Don's Blog

Hi All,

Aaah I’m back and rearing to go!!. That’s mostly true as Kay and I had a great break. We managed to catch up with all of our grandchildren (all 16 with one on the way) and spend some time down south. We also managed a trip to Margaret River staying with friends whose house just escaped the fire. (I made a small video clip while I was there which you can see if you go to: (http://youtu.be/D2EuB6d1ilg)

I managed to play 9 holes of golf, ride a bike for 20ks and surf at the mouth of Margaret River. So all in all a great break…..did I also mention that we had morning tea a Yahava Coffee house and lunch at the Swooping Magpie winery. It was all a bit hard really!

So now it’s back to work and there are quite a few things to do. Even though we probably don’t want to think about Easter at the moment, it is not that far away and we are again hosting 15 West Australian Artists. I will be meeting with Catherine Cwerz, our curator, in the next couple of weeks to receive a list of those participating. It promises to be just as exciting again this year.

I have started gentle conversations with a few people regarding holding a week of prayer, much along the lines that happened at Chogm. I was thinking we might be able to do this around the season of Pentecost, but more on this later.

I heard through the wonderful support of Jan Carrick that a number of people were not well while I was away. I am hoping to make contact with all those going through rough times at the moment. Needless to say you are all in out thoughts and prayers.

Tuesday morning at 7.00am this week saw me at St George’s College Chapel in Crawley conducting morning devotions for those attending the Royal School of Church Music Conference. It was meant to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, but as you would understand this was not possible, so the WA group offered to have it in Perth. I will be present again on Saturday at 7.00am to offer a second time of devotion. Which leads me to the best part of having RSCM here in Perth. On Sunday morning a choir of 90+people will be taking part in our 10.00am worship service. We will be having communion and the choir will be singing Schubert’s Mass in G Major. It should be an amazing morning of music. As they are so large in number they will be singing from the gallery.

Some sad news is that the service of Anglicare’s Step 1 (The Bus outside Wesley) will be concluding at the end of February. The Step 1 people have formed significant relationships with the young people and this means there will be a substantial gap in meeting their needs. We have made representation to the Minister, Robyn McSweeny and we are having conversations with Uniting Care West but the short term it does not look good. Please keep us in your prayers that we might find a way to continue to connect with them.

As I gradually get back into the swing of things my prayer is that this will be a great year of worship, ministry and mission with many opportunity’s to share our journey of faith with those around us.

I look forward to catching up with you all soon.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 15^th January 2012

10.00am.– Worship at Wesley with Guests from the Royal School of Church Music

Reflecting on ‘a funny conversation’

Don's Blog

Hi All,

Christmas Eve/Day is nearly upon us! I have been very conscious of the build up of energy and excitement for this day and must admit, some of it I look forward to.

Last Friday night, 16^th December, I played with the Balga Salvation Army Community Band outside Wesley. Noticeable this year was the number of people who stayed to hear and occasionally sing carols with us. We all agreed there were more people wanting to listen than in previous years. A sign of the times maybe?

On Monday representatives from the City of Perth, Youth Affairs Council of WA, Anglicare (Step1) and myself met with Robyn McSweeny, the Minister for Child Protection and Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests, and Youth. Our group put the case for a continuing conversation regarding the young people who gather near our church. Step1 (Anglicare) have been assisting them a great deal, but their service is without funding from March 2012 and this will leave a huge gap. We are particularly concerned because the young people do not seem to be accessing some of the other services provided by organisations who could help them. The Minister listened carefully and we have agreed to meet again, so I am hoping for some positive outcomes.

This morning I joined the West Perth Rotarians, two of whom attend Wesley Congregation. I was their ‘guest speaker’ for their Christmas Breakfast and they asked me to offer something along the Christmas theme. It was a very enjoyable way to start the day and it was good to connect with a group who do so much valuable work in our community, especially as at the moment they are working hard to eradicate Polio from our world.

This week has seen the final preparation for worship for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and my hope is that you will be able to make one or the other. Joining us again this year is the Brass Quintet, who along with the choir, lift our spirits so that we gain a joyful sense of this season.

After our Sunday Service last week a number of people asked me for a copy of the poem I wrote and read as part of my reflection.

Here it is:

“Who would God choose?”

Who would God choose to reveal that love divine?

In ancient days he chose a shameful girl,

With dubious morals

disconnected from respectable folk.

Her virginity, compromised before her time,

Sniggering tut, tut’s uttered behind closed neighbors doors,

It the parent fault… we hear.

Who would God choose, to disclose the abundance of grace and love

to my world of iPhone, iPad, Facebook and twitter?

Would God choose those who saunter past my office window?

…the least of these.

The homeless, scavenging in rubbish bins for scraps of thrown away food.

The mentally ill, emitting words that make no sense

Lost in their world of paranoia and neglect

Trudging the circuit of the city, their only journey.

Would God choose the struggling family,

on their way to who knows where.

Mum pushing pram, with toddlers clinging close

Dishevelled, unkempt, no money to look composed.

Would I see God in the faces of the indigenous?

Sometimes drunk, at war with invisible enemies

Police on hand to whisk away in padded wagons.

Would I see God in the young of Central Park?

So close to church yet so far away,

No home, no family, no job, no prospects

Shunned by office workers and security alike.

Would God choose an asylum seeker

Destitute, homeless too,

Striped of dignity by political forces, known and unknown.

Does God choose “the least of these”,

to display the enormity of love and grace?

In ancient days God chose Mary.

Mary, the voice of those enclosed in worlds of pain and cruelty

With humility and willingness combined

She gave birth to love divine.

Who does God choose to share that love today

Who will become the voice of those whose need is great.

To give birth again to love divine.

When humility and willingness combine

It could be me!

Just a reminder that Rev Geoff Blyth has agreed to take the service on the 1^st January and Rev Lee Edwards the service on the 8^th January. We will be hiding away at our house at Dunsborough for some of the time and trying to catch up with our 16 grandchildren.

Have a great time as you prepare for Christmas and I look forward to seeing some of you over the next few days.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Saturday 24^th Christmas Eve

11.00pm A service to prepare the cradle and light the candles.

Sunday 25^th December – Christmas Day Worship

10.00am.– Reflecting on ‘the gift’

Sunday 1^st January – New Year Day Worship

10.00am.– Preacher: Revd Geoff Blyth

Sunday 8^th January – Sunday Worship

10.00am.– Preacher: Revd Lee Edwards

Don's Blog

Hi All,

I know I probably wont get a lot of sympathy, but this week has been one of the busiest for quite a while.

Monday was our first new UCIC Church Council meeting. Tuesday I had many appointments and meetings. Wednesday, two appointments in the morning before going to Serpentine Dam Café for lunch with the City Seniors group. Thursday we held the Volunteers morning Tea. In amongst this I have prepared four services, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. I have had 3 wedding interviews and 2 wedding rehearsals. Throw in answering many emails, a couple of counselling sessions and all in all it was a busy week. But I love it.

On Monday our first new Church Council meeting was held and it was great to meet new people and work through some of the things we are hoping to achieve. We will be sending out a form very soon for people to start thinking about the various committees on which they may wish to be involved. More about that over the next few weeks.

The Advent Artwork continues to go well. The story of refugees is now unfolding and I can only be amazed at the work and thoughts of the artist. We are of course receiving many favorable comments.

There was a real sadness this week amongst the young people who gather around the church and at Central Park. One of the group, a young man, committed suicide over the weekend. Step1 from Anglicare (The bus that parks outside Wesley) have been helping them as they grieve the loss of their friend. I have also offered help and we will remember them in our prayers this week.

Wednesday was a great day with a journey up to Serpentine Dam and a wonderful Christmas Roast dinner, including Pudding!! There were 21 of us gathering as the City Seniors Group. Thanks must go to Rev Lee Edwards and Jan Carrick who assisted on the day. It was great to move out of the city for a while and even better to have time to share conversation on the way, during and on the return journey.

The Volunteers “Thank You” morning tea was a great event. We have so many volunteers working for us and they are part of the 6.4 million Australians who do volunteer work each year. As Donna Keher, Chief of the United Nations Volunteers Partnerships and Communications Division told a National Conference on Volunteering, “Volunteerism is a renewable global resource that plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future for the world. Volunteerism is not just a contributor to gross domestic product, but to social wellbeing. The musical entertainment was also a huge success. Many shared their thanks for the enjoyment they had.

So thanks again to all those who offer time, skills and experience to us. You contribute to our well-being.

Will I get an easier week next week?…… I don’t think so. It’s Christmas and its madness, but then again that first Christmas must have been just as chaotic. Can you imagine shepherds, angels, Joseph, Mary, innkeepers, animals of all description and then you throw in the wise men. But the beauty of it all was that in the midst of the chaos, came Emanuel, God with us, and that’s what I sense even now.

Have a great time as you prepare for Christmas.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 11^th December – 2^nd Sunday of Advent

8.30am Discussion Group

10.00am. Worship

Don's Blog 1^st December 2011

Hi All,

On Monday the staff celebrated together at the ‘C’ Restaurant, which as some of you may know was formally the Highlite restaurant. It is a revolving restaurant and over lunchtime you enjoy full 360 degree views of Perth. It was very relaxing and great to spend a couple of hours away from the business of preparing for our Christmas Services.

On Tuesday, I met with about 70 Tranby College, year 9 students. They came into the city to buy presents for those in need. So after spending some time with them and showing them the video clip about UnitingCare West they ventured out to buy presents. When they came back we had a little ritual where they placed the gifts on the Communion Table and imagined the person receiving the gift. It was a very special moment and wonderful to share the gift of giving with younger people. They and I went away very happy that day.

On Tuesday afternoon the Advent Artwork was installed. It takes the form of an Advent Calendar, with one box opened each day from now until Christmas. I think it is stunning, but you really have to get up close to receive the full effect of the drawings in the boxes. I opened the first box today and went, ‘Wow, Amazing’. As I shared with you last week the theme is the, ‘Birth of Tolerance for Refugees”. Very relevant for us at the moment. I hope to have a picture on our Website. You can go to http://www.perthunitingchurch.com.au/viewStory/Wesley and have a look.

I am still looking for volunteers to sit outside Wesley during the next 25 days. If you could spare a few hours and are willing to go on a roster, could you let Judy Muskett know. She can be contacted on 6103 4222 or email: judym@ucic.org.au.

On Wednesday, Chris Crause and I met with Rev Graeme Napier, the Precentor from St George’s Cathedral. They are planning a ‘Robbie Burns’ night on the 22^nd of January 2012. After a special evensong at 5pm they will, led by a piper, walk down the Hay street Mall and gather at the UCIC hall for a Robbie Burns dinner. I am told it is a night where a great deal of Haggis is consumed. If you are interested we, along with St George’s, will be selling tickets and I am told there will be limited places!

Today, I go and celebrate an early Christmas lunch with some of the former members of the Subiaco Uniting Church, who have been meeting every Thursday since 2000. It began as an exercise in looking at how to operate a café and then developed into a weekly fellowship where members would catch beyond the Sunday service. As you can see I love the tradition.

Regarding our congregational meeting last week, it is with a good sense of joy that we announce that all nominated were elected and we will begin our first Church Council meeting next Monday night. As well as Christine Nicholas, Alison McCubbin will join us.

Well, I’m off to a meeting with Step 1, (the Anglicare Bus people that park outside our church) our Leasing agent and us from UCIC, to talk about the young people who occasionally cause little disturbances around our church. I invite you to remember them, and us, in your prayers.

I hope to catch up with you at our Second Sunday of Advent service.

Thanks for reading.

From your minister,

Don

Sunday 4^th December – 2^nd Sunday of Advent

8.30am Discussion Group

10.00am. Worship Communion – reflecting on ‘Peace’.