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Time flies . . .! Margaret and I have now been with you for nearly six months. It was meant to be three months, but one thing led to another and we’re

still here! Who would have guessed last December what extraordinary changes would be forced upon us all? Back then we were getting used to each other, slipping on our comfortable routines as if they were cosy clothes that would enfold us and protect us from the stormy blast forever. A little virus, of which we are aware only through its effects on our fragile bodies, has changed all of that. It’s not that we have lost control, or lost security. We still have that in this lucky country. In our divided world, there are more than enough folk whose lives are much more under threat than ours. What is new, for us, is that the curtain has dropped over the future. We had imagined that we knew what the future might look like, in outline at least. The nuclear threat was pretty much over. Terrorism was a threat, but we seemed to know how to respond. Even the problematic overheated environment seemed rescue-able with goodwill and technology. There seemed to be more tolerance and inclusiveness around: not enough of course, but the curve of tolerance seemed to be going in the right direction. I even heard it said (not at St John’s) that the Christian church had outlived its usefulness, since our democratic welfare state had taken over its key functions. Then came the virus. Then came the lockdown. Then came the fear.It has been our great honour to try to keep the ball rolling these past ten or so weeks. It’s hard to tell, but responses we have had indicate that St John’s continues to function as a worshipping and caring community. Sundays at 10:00am is still a time of coming-together for many, if not all – albeit by way of cyberspace and print. Our system of pastoral care groups has worked to keep us in touch with each other. Now, however, with more and more talk about opening up it is time for us to pay attention to what it is we want to come back to. Will we again don our

LINKConnecting the people of St John’s Elsterwwick June–July 2020

The next LINK deadline isSunday 12 July 2020Please send your contribu�ons to gkp@netspace.net.au

MINISTERReverend Karel ReusPhone 0404 882 419kreus@me.com

CHURCH OFFICE567 Glen Huntly Road Elsternwick 3185PO Box 4068, Hopetoun Gardens 3162 Hall Bookings: stjohn.elsternwick.hallbooking@ucappep.net

Minister’s Word comfortable churchy clothes tailored to what some are calling post-Christianity? That will be the easiest thing to do. It may also hasten the end of St John’s. The inexorable laws of demographics will ensure our ever-dwindling numbers. The pressure of many causes, dependent on fewer and fewer workers, will take its toll. Just the administrative burden on a small church behaving like a big church could leave us running in all directions like headless chooks.Perhaps it’s time to think about cutting our cloth to suit our capacities, and to suit the precious Gospel entrusted to our care. Of course, we must continue to worship, and we must do it as best we can. But we are allowed to ask what form, or forms, worship should take. Maybe our virtual worship could continue as part of a worshipful smorgasbord. Maybe silent prayer and contemplation can play a part. Do we know anything about churches that worship regularly over a meal? Should we research alternative forms of worship? And is there a role for the arts, including music and writing? What about our much-vaunted commitment to social justice. How important that is, but how much are we able, in our advancing years, to change the world. Maybe it’s time for consideration of priorities. What should a small church look like? What should a small church that holds the great wisdom of its members to its heart look like? And what would a small church look like, when it understands that God is already at work out in its community, and who wants us to get in step?Now is the time, while we have some precious time, to do some serious thinking. Let’s have some conversations. Don’t leave it to the Minister. Don’t leave it to the Church Council. Pick up the phone. Write a letter. Send a text. There is a future for our little church. We don’t need to close, but the shape of the future doesn’t just happen; it has to be lovingly formed and constructed.

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SolitudeSolitude is goodsometimes.Hermits and desert fathers recommend it.Buddhists swear by it.Pilgrims grow by it.Poets need it.Mothers yearn for it.Jesus sought it outin wilderness and garden. . . and in a boat.

Loneliness is badalways.When old eyes see the death of friends.When loved ones leave.When no one hears our cry for helpor values what we say.When dawn breaks on an empty bed.When the table is set, each day, for one.When sounds, or sights, or smellsevoke memories that can’t be shared.When, even in a crowd,we are overlooked, ignored.When our hard-earned wisdomfalls on contemptuous ears.When our use-by dateis daily reaffirmed.

Solitude lifts upwhile loneliness degrades.Solitude gives strengthwhile loneliness weakens.Solitude affirmswhile loneliness denies.Solitude feastswhile loneliness is hunger.Solitude feeds the spiritwhile loneliness poisons the soul.Solitude moves mountainswhile loneliness digs holesand traps for the weak.

In solitude I walk with Godbut in loneliness I lose my way.Teach me the art of solitudegood Lord,that in that blessèd solitary silenceI may hear your voice,and feel your breathand take your handand walk assured.

©Karel Reus October 2017

Church CouncilMarch 2020 Meeting ReportThe Church Council (CC) meeting on Wednesday 11 March was originally scheduled to enable Presbytery to brief the CC on an intended planning process it would lead with St John’s during 2020. Unfortunately Presbytery advised that it was not ready to conduct this briefing, and it was decided by CC to conduct a meeting with a shortened agenda to deal only with urgent matters for discussion.The matters discussed were as follows:• Annual General Meeting (AGM) – It was noted

that there had been seven nominations received for CC and that Audrey still had a year to serve from an existing three years appointment. Reports were being finalised, and Cathy was combining the reports into the St John’s annual report for distribution to the congregation before the AGM.

• Correspondence with synagogue – A proposal for a two-step process was passed, with step one being a softer, more collaborative approach focusing on a spirit of interfaith cooperation and harmony, and removal of the current sign by Hamerkaz Shelanu sought in this spirit.

• Peace Garden sculpture – It was decided to proceed with the original design of the sculpture although the latest quote for completion and installation of the sculpture was significantly higher than the original budgeted amount.

• Supply ministry update – With his agreement, Karel’s supply ministry was extended to 26 April.

• Foster Street sale and planning permit – It was noted that Glen Eira Council had posted a sign advertising the planning permit application and seeking any community feedback. Cathy had distributed a one-page information sheet to immediate neighbours outlining the Uniting Church approach and inviting any questions to be addressed to the St John’s email inbox.

• Impact of COVID-19 – Karel raised the issue of the potential impact of the coronavirus particularly in terms of communication for the congregation, communion, and communication channels for members of the congregation who may need to be in isolation/quarantine and who may need specific goods/products delivered to them. It was agreed that the pastoral care groupings was the best communication channel at that point and that the April CC meeting would consider additional steps to take.

NB: The speed at which the impact of the virus moved after the meeting meant actions were subsequently implemented for the St John’s congregation.

Michael ForbesSecretary

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Op Shop Update The shop might be closed but that hasn’t meant that nothing is happening! Our Manager, Cathy Hill, has been busy keeping our volunteers in touch with each other, changing window displays, developing online sales and responding to requests from customers.

These efforts have been much appreciated as volunteers have exchanged lively banter, bored pedestrians have found new things to look at, and some small sales have brought much needed income.

The Op Shop joined the Facebook group We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Australia and our teddies have been having a picnic.

May the 4th was International Star Wars Day! It is one of the standout events on

our annual Op Shop Calendar #maytheforcebewithyou Just as with donations of seasonal clothing, Christmas, Easter goods etc we hold these items to display and sell when the time is just right!

Anzac memorabilia included a World War 2 1943 Military Brass Whistle, Premier Wire Works Melbourne.

We welcome and thank our newest volunteer Rita from Benjamin’s Cakes & Biscuits, 312 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick. We have great neighbours! Rita has provided great support to our fundraising by setting up a table to sell

puzzles and being a pick up point for customers wishing to purchase items. Did we mention Benjamin’s offers great coffee, spanakopita, cakes, biscuits, pies and pastries?

Volunteer awardsWe celebrate the contributions of all our volunteers but particularly the following which were nominated for recognition through the Glen Eira Awards.

Alex and Audrey 20 yearsAlex was instrumental in the establishment of St John’s UC Op Shop and has been a key part of its evolution into today’s vibrant community outreach.

Audrey is an integral part of St John’s Uniting Church and the Op Shop. Audrey volunteers 1–2 afternoons per week front of house, warmly welcoming and assisting customers.

Allison, Terry, Bill, Bernadette and Aaron 500 hoursAllison was a regular customer before becoming a volunteer in August 2018. Her wonderful customer service skills and knowledge in so many areas hold her in high regard with her Op Shop family, customers and contributors alike.

Terry generously volunteers his time three days per

week and is well known for his warm welcomes. He also has the Midas touch with his cleverly themed window displays rivalling any other Op Shop in town!

Bill helps get the shop up and running four mornings a week. He is an all-round quiet achiever!

Bernadette has generously volunteered her time for many years. Her good natured and outgoing personality are highly regarded by her Op Shop family.

Aaron is an integral part ofthe Op Shop engaging in wonderful conversations with volunteers, customers and contributors. His friendly, knowledgeable and generous nature adds to the vibrancy of our little shop with a big heart.

Cathy H, Cathy Mc, Alex and Kristi

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Ragman and Luke’s Stories of HopeReview by Patricia

Thank you to Philip Liebelt for his great one-man performance of Ragman and Luke’s Stories of Hope as presented on YouTube and performed in the Warrnambool Uniting Church.This performance was originally told for the Warrnambool Easter Arts Festival but, because of the COVID-19 social distancing rules, it was decided to place it online for people to view.This performance covers the whole Easter story from the Mount of Olives and Palm Sunday, to Easter Sunday with the risen Christ and his last words he spoke on earth, “Peace be with you.”The Ragman, written by Walter Wangerin Junior, is a modern day parable of the Easter story. The story of a handsome, tall, strong and energetic young man as seen through another’s eyes.This man takes a lowly job as a ragman and changes the life of an old woman in grief and despair, a young girl abused and debilitated, a man who has lost his arm and all means of surviving to work and an alcoholic who is destitute. He gives them all part of himself and at the end of the day appears old, decrepit, and barely alive. When the observer awakens he realises that it is three days later and he finds the ragman young again, rejuvenated and out and about caring for others.Both performances are a story of hope as we face difficult times in this moment in time. They are at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTemDgzyUU0

Philip is regularly producing videos. They can be found by typing YouTube Philip Liebelt.

Hymns we singTIS 445 by William Cowper 1731–1800Words updated by TIS editors.1. Jesus, where’er your people meet

there they behold your mercy seat,where’er they seek you, you are foundand every place is holy ground.

2. For you, within no walls confined,are present in the humble mind;such ever bring you where they come,and, going, take you to their home.

3. Dear Shepherd of your chosen few,your former mercies here renew;Here to our waiting heart proclaimthe sweetness of your saving name.

4. Here may we prove the power of prayerto strengthen faith and sweeten care,to teach our faith desire to rise,and bring all heaven before our eyes.

5. Lord, we are few, but you are near,your arm can save, your ear can hear;O rend the heavens, come quickly down,and make a thousand hearts your own.

Writing in a time when the COVID-19 virus has kept us, religiously, left outside our worship places, I am asking myself, with you, what may have inspired William Cowper to write these deeply worshipful words. Reader, consider how he was feeling, and what put these words, prayers and longings into his hymn, how different, and how similar he may have been from us in our unmanageable struggle and anxiety in 2020. It is a hymn for an old-world Anglican, rural congregation meeting for worship, full of devotion, people in need of all sorts of strengthening and support. In verse 1, he starts out to assure us, (who are shut out of our churches right now), that Jesus is found in every situation where we seek his presence. In verse 5 again, Jesus is always near to touch hearts. But then In verses 2, 3 and verse 4, he is inside a church where folk gather and leave, where the ‘saving name’ is proclaimed, and where hymns, prayers and teaching are offered. Cowper is keen to have it both ways, we meet with Jesus in church, but Jesus is close in every situation. I find the hymn speaks to the anxieties and uncertainties we feel so strongly in a world where so many jobs are lost, we can’t pay bills, and our future is threatened. Cowper seems, from what I read, to have been an impetuous, poetic, uncertain person; our search for God’s presence comes out in phrases like his prayer to Jesus, ‘to strengthen faith and sweeten care’. This hymn-writer spent several parts of his life in an Asylum for his mental health and

care, so he is not making his anxiety up, this is real fervent prayer and longing for strength. So now, our real, fervent prayer and longing as it cries out, can still reach to God’s highest power, ‘bring all heaven before our eyes’, as we struggle with our threatening times.

