FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
18th December 2011
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
CREATION'S BALANCE
(A New Zealand favourite)
Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for six days. Eventually, on the seventh day, Michael the Archangel found him resting. He inquired of God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made." Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?" "It's a planet", replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance". "Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. "For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while Southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people," God continued pointing to different countries. "And over there, I call this place America. North America will be rich and powerful and cold, while South America will be poor, and hot and friendly. And the little spot in the middle is Central America which is a Hot spot. Can you see the balance?" "Yes" said the Archangel, impressed by Gods work, then he pointed to a smallish land mass and asked, "What's that one?" "Ah" said God. "That's New Zealand, the most glorious place on Earth. There are beautiful mountains, rainforests, rivers, streams and an exquisite coast line. The people are good looking, intelligent and humorous and they're going to be found travelling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hard-working and high-achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace. I'm also going to give them super-human, undefeatable, strong in character citizens who will be admired and feared by all who come across them". Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then exclaimed, "You said there will be BALANCE!" God replied wisely: "wait until you see the swine I'm putting across the Tasman Sea next to them"
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (25)
Andrew Neaum
The lemon pickle that we have been cooking for a couple of months by sunlight in the garden has now been bottled and broached. Simple, delicious and beautifully fiery.
In the Rectory
The Rectory bursts with life. It hosts the Gittens family, who are here all the way from North London for a couple of weeks. There are Llew and Martha (Dad and Mum), with Max and Bella, their lively children. Martha is Diana's daughter whom I first knew as a shy little girl at about the same age as far from shy Bella now, who is six. They fly off on the 2th to stay for a while in Thailand before heading back to the winter-gloom of London.
It is good to have the garden in production once more. We have both sweet corn and maize growing, the former already tasselling, the latter reminding me of the thousands of acres that used to characterise Zimbabwe. Already six foot high it is dark green and robust. My memory tells me that maize cobs, if picked young, are infinitely preferable in taste to sweet corn. I look forward to putting that judgement to the test. Another much loved plant we have growing and which reminds me of Zimbabwe is a less than robust looking gem-squash. The fruit, perfectly round in shape, when eaten young with a dab of butter, I love. For a brief while some years ago they appeared in our supermarkets here in Victoria, but no longer. I gather they are not uncommon in Queensland.
All those farewells
Last week's farewells and thanksgivings went off swimmingly and the Carol Service was better attended than usual, due largely, I suppose, to its linking to our Panegyrical Repast.
The amount of work (and pleasure) that goes into this annual service deserves a good attendance, and so the linkage was inspired. For many years now, in several parishes, I have balanced scripture readings with secular readings at Carol Services. This is because to do so provides a refreshing and unusual perspective on a story that commercialism and sickly Christmas cards conspire to turn banal.
The main secular reading this year was a particularly poignant and compelling story by a Frenchman called Henri Bordeaux. Beautifully read in four segments by four of our regular lectors it was most moving. I visited Nola Brewer last week to give her Communion and she told me how she had read the story at home, and that it had moved her to tears. Because it was so beautifully sad I had hesitated to use it, for Christmas is marketed as relentlessly cheerful (all that dreadful "ho, ho, ho, hoing"!), but Diana gave it the thumbs up and so use it we did.
The choir and organist, as usual, sounded lovely. Many thanks.
From the heart
The meal that followed was joyous, well planned and great fun, containing not a few highlights. The first of these were the two speeches by Heather Fitzgerald and Norm Mitchelmore given in response to two well wrought panegyrics from Bev Condon and Norm Weaver. They were from the heart by two devoted parishioners whose achievements over so many, many years underline the truth that it is parishioners, far more than transitory clergy, who authenticate and characterise a good parish.
Another highlight was the presentation of gifts. Heather's lovely necklace was solemnly paraded into the hall, right around and through the hall, pinned to a cushion held by young Comfort Nhanhanga, preceded by an even younger Robert Shields holding a large farewell card signed by all present. There was something very touching about the natural grace and seriousness with which they performed this task. Norm's gift was a very long, non-kinking hose. This was paraded in and around the hall, unravelled. An exceedingly long, green snake supported by members of our fine Gardening Team.
