EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
7th August 2011
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
DISILLUSION
An old snake slithered off to see his doctor at Lister House Medical Centre. "Doctor," he said, "I need something for my eyes, I can't see very well these days." The doctor told him to make an appointment at Graham Hill Optometrists to have his eyes tested and some spectacles prescribed and then to come back, in case there was more to his problem than just the need for a pair of glasses. The bespectacled snake returned to see the doctor in two weeks. Instead of being elated he informed the doctor that he was very depressed. The doctor asked, "What's the problem? Don't the glasses help you?" "The glasses are fine doctor," replied the snake, "it's just that I have discovered I've been living with a garden hose for the past two years!"
Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. Swedish Proverb
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (8)
Andrew Neaum
How very early are the promises of spring in this part of the world.
Blackbirds, ravens and owls
On returning from the church to the rectory on Wednesday morning, while it was still dark, having let Geoff in to say his prayers and have a cup of tea, I heard the first blackbird song of the season. This is always a great joy to me, because not only is it a very lovely song, it also brings the England of my childhood back to me.
The two great ravens that have nested for the last couple of years in the large gum tree on the front lawn have also been swaggering and lumbering about for several weeks, preparing for their brood. On the same Wednesday that I heard the first blackbird song I also observed a barn owl, disturbed from its roost in the little fountain garden on the south side of the church. Pursued by the ravens it flew insouciantly and silently into one of the Maude Street plane trees, disdainful of the ravens. Then it turned its pale, wide face to me, didn't like what if saw, and glided off.
I like the thought of owls about the church. Perhaps because they symbolically emphasise the ancient wisdom of which our church is the guardian. I have heard and seen boobook owls about the church before, but never a barn owl.
Myles Coverdale
Wednesday and Saturday mornings are good for another reason. We say Morning Prayer from the old 1662 Book of Common Prayer and I particularly love its version of the psalms. They come from the very first complete English version of the Bible, which was produced by Myles Coverdale (1488 – 1569). To me their music is incomparable.
In Psalm 59 there is talk of the wicked grinning like a dog and running about through the city. They.... run here and there for meat : and grudge if they be not satisfied. It is a memorable and apt simile because dogs at rest, with their mouths open and their great pink tongues resting on their teeth, do indeed look as if they are grinning a mirthless grin; and sometimes, like the wicked, they do appear to grudge if they be not satisfied.
Dogs in the ancient world
Certainly the sorts of dogs that the Israelites kept would have. There is very little reason to suppose that the ancient Jews kept dogs as pets in the sense of having warm relation-ships with them, of the sort that I have with my cantankerous Pippin. The Egyptians did though. Hundreds of carefully mummified dogs have been discovered in the tombs of Egypt.
In the bible references to dogs are all uncomplimentary, and the word dog, like the word bitch to us, is a term of contempt and abuse, reserved usually for enemies, the wicked and particularly for the gentiles.
There were house-dogs in ancient Israel, it seems, but even so, all references to them in the bible lead us to suppose that dogs, by and large, were scavengers, pi-dogs, waiting to eat, for example, the dead body of Jezebel, thrown in all her finery from an upstairs window.
Psalm 68 puts us graphically in the picture by praying that the King's foot: ............. may be dipped in the blood of his enemies and that the tongue of his dogs may be red through the same.
Jesus and dogs
It is startling that Jesus in the Gospels is reported as applying the term "dog" to people in his conversation with a Canaanite woman in distress. It is not fair, he says to her, to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs, that is, to the Gentiles.
Although he is depicted as being open to and accepting of the Gentiles in his healings and in his parables, be they the Samaritans, Roman Centurions or whoever, he none-theless did appear to see his mission, as exclusively to the Jews. So much so that in talking to this non-Jewish woman, he picks up the dismissive Jewish phrase for Gentiles in current usage, "dogs".
