Year 2000

These Weekly Thoughts are taken from the Parish's pew sheet called the NOW (News of the Week). 

Christmas Lights Tour - 31 December

Christmas Bowl - 24 December

The Twelve Days of Christmas? - 17 December

Congratulations Debbie - 3 December

Christ the King - 26 November

Nothing lasts forever? - 19 November

Flower Festival - 12 November

For All the Saints - 5 November

Sts. Simon and Jude - 29 October

RIP Sydney Vincent Weare - 15 October

St. Francis - 8 October

Sea Sunday - 1 October

First and Last - 24 September

Take Up the Cross - 17 September

Celebration - 10 September

Anglican Cycle of Prayer - 3 September

Martyr's Day - 27 August

Hearing Awareness Week - 13 August 

The Transfiguration - 6 August 

Worthy or Unworthy? - 30 July 

Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2003: Jan - June

Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Dec - July

Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Jan - June

Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2001: July - Dec

Christmas Lights Tour

1 Samuel 2:18-20, Col 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52

"Cheers" and "Elation" when the convoy of omnibus and coaches reached their destiny at Currambine (Connolly to be precise). What a magnificent sight when all the houses (except one) in Prairie Dunes were sparkling in lights. 

The mystery tour with a secret venue in mind kept us all interested. Detours and roundabouts by the leading coach was quite a challenge to the other drivers but no one was lost. A magnificent view of the new lights on the Memorial Gums in Kings Park and the spectacular sight across the river with boats and lights seemingly everywhere. A convenience stopover was simultaneous with a break in the weather and wind and rain changed the banquet supper plans.

Finally back in the Parish Hall at Palmyra and all tucked into a "feast" in grand style. What a night!!!

Thanks to 'Coach Captain' Michael Kitafuna for an evening of fun and fellowship which brought laughter and goodwill to all the tour patrons. Happy New Year to everyone on this centenary of Federation and the date 1.1.2001 translates in Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, 010101. 

Fr Dennis

Christmas Bowl

Micah 5:2-5, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45

Christmas dinner is a time to celebrate the gifts we have to share as family and friends. Many people in this world are helped by the monetary gifts to the Christmas Bowl Appeal. Gifts are tax deductible and receipts are issued by the Parish. Please mark any donations accordingly and leave at the Parish Office or leave in the Offertory collection.

Christmas Pageant: The Magi, shepherds, angels, sheep, pigs, goats, ducks, chickens, little rabbits, guinea pigs and the donkey descended on St. John's as the camels encircled the Church, for the marvellous Children's Pageant. Jackie Minkey, the "Archangel Compere" led us through the story with some "king-size" shepherds, Magi and a capable Innkeeper whose sleep was constantly interrupted by callers. Mary and Joseph arrived by donkey and the babe was born at the back of the Inn. Spontaneously, the young shepherds and angels hurried to see the baby Jesus when the opportunity arose. What a wonderful experience of the story of the Messiah. "Christ is Born Today." A happy and Holy Christmas to all. 

Fr Dennis

The Twelve Days of Christmas?

Zephaniah 3:14+, Philippians 4:14+, Luke 3:7+

What a variety of ways we have of celebrating Christmas. With the shops getting started before November and a plethora of community and other Carol services to choose from along with staff and other parties, it is not surprising that by the time the actual day passes everyone has had enough of celebrating. In the commercial world, the twelve days following Christmas have become the twelve days preceding it and on Christmas Eve, the decorations will come down and sale signs go up. 

In the Church there is also some hedging. We thought that one Church really had the jump on us with their advertisement of Easter, but on checking the dates, saw that it was for last Easter!! Under this advertisement was one from a local group offering an 'Earlybird Christmas Service' on 17 December.

The preempting of Christmas is here to stay but lets make Christmas day a wonderful and joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus and two thousand years of his kingdom on earth. A holy, happy and peace-filled Christmas to all from Fr Dennis, Glendon, Robin & Debbie.

