SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
20th February 2011
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD
Two men, formerly employed at a sheltered workshop that had been closed, fronted up to Social Security to claim unemployment benefits. The counter clerk addressed the first man: "what was the nature of your previous work? "I sewed the soles onto ladies shoes," he replied. "Right, you're entitled to $150 a week as compensation for lost wages," said the clerk. He turned to the second man: "Previous work?" "Diesel fitter," he replies. "You're entitled to $200 a week compensation," said the clerk. The first man objected, "Why is he getting more? I had the really skilled job with the sewing. When I finished a pair of shoes, all he did was put his hands into them and say, ‘Dese'll fit ‘er.'"
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx
RETURNING TO ZIMBABWE (12)
Andrew Neaum
This is the twelfth episode of an account of the recent trip to Zimbabwe and Lesotho made by Diana and myself last October. The previous episodes, if anyone is interested, can be found at: http://www.andrewneaum.com/articles.htm
After living simply in a house with no water and as often as not without electricity as well (thanks to the incompetent and neglectful government of Mr Mugabe), and after a long, hot but interesting drive from Mutare to Masvingo through the baobab studded lowveld, it was good to unwind, and relax in the luxury of a beautifully sited, well-gardened and yet reasonable hotel. We showered with great enjoyment for the first time in several days, ate a simple meal of bread, peanut butter, jam and yoghurt, all bought in Masvingo and then, as a swift twilight descended, drove down the hill upon which the hotel is sited, and along the shoreline of the lovely Muturikwe Dam, formerly known as Lake Kyle.
Patron of irrigators
This is a substantial lake covering about ninety square kilometres. Its curved, concrete wall was built in 1960 to provide irrigation water to the vast sugar cane estates on the lowveld in southwestern Zimbabwe, around the town of Triangle. Last Sunday at the Eucharist, here in St Augustine's, we heard of the rivalry between the followers of Apollos and of Paul in the New Testament reading. If I remember rightly the Anglican Church at Triangle is dedicated to Apollos because St Paul, in that reading from his First Letter to the Corinthians, says, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth...... and so Apollos, was wittily assumed, to be the perfect patron saint of irrigators and therefore an ideal patron for an area in Zimbabwe which, like Shepparton, is heavily irrigated.
We crossed the impressive dam wall in the gloaming and parked overlooking the wall and lake. Distant lightning promised rain that was not to be delivered during our stay, it being rather too early for the rainy season's longed for advent. It was very tranquil and beautiful with the dark gorge on our left barely visible except for a great gushing arc of gleaming white water flowing from the dam, and ahead over the wall's top a glimmering silver and violet lake with flickering lightning playing over distant hills and clouds. We returned in the dark to enjoy a hot drink on the flower-scented hotel verandah and a peaceful read, before retiring for an early and comfortable night's sleep. We were intent on exploring Great Zimbabwe as soon as its gates opened in the morning, hoping to cheat the heat of later in the day.
The hill complex
We arrived at the entrance to Great Zimbabwe at the advertised opening time and had to wait about fifteen minutes in the company of a several workers who assured us that the one responsible for granting admission fees and issuing tickets was on his way, having been summoned by mobile phone. He turned up pedalling so furiously we forgave him his tardiness and having been granted entrance parked the car under a shady tree and headed towards the "Acropolis" or "Hill Complex", which is that part of the ruins I have always most enjoyed. It is sited on top of a typical granite rocked kopje and contains some hugely impressive dry stone walling. The walls include or accommodate the huge boulders of the kopje, making a wander around fascinating and convoluted, and the views are wonderful. Part of the fascination comes from awe at the sheer achievement of such complex and monumental dry stone walling on so complicated and precipitous a site, but also from the sense of mystery that permeates the whole of Great Zimbabwe, not least because it defies any easy or single interpretation of the obviously impressive culture that gave rise to it all.
