THE FIRST SUNDAY of LENT
26 February 2012
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
A TOPICAL TALE
Kevin Rudd on his return to Australia with his eye on a return to the Lodge, visited a Canberra primary school, possibly more for publicity reasons than any other. Hopefully, he thought, an appeal to the people if not to the party. A class was in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked Mr. Rudd if he would like to lead the discussion on the word ‘tragedy'. Mr Rudd asked the class for an example of a ‘tragedy'. A little boy stood up and offered: ‘If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs over him and kills him, that would be a ‘tragedy'. ‘No,' said Mr Rudd ‘that would be an accident.' A little girl raised her hand: ‘If a school bus carrying fifty children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy'.‘I'm afraid not,' explained Mr. Rudd ‘that's what we would call a great loss'. The room went silent. No other child volunteered. Mr Rudd searched the room. ‘Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?' At the back of the room, a little girl called Julia raised her hand. In a quiet voice she said: ‘If a plane carrying you and Mrs. Rudd was struck by a ‘friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.' ‘Well done!' exclaimed Mr Rudd . ‘That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?' ‘Well,' said little Julia ‘it has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be an accident either!'
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (35)
Andrew Neaum
How dark are the mornings when I get up these days. There is a hint of Autumn in the air too. How lovely. Sweet change, sweet variety.
The climate on the island of St Helena was all but perfect. Therein lay its greatest imperfection. Too uniform, too little difference between summer and winter. We require change. Winter is welcome, no matter how bleak it is.
Dusting off dust
So too with the Church's year. It was good to welcome back Ash Wednesday and usher in Lent. Minor-keyed music, the austere Lent Prose, no flowers, no "alleluias", gloomy purple. Lovely, at least for a while.
Over eighty of us welcomed in forty days and forty nights of sweet Lenten misery properly at the altar. There we were invited up to the rail where the priest put ash, made from old palm crosses, upon our foreheads with the words:
Remember that you are dust
and that to dust you shall return.
That brief and dusty sentence originates in the book of Genesis. God's words to Adam and Eve after the Fall, are a sentence of death delivered to us all: Dust you are and to dust you shall return.
Why, I wonder, are we admonished to remember so melancholy a truth? Surely there is no need to go around worrying about our mortality, contemplating our end? Jesus tells us as much in St Matthew's Gospel
Take no thought for the morrow, he says,
for the morrow will take care of itself.
Why then, on Ash Wednesday, fly in the face of such sound advice, mark ourselves with ash and remind ourselves that we, like Shakespeare's
golden lads and girls, all must
as chimney sweepers come to dust?
We do so to focus and sharpen our resolve to turn ourselves round, to live better the Christian life.
To be doomed adds spice to life
To be told by a doctor in his surgery, or even by a judge when on trial in court, that we are doomed, are sentenced to death, that it looks as though we have but a few months to live, might well at first paralyse us. Later it encourages us to all sorts of action that otherwise we are unlikely ever to get round to.
All sorts of unfinished business, or business pushed on one side until later, is suddenly attended to. Important things to do with relationships, unimportant ones like tidying up one's wardrobe.
Suddenly the whole world is seen in a new light. The commonplace, familiar and ordinary becomes dear to us. The mere smile of a loved one is seen to be poignantly beautiful, to be cherished, not just taken for granted.
Everything truly important is brought suddenly into sharp focus. We begin to live life far more as it is meant to be lived, to see things as they really are. We notice and appreciate the beauty and marvel in so much of what exists so ordinarily around us.
One little life
To remember voluntarily on Ash Wednesday that we are but dust, to remember it reflectively and ruminatively, can be a very positive and worthwhile exercise. It helps put Lent into perspective, for we do have but one physical and earthly life. Why fritter it away with idle idiocy and stupid self-indulgence?
We have one little life, that is all, accelerating to its end all the time. One little life.
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live and is full of trouble. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower; He fleeth as it were a shadow and never continueth in one stay.....
One little life. Why fritter it away longing for tomorrow, wishing away today, in anticipation of tomorrow? Which is what most of us do, instead of cherishing today. We are always looking forward to the weekend, to the annual holiday, to a loved one's visit, to retirement, to the school holidays, or even to the end of the parson's little sermon.
One little life, and we spend all our time longing for great chunks of it to disappear.
Look thy last on all things lovely
Paradoxically then, to remember our mortality, to remember that we are but dust, to look forwards to our death, helps us to live properly in the present, stops us being anxious about tomorrow. For problems in the present all pale into insignificance in the light of our end. All that is boring, grey and dull in the present, takes colour upon itself in the light or our approaching demise.
To remember that we are but dust, to grasp hold of and really appreciate that truth throws everything into a clear and proper perspective. Tomorrow is dust.
Love and appreciate our children now then, all too soon they will be adults and have flown the nest. Relish our job, or our daily routine now, we won't be able to in the grave. Buy our wife or friend a bunch of flowers now, flowers on the coffin won't mean as much to her. Love God now, learn to say yes to him now, this Lent. Its too late once we have returned to dust.
One little life. Every moment is precious, a gift from God.
Remember that you are dust
and to dust you shall return.