Glendon +.

Congratulations Debbie

Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-38

Today we celebrate with The Rev'd Debbie Dunn as she enters into a new phase of her ministry amongst us as a  priest in the Church of God. We pray with her and for her, that she may experience God's blessings in new and special ways as she celebrates the sacraments and pronounces God's blessing and peace on us. 

J.H. Oldham, who was instrumental in setting up the World Council of Churches, wrote at the end of his life that he wondered why the Church had never really faced up to the fact that Jesus and the apostles expected the kingdom of God to come immediately. 

We do not know exactly what Jesus believed but Luke writes that as he had gone into a cloud at his ascension, he would come again and soon. Clearly they were wrong, at least in the timing. The intervening 2000 years affect how we view the future and the way we live in the present. Admitting that they were wrong in this, means that they were wrong in other things as well. Jesus and the apostles were men of their own age. The fact that the 12 were all men, and that Jesus did not call any women into that group is evidence of this. We cannot imagine what life was like in the time of Jesus, for it was a completely different world from ours.

The expected and immediate coming of the Kingdom and the end of the world have faded, and there may be some strenuous parts of the ethic of Jesus which no longer apply in a world which stretches into the distant future, but following his way must still be a rigorous discipleship. 

The season of Advent offers us the opportunity to look at our lives in the light of the Gospel ethic of being prepared. 

Glendon +.

Christ the King

2 Samuel 23:1+, Revelations 1:4+, John 18:33+

This is the last Sunday of the Church Liturgical year. Next week begins the Advent preparation for Christmas. 

On Thursday is the Ordination of the Rev'd Debbie Dunn to the priesthood. The Ordination is at St. George's Cathedral at 6:30pm. Paul Cannon and Angela Webb will also be priested and are known to many in the Parish. Our prayers are for their future ministry. Those wishing to go to the Service, please indicate to the Parish Office as we will co-ordinate transport. A bus will leave Palmyra Anglican Church at 5:00pm ($5 for the bus fare). 

Our Carol Service (with the additional numbers) in St. John's Choir will be at 7:00pm on Sunday 10 December. The Children's Pageant will be at St. John's at 5:30pm on Thursday 21 December. This live animals including the donkey will be present from 5:00pm. The Magi's three camels will be circling the Church from 4:30pm.

Nothing lasts forever?

We can imagine the shock which the disciples experienced when Jesus predicted the destruction of Herod's Temple in Jerusalem. Whilst not as salubrious as that built by Solomon it was, never the less, a magnificent building with gold leafed portals shining in the sun and fringed by carvings of heavily laden grape vines. When we think about it, what Jesus said of the Temple is true of most things. How much of what is in the world today was here a century ago? How much of what we have as we move into the next millennium will exist at its end? When it comes to physical structures they are all transient and while they have important functions we shouldn't put too much store on them. As Fr. John reminded us last week, in the end it is only charity (love) which is of enduring importance. We are about to enter the season of preparation for the festival of the coming of God's love to us two thousand years ago. May we enter into it with joyful anticipation and hearts open to receive God's love in new and wonderful ways.

Glendon +

Flower Festival

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:19-28, Mark 12:38-44

The saints are commemorated in the displays of flowers and are making St. John's Church look magnificent. If you haven't had a chance to see the detail and handiwork of these artists, then it will be well worth the effort. 

The biblical stories record many references to flowers and the uniqueness of each petal and flower points to more than 'mere chance' to begin life on earth. The creator has provided so much beauty and splendour in nature. We give thanks to God for all who have contributed and supported the Fremantle Flower Festival. 

RIP

The Funeral Service for Phyllis Seth will  be in St. John's Church on Thursday at 10:00am. The officiant will be long time friend Helen Thomas. Parishioners are welcome to attend the service. Our condolences and prayers are extended to the family.

Chaplain's Visit 

Our guest at St. John's and St. Peter's today is Fr. John Simpson, Air Force Chaplain. We welcome him to worship with us today. 

Fr Dennis

For All the Saints

Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 12:13-17, 28-34

This week, we have celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls with a special mass at St. Peter's and St. Mark's. The theme continues next weekend with the Annual Flower Festival in St. John's. This event celebrates the wonder of God's creation and the creativity of those who use its beauty as an offering to others, and to God, to complete the circle of blessing.

Throughout the Church the arrangements will depict a saint or saints as the artists offer their interpretation of their chosen hallowed ones.

All are invited to the opening concert and refreshments, when flowers, music, food and drink will combine to stimulate the senses and give joy to the beholder.

We need a song in our heart. Jesus, like us, needed a song in his heart. In Mark, the gospel story is unfolding to the ultimate crisis. Jesus has reached Jerusalem and thrown down the gauntlet to the Jewish authorities riding triumphantly into the city cleansing the temple and telling stories against the chief priests, lawyers and elders. Mark builds the conflict and then the debate changes gear. We meet a generous lawyer, not one setting trick questions, but one genuinely wanting to agree with what God wanted his people to do above all things. Surely this incident would have gladdened Jesus' heart as in line with the best Old Testament insights, bring together love of God with love of neighbor.

Glendon + 

Sts. Simon and Jude

The Rev'd Cassandra Nixon is our guest in St. John's today and is Preacher at 8:00 am and Preacher and Celebrant at 10:30 am. Cassandra has been serving the church in Hong Kong over the last twelve months and has just returned to the diocese. We welcome her to Fremantle this morning. 

The National Meeting of the Anglican Board of Mission takes place in Melbourne this weekend and I am the clergy delegate from W.A.

The All Souls Service in Palmyra is on Thursday 2nd November at 7:30 pm. Please encourage people to come and honour their loved ones as the names are read out. Names may be placed on a list at the services today or on the evening.

Last Thursday was the Wollaston College Friends Annual Dinner which welcomed the new family to Mount Claremont. The Rev'd Nigel Leaves is the new Warden and together with the Rev'd Julie and their son Sebastion has taken up residence. The Rev'd Richard Pengelly, Chaplain of Hale School, was the after dinner speaker. He was one of the commentators on Channel 7 for the Men's Water Polo at the Olympics. In his address he said he was moved by Cathy Freeman who on winning the feature race sat down and reflected on all that had led to that significant result. 

The Festival of St. Simon and St. Jude is an ideal time to reflect on the Saints and be grateful for the many blessings in life in which other people have encouraged us. 

Thanks be to God for all his gifts.

Fr. Dennis

RIP Sydney Vincent Weare

Job 1:1, Hebrews 1:1, Mark 10:2

The Diocese of Perth marked the passing of one of our well known and loved priests. At St George’s Cathedral on Friday was the Funeral service to honour Fr Vincent Weare. 

Held in high esteem by many people for his ministry in the Church he had much to offer. An accomplished scholar who held many posts including sub warden and acting warden of St Georges College in the University of WA. He served with British forces in Alexandria, and was an integral part of decoding enemy information in conjunction with the Enigma group at Bletchley Park. His many parochial appointments and chaplaincies include Rector of South Perth in the late sixties and early seventies. His ministry spanned half a century since his ordination. In latter days, he was accompanied by his wife to worship in St John’s, Fremantle, where one of his daughters, Victoria Castiglione, is a liturgical assistant. 

Fond memories for many people of dedicated priest and pastor, we give thanks to God for Fr Vincent Weare and extend our condolences to the family.

Fr Dennis

St. Francis

Job 1:1, Hebrews 1:1, Mark 10:2

Always a popular saint, Francis has become a man for our times. As we all become more concerned about environmental matters and the welfare of plants and animals, we are inspired by the legendary stories of the relationship that Francis had with God and the world around him. 