Exfoliation
We climbed up the "old route" to the Hill Complex in the relative cool of the early morning, the only visitors on site. At the summit we wandered all over the complex in a leisurely fashion, observing with interest the exfoliation of the great granite boulders at a thickness similar to the stones used in the building of the great walls and which therefore might well have helped determine the dimensions of the individual stones. After thoroughly absorbing the pleasingly eerie feel of the place we descended the hill by way of the "new route", which appeared older than the old one, and at the bottom encountered two young women on the way up, the only fellow tourists we encountered while there.
It seems that the stone buildings of Great Zimbabwe were begun in the 11th century and that building continued there for about three hundred years. They include some of the oldest and largest structures in Southern Africa. At its peak, estimates are that Great Zimbabwe had as many as 18,000 inhabitants. The ruins that survive are built entirely of stone covering an area of about 1,800 acres with a radius of 160 to 320 kilometres.
Zimbabwe Birds
Easily the most important artifacts discovered from the ruins are eight "Zimbabwe Birds" carved from soapstone and originally seated on monoliths or steles the height of a person. Slots in a platform in the Eastern Enclosure of the Hill Complex are thought to have been fashioned to hold the monoliths with the Zimbabwe birds. These birds have become symbolic of Zimbabwe and stylised representations of them appear on the national flag, on the now abandoned coinage and here there and everywhere on tourist nick nacks and garments. There is a fascinating article about the return of part of one birds to Zimbabwe from Germany which contains a lot of more general information about the birds. The site address is a complicated one and so it would be easiest to google "Zimbabwe birds" and follow your nose if anyone is interested:
http://cohesion.rice.edu/CentersAndinst/
SAFA/emplibrary/Dewey,W.Safa2006.pdf
The Great Enclosure
Before making our way to the famous Great Enclosure, we wandered over to a reconstructed village built on the surface of a submerged granite dwala, and made up of little mud and wattle rondavels. It was attended by a trio of local folk who on our approach began to beat a drum while a female launched into a leggy dance, presumably to elicit tourist cash from us.
We then headed for the Great Enclosure over cropped grassland crisscrossed with tumbled-down dry stone walls and studded with impressively tall agaves. The walls of the "Great Enclosure" reach as high as 36 fee and extend approximately 820 feet, which make it the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara Desert. The great and younger "outer wall" shows signs of improving building skills, and the best of its stonework is superb. There is an older "inner wall" encircling a series of structures one of which is the famous "Conical Tower" its purpose never having been satisfactorily explained, to my knowledge, though predictably it has been labelled as phallic, which is unlikely.
Dzimba-dza-mabwe
There are apparently two theories as to the origin of the name Zimbabwe. The first holds that the word is derived from Dzimba-dza-mabwe, translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona meaning "large houses of stone" (dzimba = plural of imba, "house"; mabwe = plural of bwe, "stone"). The second theory suggests that Zimbabwe is a contracted form of dzimba-hwe which means "venerated houses" in the Zezuru dialect of Shona, and is usually applied to chiefs' houses or graves.
Having wandered happily over the main buildings and ruins we returned to our hotel to enjoy a large breakfast before heading off in the direction of Gweru to look over my old secondary school that still rejoices in the name “Guinea Fowl”. (To be continued)
A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christians in history have undoubtedly perpetrated many crimes. But their most fearsome judge is the very individual they claim to follow, the man who blessed peacemakers, tended lepers and loved enemies. Religion can be monstrous, like love – though like love, it also longs for the best. As the philosopher Bernard Williams realised:
That religion can be a nasty business (with its evil admitting God) is a fact built into any religion worth worrying about, and that is one reason why it has seemed to so many people the only adequate response to the nasty business that everything is. Mark Vernon
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays:
David Bagley 20th Feb
Elaine Weaver 21st Feb
Barbara Brown 26th Feb
Anniversary:
Frank & Joan Harder 25th Feb
STRATEGISING
Apparently at the Strategy Meeting of two weeks ago my comments about music and choirs gave offence to some. I apologise for this. I was out to insult no one. It is just that being a man of some passion and vehemence I hate the very thought of being bland, mild-mannered or prissy and so sometimes sail too close to the wind of their opposites and tip overboard!
Any dissatisfaction with the music at 10.30 on Sundays should be aimed at myself and no one else. Ever since coming to Shepparton I have devoted hours of my time to the music at 8.30 and almost none to 10.30. Those who provide the music at 10.30 have had to make do for the past few years with poor material and little encouragement from me. They have done so with admirable grace, good humour, skill and forbearance.
Our strategy now is to take more time in the selection of music and to try out different styles and approaches as well as to practise more. I trust we will enjoy doing so and there should be a bit of percussion today. Christine Jones apologises for being away today for medical reasons. She should be back next week and to be with out her today should help us appreciate her all the more.
One of the criticisms for some time has been that our singers and piano are too far away from the congregation to interact properly. Last week we brought the piano down to the front, but it is a heavy brute and in transporting it I broke the cable to the pedals! I have found someone to fix this, but better still Christine Evans has a keyboard she is happy to allow us to use, at least for a while, which renders the carrying backwards and forwards of the piano unnecessary. Many thanks for this Christine.
WORSHIP, LITURGY AND MUSIC
There is a wonderful opportunity for those who have a real interest in how we worship to come to learn something about it on the 26 February here in Shepparton. This is a gathering organised by the diocese that is designed for clergy, lay readers and preachers, intercessors and readers, organists, choir leaders and other musicians, as well as all those with a general interest in how we worship God together. From 10.00am to 3.00pm there will be opportunities to learn and discuss all sorts of matters to do with how we worship. Come along and join in.
LENT: LIVING NOW AND THEN
The 2011 Lenten Studies are prepared by Charles Sherlock from Trinity Certificate materials and on the afternoon of Sunday 27th of February Charles will be here at St Augustine's to walk through the session and open up their main focus and to give us a good look at the resources in the Group Leaders' Handbook. See the notice board and sign up if you are interested in seeing what we will be studying during Lent!
For those who have already made up their minds to participate during Lent, there is a list for their names in the Narthex. The Revd Gail Bryce will be leading one on Mondays at 1.30pm. (Starting 14th March) Canon Andrew will be leading one on Tuesdays at 7.30pm, preceded by a Eucharist at 7.00pm. (Starting 15th March)
BICYCLE
Thank you to all those who offered a bicycle to Diana for Jan, her English visitor's use. We are now well bicycled.
COMMUNION AT HOME
Please give the names of anyone who might like Holy Communion brought to them at home to the clergy or the parish office. Those temporarily immobile, or permanently so should not be allowed to disappear from our Eucharistic fellowship. Help us keep in touch.
ST MARY'S KATANDRA GUILD AGM
On Monday 28th of February, the St Mary's Katandra Guild holds its Annual General Meeting at the Home of Wilma White. This commences with an 11.00am Eucharist and includes lunch.
A.G.M. ANNUAL REPORTS
All annual Reports should be in by Wednesday this week please. Those organisations that handle finances should submit audited full income and expenditure statements. This is a requirement of the diocese and one that needs to be observed. Please let us know if you cannot submit anything on time. As usual the parish AGM takes place on Ash Wednesday which this year is on the 9th of March. Forms for the nomination of Councillors, Wardens etc are available in the Narthex.
OUTREACH
The deadline for the next edition of Outreach is today, Sunday 20th February. Please have articles to Helen by then through the church office, to PO Box 123 Shepparton 3632 or (preferably) to hmalcolm@bigpond.com
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
The World Day of Prayer service takes place in St Augustine's on Friday 4th March at 6.30pm. Guest speaker: the indomitable and indefatigable Susie Don Leonard.
