Don Dowling's Blog

Don's Blog 

Hi All,

Yesterday, Kay and I were invited to offer “words of wisdom” to our current theological Students. We spent the morning at Murdoch University in conversation  with them around the issue of self care for Ministers and their families. It provided Kay and I an opportunity to reflect on our own self-care, how we do it, when we take time off, long term self-care, etc. It was a great session and the students displayed a keenness to understand this very practical side of being in ministry.

This week we have finalised nominations for Elders and I can happily say that we have a good number of nominations. The names will appear in the Wesley diary this week, and next week we hope to have profiles attached.

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

Dawn Coppock as asked for leave of absence for the time being.

On Sunday 2^nd September 2012 we will hold elections on these nominations. I am looking forward to the gifts and skills that new elders will bring to our group as well as enjoying the wisdom that our current Elders bring.

This week I have spent some time with a friend of mine who I played with in a Brass Band many years ago. As is the case many times, when things get rough people look you up to help them get through the rough time. My friend found out that he had mesothelioma because he worked at Wittanoom some years ago. He decided it was time to prepare for his funeral and so we met together a few weeks ago to do just that. This week however he moved into the final stage of his life and then on Tuesday morning he died. I can’t say that I enjoy this aspect of ministry, but I can say that it always is a very honouring part of my job. As a Minister, you often hear the deepest thoughts and feelings of people as they come to terms with the events of their lives. For this I feel very grateful and honoured.

Today I met with Angela Currie our Director of Music and Organist and later on today we meet with the Music team to begin thinking about musical aspects of Wesley. I think we will find that there will be quite a few ‘new things’ developing in this area, which will add a lot of value to our ministry in the city and to the congregation. I am getting that twinge of excitement happening again!!

On Sunday evening I am at St George’s Cathedral again, taking part in Evensong, as they remember the work and ministry of William Booth. It is the 100^th anniversary of his death this month.  The Precentor, Rev Graeme Napier has organised a special Evensong utilizing the Band and Songsters of Perth Fortress Salvation Army. I am representing the “Methodist/Wesley” side of William Booth as before he established the Salvation Army he was a Methodist Preacher. Booth developed strong views on the role of church ministers believing they should be "loosing the chains of injustice, freeing the captive and oppressed, sharing food and home, clothing the naked, and carrying out family responsibilities”. So quite a powerful figure in his time whose influence still lives on in the Salvation Army of today.

Of course, I will really enjoy hearing the music of the Band and Songsters!

I look forward as always to catching up soon.

Regards

Don

Don Dowling

Minister

Sunday 19^th August

8.30am Discussion Group

10.00am Worship – Reflecting on “Jesus, the Living Bread.