We have no way of knowing with what nuance, inflection or tone he invested the insulting words. Judging from his sympathetic attitude to non-Jews, such as to the Roman Centurion, and from his teaching in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, it is not unreasonable to suppose that his tone in this case would have been such as to render it acceptable and non-insulting. Perhaps it was said with obvious irony, eyebrows raised, as if to say: "Fancy you, of all people, asking help of a hated Jew, knowing, as you must, how we Jews regard you as dogs.... Is it fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs..."
Certainly the woman appeared to take no offense, for she grasped Jesus' metaphor and wittily elaborated it: Ah yes sir, but even dogs can eat the scraps which fall from their master's table, and Jesus is amazed at the faith and acceptance of this Gentile,
Universalism versus exclusivity
Jesus did, for the most part, confine his teaching to the Jews. So much so, that after his Resurrection and Ascension, the Church's first big internal argument was over whether or not his Gospel should continue to be preached only to Jews, or to everyone.
Universalism won, probably as much on the strength of Jesus' willingness to drop scraps of healing, sympathy and acceptance from his Jewish table to the gentiles, as from the very strong advocacy of St Paul. So the Gentiles were welcomed in, and invited to dine at the Christian altar. They were not expected to subsist on mere scraps dropped from that table. From the time of the Emperor Constantine, Western society as a whole, has sat round the Lord's table, and has fed on the bread of Christ.
Christ and his values have nourished our civilization. The candles on the altar have lightened our history, and bread from the altar has sustained our culture.
Falling away
Since the Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, and the gradual and then swifter parting and distancing of our culture from Christianity, crumbs from the altar none-theless have continued falling down through the centuries and humankind has picked and chosen and gobbled selectively. We continue to do so even now, in the twenty first century, a century in which affluence and materialism have contributed to a massive retreat from Christendom and faith.
The vast majority in our society is not of the faith at all, is not of Christ, but rather, like the Samaritans and Gentiles of days gone by, is composed of dogs picking and choosing randomly from the scraps falling from the master's table. It is small consolation that in the evening of their lives they often return, grin like a dog ...running here and there for meat (in the form of a good funeral) and grudge if they be not satisfied.
Muslims are right
There was an interesting article in the ‘Spectator' some time ago that was headed: Muslims are right about Britain. It pointed out just how vile, decadent and far from Christian grace our Western societies have fallen: The alienation felt by young blacks and Asians is not a result of any intolerance shown towards them, but of the endless tolerance of those who would allow everything and stand up for nothing. It is the excesses permitted by a culture.... that have produced a generation that feels rootless and hopeless. The young crave noble purposes as children need discipline; neither get much of them in modern Britain and the void is filled by disrespect, fecklessness, mindless nihilism or, worse, wicked militancy....
.....Safely gated, the liberal elite .....Voyeuristically feed the masses with "Big Brother" and legislate to allow 24-hour drunkenness. In answer to the desperate call for much needed restraint, we hear from those with power only the shrill cry for ever more unbridled liberty.
The candles on the altar have blown out, darkness closes in. Even the crumbs of bread, the mere scraps, have all but stopped falling. Look around our church, all those empty spaces. Where are our children? Where are all those adults who twenty years ago were here? They've dribbled away into a sort of gutless, mindless, petulant hedonism, they haven't even had the guts to stop believing, they've just dribbled idly and spinelessly away, blind to and uncaring of their part in what promises to be a disaster.
A weasel word
After a funeral some weeks ago I was momentarily flattered when a woman said to me, "What a truly wonderful homily you preached.....I am an Anglican who doesn't practice, you almost persuaded me to come back....." But that word "almost' is a weasel word on the lips of a hundred rodents, or rather, in the context of this column, a hundred dogs who have similarly deserted Christendom's sinking ship over the past twenty years.
They will deserve Sharia law when it is triumphant, and compared to the selfish, sentimental slushiness of their own faux morality, they might even find it bracing.
As for me, as for us, we'll hold on to the Gospel of love, of dutiful, sacrificing, beautiful, tough love.... and, unfailingly present at the altar every week, we'll reach out for more than a crumb, more than a scrap, we'll reach out for Love incarnate and so continue to fight the good fight of faith.
CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM
In some weeks time we intend holding a study on Christianity and Islam. The word "and" is important, it is not "versus". Anyone interested please put your name on the list in the Narthex. We will meet in the Rectory on Tuesdays. The course will be split in to two, the first about six or seven weeks.
RAFFLE ROSTERS
What a pity if we have to cancel our first few raffle selling dates due to insufficient ticket sellers. Team up with a mate and pop your names on the list in the narthex to do a turn, you get to talk to lots of interesting people.
"ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE"
At Holy Trinity Church, Benalla, August 20th 10.00am to 3.30pm, there is a workshop on encouraging the young to be church involved.
The workshop will be practical and will consider: Cultural blockages, Children, Music, Gathering, Spirituality, Hope, Leadership and Transformation. Please consider this workshop and give your name to Heather for the catered lunch.
A WINTER CONCERT
There is "a warming musical feast" in Wangaratta Cathedral on Sunday 7th August 2.30pm. The Bishop informs us that he will be performing four songs. Admission $15 children 15 and under, free. A sumptuous afternoon tea with mulled wine is included in the ticket price. Flyer on the noticeboard.
SUNDAY@ 5
This is an "Alternative Worship Service" devised and run by Mary Pearson. Tonight 7th August in the Narthex at 5pm. Come along if you would like to experience a different form of and approach to worship
"MOVING ON" GRIEF SUPPORT
There is a Dinner Meeting at 6.30pm in the Narthex on Tuesday 9th August. The topic for the evening is "Planning a Funeral" and Canon Andrew will be our Guest Speaker. Everyone welcome, please place your name on the list on the Narthex table for catering purposes. Cost is $5.
SAUSAGE SIZZLE
On the 10th of September there is a fund-raising sausage sizzle outside Harvey Norman for which volunteers are required. There is a list in the narthex for names.
PARISH FAIR and GARDEN PARTY
Next meeting of the Planning Group for the Fair will take place on Thursday next, 11th August, at, 4.00pm in Roz's room. The meeting will be chaired by Canon Andrew Neaum. Please come with or without new ideas; we need your input and encouragement.
NEWS OF THE WOODYARDS
Fred and I are in Esperance WA, and the weather for the last week has been less than desirable for holiday makers. No snow as yet, but wind and rain a plenty. We are travelling well and have had no major setbacks at all. We are now on the homeward stretch and should be crossing the Nullarbor this time next week. See you in a few weeks. With warm regards, Elizabeth & Fred Woodyard.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Friendship Group Tuesday 16th August meeting "at home" in the Narthex at 2.00pm. Everyone is very welcome.
CASSEROLE LUNCHEON
In St. Paul's Rushworth Parish Hall on Monday 8th August at 12noon. Cost $12 per head for 2 courses. Entertainment by the Rushworth Senior Singers.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & VESTRY
There's a Social Responsibilities meeting in the Library 12 noon on Tues 9th & a Vestry meeting at 2pm on Wed 10th.
CONTAINERS IN THE CARPARK
The City Council apparently refused permission for the containers of the workmen repairing the water mains in Orr St. to be left on the street. So we have offered them hospitality in our car park for three weeks.
