Don's Blog

PEWS IN THE CHURCH

Last Sunday a member of the congregation approached me after Worship concerned that at a future congregational meeting, which we will hold at 11.30am on Sunday 11th October, we were going to “remove the pews”.

It appears that some may be under the misunderstanding that we have already made a decision to remove the pews from Wesley Church. This is not the case. However, what is true is that over the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th of October we will be hosting the visit of the Revd. Dr. Robert Gribben.

The reason for his visit came in response to letters and many comments received, by the Elders after the ‘Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition’ where members expressed delight regarding the more flexible space because the pews had been removed. The Elders decided that we needed to listen and have a discussion so that we could come to a proper and appropriate decision and that Dr Gribben could offer valuable insights for our discussion.

Dr Gribben is a very experienced presenter, formally Professor of liturgy and Mission at the United Faculty of Theology in Melbourne. He was a significant contributor to ‘Uniting in Worship” that is the basis for many Uniting Church worship services. He also has a passion for worship spaces and in his book “Living Stones” Theological Guidelines for Uniting Church Worship Buildings – he writes, “It matters what we do in church architecture and in the furnishings of our churches. Each element, from design to manufacture, from placement to relationship, is capable of being a sacrament of God’s truth, drawing us, through the senses God has given us, closer to the One who has entered creation in Jesus Christ and remade things”

Dr Gribben’s visit will help us have a good discussion about our internal church architecture and furnishings and we are hopeful that his input will inspire and encourage us to think through the question: ‘Are we using our church space so that it is a ‘Sacrament of God’s truth’. It will be interesting to see the directions we choose.

In the end we all want to do is create a space within Wesley Church that will always proclaim and allow people to experience the love of God. Let’s find the best way to do that.

I would be very grateful to receive your responses and, if you are willing, for me to place them as responses to my Blog.

Thanks for reading.
Don

Don's Blog

Preparing for the service this Sunday made me realize that there are many images of Jesus.

In my mind I have always loved the ‘human’, ‘natural’ and ‘willingness to meet with people who are different’ image of Jesus. I notice that a lot of my ministry seems to reflect this understanding as I often want to make the story of Jesus relevant to those whom I meet and work amongst. I am willing to admit that have been influenced by, the ‘hippy’ looking Jesus because I love the whole ‘hippy’ movement – it was part of my journey as a teenager. I resonate with the revolutionary/political Jesus because I was very influenced by politics in the 70’s. I love the compassionate Jesus as people in the church have often shown me compassion as I have had to deal with some of the hard things in life. I am able to see that my many images of Jesus come from the things that I have had to deal with both personally and as a minister of the church.

This Sunday we explore the statement from Jesus, “Who do you say that I am” and I will not be surprised if our picture of Jesus is shown to be influenced by the things that happened to us and how we feel Jesus touches our lives.

Sunday 10^th September – 10.00am. “Who do you say that I am” A three part worship service reflecting on our and others view on who Jesus is and the call to take up our cross and follow. By Rev Don Dowling, Revd, Bev Fabb and Toby Keva (theological student)

Thanks for reading.

Don

Don's Blog

Some months ago a rather dishevelled looking young man came into Wesley Church, looking not unlike some of the homeless people that wander down William Street. All he had with him was a rather dusty and ragged looking backpack. I think it was just after it the Tuesday lunchtime service that he approached us and asked for help. What surprised me was that he wasn’t looking for financial help but overnight accommodation as he had travelled from Melbourne and was heading to Carnarvon to start a new life. We brought him to the office and were able to put him in touch with Tranby house, UnitingCare West, who were able to organise accommodation for him and the next day he headed towards Carnarvon. We never expected to hear from him again.

When he walked into our office last week he looked a completely different person. He was clean-shaven well-dressed, and looking very, very healthy. He explained that his return visit to us was to say “thank you”.

Since meeting us in the church he had travelled to Caernarvon and stayed there for a few months but it didn’t work out. However, during this time he had managed to re-establish his relationship with his father and other siblings including uncles and cousins. It was during one of these family occasions that he was asked by a cousin if he would like to work for him and he readily accepted.

Since that time he has never looked back and things have steadily improved but he particularly wanted to come back and thank us for just helping him on the way.

It reminded me of the story where Jesus healed 10 lepers and one of them came back to thank him. We assist, support and encourage many people that float by the church doors in the city and often we never hear from them again but on this occasion one young man came to say “thank you”. That “thank you” made my week, for in amongst all the things that happen at Uniting Church in the City there are many that are draining, hard and not always rewarding. Here was a simple “thank you” where one person acknowledged the blessing he received from our being in the city. I am reminded that from time to time we need just to “be there” so that we can continue being a blessing to whoever God sends our way.
May you receive a blessing this day, and in the days to come, that remind you that as we have been blessed so we can bless others.

Sunday 30th August – 10.00am. Tradition versus the heart. A reflection on what is important when it comes to following the way of Jesus. Rev Don Dowling

Thanks for reading.
Don

Future Events at Wesley – see below for more details regarding some of these events.

Fortnightly Discussion Group. Toby Keva, our theological student, has started a discussion group which will meet fortnightly, beginning 6th September 2009. The group will meet in the “Guild room” from 11.30am and may conclude with a lunch together. A snack will be provided by a member of the group. The group is multi-aged, mulit cultural and so all are welcome to attend.

“The Circle for Dangerous Thinking”
Next meeting Sunday 13th September.
A few rules will apply:
1. Be open minded. Do not come if you're worried about being challenged and even a bit rattled from time to time.
2. Only come when you're interested and wanting to contribute. Please do not come out of loyalty. Skip coming in months that don't interest you.
3. Come prepared. Please do not come if you haven't read the book/done the homework.
4. Be open to others. We don't judge others and don't want to convert others to think as
we each do.
We hope to be of service to the wider church!
Books and dates for our meetings

11th October.
If you are interested could you contact Don at dond@ucic.org.au. <mailto:dond@ucic.org.au?subject=Group%20Discussion/Faith%20Formation>

9th to 11th October 2009
The visit of Rev. Professor Emeritus Robert Gribben.

Friday 9th October. Evening. Meeting with Elders of Uniting Church in the City.
Saturday evening 10th. A Public meeting open to all interested people.
Sunday 11th After Morning Tea. Wesley Congregation meeting with presentation and discussion.

In a series of meetings Dr. Gribben will be helping us re-think the worship space at Wesley. Ever since the ‘Stations of the Cross’ art exhibition people have been asking about whether we need the pews or not. Dr. Gribben is an experienced leader who was formally Professor of Worship and Mission, Unting Church Theological College, Melbourne, Victoria.
Amoung many books and Articles he has written a book called, “Living Stones” Theological Guidelines for Uniting Church Worship Buildings”

Sunday 11th October 2009
The visit of John Bell, the renowned Iona worship leader, We are waiting to hear more from the WA organizers of the Visit to Perth of Rev John Bell. Many would be familiar with his music and song from the Iona community.

Friday 22nd to 31st January 2010. Visit of Professor Emeritus Mary-Jo Meadow

Mary Jo Meadow has been a meditator for over 50 years. She is a skilled presenter and has taught meditation in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. She is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Religious Studies from Minnesota State University. She has written serveral books on Christian Meditation. She will present a number of public talks and conduct a retreat session. More information regarding Mary-Jo Meadow’s visit will be given soon.

Don's Blog

“He was not a religious man but simply followed the way of Jesus.”

These words, were spoken by Heather Buys as she described her husband, the Reverend Chris Buys.

The Rev Chris Byers, who died suddenly this week, was the minister of the Margaret River/Augusta congregations and it was an enormous shock to the Uniting Church Community to hear of his sudden death. One person described it as brutal. Chris was a wonderful man who served in a number of Uniting Church congregations after emigrating from South Africa.

On Wednesday Kay and I attended the memorial service at Margaret River where we along with a large number of people from the community and the congregations, remembered and celebrated his life. What struck me more than anything was that Chris was a very practical Christian. In the eulogies we heard many stories where he ministered to people in very down to earth ways. He served weekly in the local school canteen, he taught English to overseas students who were working in the vineyards, he worked on farms helping farmers with their daily tasks, and there were many more examples …

In all of these things we heard a very clear message that Chris loved his Lord and wanted to demonstrate his faith to the many people with whom he made contact. It reminded me that in the end all we are called to do is follow the way of Jesus.

We thank God for the life and witness of Rev Chris Buys and I am glad he reminded me to simply follow the way of Jesus.

Sunday 23rd August – 10.00am. Causing offence – A Reflection on the offense of Jesus. Rev Don Dowling

Thanks for reading.

Don

Don's Blog

Being in conflict it is hard going. Being involved in a conversation where there is tension and disagreement is not what we would always choose to do. However, as anybody knows when you are in relationship with people there is always the possibility that a difference of opinion will arise.

In the end I always want to go back to the way that Jesus handled conflict and listen to some of the stories from our biblical tradition that help us understand how to live with tension. Jesus occasionally became angry and frustrated in some of his relationships but in the end it seems that peace and love became his predominant message. As I read the stories of his relationships with people I constantly see him treating people with respect, including them in his ministry and offering them a way forward beyond the pain of their tension.