Perhaps the strangest highlight of the evening was the cleanup in the kitchen at the end of it all. The place hummed with hard working, happily harmonious parishioners making light of a big job with joyous good humour.
More farewells
We farewelled another departing parishioner with a gift and words of gratitude, in the person of Jenny Moran whose faithful and reliable work as lector, sidesperson and flower guild member was duly acknowledged. We then thanked in absentia, Greg and Verna Pestell who soon return to Benalla parish at the expense of ours, but who for several years now have been all but indispensable as 10.30am Sunday attenders and participators. We recalled too, with gratitude, John and Gaye Gaylard who for many, many years have been hugely generous to our emergency food cupboard, to the tune of thousands of dollars.
It was a great Panegyrical repast indeed. As so often, I am hugely grateful to Pat Gibson for her creative, meticulous and detailed planning.
Fawning, flattering twerp
The word panegyrical has been lurking in my subconscious, awaiting its moment, since my days as a student of English Lit., in the glorious 1960's when it was so good to be young and alive and frisky.
Poets in ancient times and also in the 17th century, were expected and sometimes paid to write great paeans of praise for all sorts of unworthy swine: Charles II and Oliver Cromwell to name but two.
It is a difficult task wholeheartedly to praise people without beginning to sound like a hypocritical, fawning, flattering, boot-licking, and sycophantic twerp. So I was glad to be merely MC and toast maker rather than panegyricist. It was Bev Condon's and Norm Weaver's task to peal forth the paeans of praise. They were fortunate that it was not to dubious characters like Charles II or Oliver Cromwell, but rather to two of the finest of St Augustinian flowers.
On Wednesday at the 10.00am Eucharist we farewelled Heather Camm, our Parish Secretary. She has endeared herself to that congregation in particular and has regularly acted as Eucharistic Assistant to them, which she did last Wednesday. The Gospel for the day admirably suited the occasion enabling or inspiring the following little homily:
Good news for the poor
Jesus said: "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard.... The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the good news preached to them ..... blessed is he who takes no offence at me...."
It is rarely arguments and discussion that bring people to God, rather it is example. It is God lived in people's lives. It is love and sacrifice; it is kindness, compassion and forgiveness demonstrated in people's relationships and living.
When John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was fair dinkum, if he was the expected one, the Messiah, God's anointed one to trust and back as such, Jesus didn't argue his case to John's messengers. He simply pointed them to what he did and was doing. He simply carried on living his life in front of them, healing, loving, and imparting hope and good news. Especially and most interestingly, we are told, to the poor.
He didn't argue his case, even before Pontius Pilate. He lived his love, loved his love, died his love, and converted a world. Authenticity demonstrated, not argued.
So too, ultimately it has to be with us. Unless we live love and die love; unless we love sacrificially, live, give and love extravagantly, over the top, whole-heartedly, we remain unconvincing, unimpressive, easy to dismiss, easy to ignore, easy to take for granted. "Christian? Oh yeah, so what! I'm just as good as you are...."
Through the Narthex window
For the past seven years, there has been a little window in St Augustine's through which authenticity has shone more brightly than most. It's the window in the Narthex that looks into and out of a gloomy parish office.
From the gloom has shone the face of Heather Camm, with its halo of blonde hair. Always welcoming but, as with Jesus in the Gospel, especially to the poor.
Not only has she spoken love to such folk, she's sacrificed her time for them, walked the second mile with them, a third mile for them. She's sacrificed her own money for them, gone to Melbourne with them, worried over them, cried alongside them. She's listened to them, sometimes interminably, she's badgered, bothered and harassed the Rector on their behalf, encouraged, cajoled and urged him to love them.
She has loved widely and welcomed hugely not only the poor. She's been a beacon of tolerance and acceptance to everyone. But it is her love of the marginalised, more than anything else, that has defined her ministry among us. In the words of Jesus himself, the poor have had the good news preached to them, and blessed is he who takes no offence at her.
The Kingdom of God in Shepparton
The Kingdom of God here at Shepparton, for the past seven years, has shone particularly brightly from the gloom of the parish office through its little narthex window, in the face of Heather Camm.
That we will miss her goes without saying, for she has certainly loved us all, but that the poor, the fringe-dwellers, those often despised, forgotten and overlooked, will miss her too, and she them as well as us, probably even more than us, makes her a true sister of the Jesus she dearly loves. It also authenticates her, makes her the genuine article, fair dinkum,
She is too, of course, a sinner, has her own shortcomings and failings. These are as nothing though, in the light of an authenticity, that has helped turn our narthex into a refuge, a respite, a little outpost of the Kingdom of God. God bless you Heather, and thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays:
Joy Martin 18th Dec
Barbara Philp 20th Dec
Christine Furze 20th Dec
Erin Dunlop 20th Dec
Ella Egan 22nd Dec
Joe Pearson 23rd Dec
Anniversary:
Jim & Maureen Olphert 22nd Dec
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meets on Wednesday at 7.30pm in Roz's Room and after an expeditious meeting will move over for a drink and nibble to the Rectory. Leave any contributions to fare or drink at the Rectory before the meeting.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Christmas Eve
St Augustine's Shepparton:
5.30pm - Children's Crib Eucharist
11.00pm - Congregational Carols
11.30pm - Midnight Mass
St Mary's Katandra:
8.30pm - Eucharist
St Paul's Rushworth:
11.00pm - Carols then Midnight Mass
Christmas Day
St Augustine's Shepparton:
8.30am - Sung Eucharist
10.30am - Eucharist
Christchurch Murchison:
9.00am - Eucharist
St Luke's Dookie:
8.45am - Eucharist
NEWS OF SANDRA FROM SANDRA
Well, after four weeks in hospital and a week in rehab, I am now heading for some TLC at Nola's in Pakenham armed with as much paraphernalia as the rehab can supply. Just as well Nola & Ross have a big car. I will be there for five days returning to SHEPPARTON on the 21/12/2011 to the care of Nursing in the Home. I am feeling good although a bit wobbly on my left leg still. I am now to weight-bear evenly on both legs- this is an upgrade from earlier in the week. The wounds are clean, clear and healing well. Although I think my arm and leg modelling days are over. I look forward to seeing you in the new year, have a happy Christmas and a healthy & prosperous new year. Regards Sandra Simonis
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Find out more about the links between your daily life, God, the bible and your faith.
EfM is a supportive learning community where there are no wrong answers but lots of fun. You need no formal theological training, just an interest in reflecting on what is happening in your life and where this is touched by the story of God's people.
It is NOT training for ordination, it is NOT asking you to DO more and it is SO MUCH MORE than Bible study (just ask any of the current EfM group)!
For more information, ask Helen: hmalcolm @bigpond.com, Victoria: heeno@bigpond .com, Heather in the office, or any of the current group.
The deadline for letting Helen know if you'd like to join us next year is today 18th December.
INDUCTION
The Rev'd Gail Bryce will be Inducted as Rector of the Parish of Tatura (with Toolamba) on Thursday 9th February, 2012 at 7.30pm at All Saints Anglican Church, Francis Street, Tatura. A good number of folk from here should be present to support her.
CHRISTMAS BOWL GIVING
Please help fill the Christmas Bowl. Act for Peace is the International aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia. There are envelopes plus information on the Narthex Table. Please support this worthwhile cause.