Reverend Peter Aumann

Hymns we sing – continued

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From ColinTo comply with the instruction to Stay Home, I have been finding some jobs to do around the house. Although it is not very many years since the exterior of the house was painted, some areas were peeling and cracking, especially around the windows. To date I have completed painting about half the windows,

and there is also a bit of work to do on the fascia and gutters. This has been a useful activity to keep me at home and the recent autumn weather has been ideal. It could become an ongoing activity – one can always find something that could be touched-up – as they say, like Sydney Harbour Bridge! Here I am painting the garage windows.

Words from Isolation

From DeniseI enjoy and benefit from Sundays at 10. I sing heartily alone and I take up the offering in a blue purse. However, I miss hugs and chatter with the church family. Karel does an excellent job keeping us informed and needs support. Here in our court, we are here for each other including cooking and sharing food. We also do exercises together.

From AudreyIn a way I’m enjoying the isolation. I keep to my usual schedule – that is I get up at 7am had my breakfast out on the back verandah and read the Herald Sun. I do three crosswords (not cryptic) and now also the brain teaser page. I read one story of my magazine and one chapter of the book I’m reading. I have finished two at the moment, one about a dog called Judy becoming an official POW during the war against the Japanese. The other book by Cathy Glass is about a child taken into foster care and the author’s experience in unravelling a truth about the reasons for the child’s violent and aggressive behaviour. So bang goes the morning it is now lunchtime. Then I am working in the afternoon – maybe gardening, a bit of dusting or starting to go through boxes of papers I have all round the place. Going through a box of Guiding material I came across a program back in ‘95. It was a Commissioner and Guide Leader Event at Campaspe Downs Resort in Kyneton. I thought I would like to share with you all the reflections held on the Saturday. I hope you like it.

It is good for tired nerves to sit quietly in a place of refreshing beautyIt is healing for the soul to let the eyes wander unhurriedly over a broadloom of grassIt is inspiration for the spirit to look at blue sky through a canopy of pine treesIt is peace for the whole being to rest silently and wait for an unspoken word.

I hope it speaks to you as it does to me at this time. See you in Church!!!!

From Cheryl

Hello to all at St John’s from Jan Juc! Hope you’re all surviving life in isolation OK, staying healthy and not climbing the walls too often! Strange times indeed, and it doesn’t look like changing much for quite a long while, so patience and resilience are definitely worthwhile cultivating during lockdown mode.It’s been nearly 15 months since we relocated to the beautiful Surf Coast on my retirement, and we’ve adapted pretty well really, though missing old friends is inevitable. Colin found it really quiet initially, after 13½ years in Southbank and seven years in Elsternwick, but I love hearing all the birds with no background traffic noise, and no crowds to negotiate on my walks. He quickly joined the Geelong Arts Society and began meeting interesting people, taking a couple of classes, and enjoying group plein air painting sessions in various locations around Geelong and the Bellarine. Within a month of arriving, his calendar rapidly filled with art interests, and train journeys back to Melbourne once or twice a week to continue some longstanding involvements in watercolour painting.I found a warm welcome at Torquay Uniting Church, and was delighted to discover they also have an Op Shop connection, at nearby Bellbrae Uniting Church. Until the lockdown began, I really enjoyed getting to know the volunteers on the Tuesday sorting sessions, and helping out twice a month on Thursday and Friday sale days. A fun group of people who’ve been mostly involved for many years, and a quirky collection of treasures on display, with a separate book-room to inspire Op Shop envy! I love walking the clifftop trails, though we haven’t acquired the almost-universal canine accessory, just opted to occasionally dog-sit instead when our son in Geelong takes his family on holidays. I tried out a monthly Singing for Fun group a few times, and have enjoyed being part of the choir at church in the weeks before Christmas, but sadly our Easter practices were sidelined once lockdown began. Staying in touch with new and old friends via Zoom is now a priority, but nothing can come close to real get-togethers, especially when still getting to know new people. Being closer to our youngest grandkids in Geelong is a big plus here, but having to be content with Snapchat videos and FaceTime for the last couple of months – just longing to cuddle them again! Can’t wait for our Op Shop to reopen again, I really miss that involvement too.

Cheryl and grandson

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Words from isolation – continued

From Alex in Virtual Church

From GeoffEven before our lockdown, it seemed to be that we were in a Slow Period? We have slow cooking, slow eating, slow television programs on trains and boats, and now we have Slow Church. This is how I view our weekly home-based church services. I do not, of course, mean the services drag and pass slowly. Rather, I can progress through the service at my pace. For example, I may reread a particular passage, ponder over the footnotes in my Bible, or may replay a particular hymn. I also have Karel’s notes that I can return to at a later time. In teacher-talk, our home services cater for individual differences. Of course, we look forward to weekly services together at 567.

As for passing the days in isolation . . . I have spent many hours on the computer and reading lots (just finished Here I Stand, John Shelby Spong’s autobiography which I highly recommend), and establishing a new veggie garden, which is just now sprouting tiny shoots everywhere. I forgot to put little signs on the rows, so it will be interesting to see what these shoots become in a couple more weeks – veggie gardening never my strongpoint in the past (decades ago, newlywed days).

From JudithJudith sends greetings to all and hopes all is well. She writes: “I said to my son Richard when he left one day: “We are in God’s hands” and he replied “I hope God has big hands!”

From Lee, Kevin and TimKevin is ensconced in the study with two big monitors, microphone, headphones, all the tech, of course. Being a contractor and newly employed, he was worried that he would receive the so long and thanks for the fish phone call. Luckily, he had managed to prove his worth in the short time he was employed prior to lockdown. He is finding the constant phone conferences quite draining and it is difficult to get his 10,000 steps in. Getting public transport to work he had no problems reaching the required 10,000 per day. In the first few days of working from home, he mentioned that he’d only managed 75 steps! Just a touch short of his daily.Kevin wanted us to hibernate at the island; but three and a half years on, we are finally getting the front verandah fixed! Making the classic mistake the accelerator for the brake trick, Tim reversed into the corner of the veranda, in daddy’s new car when he was 16. It needed brickwork and tuck pointing and it is extremely difficult to get someone who does both. We finally found someone just before lockdown and, luckily for us, lots of his jobs evaporated overnight so he gave us a Corona quote as he was keen to keep working. Given the work is outside and we can supervise from a distance, it works all around. We are helping the economy and aren’t breaking any curfews, as the prime monster says, “If you have a job, it’s essential.” Plus we decided to replace the wooden decking on the veranda so will be employing a friend who lost a job he’d only just started – last in first out.Then there was the “don’t go to your holiday homes this Easter”. So Kevin went down for the afternoon on the Sunday before Easter to cover things up and put a few things away. He said there were official government signs on the highway saying Go Home. Given the weather wasn’t predicted to be great over Easter we decided to stay in town. Kevin had some handy work to do on one of the pillars on the sparking new veranda anyway.Tim is studying from home. Although there seems to be a lot more humour in engineering than I’d have thought with all the snickering I’m hearing. His progress is still as tightly guarded a secret as it has always been.

Thank you for my birthday card which arrived on the actual day – well done Denise! I had a fun day, in spite of the circumstances, lots of texts, cards and calls. The weather was lovely so I went for a walk in the morning. Tim said he couldn’t buy me a present so my present was that he would cook me a cake, which required three trips to the shops to buy things. I wasn’t allowed to look at what he was doing; but he kept asking me questions about implements, ingredients and what to do next, so it was a bit of hoot. Him telling me to shoo and then asking a handful of questions which I had to answer with minimal information. The cake was delicious, it was a Mojito cake. So all in all, an entertaining day with a delicious ending.Hope you are all keeping up your exercise and stayingsafe and well.

From PatriciaAt this time in spaceWe need the darkness to see the stars,Oh how beautiful those dazzling points of light.We need deep winterBefore the brilliance of wattle in bloom,That heralds warmer times to come.We need those heavy burdens to test our strengthAnd lead us to understand the mystery of prayer,To grow, develop and learn.Only then can we reach out to touch the hand ofGod – He who clasps, understands and never lets us fall.

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Supporting road crews in times of needHave you been thrilled to listen to a great singer or act? Was it on a CD or vinyl, or were you attending a concert? Behind these on-stage stars are the unseen but essential men and women who day after day set up, operate, maintain, dismantle and transport equipment from one venue to another. These are the roadies.Adrian Anderson has been a lifelong member of our church. Adrian began his music journey running dances at St John’s in the sixties which included such well known names as Doug Parkinson, Russell Morris, Mark Kennedy and Jim Keays. He has a long association with the wider live music industry and the roadie fraternity, and was a co-founder of the Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA). The ARCA is a not-for-profit association that is dedicated to the welfare of live production crew in Australia. It established Black Box Records (BBR) to preserve the sounds of early Australian bands.

Adrian reports that 1 May 2020 marked the day when the ARCA/BBR released the third of its Desk Tape Series. The latest tape features the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band Reignited Tour at Ormond Hall in 2011.

Proceeds from tape sales provide financial, counselling, health and wellbeing services for road crew, which is particularly relevant as live performances have ceased due to COVID-19.If you want more details on the great Desk Tape live performances, which also includes Redgum performing in Amsterdam in 1985, go to the website at https://www.australianroadcrew.com.au/about-us/the-desk-tape-series or phone Adrian on 0409789440.

From JaneAn enduring bond

In April 1918, the small town of Villers-Bretonneux was captured by the Germans who, with tanks and grenades, overcame the exhausted British

and French defenders. Two brigades of Australians were brought forward and, after a ferocious night battle on 25 April 1918, they recaptured the town albeit with the crushing loss of 2,700 lives. The Villers-Bretonneux community showed their gratitude in a number of ways including the flying of the Australian flag every day, a significant plaque in the town, a street called Rue de Melbourne and the naming of the rebuilt primary school Victoria School in recognition of the money collected by the Victorian school children (each child was asked to donate a penny). Over the years all of this has been written about and retold but are we aware of the extent to which the people of the Villers-Bretonneux and Amiens continue to acknowledge their sense of indebtedness to Australia? When they heard about the recent bushfires that caused such widespread devastation, the community organised a fundraiser and a solidarity march. $37,000 was donated for bushfire relief and on 2 February 2020 almost 1000 people braved the winter weather and marched in solidarity (see photo). There were also a number of other activities such as concerts to allow donations to wildlife and revegetation organisations and local groups who knitted and made blankets and pouches for fire affected wildlife.These remarkable acts of generosity further reinforce the strong bonds that have existed between Australia and this region of France for more than a century. (From Vetaffairs, Autumn 2020)

Words from isolation – continued

From AlexIn a picture from Facebook, Sarah, our much loved former member of St John’s and the Op Shop, delivers no cook flour to the Prime Minister of Uganda. Visit www.pibid.org/ for details of the project.

Little Free PantryThe Little Free Pantry (LFP) is a small building located in front of Ormond Uniting Church in North Road. It is a place where people can freely receive and give household essentials of food, drinks and toiletries. Some five per cent of Australians face food insecurity even before COVID-19. The Pantry is always open.How can we help? Non-perishable or long-life packaged food or drink are welcome including, after using hand sanitiser:• cans of soup, meat, fish, beans, spaghetti, corn,

peas, tomatoes;• jars of jam, honey, peanut butter, sauces, coffee;• packets of long-life milk, rice, pasta, dried fruit

and nuts, tea bags, breakfast cereals, bread;• toiletries – soap, detergent, washing powder,

toilet paper, tissues.Inquiries can be made to David on 0488 204 049.

