August – September 2021 Newsletter
Pastoral Letter from the UCA NSW Synod
Dear Members of the Church,
Peace be with you in this time of uncertainty and restriction.
The extension of lockdown in Greater Sydney is not the news we prayed for, and yet we so highly value the health and well-being of every person. So, obeying the Government restrictions becomes an act of service – to keep our community safe, we give up our freedom for a time. It doesn’t mean the restrictions are any easier to live with, but it reframes them through our faith in Jesus Christ and his call to follow him, to love one another and to work for the good of others. Knowing our frustrations and loneliness are not meaningless supports our resilience and ability to cope.
Thank you for being so willing to care for one another by heeding the Government restrictions. As more Local Government Areas are affected, the heartache in feeling disconnected from family and friends grows – but to hear of the wonderful work that continues is so uplifting. Kindness cupboards, food hampers and provisions of meals all make the road a little easier for so many in desperate need. Online sharing of resources has strengthened connection across congregations and supported Ministers and leaders.
In time of great stress tempers can fray and patience thin. Whether you live in extreme lockdown or the restrictions of closed borders, this is the time to offer kindness, compassion and patience.
We close with the encouraging words of Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan living in Ireland:
Yes, there is panic buying. Yes, there is sickness. Yes, there is even death.
But they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise, you can hear the birds again.
They say that after just few weeks of quiet, the sky is no longer thick with fumes, but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi, people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open, so that those who are alone, may hear the sound of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland, is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality, to how big we are.
To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To love.
So, we pray and we remember that,
Yes, there is fear. But there does not have to be hate.
Yes, there is isolation, but there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes, there is panic buying, but there does not have to be meanness.
Yes, there is sickness, but there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes, there is even death, but there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today breathe, listen, behind the factory noises of your panic, the birds are singing again, the sky is clearing, spring is coming.
And we are always encompassed by love.
Open the windows of your soul, and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, sing.
(Dr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 13, 2020)
Rev. Jane Fry (General Secretary) Rev. Bronwyn Murphy (Associate Secretary)
Rev. Simon Hansford (Moderator)
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
Once again, we are in lockdown! However, life continues, we are all in this together! As usual, I’ve had my nose in a book, a pastime that always gives me pleasure. This time it’s all about the painter Tom Roberts. Here’s a quote:
‘To escape the bubonic plague, which broke out in Sydney early in 1900, Roberts sent Lillie and Caleb to stay with her family in Melbourne while he sojourned in New Zealand, arriving there…on 7 March. The Wellington authorities quarantined them, in comfort, at Soames Island for 10 days during which time Roberts painted tiny wood panels. The 116 passengers played games and organized dances on board with gentlemen taking their partners for the Prophylactic Polka and the Bubonic Waltz, activities which betray Roberts’s merry-making. The internees also published a journal, The Monowai Rat, named after their ship and the cause of their delay’.
As I write, council elections, scheduled for September 4, have been postponed until December 4. We have been contacted by Bridget Kennedy, who is standing for election in Central Ward for the first time. She would like to meet with us so I will arrange a date in November for her to come to the Hall, COVID rules permitting.
Market Morning and Lane Cove Music have had to reschedule – Virginia and Chris have provided the details below. Who knows when movie nights and TIME 4 U will resume?
We are very grateful to Krikor for providing church at home for all of us each Sunday.
The news of natural and man-made disasters in various countries around the world is distressing but it is comforting to know that we can help one family in particular. The Demirchian family in Artsakh consists of the mother and 9 children, the father was killed in the war. Our aim is to provide $3000 to support them for 12 months and we are more than halfway to our target. If you are willing and able to donate to this family you can do so via EFT, cash or cheque. We will give you regular updates on the total raised.
Thank you for depositing money into the church bank account by EFT. If convenient for you, you are welcome to continue. We bank with Westpac BSB 032 085, a/c 810147.
Penny Goodley
ANOTHER ARTWORK
Way back on June 6, when we were able to attend church, we unveiled a framed cross stitch artwork of The Lord’s Prayer. My mother had purchased the sampler from The Women’s Weekly way back in 1961, together with the embroidery silks and suggested coloured layout. Virginia very kindly took on the task of doing the embroidery and our friend Fayez Mousa Oghli provided and donated the frame.
We now have both Armenian and English versions of The Lord’s Prayer hanging in the church on either side of Greenwich Communion Table which was rededicated in March 2019. These are most welcome additions to St. Andrew’s.
LANE COVE MUSIC
It was such a joy to meet after an 18-month break for our ‘full house’ concert with Mark Walton and his students in June….and what a wonderful concert it was!
Now, again, because of the current shutdown we have had to cancel our concert scheduled for 10 August.
Our concert on 12 October will present the very talented ex-SSO musicians, harpist Louise Johnson and flautist Janet Webb, with an exciting, beautiful and varied program of flute and harp music over the centuries, from medieval to jazz, played on recorder with troubadour harp, and flute with concert harp.
Our final concert for the year on 30 November will be our annual Sydney Eisteddfod Pollard Awards delayed due to cancelled and now being re-scheduled Sydney Eisteddfod Events.
I hope it’s not too long before we can gather again.
Chris 9428 4287 www.lanecovemusic.org.au
Uniting Church – Lower North Shore Zone
Combined Study Series
The Good Shepherd by Dr. Kenneth Bailey
Wednesdays 4, 11 and 25 August 7:30 pm on ZOOM
Enquiries Krikor 0418 417 411
MARKET MORNING
I was very sad when once again I had to cancel notices of Market Morning. One reference was already printed in the latest ‘Lane Cove Connections’. Even if we are out of lockdown on 30th July no one would want to serve let alone come the following Saturday and be amongst a crowd – what a way to start another lockdown!!!!!
Having chatted with Krikor we agreed St. Andrew’s Day might be another opportunity that is late November. I am not prepared to name a date yet. Meanwhile we will have a Sale Table at the Local Government Election which will be Saturday 4th December and our Hall will as usual be a Polling Place. Advise people to ‘bring their money with them’ when they come to vote. Stay well.
Virginia Knowles
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Members of the book club, run by Rick and Karen at Lane Cove Uniting Church, studied Hugh Mackay’s Australia Reimagined in 2018. Here are some quotes for you to think about:
- We are defined not by how we cope with the familiar and comfortable but by our reaction to the unusual, disruptive, surprising.
- What is needed is the courage to face the way things are and the wisdom and imagination to work out how to make things better.
- The desire in all of us is to be taken seriously – to be acknowledged, accepted, respected, appreciated, noticed, heard.
Please be kind to your neighbours and friends who may be alone or lonely.
When Fear Arises
When fear arises and storm clouds fill the skies,
When darkness deepens, and sight grows dim,
And turns to endless night, be Thou my guide.
Lighten the darkness, dispel the gloom,
And in Thy presence let me hide. Turn Thou my night to day,
Chase my fears far away and let me there abide.
Patrick Sookhdeo – from ‘With the Eye of Faith: Meditations and Prayers’
To contact Krikor call on 0418 417 411
standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740
Church Website