Don's Blog Thursday 21^st July 2011

Hi all

Cough, cough, cough. Along with many others I have been suffering a little this week with a cold and cough and so have not been as productive as I would have wished, but nevertheless we have been soldiering on!!

Some have been asking about the scaffolding in the gallery and wondering what is being done and how long it will be there. In answer to these questions I can tell you that it is a temporary arrangement to repair some of the walls and beams. The work should be completed and the scaffolding taken down by the 5th August. I think some of our brides will be pleased!!

As I mentioned last week a number of people have expressed an interest in becoming members at Wesley. By Sunday I will have met all of them, and we have now set aside a time in the 10.00am service on the 21^st August to receive 7 people into membership at Wesley. That will also be the day of our Gathering of the Congregation. See below for more details.

Regarding our Flower Festival, Margaret now tells me we’re up to 71 trays which means it would be good to have that many volunteers to help put the flowers in the trays on Wednesday 28^th September. On Monday I receive the publicity for this event and invitations will be going out to businesses, schools and community groups. Pray that I may have some success in encouraging people and groups to be involved.

By now invitations are circulating inviting you to our “Gathering of the Congregation, to be held on Sunday 21^st of August at 12 noon in the UCIC Hall on the first floor at 97 William St Perth. It will be a, ‘Bring and Share’ lunch and if you would like to come you can RSVP to Judy Muskett either by phoning 6103 4222 or emailing, judym@ucic.org.au or by popping into the UCIC office. If you are reading this please accept this as an invitation to join us, as we want to take the opportunity to welcome our new members and catch up with each other beyond our Sunday morning worship.

An interesting quote I read this week. ‘It is becoming clear that many of the people for whom Christ has died are unlikely to be drawn to our existing churches however spiritually alive, hospitable

and attractive they are.’ Bishop Graham Cray

I look forward to catching up with you on Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister, Don

Sunday 31st July 2011

8.30am Discussion Group.

10.00am Morning Worship – A Reflection on Matthew 14: 13 – 21 The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

Sunday 21^st August 2011. A Gathering of the Congregation.

The Wesley Flower Festival will take place from Thursday 29^th of September to Sunday 2^nd October. If you would like to assist with this venture please see Marg Murdoch. Email: mmurdoch49@hotmail.com. Phone: 9349 3354 Mobile: 0418 940 252

Rev Lee Edwards: Email: leerev@optusnet.com.au: Phone

Don's Blog

Hi all

On Tuesday, Kay and I attended the funeral for the Rev Jock Drysdale. It was one of those funerals that could only be described as inspiration. As we listened to the many stories of how Jock influenced the lives of so many people, his family, young people, families and students of Wesley College, congregations, and many, many more, it became evident that he truly followed the way of Jesus in his ministry. So many stories illustrated his deep faith, which transformed those with whom he came in contact. The story that I remember, was illustrated by a picture of Jock and Mother Teresa on the Photo board at the front of the church. Jock decided to take a group of students from Wesley College on a two-week trip to India. After playing sport in the first week, he then arranged for them to spend the second week working with Mother Theresa in the slums of Calcutta. I heard about this trip when I became the Chaplain at Wesley College and in conversation with one of the students, who went with Jock, he told me it was a life changing experience. That student has gone to work in the life of the church.

As many of you know Jock was involved at Wesley Church, particularly through his work at the Charles Street Youth Centre in North Perth and there are many stories of his work in this area. Mention was made of Jocks suffering from Alzhimers, however he was still able to achieve wonderful things. Reference was made to the creation of the Numero card game which not only helped people understand maths, but the proceeds have helped and will continue to help the Alzheimer’s Association. There was of course the recollection of many amusing incidents as Jock was a fun-loving Minister always wanting the best for people. His family and friends remembered that he always quoted John Wesley saying, the best is yet to come. Jock’s funeral was a great celebration of his life and witness and it could be truly said of him, Well done thou good and faithful servant”. We here at Wesley Church, Perth thank God for his lifelong ministry and will remember the family, especially his wife Joan, and all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as they will miss him a great deal.

Children@Wesley continues to be a great place for the children of our congregation to enjoy their own special worship. Mal Mohan is assisting us create this atmosphere as the children learn more about the Christian faith. I am hopeful that we will see more of the children in our worship and look forward to seeing some of the things they create.

Can I emphasise again the work of “Open Doors”, or Friends of Wesley as it is also known. We need more volunteers. At the moment we have a great group of faithful people who come every week and are quiet witnesses, but we need more. Reg Lincoln our coordinator would love to hear from you if you were interested or need more information. The time spent can be from a couple of hours through to 4 hours, depending on your availability. If you need contact details, either see me or contact my PA Judy Muskett on 6103 4222 or judym@ucic.org.au.

Dave Male, our visiting Anglican Priest from the UK is still proving to have an influence. In particular I came across one of the quotes he shared with those who attended his conference last week. It comes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, “We should give up the foolish task of trying to be saints and get on with the more important task of being human.”

I like it!!

I look forward to catching up with you on Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister, Don

Sunday 10^th July 2011

8.30am Discussion Group.

10.00am Morning Worship – A Reflection on “Listen! A sower went out to sow” I will also be conducting an Interview with Alpheus Meage who comes from West Papua.

The Wesley Flower Festival will take place from Thursday 29^th of September to Sunday 2^nd October. If you would like to assist with this venture please see Marg Murdoch.