Don's Blog
Hi All,
An
interesting week, a bit of this and a bit of that!
As we are
moving into spring, I have started looking at resources around the theme of
Sustainable September. If you happen to be in church this Sunday you will see
that I have focused on the beauty of creation and our responsibility for it’s
care.
Two of my
children and two of my grandchildren have birthdays this week. Good planning
hey!! So the weekend is back-to-back birthdays parties, added to the fact that
we are getting together with our friends to belatedly celebrate Kay’s and one
of her friend’s birthdays. I promise to be bright eyed and bushy tailed and
ready for Sunday.
It is one of
the joys of having such a big family and a significant group of friends. I think
it must be high on the list of a key aspect of being happy, because I have to
admit I am in an extremely happy mood when surrounded by children and
grandchildren.
I do spare a
thought for those who do not have similar circumstances. In fact this week, a member of our
congregation, (UCIC congregation) whose parents are overseas, approached me, wondering
if there might be Pseudo Grandparents available. They are looking for
“Grandparents” who would be interested in dropping in on small children once in
a while to give them a sense of an older generation. This must surely be one of
the difficult parts of deciding to move away from your country of origin, as
leaving country, in many cases, means leaving parents and grandparents and as
we know the extended family has a significant role to play.
If you know
of anyone who could fulfil this role please let me know.
A reminder
again that this Sunday we will elect new and renominate current Elders.
The people
nominating are:
David Beasland for 3 years
Leo Blawan for 2 years
Jenny Millar for 5 years
Margaret Murdoch for 2 years
Esther Chow for 3 years
Those
renominating are:
Edwin Hadfield for 5 years,
Janet Carrick for 5 years,
Evadne Scaddan for 1 year,
Lily Tang for 5 years
Alison
McCubbin was elected in 2011 for 5 years
After
worship we will have a short congregational meeting to hand out, and then
collect voting slips.
I have a little more information regarding the visit
of Rev. Eric
Elnes, which will take place at Wesley, and at Floreat Uniting on Tuesday 25th
September.
The program is;
Tuesday Sept 25th 2012
12.00-1.30pm Wesley
Church in the City – Lunch Time Forum
4.00-5.30pm All Saints Floreat – Central Themes
of a Progressive Faith (the Talk)
6.30 – 9.00pm Dinner and Talk at Floreat
Forum Restaurant – Living out a Progressive Faith (Walking the Talk).
If you would like more information
and to book for the talk and dinner at Floreat UC you can contact Marie Yuncken
at Phone 9385 8537 or Email: m.yuncken@aapt.net.au
Last week I was part of a group that
established what we have called “Perth Progressive Network of WA” Initially we
are hosting the visit of Eric Elnes but our purposes is to: “promote progressive religious thought
and practice by exploring alternatives to traditional religious beliefs and
practices and seek new ways to understand religious faith.” If you would like to join this
network you can find us on ‘Facebook’ at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perth-Progressive-Network-of-WA/338373506254038.
All you have to do is “like” the page, and if you want to, request to become a
Friend”.
Connected to this, Chris Crause and I are off to
Sydney next week to attend a conference with the keynote speaker, Professor John Dominic Crossan. He is a renowned
international progressive biblical scholar and ome of you may have seen his
documentaries on SBS Television, “God and Empire”. This series explored the
relationship between Jesus and the Roman Empire, the connection between history
and biblical material.
It sounds a little dry, but I have
heard him present before and he is a wonderful presenter, with an amazing depth
of historical knowledge.
You will probably hear me make
reference to him in future blogs or reflections.
I do hope to write my blog next week
and as always I look forward to catching up soon.
Regards
Don
Don Dowling
Minister
Sunday 2nd September 2012
8.30am Discussion Group
10.00am Worship – Reflecting on Mark 7:
selected verses, “ Attitudes of the heart”
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