Page 1 of 8 Johnsonville Uniting Church Christmas Newsletter December 2013 MINISTER S MESSAGE A recent lectionary reading reminded us to pray quietly without excessive display. Prayer is like an artery carrying spiritual life-blood to all the parts of the body we feel connected to, in faith or in mutual concern for the wellbeing of the world. Prayer is an ancient spiritual practice with many modern variations. It is, at the same time, unique to each individual and universal. We are both joined by our prayers and our ways of praying and divided by them. Prayer may use words or be wholly wordless. I rather like the Tibetan tradition of prayer flags the prayers blowing around us in the wind of the Holy Spirit. If Jesus was a prayer what sort of prayer would he be? Would he be a social activist prayer? Have mercy on us, God who takes side with justice. Confront our prejudice, stretch our narrowness, sift out our laws and our lives with the penetrating insight of your spirit until generosity is our only measure. Would he be a meditation? God help us to grow like a garden like a song like a tree
Page 2 of 8 Would he be a prayer that staggers, breathless, to the top of Mt Everest? Or a prayer that makes the ordinary sacred grace before a meal, a blessing for a baby? Is he a prayer like a life-boat in stormy seas? Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Is he a prayer we recite so often its meaning has worn thin? Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name This Christmas let us catch our breaths at the wonder the power the sweetness of the prayer that comes to us as Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary. Anna Gilkison CHAIRPERSON S MESSAGE During a recent visit to a shopping mall Judith and I were greeted in one shop with a particularly loud rendition of a popular Christmas carol. There was nothing subtle about it; even more so as we were not one of their faithful (regular) customers. The following could have been an appropriate response but with the Spirit of Christmas in mind I thought all would like to ponder. Dear God, A Christmas by-pass?? Would you be insulted if for one year we by-passed Christmas And saved ourselves this diversionary distemper with its wasted opportunities for re-creation and growth? I am tired of Santa in every store or astride chimneys and gables, of obligatory parties and barbecues, turkey, prawns and crayfish, swilled
Page 3 of 8 down with false cheer, of the avalanche of presents for which our cluttered lives have no real need at all. God, help me! I am even tired of Christmas carols, played on a busker s sax or flute or piped mercilessly through shopping malls. I am tired of Christmas trees and of that red-nosed thing and his cantering team of plastic reindeer. Couldn t we by-pass Christmas? Have a moratorium on cards and wrapping paper and save a million trees? Keep in storage those pretty lights which burn a wealth of fossil fuels? Deny the rapacious god of motorcars its annual sacrifice of human lives in bloody highway mayhem? Couldn t we have a blank period between Advent and Epiphany? An awesome silence in which we could be still, confront our own deep thoughts, Feel a neighbour s grief or joy, and maybe (O Grace!) even hear your Word become flesh? It has come again! Thank you, great Friend, for Christmas morning. I do not want to by-pass this! The Word became flesh! Jesus Christ has come indeed! To welcome the dawn and hear the singing of the birds with great gratitude; To delight in carols on the radio or play a favourite CD; To celebrate in church beside other mere mortals with love shining in their eyes; To see the scriptures opened, to hear the precious story and give praise in word and song;
Page 4 of 8 To greet the weary but happy pastor and exchange greetings and hugs with fellow lovers of Christ. All these things and more place all the other ballyhoo, and even the road tragedies, in a greater perspective. Thank you, God, for not allowing me to by-pass Christmas! (Thanks to Bruce D Prewer) Boyd Dunlop GETTING READY Advent Panic sets in. Will I get everything done in time? Mountains of it! The cards to buy Why do I send so many? The presents What to choose? The beds to make A houseful as usual. The baking and cooking How come we eat so much? The gas bottle to refill Another barbecue. The tree to buy and decorate What a palaver! And at the end of it all The stillness of the stable The slow breathing of the animals The gentle glow of the star The lullaby of the angels Shepherds on tiptoe Soft-voiced Magi And the Hope of the World Sleeping cradled in his mother s arms.
Page 5 of 8 DATES FOR DIARIES CHRISTMAS SERVICES at JUC Sunday 15 December 10 am Lessons and Carols Sunday 22 December 10 am Telling the Christmas Stories and Carol Singing. Christmas cake will be served after the service on 22 December. Christmas Eve 11.30 pm Great Riches Christmas Day 10 am A Celebration Family Service
Page 6 of 8 JANUARY 2014 SERVICES 5 January 2014 There will be NO service at JUC we are going to Ngaio Union Church 12 January 2014 Service at JUC led by Anna Gilkison. Ngaio will join with us. 19 January 2014 Service at JUC led by Anna Gilkison 26 January 2014 Service at JUC led by Michael Player DIARY THIS SPECIAL DATE NOW! Sunday 9th February 2014 a celebration of 10 years since the folk of St Oswalds joined us. There will be a special barbecue lunch so plan to be there. THE CHRISTMAS PARADE THAT WASN T! JUC joined with the Catholic and Anglican churches to have a float in the Annual Johnsonville Lions Christmas Parade on Saturday 30 November 2013. Our float was to be themed around The Nativity scene. Unfortunately the weather was unfavourable on the Saturday morning and the parade was cancelled for only the second time in 13 years. This was a problem 160 balloons had been puffed up and 1000+ lollies with a Christian message arranged. A work around was quickly put in place with the balloons being distributed to several old folks homes and the lollies will be distributed at carol singing events.
Page 7 of 8 Some scenes from the float preparation: FLORAL ART DISPLAY AND GOODIES During the Johnsonville Festival JUC hosted magnificent floral art and Christmas goodies made by JUC folk were available for purchase.
Page 8 of 8 LYNNE AND BRUCE NEWTON LEAVE US FOR CHRISTCHURCH Before their transfer to Christchurch, the JUC congregation paid tribute in a worship service in October to the ministry of Bruce and Lynne Newton in the parish since the early 1980s. Bruce has a two year assignment with his firm Beca as a resourcing manager for the Christchurch Hospital project. The couple will be moving into a property they already own in the city, while renting out their Churton Park family home. As the Rev. Anna Gilkison observed "This is not goodbye; we hope to see you back". Bruce shared details of the couple's contribution to the parish over the years. He had played a leading role with the Youth Group and Sunday School in the 1980s. Lynne had been a prominent member of UNICAT, the church's catering group. Both Lynne and Bruce have served on numerous committees and rosters over the years. Bruce has had several terms on Parish Council and was Parish Council Secretary during the ministry of the Rev Peter McKenzie. Most recently Bruce has been Convenor of the Property Committee. The couple have a strong interest in children and young people, and their lay ministry has involved listening and interacting with people of all ages. Bruce's favourite book is "Mister God this is Anna..." and he mused on the ironical title, given the name of JUC's current Minister.