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Hello Faith Pals, Happy Friday!   And a Happy Birthday to Maureen, who had a birthday yesterday.  It is hard when we cannot celebrate as we would like-but our hearts can still be joyful.  Remember when you were a child, and you were so excited the day BEFORE your birthday?  At least I was! (and I still get excited the night before). News: Rohini is progressing very slowly…her shoulder is still causing her some pain…we will keep her and Jaya and family in our prayers.  Jaya is doing well, and his blood sugars have lowered, so that is wonderful news. Alan and Fredrica: Alan is due for blood tests and chemotherapy next week.  Fredrica’s hand is improving, but still quite sore if she does too much. Jean: still in Sandringham Hospital.  She said she got a bit worse so they have kept her in.  She said she will be going to rehab before going home.  At this stage, Jean is unsure when she will be leaving hospital. She said Jacqui is doing quite well. Please keep Rob’s Uncle Kev and Aunty Elv in your prayers please, especially with the disturbing news about the number of covid 19 cases in aged care facilities. David came home from hospital yesterday, and is doing quite well, so that is good news.  He goes back this afternoon for dialysis-I am trying to fall in love with Punt Road! Collection of favourite Bible verses from people: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 25:40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Proverbs 31: 10-31 Psalm 23 Romans 5: 1-6, Romans 8 If I have missed any out, or you want others included, please let me know. I realized I was going to send around a very thought provoking clip from Bruce Bird, about Steve Jobs.  I will send that as a separate email later. Masks.  Interesting seeing people in masks.  Some are fashion statements-that is fine if it encourages them to be worn. Reminds me a little of masked balls (masquerade), or carnivals.  They have been popular since the 14th century.  They are very popular in Venice. We have probably seen films where there is a masked ball.  Who is behind the mask? This is a question we can ask when we are out walking or shopping: Who is behind the mask? Masks have been used to describe one’s behaviour: hiding behind a mask-putting up a barrier, or creating a facade to hide or to protect oneself…It might be pretending to be brave, or full of bravado, hiding behind academic credentials…the class clown is often protecting some inner  insecurity,  or perceived  inferiority. The mask can help our faith-a reminder that what ever mask/front/show we put on…God sees our true self, and loves us. I don’t mind wearing a mask- BUT I can’t smile at people…well…I do…but they can’t see the smile.  I hope my crinkled eyes give away what is behind my mask.   ” src=”blob:https://www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au/bbf9a327-8a34-4c72-a44d-2a35b211359a” alt=”” class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton”> This is an excerpt from a public health poster about the Spanish influenza (flu) pandemic drawn by children’s illustrator and author May Gibbs in 1919. The detail features a gumnut baby and a kookaburra sitting on a branch, with eucalyptus leaves wrapped around their mouths in the manner of surgical masks. Apart from the leaf, the gumnut baby wears only a gumnut on her head. The illustration is captioned ‘Hullo! How are you?’ This public health poster was part of a government campaign in New South Wales to limit the spread of the deadly Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19, in which about 12,000 Australians died, 6,300 of them in NSW. Soldiers returning from the First World War and infected people were quarantined, wearing masks in public places was made compulsory, schools were closed, many public activities were banned or restricted and pharmacy prices were regulated. This illustration by children’s illustrator and author May Gibbs (1877-1969) uses familiar characters from her children’s books to encourage readers, especially children, to wear masks to reduce the spread of the deadly infection. So…I hope you have obtained a mask-if not, you can use eucalyptus leaves! Blessings and love Barbara Keep reading, then you will get to the joke which I have forwarded on from a friend. Last week I think I neglected to include a joke…sorry!  I know I was having internet problems-and that wasn’t a joke!                An  American decided to write a book about famous churches around the world. So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to Orlando, thinking that he would start by working his way across the USA from South to North.   On  his first day he was inside a church taking photographs, when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read  ‘$10,000 per call’.  The  American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by, what the telephone was used  for.  The  priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God.  The  American thanked the priest and went along his  way.   Next stop was in Atlanta. There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same looking golden telephone with the same sign under  it.  He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in Orlando and he asked a nearby nun what  its purpose was.  She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for

