THE FOURTH SUNDAY of LENT
Mothering Sunday and Refreshment Sunday
18 March 2012
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
HAVING THE FINAL WORD
A man of my acquaintance suffered from his wife's belief that he had real "taste". When he arrived home from work she had a maddening habit of asking him to come shopping with her, to look at dresses, chinaware, umbrellas and the rest. One evening he arrived back from the office, very tired. Sure enough: "Something I do want you to help me choose, darling." So off they went. She was after underwear - expensive underwear, he noted wearily, as she examined the goods. Then: "I think this is just me, don't you darling?" She held up the satin panties as shop assistants stood dutifully around; suddenly inspiration came to him: "They look lovely, but what would your husband say?" He lived happily ever after, able to come home, pour himself a drink, put his feet up and relax.
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (38)
Andrew Neaum
I ended last week's sermon with an epigram that I have know and loved for years. It is by an American poet called Edwin Markham. As a good epigram should, it crystallises wisdom into clarity with wit and brevity:
He drew a circle that shut me out-
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him In!
Epigraphs and epitaphs
Epitaphs tend to be epigrammatic. They need to be, for who wants to read a sermon on a tombstone? Brevity, wisdom and preferably wit are de rigeur. A favourite of mine is by Walter de la Mare. It cleverly encapsulates something very true about many marriage relationships:
Here lies my wife, Susannah Prout;
She was a shrew I don't misdoubt:
Yet all I have I'd give, could she
But for an hour come back to me.
Both Edwin Markham and Walter de la Mare are enjoyable poets to read, but are well out of the fashionable mainstream of poesy. This is because they disdained the fashionable "modernist" movement which came into its own with Ezra Pound and T S Eliot. Much as I love a good deal of Eliot's verse, I do regret that modernism brought with it such obscurity and erudition. This drove away general readers seeking enjoyment and pleasure from poetry rather than struggle, mystification and angst. A great pity because good poets, like de la Mare and Markham abound. If more people read and absorbed them their critical faculties would be sharpened and we might be spared some of the dreadful and sentimental tosh that is too often read at funerals.
Another favourite epigrammatic epitaph comes, I believe, from a Scottish tombstone and is by the resourceful and self-effacing "Anonymous". It has something wise as well as witty to say about our expectations of God's mercy:
Here lie I, Martin Elginbrod.
Hae mercy on my soul, Lord God;
As I would do, were I Lord God,
And ye were Martin Elginbrod.
One of the wisest of epigrammatic verses I know is entitled: "To Death". It is written by the splendidly named and attractive character Oliver St John Gogarty and challenges death thus:
But for your Terror
Where would be Valour?
What is Love for
But to stand in your way?
Taker and Giver,
For all your endeavour
You leave us with more
Than you touch with decay.
Satirical epigrams
I have written a couple of epigrammatic pieces myself, satirical rather than wise. The one I am most proud is the nastiest. It is a stab at a priest who conveniently might or might not have been called Ramsey:
An impeccable parson called Ramsey
His bishop's pet little lambsey,
Not inclined in the least
To women as priest
Was himself, though,
More ewesey than ramsey.
Then there was one on a bishop who aroused my disdain:
He gathers round him men so dim
that even someone dull like him
appears a beacon almost bright
for shining from so dull a light.
To show that great poets as well as mere versifiers like me stoop occasionally to such satirical depths, here is an epigrammatic epitaph by Lord Byron on Viscount Castlereagh, whom he appears to have had a low opinion of:
Posterity will ne'er survey,
A nobler grave than this:
Here lie the bones of Castlereagh:
Stop, traveller, and piss.
The great Samuel Taylor Coleridge can have the last word:
What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.
Katandra Hill and Mount Major
On Sunday, after the two services at St Augustine's, we headed off with our two English guests, Janet and Jan, to Katandra. There I chaired the Annual General Meeting.
Afterwards we made our way to the modest, but nonetheless rather lovely Katandra Hill. There we had a picnic on the green verge of Kull Road, overlooking the Strathbogies in the far distance. Perfect weather and very peaceful and beautiful.
We then made our way to Dookie, up past the old cemetery that is the loveliest in our parish, to call on Heather and Harry Nichols. Their little farm on the slopes of Mount Major is a gem. Because we live in flat, irrigable countryside, most farm homesteads and their supporting buildings and sheds lack natural, topographical interest or beauty. Although valiant attempts are often made to grace farm homesteads with trees and gardens, when all has been said and done they remain a rectangle of flat land fenced off from lots of other rectangles of flat land even more featureless than themselves.
