THE SIXTH SUNDAY after EPIPHANY
5 February 2012
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
QANTAS FOREVER
Passengers on a Qantas plane were waiting for the flight to leave. The cockpit crew entered, two men who walked up the aisle, dressed in pilot uniforms, both wearing dark glasses. One was using a seeing-eye dog, and the other was tapping his way up the aisle with a white cane. Nervous laughter spread through the cabin, but the men entered the cockpit, the door closed, and the engines started. The passengers began glancing nervously, searching for some sign that this was just a little practical joke. None was forthcoming. The plane moved faster and faster down the runway. People at the windows realized that they were heading straight for the yacht-crowded bay at the end of the runway. As it begins to look as though the plane would never take off, that it would plow into the water, screams of panic filled the cabin. But at that moment the plane lifted smoothly into the air. Up in the cockpit, the co-pilot turned to the pilot and said, "You know, Bob, one of these days, they're going to scream too late, and we're all going to die."
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (33)
Andrew Neaum
There have been three pictures of my good self in the Shepparton News over the past few weeks, with accompanying articles. This does not mean that I have suddenly become publicity hungry. They were all initiated by the News, not me.
In the press
Being reported on in the press is rarely pleasing. What you say is too often garbled and precised into incomprehensibility or idiocy. Far worse, however, are those off the cuff comments which are accurately reported and yet in cold print appear to be callous, obtuse, naive or worse, as indeed they are!
The first article was to honour Monsignor Peter Jeffrey, the second was about becoming an Australian Citizen. The third was just an overspill from the second. I had rabbited on so profusely in an interview that the reporter, doubtless short of other news, must have decided to give the rabbit a second run.
There was one small benefit from all of this. I visited in hospital last week a delightful elderly parishioner who has not been to church in years, for wholly excusable reasons. She pronounced herself only able to recognise my beardless self because of the photographs in the paper. My offer of a clean-shaven kiss for a hundred dollars was declined, though with no visible shudder.
Another positive spin off from my citizenship acquisition was that at the ceremony two delightful Muslim young women, Elaf Al Tuhmazy and Fatima Zaoli, were granted jointly the "Young Citizen of the Year" award. Diana was impressed enough by their speeches to ask them if they would like to address our Islam Study group and Elaf was free to do so. She joined us, with her younger brother Majed, last Tuesday and they delighted us all with their banter, sense of humour and good sense.
One of the most important distinctions to make when considering Islam in relation to Christianity is between culture and religion. Much of what the western world finds easy to criticise in Islam is in fact culturally rather than faith based. The Faith calls for modesty in both men and women, but how that modesty manifest itself differs hugely from culture to culture. The Hijab worn by Elaf is worn by choice, as much a mark of her delight and pride in her Faith, as a guarantor of her modesty. We threw all sorts of questions at her and she delighted us with her Australianism as well as her commonsensical and yet devout practise and understanding of her Faith.
Longing for death
I tap out these random thoughts for the pew sheet having just listened to a Bach Cantata while I did the ironing. I have a book with the words of all the Cantatas, in both German and English, open on the filing cabinet as I iron. This particular Cantata (BWV 161) is most wonderfully beautiful, though its subject is not the sort that would appeal to many. It is all to do with longing for beautiful death! Bach and his librettists seem to be so accepting of and positive about death. It is astonishing.
The Cantata begins with a heavenly tenor aria, accompanied by flutes and continuo, the words begin:
Come, O sweet hour of death,
When my spirit feeds on honey
From the lion's mouth;
Make my departure sweet,
Do not delay, O my last light,
The moment when I shall kiss my Saviour.
A fascinating reference back to Samson finding honey in the carcase of a lion he had killed earlier, just as the redeemed are granted the honey of Salvation from the body to the Jesus our forebears killed. Later on, in one of the recitatives there is a thrilling musical representation of an insistently ticking clock to the words:
Close in, then, happy day of death,
Strike, then, O final hour.
To turn a chore like ironing into devotion is a good example of creative "multi-tasking" I like to think. Bach spices up my devotional life enormously and impresses upon me how necessary it is to experiment with one's devotions, quiet time and prayer life and to be prepared to spend money in developing it. All of Bach's cantatas at the time I bought them were an enormous expense, but one that I have never regretted for a moment.
Sweet candlelight
I love candles. To my mind, their flame imparts the softest and loveliest of all lights, fragile, flickering, warm and gentle.
In previous generations they had a happy association with bees and honey as well as with tallow. This last is not so sweet in all its associations of course, tallow being animal fat, but the word "tallow" is a lovely sounding word for all that and animal fat, in the hard days of yore, was treasured not despised as it is today.
The use of candles in Christian worship was to begin with entirely functional. In the early Church vigil services were held on Saturday night/Sunday morning, and so light was needed and candles and oil lamps provided it.
Like with so much in the church, functional use soon led into symbolic and ornamental use. A good example of this tendency can be seen on my cassock. Most cassocks have a row of buttons down the front. Over the years the number of these buttons has been granted a symbolic significance. There are thirty three of them to signify the probable number of the years of our Lord's life. Or, for those of a more Protestant disposition, thirty nine for the Thirty Nine Articles. In the 20th century however, an ornamental significance came to be added to the symbolic significance. Underneath all those buttons on my cassock, there resides a highly efficient zip which deprives the buttons of their function, which is simply to hold the two sides of the cassock together. The buttons remain however, because not only are they symbolic, they also look pleasing.
Something similar has happened with candles. At first purely functional they began to be invested with symbolic and ornamental significance. However, the Church has always had its quota of wowsers and killjoys and so even way back then there were those who deplored the "unnecessary" use of candles and lamps in daylight. Tertullian (about AD 200), for example, inveighs against "the useless lighting of lamps at noonday", possibly because this was associated with pagan worship. Happily, protests were in vain and by the 4th century both lamps and candles were very much a part of normal worship in the Church.
Symbolic meanings
Much of the symbolism with which candles are invested is fairly obvious. For example, it is very easy to see that the flame of a candle can well signify the Holy Spirit in the form with which he descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Candles are also symbols of God's presence in the manner of the Burning Bush to Moses, or the Pillar of Flame to the Israelites. They also symbolize, especially those on the altar, our Lord as the Light of the World, like him, dying to give their light.
A rather less obvious but beautiful meaning attached to candles when used in worship is that wax symbolizes our Lord's body, born of the Virgin Mary, the wick his soul and the flame his divinity, thus setting forth the mystery of the Incarnation.
St Jerome says of candles that: "apart from honouring the relics of martyrs, it is the custom, through all the Churches of the East, that when the gospels are to be read, lights are kindled, though the sun is already shining, not, indeed, to dispel darkness, but to exhibit a token of joy . . . and that, under the figure of bodily light, that light may be set forth of which we read in the psalter ‘thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths'"
Altar candles
It was not until the 12th century that it began to become customary for candles to be placed upon the altar itself. It was only in the 13th century that it became important for a parish clerk, or an assistant minister, to hold up a lighted torch or candle at the elevation of the Host. It eventually grew to be accepted that there be six candles on the altar at high mass and seven when a bishop sings such a mass.
At the time of the Reformation there was a great turning away from medieval liturgical practice, for reasons both good and bad. Many Protestant churches did away with candles altogether, after the manner of the early Church's killjoys and wowsers. In the Church of England in the nineteenth century there was considerable litigation and dispute as to the legality of the use of lights or candles at the Eucharist, but since the Restoration under Charles II there is continuous evidence for their use, and some English cathedrals and greater churches possess altar candlesticks belonging to the seventeenth century. However, in many of the Anglican churches in the very protestant diocese of Sydney there are no candles to be seen anywhere even today.
The Paschal Candle
The great Paschal Candle originates very early in the history of the Church. Fully to appreciate all of its rich symbolism, which points towards the triumph of Resurrection over the darkness of death and sin, demands one's presence at the wonderful Easter Eve Vigil. That service begins with the lighting of the new fire outside the church, in the dark, then there is a procession into the dark church behind the great lit candle, whereupon everyone's own little candle is lit. This is one of the most richly symbolic and moving moments in the whole liturgical year.
Interestingly, in late English Medieval rites, monstrous Paschal candles were displayed. In Salisbury one thirty six feet long, in Westminster Abbey another weighing three hundredweight (740kilograms)!
