it is dangerous to allow the hypersensitivity of a few pew-sitters of simple faith to muffle blunt truth or to stifle debate, doubt and questioning. Most atheists attack and destroy a childish version of the Christian faith that no intelligent and thoughtful Christian espouses, but which you still often hear from pulpits and read in parish publications. Many of the clergy feel pressurised to avoid saying or writing any-thing that might disturb or challenge people of “simple” faith. To give in to this pressure is not only unwise, it is counter productive.
Many people send me jokes, but only a very few of them appear in the pew sheet. This is not usually because I do not like them or consider them too weak or disgusting, but rather because I know them and over the years have already used them, or versions of them. The cartoon on the front page of this week’s pew sheet, of a rabbit in a hospital bed with the sheet pulled over its face to indicate its death, and a rabbit doctor, saying to a rabbit nurse “He's left his body to medical research and his feet to the lucky-charm factory,” might well be considered to verge on bad taste. To my mind it is very funny in its irony.
I came across a good aphorism the other day: “suspicion of others stems from self- knowledge.” Now there is a fine little sermon in miniature.
A new priest for Seymour
On Friday evening I went to Seymour for the induction to that parish of a new priest, Fr. Thevathasan Samuel Premarajah, known as Fr Prem. There was a full church and a good atmosphere. I travelled there with Michael Jones the Rector of Yarrawonga who picked up both me and Kim Benton the Rector of Numurkah. On the way back we stopped and had a Thai meal in Nagambie. There continues to develop among the clergy in the diocese a sense of collegiality and friendship, a tribute to the end of stormy diocesan weather and the arrival of a new and blessed episcopal era.
Nagambie always seems to me to be a lovely town, though once the bypass is finished I presume that we will rarely give ourselves the opportunity to contemplate that loveliness. Any sadness will be more than mitigated by a drop in the number of fines we garner for speeding through it at over fifty kilometres an hour.
Combined Eucharist July 31st
It is customary in the Parochial District of Murchison and Rushworth to combine their two congregations for a single Parish Eucharist, followed by a meal, on fifth Sundays of the month. They have suggested that on the 31st of July they combine with us all at St Augustine’s for the 10.30am Eucharist, with a “Bring and Share” meal to follow. This seems an excellent idea, and if St Luke’s Dookie and St Mary’s Katandra would like to join in the fun, so much the better! Note the date in your diaries, please.
“People Supporting People”
On Saturday “People Supporting People”, the local charitable organisation of which I am President, but which is inspired by and centred around the fascinating personality of Azem Elmez, held a great function to thank the very many people and organisations that support “People Supporting People”. As you would expect the food was bountiful and delicious, and the company excellent and varied. Before great meals such as this one, those of us who are believers feel compelled to offer a public Grace of some sort in gratitude to God for his goodness and bounty. How can one do this, however, if the company is made up of many faiths, diluted by a sprinkling of agnostics and spiced with a few thoroughgoing atheists? I did my best as follows:
A sort of Grace
“Gatherings like this one tonight bring together people of all sorts of faiths, races and backgrounds. We are a fair old slice of the whole world's pullulating populace; of the, colourful, diverse, rag tag and bobtail mix that is humanity in general. This, of course is what “People Supporting People” is all about. The word ‘people’ is all inclusive. We are indiscriminate in support. We will assist anyone in need.
“As a Christian priest, if I was at a gathering of Christians, I would say before a meal like this a Christian grace. That is, I would thank the Triune God for his bounty and love, and ask his blessing upon our food, our fellowship and our endeavours.
“But I am not at a gathering of Christians, I am at a gathering of people of all sorts of faiths, races and backgrounds, a fair old slice, as I say, of the whole world's pullulating populace, of the colourful, diverse, rag tag and bobtail mix that is humanity in general, and so what can I say gracefully as Grace to include every single one of us?
“Simply Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The best of religious people in the world are characterised above all else, I think, by gratitude. All religion at its best and purest is a way of saying thank you to the author of being for the gift of being. The religious, if they are fair dinkum, are those who are grateful for their existence and express their gratitude in generosity, openness of heart, care, love, awe, reverence and worship. All worship, foundationally is the saying of thank you. Certainly Christianity is.
“But then too, surely, the best of non- religious people in the world are those who are grateful for being, are the opposite of whingers, are those filled with gratitude for their existence, and who express their thanks by generosity, openness of heart, care, love, and by secular forms of awe, reverence and worship. “Gratitude unites us then, gratitude, sweet gratitude. So thank you for being here. Thank you for People Supporting People. Thank you for good tucker and good fellowship; thank you for humane humanity, for generosity, concord, sacrifice, love; thank you for Australia, for diversity, for difference, for people of all sorts of faiths, races and backgrounds; thank you for the world's pullulating populace, thank you, thank you, thank you, for the, colourful, diverse, rag tag and bobtail mix that is humanity in general. Thank you....thank you, thank you, thank you! Amen. Amen. Amen. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.”
The week’s greatest folly
I did a very foolish thing on the Saturday night that I went out to the People Supporting People do. Because the Football Club Rooms are so close I walked, but left by way of my garage. The side door to the garage from the Rectory garden can only be locked from the outside, which is most annoying, If you want the door locked when you go out, you have to walk all the way round from McKinney Street, lock it and then return to your car. To avoid this I have drilled a hole above the metal bar of the lock that turns with the handle as you open the door. Into that hole I place a screwdriver which prevents the lock from moving and allowing the door to open. Simple and ingenious, I like to think. It does mean, however, that you cannot open the door from outside, even with a key. There is only one battery-operated, main garage door opener and that is kept in the car.
Having secured the door in my ingenious fashion, I opened the main garage door by pressing the button on the wall, then pressed it again to close the door, skipping delicately beneath it without quite being guillotined, and so strolled on my way. The next day, on trying to access my car, I found myself locked out. It is a very secure garage, with a well barred window. I phoned the resourceful John Pleming who, good man that he is, said he would be right over. However, before he left I worked out a simple remedy. I would like to tell you what it is, but of course if thugs and thieves read Steven Hawkins, (see the latest copy of “Outreach”) they might aspire to read even greater and more interesting authors like the composer of this article and so discover how to get into my garage. So I am obliged to leave you in ignorance.
Season of mists
I had to go and visit someone in the psychiatric wing of the local hospital last week. It was on one of those still and very beautiful misty mornings and as is my wont these days, I made my way there on a bicycle. It was a beautiful ride, but the mist got thicker and thicker so that by the time I arrived I was amazed at how poor visibility had become. Mist so thick is unusual in this part of the world. It was only as I dismounted and de-helmeted myself that I realised that the mist had fogged up my glasses and so that I had been doubly mystified.
Diana has now deposited, at Australia House in London, her great labour of love, the huge file containing all the information, forms, statements, proofs, photographs and bumf required to achieve, possibly and ultimately, permanent residence status in Australia. Much lightened she has made her way go Bristol to visit friends and gardens.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A man's face is his autobiography. A woman's face is her work of fiction.
Oscar Wilde
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
Victor Hugo
Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty - they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. Martin Buxbaum
PARISH FAIR AND GARDEN PARTY
The Organising Committee is pleased to give advanced notice of two singers, in their twenties, who will be part of the free concert at the Fair. THOMAS TUENA is a guitarist-vocalist who sings his own Christian-based compositions. Thomas was a member of our Sunday School in the mid 1980's, his parents, Ian and Kerrie Tuena, being active workers in this Church and particularly with Youth Groups. Thomas attended the Kialla West Primary School and Shepparton High School; he now lives in Melbourne where he teaches music, both privately and in schools. We look forward to welcoming him back to St. Augustines. (His Grandma is "our" Joy Markey.) DONALD CAMPBELL of Stanhope has delighted us with his singing on past occasions. He has again accepted our invitation to perform at the free concert on the afternoon of 23rd October.
A VISIT FROM THE BISHOP
On Sunday July 17th we are to be visited by the Bishop. At this stage he is due to be present at both the 8.30am and 10.30am Eucharists at St Augustine's. He is the most amiable of fellows, a good preacher and an excellent thing. Do make a point of being present to welcome him.
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
At the last Women's Breakfast we had the privilege of listening to Marg Earl, who spoke to us about her visits to Vietnam. We saw a nice array of handcrafts and photos that she had collected on her travels there, and we also heard about the country's people and culture. Sharing our breakfast were two ladies from St. Pauls Rushworth and two from Christ Church Murchison. Thank you to those who attended. The next Women's breakfast is on Saturday 3rd September, put the date in your diary. Dorothy Cook
SUNDAYS @ FIVE
Tonight, the 3rd July, at 5pm in the Narthex there is worship with a difference. The topic will be "respecting people, and helping those who are different". Come along and learn something, while also supporting Mary's good work. Mary Pearson
ECUMENICAL STUDY GROUPS
Shepparton Interchurch Council invites you to an Ecumenical Study night to be held on Monday, July 4 at St Brendan's Resource Centre, (behind the church, in Knight Street) at 7.30pm. The study is based on The Mission of the Church, the Report of the Roman Catholic-Uniting Church National Dialogue 2002- 2008. The study is accessible - it is not a dry document! We will see the perspective of each of the churches on one aspect of the Church's mission, then have discussion in groups. The study will be available on Monday night for those who signed up at the Pentecost Ecumenical Service and for all members of any congregation who would like to explore the mission of the Church. There will be a second study night in August.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
July 12th Social Responsibilities Meeting 12.00 noon
July 12th "Moving On" Grief Support Group
July 17th Bishop's Visit
July 19th Friendship Group 2.00pm
July 21st Evening Guild 1.30pm
July 30th Garden Working Bee
July 31st Combined Parish Worship & Bring & Share
Aug 11th Parish Fair & Garden Party Meeting
Aug 20th Wedding
Aug 21st Thanksgiving Sunday
Aug 27th Garden Working Bee
Sept 3rd Women's Breakfast
Sept 10th Harvey Norman Sausage Sizzle (Fete)
Sept 17th Men's Breakfast
Sept 22nd Parish Fair & Garden Party Meeting
Sept 24th Wedding
Sept 24th Garden Working Bee
Oct 1st Wedding 2pm
Oct 8th Wedding 2pm
Oct 8th Wedding 3.30pm
Oct 22nd Parish Fair & Garden Party
Oct 23rd Confirmation
Oct 29th Wedding
Oct 29th Garden Working Bee
Dec 3rd Women's Breakfast
Dec 10th Men's Breakfast
Dec 10th Wedding
READINGS NEXT WEEK
Genesis 25:19 - 34, Romans 8:1-11
Duties for 3rd July 2011
Readers 8.30 Norm Weaver, Carole Henderson
Readers 10.30 Christine Jones, Christine Evans
Servers 8.30 Eucharistic Assistants
Servers 10.30 Sam, Maddie,Greg
Intercessors Celebrant, Greg Pestell
Euc. Assts 8.30 Bev Condon, Ian Bryce
Euc. Assts 10.30 Greg Pestell, Jenny Pleming
Welcomers 8.30 Judy Lloyd, Pat Griffin
Welcomers 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Jenny Moran
Sidespeople 8.30 Joe Pearson, Norm Mitchelmore
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming, Jenny Moran
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Welcoming Table Beverley Walsh
Mowing 2nd July Merv Cowland, Beryl Bonfitto
Altar Linen for July Ella Egan
Duties for 10th July 2011
Readers 8.30 Heather Peason, Pat Griffin
Readers 10.30 Jenny Moran, Jenny Pleming
Servers 8.30 Eucharistic Assistants
Servers 10.30 Jenny, Eve, Grace
Intercessors Victoria Heenan, Children
Euc. Assts 8.30 John Griffin, Carole Henderson
Euc. Assts 10.30 Jenny Pleming, Greg Pestell
Welcoming 8.30 Dulcie Ackland, Eileen Quaife
Welcomers 10.30 Frank Steen, Charlotte Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30 Trevor Batey, Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlote Brewer, Nola Brewer
Welcome Table Dorothy Cook
Altar Linen for July Ella Egan
Tea 8.30 Shirley Dean
Mowing none this week
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
At the beginning of each month 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. The list for names of those to be prayed for is kept in the top drawer of the little plastic box of drawers on the narthex table.
Alan Akers, Deb Bagley, Liam Bognar, Marlene Bovaird, Kath Grills, Frank Harder, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Michael Green, Ross Judd, Bronwyn Mitchell, Lyn Morcom, Margaret Kidman, Albert Oxenbury, Isabelle Richards, Sandra Simonis, Peter Swindells, Patricia Sparkes, Fay Warren, John Young, David, Krystina.
Anniversary of death:
Elizabeth Malcolm, Joan Galt, George Balaburov 3rd, Beatrice Purdey 4th, Winifred Tobe, John Hutchinson, Claudine Tuttle, Ernest Pleming 5th, Albert Wisely, Ian Phillips, Eva Routledge, John Walker, Margaret Noble 6th, Simon Gain, Ivan Thorne, Joan Paton, Lucy Coakley, Roz Dunlop 7th, Win Erwen, Adrian Nichols, Betty Mercer, Berris Challis, Iris Climas, Ian Evans 8th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 4th July
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 5th July
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.00pm Chapter & Bishop in Council - Wangaratta
11.00am Eucharist - Shepparton Aged Care
No Confirmation Class
Wednesday 6th July
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
4.00pm Eucharist - Banksia
6.00pm Efm - Roz's Room
Thursday 7th July
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.15am Eucharist- Tarcoola
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
5.30pm Choir Practice - Rectory
Friday 8th July
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
11.00am Eucharist- Ave Maria
7.30pm Parish Council/Murchison
Saturday 9th July
Associate Priest's Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist (trad rite) - Lady Chapel
11.00am Grave Blessing - Shepparton Cemetery
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 10th July
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine's/Kid's Church
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke's Dookie
9.00am Morning Prayer - St. Pauls Rushworth
11.00am Morning Prayer- Christ Church Murchison