GARDEN WORKING BEE
Feb. 26thAfter the recent rains the gardens will be a joy to tend, so come along and enjoy pulling out a few weeds and help maintain our beautiful gardens. All very welcome.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Feb 22nd Bishop in Council
Feb 26th Garden Working Bee
Feb 28th Arise 255 /Youth Group
Mar 4th World Day of Prayer at St. Augustine's
Mar 6th Young and Young at Heart 4.30/Hall
Mar 8th "Moving On" Grief Support Group/7.30pm
Mar 9th Annual General Meeting (Ash Wednesday)
Mar 10th Evening Guild Fashion Parade 1.30pm
Mar 13th Lauren Artress preach (Labyrinth doyenne)
Mar 16th Parish Council
Apr 9th Wedding
Apr 17th Old Fashioned Easter Picnic
May 15th Hospice Service 2.00pm
May 22nd Patronal Festival
June 3rd Synod
June 4th Synod
July 17th Bishop's Visit
Oct 23rd Confirmation
READINGS for 27th February
Isaiah 49:8-16, 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:5
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.
Nicole Ackland, Alan Akers, Jeffrey Andrewartha, Deb Bagley, Jan Black, Liam Bognar, Travis & Chantelle Brown, Ian Carman, Frank Harder, Margaret Hoare, John Horder, Margaret Kidman, Lynn Morcam, Gloria Moore, Albert Oxenbury, Heather Pearson, Isabelle Richards, Suzanne Singh, Peter Swindells, Patricia Sparkes, Xavier Vale, Vickie & family, Shirley Young, David, David & Judith, Stewart, John, Pat & Liza, Lewis.
Rest in Peace:
Bernice Stagg, Charles Turnbull, Andrew Crawford, David Heritage,
Anniversary of death:
Frederick Clark, Eva Baldwin, Maisie Jolliffe, Elsie Blair, Melba Briggs 22nd Venda Keenan, Graham Longley, Albert Fidge 24th, Constance Brock 25th.
Duties for 20th February 2011
Readers 8.30 Carole Henderson, Heather Pearson
Readers 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Christine Jones
Servers 8.30 Michelle, Beth
Servers 10.30 Frank, Bethany, Sophie
Intercessors Victoria Heenan, Andrea Fisher
Euc. Assts 8.30 John Horder, John Griffin
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe Fernandez, Greg Pestell
Welcoming 8.30 Eileen Quaife, volunteer please
Welcomers 10.30 Nola Brewer, Jenny Moran
Sidespeople 8.30 Joe Pearson, Norm Mitchelmore
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming, volunteer please
Welcome Table Dorothy Cook
Altar Linen for Feb Gwenda Betson
Tea 8.30 Pat Griffin
Mowing None this week
Duties for 27th February 2011
Readers 8.30 Pat Griffin, Carole Henderson
Readers 10.30 Christine Evans, Jenny Moran
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Servers 10.30 Jenny, Venita, Valerie
Intercessors Pat Griffin
Euc. Assts 8.30 Bev Condon, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30 Greg Pestell, John Pleming
Welcoming 8.30 Gwen Betson, Shirley Dean
Welcomers 10.30 Frank Steen, Sandra Simonis
Sidespeople 8.30 Gwyn Cowland, Merv Cowland
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, volunteer please
Welcome Table Dorothy Cook
Tea 8.30 Val Bambrook
Altar Linen for Feb Gwenda Betson
Mowing 26th Feb Gary Grant, John Horder
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 21st February
Rector's day off,
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 22nd February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
10.45am B in C/Property Meeting etc Wangaratta
11.00am Shepparton Aged Care- Clergy
Wednesday 23rd February
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
12.30pm Deanery Meeting - St Augustine's
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm EfM - Roz's Room
Thursday 24th February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.15am Eucharist - Grutzner
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 25th February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
11.00am Eucharist - Ave Maria
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Saturday 26th February
Associate Priest's Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.30am Garden Working Bee
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist
Epiphany Eighth Sunday 27th February
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine's /Baptisms
8.45am Eucharist - Dookie
10.45am Eucharist- Katandra
5.30pm Evening Prayer