An excellent day today. The very best of autumn weather and time to enjoy the garden - completely relandscaped last week and now so inviting. Returned home after an early morning drop-off at the airport and watered all the newly sewn grass. Level 2 water restrictions mean this was done with a watering can and not the hose. I enjoyed that real hands on feel.
It is now 4 months since I won an iPod Touch in a Bible knowledge competition at Parachute 2008. Proof that there are tangible rewards in 50 years of amassing Bible trivia! And I am at last brave enough to actually use the device. Loaded with an eclectic mix of Dave Dobbyn, Dunstan Rangers, Sons of Korah, Blind Boys, Adeaze, the new Jack Johnson and others. Arranging the playlist by song title means I can go all day and be quietly surprised by the next track that emerges.
And I attempted to clean a VERY tarnished silver tray that belonged to my parents. Three doses of silver polish made some impression but it was still fairly black. Then after a visit to Simple Savings I put some aluminium foil in the bottom of the sink, added a liberal amount of washing soda (Sodium Carbonate), poured boiling water over, left for a while and voila! Shiny shiny tray and happy happy me. It was so effective I went and got all our silver cutlery and did the same with that.
Mind at ease, heart at peace, iPod at ideal volume, silver cleaned. Everything's shiny!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Free bird
A great banner and excellent worship Sunday night. Rick - one of our ordained ministers - took that quintessential Aussie phrase 'no worries mate' and gave it theological and liturgical significance. Talked about how the phrase can be received as a gift, as an acknowledgment that my actions have intruded on someone else, yet that person graciously accepts my apology and lets go of any hurt or resentment. All summed up in that simple phrase "No worries mate."
And up on the wall a banner with a bird flying. The somewhat cryptic name of this blog refers to the logo of the Uniting Church in Australia. I have heard it praised and said to be well ahead of its time and remarkably contemporary for a logo designed in the 1970s. This is true, and the symbolism of the logo is very sound. But to me it looks like a bird in a cage. As if the UCA has defined the parameters and life is always symmetrical. So it was good to see a bird free of its cage - even within a linear layout. The banner was a light blue - white dove in centre with a heart below. No solid outlines anywhere. I liked it very much.
The gospel for the day was from Matthew chapter 6:
And up on the wall a banner with a bird flying. The somewhat cryptic name of this blog refers to the logo of the Uniting Church in Australia. I have heard it praised and said to be well ahead of its time and remarkably contemporary for a logo designed in the 1970s. This is true, and the symbolism of the logo is very sound. But to me it looks like a bird in a cage. As if the UCA has defined the parameters and life is always symmetrical. So it was good to see a bird free of its cage - even within a linear layout. The banner was a light blue - white dove in centre with a heart below. No solid outlines anywhere. I liked it very much.
The gospel for the day was from Matthew chapter 6:
Responding to love
Lots of responding in this past week but nothing much on the page that I initiated. So what is happening and what am I simmering away with? Sally's blog on obedience was very timely as I was struggling with my reaction to the material being used in our church children's programme. It seems to come from a very 'hard' type of Christianity that promotes moral behaviour and rigid obedience to codes of behaviour. The overall theme seems to be that being a Christian means we HAVE to make the right choices.
The material for June is on the theme of humility. It has been interpreted as "putting others first" (from Phillipians 2.3) BUT the context of that is that God has poured out abundant love on us and in our gratitude we are able to recognise that all people are equal (Phillipians 2.1 - interpreted). Somehow the challenge is to present humility as a response - as Sally explained obedience. And not as an obligation.
It is relevant I think that when I did a web search on humility I could not find anything about teaching humility to children. Despite the assertion in the material that children are born self-centred and have to learn to put others first - the bulk of the educational evidence seems to suggest that when children are secure and know they are loved they are able to follow the example of parents and to consider others' needs as well as their own.
A Bible Gateway search for the word humility found it mentioned only eight times. And none of these mentions was attributed to Jesus. I'm not at all sure that it is a key Christian principle or even part of early church doctrine.
But I also recognise that my reaction TO the material is inextricably linked with my reaction AGAINST a lot in my childhood. Too much of my faith formation was in the hands of well-meaning people who worked from the premise that we children were sinful and needed to be saved. A colleague who shared a similar upbringing saw over a year ago that I needed to leave JOY behind - the acronym for Jesus first, others second, yourself last. But I still struggle to do this. There is a narrowness in some expressions of Christianity that I have found unhelpful.
One of the saddest things I have heard in all this is about a little girl whose view of God is being steadily constricted as she enters into the world of church and school. Her inclusive mother/father is now male and increasingly authoritarian. Her prayers that previously used many and diverse images are beginning to seem standardised and formulaic.