This is regrettable for someone such as me who remembers farms and farmyards from an early childhood in rural Staffordshire as being unutterably fascinating, mysterious and beautiful (or is this just nostalgia's sheen?). Nestling between hills, or in dells, beside streams or adjacent to great and leafy woods, they had an ancient orchard alongside them, an interesting, richly muck-scented farmyard, and small and semi-domesticated adjacent meadows and paddocks. They tended to be mixed farms, always more interesting than those devoted to the production of a single crop or animal.
Heather and Harry's farm, on the slopes of Mount Major, took me back to those farms of my boyhood. Splendid scenery with lovely views and a fascinating shed full of interesting bits of machinery, open on two sides to provide a perfect picture frame for a lovely, entirely natural landscape painting. There's a well loved and tended garden, a little wooded dell behind the old homestead and Mount Major gently rising behind it all.
Janet and Jan sat in the front of Harry's ute, listening to his wry and informative commentary. Diana and I sat or stood in the back on a perfect afternoon as we four-wheel drove the whole property, hopping down to open gates. We eventually made our way to the very top of Mount Major. All of this was followed by reminiscence and chuckles over a delicious afternoon tea. We headed for home mightily refreshed from a lovely visit to lovely people.
Stripping down
I have discovered a less congenial job than house painting. On Monday we took a trip to Benalla to help out at Elizabeth and Nathan's. Their third child is but three weeks away from birth and so a helping hand seemed a good thing. Diana did some upholstering and Nathan offered me two alternatives, gardening or helping to strip paint off the old portion of their house, a chore that has been taking a long time and which is less than soul-satisfying. I chose the latter because it seemed the most important. In bright and hot sunlight I laboured with Nathan for most of the day. The two beers at the end of it all, plus a fine meal of roast pork, hugely satisfying though these were, paled into insignificance when compared to the sense of achievement on all but finishing the foul job.
Our two English guests have now left us. Diana took them down to Melbourne on Wednesday for a final fling before Jan headed back to England and her food technology job, and Janet to New Zealand for the second part of her holiday.
PRAYERS DURING THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
Each week during Lent this Pew Sheet provides a prayer outline. It is a guide to be used only if found helpful, and should be used reflectively, ruminatively, and with plenty of time for one's own words and thoughts and loves.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
O Christ, my Lord, again and again I have said with Mary Magdalene,"They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him." I have been desolate and alone. And you have found me again, and I know that what has died is not you, my Lord, but only my idea of you, the image which I have made to preserve what I have found, and to be my security. I shall make another image, O Lord, better than the last. That too must go, and all successive images, until I come to the blessed vision of yourself, O Christ, my Lord.
Remember the past day and think of two sins.
Be sorry and purpose amendment
O Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world: have mercy upon me.
O Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world: have mercy upon me.
O Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world: Grant me thy peace.
Grant me, O God, the heart of a child, pure and transparent as a spring; a simple heart, which never harbours sorrows; a heart glorious in self-giving, tender in compassion; a heart faithful and generous, which will never forget any good or bear a grudge for any evil. Make me a heart gentle and humble, loving without asking any return, large-hearted and undauntable, which no ingratitude can sour and no indifference can weary; a heart penetrated by the love of Jesus whose desire will only be satisfied in heaven. Grant me, O Lord, the mind and heart of your dear Son.
Remember your loved ones.
Imagine them, be thankful and pray for them
Lord in your mercy hear my prayer.
Recall some of the folk you have met
during the past 24 hours and pray for them...
O Lord, I remember before you all the workers of the world: workers with hand or brain: workers in cities or in the fields: those who go forth to toil and those who keep house: employers and employees: those who command and those who obey: those whose work is dangerous: those whose work is monotonous or mean: those who can find no work to do: those whose work is the service of the poor or the healing of the sick or the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ at home or in foreign places. Amen.
Continue to read reflectively a few verses each day of St Luke's Passion account, which begins at chapter 22: 14. Imagine yourself into the story, be conscious of God with you.
A Summer Afternoon
A languid atmosphere, a lazy breeze,
With laboured respiration, moves the wheat
From distant reaches, till the golden seas
Break in crisp whispers at my feet.
