THE SECOND SUNDAY of LENT
4 March 2012
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
BREVITY AND CLARITY
Brevity and clarity are as vital to good staff work as they are to a good pewsheet. The British Naval Staff Course teaches this with the story of ‘Pug' Ismay, during the War, who waded through a long waffling, nonsensical paper and summed it up by writing tersely at the bottom one short word. Then realising it had to go to the Prime Minister, he lost his nerve and feeling that although his sentiment was admirable his wording lacked finesse, he scratched out the word and substituted ‘Round objects'. In so doing he doubled the length of his minute and sacrificed his clarity, for the paper came back from Mr Churchill with the query: ‘Pray, who is Mr. Round and why does he object?'
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (36)
Andrew Neaum
Diana's sister Janet and friend Jan are with us for three weeks from England. On Monday, the day the "big wet" began, we visited a couple of local wineries, Mitchelton and Tahbilk.
Wineries like churches
Lovely places wineries, though there is a lot of mumbo jumbo and hogwash associated with them. They are not unlike religion, in this respect. Perhaps that is why I enjoy them.
Mitchelton, for example, has its absurd tower. It is lovely to take the lift up it, to give yourself a lift from it, of the splendid views it offers. This tower, as well as the pleasing "buttresses" that are a part of the steep-roofed main administrative and factory building, more than faintly echo church architecture. The reverential hush of the wine tasting sanctuary (decorated with works of art), the solemn and ceremonial bottle handling and opening, the extravagant, effusive gobbledegook of the priestess who offered us sips to savour and die for, the discreet and unadmitted obsession with your wallet, all shout, after their fashion: "Church", "religion"!
Tahbilk is similar, though it is a traditional "church" in contrast to Michelton a modern one. The tower, because traditional and less pretentious, is not at all absurd and like St Augustine's, the main public building is dark, mysterious, yeasty of smell, a little cobwebby and lovely. It also has catacombs, filled with barrels that ooze and bleed dark wine.
Blessed wine
As Rector of the parish of Ararat I remember on a perfect day in early May, beneath the outstretched, benedictory branches of great gum trees, blessing the new wine at Best's Winery, which was in the parish. The vines were in splendid autumnal colour and a chorus of perceptive corellas were reverentially silent as our parish choir sang, and derisively cacophonous while I spoke.
Every single day of my life in Ararat I blessed Best's wine. Not because I was then or am now a boozy old wino with a strawberry red and pitted nose, a spidery network of broken veins all over my cheeks, trembling hands and a weak bladder. Rather because every day of the week I made my way to the altar, took a cruet of Best's fortified wine, poured it into a silver and gold chalice, and invited down God's blessing and presence upon it.
Best's Winery supplied Holy Trinity Church, Ararat with Communion Wine. They had done so for many years and, if I remember rightly, at no cost. Their wine was well used to being blessed, more than blessed, consecrated in order to fortify, comfort, inspire, strengthen and Christianise the faithful.
Draining the chalice
When I was an inexperienced young priest at the Cathedral in Harare, I often encountered derelict drunks sleeping and twitching in the cloisters. A surprisingly high proportion of them, if ever engaged in conversation, would say, "I used to be a choir boy in this cathedral...." This is the drunkard's prosaic version, I suspect, of the adult Wordsworth's, Traherne's and Vaughan's view of a golden and divine-glory permeated childhood....
Happy those early days! When I
Shined in my angel-infancy....
In Harare's Cathedral, folk with rather too great a taste for wine would sometimes find their way to the altar rail. I can remember the Dean instructing me on how to administer the chalice in an economical way: "Hold it up hard against the upper lip, Andrew, that stops the greedy buggers (excuse his term, he was a rough diamond of a Dean) sucking the chalice dry!"
It is not only poverty stricken drunks who pose this sort of problem. The first time that Lady Bagot, the wife of the Rev. Sidney Swann, MA, Vicar of Lindfield, received Holy Communion from her husband, she drained the wine to the dregs, said, "Perfectly delicious, my dear!" and handed it back.
Risky
Wine is dangerous, but then so is everything in life worthwhile, not least religion. But who wants too much safety? Who wants a life with no risks, no spice, no challenge? Remember the words of the pleasing old toper and wit Jeffrey Bernard which I so often quote: "skating on thin ice is a far better exercise than jogging....." It is far more fulfilling to sail close to the wind and risk swamping, than to reef your sails, merely to ride out the gale.
There is risk involved in drinking. There is risk involved in religion. Both can intoxicate, inebriate, turn you into an obsessed, un-pleasant, self-destructive and dangerous fanatic. Drunkards and religious fanatics are about equal in unpleasantness.
So it was that we went with Jesus to bless a local vineyard's wine. It was more than a promotional exercise, more than just a little bit of fun. We were asking God to smile upon something the community was rightly proud of, something that had been laboured over, worked hard for, and that had taken expertise, skill and ingenuity, in an attempt to make it the very best: Best's best.
Because we sincerely believed it to be good, we brought it before God for his approval and his blessing, thereby acknowledging that God's approval and blessing upon any endeavour, is essential for long term good, fulfilment, happiness and contentment. To bless something is to ask God to make our relationship with it right, good and healthy for both its own future good, and ours.
Best's Winery, certainly in those days retained the atmosphere, warmth and welcome that comes from remaining a family concern. Its proprietors and workers were not in the wine game merely and only for profit. They endeavoured to produce good wine as because to do so was deemed good in its own right. Profit is not the only driving force in any truly healthy enterprise. Delight and justifiable pride in producing something worthwhile and wonderful is necessary too. To bless the wine was acknowledgment and reinforcement of this truth and to reinforce such a truth is indeed to bless.
So it was good to bless the year's wine at a lovely vineyard and winery. Wine made for profit certainly, but also and more importantly for the sheer delight of creating from excellent grape juice, something beautiful, good, worthwhile and lovely to enhance, throughout Australia and the world, wonderful meals, celebrations, great occasions. As well as and above all else, to provide our Lord himself with the means he chose for realising himself among us in the Eucharist.
PRAYERS DURING THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
Each week during Lent this Pew Sheet provides 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.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make melody. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. (Psalm 108:1-5)
I confess, Father and Lord, that I have failed in many ways
but especially in these two ways: 1)............ 2)............
(Are there any ways to make amendment or reparation?)
Forgive me, O Lord, through the merits of your anointed, Jesus Christ.
Lamb of God, have mercy upon me.
Lamb of God, have mercy upon me.
Lamb of God, grant me Thy peace.
Lord, God, you are the first and last, grant me a new beginning; a new desire to pray and new resolution in setting apart the hours for speech with you: new ambition in prayer that it may be humbler, quieter, void of self, all to your glory: new vision of the Light, which is beyond brightness, and above joy: new listening for your counsel and command, acceptance of your will, fervour to obey it, patience and strength to suffer for it: new union and communion with your Holy Spirit, that I pray his mind and he my prayer. O Lord, who on the throne of thrones makes all things new, renew my prayer; renew me in yourself and hold me there. Amen.
(Call to mind and name all your loved ones......)
O God our Father, I bring before you all those I love, knowing that you love them more even than I do and that your will for them is something better than I can imagine or desire. Let your will be done in them and for them, and grant them that strength which shall make them more than conquerors, through him who loves them and me, Jesus Christ my Lord.
(Remember...people met, read of, or seen on T.V. remember & pray for them)
Lord in your Mercy, hear my prayer.
(Continue to read reflectively a few verses each day of the Passion Narrative according to St Luke, begun last week at chapter 22 verse 14. Imagine yourself into the verses and be conscious of God's presence with you)
(Be still, conscious of God's presence with you)
I am serene because I know you love me.
Because you love me, naught can move me from my peace.
Because you love me, I am as one to whom all good has come.
Birthdays:
Doris Nichols 5 March
Tiffany Chandler 5 March
Heather Nichols 7 March
Isaac Chandler 10 March
Anniversary:(belated)
John & Christine Holder 29 Feb
CONFIRMATION
15 July 2012
Anyone interested in being prepared for Confirmation please let the Rector know. We have so far five delightful youngsters (possibly more) and two adults. Junior Preparation Sessions will be held on Thursdays at 4.00pm, starting on Thursday 15 March.
LENTEN STUDIES
Every Tuesday 28 Feb to Tuesday 20 March
1.30pm in the Library led by Deacon Grace. 7.30pm in the Narthex led by the Rev. Dr. Helen Malcolm. Both are partly informative, partly meditative studies, learning about how icons are made and looking more deeply into the interpretation of the famous Rublev's icon.
A QUOTE FOR THE DAY
One of the reason we can be pretty sure Jesus actually existed is that if He had not, the Church would never have invented Him. He stand so passionately, resolutely and inconveniently against everything an established church stands for. Continuity? Tradition? Christ had nothing to do with stability. He came to break up families, to smash routines, to cast aside the human superstructures, to teach abandonment of earthly concerns and a throwing of ourselves upon God's mercy. (Atheist: Matthew Parris)
LADY DAY SERVICE
Wednesday 21 March - Wangarata Cathedral
Always a great day and a chance to meet good folk from all over the Diocese. 10.30 am Tea, 11.00amEucharist , 12.30pm Lunch. Any one wishing to attend, let Diana know. She has more details and will co-ordinate travel.
CATERING GROUP
The Catering group is reorganising! 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 tea Each team will normally be called upon every third catering event. Please also indicate if you prefer to make sandwiches, cakes, slices, sausage rolls or quiche. The cost of the ingredients is to be reimbursed to everyone.
FOOD HANDLER'S COURSE
Tuesday 6 March 9.30-11.30 in the Kitchen
We encourage any one who will be involved in helping with food in our kitchen to come on this short course. We are using the professional skills of the Rectory's house guest Jan, while over on holiday from England. She is a technical trainer in the food industry and will do a short food handler's training course for us. Please sign on the list at the back of the Church or let the office know.
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Sunday 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.
ST AUGUSTINE'S COMBINED GUILDS SOCIAL AFTERNOON
Thursday 22 March at 1.30pm: to raise money for - Horn of Africa Famine
There is to be a fund raising Social Afternoon in the Church Hall where Pastor Matthew Anker will be the Guest Speaker and the Lutheran African singers will entertain everyone. The $6 ticket includes Devonshire Tea and there will be a trading table.
NEW CHURCH eMAIL
Please note the new Church e mail:
staugustines.shepparton@gmail.com
LENT ENVELOPES
"Lenten Envelopes" are available. Anything given goes to ABM projects in needy places in many parts of the world. If not given one, help yourself from the Narthex table.
GRIEF SUPPORT-MOVING ON
Tuesday 13 March at 7.30pm
Chris Crawford is to join the group and discuss "Ways of Communicating condolences".This will be held in the Church Narthex.
EVENING GUILD AGM
Thursday 15 March at 1.30
There will be the AGM held to reflect on last years activities and make plans for next year.
OUTREACH- DEADLINE
Contributions for the next edition of Outreach are due to Helen by Sunday 18 March please, by email hmalcolm@bigpond.com or to PO Box 123 Shepparton 3632, or to the church office.
BOOKCASE FOR THE CHILDREN
Thanks to Jim Olphert for the donation of a wooden bookcase for use by the children of the church. This lovely bookcase was made by Jim Olphert and will be well used in St Augustine's.
READINGS NEXT SUNDAY 11 March
Exodus 20 1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 118-25
FOR THE DIARY
Mar 11 Sun AGM St Mary's Katandra
Mar 13 Tues Grief Support, Narthex
Mar 18 Sun Mothering Sunday and Ladies breakfast
Mar 18 Sun Deadline for Next Outreach
Mar 21 Wed Lady Day Service, Wangarata 10.30 am
Apr 8 Sun Easter Sunday
May 10 Thu Raffle Sub Committee Meeting 4.00pm
May 12 Sat 10.00 - 3.00 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 20 Sat 2012 Parish Fair and Garden Party
Duties for Sunday 4 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
Children's Church Grace Sharon
Mowing 10 March Marg Carroll, Brendan Carroll
Altar Linen - March Rosemary Mitchelmore
Monday Office Rosemary Moore, Jeanette Smith
Duties for Sunday 11 March
Readers 8.30 Carole, Norm Mitchelmore
Intercessors 8.30 Heather Pearson
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Grace, Joe Pearson
Sidespeople 8.30 Gwyn and Merv
Welcomer 8.30 Bev Ralph Heather Nichols
WelcomeTable 8.30 Judy Lloyd, Diana Neaum
Tea 8.30 Barbara Schier
Readers 10.30
Intercessors 10.30 Grace Sharon
Servers 10.30 Rick , Sam, Maddie
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe, Grace
Sidespeople 10.30 Charlotte Brewer, John Plemming
Welcomers 10.30 Chris Sim, Beryl Black
WelcomeTable 10.30 Judy Lloyd and Diana
Projector 10.30 Mary Pearson,Braden Coates
Children's Church Susanne Lear
Mowing None
Altar Linen - February Rosemary Mitchelmore
Monday Office Volunteer
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
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, Elsie Lieschke, Olive Paez, Heather Steen, Sandra Simonis, Fay Warren, Les & Ross.
Rest in Peace: Reg Bambrook
Anniversaries: Ronald Ford (4 March) Eva Downer, Kathleen Whyte (5 March), Norman Grills, Joy Merigan, Gregory Cresswell (6 March), Frederick Stephens, Ian Watts (7 March), Lawrence Brewer, William Fallis (8 March), Jean Poulton, Margaret Killop, Avis Nimmo (9 March),Willis Mitchelmore (10 March).
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday 4 March
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Monday 5 March Rector's day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Tuesday 6 March
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
9.30am Food Handler's Course- Hall Kitchen (till 11.30)
10.00am Playgroup - Roz's Room
11.00am Shepparton Aged Care
1.30pm Lent Study - Church Library
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.00pm Eucharist
7.30pm Lent Study Group - Narthex
Wednesday 7 March Perpetua and Felicity
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
4.00pm Banksia
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm EfM
7.30pm Bapt. Preparation- Narthex
Thursday 8 March John of God
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
10.00am Eucharist -Mercy
11.00am Eucharists - Harmony
11.00am Eucharist - Ave Maria
12.15pm Clergy Luncheon
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 9 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
7.30pm PCC Murch/Rushw
Saturday 10 March
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist
1.30pm Wedding
3.30pm Wedding
4.30pm Wedding
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist - Lady Chapel
Sunday 11 March 3rd Sunday in Lent
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke's Dookie
10.45pm Eucharist -St Mary's Kat - AGM
9.00am Rushworth ( local)
11.00am Murchison (local)
5.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel