Don's Blog

 

 

Last week Kay and I spent a few days in Melbourne. One of the exciting parts of our visit was to the Art Gallery to see a Salvador Dali exhibition. In listening to his story I discovered that prior to his birth his older brother had died and his parents told him, as soon as he was able to hear, that he was a reincarnation of his brother and they even gave him same name - Salvador. As I looked at the surrealism of his paintings and heard some more of the story of his life I couldn’t help wondering whether that single event had a great effect on his sense of self.

Towards the latter part of his life he reconnected with the Church and this painting, “Christ in perspective”, is one from that period. “Christ in Perspective’ was also painted after just after the death of his father and I also cannot help wondering if the impact of his father’s death influenced his understanding of Christ on the cross. This painting is simple in its presentation, unlike most of his other paintings and as I stood in front of it I had a sense that he was able through his religious art to gain some sense of self. It seems as though he’d rediscovered himself as a person of faith rather than a person tied to another identity.

 

Seeing this painting was a highlight for me as it not only helped me understand the faith journey of Salvador Dali but it also reminded me that as Christians our sense of self is tied very closely to the sense of who Jesus is for us. From time to time I feel a great sense of liberation because my sense of self is not lost in the identity of others but connected to the one who constantly offers us life.

 

Sunday 26^th July.

 

Thanks to Rev Lee Edwards for being the preacher last week. Lee received lots of good feedback and it was good to hear that the theme of our banners, “I Am – We Are” is being proclaimed.

 

Thanks for reading.

Don

 

Future Events at Wesley – see below for more details regarding some of these events.

 

Sunday 2^nd August – Holy Communion Our preacher is Toby Keva, theological student.

 

Sunday 9^th August – 10.00am A Celebration in 3 parts

          Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life”.

         With Rev Bev Fabb and Rev Don Dowling.

 

Sunday 9th August 2009 6.30pm Induction of Rev. Viv Larkin

 

Sunday 9th August 2009 - “The Circle for Dangerous Thinking”

 

Friday 9th to 11th October 2009  Visit of Rev. Professor Emeritus Robert Gribben.

 

11th October 2009 Not confirmed. Visit of John Bell - Iona worship leader,

 

22nd to 31st January 2010.  Visit of Professor Emeritus Mary-Jo Meadow

 

DETAILS:

 

Sunday 9^th August 2009 6.30pm

Induction of Rev. Viv Larkin to the placement of Associate General Secretary, Pastoral. The Indonesian and Tongan Choirs will be participating.

 

Sunday 9^th August - “The Circle for Dangerous Thinking”

This is a brand new ministry that will start on Sunday 9^th August 2009

On 5th July we want to met in the UCIC Centre and explored what form this new ministry might take. We invited those who might be interested to join us for coffee and dream about the possibilities! We're thinking of a discussion group, meeting over lunch, on the second Sunday of every month, to discuss provocative and challenging publications, films and art! Chris and Irne du Plessis have agreed to help coordinate this group. Please send us an email at the UCIC to let us know if you're interested admin@ucic.org.au

It will be open minded!

The idea will be to create a list of books (and the occasional video) that we all agree to read beforehand and to then discuss.

A few rules will apply: 

1. Be open minded. Do not come if you're worried about being challenged and even a bit rattled from time to time. 

2. Only come when you're interested and wanting to contribute. Please do not come out of loyalty. Skip coming in months that don't interest you.

3. Come prepared. Please do not come if you haven't read the book/done the homework. 

4. Be open to others. We don't judge others and don't want to convert others to think as

we each do.

We hope to be of service to the wider church!

Books and dates for our meetings

9th August. Discuss our first book. A suggestion is to have a book that isn't too "heavy" so we can find our feet and evaluate what we're trying to achieve. 
13th September. 
11th October.  

If you are interested could you contact Don at dond@ucic.org.au.

 

9^th to 11^th October 2009

The visit of Rev. Professor Emeritus Robert Gribben.

 

In a series of meetings Dr. Gribben will be helping us re-think the worship space at Wesley. Ever since the ‘Stations of the Cross’ art exhibition people have been asking about whether we need the pews or not. Dr. Gribben is an experienced leader who was formally Professor of Worship and Mission, Unting Church Theological College, Melbourne, Victoria.

Amoung many books and Articles he has written a book called, “Living Stones” Theological Guidelines for Uniting Church Worship Buildings”

 

Sunday 11^th October 2009

Not confirmed but possible. John Bell, the renowned Iona worship leader, We are waiting to hear more from the WA organizers of the Visit to Perth of Rev John Bell. Many would be familiar with his music and song from the Iona community.

 

Friday 22^nd to 31^st January 2010.  Visit of Professor Emeritus Mary-Jo Meadow

 

Mary Jo Meadow has been a meditator for over 50 years. She is a skilled presenter and has taught meditation in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. She is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Religious Studies from Minnesota State University. She has written serveral books on Christian Meditation. She will present a number of public talks and conduct a retreat session. More information regarding Mary-Jo Meadow’s visit will be given soon.

 

 

 

Don's Blog

 

Music in the Streets,

 

Last week music students from Immanuel College (A college of the Lutheran Church in Adelaide, South Australia) came to Perth and as part of their tour performed outside Wesley Church. Their music was truly inspirational.

 

Firstly, because it entertained passers by and gave some profile to Wesley Church,

Secondly, because we raised some money for Tranby House,

Thirdly, because a group of seniors stopped to listen and then began to dance,

Fourthly because a group of young people stopped to listen and later talked with myself and the staff and students and were inspired to go back to their school and encourage their students to take up music.

Fifthly, because an employee of Rio Tinto….well see the comment he wrote…

I have just come back from lunch and happened to pass by the

Wesley church on the corner of hay and William. I was fortunate enough to see the school band from Immanuel College in South Australia performing On the steps of the church. To sum it up in 1 word.               AWESOME.

I enjoy the various buskers that perform around our fine city, but this was a cut above the rest ! It brought the church and the city around it to life, dare I say it (smacks of Sister Act ?) It is an idea that should be further explored, who ever is behind it should be congratulated as it was well received by a very large crowd of all denominations and ages. John Rault, Rio Tinto Expansion Projects

 

When I think about Mission, this is one aspect of it.

 

Mission is being a blessing to the people around you. By having this activity outside our church, we were a blessing to quite a few people. The 'seniors' who loved the music and began to dance, the 'students' who are going back to their school to inspire others, the 'homeless' who will benefit from the money raised, and to the many passers by whose normal day may have been brightened by the presence of a group of dedicated musicians outside our church.

 

When I think about Mission I also think of us using our gifts and skills to be a blessing to others around us. The question is, "How might we use our God given skills and gifts to be a blessing to others". I would be interested in your response.

 

Sunday 12th July.

 

I loved the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Uniting Church Homes we held last Sunday. There were so many positive aspects.

I loved the liturgy - the way we were able to think about Welcome, Respect, Compassion and Hope.

I loved the way everything from the stories to the music and hymns through to the prayers all dovetailed in to help us celebrate and worship.

I loved working with my colleagues and with UCH people who carry out a significant work of the Uniting Church in WA.

Here too is mission for they demonstrate the blessings they offer in the wonderful work they do.

 

I hope you loved it too.

 

Next week's blog:

 

Just to let you know that next week I may not be able to post my blog as usual This week, Kay is in Sydney for the Assembly of the Uniting Church. Go to http://assembly.uca.org.au/ to see what they are up to. After the Assembly I am meeting Kay in Melbourne to have a few days break. Yes it will be that busy that she will need a break and I am going to help her do that.

Life is hard for me isn't it!!

 

Thanks for reading.

Don