My immediate concern is that the material used to nurture our children in faith should be underpinned by sound theological and child development principles. Using stories from the Hebrew scriptures as object lessons does raise some questions for me in that regard. I do believe that it is possible to have a fun and engaging programme WITH sound life-affirming theology.
But I also recognise the emergence of baggage that I need to deal with and not heap onto my colleagues in addressing the matters at hand.
The material for June is on the theme of humility. It has been interpreted as "putting others first" (from Phillipians 2.3) BUT the context of that is that God has poured out abundant love on us and in our gratitude we are able to recognise that all people are equal (Phillipians 2.1 - interpreted). Somehow the challenge is to present humility as a response - as Sally explained obedience. And not as an obligation.
It is relevant I think that when I did a web search on humility I could not find anything about teaching humility to children. Despite the assertion in the material that children are born self-centred and have to learn to put others first - the bulk of the educational evidence seems to suggest that when children are secure and know they are loved they are able to follow the example of parents and to consider others' needs as well as their own.
A Bible Gateway search for the word humility found it mentioned only eight times. And none of these mentions was attributed to Jesus. I'm not at all sure that it is a key Christian principle or even part of early church doctrine.
But I also recognise that my reaction TO the material is inextricably linked with my reaction AGAINST a lot in my childhood. Too much of my faith formation was in the hands of well-meaning people who worked from the premise that we children were sinful and needed to be saved. A colleague who shared a similar upbringing saw over a year ago that I needed to leave JOY behind - the acronym for Jesus first, others second, yourself last. But I still struggle to do this. There is a narrowness in some expressions of Christianity that I have found unhelpful.
One of the saddest things I have heard in all this is about a little girl whose view of God is being steadily constricted as she enters into the world of church and school. Her inclusive mother/father is now male and increasingly authoritarian. Her prayers that previously used many and diverse images are beginning to seem standardised and formulaic.
My immediate concern is that the material used to nurture our children in faith should be underpinned by sound theological and child development principles. Using stories from the Hebrew scriptures as object lessons does raise some questions for me in that regard. I do believe that it is possible to have a fun and engaging programme WITH sound life-affirming theology.
But I also recognise the emergence of baggage that I need to deal with and not heap onto my colleagues in addressing the matters at hand.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Summer vacation
Thanks Sally for this Friday Five. It is a delightful paradox to be sitting in front of my computer on a Saturday in my warm and snuggly merino jersey with a warm chai in my hands (intermittently when I break from typing) and a pot of soup bubbling on the stove AND in responding to a FRIDAY five to be thinking of summer instead of the falling temperature outside.
1. Getting ready for summer, do you use the gradual tanning moisturisers ( yes gentlemen you too can answer this!!!), or are you happy to show your winter skin to the world?
No I don't. One experimental effort produced poor results - but I guess on top of that melanoma is such a public health issue that I want to be part of normalising our skin tone expectations. I've learnt so much from one of my daughters who is 'confidently pale'.
2.Beach, mount
ains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?
Beach or mountains, lake or river. I prefer natural water to the pool. No favourite place really - I love exploring new areas. Some great memories though from Te Araroa , Mangawhai Heads, Spiddal , Fort William, Coolum, San Anselmo, Yosemite and more ... These pics from Queensland's Sunshine Coast Easter 2007 - Four Sisters and the Everglades.
3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?
I love holidays in any season, but I do love the long evenings in Summer. The Summer break is never too long! I do like airconditioning when temperature gets above 30 though.
4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?
Hiking (called tramping in New Zealand but nowhere else in the world it seems) swimming, walking and experiencing local culture (art, museums, wonders of nature) make a holiday for me. So long as there is time to read or stitch in between times I am very happy.
5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?
Local wherever possible. I figure if it is 'piping hot' there's not too much to worry about and in fact that is probably the 'safe' choice (minimal transport, local ingredients, familiar recipes etc).
No I don't. One experimental effort produced poor results - but I guess on top of that melanoma is such a public health issue that I want to be part of normalising our skin tone expectations. I've learnt so much from one of my daughters who is 'confidently pale'.
2.Beach, mount
ains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?
Beach or mountains, lake or river. I prefer natural water to the pool. No favourite place really - I love exploring new areas. Some great memories though from Te Araroa , Mangawhai Heads, Spiddal , Fort William, Coolum, San Anselmo, Yosemite and more ... These pics from Queensland's Sunshine Coast Easter 2007 - Four Sisters and the Everglades.
3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?
I love holidays in any season, but I do love the long evenings in Summer. The Summer break is never too long! I do like airconditioning when temperature gets above 30 though.
4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?
Hiking (called tramping in New Zealand but nowhere else in the world it seems) swimming, walking and experiencing local culture (art, museums, wonders of nature) make a holiday for me. So long as there is time to read or stitch in between times I am very happy.
5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?
Local wherever possible. I figure if it is 'piping hot' there's not too much to worry about and in fact that is probably the 'safe' choice (minimal transport, local ingredients, familiar recipes etc).
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mulesing
A new word I learnt last night when I was visiting Knitty and found this cute pattern but also noted the designer took account of knitters who might want to avoid wool because of the mulesing controversy. I was quite shocked to read of sheep being mutilated without anaesthetic. And the clear message seemed to be not to buy AUSTRALIAN merino wool.
So today I went into Tapestry Craft which is the most wonderful and amazing wool shop I know in Sydney. I had had a very full day and I just needed to touch some fibre and be in a creative place. AND it was a good opportunity to see if they stocked 'cruelty free' wool.
While the staff had no knowledge of the issue I met a wonderful knitting woman from Armidale - a merino producing area - who explained the producers side of the story. Fly strike is a horrible condition that affects merino sheep in Australia because of our hot wet climate. Basically flies lay eggs in thick wool around the backside of the sheep and maggots burrow into the flesh (not nice I know - that's all I'll say and leave the rest to your imagination). So basically the backside is bared to prevent this horrible and life-threatening condition. According to this informant the procedure is ALWAYS performed with local anaesthetic, and is performed only once for each sheep. It is only a problem for Merino sheep who have wrinkly skin in their nether regions. BUT New Zealand does not use this procedure, possibly because of the different climate and also long term investment in genetic and other ways to prevent fly strike.
PINK withdrew her call to boycott Australian wool when she heard the full story.
As in so much of our lives there are two sides to every story. In this case I am pleased that I took the time to investigate. I am evolving into a questioner - asking at cafes how their coffee is produced and how the grower is compensated. And now thinking of animal welfare not only when I buy eggs (barn laid is my minimum acceptable level - free range whenever I can afford it) but also when I buy wool.
This does seem to link in with Brian McLaren's prosperity hypothesis that we as humans take more from earth than earth itself can bear. Questions about whether it is appropriate to seek to raise sheep in environments that are unsuitable, how much we can intervene to adapt nature to our requirements, what respect we owe to our fellow mammals and to what extent it is appropriate to use them for our ends, how we can shift our Western investments in furthering our own comfort to actually saving lives of children internationally etc etc remain unanswered.
But for the moment I will knit up my merino from NZ with a clear conscience. I will seek to tread lightly on this planet. I will not use ethanol in the car, recognising that this has contributed to the massive increase in staple food costs internationally. I will seek to reduce emissions not by burning people's food in my vehicle, but by using the car less and walking more. I will boycott grain fed meat and eat more grains myself.
And I will cast on some stitches and make some winter warmers
So today I went into Tapestry Craft which is the most wonderful and amazing wool shop I know in Sydney. I had had a very full day and I just needed to touch some fibre and be in a creative place. AND it was a good opportunity to see if they stocked 'cruelty free' wool.
While the staff had no knowledge of the issue I met a wonderful knitting woman from Armidale - a merino producing area - who explained the producers side of the story. Fly strike is a horrible condition that affects merino sheep in Australia because of our hot wet climate. Basically flies lay eggs in thick wool around the backside of the sheep and maggots burrow into the flesh (not nice I know - that's all I'll say and leave the rest to your imagination). So basically the backside is bared to prevent this horrible and life-threatening condition. According to this informant the procedure is ALWAYS performed with local anaesthetic, and is performed only once for each sheep. It is only a problem for Merino sheep who have wrinkly skin in their nether regions. BUT New Zealand does not use this procedure, possibly because of the different climate and also long term investment in genetic and other ways to prevent fly strike.
PINK withdrew her call to boycott Australian wool when she heard the full story.
As in so much of our lives there are two sides to every story. In this case I am pleased that I took the time to investigate. I am evolving into a questioner - asking at cafes how their coffee is produced and how the grower is compensated. And now thinking of animal welfare not only when I buy eggs (barn laid is my minimum acceptable level - free range whenever I can afford it) but also when I buy wool.
This does seem to link in with Brian McLaren's prosperity hypothesis that we as humans take more from earth than earth itself can bear. Questions about whether it is appropriate to seek to raise sheep in environments that are unsuitable, how much we can intervene to adapt nature to our requirements, what respect we owe to our fellow mammals and to what extent it is appropriate to use them for our ends, how we can shift our Western investments in furthering our own comfort to actually saving lives of children internationally etc etc remain unanswered.
But for the moment I will knit up my merino from NZ with a clear conscience. I will seek to tread lightly on this planet. I will not use ethanol in the car, recognising that this has contributed to the massive increase in staple food costs internationally. I will seek to reduce emissions not by burning people's food in my vehicle, but by using the car less and walking more. I will boycott grain fed meat and eat more grains myself.
And I will cast on some stitches and make some winter warmers
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Grand Tour Friday Five
My first time playing this game from Songbird. My five places:
1) Favorite Destination -- Right now would have to be Snell's Beach in North Auckland, New Zealand where we stayed recently with my Aunt and Uncle. The hospitality was warm and generous. The bedroom looked out over a literally 'picture perfect' bay. Just up the street was a walking track around the coast. And a short boat trip away was Kawau Island where we were the only people on the beach and the two of us swam in perfect contentment.
2) Unfavorite Destination -- Well the diner in Dannevirke would fit this bill. Only the diner was open on the evening of Easter Day (NB over 20 years ago). I ordered 'mexican chicken'. Was presented with a small (side) plate, with one crumbed chicken drumstick on a folded paper serviette. That was the meal!
3) Fantasy Destination -- I saw in Gourmet Traveller a resort in UAE where you have a mansion for two people, plus a yacht to sail in during the day and of course fantastic meals and service always at hand. Then again Prague is said to be the most romantic city in the world and I am a true romantic. And my patriotic side would like to participate in a commemoration of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. My great uncle died there in World War One and it is a site where so many mothers and fathers, Turkish and Allied, lost their sons. So it seems a world tour is my fantasy destination.
4) Fictional Destination -- I so want to see Aslan singing the world into being - as in The Magician's Nephew. Narnia would be my choice.
5) Funny Destination -- the Ginger Factory on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia has cutesy carnival type rides, giant gingerbread men statues everywhere, a miniature train ride, and LOTS of ginger. I loved it.
1) Favorite Destination -- Right now would have to be Snell's Beach in North Auckland, New Zealand where we stayed recently with my Aunt and Uncle. The hospitality was warm and generous. The bedroom looked out over a literally 'picture perfect' bay. Just up the street was a walking track around the coast. And a short boat trip away was Kawau Island where we were the only people on the beach and the two of us swam in perfect contentment.
2) Unfavorite Destination -- Well the diner in Dannevirke would fit this bill. Only the diner was open on the evening of Easter Day (NB over 20 years ago). I ordered 'mexican chicken'. Was presented with a small (side) plate, with one crumbed chicken drumstick on a folded paper serviette. That was the meal!
3) Fantasy Destination -- I saw in Gourmet Traveller a resort in UAE where you have a mansion for two people, plus a yacht to sail in during the day and of course fantastic meals and service always at hand. Then again Prague is said to be the most romantic city in the world and I am a true romantic. And my patriotic side would like to participate in a commemoration of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. My great uncle died there in World War One and it is a site where so many mothers and fathers, Turkish and Allied, lost their sons. So it seems a world tour is my fantasy destination.
4) Fictional Destination -- I so want to see Aslan singing the world into being - as in The Magician's Nephew. Narnia would be my choice.
5) Funny Destination -- the Ginger Factory on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia has cutesy carnival type rides, giant gingerbread men statues everywhere, a miniature train ride, and LOTS of ginger. I loved it.
And a donkey shall lead them
My response to Christine's Invitation to Poetry
In her invitation she says "I was most moved however by the donkey they keep in the pasture with the sheep. Apparently he provides some extra protection for them from coyotes because he bonds with the sheep and then his size scares away some of the predators. "
Watchful strong Spirit
in you we trust
You live among us
knowing us and knowing our ways
Our need for food and nurture
Our needs for space and closeness
Our individuality and our collective identity
Lead us in our everyday routines
and beyond the bounds of our paddock
Secure in our knowledge of your care
Free in our knowledge of your love
Enlivened by your presence among us
Amen
In her invitation she says "I was most moved however by the donkey they keep in the pasture with the sheep. Apparently he provides some extra protection for them from coyotes because he bonds with the sheep and then his size scares away some of the predators. "
Watchful strong Spirit
in you we trust
You live among us
knowing us and knowing our ways
Our need for food and nurture
Our needs for space and closeness
Our individuality and our collective identity
Lead us in our everyday routines
and beyond the bounds of our paddock
Secure in our knowledge of your care
Free in our knowledge of your love
Enlivened by your presence among us
Amen
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