From Jan this week. And posted before I go to bed on Friday as well which is a lovely bonus. For some reason I cannot cut and paste tonight so I'll try to capture the gist of her meme as I answer it below:
What do you think as you approach the month of February?
First peoples. Waitangi Day - as Jan mentions the day on which Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand signed a Treaty with the British Crown in 1840. Celebrated well here in Sydney last weekend at Merrylands. And this weekend marks two years since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this country for government policies and official action which tore families apart and left generations-lasting scars.
Valentines Day. Ten years ago on Sunday my Dad died suddenly (it was a Monday night) so this is a time of mixed feelings. I love the day though. Not the commercial aspect but the opportunity to do something fun. I bought a gift that all the family can enjoy at Oxfam a few weeks ago.
February also marks a US Federal Holiday to remember George Washington. Who is your favourite president?
Tempted to say Castro. But I think the spirit of the question refers to the USA. After our wonderful visit in December and January I feel there are too many to choose from. Night at the Museum 2' brings Lincoln to mind in gigantic proportions. We visited the Woodrow Wilson museum in Washington DC. And the JFK tomb at Arlington. But actually I go back to Lincoln. The difficult times he presided over. His agony at committing troops to war. His commitment to freedom. His battles with depression. And his home life. Quite a story.
Shrove Tuesday - how will you celebrate?
Pancakes pancakes pancakes. At home and at work. FUN! In our previous faith community this was a wonderful event for the whole suburb, with pancakes in the park (it is of course the hottest month of the year downunder) entertainment and an explanation of lent and easter from a Christian perspective.
Other ways to celebrate in February.
Lent Event. Swimming at the beach. Picnic dinner. Outdoor movies. And indoor movies too. On the 26th we will be holding our annual Blessing of the Hands ceremony for the first year medical students which is a marvellous celebration.
BONUS: Lent website or video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QMx5GL
and a brand new discovery on the Book of Face tonight - go to www.overcomingviolence.org and follow the link to the multimedia study for Lent.
