{"id":3287,"date":"2020-05-08T11:55:51","date_gmt":"2020-05-08T01:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=3287"},"modified":"2020-05-08T11:59:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-08T01:59:47","slug":"from-barbaras-desk-08-05-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=3287","title":{"rendered":"From Barbara’s Desk 08-05-2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello Faith Pals, <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Just a reminder of the youtube link from Heatheron-Dingley: <\/strong><\/span>
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/t9kEzW2fzw8<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I know that it is hard not being together face to face-but in spirit we are.\u00a0\u00a0 It does give us the opportunity to connect as church in different ways. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It is also hard because it is Mother’s Day on Sunday. We pray for our mothers, and for mothers everywhere.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Special prayers please for Fredrica and Alan Kingsbury, and for Rohini and Jaya Mendis and their families.\u00a0 Our love connects with God’s.\u00a0 Oh how we would LOVE to share our hugs, listening ear etc with them-BUT our hearts are connected to God’s, and God is there, with them, always.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Also, for those who want to read something different on-line.\u00a0 I am recommending (before I have had a chance to read it-which I aim to do over the weekend) a free on-line contribution from Mitch Albom.\u00a0 He is one of my favourite authors, and this is his contribution to help raise spirits during the pandemic. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.mitchalbom.com\/human-touch-story\/part-one\/<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(If that doesn’t work, just type in Mitch Albom).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The opening quote:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe spirit of man can endure only so much. And when it is broken, only a miracle can mend it.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014John Burroughs, American essayist<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I know many of you have been tidying up, and sorting, during this time of lock down.\u00a0\u00a0 Found any treasures?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What china have you stored away, to protect them from life\u2019s knocks?\u00a0 Precious crystal dishes?\u00a0 Fine porcelain figures?\u00a0 Perhaps even a hand made clay dish from a child or grandchild?\u00a0 I think we all have at least one, if not protected from dust and damage, then carefully dusted and cleaned.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In my last congregation, when the Lectionary reading was about The Ten Commandments, I preached about keeping the Sabbath holy, and how it is important to try to make our Sundays different from the rest of the week.\u00a0 I suggested using a special dish or cup on Sundays.\u00a0 Maybe there is a tea cup that has been given to you, that you put in the china cabinet, or in a cupboard, deemed \u2018too good to use\u2019?\u00a0 Why wait?\u00a0 What are you waiting for?\u00a0 A special occasion?\u00a0 If so\u2026each Sunday is a mini-Resurrection, a weekly Easter Day.\u00a0 What better day to bring it out and let it see the light of day?\u00a0 Are you waiting for the right opportunity-or do you think you are not worthy of it?\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s too good to use\u201d may translate as \u201cIt is too good for me to use.\u201d\u00a0 Really?\u00a0 Think about it.\u00a0 You are made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0 Op shops are full of items that people have kept in their cupboards and drawers to use \u2018one day\u2019.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In front of me, I have a tea set from my wonderful Nana.\u00a0 It is of Scottish clans (not sure why, because she wasn\u2019t Scottish!)\u00a0 I confess-I don\u2019t use it very often, but it is in a drawer that I pull out every day, so I see it daily, and am reminded of my much loved Nan, a Nan who taught me, by example, to love others.\u00a0 On train trips (in the \u2018old days\u2019 when trains had compartments, so you shared that space with 6-8 people) she would open her big handbag, share lollies with the other occupants, and hear their life stories.\u00a0 By journey\u2019s end we felt we were now friends.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Her tea set is sweet, but not that useful, for I am a tea fiend and most of the time I drink my brew from a large mug (always concerned after having a blood test that the results will show that my blood type has changed to \u2018Tea\u2019, Earl Grey positive!).\u00a0 Sharing tea (or coffee, or a cup of water) can be holy time, sacred space.\u00a0 For me, having a cuppa is a time when I am still with God.\u00a0 It is often a time of prayer, not only of thanksgiving, thanking God for the gift of water, electricity, shelter etc, but a time to pray for others-those without clean water, those who are thirsty, those who do not get paid a fair wage for their labour, for those who are sick, dying etc.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In an earlier email, I shared with you one of my\u00a0 spiritual disciplines, that of writing haiku.\u00a0\u00a0 Here is one about\u00a0 praying while drinking tea, the steam resembling the incense of prayer:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Clouds of steam ascend.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Prayers steeped in holiness<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-God in a teacup.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A cuppa is also a time of pastoral support and care.\u00a0 We tend to open up, relax, with a cuppa, find it easier to speak to one another about our lives, our concerns, joys and sorrows.\u00a0 This beautiful verse from Scripture sums it up: \u2018Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.\u2019\u00a0 (Hebrews 13:2)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Isn’t that part of the frustration of being in lock down?\u00a0 Not able to drop in to be with friends, to check on those going through challenging times-to share a hug, a smile, tears…even a drop or two of tea.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blessings (you are all in my prayers as I sip my tea!)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This Irish Blessing seemed to address our current situation! ‘until we meet again…’<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hello Faith Pals, Just a reminder of the youtube link from Heatheron-Dingley: https:\/\/youtu.be\/t9kEzW2fzw8 I know that it is hard not being together face to face-but in spirit we are.\u00a0\u00a0 It does give us the opportunity to connect as church in different ways. It is also hard because it is Mother’s Day on Sunday. We pray for our mothers, and for mothers everywhere. Special prayers please for Fredrica and Alan Kingsbury, and for Rohini and Jaya Mendis and their families.\u00a0 Our love connects with God’s.\u00a0 Oh how we would LOVE to share our hugs, listening ear etc with them-BUT our hearts are connected to God’s, and God is there, with them, always. Also, for those who want to read something different on-line.\u00a0 I am recommending (before I have had a chance to read it-which I aim to do over the weekend) a free on-line contribution from Mitch Albom.\u00a0 He is one of my favourite authors, and this is his contribution to help raise spirits during the pandemic. https:\/\/www.mitchalbom.com\/human-touch-story\/part-one\/ (If that doesn’t work, just type in Mitch Albom). The opening quote: \u201cThe spirit of man can endure only so much. And when it is broken, only a miracle can mend it.\u201d \u2014John Burroughs, American essayist I know many of you have been tidying up, and sorting, during this time of lock down.\u00a0\u00a0 Found any treasures? What china have you stored away, to protect them from life\u2019s knocks?\u00a0 Precious crystal dishes?\u00a0 Fine porcelain figures?\u00a0 Perhaps even a hand made clay dish from a child or grandchild?\u00a0 I think we all have at least one, if not protected from dust and damage, then carefully dusted and cleaned. In my last congregation, when the Lectionary reading was about The Ten Commandments, I preached about keeping the Sabbath holy, and how it is important to try to make our Sundays different from the rest of the week.\u00a0 I suggested using a special dish or cup on Sundays.\u00a0 Maybe there is a tea cup that has been given to you, that you put in the china cabinet, or in a cupboard, deemed \u2018too good to use\u2019?\u00a0 Why wait?\u00a0 What are you waiting for?\u00a0 A special occasion?\u00a0 If so\u2026each Sunday is a mini-Resurrection, a weekly Easter Day.\u00a0 What better day to bring it out and let it see the light of day?\u00a0 Are you waiting for the right opportunity-or do you think you are not worthy of it?\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s too good to use\u201d may translate as \u201cIt is too good for me to use.\u201d\u00a0 Really?\u00a0 Think about it.\u00a0 You are made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0 Op shops are full of items that people have kept in their cupboards and drawers to use \u2018one day\u2019. In front of me, I have a tea set from my wonderful Nana.\u00a0 It is of Scottish clans (not sure why, because she wasn\u2019t Scottish!)\u00a0 I confess-I don\u2019t use it very often, but it is in a drawer that I pull out every day, so I see it daily, and am reminded of my much loved Nan, a Nan who taught me, by example, to love others.\u00a0 On train trips (in the \u2018old days\u2019 when trains had compartments, so you shared that space with 6-8 people) she would open her big handbag, share lollies with the other occupants, and hear their life stories.\u00a0 By journey\u2019s end we felt we were now friends. Her tea set is sweet, but not that useful, for I am a tea fiend and most of the time I drink my brew from a large mug (always concerned after having a blood test that the results will show that my blood type has changed to \u2018Tea\u2019, Earl Grey positive!).\u00a0 Sharing tea (or coffee, or a cup of water) can be holy time, sacred space.\u00a0 For me, having a cuppa is a time when I am still with God.\u00a0 It is often a time of prayer, not only of thanksgiving, thanking God for the gift of water, electricity, shelter etc, but a time to pray for others-those without clean water, those who are thirsty, those who do not get paid a fair wage for their labour, for those who are sick, dying etc.\u00a0 In an earlier email, I shared with you one of my\u00a0 spiritual disciplines, that of writing haiku.\u00a0\u00a0 Here is one about\u00a0 praying while drinking tea, the steam resembling the incense of prayer: Clouds of steam ascend. Prayers steeped in holiness -God in a teacup. \u00a0 A cuppa is also a time of pastoral support and care.\u00a0 We tend to open up, relax, with a cuppa, find it easier to speak to one another about our lives, our concerns, joys and sorrows.\u00a0 This beautiful verse from Scripture sums it up: \u2018Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.\u2019\u00a0 (Hebrews 13:2) Isn’t that part of the frustration of being in lock down?\u00a0 Not able to drop in to be with friends, to check on those going through challenging times-to share a hug, a smile, tears…even a drop or two of tea.   Blessings (you are all in my prayers as I sip my tea!) This Irish Blessing seemed to address our current situation! ‘until we meet again…’    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Leighmoor.Master","author_link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/author\/leighmoor-master"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Other Posts<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Hello Faith Pals, Just a reminder of the youtube link from Heatheron-Dingley: https:\/\/youtu.be\/t9kEzW2fzw8 I know that it is hard not being together face to face-but in spirit we are.\u00a0\u00a0 It does give us the opportunity to connect as church in different ways. It is also hard because it is Mother’s Day on Sunday. We pray…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3287"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3289,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3287\/revisions\/3289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}