Geoff

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From Cathy Bear HuntOne of the ways people have been helping keep passing pedestrians, particularly small children, amused during the COVID-19 lockdown is by placing teddy bears in their windows. Children have been encouraged to go on a bear hunt inspired by the book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.

There are teddies at the church enjoying story time.

There is a bear with a bright red tie up high at Jane’s.

There are many bears at the Forbes’ house.

The bear at our house, like us, spends a lot of time on the phone.

Easter presenceWhile we may not have been at the church over Easter, the empty cross on Good Friday signalled the death and loss of Christ. The wild wintry weather blew the cross down symbolically representing our pain. On Easter Sunday, the cross was decorated with flowers and displayed in the door to the church to offer the message of new life.

Stillness and BusynessHow wonderful it has been not to be rushing around, trying to do so many things – time to think, time to work at a slower pace, time to tackle some of the things on my to do list . . .

I have wandered around the streets improving my knowledge of the trees, slowly learning their shapes and their names. So now I better get busy making sure I remember them.

I have read an amazingly eclectic variety of books, articles, emails . . . slowly whittling away my to read piles but as I have, I have found more things I want to read and questions that need answers. So now I better get busy to read more. I have enjoyed the serendipity of disparate items connecting each other. Reading about Celtic spiritual practices I learnt how dreams can be a way God talks to us. Then I listened to a podcast about how dreams could lead to unconscious problem solving. A morning prayer about grace was followed by an article about stages of peace building. So now I am busier tuning in to God speaking through everything I do.I have spent hours talking on the phone. It has been lovely to have proper catch ups with each person rather than rushing past in my busyness. Unfortunately, I have also been kept busy with the finances of the Op Shop and church but as I have slowly made progress, I have found new stillness as I stopped feeling burdened. This time of in between, a threshold, a liminal place has offered me a time to stop being too busy, a time to become comfortable with stillness, a time of waiting for what is to come. I hope that I can maintain these new practices of seeing God’s hand at work, making time to be still each day rather than once again being consumed by busyness. I still myself with the mantra Let go and let God . . .

Cathy Mc

BirthdaysJune4 Rhonda Blasingame5 Andrea Casey14 Denise Schemm

July 27 Wendy McDonald27 Karel Reus

From Margaret

Words from isolation – continued

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Profile Ken WallisGrowing up in the 1950s and 60s on a wheat and sheep farm situated 10 kilometres north of Nhill seems a world apart from my present life. Schooling consisted of attending a country primary school in Woorak, a hamlet that included a hall, tennis courts and a home-run post office while years 7 to 12

were at the Nhill Secondary College. It is interesting to reflect that we did not have electricity until I was 12 and it was only then when the SEC extended the electricity grid to the Wimmera. It was a dream come true as my parents built a new home, had the power supply connected and bought a TV – mind you we were only able to receive the ABC and Ballarat BTV 6.When I was nine, I commenced music lessons and completed several of the Australian Music Examinations Board grades. I will never forget arriving home from school and being surprised and thrilled to see a piano my parents had purchased. An interest in music started with playing my grandparent’s 78 records on a windup gramophone. At age 19, I transferred to Melbourne and started work as a clerk in the National Bank of Australasia. This was at a time when wheat quotas were imposed on farmers, due to a glut of wheat being produced throughout Australia. My brother was always destined to become the farmer and so my father managed to secure a position for me in the bank, but it meant that I would have to move to Melbourne. I arrived in Melbourne a very inexperienced, innocent country boy. As board and lodging arrangements my parents had arranged fell through, my first week of work involved staying in a hotel in Spencer Street and walking to a NAB branch located in La Trobe Street. I quickly found board and lodging in East Malvern with Mrs Brown, who regularly served up greasy lamb chops and baked beans for breakfast and shut the kitchen door at 7pm – meaning if you arrived home late for dinner, you missed out. After three years of working at various NAB branches, including South Melbourne and Elwood, I finished up as first teller at the Fitzroy branch. Not really wanting to stay in the bank I applied to get into the federal public service. At that time, you were required to sit a test and depending on your test scores you were offered a position in different departments. I had this idea of helping people, so I chose the Department of Social Security (now Centrelink).I worked initially in the Central CBD office and then, as new offices were set up, I moved around a number

of different suburban offices, finally finishing up at the Prahran office where I managed a staff of 15 to 22 people looking after the pension and unemployment payments. Stressful as it was, the experience was rewarding until a major incident occurred in 1995 when I was assaulted by a disgruntled disability client. At the time, the Government was planning to have open-plan offices, meaning there would be no barrier between the staff and the public. I was so disillusioned by the whole idea I applied and received a payout package and so resigned from the public service. The payout allowed me to concentrate fully on finishing my studies, which I did and graduated in 1998. At the time, I was two years from completing my Bachelor of Music degree at the Australian Catholic University where I had gained mature entry to the Bachelor degree in 1990. The studies involved two practical studies – piano and organ – plus composition, history and various other related requirements including the necessity to join a choir. Joining the Tudor Choristers was a wonderful experience as it broadened my social and musical horizons.After not having had full-time employment since 1995, in the year 2000 I secured a position with Leonie Green Pty Ltd as an Employment Consultant. However, after working there for some three years, I decided to apply for a position with the Salvation Army, as an Employment Consultant. After only a few years in the Salvation Army, I transferred to a company called Skillsplus doing the same role. This proved to be unrewarding and I then started working for Jobco Pty Ltd where my role was to assist people with disabilities – mainly mentally related issues – overall. This vocation was a satisfying role as each client had different requirements. The goal was to assist people to lead as normal a life as possible in the community. This employment role lasted for six and a half years until I retired at the end of 2017. For the entire time from 2000 to when I resigned, I worked in the Moorabbin area.In 2018, I experienced a wonderful train trip holiday through Sweden and Norway with a 10-day stay in Amsterdam for the purpose of attending concerts at the Concertgebouw and hearing some of their world-famous pipe organs. 2019 was another special year with a trip to Europe: this time it was train travels through Switzerland originating out of Geneva, a wonderful five-day music festival in Vézelay France and then a three-week trip through Morocco. This is an account of some of the main pivotal moments in my life, so far. Of course, music has played a continuously important aspect and has embraced having a few music positions in churches and attending numerous concerts over the years.

Ken

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Tramping amongst volcanoes

The beginning of February heralded the gathering of ten Forbes family members in Auckland ahead of the sixth annual walking expedition. The walking party included Angela and I, three of my sisters, one of my brothers, our son Alex, and three of our nephews.Three of our expeditions (including this year) have been in New Zealand and three in Tasmania.From Auckland we drove for much of Sunday 2 February in our 12-seater rental van to Whakapapa Village in the world heritage Tongariro National Park below Lake Taupo. We were met at our Skotel Alpine Resort accommodation by New Zealand friends Christine and Paul Ryan, with Paul then joining us for the first two and a half days of our five days (four nights) tramping as the Kiwis call it.Our tramping included parts of three tracks – the world famous one-day 20 kilometre Tongariro Alpine Crossing which 165,000 people brave each year and which features the highest number of rescues per year of any part of New Zealand, the Tongariro Northern Circuit (one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks) and the Round the Mountain (Mt Ruapehu) TrackWhilst we did not face flooding issues, we discovered a new obstacle being wind. As a result, our planned itinerary could not be followed – the danger of being blown off the mountainside into Red Crater by predicted 80 kilometre per hour or higher wind on our second day was too great. A second issue arose on day two afternoon when Angela’s right knee started to falter on downhill sections.Fortunately to that point along with the rest of us she had been able to enjoy the magnificent scenery featuring three volcanoes Mounts Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, with a fourth Mt Taranaki (Egmont) clearly visible in the distance. She had also walked up Devil’s Staircase, across South Crater with its moonscape appearance, and part way up the Red Crater ridge.

Angela travelled back with the Ryans to their Havelock North home in the Hawke’s Bay region on the afternoon of day three and enjoyed a leisurely two days there before our walking group drove across to our Hastings accommodation at the end of our tramping expedition.Whilst Angela relaxed, the rest of us soldiered on to Rangipo Hut on the Round the Mountain Track across an area signposted as extreme risk of volcanic mud flows which included a narrow swing bridge crossing of a sulphur-smelling river flowing far below. Thankfully we heard no loud booming noise from the direction of Mt Ruapehu which the signs told us would mean that mudflows at more than 100 kilometres per hour were on their way!

Our fourth night saw us at the relatively modern and very comfortable Waihohonu Hut located at the junction of the Northern Circuit and Round the Mountain Tracks. The stream nearby was also a welcome late afternoon cooling off spot. The Hut also featured a Ranger’s talk about the history of the local area and afterwards we chatted to him about the origins of Waitangi Day and progress in the achieving of better relationships between the pakeha (white people) and Maori population.Once back at Whakapapa Village we were able to enjoy a beer and later cuppa with scone at the stately 1929-constructed Chateau Tongariro before heading to Hawke’s Bay region.Our end of walk celebratory dinner was at a Greek-Middle Eastern café in Havelock North and we explored the wineries, cidery and brewery in the fertile region. A final wonderful night BBQ at the Ryan home allowed recovery time before driving back to Auckland on Sunday 9 February for our flights home that same day.The dinner also marked 32 years of married life for Angela and I so was a special way to celebrate our anniversary this year, whilst the following day marked our son Alex’s 28th birthday. Christine’s singing of happy birthday in Maori during the BBQ at her home was particularly memorable too. We look forward to the 2021 expedition which is currently likely to be on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Michael

On the Tongariro Crossing with Mt Ngauruhoe in the background

On the Desert Road in Tongariro National Park with Mt Ruapehu in the background

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Cameroon: Africa in miniature

The name Cameroon comes from Rio dos Camaroes or River of Prawns. This was what the Portuguese explorer Fernando Po named the river Wouri where he found large numbers of prawns when he first arrived in the area in 1472. The name has stuck, Cameroon being the English version, and it became the country’s official name.

Cameroon’s diversityCameroon is often known as Africa in miniature because of its geographical and cultural diversity. Cameroon is home to so many cultures and identities. Its 23 million people speak about 250 different languages, and the country’s official languages are French and English due to its colonial past. It has rainforests, desert, swamps and savannahs. Its geographical richness makes it quite unique, although a very large part of its rainforests has been cut down for logging.A fun fact about Cameroon is that it has so much rainfall every year that it has been added to the list of the wettest places on Earth. With such high rainfall, Cameroon’s soils are very fertile, especially around the volcanic Mount Cameroon.A lot of our cocoa comes from Cameroon. In fact, it is the world’s sixth biggest producer of cocoa beans, alongside other exports such as timber, tea, peanuts, rubber, cotton, coffee and bananas.All plants and animals in tropical Africa can be found here. There are at least 409 species of mammals and 165 species of birds living in Cameroon. Due to its climate and geographical diversity, all the flora and fauna you’d expect in tropical parts of Africa can be found in Cameroon.Waza National Park, in the Far North Region of Cameroon, is an amazing UNESCO biosphere reserve where you can see acacia trees, Yaere savannah forests, and animals such as lions, African elephants, hyenas, hartebeest, roan, waterbuck, gazelles, Sudan cheetah and West African giraffes.A lake with a strange record is in Cameroon. Lake Nyos holds the record for the largest number of non-drowning deaths of any lake in the world. This is a

crater lake which erupted in 1986, with carbon dioxide killing over 1,800 people as well as all livestock within a 15.5-mile radius. Cameroon has unique beaches. Douala beaches in Cameroon, for example, are unique in the world for their chocolate-coloured sand which comes from volcanic rock.Mount Cameroon is the main mountain in West Africa and Cameroon. It is a volcano and the highest peak in West Africa at 4,040 metres high. It is known by its indigenous name Mongo ma Ndemi or Mountain of Greatness. This is an active volcano that has erupted several times, most recently in 2012. Football is very popular in Cameroon and we are proud to have reached the quarter-final stage of the World Cup in 1990. Our football team is known as the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and is globally recognised as one of the best African football teams.One of the core parts of Cameroonian culture is music and dance. There are choreographed dances to accompany all the festivals, ceremonies and gatherings, ranging from entertainment only to religious rituals.

