Don Dowling's Blog

Don's Blog 1^st December 2011

Hi All,

On Monday the staff celebrated together at the ‘C’ Restaurant, which as some of you may know was formally the Highlite restaurant. It is a revolving restaurant and over lunchtime you enjoy full 360 degree views of Perth. It was very relaxing and great to spend a couple of hours away from the business of preparing for our Christmas Services.

On Tuesday, I met with about 70 Tranby College, year 9 students. They came into the city to buy presents for those in need. So after spending some time with them and showing them the video clip about UnitingCare West they ventured out to buy presents. When they came back we had a little ritual where they placed the gifts on the Communion Table and imagined the person receiving the gift. It was a very special moment and wonderful to share the gift of giving with younger people. They and I went away very happy that day.

On Tuesday afternoon the Advent Artwork was installed. It takes the form of an Advent Calendar, with one box opened each day from now until Christmas. I think it is stunning, but you really have to get up close to receive the full effect of the drawings in the boxes. I opened the first box today and went, ‘Wow, Amazing’. As I shared with you last week the theme is the, ‘Birth of Tolerance for Refugees”. Very relevant for us at the moment. I hope to have a picture on our Website. You can go to http://www.perthunitingchurch.com.au/viewStory/Wesley and have a look.

I am still looking for volunteers to sit outside Wesley during the next 25 days. If you could spare a few hours and are willing to go on a roster, could you let Judy Muskett know. She can be contacted on 6103 4222 or email: judym@ucic.org.au.

On Wednesday, Chris Crause and I met with Rev Graeme Napier, the Precentor from St George’s Cathedral. They are planning a ‘Robbie Burns’ night on the 22^nd of January 2012. After a special evensong at 5pm they will, led by a piper, walk down the Hay street Mall and gather at the UCIC hall for a Robbie Burns dinner. I am told it is a night where a great deal of Haggis is consumed. If you are interested we, along with St George’s, will be selling tickets and I am told there will be limited places!

Today, I go and celebrate an early Christmas lunch with some of the former members of the Subiaco Uniting Church, who have been meeting every Thursday since 2000. It began as an exercise in looking at how to operate a café and then developed into a weekly fellowship where members would catch beyond the Sunday service. As you can see I love the tradition.

Regarding our congregational meeting last week, it is with a good sense of joy that we announce that all nominated were elected and we will begin our first Church Council meeting next Monday night. As well as Christine Nicholas, Alison McCubbin will join us.

Well, I’m off to a meeting with Step 1, (the Anglicare Bus people that park outside our church) our Leasing agent and us from UCIC, to talk about the young people who occasionally cause little disturbances around our church. I invite you to remember them, and us, in your prayers.

I hope to catch up with you at our Second Sunday of Advent service.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 4^th December – 2^nd Sunday of Advent

8.30am Discussion Group

10.00am. Worship Communion – reflecting on ‘Peace’.