FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
30th January 2011
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
JESUS TAKES THE KEYS
St Peter decided to take the day off to go fishing, so Jesus offered to keep an eye on the Pearly Gates. He is not sure what to do, so Peter told him to find out a bit about people as they arrived in Heaven, and this would help him decide if he should let them in. After a while, Jesus sees a little old man with white hair approaching who looks very, very familiar. He asks the old man to tell him about himself. The old man says, "I had a very sad life. I was a carpenter and had a son who I lost at a relatively young age, and although he was not my natural child, I loved him dearly." Jesus welled up with emotion. He threw his arms around the old man and cried, "Daddy!" The old man replied, "Pinocchio?"
RETURNING
TO ZIMBABWE (9)
Andrew Neaum
This is the ninth 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 on my website:
http://www.andrewneaum.com/articles.htm
The journey to Mutare is one that I made frequently for the two years that I taught English at Alan Wilson Technical Boy's High School in Harare, after leaving university. I had a remarkable girl friend at the time, a fellow student in my post graduate teacher-training year. She went on to live with her parents in Mutare while teaching there and she proved a great attraction to that lovely city on the border with Mocambique.
Excursions into Mocambique
I would potter along the two hundred and fifteen or so kilometres from Harare in my little Ford Prefect to stay for leisurely weekends with her and her family. The two of us made frequent trips over the border into Mocambique to lounge by the swimming pool at Vila de Manica, baking ourselves bronze in hot sunshine as we sipped wine and supped spicy Portuguese food and then headed back over the border, smuggling wickerwork demijohns of vinho verde to take home to delight my father and mother. I was eventually and inevitably searched and caught and fined, and so this particular flirtation with dishonesty came to an end, because thereafter I was almost always searched. Great days, happy memories. I owe a lot to the girl friend, for it was she who prised me out of Africa to Europe, a necessary step in the journey to my eventual, true vocation as an Anglican priest.
Like here in Victoria, Australia, so too in Zimbabwe, the further you travel east the more mountainous and interesting becomes the countryside. Once we had passed Rusape the hills, kopjes and great dwalas became more and more impressive, though sadly, it being the end of the long winter dry season, almost all of the country had been burned black or was in the process of being so. The air was hazed with smoke which did at least make for spectacular sunsets.
The steep descent by way of the Christmas Pass into Mutare takes you down from the high veld into the foothills of the mountains and is especially impressive, offering spectacular views of Mutare. We arrived in the city with the speedy twilight of the tropics and had to hasten without lingering in order to find what used to be, in segregated Rhodesia, the solely African township of Sakubva. We found our way there with little difficulty, discovering that in appearance it has hardly changed from the bad old days, its tiny houses, many of them ramshackle, still separated by narrow, potholed, untarred streets and crowded with people. In a first world country it would be considered little more than a slum, but compared to the crowded slums of elsewhere on our planet it has its attractions, not least a pleasing vibrancy. We took a couple of wrong turns, but we asked for and received directions to the Anglican Church of The Holy Name and then found it easily, right on the township's edge, near to the main road that leads south west to Birchenough Bridge, along which road in a few days time we would be travelling.
Sakubva
Our reason for going to Sakubva was to meet up and stay with an old friend and his wife, Fr Joe and Zillah Chipudhla. Fr Joe had been a curate with me at the Cathedral in Harare, way back in mid nineteen seventies. He is six or seven years older than me, but had arrived at the Cathedral after I did and we became friends almost immediately, not least because we had a common enemy in our boss, the dean, who was a talented, but very insecure bully-boy.
Joe reminded me of how on his arrival the allowance granted to him for entertainment and suchlike had been considerably less than that granted to me, and how I had confronted the Dean and insisted on equality between us or I would refuse my own allowance and trumpet why. Equality was granted. This illustrates just how insidious and all pervasive racism was in the Rhodesia of 1976. It was good to be reminded of my part in that little triumph, because I am uncomfortably aware that racism was a part of my make up too. Simply to be resident in white Rhodesia was to be complicit in legalised racism, but in most of us it had insinuated its way into more than mere complicity.
When I eventually left the Cathedral to become rector of Gatooma, Joe remained behind, but later became priest in charge of the township adjacent to Gatooma, called Rimuka. Because my parish had been left a fifteenth part of a third share in a local gold mine, it was wealthy at that time and so we built his parish a new church and rectory. Joe and his wife and family came down and stayed with my family in our Rectory for several weeks before moving across to the new rectory, which we built before the church.
With Joe and Zillah Chipudhla
As evening fell we entered the church compound at Sakubva, passing between the present church, on our left, a plain, whitewashed, iron-roofed oblong, reminiscent of so many vibrant African churches, and on our right the foundations of a more ambitious new church, hexagonal in shape, its walls up to about waist level. This is being built in stages as money is slowly and arduously raised for it.
The simple rectory beyond was welcome to us and welcoming of us. We were greeted with joy and delight by Joe and Zillah and enjoyed an evening meal together with much animated talk and reminiscing. Joe is now in his early seventies, still in fine and fiery fettle, standing up to the problems of the persecuted Anglican Church with calm resolution and courage. Zillah, his wife, the kindest of people, has mobility problems to do with a shonky knee. This is a problem that would easily be operated upon and fixed here in Australia with the help of Medicare, but in Zimbabwe it would be exorbitantly expensive and so is far beyond Zillah's reach. She retains one of those kindly faces that simply to look at warms the heart. We were able to meet their lovely, graceful third and final child, Tracey, an afterthought. Their other two children, whom I had known as little ones in Zimbabwe are now married and live afar, Tendai, in Canada and Tsitsi elsewhere in Zimbabwe.
Zillah does not let her mobility difficulties deter her from hard work. She gets up at 4.00am every morning to make great big doughnuts which are sold to early risers on their way to work, a sort of breakfast on the hoof. The money so raised helps augment what by Australian standards is an extremely a meagre income.
Incompetent and evil government
The mess that the Mugabe government is making of Zimbabwe was immediately apparent to us in Sakubva. There is no running water in the township, the network of pumps, pipes and plumbing has not been maintained or upgraded for years and so has collapsed. An ancient and kindly parishioner brings great plastic flagons of water to the Rectory in his vehicle as needed, collected from elsewhere. The water is carefully decanted and stored in the bathroom and kitchen for sparing use as necessary. We had to learn once more to wash ourselves with the barest minimum of water and to flush the toilet only as necessary, with a carefully calculated, modest waterfall of bucketed water. Added to this huge inconvenience is the arbitrary loss of power. Usually every other day there is no electricity for as long as twenty four hours, the power is simply turned off, the lights go out and that is that. It is little wonder that no one we spoke to in Zimbabwe evinced any enthusiasm at all for Zanu PF, the ruling Mugabe led party. If there were to be a truly free election Mugabe would be history, I am certain. A free election, however, is unlikely and it seems that it is only old age that will do for the hideously uncaring, amoral and incompetent despot. (To be continued.....)
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays
Josh Hamilton 31st Jan
Bethany Hutchinson 2nd Feb
Yasmin Bhat 3rd Feb
ROSTERS
If you have not received a roster for your church duty please ask at the office for the one you need. The 10.30 Servers, Eucharistic Assistants amd Intercessors' rosters are now available in the narthex.
FLOWER POWER
There is a meeting this Tuesday, the 1st February, at 10am in the narthex for all those who are willing to arrange flowers in the church. It may eventuate that we do not have enough committed helpers to keep fresh flowers in our church! So it is important that you please make your feelings known and/or attend the meeting. Heather Nichols
STRATEGY MEETING
There is a "Strategy Meeting" in the Library on Tuesday the 8th of February at 5.30pm.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP "MOVING ON"
Tuesday 8th February at 7.30 in the Narthex. "Disasters" - Telling stories!, what's "Your Story"?
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
On Thursday 3rd February there will be a planning meeting at 10.00am in the Narthex for the World Day of Prayer which is being held on Friday 4th March at St. Augustine's.
WELCOMERS
We would like to hear from anyone who is prepared to go on the Welcomer's Roster for our 10.30 service. We have had a couple of dedicated parishioners who need to go into retirement. If you could help in this capacity it would mean each month you would be asked warmly to welcome people to the service and hand them a pewsheet, a very pleasant task indeed. Please give your names to Heather at the office.
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
This is on Saturday 12th February. We are very fortunate to have Kasey as our guest speaker, come along and hear this delightful young person speak. There is a list in the narthex for catering purposes.
SUNDAY 13th FEBRUARY
Our preacher on Sunday 13th of February will be Kasey, the bright little spark who has helped enliven the parish these past few weeks, a theological student at Trinity in Melbourne. Sign up in the Narthex for the farewell BBQ afterwards. Sausage and bread provided, bring a salad or something to share.....
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
As usual the parish AGM takes place on Ash Wednesday which this year is on the 9th of March. Later than usual it gives us some time to relax, but please note that we will need all reports by the February 20th if they are to be included in the booklet of reports. Nomination forms for Wardens, Councillors, Synod Representatives and Parochial Nominators will be available soon.
LENT STUDY GROUPS
It is not too early to start thinking positively about what we plan to take up in order to help make the Forty Days of Lent an enriching and worthwhile experience for us. Lenten Study Groups are a part of this. There is a list for the names of those who would like to sign up for one such on the table in the Narthex. We are offering a single course this year but at two different times. The Revd Gail Bryce will be leading one on Mondays at 1.30pm. (Starting on th 14th March) Canon Andrew will be leading one on Tuesdays at 7.30pm, preceded by a Eucharist at 7.00pm. (Starting on the 15th March) So if you miss one you can always attend the other.
MEN'S BREAKFAST
We propose to have a Men's Breakfast on the 19th of Feb. A list is available in the Narthex.
PASTORAL CARE
There will be a Pastoral Care Meeting in the Library on Wed. 9th Feb. at 11.15am
DENTIST
On Thursday the Rector is likely to be rendered somewhat less ebullient and capable than he normally is by the extraction of yet two more teeth. Too many Yogo toffees as a youngster. Choir please note you might be on your own at practice.
OUTREACH
The deadline for the next edition of Outreach is 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
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Feb 1st Meeting of Flower Guild 10am /Narthex
Feb 3rd Planning Meeting 10am/ World Day of Prayer
Feb 8th "Moving On" Grief Support/Narthex 7.30pm
Feb 8th Strategy Meeting - Library
Feb 9th Pastoral Care Meeting
Feb 12th Women's Breakfast "Valentine's Day"
Feb 15th Friendship Group
Feb 16th Parish Council at Dookie
Feb 17th Evening Guild Meeting 1.30pm
Feb 19th Men's Breakfast
Feb 19th Wedding
Feb 20th Deadline for next "Outreach"
Feb 22nd Bishop in Council
Mar 4th World Day of Prayer at St. Augustine's
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 to preach (Labyrinth doyenne)
Mar 16th Parish Council
Apr 9th Wedding
May 22nd Patronal Festival
June 3rd& 4th Synod
July 17th Bishop's Visit
Oct 23rd Confirmation
READINGS for 6th February
Isaiah 58:1-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
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, Jack Aldred, Norma Anderson, Jeffrey Andrewartha, Deb Bagley, Jan & Neville Black, Liam Bognar, Collins Family, Ian Carmen, Rebecca Cole, John Faragher, John Green, Kath Grills, Frank Harder, Margaret Hoare, Maximus Hendrych, Margaret Kidman, Hilder Lidgard, Albert Oxenbury, Heather Pearson, Isabelle Richards, Suzanne Singh, Marion Smith, Peter Swindells, Patricia Sparkes, Xavier Vale, David, Dawn, Robbie, James, Lynn, David & Judith, Stewart, Charles.
Rest in Peace: Lil Walter
Anniversary of death: Elsie Byrne 31st, John Young 1st, Marion Nagle 3rd, Christina Meckharoff, Maurice Lovell 4th, May Stonehouse, Robert Butcher, Reta Esam 5th.
Duties for 30th January 2011
Readers 8.30 Bev Condon, Norm Mitchelmore
Readers 10.30 Verna Pestell, Greg Pestell
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Servers 10.30 Zebedee, Jenny, Joan
Intercessors Carole Henderson, Jenny Pleming
Euc. Assts 8.30 John Horder, Carole Henderson
Euc. Assts 10.30 Greg Pestell, Joe Fernandez
Welcoming 8.30 Beryl Goodfellow, Bev Ralph
Welcomers 10.30 Frank Steen
Sidespeople 8.30 Gwyn & Merv Cowland
Sidespeople 10.30 Nola Brewer, Lesley Kenna
Welcome Table Margaret
Tea 8.30 Val Bambrook
Mowing 28th Jan Margaret Carroll, Beryl Bonfitto
Duties for 6th February 2011
Readers 8.30 Victoria Heenan, John Wellman
Readers 10.30 Jenny Pleming, Peter Martin
Servers 8.30 Joan, Vanita, Valerie
Servers 10.30 Michelle, Beth
Intercessors Bev Condon, Christine Jones
Euc. Assts 8.30 Bev Condon, John Griffin
Euc. Assts 10.30 Jenny Pleming, Greg Pestell
Welcoming 8.30 Heather Nichols, Anita Saville
Welcomers 10.30 Sandra Simonis, Charlotte Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30 Bev Ralph, Max Ralph
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming, Alan Akers
Welcome Table Judy
Altar Linen for Feb Gwenda Betson
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Mowing Not this week
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 31st January
Rector's day off,
Rev. Helen Malcolm away till 21 Feb
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 1st February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
11.00am Shepparton Aged Care- Anne Russell
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Ordination - Wangaratta
Wednesday 2nd February
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
4.00pm Eucharist- Banksia
6.00pm EfM
Thursday 3rd February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Eucharist- Acacia & Hakea
10.00am World Day of Prayer Planning - Narthex
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 4th February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
3.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
11.00am Eucharist - Mercy Health
Saturday 5th February
Associate Priest's Day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist
Epiphany Five Sunday 6th February
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St Augustine's
8.45am Eucharist - Dookie
11.00am Eucharist - Katandra
5.30pm Evening Prayer