He is said to have had a great power over animals and once preached to the birds, beginning, 'My little sisters, the birds, you owe much to God, your Creator, and always in every place ought you to praise him, because he has given you liberty to fly about everywhere.'

In 1221 he founded the Tertiaries, the third order of St. Francis, for those who wished to follow his ideals as much as possible with a normal way of life. 

His generosity, simple faith, passionate devotion to God and humanity, his love of nature and his humility have caused Francis of Assisi to be cherished and followed by many. 

Glendon +

Sea Sunday

Esther 7:1, James 5:12, Mark 9:38

Those who go down to the sea in ships and follow their trade on great waters. Ps 107.23

There is always some risk in going to sea. This week we have been reminded of this with the news of the sinking of the Greek ferry in the Aegean Sea, with a loss of lives. 

Old Testament stories like that of Jonah suggest that God controls the elements to the degree of using storms in a vindictive way to control or punish individuals. Whilst it might be reasonable to think that God might bring disaster upon Jonah, (but God wouldn't) it is not reasonable to think that God would do this to the detriment of others, the mariners having to jettison their cargo and therefore their livelihood in an attempt to save the ship. We cannot accept that God would raise a storm to stop Johan in his tracks but the truth in the story is that God is always with Jonah, caring for him, despite his attempts to escape from God. No matter where we venture, to sea or other places, we have the assurance that God is caring for us, even if we are not caring for God. 

Glendon +

First and Last

Proverbs 31:10, James 3:1, Mark 9:30

"If anyone wants to be first they must make themselves last of all and servant of all."

What an idea! To enforce the point, Jesus put a child in front of them. A child wasn't a symbol of innocence but of powerlessness and vulnerability. Jesus' suggestion that they receive a child in his name seems to say 'Accept the powerlessness and vulnerability of this child, and be like this child, as I will be, powerless and vulnerable. Divine wisdom, represented by a child, represented by a crucified Christ.

'The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.'

The wisdom of children is seen in their trust that their needs will be met, even though they are powerless and vulnerable.

This is wisdom worth imitating. Rather than try to increase our power, position or security, we should be content, like Jesus, to be powerless and vulnerable and trust that our needs will be met by God. 

Glendon +

Take Up the Cross

Proverbs 1:20, James 2:18, Mark 8:27

'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.' This is the most succinct, far reaching and awesome declaration of what it means to be a Christian. It is so uncompromising in its challenge that Jesus doesn't presume that anyone would want to follow him. 'If any want to become my followers.' Neither is he appealing to loyalty or duty using ought's and must's; there are few of them. 'If you want' is an appeal to our deepest desires, inviting us to count the cost and decide with a free choice. 

In the face of such a challenge we have developed ways to make it easier. We can interpret the taking up of the cross figuratively. It's like the death of self in baptism and those little daily deaths to self that make room for others. Forgetting self and following Jesus has to be struggled for again and again. Discipleship is a dynamic relationship we move in and out of. Every choice, every decision, every action we take puts our discipleship on trial. The path of self preservation always beckons us away from the path of costly discipleship. Why, then, do we want to follow Jesus?

We follow because we recognise life when we see it, and following him produces in us life enriching experiences that convince us that through his suffering and death he has become the source of life.

Glendon +

Celebration

Proverbs 22:1, James 2:1, Mark 7:24

They sang the Lord's praises, repeating the refrain: 'The Lord is good, and his love for Israel is eternal.' Everyone shouted with all their might, praising the Lord. (Ezra 3).

Tonight we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the Church of St. Peter and St. Mark, Palmyra. This celebration brings together much more than remembering that event, which happened at three pm on Sunday the thirteenth of September, Nineteen Seventy, or the Church which was then built. 

The people gathered in Ezra's time were celebrating the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem but many cried at the sight of it, it was so in-glorious in comparison with Solomon's glorious building. So, what they were also celebrating was their Lord's goodness to them in restoring them in Israel after seventy years of exile.

