Don’s Blog

Getting old Sucks! This week I had four medical appointments, one, a general one, with my GP, two with a podiatrist re a foot problem and one with a hearing specialist. At my initial appointment with the hearing specialist he discovered that I am not hearing well in my right ear. (This is the one that I listen to Kay with, who has been known to shout at this ear) Anyway he told me that three things caused my hearing problem. 1. Surfing in my teenage years – spending too much time in cold water. 2. I was an apprentice and tradesman printer and spent a lot of time with heavy machinery (no ear muffs in those days) but 3rdly…. And wait for it……. I am getting old!! So I now have to deal with it. However from listening, no pun intended, I am told that there are some really good hearing aids on the market, so that will help me listen better.

The holiday Kay and I have just come back from was wonderful, relaxing and very enjoyable. When I relax I start creating, so I made a little video clip, called ‘Dunsborough Dreaming’ which you can see at https://vimeo.com/52450545.

Apart from spending time relaxing at Dunsborough, we went to Melbourne for a few days and saw ‘South Pacific’. What an amazing production! I loved the set, the music, the cast, everything. The baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes especially blew me away. He is almost as good as our own Bruce Murdoch.

I had always thought that South Pacific was a gentle entertaining musical with a bit of romance thrown, in but was very surprised at one point where the writers make some very powerful statements about the issue of racism in America. This must have caused a significant stir when it was first produced (1950’s). So South Pacific became more meaningful for me because of the way the writers, Rodgers & Hammerstein's were bold enough to bring this to people’s awareness. They were prophets in their time.

Now I am back at work and this week had it challenges, not the least of which was ploughing through many emails.

I do wish to thank those who helped while I was away. My holiday was made all the more relaxing knowing that there were people looking after ‘the shop’.

I have come back to the exciting news that we have all our artists for the Advent/Christmas Art Exhibition, “A Child is Born”. They are: John Teschendorff, Linda van der Merwe, Thomas Heidt, Christine Atkins, Hans Arkeveld, Ian de Souza, Madeleine Clear, Denise Brown, Jillian Green, Alan Muller, Sue Cotton, Rebecca Cool, Robert Juniper, Ruth de Vos, Amanda Shelsher and Sally Morgan

Some of them you will recognize from previous ‘Stations” events. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to attract a very high caliber of artist for this inaugural event. So you can see I am just a little excited!!

This Sunday we will commission our new Elders and re commission those who were re-elected. We have now had a couple of Elders meetings with our new group and I am feeling very grateful to have others on board to help with the spiritual and pastoral oversight of the Wesley worshipping community.

The planning for our special service on Sunday 25^th November, for victims of crime and abuse is well underway. This service is part of our participation in Restorative Justice Week (19^th to 25^th November 2012) The service whilst being held in the church will reflect and give respect to those who come with no particular religious background as well as those who do. It will be gentle and reflective in character and providing opportunities for people to share something of their story and to seek encouragement. People will be invited to place photos and mementoes and light candles to remember those who have fallen victim to violence and abuse. For the purposes of this service a victim is anyone who has suffered as the result of crime (particularly violent crime) or conflict (including refugees).

Please feel free to attend as it would be good for the Wesley community to offer support and you can contact me if you would like more information.

Whilst I was on holidays Heather, my daughter, her two children and Philip my son travelled to India to take part in a UntingWorld exposure trip. It is an understatement to say that they were deeply moved and inspired by the work of the Uniting Church with the Church of North India. They especially support the work of the church to liberate children from sex and slave trafficking. If you would like to read one very moving article and see a picture of one of my grandchildren you can go to: http://unitingworld.org.au/blogs/india-makes-my-face-hurt-sharing-more-saying-less/

Needless to say I am one very proud father and grandon. I am absolutely sure this has had a significant impact on their lives and wait to see what comes of it in the future.

I am hoping that Heather and Philip may be able to share some of their insights at Wesley in the not to distant future.

I am also wondering if we might be able to arrange such a journey for members of our congregation too. Mmmm, just a thought.

Well that’s all from me at the moment and I look forward to catching up with you all very soon.

From your minister

Don

Sunday 11^th Novmenber

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Reflecting on 

Don’s Blog

Getting old Sucks! This week I had four medical appointments, one, a general one, with my GP, two with a podiatrist re a foot problem and one with a hearing specialist. At my initial appointment with the hearing specialist he discovered that I am not hearing well in my right ear. (This is the one that I listen to Kay with, who has been known to shout at this ear) Anyway he told me that three things caused my hearing problem. 1. Surfing in my teenage years – spending too much time in cold water. 2. I was an apprentice and tradesman printer and spent a lot of time with heavy machinery (no ear muffs in those days) but 3rdly…. And wait for it……. I am getting old!! So I now have to deal with it. However from listening, no pun intended, I am told that there are some really good hearing aids on the market, so that will help me listen better.

The holiday Kay and I have just come back from was wonderful, relaxing and very enjoyable. When I relax I start creating, so I made a little video clip, called ‘Dunsborough Dreaming’ which you can see at https://vimeo.com/52450545.