To my mind it is paramount that abuse or disrespect are not part of the process. Consequently it is paramount that we treat each other as equals, listen carefully, and hear not only the pain of the other person who is in tension with us but find a way to move beyond the pain to a place of hope and peace.

It is interesting that conflict can happen at various levels sometimes between two individuals or within a family or at a community level or between nations. It almost doesn’t seem to matter at which level we may observe or experience it because the principles to work through the tension seem to be the same. Listening, compromising, seeing the relationship as significant, working towards a place of harmony and tolerance are our end point.
On our faith journey may we always continue to keep in relationship with each other, because we believe in God of love who keeps in relationship with us, who respects and loves us with the deepest possible love.

Sunday 2nd August.

Thanks to Toby Keva, our theological student, for being the preacher last week. The message was a challenging one and gave us much to reflect on, especially our position and voice as mostly, ‘middle class’ people. Toby appreciated the many people who offered feedback as this is all part of his learning experience and partly why he wanted to be with the Wesley Congregation.

The Joint Congregational meeting after the service where we discussed the proposal from St Andrews congregation was a long and at times difficult conversation. As I indicated above it remind me that sometimes in the life of the church we have to work hard at listening to each other and working out what our relationship to each other really means. I look forward to further conversations. In the end I felt hopeful and would want to continue to pursue the possibility of the St Andrews congregation remaining within the UCIC.
Thanks for reading.
Don


Sunday 9th August – 10.00am A Celebration in 3 parts Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life”. With Rev Bev Fabb, Rev Don Dowling and Toby Keva.

As you enter the church we hope you are able to have your senses awakened by the smell of some freshly baked bread. This will allow us to enter into the theme and reflect on what it means for us to be connected to the Bread of Life.

Don's Blog Thursday 6th August 2009

Being in conflict it is hard going. Being involved in a conversation where there is tension and disagreement is not what we would always choose to do. However, as anybody knows when you are in relationship with people there is always the possibility that a difference of opinion will arise.

In the end I always want to go back to the way that Jesus handled conflict and listen to some of the stories from our biblical tradition that help us understand how to live with tension. Jesus occasionally became angry and frustrated in some of his relationships but in the end it seems that peace and love became his predominant message. As I read the stories of his relationships with people I constantly see him treating people with respect, including them in his ministry and offering them a way forward beyond the pain of their tension.

To my mind it is paramount that abuse or disrespect are not part of the process. Consequently it is paramount that we treat each other as equals, listen carefully, and hear not only the pain of the other person who is in tension with us but find a way to move beyond the pain to a place of hope and peace.

It is interesting that conflict can happen at various levels sometimes between two individuals or within a family or at a community level or between nations. It almost doesn’t seem to matter at which level we may observe or experience it because the principles to work through the tension seem to be the same. Listening, compromising, seeing the relationship as significant, working towards a place of harmony and tolerance are our end point.
On our faith journey may we always continue to keep in relationship with each other, because we believe in God of love who keeps in relationship with us, who respects and loves us with the deepest possible love.

Sunday 2nd August.

Thanks to Toby Keva, our theological student, for being the preacher last week. The message was a challenging one and gave us much to reflect on, especially our position and voice as mostly, ‘middle class’ people. Toby appreciated the many people who offered feedback as this is all part of his learning experience and partly why he wanted to be with the Wesley Congregation.

The Joint Congregational meeting after the service where we discussed the proposal from St Andrews congregation was a long and at times difficult conversation. As I indicated above it remind me that sometimes in the life of the church we have to work hard at listening to each other and working out what our relationship to each other really means. I look forward to further conversations. In the end I felt hopeful and would want to continue to pursue the possibility of the St Andrews congregation remaining within the UCIC.
Thanks for reading.
Don


Sunday 9th August – 10.00am A Celebration in 3 parts
Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life”.
With Rev Bev Fabb, Rev Don Dowling and Toby Keva.

As you enter the church we hope you are able to have your senses awakened by the smell of some freshly baked bread. This will allow us to enter into the theme and reflect on what it means for us to be connected to the Bread of Life.

Don's Blog

 

 

Last week Kay and I spent a few days in Melbourne. One of the exciting parts of our visit was to the Art Gallery to see a Salvador Dali exhibition. In listening to his story I discovered that prior to his birth his older brother had died and his parents told him, as soon as he was able to hear, that he was a reincarnation of his brother and they even gave him same name - Salvador. As I looked at the surrealism of his paintings and heard some more of the story of his life I couldn’t help wondering whether that single event had a great effect on his sense of self.

Towards the latter part of his life he reconnected with the Church and this painting, “Christ in perspective”, is one from that period. “Christ in Perspective’ was also painted after just after the death of his father and I also cannot help wondering if the impact of his father’s death influenced his understanding of Christ on the cross. This painting is simple in its presentation, unlike most of his other paintings and as I stood in front of it I had a sense that he was able through his religious art to gain some sense of self. It seems as though he’d rediscovered himself as a person of faith rather than a person tied to another identity.

 

Seeing this painting was a highlight for me as it not only helped me understand the faith journey of Salvador Dali but it also reminded me that as Christians our sense of self is tied very closely to the sense of who Jesus is for us. From time to time I feel a great sense of liberation because my sense of self is not lost in the identity of others but connected to the one who constantly offers us life.

 

Sunday 26^th July.

 

Thanks to Rev Lee Edwards for being the preacher last week. Lee received lots of good feedback and it was good to hear that the theme of our banners, “I Am – We Are” is being proclaimed.

 

Thanks for reading.

Don

 

Future Events at Wesley – see below for more details regarding some of these events.

 

Sunday 2^nd August – Holy Communion Our preacher is Toby Keva, theological student.

 

Sunday 9^th August – 10.00am A Celebration in 3 parts

          Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life”.

         With Rev Bev Fabb and Rev Don Dowling.

 

Sunday 9th August 2009 6.30pm Induction of Rev. Viv Larkin

 

Sunday 9th August 2009 - “The Circle for Dangerous Thinking”

 

Friday 9th to 11th October 2009  Visit of Rev. Professor Emeritus Robert Gribben.

 

11th October 2009 Not confirmed. Visit of John Bell - Iona worship leader,

 

22nd to 31st January 2010.  Visit of Professor Emeritus Mary-Jo Meadow

 

DETAILS:

 

Sunday 9^th August 2009 6.30pm

Induction of Rev. Viv Larkin to the placement of Associate General Secretary, Pastoral. The Indonesian and Tongan Choirs will be participating.

 

Sunday 9^th August - “The Circle for Dangerous Thinking”

This is a brand new ministry that will start on Sunday 9^th August 2009

On 5th July we want to met in the UCIC Centre and explored what form this new ministry might take. We invited those who might be interested to join us for coffee and dream about the possibilities! We're thinking of a discussion group, meeting over lunch, on the second Sunday of every month, to discuss provocative and challenging publications, films and art! Chris and Irne du Plessis have agreed to help coordinate this group. Please send us an email at the UCIC to let us know if you're interested admin@ucic.org.au

It will be open minded!

The idea will be to create a list of books (and the occasional video) that we all agree to read beforehand and to then discuss.

A few rules will apply: 

1. Be open minded. Do not come if you're worried about being challenged and even a bit rattled from time to time. 

2. Only come when you're interested and wanting to contribute. Please do not come out of loyalty. Skip coming in months that don't interest you.

3. Come prepared. Please do not come if you haven't read the book/done the homework. 

4. Be open to others. We don't judge others and don't want to convert others to think as

we each do.

We hope to be of service to the wider church!

Books and dates for our meetings

9th August. Discuss our first book. A suggestion is to have a book that isn't too "heavy" so we can find our feet and evaluate what we're trying to achieve. 
13th September. 
11th October.  

If you are interested could you contact Don at dond@ucic.org.au.

 

9^th to 11^th October 2009

The visit of Rev. Professor Emeritus Robert Gribben.

 

In a series of meetings Dr. Gribben will be helping us re-think the worship space at Wesley. Ever since the ‘Stations of the Cross’ art exhibition people have been asking about whether we need the pews or not. Dr. Gribben is an experienced leader who was formally Professor of Worship and Mission, Unting Church Theological College, Melbourne, Victoria.

Amoung many books and Articles he has written a book called, “Living Stones” Theological Guidelines for Uniting Church Worship Buildings”

 

Sunday 11^th October 2009

Not confirmed but possible. John Bell, the renowned Iona worship leader, We are waiting to hear more from the WA organizers of the Visit to Perth of Rev John Bell. Many would be familiar with his music and song from the Iona community.

 

Friday 22^nd to 31^st January 2010.  Visit of Professor Emeritus Mary-Jo Meadow

 

Mary Jo Meadow has been a meditator for over 50 years. She is a skilled presenter and has taught meditation in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. She is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Religious Studies from Minnesota State University. She has written serveral books on Christian Meditation. She will present a number of public talks and conduct a retreat session. More information regarding Mary-Jo Meadow’s visit will be given soon.