FOR THE DIARY
Aug 16th Planning Day for Back to Church Sunday
Aug 20th Wedding
Aug 21st Thanksgiving Sunday
Aug 27th Garden Working Bee
Aug 27th St. Columb's Travelling Fair/St. Augustines
Sept 3rd Women's Breakfast
Sept 10th Harvey Norman Sausage Sizzle (Fete)
Sept 13th Funeral Expo/St Augustine's Hall
Sept 13th Social Responsibilities Meeting
Sept 22nd Parish Fair & Garden Party Meeting
Sept 24th Garden Working Bee
Oct 1st Car Boot Sale/Christ Church Murchsion
Oct 1st Wedding 2pm
Oct 5th Lunch function
Oct 8th Wedding 10am
Oct 8th Wedding 2pm
Oct 8th Wedding 3.30pm
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 3.00pm
Nov 26th Wedding 2pm
Dec 3rd Women's Breakfast
Dec 10th Men's Breakfast
Dec 10th Wedding
Duties for 7th August 2011
Readers 8.30 Victoria Heenan, John Wellman
Readers 10.30 Jenny Pleming, Peter Martin
Servers 8.30 volunteers please
Servers 10.30 Rick, Maddie & Brayden
Intercessors Heather Fitzgerald, Jenny Pleming
Euc. Assts 8.30 Heather Fitzgerald, John Griffin
Euc. Assts 10.30 Greg Pestell, Joe Fernandez
Welcomers 8.30 Heather Nichols, Judy Lloyd
Welcomers 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Jenny Moran
Sidespeople 8.30 Bev Ralph, Max Ralph
Sidespeople 10.30 John Pleming, Jenny Moran
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Welcoming Table Beverley Walsh
Mowing None this week
Altar Linen/August Rosemary Mitchelmore, Pat Griffin
Duties for 14th August 2011
Readers 8.30 Heather Fitzgerald, Norm Weaver
Readers 10.30 Mary Pearson, Courtney Craven
Servers 8.30 Volunteers please
Servers 10.30 Zeb, Jenny, Joe
Intercessors Bev Condon, Children
Euc. Assts 8.30 Bev Condon, John Griffin
Euc. Assts 10.30 Jenny Pleming, Greg Pestell
Welcomers 8.30 Pat Griffin, Dulcie Ackland
Welcomers 10.30 Frank Steen, Sandra Simonis
Sidespeople 8.30 Trevor Batey, Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Nola Brewer
Tea 8.30 Shirley Dean
Welcoming Table Dorothy Cook
Mowing Norm Mitchelmore, Alan Jeffery
Altar Linen/August Rosemary Mitchelmore, Pat Griffin
READINGS NEXT WEEK
Genesis 45:1 - 15, Romans 11:13-32
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Alan Akers, Deb Bagley, Liam Bognar, Marlene Bovaird, Ross & Helen Dainton, Val Downie, Frank Harder, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Elsie Lieschke, Bronwyn Mitchell, Marj Millerick, Margaret Kidman, Albert Oxenbury, Isabelle Richards, Patricia Sparkes, Peter Swindells, David, Peter, David & Judith, Kaye.
Rest in Peace: George Newman
Anniversaries: Donna Dyson 7th, Margaret Grantham, Bruce Ball 8th, Ian Malcolm, Dudley Manton 9th, Debra Schwab 10th, Irene Crawford 11th, Jocelyn Howells, Hilda Hillas, Ken Hardy, Olga McNab, Lawrence Hoare 12th.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 8th August (Rector's day off)
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
12 noon St. Paul's Rushworth/Casserole Lunch
1.00pm Funeral/Owen Mohan's Chapel
5.30pm Arise 255 (Youth Group)
Tuesday 9th August
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
11.00am Shepparton Aged Care
12noon Social Responsibilities meeting - Library
4.15pm Confirmation Class - Library
6.30pm "Moving On" Grief Support/Dinner meeting
Wednesday 10th August
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
2.00pm Vestry/Library
6.00pm EfM/ Roz's Room
Thursday 11th August John Vianney
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
11.00am Eucharist -Ave Maria
4.00pm Parish Fair /Garden Party Meeting/Roz's Rm
5.30pm Choir Practice - Rectory
Friday 12th August
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
7.30pm Parish Council/Rushworth
Saturday 13th August
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist (trad) - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 14th August
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's/Kid's Church
8.45am Eucharist - St. Luke's
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary's
9.00am Morning Prayer - St. Pauls/Rushworth
11.00am Morning Prayer - Christ Church/Murchison