My book, neglected of an idle mind,
Hides for a moment from the eyes of men;
Or lightly opened by a critic wind,
Affrightedly reviews itself again.
Off through the haze that dances in the shine
The warm sun showers in the open glade,
The forest lies, a silhouette design
Dimmed through and through with shade.
A dreamy day; and tranquilly I lie
At anchor from all storms of mental strain;
With absent vision, gazing at the sky,
"Like one that hears it rain."
The Katydid, so boisterous last night,
Clinging, inverted, in uneasy poise,
Beneath a wheat-blade, has forgotten quite
If "Katy DID or DIDN'T" make a noise.
The twitter, sometimes, of a wayward bird
That checks the song abruptly at the sound,
And mildly, chiding echoes that have stirred,
Sink into silence, all the more profound.
And drowsily I hear the plaintive strain
Of some poor dove ... Why, I can scarcely keep
My heavy eyelids – there it is again –
"Coo-coo!"– I mustn't –"Coo-coo!"–fall asleep!
James Whitcomb Riley, 1849 – 1916)
an American minor poet, most remembered for his children's verse.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthday:
Christopher Wells 18 March
Nathalie Schwab 18 March
Cecily McDonnell 19 March
Koop Purss 22 March
Bev Condon 24 March
JUNIOR CONFIRMATION
Thursdays at 4.00pm
Junior Preparation Sessions have started. It is not yet too late to join in.
LENTEN STUDY: Rublev's Trinity Icon
Tuesdays 1.30pm in the Library or 7.30pm in the Narthex preceded by a Eucharist at 7.00pm.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Tuesday 20 March 2pm - Narthex
The Annual meeting to look back over last year and make plans for next year. All are welcome to a relaxed afternoon, cup of tea and chat.
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Mothering Sunday marks Lent's halfway point. It is therefore sometimes called "Refreshment Sunday". Everywhere except in England, the American and secular "Mothers Day" has superceded Mothering Sunday and so we should probably wave it goodbye and concentrate on the refreshment angle. Old habits die hard however and so we continue with posies to honour our Mothers and Mother Church as well as Simnel Cake to refresh ourselves for the lead up to Passion Week and Easter. Many, many thanks to our posy and cake makers. Also to the breakfast organisers and helpers.
LADY DAY SERVICE
Wednesday 21 March - Wangarata Cathedral
A chance to meet folk from all over the Diocese. 10.30 am Tea, 11.00am Eucharist, 12.30pm Lunch. Any one wishing to attend, let Diana know. She has more details and will co-ordinate travel.
OUR COMBINED GUILDS' SOCIAL AFTERNOON
Thursday 22 March at 1.30pm
To raise money for - Horn of Africa Famine
Come along and bring friends to this fund raising Social Afternoon in the Church Hall. Pastor Matthew Anker will be the Guest Speaker and the Lutheran African singers will entertain everyone. The $6 ticket includes Devonshire Tea and the opportunity to hover over be a trading table. Not to be missed.
OUTREACH- DEADLINE
Contributions for the next edition of Outreach are due to Helen today! By email hmalcolm@bigpond.com, to PO Box 123 Shepparton 3632, or to the church office.
LAY RETREAT
Friday 20 - Sunday 22 April
For those who would like to deepen their faith, put heart into it, revel in it, consider attending this Retreat at the lovely Feathertop Chalet in Harrietville. Led by two fascinating and talented Christians with their own unique perspective on the faith (Helen Malcolm - a Sheppertonian of renown and Rob Whalley the Bishop's Chaplain) it should be a lovely and enriching experience. See the last "Outreach" for further details. If you cannot afford $200 speak to the Rector. His munificence and generosity are legendary.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday at 7.30pm.
READINGS NEXT SUNDAY 25 March
Jeremiah 3131-34 Psalm 1199 -16 Hebrews 55-14
FOR THE DIARY
March 20 Tues Friendship Group 2pm Narthex
March 21 Wed Lady Day Service, Wangarata 10.30 am
Apr 8 Sun Easter Sunday
Apr 14 Sat Orthodox Easter Ceremonies 10.30pm
Apr 15 Sun AGM St Luke's Dookie
Apr 20-22 Lay Retreat
Apr 29 Sun Combined Service & Lunch Murchison 10.30
May 10 Thu Raffle Sub Committee Meeting 4.00pm
May 12 Sat 10-3 St Columb's Fair @ St Augustine's
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 Sun Confirmation
Sep 24-27 Clergy Retreat - Harrietville
Oct 6 Sat Car Boot Sale Murchison
Oct 20 Sat 2012 Parish Fair and Garden Party
Duties for Sunday 18 March
Readers 8.30 Heather Pearson, Gwyn Cowland
Intercessors 8.30 Victoria Heenan
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 John Horder, Bev Condon
Sidespeople 8.30 Joe Pearson, Joy Campbell
Welcomer 8.30 Gwenda Betson, Shirley Dean
Welcome Table 8.30 Dorothy, volunteer
No Tea (b'kfast) 8.30
Readers 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Jenny Pleming
Intercessors 10.30 Christine Evans
Servers 10.30 To be discovered
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe Fernandez, Jenny Pleming
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, volunteer
Welcomer 10.30 Christopher Sim, Judy Lloyd
Welcome Table 10.30 Dorothy Cook, volunteer
Projector 10.30 Mary Pearson,
Children's Church Jon Hanley
Mowing 24 March John Pleming, John Wellman
Altar Linen - March Rosemary Mitchelmore
Monday Office Barbara Brown, Pat Gibson
Duties for Sunday 25 March
Reader 8.30 Victoria Heenan, Jon Hanley
Intercessors 8.30 Pat Griffin
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Grace, Barbara Schier
Sidespeople 8.30 Norm Mitchelmore,Trevor Batey
Welcomer 8.30 Eileen Quaife, Dulcie Ackland
WelcomeTable 8.30 Judy Lloyd, Bev Condon
Tea 8.30 Shirley Dean
Readers 10.30 Nancy Noonan
Intercessors 10.30 none
Servers 10.30 Zeb, Olivia, Oscar
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe, Grace
Sidespeople 10.30 Mitch Macheda, John Plemming
Welcomers 10.30 Beryl Black, Irene Crawford
Welcome Table 10.30 Judy Lloyd , Bev Condon
Projector 10.30 Charlotte Brewer
Children's Church Mary Pearson
Mowing None
Altar Linen - March Rosemary Mitchelmore
Monday Office Joyce Oxley, Bob Galt
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Dulcie Ackland, Hilary & Alan Akers, Liam Bognar, Betty Bush, Michael Egan, Vida Hardy, Frank Harder, Bruce Hodgson and family, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Bill Hunter, Margaret Kidman, Jack Lear, Elsie Lieschke, Olive Paez, Bev Ralph, Sandra Simonis, Patricia Sparkes, Heather Steen, Fay Warren, Mary Warren, David, Les & Ross, Liza, Kaye, Lewis, Margaret, Seth.
Anniversaries: Winifred Tinning, Konstantyn Tokarew(18 March), Henry Erwen, Yvonne Houghton (19 March), Cynthia Hossack (20 March), Sydney Doney, Noel Batey (21 March), John Wheller, Peter Briggs-Collie, John Will, Nathanial Carson (22 March), Alan Wilkie, Dorothea Vibert, Eric Reid (23 March), Jean Varvaressos, William Northey, Vera Conroy (24 March).
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday 18 March
5.30pm Evening Prayer- Lady Chapel
Monday 19 March St Joseph
Rector's day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.00pm Evening Prayer- Lady Chapel
Tuesday 20 March St Cuthbert
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
11.00am Shepp Aged Care
12.00am Bishop in Council
1.30pm Lent Study - Church Library
2.00pm Friendship Group - Narthex
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.00pm Eucharist
7.30pm Lent Study - Narthex
Wednesday 21 March Thomas Cranmer
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
4.00pm Eucharist - Banksia
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.30pm PCC
Thursday 22 March
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
10.15am Eucharist -Grutzner
11.00am Eucharists - Harmony
11.00am Eucharist - Ave Maria
12.15pm Clergy Luncheon
1.30pm Horn of Africa Fund Raising-Hall
4.00pm Confirmation Classes
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 23 March
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Saturday 24 March
7.45am Mattins
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 25 March Fifth Sun in Lent
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's (Baptisms)
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke's Dookie
10.45am Eucharist - St Mary's Katandra
9.00am Rushworth - local
11.00am Murchison - local
5.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel