Don Dowling's Blog

Don's Blog

Hi all.

Kay and I took the plunge and decided to walk down to the Swan river foreshore on Australia day and watch the sky show.

It was a pleasant evening and as we walked, we found ourselves mingling with a number of people, couples, families, friends who were headed in the same direction. On the way we passed many parties, Australian flags to be seen everywhere, generally a happy atmosphere. We briefly ‘talked’ with an Aboriginal family whose children were excited about seeing the fireworks.

When we finally found a spot, we sat down and with half an hour to wait looked around us. Next to us, a young couple, with their friends close by, ‘snogging’ like there was no tomorrow. In front of us, a large Indian or Sri Lankan family, waving flags, taking photos and generally enjoying the atmosphere. On the other side of us, a group, who seemed to me, to come from Southern American, also taking photo, texting friends and getting ready for the show. Behind us, a very Australian looking couple, quietly waiting.

At precisely 8.00pm the fireworks started and for the next half an hour 1.5 million dollars was blown into the sky. Mind you, it looked spectacular and I enjoyed the creativity of the pyrotechnics and the accompanying music.

On the way back home we, with thousands of others, walked on the road up Barrack street. At one stage, we looked back down the street and saw thousands streaming behind us, they too all heading for home.

On reflection, I was glad to there. Not because of the fireworks, mainly because I felt an incredible closeness to the hotch-potch-ness of this country that we call Australia. So many people, from so many cultures, with so many backgrounds and so many stories. On this night, many of us were together, to enjoy, to celebrate and to see each other. Hopefully others saw me and recognised where I came from and like me felt a oneness with humanity. And some of us give thanks to God for this oneness. I hope you do too.

A reminder for some that the 8.30 service is still happening. A small group gathers, we get a ‘good’ coffee from across the road and then sit together for 45 mins and talk about the Gospel reading for the day. It's really a ‘chat with the minister' or could be seen as 'minister's corner'. It a great time for me, not only because I get a coffee to get me going but we get to think more about the reading and discuss it’s impact on us. Please feel free to join us.

Mary Jo Meadow will be joining u for worship on Sunday 31^st January. Her theme that day will be “Why Meditate?”She has a great deal of wisdom and is worth a listen.

Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition.

As I know this will be upon me before I can blink an eye, can I invite those who may be interested to be volunteers during this time to let me know? There are generally two types of volunteers for this event.

Firstly, those who can just be there to keep a watchful eye on the artwork and the people who will wander through it. They will open and close the building and generally keep a count on how many people come through the doors.

Secondly, those who would like to be tour guides, that is those who are willing to take people around the exhibition and be involved in conversations that arise from that experience.

As before we will be open from 9am till 5pm from Saturday 27th March through to Monday 5th April. Please let me know via admin@ucic.org.au if you would like to be involved and in which capacity.

Thanks for reading.

Don