Don's Blog

Hi All,

Summer Spirit was a great success this year. Approximately 130 people gathered at Floreat Uniting Church to hear a range of speakers sharing on the topic, “Engaging the Community”. I must admit to feeling a little smug as I listened to the stories. I felt we (Wesley) are a little ahead of the game when it comes to engaging our community, however, I am not complacent, as there are many more aspects of our work as the church in the city that need attention….. and you thought it was going to be easy……

Part of my role at Summer School was to film the speakers, which I enjoyed immensely, as you would realize. I am now in the process of editing the material so that others in the Synod can hear their words of wisdom. The Speakers were, the Rev Dr Vicky Balabanski, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Flinders University, South Australia, who led us in a series of Bible Studies. Dr. Steve Taylor, who is Director in Missiology at the Uniting College for Leadership and Theology, South Australia. Steve’s focus was on Mission Shaped Ministry, which assist congregations in their endeavors to create a ministry that has an outward looking focus. Also present was Judyth Roberts, the Children and Families Ministry Consultant for the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT. Judyth presented sessions called ‘Godly Play, a model for sharing stories and worship for children.

On the ‘Stations’ front, I visited another Artist, Tony Jones, who is presenting an artwork on Simon of Cyrene. Tony was one of the artists for Sculptures by the sea at Cottesloe. If you saw it last year you may remember his metal structure at the end of the Groin. Thankfully his sculpture for us is only going to be 1 metre high. However, what I saw was impressive.

The Invitation to the Opening, on Friday 30^th March at 6.00pm and our Press Statement is now going out, and if you would like to have a look you can go to; http://www.perthunitingchurch.com.au/viewStory/Wesley

A little enjoyable time this week was spent at one of my grandchildren’s school. They were reading the stories written by Mem Fox where she writes about families, so grandparents were invited to have afternoon tea. It was a wonderful occasion. We listened to the children sing some special songs and then share the sandwiches and painted biscuits they had prepared. It was a most refreshing time in the midst of ministry, and a reminder to me of the preciousness of families.

There was a disturbing incident with the young people last Sunday afternoon and one of them was seriously injured in a stabbing incident. It goes to show that violence is just on our doorstep. One of the meetings I attended this week was with a number of people representing the interests of working with young people in our city. Representatives came from Anglicare (Step 1), City of Perth, Mission Australia and UCIC. It was a positive meeting where we were able to work out a way forward in assisting the young people in need, who frequent the inner city area.

Craig and Leah, who we offered a Blessing to in our service last Sunday, were very appreciative of the congregations acknowledgment of them and they’re pending wedding. Tonight is the rehearsal and then the big day on Saturday. It will be an exciting time for them and they know that our prayers are with them.

Kay is in Melbourne and Sydney this week so I am batching, and I am ok, so please don’t deliver any casseroles to the front door. She is attending a leadership conference and is very excited about the presentations and has learnt so much in the brief time she has been there. However, it will be good to have her back at home.

Sunday promises to be special with the Baptism of one of the children of a member of the GKI Indonesian Uniting Church. There is a connection with Wesley and it is great that we can be with them. The father of the child being baptized is also going to offer us a song, and I am told he is a good singer.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 26^th February 2012

8.30am Discussion Group.

10.00am. Morning Worship – The first Sunday in Lent. The Celebration of Baptism of Russell Hutabarat, whose parents are members of GKI Indonesian Uniting Church, Mosman Park. Elders and members of this congregation will join us, and his father Parada will sing to us during the service

Sunday 4^th March 2012

10.00am Worship – Lent 2 Holy Communion

Don's Blog

Hi All,

As I write I am remembering this day 32 years ago when I was ordained as a Minister of the Uniting Church. It does seem like yesterday. Since that time I can honestly say that it has been an honour to offer ministry in the many and varied situations I found myself. That is not to say that at times I wanted to do other things and found being in ministry very hard however, however, as an overall reflection I can say I would not have wanted to be anywhere else. Most of the time I have felt that God has either placed before me challenges or has place me in situations where I needed to be. As I said in my ‘testimony’ a couple of weeks at Perth Prayer, “God never lets you go”. So say a prayer for me as I enter my 33^rd year of ministry.

This is a great segue into commenting on the celebration we had last Sunday with Revd Geoff Blyth as he celebrated his 50^th year of ministry. It was a wonderful occasion, with so many of his family, so many of his friends, including many clergy. Once again we received many, many positive comments on the service, the preaching and the wonderful connection Geoff has with the Wesley Congregation/community. Thanks Geoff and Esme for celebrating your special milestone with us.

This week I have met with more of our ‘Stations’ artists. Mikaela Castledine - Station No 7, Jesus falls the second time - presents a Paper Collage work which depicts a journey. She has created a road complete with power poles, looking like crosses beside the road. As you look closely you can see that one of the poles is red in colour and is starting to fall. It’s a simple but profound presentation as Mikaela uses images of power and journey to present an idea of Jesus falling under the weight of power. It is a ‘powerful’ work, which I am sure, will provoke many a conversation. This afternoon I am going to meet Bronwyn Constance (Station 12, Jesus Dies on the Cross). This particular station always evokes significant presentations, so I will be interested to see the work.

If you are interested in seeing Bob Booths work again, (remember he painted a work on Station 5 Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus last year) he is unveiling this Sunday a large-scale oil triptych titled Crucifixion, Deposition, and Resurrection of Christ. It will be installed at the North Transept Altar, St George’s Cathedral, for the duration of Lent. Following Evensong there will be drinks in the Cathedral, and Bob will speak about the triptych and engage in conversation about this work and the nature of religious art in general.

There was some good news on the young people outside our church front as I received an email from John Berger (Anglicare- Step 1) that said, “ We have just heard that we have been successful in gaining a grant from Attorney General’s Dept (Criminal Confiscation Fund) to continue our work targeting 15-25yo in the inner city for at least 12 months. So this was good to hear and they and us can continue to work with these young people at risk.

This weekend I am spending some time at Summer Spirit, our annual training time. During the weekend we will be listening to a number of people sharing comments about, “Engaging the Community”. A theme that is familiar and dear to my heart. It starts on Friday night with a dinner and Allanah MacTiernan, my new Mayor of the City of Vincent is speaking. Included in the weekend speakers is Steve Taylor, the Director in Missiology from Adelaide who is an incredibly creative person who I have heard share before and always find he has many practical ideas about engaging the community. I will let you know how it goes.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 19^th February 2012

8.30am Discussion Group.

10.00am. Morning Worship – The Transfiguration

Sunday 26^th February 2012

10.00am Worship – The Celebration of Baptism of Russell Hutabarat, whose parents are members of GKI Indonesian Uniting Church, Mosman Park. Elders and members of this congregation will join us, and his father Parada will sing to us during the service

Don's Blog

Hi All,

This Sunday will be a unique day for Revd Geoff Blyth as he is our guest preacher at Wesley. Whilst Geoff and Esme are regular members of the congregation, this Sunday is special, as he celebrates the 50^th Anniversary of the beginning of his ministry. Geoff and Esme’s family and friends will be joining us and there will be a small segment in the service where we will offer our congratulations. As I have been thinking about what could be said I know that any comments will only be a small reminder of the countless moments where Geoff has offered a wonderful and enriching ministry to many, many people here in WA. Included in his ministry is Geoff’s term as Moderator of the Synod of WA and being the Chair of various Councils and Boards. This gives an indication that not only did he offer ministry to congregations but served the wider church as well. On occasions like this we pause to remember, appreciate and give thanks to God for a wonderful ministry. ……. And it is not over yet!

I hope you are able to come and share with us as we celebrate.

Yesterday Edwin Hadfield and I met with staff from the University of WA, School of Music to select the Wesley Scholars who offer us such wonderful music in our services. There were nine applications and it was a little difficult to choose but in the end we were able to select 6. So we now have a vocalist, a guitarist (classical I am told), a violinist, two cellists and pianist, who can also play a saxophone. (I’m wondering if there is some jazz in here somewhere!!) So it promises to be a good year of music assisting us in worship again.

I am continuing my visits to artists today having met Amanda Shelsher, (Station 2 Jesus Carries His Cross) on Tuesday. Today I meet the famous Sally Morgan, of “My Place” fame who is presenting an artwork on Station 15 Jesus Rises from Death. (The Resurrection) I am also meeting with Christophe Canato, (Station 8 Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem). Yes I do have to say again that I am really enjoying these visits. In the course of a conversation with one of the artists they mentioned that as they were preparing their work the issue of our mortality came to the fore, and this was heightened by the fact that a friend was suffering the effects of cancer at the moment. It seems that for whatever reason this seem to happen every year. I am sure that this particular artwork will be very memorable.

KIDS@Wesley – Publicity is all around us at present for Valentine’s Day, and in the spirit of love Mal is looking to teaching the Kids two of Jesus’ greatest commandments on 12^th February.

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.

2. Love your neighbour as yourself.

These teaching will coincide with some very special craft.

A great time for grandparents to bring their grandchildren to Wesley.

Can I invite you to pray for the young people who continue to meet over the road and around our church? Up to now Anglicare, through their step one program, have been connecting with this group. Unfortunately, their funding has been stopped (normally received through the State Government) so they will cease this service at the end of February. Mission Australia, a non-denominational, faith based, organization has been granted funding but not to specifically work in this area. So it is of great concern that we have a significant group of, at risk young people, some of whom are homeless, right on our doorstep and nobody really tasked to meet their needs. I have been having meetings with Anglicare, UnitingCare West and Mission Australia, but nothing of any substance has eventuated as yet.

However, I am hopeful that we will find some solutions.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 12^th February 2012

8.30am Discussion Group.

10.00am. Morning Worship – Celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of Rev Geoff Blyth’s ordination.

Don's Blog
Hi All,

This week has been a little hard. I have had two funerals and the accompanying visits to the families to arrange them. On top of this Kay and I found out that one of her former Admin Assistants in Sydney had committed suicide and we were both devastated to hear about it. They say bad news comes in threes!!

It was great to celebrate and say farewell to Helen Chapman in church last week. She was very grateful that we were able to send her off in style as she has always considered Wesley her family. For those of you who weren’t able to be with us, Helen is going to Melbourne to be with her daughter and as she is in the last stages of cancer she will die there. In church we gave her the gift of a candle, acknowledge that she was going to die and that as she lit the candle she would know that we were with her in this journey. The Choir, of which Helen was a member, came in especially to sing and as they sang, ‘The lord bless you and keep you’ there was not a dry eye in the house. Thank you to Alison McCubbin, John Beaverstock, Christine Nicholas and the Elders who all played a special part in saying goodbye to Helen. Fiona, her daughter, who was present on Sunday, was immensely grateful for all the love, support and blessings that we gave her mother.

This week I have received many positive comments about the honesty of her farewell and I feel very proud to be part of a community that is able to deal with the hard parts of life. Helen has asked that after her death we hold a memorial service at Wesley.

In amongst our Sunday worship we did acknowledge and celebrate Chinese New Year and as a follow on Kay and I had a rather special diner at a Chinese Restaurant with Lily Tang and her carer group.

This morning I met two artists, firstly Judy Rogers: (Station 6 Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face) and then Amanda Shelsher: (Station 2 Jesus Carries His Cross). My first impression in both cases as we discussed their work; Wow!! Kay and I are escaping for a day to Dunsborough on Friday and on the way back we are meeting Laurie Posa: (Station 9 Jesus Falls the Third Time) who lives in Busselton. I am looking forward to this as he has already completed his work. This of course means that we are now well and truly gearing up for the Stations and I wonder if you might consider being a volunteer again. If you are interested please contact Judy Muskett, my PA on 6103 4222, or email; Judym@ucic.org.au.

Next week promises to be easier for me as Rev Geoff Blyth is conducting our Sunday worship as he celebrates the 50^th Anniversary of his Ordination. Geoff and Esme’s family and friends will join us and we hope to make this a memorable occasion. Well done Geoff on reaching this special milestone.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 12^th February. 10.00am.

Celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of Rev Geoff Blyth’s ordination.