Therefore:
Look thy last on all things lovely,
every hour .
The following poem by Walter de la Mare is the one from which the last and lovely line of the article above is taken.
FAREWELL
WHEN I lie where shades of darkness
Shall no more assail mine eyes,
Nor the rain make lamentation
When the wind sighs;
How will fare the world whose wonder
Was the very proof of me?
Memory fades, must the remembered
Perishing be?
Oh, when this my dust surrenders
Hand, foot, lip, to dust again,
May these loved and loving faces
Please other men!
May the rusting harvest hedgerow
Still the Traveller's Joy entwine,
And as happy children gather
Posies once mine.
Look thy last on all things lovely,
Every hour. Let no night
Seal thy sense in deathly slumber
Till to delight
Thou have paid thy utmost blessing;
Since that all things thou wouldst praise
Beauty took from those who loved them
In other days.
Walter De La Mare
PRAYERS DURING
THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
Each week during Lent this Pew Sheet will provide a prayer outline for Lent. 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 Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. (from Psalm 139)
I confess, Father that I have failed you in lots of ways, but especially in these two ways:
1 ............ 2 ............
(Are there ways you can make amends or reparation)
For all my failings Father, and especially for these, I am very sorry, firmly purpose amendment, and ask your pardon.
Remember at least two blessings in the past twenty four hours that merit saying thank you to God. Dwell upon them for a while and be grateful...
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, in whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Think of those close to you, dwell upon each, be thankful, and pray for them...
Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be
As more of Heaven in each we see:
Some softening gleam of Love and Prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care....
(John Keble)
Think of and remember those in our own town and district you have noticed to be in sorrow or need, and then, if there is time of those in more distant places.
I beseech you Lord for the wounded in spirit, the sick in mind, the perplexed, the sad; for those that are in peril of their life, those that are sick, those that face serious operations or drastic medication; for captives, prisoners, those anywhere who are condemned to death; for the poor, the oppressed, the desolate; for strangers, orphans, those without homes or loved ones; for expectant mothers, little children, the bereaved. For travellers and those in any sort of danger, especially those unable to pray. Give to the living, Lord, mercy and grace, to the dead rest and life perpetual; give to the Church truth and peace, to myself, penitence, pardon, and a joyous and loving heart. Amen.
Read reflectively, a few verses each day of the Passion Narrative according to St Luke, beginning at chapter 22 verse 14. Imagine yourself into the verses and be conscious of God's presence with you
Father, into thy hands I give my heart,
Which left thee but to learn how good thou art.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays:
Barbara Brown Sun 26 Feb
John Pleming Tue 28 Feb
Hilary Akers Thur 1 Mar
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM passed as speedily and expeditiously as is now customary in this most pleasing of parishes. Congratulations to our Churchwardens: John Pleming, Bev Condon and John Horder and to our new Parish Council: Charlotte Brewer, Norm Mitchelmore, Handson Nhanhanga, Mary Pearson, Martin Richardson and Jeanette Smith, the Rector's two nominees have still to be settled upon.
Our Parochial Nominators who with the diocese help find a new Rector should the old one disappear for any reason are: John Griffin, John Pleming and Barbara Whyte with supplementaries: Heather Pearson and Marty Richardson. Congratulations to them all and many thanks for agreeing to nominate.
CONFIRMATION
The Confirmation this year is to be on 15th July. Anyone interested in being prepared for Confirmation please let the Rector know. We have so far three delightful youngsters and two adults. Junior Preparation Sessions will be held on Thursdays at 4.00pm, starting on Thursday 15 March.
LENTEN STUDY
Every Tuesday 28 Feb to Tuesday 20 March
This year's Lenten study, lead by the Rev. 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 on each of the 5 weeks. 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. Please signify your interest on the sheet in the Narthex. No day time sessions! There were not enough takers to make one a viable concern.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
In Wesley Church, Maude Street at 6.30pm on Friday 2nd of March. The theme is "Let Justice Prevail", prepared by the Christians of Malaysia, based around their concerns. This service brings together people from all Christian denominations and wider to pray together for our world
LADY DAY SERVICE
Wangarata Cathedral 21 March
Always a great day and a change to meet good folk from all over the Diocese.
10.30 am Tea, 11.00amEucharist, 12.30pm Lunch
Any one wishing to attend this Diocesan event please let Diana know. She has more details and will co-ordinate travel.
CATERING GROUP
The Catering group has done wonderful work over many years and raised thousands of dollars. It has been decided to reorganise things in order to spread the load in future.
There are to be three teams, one led by Heather Pearson, one by Jenny Pleming and one by Dorothy Cook. Obviously we need plenty of caterers to make this work. Please sign the list in the Narthex if you would like to join one of these catering teams.
Each team will normally be called upon every third catering event. Please also indicate if you would like to make sandwiches, cakes, slices, sausage rolls or quiche. The cost of the ingredients is to be reimbursed to everyone.
WELCOME BAPTISM FAMILIES
To be baptized today: Felicity Crifo, Mary Makuac, Macey Tomkins and Dallas Sali. Welcome to families and friends.
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Mothering Sunday is on the 18th March. There will be posies from the Flower Guild, Simnel Cake from kind volunteers (sign the list in the narthex) and as usual a Breakfast from 9.30-10.30am with a scintillating speaker! Please sign in the Narthex if you are coming.
AGM KATANDRA
The AGM at St Mary's Katandra takes place on the 11 of March after the Eucharist. Fr Norm Hart will take the service, the Rector will turn up afterwards to chair the meeting.
LENT ENVELOPES
During Lent there is a chance to give away something extra to a worthwhile cause by way of "Lenten Envelopes". Anything given by way of these envelopes, available either in your pewsheet or on the Narthex table, goes to ABM projects in needy places in many places of the world.
PRAYERS WITH CHILDREN
We plan to give to the parents of children brought for baptism a compact, laminated sheet with a prayer or two to say with an infant and child before they go to sleep each night. We will also prepare one with a few concise but worthwhile graces to say before meals. If you have any lovely ones lodged in your memory, write them down and give them to us, they might be just the ones we are looking for. The practice of the Faith cannot be confined to church, if it is to enhance and illuminate our lives it needs domesticating.
FOR THE DIARY
Feb 28 Tue (Eucharist 7pm) Study Group Narthex 7.30
Mar 2 Fri World Day of Prayer
Mar 11 Sun AGM St Mary's Katandra
March 18 Sun Mothering Sunday and Ladies breakfast
March 18 Sun Deadline for Next Outreach
March 21 Lady Day Service, Wangarata 10.30 am
Apr 8 Sun Easter Sunday
May 10 Th 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 Th 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
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 & Alan Akers, Liam Bognar, Nola Brewer, Betty Bush, Michael Egan, Kate, Charlotte & Stephen Goulopoulos, Vida Hardy, Frank Harder, Bruce Hodgson and family, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Bill Hunter, Margaret Kidman, Ruth Lewis, Elsie Lieschke, Joy Markey, Adrian Moule, Olive Paez, Joy & Ian Carman, Anita Saville, Patricia Sparkes, Heather Steen, Peter Swindells, Glad & Kevin Thorn, Fay Warren, Mary Warren, Kevin Woods, David, Kaye, Lewis, Liza, Simon, Tom.
Rest in Peace: Reginald Bambrook (22 Feb)
Anniversaries: Frances Simpson, John Phillips, Valerie Kennedy (28 Feb), Margaret Stammers(29 Feb), Edwin Houghton, Ailsa Manley, Ruby Young (1 March) Charles Day, Thomas McDonnell (2 March), Mary Shearer, David Abbott (3 March).
READINGS NEXT SUNDAY 26 Feb.
Genesis 17 1-7,15-16 Psalm 2224-32 Romans 413-25
Duties for Sunday 26 February
Readers 8.30 Victoria Heenan, Heather Pearson
Intercessors 8.30 Norm Weaver
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Barbara Schier, John Horder
Sidespeople 8.30 Bev and Max Ralph
Welcomer 8.30 Anita Saville
Welcome Table 8.30 Dorothy Cook
Tea 8.30 Shirley Dean
Readers 10.30 Andrea Fisher
Intercessors 10.30 none as Baptism
Servers 10.30 Zeb, Olivia, Oscar
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe, Jenny
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, Sandra Simonis
Welcomers 10.30 Chris Sim, Beryl Black
WelcomeTable 10.30 Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30 Mary Pearson, Lionel Waterson
Children's Church Mary
Mowing None
Altar Linen - Feb Gwenda Betson
Monday Office Joyce Oxley, Bob Galt
Duties for Sunday 4th March
Readers 8.30 John Wellman, Pat Griffin
Intercessors 8.30 Bev Condon
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Heather Pearson, John Griffin
Sidespeople 8.30 Bev and Max Ralph
Welcomer 8.30 Beryl Goodchild, Anita Saville
Welcome Table 8.30 Beverley Walsh, Dorothy Cook
Tea 8.30 Gwyn Cowland
Readers 10.30 Joan McCann, Peter Martin
Intercessors 10.30 Christine Jones
Servers 10.30 To be discovered
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe Fernandez, Jenny Pleming
Sidespeople 10.30 Gloria Wayman, John Pleming
Welcomer 10.30 Christopher Sim
Welcome Table 10.30 Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30 Mary Pearson, Sandra Simonis
Children's Church Grace Sharon
Mowing 10 March Marg Carroll, Brendan Carroll
Altar Linen - March Rosemary Mitchelmore
Monday Office Rosemary Moore, Jeanette Smith
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday 26 February
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Monday 27 February George Herbert,
Rector's day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Arise 255 (Youth Group) - Church Hall
Tuesday 28 February
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
10.00am Interment - Shepparton Cemetery
11.00am Funeral - St Augustine's
12.00am Bishop in Council
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.00pm Eucharist
7.30pm Lent Study Group
Wednesday 29 February
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm EfM
Thursday 1 March
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
9.30am Eucharist - Tarcoola
11.00am Eucharists - Harmony
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 2 March World Day of Prayer
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
6.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday 3 March
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist
1.30pm Wedding
3.30pm Wedding
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 4 March 2nd Sunday in Lent
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