ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
28th August 2011
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
SUPERANNUATION
"Papa," little Sammy asked his father. "What is the stock market?" "Oh, Sammy," replied the father, "you are much too small to understand!" "I am NOT too small! I want to KNOW, now!" Sammy protested. "Ach, wait a few years, then you will understand better." "Papa, I don't want to start life poor, like you, selling second-hand clothes. So... I want to know!" Sammy insisted. "Alright,," the father gave in. "It's like this. You buy two chickens. The two chickens lay eggs. So... next year you have thirty chickens. The thirty chickens, they all lay eggs too. The chickens lay eggs, the eggs turn into chickens. So, you end up having thousands of chickens. You see, my son, THIS is the stock market. You understand, Sammy?" "Yes, Papa." "And then, one day, the sky opens up biiiggggg. And it rains, it rains like in the days of Noah! The floods, they come and they take the chickens with them and wash away all the chickens until they drown and you have only two or three chickens left! You understand?" "Oh, yes, Papa." "You see, my son, THIS is the stockmarket. You should have bought DUCKS!!!"
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (11)
Andrew Neaum
Last Monday I managed to shake myself free from my study to spend most of the day in the garden. In the evening, however, I sneaked back to my desk. My purpose was to visit that happy no mans land between work and play, privileged territory in the life of a parish priest for whom vocation and recreation so frequently merge.
F X Mozart
I went looking on the internet for music that might be suitable for the choir. There is an excellent site called "ChoralWiki" which offers a great variety of free sheet music that has simply to be downloaded. I search for melodic music in two parts that is not too elaborate or difficult, but which will challenge as well as delight us. One of my discoveries was a little piece for two soprano parts by one of Mozart's two sons, a person of whom I was only dimly aware, Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart (1791–1844).
He was born in Vienna only five months before his father's tragically early death and received an excellent musical education from three composers dear to my heart, Antonio Salieri (much maligned in the film Amadeus), Johann Nepomuk Hummel (of whose fine music I have several disks) and Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (whom I love beyond telling because he wrote several delightful, if unlikely, concertos for Jewish Harp).
Like his father, Franz Xaver Mozart started to compose at an early age. He became a professional musician, but enjoyed only moderate success, both as a teacher and a performer. Unlike his father, he was apparently introverted and given to self- deprecation. He constantly underrated his talent and feared that whatever he produced would be unfavourably compared with what his father had done. He never married, nor did he have any children.
What really interested me, however, was just how large the shadow of his father loomed over him. Etched upon his tombstone is an inscription that is both moving and telling. I sent it off to my daughter Rachel in an email as follows.......
Dear Ray,
Should you ever be puzzling over what sort of epitaph you might prepare for yourself, you might take as your blue print that of Mozart's son: "May the name of his father be his epitaph, as his veneration for him was the essence of his life."
Love, Me (as I know you do!)
She was so delighted with it that she posted it, just as I sent it, on Facebook!
The patron saint of tanners
Wednesday last week was St Bartholomew's Day and so I couldn't resurrect an old sermon to preach to the good folk who come to the 10.00am Eucharist. This was because among my nine hundred and fifty sermons on file there is not a single one devoted to St Bart.
This being so I did a bit of very speedy research and produced a work of startling unoriginality. Except that is for one thing.
The New Testament is not very forthcoming about St Bartholomew. He is listed in all three Synoptic Gospels (i.e. in St Matthew, St Mark and St Luke) and his name there is linked to St Philip.
In St John's Gospel there is no St Bartholomew at all, but there is St Nathaniel who is also linked to St Philip and so it is assumed that they are one and the same person. There is also a little snippet or two of information about Nathaniel. He is described as initially being sceptical about the Messiah coming from a place like Nazareth, and so commenting, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?", but he accepts Philip's invitation to meet Jesus and Jesus immediately characterizes him as "a man in whom there is no guile." Nathanael, in turn, acknowledges Jesus as "the Son of God" and "the King of Israel". He also reappears at the end of St John's gospel as one of the disciples to whom Jesus appeared at the Sea of Galilee after the Resurrection.
All of which is interesting enough and sufficient to inspire a sermon of startling unoriginality. However early Church traditions and legends supply more interesting material.
For example, it is claimed that St Bartholomew was martyred by being skinned alive and then beheaded. As a consequence he is often depicted in art with a large knife, holding his own skin. Little wonder then that he is the patron saint of tanners!
All of which means that instead of the accompaniment of a piano for our offertory hymn last Wednesday we should have used a digeridoo and sung:
Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred,
tan me hide when I'm dead.
So we tanned his hide when he died Clyde,
And that's it hanging on the shed......
Ozzification
The trouble with the lovely little piece of music I have discovered by F X Mozart is that it is in German, and although it starts with a familiar piece of scripture which means that I can translate it, loses me thereafter. To suggest that our choir sings German is too much. We try a bit of Latin now and then, always so well ozzified you would never recognise it as such, and in our lovely setting of the Reproaches we try to get our tongues around a little Greek, again well ozzified. German would be a step too far.
Some time ago I took a secular drinking song with German words that was composed by Salieri and replaced them with my own. This is a far more difficult task than you might imagine. They say, for example, that Handel (being a German by birth) is far inferior as a setter of English texts than is Henry Purcell, a native Englishman, because the latter skilfully unites the natural rhythms of English to music more delicately and perfectly than Handel. There is far more to the task than simply assigning syllables to notes! I was able to perform the task with my Salieri drinking song because the text I used consisted of only one word: Alleluia!
At Diana's suggestion I am considering sending the F X Mozart piece to the fine musician who composed the Recessional for our wedding (a contrapuntal dialogue between Rule Britannia and Waltzing Matilda), whose wife is German speaking. She would be well able to translate the words and he could then fit the words to the music for me admirably I am sure. All for a bottle of the best Australian red. We shall see.
Patti Matthews
From September the Reverend Patti Matthews from Euroa will be coming up to work for our parish one day a week, on Thursdays. This is an example of parochial cooperation and mutual support that should be a sign of hope for our whole diocese and a possible model for the future.
Euroa is having what we trust is only temporary difficulty in paying for full time priestly ministry. We in Shepparton, with the extending and deepening of our parish life that comes from linking up to Murchison and Rushworth, are finding ourselves stretched to the very limit ministry wise, especially if one of the two of our stipendiary clergy is on leave.
By Patti coming to Shepparton to do mostly nursing home and hospital duties, (which carry little if any homework) she will assist us where we sorely need assistance and we will provide much needed cash for her own parish. The cost to our parish is more or less met by an impost upon Murchison and Rushworth to which they have readily acquiesced. Patti is a delightful and accomplished priest and so is yet another priestly presence to add to what is already a very talented team of full time and honorary clergy.
The arrangement with Euroa will be reviewed at the end of the year to assess how well it is working.
The flip side
It is all very well to herald and celebrate approaching spring's first blackbird song or daffodil, but I have just heard the drone of the first blow fly (duly hunted down and messily squashed) and already there are cabbage white butterflies laying their crisp little eggs on the leaves of my turnips and cabbage, grrr!
When people are bed-ridden and approaching their end I sometimes suggest to them that they remember walks they used to make when children. From home to school, perhaps, so as to stroll them again in their imagination, remembering particular puddles, trees and whatever. To do so can bring all sorts of blessings and graces and is a way out of the boredom that so easily immobilises immobility.
There are some lovely walks in Shepparton. Possibly the most beautiful to me is the one I make on so many early mornings from the priests' vestry in St Augustine's, down the dark, narrow, arched ambulatory to the glittering oasis that is the Lady Chapel to celebrate Mass. It is a little walk to be savoured, relished, and etched deeply in one's imagination for future happy recall. It brings with it deeply appreciated hints and suggestions of cloisters, monks and medievalism, and the glittering, candle-flickering Lady-Chapel of the exotic Eastern Church, Constantinople, Byzantium.
Why bother?
Why do I bother to write this diary column? Firstly because I enjoy doing so. Secondly because in a parish with a variety of congregations in different locations, it is a way of having a word with everyone even, when I am not present on Sundays. Thirdly because I myself enjoy the diary columns I regularly read in The Spectator. There is something satisfying and perhaps even important about taking what is largely inconsequential or fleeting and granting it significance, meaning and consequence, simply by drawing attention to it.
This, in a sense, is what prayer is about. Daily life is usually far too busy to ruminate much over all the commonplace encounters, occurrences and events that make it up. To set apart a time to be quiet in order to do just that, to ruminate, remember and notice what is ordinary allows us to discover and detect meaning, significance, goodness, pattern, purpose and God. It also enables us to respond with genuine penitence, praise, gratitude, intercession and action.
This week's column has pulled from the oblivion that is my fading memory, a Monday spent in the garden, an encounter with F.X Mozart and his rather sad though moving epitaph, my daughter Rachel, Jewish Harp concertos, the patron saint of tanners, Rolf Harris, Purcell, Handel, Patti Matthews, blow flies, cabbage white butterflies and much else. Simply to single them out is to honour them, invest them with significance, and to be grateful for so much to be found in so little. Deo gratias.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays:
Heather Pearson 29th Aug
Fiona Sawyer 1st Sept
Barry Pleming 2nd Sept
THANK YOU
Thank you to all those who thought carefully about their financial commitment to the Church and replied to the brochure's questions. There has been an encouraging response and this means we can continue to pursue our vision of making Shepparton a centre for ministry and support for our whole district. So well done! This week volunteers from the Parish will be phoning to remind those who have forgotten to reply. If they phone you, please talk to them kindly and be as helpful as you can. H.F.
CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM
The study on Christianity and Islam is well supported and so I will be ordering books and we will start in a few weeks time. The list remains on the table for last minute sign-ups.
RAFFLE ROSTERS
Team up with a friend and pop your names on the list in the narthex to do a turn of raffle ticket selling. You will be blessed.
BAPTISM
We welcome into the church family today Riley McLeigh who is being baptised with his mother, Christie. They come from Wodonga, of blessed memory to your Rector, but have Shepparton connections. We welcome their family and friends.
PARISH FAIR & GARDEN PARTY
The next Planning Meeting will be held in Roz's Room on Thursday 8th Sept. at 4pm. Site plan showing location of stalls and other activities will be discussed. Stall holders are required to be present to voice their requirements.
FUNERAL EXPO 13th SEPTEMBER
St. Augustine's Hall 2pm -7.30pm
"Dispel the mysteries and myths of Funerals"
We will be catering for this function to raise money for the Anglicare Christmas Appeal. If you can help by providing a slice or sandwiches please put your name on the list on the Narthex table. Thank you. Heather Pearson
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday 3rd September, place your names on the list on the Narthex table if you would like to come. Eucharist 8am followed by breakfast at 8.30. All welcome.
SENIORS WEEK: FACTS, FOOD AND FUN
The Social Responsibilities Committee is in the process of organising a function for the elderly to do with education in several important areas, with a lunch and entertainment. The date is the 5th of October from 11.30am to 2.30pm. Note the date.
FOR THE DIARY
Sept 3rd Women's Breakfast
Sept 5th Arise 255/Youth Group
Sept 8th Parish Fair & Garden Party Mtg/4pm Roz's Rm
Sept 10th Harvey Norman Sausage Sizzle (Fete)
Sept 13th Funeral Expo/St Augustine's Hall
Sept 13th Social Responsibilities Meeting
Sept 19th Arise 255/Youth Group
Sept 24th Garden Working Bee
Oct 1st Car Boot Sale/Christ Church Murchsion
Oct 1st Wedding 2pm
Oct 5th Lunch function
Oct 8th Weddings 10.00am, 2.00pm and 3.30pm
Oct 9th Pet Service 10.30am
Oct 11th Social Responsibilities Meeting
Oct 22nd Parish Fair & Garden Party
Oct 23rd Confirmation
Oct 29th Wedding
Oct 29th Garden Working Bee
Nov 12th Wedding 2pm
Nov 19th Wedding 1pm
Nov 19th Wedding 3pm
Nov 26th Wedding 2pm
Dec 3rd Women's Breakfast
Dec 10th Men's Breakfast
Dec 10th Wedding
Duties for 28th August 2011
Readers 8.30 Pat Griffin, Carole Henderson
Readers 10.30 Christine Evans, Jenny Moran
Servers 8.30 Volunteers please
Servers 10.30 Jenny, Vanita, Valerie
Intercessors Celebrant
Euc. Assts 8.30 Carole Henderson, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe Fernandez, Greg Pestell
Welcomers 8.30 Gwen Betson, Shirley Dean
Welcomers 10.30 Sandra Simonis, Nola Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30 Gwyn & Mervyn Cowland
Sidespeople 10.30 Jenny Moran, Charlotte Brewer
Tea 8.30 Pat/Barbara
Welcoming Table Dorothy Cook
Mowing Mervyn Cowland, Beryl Bonfitto
Altar Linen/August Rosemary Mitchelmore, Pat Griffin
Duties for 4th September 2011
Readers 8.30 Gwyn Cowland, Heather Fitzgerald
Readers 10.30 Nancy Noonan, Andrea Fisher
Servers 8.30 volunteers please
Servers 10.30 Rick, Sam & Maddie Coates
Intercessors Victoria Heenan, Greg Pestell
Euc. Assts 8.30 John Griffin, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30 Greg Pestell, Jenny Pleming
Welcomers 8.30 Bev Reither, Beryl Goodfellow
Welcomers 10.30 Volunteer, Nola Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30 Bev & Max Ralph
Sidespeople 10.30 Nola Brewer, Mitch Macheta
Tea 8.30 Val Bambrook
Welcoming Table Judy Lloyd
Mowing None this week
Altar Linen/Sept Bev Reither
READINGS NEXT WEEK
Exodus 12:1 - 14, Romans 13:1-10
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, Joy & Ian Carmen, Ross & Helen Dainton, Val Downie, Frank Harder, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Ross Judd, Elsie Lieschke, Bronwyn Mitchell, Marj Millerick, Margaret Kidman, Albert Oxenbury, Isabelle Richards, Patricia Sparkes, Peter Swindells, David, Peter, David & Judith, Kaye, Lewis.
Rest in Peace: William Denton, Betty Burns
Anniversaries: John Furphy, Colin Cameron 28th, Lillian Aylward, Illma Wallace 29th, George Young, Ron Euling 30th, Andris Vaivars, Betty Morris 31st, Ian Osbrough 1st, Marjorie Maxwell, Edna Rattray 2nd.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 29th August (Rector's day off)
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
1.00pm Funeral for Betty Burns
Tuesday 30th August
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.45am Wangaratta for Bishop in Council etc.
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
11.00am Shepparton Aged Care
4.15pm No Confirmation Class - Library
Wednesday 31st August
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
6.00pm EfM - Roz's Room
Thursday 1st September
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharist - Hakea & Acacia
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
4.00pm Eucharist - Banksia
5.30pm Choir Practice - Rectory
Friday 2nd September
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
7.30pm Phone-Callers re Stewardship
Saturday 3rd September
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
8.00am Eucharist & Women's Breakfast
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 4th September
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's
8.45am Eucharist - St. Luke's
10.45am Eucharist - St. Mary's
5.00pm Sunday@5-Alternative Worship Service