In celebrating the founding of the Church of St. Peter and St. Mark, we give thanks to God for the worshipping communities of the past and present, and our hopes for the future. In this celebration we remember all of the people whose spiritual journeys have been a part of God's work in this part of the Kingdom. 

Glendon +

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Song of Solomon 2:8, James 1:17, Mark 7:1

Last week, the world wide Anglican Cycle of Prayer focused on the Church of the province of Central Africa. (Countries Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.) The Church has to face problems forced upon it by its neighbours from the refugees of Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire. 

The message from the Archbishop Khotso Makhulu may have something to say to us. He says, "A Church in Africa that does not understand community (and it is a direct challenge in Western emphasis on individual salvation) will always be in trouble. People know, from their culture that they belong to the unborn, the living and the dead. A Church that takes no notice of that is in trouble."

Next Sunday is the 30th Anniversary Service at 5:00pm in Palmyra. It celebrates the merging of St. Peter's, East Fremantle and St. Mark's, Palmyra. This will be a time to address the past and the present and our future in this service of evensong. Historical displays will be in the Parish Hall and a cocktail party will follow the service. 

Fr Dennis +

Martyrs' Day

1 King 8:22, Ephesians 6:10, John 6:60

The annual recognition of the Martyrs reminds us of those who died for the faith of Christ in Papua New Guinea. Besides the Anglicans, there were Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Protestants who also died in the 2nd World War in PNG. The Martyrs of the 20th Century are all represented by near life size statues of selected Martyrs representing the world and various Christian denominations above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey. They were dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the presence of the Queen just 2 years ago. They are:

The men and women were chosen, after wide consultation, to represent major areas of persecution and oppression in the 20th century. 

Perhaps it is time that St. John's, Fremantle considered some recognition of the Martyrs of PNG in stained glass or stone sculptures. Two obvious places above the high altar have niches awaiting stone sculptures. May we uphold the Martyrs in our hearts and express the faith of Christ in our lives. 

Fr Dennis +

Hearing Awareness Week

1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14; Ephesians 5:11-21; John 6:51-58

This year is the 120th anniversary of the birth of Helen Keller, the little baby who due to illness at 19 months became both deaf and blind. With her teacher, Anne Sullivan's help, she was able to learn to communicate. Helen Keller continues to inspire and motivate others to overcome disabilities.

Finger spelling is the basic means of communication to the deaf and each week Michael Kitafuna conducts sign language classes for the Parish. Friends and Parishioners are most welcome to join the group by contacting the Parish Office.

There is an Open Day at the WA Deaf Society, 16 Brentham Street, Leederville, on Tuesday 22 August, with a tour at 10 am.

The 'Deaf' Bible is a version that omits long words being simplified for reading and signing and translates for the Gospel today:

"My body is true food, My blood is true drink." 

Glendon +

The Transfiguration

Daniel 7:9, 2 Peter 1:16, Mark 9:2

At Synod last year the Archbishop mentioned that around this time this year we would all probably begin to become conscious of the proximity of 'the Games,' even to the point of being overwhelmed by Olympic hype. With this in mind he suggested that the Feast of the Transfiguration be used as a day of personal reflection and renewal. It is a day to be reminded that there is more to life than 'the Games.' As it is also Hiroshima Day, it gives an opportunity to ponder on the contrast between the light of God and the darkness following the destructive flash of an atomic bomb.

In the August Messenger, the Archbishop calls us to keep today for reflection, repentance and personal transformation. 

As we consider the affirmation of Divine Sonship by the Father, and the need for all of creation to respond in faithful obedience and in a way that God finds well pleasing, we might consider our response to God in our stewardship of that which God has given to us. 

One area of stewardship is our regular giving of money. As we take our offertory envelopes for the coming year, let us prayerfully consider our response of thanksgiving for God's goodness. 

"You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God." 2 Cor 9:11

Glendon +

Worthy or Unworthy?

Glendon +