A bit of this & that, from Des Parker  

What a contrast, the first half a neck and neck struggle with each side dominating at different times.  Then, woosh, an overwhelming and dominant display.  A long time between ‘flags’ and much celebration for ‘Dees’ supporters.  Commiserations to the ‘Bulldogs’.

I know it’s a bit hard for you to read congratulations to the ‘Dees’ from a Magpie supporter, but there it is!   And ‘congrats’ to all of the teams than made the ‘8’ and those who struggled during the year.  As my Dad used to say when our teams were at the bottom of the ladder: ‘it takes a lot of strength to be at the bottom of the ladder because you are holding all of the other teams up!’

I guess that we all find ways to rationalize when our team does not win, or things do not go as we would wish.   Sometimes that is good.  If we use the rationalization to hide from the truth it’s not so good because we allow unresolved matters to build up, and that can create anxiety.  If we deal with the truth, which is sometimes difficult and unpleasant, we have a chance of resolving the matter.

As the number of people being first and second dose vaccinated, we are moving towards some freeing up of restrictions.  This should mean a return to being able to have the full congregation meet in the Worship Centre on the first Sunday in November.  I remember that when our children were small, they could not attend Kindergarten unless they were vaccinated.  Exemptions could be granted when there were medical reasons for not being vaccinated.  Today, if you want to visit certain countries there are vaccinations that you must have otherwise you cannot visit.  

So, vaccinations, and the implication of not being vaccinated have been around for a long time.  Restriction of travel and the number of people that you could visit has been very difficult for many people.  Phone calls etc are good but they are not a long-time solution to meeting someone in person.  We will get there, let’s hope that this will be sooner rather than later.  Although we can’t meet in each other’s homes, it is great to see the delight that people feel when they meet someone they know when shopping.  Even with much of the face hidden by a mask, the delight can be seen in the eyes, the posture of the body and the vitality of the conversation.  It’s a great time for a conversation, although short, and recharging the batteries of our soul and mind.

The September issue of UCAF (Uniting Church Adult Fellowship) magazine contains a picture of six ladies seated around a table which contains a feast of sandwiches, cream sponge cake, tea and coffee.  All on a table covered by an attractive lace cloth.  This was their first meeting in their new church.  The members of the Tatura Uniting Church had sold the church and purchased what was the Gallery Café in the main street.

What an adventure!  A number of congregations have made similar changes in response to their inability to maintain old buildings and their wish to become a new church for a new age.  That’s not hiding from the truth but looking at how it might open other opportunities.

Blessings, Des Parker.

Another busy morning in the garden last Saturday, BUT so much easier because of the work people have been doing all through the year.  Our main job was tackling the weeds in the blue-bell wood.  A bit of weeding outside the kitchen and some labyrinth repairs of vanishing bricks and rabbit diggings.

A very big THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have just kept on top of things progressively. Others have obviously been pulling weeds and the mop tops look amazing.

Garden mornings on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays seems to be our best plan in these rather uncertain times.  So hopefully we will see you on the 9th of October, 10.00am - 12.00pm if you are about.

Some of the people in the garden - doing a great job! 

These are some of the beautiful plants in our garden blossoming this Spring!!