Apart from spending time relaxing at Dunsborough, we went to Melbourne for a few days and saw ‘South Pacific’. What an amazing production! I loved the set, the music, the cast, everything. The baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes especially blew me away. He is almost as good as our own Bruce Murdoch.

I had always thought that South Pacific was a gentle entertaining musical with a bit of romance thrown, in but was very surprised at one point where the writers make some very powerful statements about the issue of racism in America. This must have caused a significant stir when it was first produced (1950’s). So South Pacific became more meaningful for me because of the way the writers, Rodgers & Hammerstein's were bold enough to bring this to people’s awareness. They were prophets in their time.

Now I am back at work and this week had it challenges, not the least of which was ploughing through many emails.

I do wish to thank those who helped while I was away. My holiday was made all the more relaxing knowing that there were people looking after ‘the shop’.

I have come back to the exciting news that we have all our artists for the Advent/Christmas Art Exhibition, “A Child is Born”. They are: John Teschendorff, Linda van der Merwe, Thomas Heidt, Christine Atkins, Hans Arkeveld, Ian de Souza, Madeleine Clear, Denise Brown, Jillian Green, Alan Muller, Sue Cotton, Rebecca Cool, Robert Juniper, Ruth de Vos, Amanda Shelsher and Sally Morgan

Some of them you will recognize from previous ‘Stations” events. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to attract a very high caliber of artist for this inaugural event. So you can see I am just a little excited!!

This Sunday we will commission our new Elders and re commission those who were re-elected. We have now had a couple of Elders meetings with our new group and I am feeling very grateful to have others on board to help with the spiritual and pastoral oversight of the Wesley worshipping community.

The planning for our special service on Sunday 25^th November, for victims of crime and abuse is well underway. This service is part of our participation in Restorative Justice Week (19^th to 25^th November 2012) The service whilst being held in the church will reflect and give respect to those who come with no particular religious background as well as those who do. It will be gentle and reflective in character and providing opportunities for people to share something of their story and to seek encouragement. People will be invited to place photos and mementoes and light candles to remember those who have fallen victim to violence and abuse. For the purposes of this service a victim is anyone who has suffered as the result of crime (particularly violent crime) or conflict (including refugees).

Please feel free to attend as it would be good for the Wesley community to offer support and you can contact me if you would like more information.

Whilst I was on holidays Heather, my daughter, her two children and Philip my son travelled to India to take part in a UntingWorld exposure trip. It is an understatement to say that they were deeply moved and inspired by the work of the Uniting Church with the Church of North India. They especially support the work of the church to liberate children from sex and slave trafficking. If you would like to read one very moving article and see a picture of one of my grandchildren you can go to: http://unitingworld.org.au/blogs/india-makes-my-face-hurt-sharing-more-saying-less/

Needless to say I am one very proud father and grandon. I am absolutely sure this has had a significant impact on their lives and wait to see what comes of it in the future.

I am hoping that Heather and Philip may be able to share some of their insights at Wesley in the not to distant future.

I am also wondering if we might be able to arrange such a journey for members of our congregation too. Mmmm, just a thought.

Well that’s all from me at the moment and I look forward to catching up with you all very soon.

From your minister

Don

Sunday 11^th Novmenber

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Reflecting on 

Don’s Blog

Getting old Sucks! This week I had four medical appointments, one, a general one, with my GP, two with a podiatrist re a foot problem and one with a hearing specialist. At my initial appointment with the hearing specialist he discovered that I am not hearing well in my right ear. (This is the one that I listen to Kay with, who has been known to shout at this ear) Anyway he told me that three things caused my hearing problem. 1. Surfing in my teenage years – spending too much time in cold water. 2. I was an apprentice and tradesman printer and spent a lot of time with heavy machinery (no ear muffs in those days) but 3rdly…. And wait for it……. I am getting old!! So I now have to deal with it. However from listening, no pun intended, I am told that there are some really good hearing aids on the market, so that will help me listen better.

The holiday Kay and I have just come back from was wonderful, relaxing and very enjoyable. When I relax I start creating, so I made a little video clip, called ‘Dunsborough Dreaming’ which you can see at https://vimeo.com/52450545.

Apart from spending time relaxing at Dunsborough, we went to Melbourne for a few days and saw ‘South Pacific’. What an amazing production! I loved the set, the music, the cast, everything. The baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes especially blew me away. He is almost as good as our own Bruce Murdoch.

I had always thought that South Pacific was a gentle entertaining musical with a bit of romance thrown, in but was very surprised at one point where the writers make some very powerful statements about the issue of racism in America. This must have caused a significant stir when it was first produced (1950’s). So South Pacific became more meaningful for me because of the way the writers, Rodgers & Hammerstein's were bold enough to bring this to people’s awareness. They were prophets in their time.

Now I am back at work and this week had it challenges, not the least of which was ploughing through many emails.

I do wish to thank those who helped while I was away. My holiday was made all the more relaxing knowing that there were people looking after ‘the shop’.

I have come back to the exciting news that we have all our artists for the Advent/Christmas Art Exhibition, “A Child is Born”. They are: John Teschendorff, Linda van der Merwe, Thomas Heidt, Christine Atkins, Hans Arkeveld, Ian de Souza, Madeleine Clear, Denise Brown, Jillian Green, Alan Muller, Sue Cotton, Rebecca Cool, Robert Juniper, Ruth de Vos, Amanda Shelsher and Sally Morgan

Some of them you will recognize from previous ‘Stations” events. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to attract a very high caliber of artist for this inaugural event. So you can see I am just a little excited!!

This Sunday we will commission our new Elders and re commission those who were re-elected. We have now had a couple of Elders meetings with our new group and I am feeling very grateful to have others on board to help with the spiritual and pastoral oversight of the Wesley worshipping community.

The planning for our special service on Sunday 25^th November, for victims of crime and abuse is well underway. This service is part of our participation in Restorative Justice Week (19^th to 25^th November 2012) The service whilst being held in the church will reflect and give respect to those who come with no particular religious background as well as those who do. It will be gentle and reflective in character and providing opportunities for people to share something of their story and to seek encouragement. People will be invited to place photos and mementoes and light candles to remember those who have fallen victim to violence and abuse. For the purposes of this service a victim is anyone who has suffered as the result of crime (particularly violent crime) or conflict (including refugees).

Please feel free to attend as it would be good for the Wesley community to offer support and you can contact me if you would like more information.

Whilst I was on holidays Heather, my daughter, her two children and Philip my son travelled to India to take part in a UntingWorld exposure trip. It is an understatement to say that they were deeply moved and inspired by the work of the Uniting Church with the Church of North India. They especially support the work of the church to liberate children from sex and slave trafficking. If you would like to read one very moving article and see a picture of one of my grandchildren you can go to: http://unitingworld.org.au/blogs/india-makes-my-face-hurt-sharing-more-saying-less/

Needless to say I am one very proud father and grandon. I am absolutely sure this has had a significant impact on their lives and wait to see what comes of it in the future.

I am hoping that Heather and Philip may be able to share some of their insights at Wesley in the not to distant future.

I am also wondering if we might be able to arrange such a journey for members of our congregation too. Mmmm, just a thought.

Well that’s all from me at the moment and I look forward to catching up with you all very soon.

From your minister

Don

Sunday 11^th Novmenber

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Reflecting on 

Don’s Blog

After a really busy week at Christmas Island I have now settled back into the “routine” (if it could be called that) of a week at UCIC. Although it has been a short week, I have managed to fit in quite a few meetings, catching up on some unanswered emails, preparing for worship this Sunday and visiting some people in hospital. A good week for me.

I did enjoy my time with the Chaplain at Christmas Island. It turned out to be imperative that face-to-face meetings needed to happen. We can still keep Malcolm and Judy in our prayers as they face the challenges of assisting asylum seekers on a daily basis.

As promised last week, I did create a small video clip, which can be found at: https://vimeo.com/50409567. It was created on my iPhone but I think the quality is good. Enjoy!

There will be follow up meetings and reports from my time at Christmas Island and hopefully we, and I mean the UCIC, may be able to make a contribution in some way in the future.

Tonight at our Wesley Elders meeting we have our first look at the artists who will offer their works for our Advent/Christmas Art Exhibition. The title of this exhibition is, “A Child is Born” and takes up the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. As you can imagine it will be an interesting time.

On Saturday night I am assisting Heather, my daughter, with a fundraising event for Uniting World’s trip to India later this month. Heather, her two children and my son Philip are all heading off with Uniting World for an exposure trip to an Educational facility with whom the Uniting Church as a connection. The fundraiser is in the form of a Karaoke night, so if you are interested come along. 7pm, in the UCIC hall. $10.00 admission. I know we have some good singers out there!

In the pipeline is planning for a special service on Sunday 25^th November, for victims of crime and abuse. In the week preceding, victims of crime and abuse are remembered and Wesley has been asked to host a special healing service. I imagine this will be a very moving and significant service and I will let you know more as information comes to hand.

Next week, Monday 8^th Oct, Kay and I begin four weeks leave so I will not be able to write a blog during this time. During my leave I have arranged for guest preachers and you can see who is coming in the information below. I think you will enjoy their input and insights.

We are both looking forward to the rest and recreation, with some of the time being spent with Children and Grandchildren. Now you know I would say that!

I hope to see you all again on my return.

Don

Sunday 7^th October

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Reflecting on Mark 10: 13 - 16 “Let the little children come to me”

Sunday 14^th October

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Preacher Rev Lee Edwards

Sunday 21^st October

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Preacher Rev Tom Wilson

Sunday 28^th October

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Preacher: Rev Geoff Blyth

Sunday 4^th November

8.30am Discussion group.

10.00am Worship, Preacher Rev Brian Carey.