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays:
Liam Bognar Tue 14 Feb
Margaret Kidman Wed 15 Feb
Joy Campbell Wed 15 Feb
Trish Britten Thu 16 Feb
THE PREACHER TODAY
Our Preacher today is Fr. Ron Whalley, the Bishop's Chaplain. He has preached for us before and so is no stranger to us. Welcome Rob, we look forward to a fine sermon.
COMMISSIONING
Today we commission Deacon Grace Sharon and Parish Missioner Jon Hanley for the part they are to play in the life of the Parish this year. Grace, as is customary these days, will be supported and guided by a small group of parishioners known as a "Field Committee". This group, under the leadership of Helen Malcolm, comprises, John Horder, Norm Mitchelmore, Jenny Pleming and Barbara Schier. The commissioning will take place at both the 8.30 and 10.30 Eucharists. Please begin to wear your name tags more assiduously, to help them get to know you.
CONFIRMATION
The Confirmation this year is to be on 15th July. Anyone interested in being prepared for Confirmation please let the Rector know.
LENTEN STUDY
The Tuesday evening Lenten study, lead by the Reverend Dr. Helen Malcolm, will be based on ‘The Circle of Love: Praying with Rublev's icon of the Trinity' by Ann Persson. Participants don't need to read/own the book, material will be provided each week. This will be a partly informative, partly meditative study learning about how icons are made and looking more deeply into the interpretation of Rublev's icon. It will go for 5 weeks from Tuesday 28th Feb to Tuesday 20th March inclusive. Please signify your interest on the sheet in the Narthex. Only if there is a demand for a day time Course will Deacon Grace lead one.
PRAYER LINE
If there is an urgent or sudden need for prayer for anyone, we have a "Prayer Line". Contact Pat Griffin on 58001168.
MOVING ON
The Grief Support Group meets on the evening of the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is this Tusday, the 14th of February in the Narthex. The programme: a DVD and discussion of ABC TV's "The Man on the Mantlepiece". Contact Gwyn Cowland for more details.
NOMINATIONS FORMS
Nomination Forms for Churchwardens, Councillors and Parochial Nominators are in the Narthex. Filled in forms can be put into the little box that is on the table in the Narthex.
THANK YOU FROM GAIL
Thank you to all the people from the Parish of Shepparton who came to my Induction Service at Tatura. I have found it extremely difficult to leave the Parish because I love you all. My deepest thanks to each and everyone of you for setting aside the time to be with me on Thursday 9th February for the beginning of a new chapter in my ministry. It was a wonderful night and each one of you made it even more momentous for me. Thank you with all my heart. The Rev'd. Gail Bryce
ISLAM STUDIES
The eleventh and final Islam Study takes place on Tuesday this week in the Rectory at 7.30pm. The following Tuesday will be a showing of the last of the three BBC programs on Muhammad's life.
EVENING GUILD
The Evening Guild recommences with a Eucharist in St Martin's Chapel followed by a meeting in Roz's Room
MEN'S BREAKFAST
The Men's Breakfast next Saturday is under subscribed. Please sign up and ask a friend. This is a golden opportunity to invite someone along who needs to be reintroduced to Mother Church. The food is excellent, the company scintillating.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
The first meeting of the year is on the 21st Feb at 2.00pm in the Narthex. It begins with a Eucharist. Contact Pat Griffin for details.
KATANDRA GUILD
The Katandra Guild AGM is on Monday 13th and begins with a Eucharist at 12.30pm.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE PARTY
At 6.00pm on Tuesday 21st there is a Pancake Party, under the big tree. Wine and pancakes in abundance before Lenten austerity strikes.
OUTREACH AVAILABLE
Thanks to hard work from Helen Malcolm, some of it very late at night, and a good Parish Office team, Outreach is available for the taking. Help yourself to yours and deliver to friends or acquaintances. Note that the Ash Wednesday Evening Eucharist is at 6.30pm.
ARISE 255
On Monday the 13th, the Youth Group meets at 5.30pm in the Hall. "How do we treat people who look different from us?"
READINGS NEXT SUNDAY
19th February 2012: Isaiah 43:18-25, Psalm 41, 2 Corinthians 1:16-22
FOR THE DIARY
Feb 13 Mon Arise 255- first meeting: 5.30
Feb 13 Mon Katandra Guild AGM
Feb 14 Tue "Moving On": 7.30 pm
Feb 16 Thu Evening Guild Eucharist & Meeting 1.30pm
Feb 18 Sat Men's Breakfast
Feb 21Tue Pancake Party: 6.00pm
Feb 21 Tue Friendship Group and Eucharist: 2pm
Feb 22 Wed Ash Wednesday and AGM
Feb 25 Sat Garden Working Bee
Mar 2 Fri World Day of Prayer
Mar 11Sun AGM St Mary's Katandra
Apr 8 Sun Easter Sunday
May 10 Thu Raffle Sub Committee Meeting 4.00pm
May 20 Sun St Augustine's Patronal Festival
May 25-26 Synod - Wangaratta
May 28-31 Lay and Clergy Conference - Harrietville
Jun 14 Thu Parish Fair Planning Meeting 4.00pm
Jun 25-29 Clergy in Service Training Trinity College
July 15 Confirmation
Sep 24-27 Clergy Retreat - Harrietville
Oct 20 Sat 2012 Parish Fair and Garden Party
Duties for Sunday 12 February
Readers 8.30 Jon Hanley, Jeanette Smith
Intercessors 8.30 Grace Sharon
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Heather Pearson, John Griffin
Sidespeople 8.30 Joy Campbell, Joe Pearson
Welcomer 8.30 Dulcie Ackland
WelcomeTable 8.30 Dorothy Cook
Tea 8.30 Val Bambrook
Readers 10.30 Grace Sharon
Intercessors 10.30 Jon Hanley
Servers 10.30 Rick, Sam, Maddie Coates
Euc. Assts 10.30 Christine Evans, Jenny Pleming
Sidespeople 10.30 Beryl Black, John Pleming
Welcomers 10.30 Chris Sim
WelcomeTable 10.30 Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Braden Coates
Altar Linen - February Gwenda Betson
Monday Office Volunteer am Heather Steen
Duties for Sunday 19 February
Readers 8.30 Norm Mitchelmore, Bev Condon
Intercessors 8.30 Pat Griffin
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Carole Henderson, Joe Pearson
Sidespeople 8.30 Gwyn and Merv Cowland
Welcomer 8.30 Bev Reither,
Welcome Table 8.30 Judy Lloyd
Tea 8.30 Barbara Schier
Readers 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Christine Evans
Intercessors 10.30 Joan McCann
Servers 10.30 Eve, Grace and Jenny Pleming
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe Fernandez
Sidespeople 10.30 Mitch, John Pleming
Welcomer 10.30 Volunteer
Welcome Table 10.30 Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30 Mary Pearson
Mowing 25 Feb Garry Grant, John Horder
Altar Linen - Feb Gwenda Betson
Monday Office Barbara Brown, Pat Gibson
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, Hilary Akers, Liam Bognar, Nola Brewer, Betty Bush, Michael Egan, Vida Hardy, Frank Harder, Bruce Hodgson and family, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Bill Hunter, Margaret Kidman, Elsie Lieschke, Joy Markey, Olive Paez, Bev & Max Ralph, Joy & Ian Carman, Anita Saville, Patricia Sparkes, Peter Swindells, Fay Warren, Kevin Woods, David, Kaye, Lewis, Liza, Simon, Tom.
Rest in Peace: Virtue Hanley
Anniversaries: Ernest Fister, Edna Moore 12, Niko Redevski, Nanette Woodcock 13, Josie Stevens, David Heritage 14, Angel Taylor 16,Helen Chambers, Roland Row, Pamela Reich 17, Clarence Connor 18.
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday 12 February
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Monday 13 February
Supposed to be the Rector's day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
12.30am Eucharist - Katandra Guild
5.30pm Arise 255 - Hall
Tuesday 14 February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.30pm Islam Study - The Rectory
Wednesday 15 February
7.45am Mattins only - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
2.00pm Vestry Meeting - Rectory
4.00pm Banksia Lodge
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm EfM - Roz's Room
Thursday 16 February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Narthex Breakfast
9.30am Eucharist - Tarcoola
11.00am Eucharist - Harmony
1.30pm Eucharist - Evening Guild - Roz's Room
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 17 February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Narthex Breakfast
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Saturday 18 February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist
8.30am Men's Breakfast
6.00 pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 19 February Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke's Dookie
9.00am Eucharist - Rushworth
11.00am Eucharist - Murchison
5.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel