Don Dowling's Blog

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.