Brief timeline

1520 Portuguese set up sugar plantations and begin slave trade which the Dutch take over in the 1600s.

1884 Cameroon becomes the German colony of Kamerun. It expands in 1911 when France cedes territory to Germany.

1916 British and French troops force Germans to leave Cameroon, which is partitioned between France and Britain at the end of the First World War.

1958 French Cameroon is granted self-government with Ahmadou Ahidjo as prime minister. The country becomes independent two years later.

1961 Britain’s Cameroon colonies divide between Cameroon and Nigeria after a referendum.

Created in 1961 by the unification of a British and a French colony, the modern state of Cameroon has also struggled to find peace and unity. Internally, there are tensions over the two mainly English-speaking south-western provinces. A secessionist movement emerged in the 1990s, and turned into an insurgency in 2016.

Juliette

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The current pandemic has raised interest in Australia’s 1919 influenza experience. While there are similarities, one difference is that Melbourne churches were permitted to open during February 1919. This article focuses on experiences of some churches in the first month of the 1919 epidemic.1918: the year before Newspaper reports on distant battles, the Armistice, and influenza in lands near and far competed with conscription and the rise and fall of governments at home. At year’s end, churches held Christmas and Watchnight services. The pandemic’s courseInfluenza deaths in Victoria were fewer than one hundred each year during the war but rose to 210 in 1918 and 3,530 in 1919. The first and most virulent influenza wave spread through Melbourne in late January peaking in the second week of February before receding. Further waves occurred in late March and the middle of July.1

Managing the pandemicThis outbreak led on 29 January to the Influenza Emergency Regulations 1919 which proclaimed Victoria an infected state and closed, within a 15-mile radius, theatres, music and concert halls, and public buildings for entertainment or instruction. School holidays were extended.2 Churches, however, remained open which led to this comment in The Age:

The impression gained from statements by [government] Ministers on Wednesday was that the Cabinet would close churches. After a discussion, it was agreed that as a certain section of the community regarded it as obligatory upon them to attend church, services would be allowed on Sunday next . . . Sunday schools would be closed.3

Church responses to these regulations differed. Many central city churches closed for some or all of the five

Sundays under the regulation. Wesley held three open air meetings each Sunday while the Independent Church was open, disinfected, and masks were worn. Local responses saw open air services at Orrong Road Methodist and Gardenvale Presbyterian while tennis courts were used at Elsternwick Baptist and here at St John’s (for one week before the church was closed). Further afield, Dorcas Street Salvation Army met in the Kerferd Road beach rotunda.4

The continuing operation of churches and closure of other venues provoked some discussion in the press. One writer asked if churches and churchgoers are “immune from infection? [and if] not, why is this danger of spreading the disease allowed”5 while letter writer Manager wrote:

Seemingly, the germ – like the Health officials – has his likes and dislikes, for the antagonistic little fellow appears to discriminate against the Stage [theatre] in favour of the Church . . .6

Masks were also an issue. Indoor church services required masks. Open-air services did not and congregants were requested to “spread themselves out as much as possible to allow of the greatest possible air space consistent with giving due attention to the service”.7

On the positive side, outdoor services saw “some who probably would never have come within doors to us, have crept within the circle of our open-air service, and so have been reached by the Gospelˮ.8 Outdoor services also saw ‟a return to the most effective agency ever employed in Methodism for the preaching of the Gospelˮ.9

Masks were uncomfortable in the warm February weather for “elderly persons, or persons in indifferent health”10 and caused problems for singers, ministers and communion. The degree of compliance was also noted: “I do not think that more than 30 per cent of the large congregation were seriously attempting to comply with the conditions . . .”11 Yashmak brand of masks selling at Myers for 2/6 were also expensive at 30 times the one penny charged for the Argus.12

Other issues raised were impact of church finances: The only thing to do is to trust our people to be true to their principles, and to play the game, so that they will each week lay by a certain amount, and send it at the end of the month to the church stewards.13

Finally, our thoughts today echo these words of Reverend Henry Worrall, President of the Methodist Conference, a century ago:

Let us keep before our vision stricken households, anxious parents, weary mothers, workless men and women, suffering and affrighted children, brave nurses and heroic physicians, and the multitudes who, though unseen, are rendering high service for the purpose of exterminating disease.14

Churches resumed on Sunday 9 March 1919.

Remembering 1919

Wearing masks for church. Newspaper illustration by Charles Nuttall. Caption reads: ‟Melbourne, February 1919. No, Sir – these are not Anarchists en route to a rendezvous. They are really nice people going to attend a Sabbath evening Church serviceˮ. Accessed at http://vrroom.naa.gov.au/print/?ID=19545

Continued on the next page

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Can you help?After our last service at St John’s we were reminded of the plight of people who have no access to medical or financial support. A Tamil refugee came in requesting a glass of water and revealed his concern about paying his rent and buying food. There were only a few church members still at church but we were able to provide him with $85. As luck would have it, I hadn’t delivered the food donations to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) so I was able to give him some food. I took copies of his paperwork in hope of finding further assistance. I passed on Velu’s information to the caring folk at Bayside Refugee Advocacy and Support Association (or BRASA) and he and his wife received some help and friendly support. Velu and Sharnthi are not on their own, there are over a million people who receive no government support. They may be on bridging or on international visas. Many don’t have working rights and, of those who do, many will have lost their jobs.Many of us at St John’s have donated food, toiletries and cleaning products to be taken to the ASRC. It is still possible to help by donating directly to ASRC or any other charity who provides similar services. Coles vouchers and Woolworths gift cards allow people to choose what they need. I have just been informed by BRASA that ASRC have had an increase of 30% of people asking for help and a downturn of 40% in donations. Please remember those who need our help in your prayers.The ASRC website is www.asrc.org.au/

Alex

AcknowledgementI thank Dr Jenny Bars and Graeme Hawtin of the Uniting Church in Australia, Victorian Synod Archives for allowing me to access digital copies of The Spectator during the lockdown.References1. Victorian Year Book 1919–1920, p. 180. 2. The Age, 29 January 1919, p. 7.3. The Age, 31 January 1919, p.7.4. The Age, 1 February 1915, p. 15; The Argus, 3 February

1919, p. 5; The Herald, 8 February 1919, p. 10 .5. The Herald, 30 January 1919, p. 4.6. The Argus, 31 January 1919, p. 8.7. The Herald, 8 February 1919, p. 9.8. The Spectator, 26 February 1919, p. 153.9. The Spectator, 5 February 1919, p. 90.10. The Age, 24 February 1919, p. 6.11. The Argus, 11 February 1919, p. 6.12. The Argus, 14 Feburary 1919, p. 6.13. The Spectator, 19 February 1919, p. 130.14. The Spectator, 5 February 1919, p. 87.

In a time of distanceby Alexander McCall SmithThe unexpected always happens in the wayThe unexpected has always occurred:While we are doing something else,While we are thinking of altogetherDifferent things – matters that eventsThen show to be every bit as unimportantAs our human concerns so often are;And then, with the unexpected upon us,We look at one another with a sort of surprise;How could things possibly turn out this wayWhen we are so competent, so pleased With the elaborate systems we have created -Networks and satellites, intelligent machines,Pills for every eventuality – except this one?And so we turn again to face one anotherAnd discover those thingsWe had almost forgotten,But that, mercifully, are still there:Love and friendship, not just for those To whom we are closest, but also for thoseWhom we do not know and of whomPerhaps we have in the past been frightened;The words brother and sister, powerful still,Are brought out, dusted down,Found to be still capable of expressingWhat we feel for others, that precise concern;Joined together in adversityWe discover things we have put aside:Old board games with obscure rules,Books we had been meaning to read,Letters we had intended to write,Things we had thought we might sayBut for which we never found the time;And from these discoveries of self, of time,There comes a new realisationThat we had been in too much of a hurry, That we misused our fragile world,That we have forgotten the claims of othersWho have been left behind;We find that out in our seclusion,In our silence; we commit ourselves afresh,We look for a few bars of songThat we used to sing together,A long time ago; we give what we can,We wait, knowing that when this is overA lot of us – not all perhaps – but most,Will be slightly different people,And our world, though diminished,Will be much bigger, its beauty revealed afresh.facebook.com/alexandermccallsmith

Editors Andrea, Patricia and Geoff thank the contributors to this Link and Colin for his proofreading.

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Lectionary

Date Day C Readings7 June Trinity Sunday Genesis 1:1–2:4a; Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13:11–13; Matthew 28:16–20

14 June Pentecost 2 Genesis 18:1–15, (21:1–7); Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19Romans 5:1–8; Matthew 9:35–10:8 (9–23)

21 June Pentecost 3 Genesis 21:8–21; Psalm 86:1–10, 16–17Romans 6:1b–11; Matthew 10:24–39

22 June UCA Anniversary Ezekiel 37:15–28; Psalm 122Hebrews 13:1–8; John 17:20–26

28 June Pentecost 4 Genesis 22:1–14; Psalm 13Romans 6:12–23; Matthew 10:40–42

5 July Pentecost 5 Genesis 24:34–38, 42–49, 58–67; Psalm 45:10–17 or Song 2:8–13Romans 7: 15–25a; Matthew 11: 16–19, 25–30

12 July Pentecost 6 Genesis 25:19–34; Psalm 119: 105–112Romans 8: 1–11; Matthew 13: 1–9, 18–23

19 July Pentecost 7 Genesis 28: 10–19a; Psalm 139:1–12, 23–24Romans 8:12–25; Matthew 13: 24–30, 36–43

26 July Pentecost 8 Genesis 29: 15–28; Psalm 105:1–11, 45b or Psalm 128Romans 8:26–39; Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52

After Pentecost is a period of time that varies in length depending on whether Easter is early or late. In this period, the Church recalls its faith in the Holy Trinity. It seeks to relate its faith as a people of God to Christ’s mission in the world. It commences with Trinity Sunday and concludes with the feast of Christ the King on Sunday 22 November 2020.

Liturgical colours

The high feasts are Christmas and Easter when the primary mood is rejoicing. White stands for joy, glo-ry and purity. It is also used to mark other feasts of Christ.

The preparatory seasons for these high feasts are marked by use of purple. In Lent, it is associated with the purple robe worn by Jesus at the mocking; it is a royal robe after the manner of the suffering servant. In Advent, purple represents the expectation of the birth of the Christchild and the expectation of the coming of Christ at the Last Day.

Red is confined to the fire of the Holy Spirit and is used on the Day of Pentecost as well as on “other days in the life and witness of the church” such as the Uniting Church anniversary on 22 June this year.

Green is used for all other days, for ordinary time. This probably comes from green being the simplest and most available vegetable dye in ancient days. It is an accessible symbol for growth, under the Holy Spirit and is therefore appropriate for the long seasons of Sundays after Pentecost.

You may have noticed in Link rosters that a colour is shown for each Sunday. These are termed Liturgical Colours which are white, purple, white, green, red and black. What is their significance?

Source: R Gribble. Liturgical dress in the Uniting Church.Accessed at https://resources.uca.org.au/images/stories/Theology_Discipleship/pdf/Liturgical_Dress_in_the_Uniting_Church-2.pdf

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Signs of our times Photographs taken in March, April and May 2020 while undertaking essential shopping or recreaton