Don Dowling's Blog

Don's Blog

Hi all.

It was great to hear Denise Zan, my former PA, speak briefly at our Sunday morning worship last week. I particularly heard her say that working for Wesley and UCIC was not just a job but calling. It was wonderful to share with her family and to thank her for all the things she has done for us over the last 10 years.

On Monday morning, the staff at UCIC, and people from Ross Memorial and St Andrews, celebrated Gail Christie’s 20 years of work with the Uniting Churches in the city. Gail initially began work with Ross Memorial and St Andrews congregations and then became part of the staff at UCIC. Most of her work centres on preparing and organising our Weddings and Baptisms. In this work, Gail plays a vital part in our ministry to people who don’t normally have contact with the church. In her speech, Gail said she worked with at least six Ministers and had come to know a myriad of people particularly through Ross Memorial and St Andrews. One memory Gail had was of a morning tea not being held after church because she had forgotten to put it in the announcements. She realised she had significant power!!

Our prayers and thoughts continue to be with Lynda Reavell (Finance and Admin Manager) who is caring for her husband Andy, at home recuperating from major heart surgery. Lynda is hoping to return to work sometime next week.

In the meantime the office is continuing to offer good service to all those who contact us.

My visit to some more artists this week proved to be very successful. On one visit I discovered that the artist had many years before spent some time praying in Wesley after the death of his father. So he was really chuffed to be able to present an artwork at Wesley. It was like he had come full circle. More about that story on Easter Sunday morning!

Another artist I visited, who has Station Number 5, ‘Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus’, talked quite deeply about how Simon was ‘compelled’ to take up Jesus’ cross and how sometimes we are compelled to confront the things that are hard for us.

This week Kay and I are having a weekend off and catching up on time together as both of us have been living rather hectic lives lately. I look forward to being back at worship on Sunday 3rd April.

I look forward to seeing you on in the near future.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister, Don

Sunday 27^th March 2011

8.30am Discussion Group

10.00 Worship – Preacher, Revd Lee Edwards.