READINGS MIDNIGHT
Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14
READINGS CHRISTMAS DAY
Isaiah 62:6-12: Titus 3:4-8
FOR THE DIARY
Dec 21st Parish Council
Feb 29th Ash Wednesday and AGM
Apr 8th Easter Sunday
May 10th Raffle Sub Committee Meeting 4.00pm
Jun 14th Parish Fair Planning Meeting 4.00pm
Oct 20th 2012 Parish Fair and Garden Party
Duties for 18th 2011
Readers 8.30 Jeanette Smith, Victoria Heenan
Readers 10.30 Linda Prosser, Andrea Fisher
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Servers 10.30 Jenny, Joe, Zebedee
Intercessors Carole Henderson, Joan McCann
Euc. Assts 8.30 Carole Henderson, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30 Greg Pestell, Joe Fernandez
Welcomers 8.30 Anita Saville, Gwen Betson
Welcomers 10.30 Sidespeople
Sidespeople 8.30 Bev Ralph, Max Ralph
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming, Mitch Macheda
Tea 8.30 Gwn Cowland
Welcoming Table Volunteer
Mowing Merv Cowland, Beryl Bonfitto
Altar Linen/Dec Rosemary Mitchelmore, Pat Griffin
Christmas Eve - Crib Service
Readers Olivia Lear and Tessa Cummins (hopefully)
Servers The great Coates trio
Intercessors Celebrant
Euc. Assts Canon Andrew,
Welcomers Volunteers
Sidespeople Volunteers
Welcoming Table volunteer
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 24th December 2011
Readers Verna Pestell, Ian Bryce
Servers Michelle
Intercessors Celebrant
Euc. Asstistants Ian Bryce, Canon Andrew
Thurifer Greg Pestell
Welcomers Volunteers
Sidespeople Volunteers
Welcoming Table Volunteer
Duties for 25th December 2011
Readers 8.30 Norm Mitchelmore, Norm Weaver
Readers 10.30 Joan McCann, Nancy Noonan
Servers 8.30 Michelle, Beth
Servers 10.30 Jenny, Eve, Grace
Intercessors Celebrant
Euc. Assts 8.30 John Griffin, Carole Henderson
Euc. Assts 10.30 Jenny Pleming
Welcomers 8.30 Shirley Dean, Bev Reither
Welcomers 10.30 Charlotte Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30 Trevor Batey, Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Welcoming Table Volunteer
Mowing none this week
Altar Linen/Dec Rosemary Mitchelmore, Pat Griffin
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 & Hilary Akers, Liam Bognar, Nola Brewer, Joy & Ian Carmen, Ross & Helen Dainton, Michael Egan, Liza Griffin, Vida Hardy Frank Harder, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Ross Judd, Ruth Lewis, Patricia Loughhead, Olive Paez, Margaret Kidman, Albert Oxenbury, Val Rose, Ethel & George Rumble, Anita Saville,Suzanne Singh, Sandra Simonis, Patricia Sparkes, Peter Swindells, Lesley Walker, Fay Warren, Malcolm, David, Peter, Val, Kaye, Pat, Lewis.
Rest in Peace: Margaret Aldous, John Lloyd, Joan Nicholl.
Anniversaries: Michael Houghton, Esme Houghton 18th, Bub Fennell, Victor Reither 19th, Bertha Northey 20th, Frederick Nowell, Maxwell Allen, Ethol Miles, Mavis Trevaskis, Mary Clark, Margaret Maynard 21st, Vera Tattersall, Kim Chapman, Gwendoline Hounslow 22nd, Garnet Wall, Chloe Schaper 23rd.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 19th December
Rector's day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 20th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
11.00am Shepparton Aged Care
Wednesday 21st December
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
7.30pm Parish Council Meeting
Thursday 22nd December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharist- Acacia
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
11.00am Eucharist - Ave Maria
5.30pm Choir Practice - St Martin's Chapel
Friday 23rd December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December
(Associate Priest's Day off)
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist
5.30pm Crib Service
8.30pm Eucharist- St. Mary's
11.00pm Carols - St Augustine's
11.30pm Midnight Mass - St Augustine's
11.00pm Carols & Midnight Mass - Rushworth
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke's
9.00am Eucharist - Murchison