Hello Faith Pals,
Welcome to sunny, windy Melbourne. At least we have variety!
Here is a beautiful piece of music-I keep forgetting to send it to you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYJCYr1I-Sk
Now, some news. Alan had his next bout of chemotherapy. His psa has gone up (not too much) but will be carefully monitored during the coming weeks. Alan has now taken up integrative medicine as well, concentrating on a special diet (lots of things he is not allowed to eat), which also includes times of eating/fasting. We wish Alan and Fredrica (companion on this journey too) well, as they take on another challenge.
Sunday: voting day! This is wonderful and exciting for Leighmoor UC! Lots of work has gone on behind the scenes, with Synod, and then Presbytery and the Joint Nominating Committee. It is a time of hope, and a time of prayer. During these challenging times, things are having to be done differently. Even so, please trust the process, trust God. None of this has been taken lightly. I always remember the first line of a book by Chaim Potok: ‘All beginnings are hard.’ Yes, even exciting ones. Change can be frightening, making us anxious. For those of us who are married…didn’t you feel a little anxious on your wedding day? Or after having a baby? Didn’t things (for the most part) work out? Choosing a new minister is a bit like an arranged marriage. Being on the other side of the process, I have felt nervous before each new placement-BUT I have left each one with many blessings, having met (yet again), a wonderful part of God’s family. God is there with you during this, endeavouring to bring to you the right person for the next phase of your journey as ‘church’ at Leighmoor. Every minister brings something different, something new, as does each congregation. Yes, there will be times when you look back and say, “Oh but Peter would have done this…” or “Dev did this, why can’t we do that?” Remember the Israelites complaining in the desert, having been brought out of from slavery…they look back, saying “Oh back in Egypt at least we had plenty to eat…” etc. (see Numbers 20: 3-5) It is human nature-to look back, BUT our faces are on the front, WE ARE MEANT to look forward, not back. Learn from the past, embrace its lessons, but don’t let it prevent you from enjoying the present, or from dreaming into the future.
Charlotte Bronte put it this way: ‘I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.’ (which is fine if she is not out walking!)
Gosh…you are getting another sermon!
One of the many disappointments about being in lockdown and not able to meet for worship on Sunday, is that on Sunday October 4th it is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi/World Animal Day, and I was looking forward to a Blessing of the Animals service (I am sure Church Council would have agreed to it!) Well, that isn’t going to happen, so, instead, I wonder if any of you have some stories or thoughts about your own pets, past or present you’d like to email me, or like to nominate your favourite bird/animal/ fish and why? Then I will collate a page or two of them to accompany that week’s service/sermon.
Which reminds me (and you will be pleased that we are NOT meeting…because I would be voicing my frustration at this in church)-Christmas goodies (ie food items) are now on the shelves in the supermarkets. September 1 seems to be the day for this. I have real concerns about this. I know it is about making money etc but it is confusing for those who are not churched. I know Hot Cross buns go on sale on Dec 27-we are losing our footing in the world. What does it mean, to have Hot Cross buns available for half the year, and Christmas items for a third? They lose their significance, their specialness, the religious association. This is probably one of the times when we can take a stand, and not be persuaded to eat mince pies before Christmas. (and I am looking forward to sharing information about Christmas decorations/Christmas traditions as we get closer to Christmas. Love Christmas. One for now-mince pies…why do we have them? There are a number of reasons, one being that they were originally oblong in shape, to represent the manger, the spices to remind us of the magi/wise men from the East).
‘Cherish all your happy moments: they make a fine cushion for old age.’-Christopher Morley. I think we could say they make a soft cushion for lockdown!
One quote to use to get you thinking about animals:
‘God made the cat in order that man might have the pleasure of caressing the lion.’-Fernand Mery. (Just had to stop typing up this email to rescue one of our ‘lions’ who got stuck behind the couch! She would not survive in the wild!)
If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma Bombeck
If I Had My Life To Live Over…….
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more “I love you’s”.. more “I’m sorry’s”
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it… live it…and never give it back.
-Erma Bombeck
Sorry Faith Pals, as soon as I pressed ‘send’ I realized I had forgotten two items:
1. Joan had a fall. She required several stitches. Janet Soo passed on this information, and managed to speak to her. I tried, but no success ( I had spoken with her on Sunday, and she wanted to pass on her best to you). According to Janet (and this is so hard over the phone, isn’t it?) she seems to be ok. Let’s remember Joan in our prayers.
2. Today is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks back in 2001. I am sure most of us remember what we were doing that day when we saw those grim images on the tv. We remember those who died, those who died attempting to rescue them, their families and friends, and the traumatized lives of many of the survivors who are alive. 2,977 died, and more than 25,000 sustained major injuries.
Blessings
Barbara
Blessings and love,
Barbara
