Don's Blog

Hi All,

Christmas Eve/Day is nearly upon us! I have been very conscious of the build up of energy and excitement for this day and must admit, some of it I look forward to.

Last Friday night, 16^th December, I played with the Balga Salvation Army Community Band outside Wesley. Noticeable this year was the number of people who stayed to hear and occasionally sing carols with us. We all agreed there were more people wanting to listen than in previous years. A sign of the times maybe?

On Monday representatives from the City of Perth, Youth Affairs Council of WA, Anglicare (Step1) and myself met with Robyn McSweeny, the Minister for Child Protection and Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests, and Youth. Our group put the case for a continuing conversation regarding the young people who gather near our church. Step1 (Anglicare) have been assisting them a great deal, but their service is without funding from March 2012 and this will leave a huge gap. We are particularly concerned because the young people do not seem to be accessing some of the other services provided by organisations who could help them. The Minister listened carefully and we have agreed to meet again, so I am hoping for some positive outcomes.

This morning I joined the West Perth Rotarians, two of whom attend Wesley Congregation. I was their ‘guest speaker’ for their Christmas Breakfast and they asked me to offer something along the Christmas theme. It was a very enjoyable way to start the day and it was good to connect with a group who do so much valuable work in our community, especially as at the moment they are working hard to eradicate Polio from our world.

This week has seen the final preparation for worship for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and my hope is that you will be able to make one or the other. Joining us again this year is the Brass Quintet, who along with the choir, lift our spirits so that we gain a joyful sense of this season.

After our Sunday Service last week a number of people asked me for a copy of the poem I wrote and read as part of my reflection.

Here it is:

“Who would God choose?”

Who would God choose to reveal that love divine?

In ancient days he chose a shameful girl,

With dubious morals

disconnected from respectable folk.

Her virginity, compromised before her time,

Sniggering tut, tut’s uttered behind closed neighbors doors,

It the parent fault… we hear.

Who would God choose, to disclose the abundance of grace and love

to my world of iPhone, iPad, Facebook and twitter?

Would God choose those who saunter past my office window?

…the least of these.

The homeless, scavenging in rubbish bins for scraps of thrown away food.

The mentally ill, emitting words that make no sense

Lost in their world of paranoia and neglect

Trudging the circuit of the city, their only journey.

Would God choose the struggling family,

on their way to who knows where.

Mum pushing pram, with toddlers clinging close

Dishevelled, unkempt, no money to look composed.

Would I see God in the faces of the indigenous?

Sometimes drunk, at war with invisible enemies

Police on hand to whisk away in padded wagons.

Would I see God in the young of Central Park?

So close to church yet so far away,

No home, no family, no job, no prospects

Shunned by office workers and security alike.

Would God choose an asylum seeker

Destitute, homeless too,

Striped of dignity by political forces, known and unknown.

Does God choose “the least of these”,

to display the enormity of love and grace?

In ancient days God chose Mary.

Mary, the voice of those enclosed in worlds of pain and cruelty

With humility and willingness combined

She gave birth to love divine.

Who does God choose to share that love today

Who will become the voice of those whose need is great.

To give birth again to love divine.

When humility and willingness combine

It could be me!

Just a reminder that Rev Geoff Blyth has agreed to take the service on the 1^st January and Rev Lee Edwards the service on the 8^th January. We will be hiding away at our house at Dunsborough for some of the time and trying to catch up with our 16 grandchildren.

Have a great time as you prepare for Christmas and I look forward to seeing some of you over the next few days.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Saturday 24^th Christmas Eve

11.00pm A service to prepare the cradle and light the candles.

Sunday 25^th December – Christmas Day Worship

10.00am.– Reflecting on ‘the gift’

Sunday 1^st January – New Year Day Worship

10.00am.– Preacher: Revd Geoff Blyth

Sunday 8^th January – Sunday Worship

10.00am.– Preacher: Revd Lee Edwards

Don's Blog

Hi All,

I know I probably wont get a lot of sympathy, but this week has been one of the busiest for quite a while.

Monday was our first new UCIC Church Council meeting. Tuesday I had many appointments and meetings. Wednesday, two appointments in the morning before going to Serpentine Dam Café for lunch with the City Seniors group. Thursday we held the Volunteers morning Tea. In amongst this I have prepared four services, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. I have had 3 wedding interviews and 2 wedding rehearsals. Throw in answering many emails, a couple of counselling sessions and all in all it was a busy week. But I love it.

On Monday our first new Church Council meeting was held and it was great to meet new people and work through some of the things we are hoping to achieve. We will be sending out a form very soon for people to start thinking about the various committees on which they may wish to be involved. More about that over the next few weeks.

The Advent Artwork continues to go well. The story of refugees is now unfolding and I can only be amazed at the work and thoughts of the artist. We are of course receiving many favorable comments.

There was a real sadness this week amongst the young people who gather around the church and at Central Park. One of the group, a young man, committed suicide over the weekend. Step1 from Anglicare (The bus that parks outside Wesley) have been helping them as they grieve the loss of their friend. I have also offered help and we will remember them in our prayers this week.

Wednesday was a great day with a journey up to Serpentine Dam and a wonderful Christmas Roast dinner, including Pudding!! There were 21 of us gathering as the City Seniors Group. Thanks must go to Rev Lee Edwards and Jan Carrick who assisted on the day. It was great to move out of the city for a while and even better to have time to share conversation on the way, during and on the return journey.

The Volunteers “Thank You” morning tea was a great event. We have so many volunteers working for us and they are part of the 6.4 million Australians who do volunteer work each year. As Donna Keher, Chief of the United Nations Volunteers Partnerships and Communications Division told a National Conference on Volunteering, “Volunteerism is a renewable global resource that plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future for the world. Volunteerism is not just a contributor to gross domestic product, but to social wellbeing. The musical entertainment was also a huge success. Many shared their thanks for the enjoyment they had.

So thanks again to all those who offer time, skills and experience to us. You contribute to our well-being.

Will I get an easier week next week?…… I don’t think so. It’s Christmas and its madness, but then again that first Christmas must have been just as chaotic. Can you imagine shepherds, angels, Joseph, Mary, innkeepers, animals of all description and then you throw in the wise men. But the beauty of it all was that in the midst of the chaos, came Emanuel, God with us, and that’s what I sense even now.

Have a great time as you prepare for Christmas.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 11^th December – 2^nd Sunday of Advent

8.30am Discussion Group

10.00am. Worship