Hello Faith Pals,
I hope you are going to enjoy the sunshine today. I don’t mind the cold nights if our reward is the blue sky. I lived in Canberra for about 20 years, so I am used to the chill!
Now, I gave you the gift of Rob Weir’s haiku on Monday. Here is one from Janet Soo:
Half moon Pink and grey sky Butcher birds greeting the day.
So much talent! I know some of you are displaying your talents in the garden, or in the kitchen, or via craft or sewing. Others are sharing their pastoral gifts.
Speaking of Rob-we greeted each other on the escalator at the supermarket yesterday. It was wonderful seeing someone from the congregation!
Yesterday this came in from the Spiritual Health website:
A friend stands on the precipice of death
Peace is no where
Friends and family form a circle of love
Peace is now here
A patient wrestles with her fear
Peace is no where
Spiritual care creates space for difficult words to be spoken and held
Peace is now here
What a difference a space makes! Or a different perspective.
Also on their webpage was the UK Church Blessing. Please have your tissues ready-very moving!:
‘The UK Blessing’ — Churches sing ‘The Blessing’ over the UK
In the United Kingdom over 65 churches and movements, representing hundreds of others, have come together online to sing a blessing over their land. “Standing together as one, our desire is that this song will fill you with hope and encourage you. But the church is not simply singing a blessing, each day we’re looking to practically be a blessing. Many of the churches included in this song have assisted with supplying over 400,000 meals to the most vulnerable and isolated in our nation since COVID-19 lockdown began. This alongside phone calls to the isolated, pharmacy delivery drops and hot meals to the NHS frontline hospital staff. Our buildings may be closed but the church is very much alive!”
(just cut and paste this into your browser)
We seem to have a long email again, but I hope there is something in it for everyone.
One big concern I have is that, due to the lifting of some covid 19 restrictions, recreational duck shooting will begin again. It is already banned in three states, but not in Victoria. I do not see this as part of caring for God’s creation. Our wild life is diminishing, especially after the recent bush fires. If you want to send in a signature as protest to the government, please go to the Animals Australia website. All you have to do is press a button and the letter, already written, will be sent.
(If we were having a church service I would mention this in the notices/concerns).
I have included a beautiful short video as an attachment from a friend about our gorgeous world.
Had a Presbytery meeting via zoom this morning. We are in a transition period, and need to exercise months of caution. We are to ensure the safety of vulnerable people, and the weakest or most vulnerable, are the test for any decision we make as church. People before programs. Presbytery and Synod will have more information for us next week.
Well, I think that is enough for Friday.
Blessings and love
Barbara
