Hi All,

This morning Jan Carrick and I attended the monthly Ministers’ breakfast.  It was a simple yet good occasion to catch up with those from other denominations who work in the city.  This morning’s breakfast was held at St George’s Cathedral and as they are renovating their hall we actually met in the church.  The meal was made even more special by the ambience of this wonderful building. At this meeting we acknowledged events happening in May where we are working together ecumenically.  The first is ‘Converge’ which begins on Wednesday 23^rd of May.  Converge will bring together people from many different denominations and will follow the style established at CHoGM last year.  This year we have added another dimension by inviting people to “Knit Bomb” the Church.  Blankets will be made cover the church, or at least go around the church and will be donated to Anglicare.  Inside the church will be groups conducting various styles of prayer from Taizé to Dancing Prayer.  The whole event will conclude with a special day, Africa Day, at St George’s Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday.  Once again it is hoped that people in the city will notice activities both in and outside the church.

Pentecost Sunday at Wesley will see a celebration of Crossroads.  As in previous years, Crossroaders will be taking part in the service and offering their talents, gifts and skills as we worship together.

I indicated last week that I spent some time preparing a video clip to be presented at Presbytery this weekend.  The video clip, “Make Ministry Happen”, encourages us to think about those we may see as being called to ordained or lay ministry.  If you would like to have a look at my completed vision you can go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf2mDtLFEZ4

With Anzac Day happening in the middle of the week this year it meant that I had a nice relaxing day yesterday, not only catching up family but also taking the opportunity to watch the Anzac march.  I also managed to watch the service conducted at Villiers Bretonneau.  Villiers Bretonneau holds a special place in Kay and my hearts as we have relatives acknowledged on the wall and buried in their graves there.  I do know that Anzac day is a special day for many members of the congregation as they acknowledge their connection with relatives who have been involved in the Defence Services.  From my point of view, it is good that we pause for a moment on this day and acknowledge the commitment of so many in order that our peace may be maintained.

Tomorrow Kay and I travel down to Bunbury for the weekend to begin the meetings of Presbytery.  It promises to be a very full weekend and on Sunday morning we will join congregations in the region to celebrate worship with them.  I am looking forward to ‘sitting in the pew’.  Presbytery is also an opportunity to catch up with many of my colleagues and share in their journey of ministry.  I know that you will be in the capable hands of the Rev Geoff Blyth.

I look forward to seeing you the following Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 29th April

8.30am Discussion Group in the Guild Room

10.00am Worship – The fourth Sunday of Easter.  Preacher Rev Geoff Blyth.

Sunday 6th May

8.30am Discussion Group in the Guild Room

10.00am Worship – The fifth Sunday of Easter. Holy Communion

Don's Blog 12^th April 2012

Hi All,

This week has been a much gentler a week. After preparing the service for Sunday I had some time for filming for the Synod as they prepare for their “Make Ministry Happen” day. So far I have interviewed two Ministers regarding their journey of ministry. Eventually a DVD will be made, asking the question, are there people within the congregation who may be experiencing a call to full-time ministry. It is a question I heard way back in 1972 and I am glad someone asked it, as it led to my journey into ministry. At another level, it is fascinating to be involved in the making of this video because I made the first one way back in 1982. I’m still doing it 30 years later!

Thank you for the many comments regarding the death of Michael Daly. It was comforting to know that many people were thinking of him and me. Unfortunately, because he has no next of kin, his remains and possessions (meager as they are) are it is now in the hands of the Mortuary and the Public Trustees. I have been told it may take up to 3 months before we are able to conduct a funeral. I feel incredibly sad about this, as I would like to afford him the dignity that many other people have at the time of their death. But this is the law.

On Monday Judy, my PA, and the Manager from Crystal Halliday, spent the afternoon cleaning up Michael’s room. In amongst his clothes and other bits and pieces we found some information that helped us understand a little bit more about who he was, where he lived and his previous family. However, his life mainly remains a mystery and we will probably never know what led him to come to Wesley and to be as reclusive as he was. When we finally know when his remains are to be released I will let you know about a funeral.

Last weekend Kay and I enjoyed a relaxing time down at our house at Dunsborough, and yes I did think of you gathering for the 10 o’clock worship service. John Barendrecht told me that he really enjoyed being with the congregation last Sunday.

One of the meetings I had during the week concerned placing a labyrinth in the church, which will happen on Wednesday 30th May. A labyrinth is a prayer-walk and if you would like to see a diagram of one you can look it up on the Internet. Go to; http://www.reep.org/resources/advent/2004/labyrinths_christian.php

The labyrinth we are placing in the church is 7.5 meters square and necessitates moving some of the pews to the side. We have decided to leave it in the church all day, Wednesday 30^th and Thursday 31^st May, returning the pews to the place ready for our Sunday worship. If you would like to experience it please make a point of coming to the church on those days. There will be someone in attendance who can help you, if needed.

Yesterday, I attended the monthly board meeting of Crossroads, which was held at the Warehouse Café, Shenton Park. I was asked to share some of the stories of the Café, which I was really happy to do. Crossroads has been granted a significant amount of money so that they can refurbish the café and in a couple of months it will be fully operational. It will be a wonderful to see the café connecting with the community again. Christine and Donald Nicolas have done a wonderful job in taking on the Warehouse Café as a Mission Project for the church and as I have already sent to them, I think they will be amazed at the opportunities that will come to them.

I look forward to catching up on Sunday or sooner.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 22^nd April

8.30am Discussion Group in the Guild Room

10.00am Worship – The Third Sunday of Easter. Reflecting on Luke’s witness to the resurrection.

Don's Blog

Hi All,

Today is one of those sad days of ministry. As I write I am sitting beside the bed of Michael Daly. Some may remember him as the elderly American gentleman who came to church with a walking stick. He didn’t say much, but somehow he saw us as family and Geoff Blyth, Jan Carrick and myself visited him.

Michel is Dying. He was living in an independent unit at our Uniting Church Homes, Chrystal Halliday in Karrinyup. I managed to find this unit for him when he had to move from a single men’s boarding house in Beaufort Street. Michael’s health gradually deteriorated and now he is in Charlie Gardiner Hospital and is slowly dying.

Michael is an intensely private person and we respected this. He has no family that we know of and I am his main contact person at the moment. It is for me one of the saddest times, because there is no family to cry for him or mourn his death. In the peaceful moments with him. I wrote a poem.

I am waiting now…

Waiting for Michael to die.

His old, tied body riddled with cancer.

A private person,

No family present,

No family he told me!

No family to cry at his death,

No family to mourn his loss.

I am waiting now…

Death is not far away

Eyes open and He knows I am here.

A man of faith,

A man so private,

I know very little,

I know he is dying.

I am waiting now…

Breath weaker,

Body beyond repair,

Death, the only release.

I am waiting now…

I will cry at his death,

We will cry at his death,

I will mourn his loss,

We will mourn his loss,

We will be his family.

I am waiting now…

Yesterday as I sat with him, realizing that he could no longer talk, I decided to download some hymns onto my iPhone and play them for him. After playing some of the old favourites like ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘What a friend and Blessed Assurance, he went peacefully to sleep for the night.

This morning as I sat with him again I played some more hymns. At one stage I had a very strong urge to play Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd”. About half way through the hymn Michael offered a last breath and died. It was for me an incredibly special moment, one I will never forget as it will remain a special memory of my ministry.

After offering a prayer with the nursing staff, they gently washed him and with the greatest of dignity, laid out his body. A very moving moment.

After the energy of the stations this is quite different and as I write I now I find myself very drained.

'The Stations' was of course a huge highlight. We had just under 2000 people see the exhibition and of course many great conversations. It is always a special time for us as we make quite a significant connection with a whole range of people, including those who walk by our church. As you can gather, the journey from life, to death, to life is an amazing one.

Last weekend was a mammoth occasion for me, starting with the Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service, through to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I loved the services we were able to offer and I am very grateful to John Beaverstock, the Wesley Choir and Josie Fountain for their contribution on Good Friday evening. That was a real highlight.

This Sunday I am taking a break and one of my friends John Barendrecht will be preaching at the Sunday service. We, John, myself and another Minister friend meet each Tuesday in a local café to talk through the readings and our approach to it for our Sunday Service. I am sure John will offer a thoughtful reflection.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 15^th April

10.00am Worship – The Second Sunday of Easter. Guest Preacher Rev John Barendrecht.

Don's Blog

Hi All,

Opening night of the stations was a wonderful occasion and a huge success. A rather large crowd gathered but very manageable. Thanks again to all those who helped. Doug’s words at the opening were inspiration and many people offered positive comments in response. It was so good to have all the artists present, as it was a special way to thank them individually and as a group. If you would like to see some photos of the event, my daughter Heather, working for the Synod that night, took many, and they can be found at: http://www.wa.uca.org.au/blog/stations-of-the-cross-opening-night-2/

Of course the week has been incredible with an average 100 people per day coming to see the exhibition. On occasions we have had up to 120 people per day. One of the inspirational aspects of the exhibition is looking at the comments book and here are just a few; “inspiring and provoking great thoughts”, “very impressive”, “I really enjoyed this exhibition, very moving”, “beautifully put together”, “amazing”, “a lovely basis for my Holy week reflection”.

They only negative comments came from a young man obviously suffering from a mental illness who took one look at me and said that I drank too much beer. Actually I haven’t had beer for many months! But his comments created one of the lighter moments at the exhibition.

Some have found the symbolism a little hard to understand but this was an opportunity to have a conversation, and that we have enjoyed.

The “Meet the Artist” session on Tuesday was from my point of view very successful. We had five artists participating and each took us to a different level of understanding their work, and their personal journey in the process. I was very grateful.

We have received great publicity which has lifted the profile of Wesley Church just a little. There was an article in the West Australian last Saturday and there have been articles in community newspapers as well. I will be taking part in an interview with ABC Radio, which will be aired from Broome on Good Friday.

One article appeared on the front page of the Cockburn Gazette which one of my grandchildren happened to see. His response was and I quote, “oh my god, oh my god, it’s Grandon, (My nickname from my grandchildren) He then cut it out and took it to school next day to share it as news. I must say I was a little chuffed about this!

From that same article came an email from a work colleague who I last saw in 1964 when we were printers together. He dug out some photographs of me when we went surfing together. I relived a moment where I was strapping my surfboard onto a very old Peugeot, a very much loved car. So it was great to get the photos.

I think I am prepared to for Easter as we begin the Tenebrae service this evening with a foot washing, communion and the extinguishing of candles. I always find it very moving to be able to wash the feet of those who have served me with their love and care. On Friday morning we will conduct the “Stations of the Cross liturgy” which I will be sharing with the Rev Dr. Doug Purnell. On Friday afternoon at 5 PM the Wesley Choir with special guest Josie Fountain, a cellist, will offer us reflective music for Good Friday. I am looking forward to this too.

At 6:30 AM on Sunday morning we will celebrate the risen Christ with a service at Roe Gardens, Kings Park. Joining us will be the Perth Fortress, Salvation Army Band and the GKI Choir (Indonesian Uniting Church). From there we enter into our 10.00am Easter Sunday morning service. At this service I will interview Sally Morgan, artist of Station 15, “The Resurrection”. We will also be joined by a Brass Quintet. So as you can see it is a full program, but I have to say again, I love this Easter journey, I love the way it helps me and us as a community focus on the core of our faith.

At lunchtime today, I a number of people, will be going to Good Samaritan Industries to share in a celebration recognizing the retirement of the Bernice Moorhouse. Bernice was the first person to work at Good Samaritan industries, which was established by our very own Rev Ralph Sutton and the Wesley congregation. Bernice has worked faithfully at GSI for 51 years. What an amazing period of time to work. I have an extra reason for wanting to attend this celebration as Bernice and her family were connected with my family through the work of what was called the ‘People’s Church’ which held services in a basement in Hay Street, just near His Majesty’s Theatre. So I have very many special memories of my connection with Benice.

A little surprise that occurred this week in amongst the exhibition was when I met up with the groom from a wedding I conducted three weeks ago. The bride and groom from the wedding had been away on their honeymoon and wanted to connect with me again, not only to thank me for the wedding, but also to explore their rejuvenation of faith that was occurring as a result of their marriage in the church. So they may appear in church on Easter Sunday and we will continue the conversation. I should not be surprised by the fact that when people begin the journey of commitment to each other they also begin to think about their commitment of faith as well!

Well, I look forward to seeing you during the weekend.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Thursday 5^th April

6.30pm Tenebrae Service

Good Friday 6^th April

10.00am A liturgy of the Stations of the Cross

5pm Music for Reflection on Good Friday. A presentation by the Wesley Choir with special guest, cellist, Josie Fountain

Sunday 8^th April

6.30am A service to celebrate the Risen Christ Roe Gardens, Kings Park

10.00am Worship – A Celebration of Easter Sunday with Holy Communion