Hello Faith Pals,   I am not sure when you will receive this email.  I am having internet problems!  The things we take for granted-until they go wrong!  You will receive this sometime.  If it is tomorrow-remember-it is still Monday somewhere in the world! Now, I know home schooling is back, as is being on site for senior students.  A reminder that I set you some homework several weeks ago.  Do you remember?  Some of you have already submitted them to me (virtual gold stars for you!).  Favourite Bible verses or parts of Scripture.  I have some, but I would like more!  Then I can compile them and we can all have a handy page to turn to during these challenging times in lockdown (which will end). The 11th July was listed as The Feast of Non-Pilgrims.  Edward Hays writes that this is a good day to stay at home, instead of heading off on pilgrimage.  Now you know why I have chosen to write about this feast day! Hays quote these words of the 14th century Kashmiri poet, Lal Ded: ‘I was passionate, filled with longing, I searched far and wide.   But the day that the Truthful One found me, I was at home.’   Hays points out that Christian pilgrimages to the Holy City of Jerusalem and other holy sites did not become popular until after a few centuries.  In the first centuries of the early church, Christians believed that Christ could be experienced,  as though on pilgrimage, in one’s home, or when visiting a neighbour [we are not to do that at present, though!] The home was holy because that was where worship, and the Lord’s Supper, took place. Well…isn’t that where worship is taking place now? We often talk about church buildings being ‘soaked in prayer’- surely our homes also come under that category?  If not…now is the time to give them a good soaking!  Look around.  What have you got on display, or tucked away safely in a drawer or cupboard, that can be brought out to signal that your home is also a place of worship?  A Bible that could be left open on a table, a candle, a cross?  An Easter card…a Christmas decoration…a sculpture of praying hands? Set aside an area if you would find that helpful.  I know I mentioned a Christmas decoration-yes, there is a tradition that states that if you don’t take down all your Christmas decorations by January 6th (Epiphany) you will suffer bad luck (and no, the fact that I ALWAYS find a stray one AFTER they have been packed away IS NOT the reason for covid 19!), but I am now of the opinion that a little reminder somewhere of the birth of the baby Jesus is suitable all year round.  My angels might come under that category, or the Australian nativity set that I still have arranged on a bench because it is so cute.  I’m  not good at maths, but I figure I don’t have as many Christmases in front of me as behind me…so I will enjoy the beauty and the reminder of God’s son, in a small way, all year round. How does it alter things, seeing the home as holy?  Remember the saying that Jesus is the unseen guest at the table, and at every conversation?  Would we be kinder to one another? Or more mindful of the important things and let the petty things disappear? News: David is improving-hopefully home Thursday or Friday. Erica  said that James has been discharged from hospital (they decided against operating) and he is now at Goldlinks Road Rehab.  Please remember Erica and family in your prayers too. It is hard for families working from home, juggling children etc.  Long hours and much tiredness. Rob : could we keep his Aunty Elv and Uncle Kev in our prayers please?  Rob’s uncle, who is in Aged Care has developed a nasty chest infection (not covid), and is struggling. I have forwarded a lovely story from Margaret. You will probably need a tissue or hanky-very moving. One of my favourite quotes is from Abraham Heschel ( I don’t think I have shared it before…if I can’t remember, you probably don’t either!): ‘When I was young I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.’ -Abraham Heschel   Remember: God will visit you at home. Blessings and love Barbara Allen               Grab a cuppa and keep the tissues handy, well worth the read. This obviously originated in America but it’s a “feel good” sort of story! The Folded Napkin … A Truckers Story If this doesn’t light your fire … Your wood is wet!   I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counsellor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn’t sure I wanted one. I wasn’t sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn’t worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don’t generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.   The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids travelling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded “truck stop germ,” the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.   I shouldn’t have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.  

Hello Faith Pals, Great fog this morning!  Are you walking around ‘in a fog’?  Do some of your thoughts need to be in focus? If you want to be theological, think of the fog as God’s ‘cloud by day’-God’s presence, being with the Israelites as they made their way through the wilderness: ‘The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night.  Neither the pillar of cloud  nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.’ (Exodus 13:21-22) Fog: a slightly damp reminder that God is always with us. There is a lovely attachment from Margaret – have a tissue handy for happy tears! This reminded me of our faces and of laughter (and of something else-but if I write it it will spoil the watching!) And of St Ephraem (Ephrem/Ephraim) the Syrian who lived in the 4th century. He fled from the Persians, living in a cave and writing many hymns.  He was given the title ‘Harp of the Holy Spirit’ because of the hymns he composed BUT according to sources/legend, Ephraem never laughed or smiled. Well, if he had fled persecution and was living in a cave…I don’t know how often I would have laughed either! BUT if you  want to give your face a rest-smile more, uses fewer muscles than frowning!  Also-each day we have a choice-to smile, or to have a down-turned mouth. Emerson said that our face reveals what the spirit is doing.  In our daily lives, we may think that if we smile, we are not taking the problems of the world/our lives seriously.  We have to remember that everyone has troubles and problems-especially now.  We have to think about how we respond to them.  Your face is the window of your soul.  Don’t pull down the blind, or draw the curtains-don’t cover up God’s light.  Make your soul full of God-and then your face will be full of joy! AND I DON’T (mostly) MIND MY WRINKLES!  They are smile lines (I don’t mind them being called crow’s feet-I like crows). Wrinkles are carvings of our life’s experiences. ‘Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.'(Psalm 126:2) ‘A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.’ (Proverbs 17:22) Blessings and love, Barbara

Hello Faith Pals, Hello, I hope you are all warm and dry, inside (well, of course you are if you are reading this!) out of the chill. Some updates: Alan and Fredrica Kingsbury: Alan is having blood tests today, before his chemotherapy on Wednesday.  Fredrica is seeing her surgeon tomorrow Rohini: her shoulder is getting better, and Jaya is doing a little better week by week, which is good news. Erica Fox: Not sure if things have progressed since Friday, when Erica informed me that James was still awaiting surgery, when they will put in plates and rods to give his spine more stability. John Wallace: we will keep his sister Joy in our prayers Margaret Knott: doing well, fine again, she said. -Her niece Ros, in Brisbane is unwell. She had an aggressive stage 4 brain tumour 18 months ago. Please pray for her and her family. David (my husband): doing quite well.  The physio got him out of bed, and he was able to walk, with assistance, to the bathroom-but that was it!  He is very tired, still in quite a lot of pain.  He is off to dialysis there this afternoon, so I hope he can rest while he is having that done. Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, emails and phone calls-we do feel upheld in prayer, and I do feel strengthened by God. This came in from Geoff Serpell, regarding a late member of the congregation, Lorna  Bravington: ‘The Bravington family informed me this morning of the passing of Lorna on 30 June aged 98. She had been ailing for about five years and I had prepared the eulogy at the family’s request some time ago. The grandchildren wish to do the eulogies at the funeral at 2 pm on next Friday at Tobin’s 604 Esplanade Mt Martha. This will be viewable via Tobin web site I am informed.’ Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. And, of course, our prayers are with the Pink family this week, as they prepare for Tom’s funeral tomorrow. More books.  From Jenny Longmuir: ‘It was interesting to see people’s favourite books. I have so many favourites. It is lovely to have time to reread some of them. One is ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Hosseini which is focused on the lives of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban. I just reread ‘A Town Like Alice’ by Neville Shute and ‘The Year of Wonders’ which is based on the town of Eyam in Derbyshire . As plague spread in 1665  it quarantined itself and although 2/3 of the population died, other villages were saved. We went to Eyam in 2009 and spoke to the lady who lives in the cottage where the plague began. She believes the cottage is haunted. The plague was  caused by fleas in a bolt of cloth sent from London. I am nor reading ‘None but the Brave’ by Joy Chambers, a great read. I was a Teacher Librarian for 6 years and love reading Children’s books. I read almost every Enid Blyton book when I was a child.’ From Geoff and Janice Serpell: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt The Citadel by A.J. Cronin Poetry books by Pam Ayres The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson The Harp in the South by Ruth Park Forty-four Scotland Street by Alex McCall Smith A Passionate Life by Ita Buttrose The Long Hot Summer by Mary Moody The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough All I needed to know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum   Favourite Books of Geoff Serpell The [Frances Gay] Friendship Annual books The Cruel Sea by N. Monserrat Biggles Books [series] by Capt. W.E. Johns Complete Short Stories [1,11, and 111] by S. Maugham Audrey Hepburn Treasures by Erwin & Diamond All Creatures Great & Small [series] by James Herriot John Curtain’s War by John Edwards Life of Pi by Yanni Martel Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt Tears of the Moon by Di Morrisey The No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alex McCall Smith Pastoral Care & Counselling by Howard Clinebell Breaking the Rules [series] by Eddie Askew Victory at Villers-Bretonneux by Peter Fitzsimons Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom Some interesting reads. Geoff suggested favourite songs next. I have one entry for favourite Scripture verses, which I will hold on to until we have more entries coming in. Two quotes: ‘Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.’ -Ralph Waldo Emerson ‘Music in the soul can be heard by the whole universe.’ -Lao Tzu I found this statement on-line, and HAD to end with it!    I Resign I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8-year-old again. I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four star restaurant. I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks. I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them. I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer day. I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset. I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again. I want to live simple again. I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there

Hello Faith Pals, Here is this week’s sermon-a more cheerful topic, you will be relieved to know! Yesterday I noticed 2 tawny frogmouths in one of our trees.  That gave me a lift.  They don’t appear to be there today, but they are good at hiding. Update on folk: Margaret Knott: is improving.  Had an appt today, but I haven’t spoken to her since then. Fredrica and Alan: Fredica has an appointment with the surgeon in Tuesday, so we will know more then. Alan: blood tests on Monday, chemotherapy on Wednesday.  A big week for them both. Jean and Jacqui Rayner: Jacqui is improving, recuperating at a friend’s house.  Jean will be going to Eltham to stay with another daughter this weekend. John Wallace phoned me today to let me know that his sister, Joy Pollard, is palliative, and not expected to last many more days.  He would like prayers for himself, and for Joy. I also need to let you know that my husband, David, had a fall outside our front gate yesterday afternoon, and is now in hospital with a broken right hip.  Surgery will happen tomorrow morning.  Today is a dialysis day, and that takes priority. The ambulance took him to Epworth, which is where he goes for dialysis.  The ambulance officers were so caring and attentive.  So please include David in your prayers. Books: Quite a number of suggestions.  Here are other people’s favourites, or ones that they love/been inspired by: From Robyn Daley: ‘The first I learnt about after watching Oprah years ago, a young boy she had on her program wrote Heartsongs  by Mattie Stepanek. It’s a poetry book he wrote since the age of 3yrs till he passed away from Muscular Dystrophy aged 12. A boy genius with such insight and an inspiration. This book I found at a Church fete   “No music by request” A Portrait of the Gorman Family. It’s the story of Pierre and his parents and their struggle when he was born deaf early in the 1920’s. They brought teaching of speech to the deaf to Melbourne from France and Pierre was the first deaf student to attend Melbourne Grammar at primary level. He went on to University and did public speaking.’ From Janet Soo: ’10 of my favourites would include – in no particular order A.A.MILNE. When we were very young. W.S.GILBERT. The Savoy Operas. (Was my mother’s copy given to her by her father) A.M.SMITH. The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. (Plus many in the series) K.SENOH. A Boy called H.(A childhood in Wartime Japan) N.MAZARI & R.HILLMAN The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif. S.MACABOY. What flower is that? M.HADDON. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time. D.MICHIE. The Dalai Lama’s cat. S.MAUGHAM Of Human bondage. and…..The Victorian Readers,especially Grade 2 which has The Hobbyahs!’ In later emails, Janet wanted to also include the Concise Oxford Dictionary, and The Famous Five. From Peter Byrne: Dirt Music, Tim Winton. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson. A Fortunate Life, A.B. Facey A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking. Church Dogmatics, Karl Barth (still uncompleted) My Brother Jack, George Johnstone The Turning, Tim Winton  (short stories). Confessions, St.Augustine. The Caine Mutiny, Herman Wouk. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton (favourite from childhood, along with the “Borrowers” series, by Mary Norton) So-lots of suggestions there. In the book The Shadows of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, one of the characters says: ‘Every book…has a soul.  The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it.  Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.’ I used to love going into second-hand bookshops and finding books with people’s names on them, perhaps with a message from someone if the book had been a gift to them. If we want to apply favourites to the Bible-which is your favourite book of the Bible/portion of Scripture/verse(s)? Quotes: ‘True love begins when nothing is looked for in return.’-Antoine De Saint-Exupery (drat!  He wrote another of my favourite books-which I didn’t list-The Little Prince) ‘Nature itself is God’s first, oldest, and clearest scripture.’ -Richard Rohr) Here is a link to a youtube clip I keep meaning to send-then forget to.  Some of you may already have seen it.  Andrea Bocelli on Easter Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80arlwyX0bk Here is an email from Joy Blamires-it has all the information about Tom Pink’s funeral: Hi there my Leighmoor friends, I am plodding along getting to know my congregation at Mornington, thank you for your friendship and support, I look forward to catching up face to face when that is feasible. You heard earlier in the week of the death of Tom Pink who worshipped at Wickham Road in days gone by. His wife Betty and the family had some special time with him at home over the past 6 weeks, and he passed away peacefully at Frankston Palliative Care Hospital last Sunday. These are the details for Thanksgiving Service for Tom Pink on Tuesday At this time of COVID restrictions funerals continue to face strong restrictions which adds to the sadness of all. Therefore there will be a “private” Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday July 7th at 11am. A few people will represent the various groups Tom has been involved with over the years. Geoff and Jan are taking Shirley Edwards down for the funeral and they will represent Tom’s time at Wickham Road church. However anyone else who knew Tom is welcome to view the Service which will be streamed online by the funeral directors (Tobin Brothers- Mt Martha). The link is below: http://tobin.5stream.com/webcast/54570 Looking forward to seeing you all again when we can, Joy Well, I think that is enough to keep you going. Blessings and love Barbara Allen

Hello Faith Pals, I hope you have all warmed up! 1 degree when I got up! News about : Fredrica: Managing quite well. Still has pain, of course, but coping. Don: (from Geoff Serpell on Friday evening): Anne phoned this evening  to tell us that Don had  his surgical operation this afternoon to restore his broken hip. He is now  on 24 nursing watch and of course is not feeling the greatest. The surgeon pronounced the operation as successful. He will remain in Frankston hospital at least a week and then require rehabilitation. Anne will keep us informed and I will pass the details on to you. Anne is very grateful for our prayers and thoughts.’  Thank you Geoff. Jean and Jacqui:  Jacqui is now out of I CU, on a general ward. Jacqui is having a lung test today, and will be in hospital for at least a couple more days.  Jean has appreciated your thoughts and prayers, and offers of help. I have included a clip from Margaret Knott about Yellowstone Park, and what happened after wolves were re-introduced into the region.  Of course, I am concerned about the deer-but I have to put that aside.  Nature is nature. Wolves are incredible creatures.  One of the most amazing experiences of my life was having my face licked by a white wolf (I visited a white wolf sanctuary in Oregon when we stayed with Audrey Schindler about 8 years ago-some of you remember Audrey-and Bruce-a most gracious lady, and beautiful couple).  Audrey and Bruce also came along, and enjoyed the howls! Now, have you done your homework?  What are your top ten books?  I set the task-but then was asked “what are your top ten?”  It is more difficult than I thought!  Top 10 from your childhood?  In your teens?  Working life?  The top 10 books that have made a difference in your life?   I kept finding more and more.  Here is my top ten (I think): Charlotte’s Web: E.B White Little Women: Louisa May Alcott Ferdinand the Bull: Munro Leaf Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte Night: Elie Wiesel History of Rain: Niall Williams The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: C.S. Lewis Tuesdays With Morrie: Mitch Albom Lenny’s Book of Everything: Karen Foxlee Skellig: David Almond Brewer’s Book of Phase and Fable (yes, I am not good at maths, so maybe that is 11!  Ferdinand the Bull is a picture book, so not so big!) I didn’t list any poetry, or treasured volumes of fairytales, or  my animal books, or anything by Paul Gallico, or Madeleine L’Engle, or some wonderful Christian non-fiction. Sigh. I have a list from one person, which I will share on Friday, so if you have made up your list (it might only be 1 or 2 books-that is fine)-please send it in during the week, and I will do a compilation for Friday.  You might want to include an answer to “why is that book so special to you?” Now, I know some of you have been busy sorting out books, tidying up-so this might be an easy task! Two weeks ago I sent you some reflections about love, based on 1 Corinthians 13.  I suggested inserting Jesus’ name in it: ‘Christ is…patient, Christ is…kind…’  because we realized we couldn’t live up to inserting our own names.  We fail…sometimes miserably! BUT Max Lucado makes this suggestion, putting in Christ…and your name (I am using the version of the Bible he used, so some of the wording is a little different from the NRSV): Christ in_____ is patient, Christ in __________ is kind.  Christ in_________ does not envy, Christ in ________ does not boast, Christ in __________ is not proud.  Christ in ____________ is not rude, Christ in _________is not self-seeking, Christ in ____________is not easily angered, Christ in _________keeps no record of wrongs.  Christ in ___________does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  Christ in ___________always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Christ in ___________never fails. Doesn’t that make a difference! We may never live up to the ideal (not this side of heaven) but we will love better! Blessings and love, Barbara Allen

Maths again!  In the date on the first line of the attached Service, I have 29 instead of 28 (it is 28 everywhere else).  Is this just to confirm I have a thing about maths?  I went through and proof read the service/sermon 3 times before sending!  I found it and have corrected it for the website. It does give me the chance to write and give you homework (optional though!) I mentioned that Little Women is one of my top ten books.  Homework: What is your favourite book (or one of your favourite books?) OTHER THAN THE BIBLE! (that is a given). Let’s see what you come up with, and how many favourites you have in common. Blessings Barbara On 26-Jun-20 10:43 AM, Barbara Allen and David Morgan wrote: Hello Faith Pals, Happy Friday! First, some good news.  Jean Raynor’s daughter, Jacqui, has now been moved to a general ward, so that means she is on the improve.  A number of you have asked if there is anything you can do for Jean.  I did ask her, and she said, nothing at present, except to keep them in your prayers.  She has different family members visitng her each day and driving her to the Alfred. Fredrica Kingsbury is recovering well, but still in some pain.  Fredrica and Alan feel very supported by your thoughts and prayers, so keep them coming. Family are supporting them, and they are having some care services starting today. I don’t have any news about Don’s operation.  Geoff do you know anything? Now-a warning.  The sermon this week does tackle the lectionary readings-but it is pretty bleak.  It would have been easy to avoid it-but one needs to examine the dark passages too.  I mention Jerusalem in my sermon, so I thought I would attach a story I wrote, based in Jerusalem, about interfaith dialogue.  Cats are the central characters. If all this is too hard for you to read-or not of interest-I have included a joke, some quotes, a passage from Scripture…and some lovely cheery photos that had been forwarded to me from a friend.  The photos are at the end of the email. I have a Reflection which I will hold over until Monday (you have enough reading material in this email), plus a wonderful clip from Margaret K for Monday as well. This week was the feast day of the birthday of John the Baptist. If I am still with you during Advent you will hear me preach about John-I am very fond of him.  Must be the ex-teacher in me-what would I write in his school report?  ‘John is a challenging pupil…he focuses well on the topic at hand.  At times a bit hard on others.  His passion can get him into trouble.  His dietary requirements are interesting, but we will try our best to cater appropriately on future school trips.’ Joke: On board a ship, a magician gives a nightly performance with all sorts of magic tricks. High on a shelf at the back of the room is a parrot that interrupts each performance by calling out, ” Faker, fraud, I know how you do it.” The magician is not amused. One day, there is an explosion and the ship is blown to pieces. There are two survivors: the magician and the parrot together on a life-raft. For three days they sit in silence and stare at each other. Finally the parrot says, “All right, you win.  I give up. What have you done with the ship?” Quotes: ‘No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway forthe human heart.’-Helen Keller And a fun one: ‘I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.’-Louisa May Alcott (I love her book Little Women!  In my top ten books) Scripture: ‘…for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.’-2 Timothy 1:7 ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.’-Psalm 34:18 ” src=”blob:https://www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au/9bbf338f-4e7b-457d-97f6-5f32438a64be” alt=”” class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton”> Blessings and love Barbara

Hello Faith Pals, Happy birthday to the Uniting Church!  43 today!  You could bake a cake if you were feeling adventurous, or felt like baking.  You wouldn’t need to decorate in black, white and red (they may be misunderstood to be football team colours!). Now, Rob Weir emailed me his memories of the Uniting Church’s foundation: ‘I remember this day well as I was confirmed at Deepdene Uniting Church (Paton Memorial Church) on 26/6/1977 when the Uniting Church was only 5 days old! … Rev Donald Macrae was the minister. I remember him as a lovely man who had a long haired son called Alistair (now Rev Alistair Macrae).’ How exciting is that!  I though of the minister, poor Don Macrae probably had to phone around the weeks before to find out if there were new Confirmation certificates, or new procedures.  Rob sent me a photo of the Bible he was given that day, with a message about his confirmation in it.  Rob would have been one of the first to be confirmed within the Uniting Church. I watched the Glen Waverley service yesterday, and this clip was used- very powerful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e399g0ORAdo I received a lovely photo from Janet Soo.  She wrote: ‘Thought you would be interested to see a cut golden tamarillo.I find it quite interesting how plants and fruits can be used to tell biblical stories.I quite often find a cross when I cut a tomato,and we all know the story of St.Patrick using a clover leaf and missionaries using passion fruit flowers.’ I must admit, I didn’t know the story of the passion fruit flowers, so went on-line to look it up: The Symbolism of the Passion Flower by Elaine Jordan Most of the rich symbols of the Passion of Our Lord have their roots in the Middle Ages, but there is one that comes from the American Continent. It is the Passiflora, passion fruit (in English), fruit de la passion (in French), fruta de la pasión (in Spanish) or flor-da-Paixão or flor de maracujá (in Portuguese). The passion flower has many symbols of Christ’s Passion When the Spanish and Portuguese missionaries and explorers came to the Americas in the 16th century, they were charmed by the exuberant beauty and features of this perfumed flower and immediately associated it with elements of Christ’s Calvary. The Jesuits named the flower Flos Passionis or Flor de las Cinco Llagas, Flower of the Five Wounds. They brought it back with them to Spain and later the fruit found its way to other parts of Europe and the world. In the flower of this purple-colored fruit one can find many of the symbols of the Passion. For this reason the early Catholic missionaries saw it as a gift of God to help them in their work of teaching the Indians to understand the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion. Even the flower color – mostly purple in hue – was remindful of the liturgical color of Lent. Let us look at the many symbols found in the Passion Flower: • Its central pillar represents the column where Our Lord was so brutally flogged, and the many slender tendrils surrounding its base were likened to the cords and whips used in the Scourging. • The three top stigma, each with a roughly rounded head, symbolize the three nails used to drive the spikes into Our Lord’s flesh. • The five anthers are symbolic of the five Sacred Wounds and the circle of filaments that compose the dramatic center of this flower represent the Crown of Thorns. • The rays within the flower form a nimbus, representing Our Lord’s divine glory. • The leaves on many of these plants are shaped like the spear that pierced His Heart. • The 10 petals represent the 10 apostles who forsook their Master and fled, omitting Judas, the traitor, and St. John, who remained with Our Lady under the Cross. A symbolic meaning was found even for the often round shape of the passion fruit itself: it represents the sinful world that Christ came to save by the supreme Sacrifice of His life. Roots and leaves of the passion flower were used by the South American Indians to make a tea with which they treated epilepsy, hysteria and insomnia. This tincture even had properties that helped to soothe pain. The Europeans soon discovered the value of this marvelous plant and took up its use, especially for calming the nerves. It is yet another symbolic aspect of the Passion Fruit: Like Christ who came to relieve the sufferings and anxieties of fallen man, so this marvelous plant relieves the angsts and pains of those who take advantage of the properties imbued in it by God the Creator.   https://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/f038_PassionFlor.htm   The things I am learning!    What other plants/fruits/vegetables remind you of God, or lessons from Scripture?  I know that when I go to the fruit and vegetable section of the supermarket-I am overwhelmed by God’s abundance, and the variety of creation.  Always moves me to say a little prayer.     I have also included a piece from John Wallace, about love.  It seems to have taken up the Scripture passage from last week’s email, from 1 Corinthians, about love. A lovely reminder that God is love.  Thank you, John.   Well, that is nearly enough to keep you going for the week.   We will remember Fredrica Kingsbury this week, who is going in for surgery tomorrow.  Our prayers are with her, with Alan and family, and for the medical and nursing staff. Our prayers are also with Church Council members, who have a Church Council meeting this evening.  Thank you for your service and dedication.   Blessings and love,   Barbara love is all around you Love is all around you my friend, all you have to do is reach out and take hold of it. You have no need to consume it for it will consume you, enveloping you like a blanket

    Hello Faith Pals Some wonderful news.  Alan Kingsbury was told that his psa seems to have stabilized, which is a good thing, so his next lot of chemotherapy went ahead last Wednesday.  He still has to wait until his next blood tests and results on July 8 to see if this means that the chemotherapy is working or not.  Please keep Alan and Fredrica in your prayers.  We thank God for this encouraging news. There is the sermon and prayers, plus as an attachment, the words spoken at the inauguration of the Uniting Church 43 years ago this Tuesday!  Where were you?  Do you remember the formation of the Uniting Church? What did you bring from your own traditions? If we remember that it was an amalgamation of three different church denominations-Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational…what is better when three things are combined? I was trying to think of things: -neapolitan ice cream?  (chocolate, strawberry and vanilla icecream-invented in the late 19th century) -the cake version-marble cake? -toast, spread and jam? -water as ice, water and steam (this is starting to look as if I am trying to explain the doctrine of the Trinity!) Do you have any (better) suggestions? I was in my late teens when the Uniting Church was founded.  I remember my Presbyterian days, when the pews were ‘dressed’ with beautiful tablecloths for when we celebrated Holy Communion once a quarter.  I remember the elder visiting a week or so before, to remind us that we would be celebrating the Lord’s Supper. For those of you are feeling a little old.  Some of you would have already read this, if you have The Friendship Book next to your bed. Let me share this insight anyway: A lady returned from her trip to Rome, and, when asked what was her favourite tourist site,  replied that it was the Colosseum.  When asked “Why?”she replied that: “It is proof…that you can be old and you can be broken, but you can still be magnificent!” Didn’t that make you all feel a little better? A joke to make you smile (I hope) – I found it when I was sorting papers recently-not sure where it came from: An old nun who was living in a convent next to a construction site noticed the coarse language of the workers and decided to spend some time with them to correct their ways. She decided she would take her lunch, sit with the workers, and talk to them. She put her sandwich in a brown bag and walked over to the spot where the men were eating. Sporting a big smile, she walked up to the group and asked: “And do you men know Jesus Christ?” They shook their heads and looked at each other, very confused. One of the workers looked up into the steelworks and yelled out, “Anybody up there know Jesus Christ?” One of the steelworkers yelled down, “Why?” The worker yelled back, “Cause his wife’s here with his lunch.” Some quotes from my quote box (randomly selected): ‘One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.’-Lewis Carroll. ‘Wake at dawn with a winged heart, and give thanks for another day of loving.’-Gibran. And to close with a piece of Scripture: ‘You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust” …he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.'(Psalm 91: 1-2, 4) I hope I have included something for everyone!  Blessings and love, Barbara    

Hello Faith Pals, I hope you are able to greet this grey Monday morning with a glad heart. I know some of you were unable to open the attachment I sent re answers to the Bible quiz.  I have it in a different form and have attached in case you were unable to open the previous one. How many did you find?  Did any of you find all the answers? Some news.  Fredrica Kingsbury is going into Mulgrave Private Hospital on June 23rd for hand surgery.  She is staying overnight, and they have organized care services for the next month or so.  The surgery is on her left hand and thumb, and later Fredrica will have to have surgery on her right hand.  Alan is having another dose of chemotherapy on Wednesday. We keep Fredrica, Alan and family in our prayers. I love the sentiments of 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13.  Instead of writing them out, I have included three different images found on-line. The first contains the message within a heart: