PALM SUNDAY
24 March 2013
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
MERCY KILLING
A man and his wife were sitting in their living room as uncommunicatively as only the longtime married can be. The husband suddenly expostulated: “I never want to live in a vegetative state, my existence depending upon a machine and intravenous fluids. If that ever happens, please pull the plug.” His wife got up with surprising alacrity, unplugged the television and threw out all of his beer.
THIS AND THAT (77)
Andrew Neaum
The new Parish Council met for the first time last Wednesday. It is a large Council with some talented new blood and interestingly evenly split between men and women, if my counting is correct.
Among more mundane though very necessary discussions and decisions we considered and approved a fairly conservative budget. We also explored local mission and charitable possibilities and opportunities. At present we support Deacon Grace financially each month in Thailand, and donate a sum to the local School Chaplaincy program. As well we contribute over and above our levy to the Diocese for mission.
We also ran through a list of particular responsibilities for each Councillor as well as through the arrangements for the Rector’s Farewell. This is to be completely free of charge and the Rector himself, that is me, will gladly supply the booze. It should be a good, relaxed and fun-filled family farewell. We considered too the arrangements for the Induction of the new Rector, Des Potter.
The monitoring of the hall and its use came under scrutiny after a somewhat messy hiring recently that necessitated much extra work and some repairs. It was decided to resurrect the Hall Committee.
Maintenance and Finance are always a very necessary part of our deliberations and we agreed that the lighting from outside of the lovely small window in the east wall, and of Ella’s embroidered works on the inside of that wall should go ahead, donations to fund this having been received. We also discussed the glass ceiling panel in the Narthex with a view to bringing to fruition the original conception of coloured glass or acrylic, with lighting behind it. The cost of this to be kicked off by a donation from the Ross Edwards, with a further appeal for any necessary further donations.
It was decided that the Parish Council should write to the Bishop emphasising the need for a full time curate for the parish.
RETURN TO
TRISTAN DA CUNHA (12)
Sat 22 Sept, 2012 10.20am (....continued)
Again a day with no horizon, a fairly rough pewter coloured sea pewter fusing into a light grey sky, the cloud on the mountain pretty well down to plateau level. We walked up to church with light rain blurring my glasses not bothering with waterproofs on our legs, but well buttoned up otherwise, a good breeze but not a strong wind, the flag blowing out briskly to the east in a westerly.
Toasted homemade bread for breakfast. It was made yesterday and moderately successful, though the recipe erred in asking for too much sugar and so rather too sweet. Fine for toast and marmalade, not so good for the five finger fillet we had for lunch. We have lit the gas heater in the little office and so build up a happy fug here. When I have finished this diary entry I will hand over the computer to Diana to do some more statistical work from the church registers. Yesterday afternoon we returned to the factory to see the now cooked large whole crayfish, neatly folded and being drained of any liquid in a chilled room, prior to freezing, bright red and beautiful to the eye. We then ate halved tails from the shell. Shelley’s husband a real and talkative joker of a fellow and head of the PWD on the Island was discussing with Eric how difficult it is in small communities for those in any sort of authority to censure or discipline those under them. In effect everyone is family. There is a girl Inspector in the factory who assesses the cray fish size and looks for females in berry which should have been returned to the sea. Her husband is one of the fishermen. She records violations that lead to fines which are not light for the fishermen. She is able to do this because her job description specifically dictates that she must, but in less well defined situations things are more complicated and disciplinary action or penalties are more easily and delivered by expatriates.
After the factory I visited the tiny Internet Café to see if any mail had come in, prior to the weekend when the “Cafe” is closed, I suspect to prevent large scale downloading. I was able to get online easily and sent off a note to the family telling them a little of this and that. We then visited Francoise and Brian Robertson, he being the visiting psychiatrist and a thoroughly good egg. We had an enjoyable time chatting about all sorts of things and he told us that people are beginning to come to see him about the usual things that blight our lives, such as depression. He and his wife are practising Catholics of an attractively and actively liberal sort, who at home in Cape Town endure with charity a somewhat less than liberal priest in their parish. They told us that Fr Michael, the Catholic priest who travelled with us on the Agulhas is open-minded and I determined to visit him, for surely he is lonely here on his own so isolated a spot.
From them we went straight on, in the cold and damp, to Trina and Lars for a meal. A lovely evening with them on their own, though just as we were leaving Debbie and John (their daughter visiting from England with her husband) came in and so we were able to enjoy a little banter. Their house is called “Brick Front”, the reason being that Lars built it with a concrete-brick front due to the difficulty of getting the soft and dressable stone from which the gables are built. He was the first on the island to do so. From a photo of his house being built I was able to establish that the traditional house we saw a day or two ago, with its small undressed boulder back wall, is indeed just how it was done traditionally.
Lars was one of the twelve Advance Party that went back to prepare damage to houses prior to the return of the whole population from exile in England after the 1961 volcano. Six of the Advance Party did the repair work while six fished, though precisely why I am not sure, there can have been no market for fish at that time. They had to shoot the dogs before they left the island, but two were left and terrorising donkeys and sheep and so needed to be dispatched. Cows had pulled at flax on the rooves making holes, and these had to be repaired. They actually witnessed the sea red with blood from whale-murdering Russian or Norwegian ships.
Lars and Trina quite enjoyed their time in exile and were actually married in England. Trina would not at all have minded staying and indeed they did return for a year and a half later on, but Lars pined for the peace and tranquillity of the island. We talked about the price of housing, Lars joking that his cost him five pounds, though to fit it out and make it habitable would have cost far more. His son Paul with Geraldine his wife and child have returned from England and have since had another daughter. Married in England, they have just built a house on the Island at an estimated cost of between thirty and fifty thousand pounds, far, far cheaper than you would do it England, South Africa or Australia. Lar’s and Trina’s place is really lovely, homely, sparkling and comfortable although in origin it is a simple, ordinary, traditional house, now much extended and beautifully equipped.
Lars has very much involved in the life of St Mary’s since he was fifteen. His job on the island for most of his life was the paymaster and money man of the Fishing Company. Retired for about nine years, he has a great sense of humour and is full of wise little saws. They recall my father as being a man who got things done and of severe rectitude, but also humorous and remembered with joy and pleasure. We had a fine dinner of beef hot pot, tinned peas and corn, with baked Tristan potatoes, the Island’s prized speciality as an extra for spuds were in the hot pot as well and some home grown and vinegared beetroot. There was also cold chicken. There followed traditional ‘spotted dick’ (cooked in cloth and delicious, though made from wheat flour rather than potatoes), there was also a fine caramel topped milk tart. Afterwards and to our surprise we were shown a DVD, brought from England for the island archives and of which I must get a copy. It is a promotional film made by SPG (the Missionary Society that sponsored my father as priest all those years ago). It is based on the visit of HMS Magpie in 1955 with Archbishop Clayton on board. So there were lots of pictures of my father, and occasional ones even of us children. Best of all it was in colour and so showed off the island as I remember it. All in all a lovely evening.
Lars and Trina were married in England in part to enable them to be allocated a caravan to live in rather than less than satisfactory single accommodation. Most of the costs were paid for them in England too. They were married in the same church and on the same day as another island couple, food was provided and privileges accorded them because they were celebrities at that time.
We talked about the previous priests on the island, one of them an unutterable drunk, and of having to warn another of the dangers of ordering drinks because folk are so lavish in pouring the stuff. Light beer is without doubt the safest drink. Most of the priests that have served the Island seem to be looked back on with pleasure. An interesting little sliver of information, apparently no one married on the island has ever been divorced.
God As Servant?
Meditation 11 of 52
There is no real story of the Last Supper in the Gospel of John as found in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. There is no passing of the bread or passing of the cup. Instead we come upon the story of Jesus on his knees washing the Apostles’ feet (John 13:1-20). This is really quite amazing, and even more amazing that this foot washing was never made into a Sacrament! It is much more explicit and clear in the Scriptures than many other actions we made into Sacraments. In fact, Jesus even appears to mandate it (13:14-15)!
Perhaps John realized that seventy years after the Synoptic Gospels had been read, he wanted to give a theology of the Eucharist that revealed the meaning behind the breaking of the bread. He made it into an active ritual of servanthood and solidarity, instead of the priest-centered cult that it has largely become.
Peter symbolizes all of us as he protests, “You will never wash my feet!” (John 13:8). But Jesus answers, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” That is strong! Many of us find it hard to receive undeserved love from another. For some reason it is very humiliating to the ego. We want to think we have earned any love that we get by our worthiness or attractiveness. So Jesus has to insist on being the servant lover. Thank God Peter surrenders, but it probably takes him the rest of his life to understand what had happened.
Adapted from “Radical Grace:
Daily Meditations” (Richard Rohr)
HOLY WEEK
AND EASTER SERVICES
Monday and Tuesday 25&26March
8am & 7pm - Eucharists
Wednesday 27 March
10am & 7.00pm - Eucharists
Maundy Thursday 28 March
7.00pm Washing of Feet, Altar Stripping
and Watch of the Passion
Good Friday 29 March
9.30am The Liturgy of the Day & Veneration St Augustine’s.
8.45 & 10.45 Devotional Service,
Dookie & Katandra.
10.00am Devotional Service Murchison, followed by the Ecumenical Walk.
Holy Saturday 30 March
7.00pm Easter Vigil - New Fire, Easter Candle, Renewal of Baptism vows and first Easter Eucharist.
Easter Day 31 March
8.30am & 10.30am Eucharist at St Augustine’s
8.45am & 10.45am at Dookie and Katandra
9.00am & 11.00am at Murchison & Rushworth
FROM THE REGISTERS
Birthdays:
Bev Condon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 March
Andrea Fisher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 March
Rita Seymour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 March
Margaret Morton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 March
Anniversary:
Ted & Joan Kitto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 March
THANK YOU
Many thanks to the City Council for the fine palms and also to our palm cross makers and decorators of the church. Lovely.
ON WATCHING AND WASHING
From the lovely service starting at 7.00pm on Thursday night through to the Good Friday service at 9.30 in the morning a “Watch” is kept in the flower bedecked Lady Chapel, a time of reflection with our Lord as if we are with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. There is a list for the names of those who would like to be part of that Watch in the narthex. Please fill it up, especially in the small hours of the morning! There is also a list for those prepared to risk having their feet symbolically washed at the Maundy Thursday service.... a great privilege I might say! We need twelve names.
ALTAR OF REPOSE FLOWERS
By 10.00am on Maundy Thursday we need flowers for the Altar of Repose please. Red is the preferred colour, with some small white ones too. Short stems don’t matter!!
EASTER FLOWERS
Flowers, preferably white or yellow, though others too are welcome, are needed to decorate the church for Easter. Please bring them by 10.00am on Easter Eve.
CHRISM MASS
26 April Tuesday 11.00am
At 11.00am in the Cathedral on Tuesday there takes place the annual Chrism Mass where the oils for the whole diocese are blessed and the clergy remake their priestly vows. This is a service for all, not just the clergy, so come along if you can.
SERVERS’ PRACTICE
26 April Tuesday 4.00pm
There will be a hopefully short Servers’ Practice for those involved in Holy Week Services on Tuesday at 4.00pm.
MURCHISON 5 SUNDAY LUNCH
7 April Sunday after 10.30 service
Come and join the combined congregations of Murchison and Rushworth for lunch at the home of Don & Norma Leslie after the 10.30 am service at Murchison or come down from Shepparton directly. For catering purposes please book a place via the office 58 212 091 & for more details or to arrange lifts. Treat yourselves to a superb home cooked Sunday feast and great company for only $20 per head.
LAY SILENT RETREAT
19-21 April Feathertop Chalet Harrietville
‘The Still Point of the Turning World: Walking the Labyrinth & Centring Prayer’
The 2013 Diocesan Lay Retreat is to be led by Helen Malcolm and Rob Whalley. For more information please call 57 213 484. The cost is $200, but partial “scholarships” are available from the Diocese.
A FAREWELL MEAL
An “Elegiac Banquet”
10 May Friday 6.00pm Church Hall
A Farewell to the Neaums will be held on the date above. There will be a dinner and drinks, a speech or two and if anyone would like to put on an act of any sort for us, make an offer to John Griffin or via the office. There is sure to be a rueful verse from the Rector.
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Hilary & Alan Akers, Joyce Auldrige, Liam Bognar, Joyce Cavill, Win Fehring, Chris Furze, Frank Harder, Victoria Heenan, Bruce Hodgson & family, Katherine Holt, Edwyn Johnson, Dos King, Bob & June McKellar, Colin McKenzie, Elsie Lieschke, Paul Liversedge, Helen McDonald, Anita Saville, Lynda Saville, Dawn & Kent Scott, Sandra Simonis, Suzanne Singh, Nicole Sleeth, Patricia Sparkes, Shirley Venimils, Peter, Marion, Cheryl, Joy, Simon, Barry, Jenny, Tom, David, Jon & Justin.
,
Rest in Peace:
Anniversaries: Jean Varvaressos, William Northey, Vera Conroy (24 Mar), Ronald Chambers, Lillian Simson, Herbert Moller (25 Mar), Carl Classen, Donald Oliver, Horace Smith, William Hall, Harry Godwell, Margaret Graham, Leslie Stone (26 Mar), Isabel Shepherd (buried this day), Helen Grundy, Francis Bush (27 Mar), Ann Tacey, Albert White, David Glenn (29 Mar), Denise Thorn, Hugh Oakes (priest), Peter Boumbis (30 Mar).
Duties for Palm Sunday 24 March
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Gyles, Jeanette Smith
Intercessor 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Heenan
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Griffin, Soibhan, Beth
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Horder, Bev Condon
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev & Max Ralph
Welcomer 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dulcie Ackland, Cecily McDonnell
Welcome Tbl 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dorothy
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Val Bambrook
Reader 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Pearson
Intercessor 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celebrant
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .James, Sarah, Veila
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda Prosser, Joe Fernandez
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Pleming, Irene Crawford
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Steen, volunteer
Welcome Tbl 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Pearson
Children’s Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diana Neaum
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .none
Monday Office 25 Mar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joyce Oxley, Bob Galt
Readers of the Passion Today - Palm Sunday
Narrator 8.30 Jeanette Smith 10.30 Christine Jones
Pilate 8.30 John Griffin 10.30 Peter Martin
Bystander 8.30 Victoria Heenan 10.30 Jenny Pleming
Peter etc. 8.30 Bev Condon 10.30
Duties for Maundy Thursday 7.00pm
Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MC Jenny, Cruc John Griffin, Soibhan, Michelle
Eucharistic Assistants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen, John Horder
Reader 1 (Exodus 12:1-14). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Liz Gyles
Reader 2 (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Griffin
Psalm 22 (During the altar stripping). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pat Gibson
Duties for Good Friday 9.30am
Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MC Carole Crucifer John Griffin, Beth, Michelle
Reader 1 (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Wellman
Reader 2 (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Griffin
Readers of the Passion Good Friday 9.30am
Narrator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heather Pearson
Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aaron Bhat
Servant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gwyn Cowland
Pilate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Griffin
Police/Soldiers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ryan Bhat
Duties for Easter Eve 7.00pm
Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cruc Jenny Soibhan,Michelle
Thurifer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carole
Euc Assistants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen, John Griffin
Old Testament Readings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Helen & Jeanette
The Epistle (Romans 6:3-11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan McCann
Duties for Easter Day
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Heenan, Heather Pearson
Intercessor 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Pearson
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Griffin, Beth, Soibhan
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Pearson, Barbara Schier
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Batey, Joe Pearson
Welcomer 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beryl Goodfellow, Shirley Dean
Welcome Tbl 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy Cook
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gwyn Cowland
Reader 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Martin
Intercessor 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeny Pleming
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenny, Olivia, Oscar
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Fernandez
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Pleming, Beryl Black
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kylie Milsom, Irene Crawford
Welcome Tbl 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Pearson
Children’s Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Suzanne Lear
Mowing 6 April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Merve Cowland, Beryl Bonfitto
Monday Office 1 April. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .holiday
READINGS EASTER DAY 31 March
Acts1034 & 37-43, Easter Anthems, 1 Corinthians1519-26,
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday 24 March Palm Sunday
2.00pm Sudanese Church Service
5.30pm Evening Prayer- Lady Chapel
6.30pm Mt Major Ecumenical Service
Monday 25 March Monday in Holy Week
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
7.00pm Eucharist
Tuesday 26 March Tuesday in Holy Week
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.00am Play Group
11.00am Chrism Mass-Wangarata cathedral
4.00pm Server’s Practice
5.00pm Evening Prayer
7.00pm Eucharist
Wednesday 27 March Wednesday in Holy Week
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer
7.00pm Eucharist
9-11pm Jacobite Service
Thursday 28 March Maunday Thursday
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.15am Grutzner
11.00am Ave Maria
11.00am Harmony
Hospital
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
7.00pm Maundy Thursday Rites
Friday 29 March Good Friday
9.30am Liturgy of the day
8.45am Devotions -St Luke’s Dookie
10.00am Devotions - Murchison & Ecumenical Walk
10.45am Devotions -St Mary’s Katandra
Saturday 30 March Holy Saturday
7.00pm New Fire and Easter Ceremonies
10-12 pm Jacobite Service
Sunday 31 March Easter Sunday
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine’
10.30am Eucharist & Children’s Church St Augustine’s
9.00am Eucharist - St Paul’s Rushworth
11.00am Eucharist - Christ Church Murchison
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke’s Dookie
10.30am Eucharist - Christ Church - Katandra
4.00pm Jacobite Service