Don's Blog
Hi All,
What a
terrible time it has been for those suffering colds and flues. Last week we had
to close the UCIC office because we had so many off sick. However we are slowly
getting back to normal and some of the meetings we had to put off I’m now
starting to happen.
Part of my
week was spent watching Elizabeth Dalzell filming for a DVD that is to be used
for marriage preparation. It was wonderful to see a professional at work and I
learnt a great deal.
Last Sunday
evening Kay and I attended an iftar dinner. An iftar dinner is a meal that is a
‘breaking of the fast’ meal held during the Muslim season of Ramadan. Kay and I
were invited because of our connection with the interfaith cultural harmony
group, which works at creating harmony between people of different faiths.
Apart from the food, which was Turkish and absolutely wonderful, we had a great
evening. Fuat Layic and his wife Berrak were our hosts and we met with some of
their friends and a member of the Canning city Council (who happened to be a
former Wesley College parent). The main enjoyment for me, apart from the food,
was in the sharing of faith stories together. It deepened our friendship and I
felt humble and proud to be a Christian. We have committed ourselves to continuing
the conversation so that we can increase our harmony together. I am hoping that
this will lead to further events at Wesley.
One of the
items of business at our last Elders meeting was the nomination of Elders.
Currently we are looking for new Elders to assist me in leadership of the
congregation. We are now starting to talk to some people who we feel may be
able to help, however, if as you read this, you feel you may be being led in
this direction please let me know. Nomination forms are in the foyer and need
to be filled out two week prior to 2nd September, when we will be
voting on those nominated. Please talk to me if you would like to know more.
I have asked
for one item on the agenda at our next Elders meeting is for us to arrange
another meal/get together/gathering. I really enjoy getting together with folk
other than the Sunday morning, as I feel less rushed in my conversations. If
you have any suggestions for Elders as to what form this might take, please let
us know.
One of the
joys of having so many grandchildren is sleepovers and if it happens to be a Saturday
night we are able to bring them to church. Last weekend was one of those
occasions and I am very grateful that my grandchildren feel so welcome in our
congregation. In fact I have one grandchild who insists on sleepovers only on
Saturday nights just so she can come to church. It’s a good feeling. One
reportable incident last weekend was that I made a lemon pie. I wanted to put
to good use some of the many lemons we have on our tree at Dunsborough. I duly
made the pie and we ate half of it for afternoon tea, with the grandchildren
and Kay’s mum. We then moved to the lounge room to watch the Derby between
Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles, leaving the remaining pie on the
kitchen table. We didn’t notice that two of our grandchildren did not join us,
as we thought they were playing with toys in the hallway. Well, you guessed it,
they completely devoured the remaining pie, emerging looking incredibly
guilty. I have since made another pie,
an improvement on the previous one, and we only have one grandchild for a
sleepover this weekend!
Thank you to
those who were able to stay for the Congregational meeting last Sunday. It was
good to pass the budget and to affirm TK as our Synod/Presbytery
representative. We are still looking for a younger person to represent us at
Synod so I would be grateful for any suggestions. They do have to be under 25
years of age. Having passed the budget now means we can start on many of the
projects that have been on hold over the last two years. Included in capital
expenditure items are a repaint, inside and outside the church. One little item
of interest is, getting a consultant in to look at the heating and cooling of
Wesley. Some of you, including me, will be clapping your hands at the thought
of improving the heating and cooling of the church. So watch this space!
Talking
about Synod, this item appeared in our Uniting Church, News and Notes. The
Media and Communications Team is hoping to offer congregations a more
visual record of the Synod meeting, by way of video clips. Expressions of
interest are sought from people interested in being part of a video- editing
team, recording highlights of Synod with a view to them being available via the
internet or on DVD. No experience is necessary and there will be on the job
training. Contact Rev Don Dowling at dond@ucic.org.au
or on 0488 495 044. To see an example visit http://www.assembly2012.uca.org.au/resources/videos.
If you would
like to join me, it should be fun!
I look
forward as always to catching up soon.
Regards
Don
Don Dowling
Minister
Sunday 12th August
8.30am Discussion Group
10.00am Worship – Continuing the reflection
on “Jesus said; I am the bread of life”
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