Don's Blog

Hi all.
The Stations exhibition is over, the pews are back and I guess there is the sense of being ‘normal’ again at Wesley.

Unfortunately, the cold/flu that I managed to keep at bay over Easter finally claimed my attention and I gave into it taking a couple of days off work, visiting the doctor and re-entering the world of antibiotics. I am now on the mend.
When I returned to work, the “Comments Book” was on my desk and I began to read.

So many comments….. “Brilliant”, “Truly an inspiration”, “Excellent”, “Awesome”, “through provoking”, “Moving interpretation”, “Made Easter complete for me” ….. and many many more. What was also interesting that of the huge number of visitors that came to see the exhibition a significant number were those visiting Perth from other states and countries.

Some of the paintings have gone to very good homes including ‘The Crucifixion’ by Norma McDonald, our indigenous artist, whose work was purchased by the Synod.

And now is it back to normal? I don’t think so. We take a deep breath and continue the journey of being a witness to the story of Jesus to the people of Perth in other ways. Those ways will continue to emerge, as we remain faithful.

A huge thanks to all the volunteers and staff who gave so much of their time and energy to the Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition. The Comments Book reflects the quality of the work we presented this year but also acknowledges the generosity of those who helped in the many and varied ways. A special thank you to those who were either a ‘presence’ or a ‘tour guide’. In listening to some of the conversations, we were able to achieve so much. Also my deep appreciation to Rev Lee Edwards for coordinating this group.

So a big thank you from me for all your assistance and support. My hope is that we will all get together soon to reflect and debrief from the exhibition and I look forward to hearing more of the stories.
Thanks for reading
Don

Don's Blog

Hi all.

What an amazing opening night. So many people, such a good atmosphere and a wonderful opening speech by Rev Tom Wilson. I have had so many great comments from those who attended, in particular the artists.
It has been wonderful going down to the church every day and sitting with the volunteers and from time to time showing people around the artworks. I have enjoyed immensely the sharing with individuals and groups and engaging in conversations around the themes and interpretations of the Stations. The comments book has been used extensively, and I am yet to see a negative comment. “Stunning, moving, a new interpretation”, and many other positive comments have added to the feeling that this is a good exhibition.
One interesting comment from a member of the congregation – ‘why can’t we do something like this all the time?’
This is a good and thoughtful question that makes me wonder how we can continue telling and witnessing to the story in the same powerful, imaginative way. How can we share in conversation and connection with those who flow by and come into our church? We managed to do something at Advent/Christmas and now at Easter, and now we need to wonder how we can do something more continuously. At this point in time, all suggestions greatly received
Another comment I have heard quite strongly during the week is how wonderful the church space looks. “It is a welcoming warm space”, “it lends itself to being flexible for worship and other events” I am finding it hard to ignore these comments.
Let me conclude by sharing the poem I wrote and shared with the congregation on Sunday. Titled “I Sit”

I sit,
A church,
Art all around,
The journey to the Cross
Painful, overwhelming, gutsy
Artist’s souls in these works
Their gift creating a blessing for us.

I sit
Voices, Conversations,
People sharing their journey,
Listening, hearing,
Lives touching lives.

I sit
I wonder at this journey
Struggle, hardship, pain and yet…
In the watching, in the gift, in the conversations
I see life…
And life out of death is good.

Thanks for Reading.
Don

Don's Blog

Hi all.

What a week around Wesley. The pews are out, the chairs are in, and the artworks arrived, their arrivals staggered to let Catherine our curator put them in position. The last one arrived today and as I write, they are nearly all in position. To see them in the flesh, so to speak, reinforces the powerful interpretations they offer on Jesus’ journey to the cross.

A friend of mine said last week. Often in church, we think we hold all the truth about Jesus, sometimes keeping it to ourselves, locking it up in the way we talk about or don’t talk about the bible. But when we give the Jesus story to artists and ask them to share their reflections they offer us a truth that we may have not seen before. They open up the story in a new way for us.

As I have wandered around each of the artworks this week, I listened to the personal stories of some of the artists as they engaged the work, as they let the Jesus story make an impact on them. It has been quite moving to hear these stories. I gained many new insights that I had not thought about before. My hope is that you too will find something new that will make an impact and be and encouragement as we travel this faith journey together. After all, as the song goes, we are all in this together.

Thanks for Reading.

Don

Don's Blog

Hi all.
On Monday along with Rev Viv Larkin and Catherine Czerw our curator, I visited two more artists to see their work for the Stations exhibition. Hans Arkwveld who draws body parts for the Biology Department of UWA has produced an amazing drawing around the theme of “Jesus meets his Mother” (Station No 4). I can promise you a very thought provoking piece of art that will stimulate many a conversation. Don’t get me wrong, it is not controversial. It just has so many fine and detail images in it that you may want to visit it several times in order to discover all its intricacies.

The second artist we visited is the indigenous artist, Norma McDonald who has completed a work on Station Number 12, “Jesus is Crucified”. Once again, (will you ever tire of me saying this) I was very moved. Norma has “fused” (her word) Aboriginal culture and Christian Culture. She stated that she is a Christian and her mother was one of the children in Mogumber Mission, so she has a real connection with us. She said that in her work she wants to bring together many of the Aboriginal perceptions of life and death with Christian understandings. You will see from her work that she achieves this rather well. She offers us a very reflective piece that for me brilliantly brings out the central theme of our faith that Christ died for us all.

Can I say once again? I think you will enjoy and be moved by this exhibition.

Thanks for Reading.
Don

Sunday 14th March. Sinners and Outcasts this week. So you are all invited. Just prior to my reflection we will be watching a presentation from “Make Poverty History”

Opening night for the Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition will be 6pm Friday 26th March.
Please let Kerri know on admin@ucic.org.au or 6103 4222 if you would like to attend.

Volunteers for Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition.

We are still interested in receiving expressions of interest from those who would like to act as volunteers, either just to ‘be there’ or to be ‘Tour Guides’. The Exhibition will be open from 9am till 5pm from Saturday 27th March through to Monday 5th April.
Please contact Revd. Lee Edwards at leerev@optusnet.com.au if you are interested.

For the ‘Tour Guides’ there will be an initial briefing at 4pm, Monday 22nd February and then the final briefing in the presence of the 2010 artworks at 5pm, Thursday 25th March.

8.30am Discussion Group.

A reminder for some that the 8.30 service is still happening. A small group gathers, we get a ‘good’ coffee from across the road and then sit together for 45 mins and talk about the Gospel reading for the day. It's really a ‘chat with the minister' or could be seen as 'minister's corner'. It a great time for me, not only because I get a coffee to get me going but we get to think more about the reading and discuss it’s impact on us. Please feel free to join us.

STATION OF THE CROSS Art Exhibition.

Go to http://www.perthunitingchurch.com.au/viewStory/Wesley to see a list of participating artists

Don's Blog

Hi all.

I shared last week that we were to have a funeral at Wesley. It happened, and was a wonderful occasion. The church looked good, it was a good service, the eulogies were appreciated, the Tuesday Singers where outstanding and we had a wonderful morning tea afterwards. We even had some tourists come into the church while the morning tea was on, and thinking it was a normal part of church life, helped themselves to coffee and cake. It was that sort of gathering.

However, the best for me was seeing members of the family embracing each other, allowing a healing to take place. There had been some tension and there is still more healing to take place but is was so refreshing to see mother and daughters and grandson, who had not had contact for four years, embracing each other, crying together, sharing stories about their mother and grandmother, agreeing on the influence and legacy of her life. I found out after the service that they had come together the previous Friday and began to reconnect.
One of the good things that happens around Wesley.

The journey of Lent has been an interesting one for me full of the normality of church life, with meetings, preparation and pastoral situations. It has also had tension, hardship and the difficult side that life often throws at you. I am looking forward to the season of celebrating resurrection.

Thanks for Reading.
Don

Sunday 7th March.

Don's Blog

Hi all.

The excitement builds as we count down the days leading up to the Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition.
On Monday afternoon the tour guides came together for the first time this year and we received a peek viewing into some of the artists and their work. Catherine Czerw, our Curator, shared some hints and led us through an exciting presentation as we prepared for the exhibition.
On Wednesday, Catherine and I and Rev Viv Larkin, visited three more of the artists. It was refreshing to hear and see how each of the artists is processing the issues surrounding the journey of Jesus to the Cross. The question of how we “deal with our mortality” was there with all three artists. Each one entered that question very subjectively, conscious as one artist quietly said, “We all die”.
The woman I mentioned last week did die and will be sadly missed, particularly by her daughter. We hope to have a funeral either Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

From this and other experiences I realize that we leave behind us a legacy and in the end we choose whether it is a positive one, with deep loving as a consequence or a less helpful one where estrangement, sadness and hurt are the only memories.

Thanks for Reading.
Don

Sunday 28th February. During the Service I will be interviewed by Paul Coates using the questions that were gleaned from members of the congregation last year. It should be fun. I will also be offering a reflection on “Blessing”.

Opening night for the Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition will be 6pm Friday 26th March.
Please let Kerri know on admin@ucic.org.au or 6103 4222 if you would like to attend.

Volunteers for Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition.

We are still interested in receiving expressions of interest from those who would like to act as volunteers, either just to ‘be there’ or to be ‘Tour Guides’. The Exhibition will be open from 9am till 5pm from Saturday 27th March through to Monday 5th April.
Please contact Revd. Lee Edwards at leerev@optusnet.com.au if you are interested.

For the ‘Tour Guides’ there will be an initial briefing at 4pm, Monday 22nd February and then the final briefing in the presence of the 2010 artworks at 5pm, Thursday 25th March.

8.30am Discussion Group.

A reminder for some that the 8.30 service is still happening. A small group gathers, we get a ‘good’ coffee from across the road and then sit together for 45 mins and talk about the Gospel reading for the day. It's really a ‘chat with the minister' or could be seen as 'minister's corner'. It a great time for me, not only because I get a coffee to get me going but we get to think more about the reading and discuss it’s impact on us. Please feel free to join us.

Don's Blog

Hi all.

This week I had the real privilege of sitting with an elderly woman who was dying. Some of you may know her. After walking quietly into her room and noticing that she was drifting in and out of sleep I sat by her bed. After a little while I said who I was and used the word Wesley, hoping she would give some sign of recognition. That was not to be. I noticed a very tattered, well-used old bible next to her bed and on opening there was a message on the inside cover that it was a gift from her mother. I decided to read Psalm 23, always a favourite when death seems not far away. It gave me a sense of calmness. I offered a prayer and a blessing for the journey ahead.

I did not really want to leave and so for a while continued to sit quietly, sometimes touching her hand, letting her know I was there.

I noticed a guest book next to her bed and decided to take a liberty and look through the pages. The entries went back quite a few years. I noticed the many visits from her daughter and each time there was a special comment, either about the dress her mother was wearing or the things they had talked about during the visit. It was moving and touching to read the little notes each one a gentle entry of love.

Then I started to recognize names mentioned in other entries. People from Wesley, Reg and Bev, Dorothy, Evadne, Bruce and Margaret, the Tuesday singers and many others. I felt deeply proud of the love and friendship that Wesley was able to provide. Her and our lives were truly blessed by our connection.

Her daughter arrived and we sat together talking and remembering her mother’s life and I heard more of the connection with Wesley, her marriage ceremony during a Sunday morning service and the many things in which she and her husband had been involved.

As I walked away from the hospital that morning, I felt incredibly peaceful. Death in this sense is peaceful and I wondered and hoped that I might be able to have this kind of death. It's not always the case. A person I was reading about this week said of life. "I view everything from the perspective of my death". It reminded me that, for Jesus, death was on his mind a great deal, particularly as he approached Jerusalem.

As we enter into Lent, we enter again this journey to death and beyond. My prayer is that as we continue to understand this journey it may enrich and bless our lives so that the wisdom we gain can be shared with those who seek it.

Thanks for Reading.

Don

Opening night for the Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition will be 6pm Friday 26^th March.

Please let Kerri know on admin@ucic.org.au or 6103 4222 if you would like to attend.

Volunteers for Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition.

We are still interested in receiving expressions of interest from those who would like to act as volunteers, either just to ‘be there’ or to be ‘Tour Guides’. The Exhibition will be open from 9am till 5pm from Saturday 27th March through to Monday 5th April.

Please contact Revd. Lee Edwards at leerev@optusnet.com.au if you are interested.

For the ‘Tour Guides’ there will be an initial briefing at 4pm, Monday 22nd February and then the final briefing in the presence of the 2010 artworks at 5pm, Thursday 25th March.

8.30am Discussion Group.

A reminder for some that the 8.30 service is still happening. A small group gathers, we get a ‘good’ coffee from across the road and then sit together for 45 mins and talk about the Gospel reading for the day. It's really a ‘chat with the minister' or could be seen as 'minister's corner'. It a great time for me, not only because I get a coffee to get me going but we get to think more about the reading and discuss it’s impact on us. Please feel free to join us.

STATION OF THE CROSS Art Exhibition.

Go to http://www.perthunitingchurch.com.au/viewStory/Wesley to see a list of participating artists