A MESSAGE FROM FATHER NOEL
Julia Baird in her column ‘Talking Point’ in The Age newspaper on Saturday, was rather cynical about the Prime Minister Scott Morrison publicly worshipping in church and now publicly praying with a prayer group in Canberra – that Australians were uneasy about their leaders expressing their faith in such a public way. She goes on to say that “Prayer is not meant to be a performance and Christianity should not be about the preservation of power, but interrogation of it.” But her cynicism fades somewhat when she declares that “there are millions of people praying now for good health, for the vulnerable, for the scared and the lonely”. The writer then states that “people who pray are less likely to drink, be depressed, and more likely to be selfless in relationships” – she does not provide any evidence for these statistics. Some pray, some meditate, others still the mind, it’s the time for it. Julia Baird concludes on a wonderfully positive note. “Let’s not scoff at prayer; millions are reaching to God and the good, hoping we can survive. Let’s be gentle with each other.” My message for each one of us at this time to is to pray ceaselessly to the God of love as shown us in life of Jesus Christ. Noel
SUNDAY 12 APRIL 2020 EASTER DAY
Readings: Acts 10: 34 – 43 Psalm 118: 1 – 2, 14 – 24 Colossians 3: 1 – 4 Matthew 28: 1 – 10
ONLINE WORSHIP
With our churches closed for worship many have found interesting church services on the internet. Please share them with us so we may worship together – provide easy directions as many of us are new to using technology in this way.
• St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne: www.cathedral.org.au . Each Sunday St Paul’s will livestream their 10am Choral Eucharist. Previous services can also be accessed through this website.
• Anglican Parish of the Parks – St Silas and St Anselm, Albert Park: www.parishoftheparks.com.au. Follow the links to Worship and Video. NB 9.30am Sundays – Sung Eucharist.
• Noel advises that Fr Andrew Davis in the UK tells him that Hereford Cathedral produces a wonderful Choral Evensong. www.herefordcathedral.org . Follow the ‘Music and Worship” link to ‘Webcasts’.
MEDITATION – Week 2 led by Jill
How did you go this past week, did you give it a try? Meditation is simpler and harder than most people think. Some steps to take:
- Take a seat . Find a place to sit that feels quiet and calm to yo
- Set a time limit. If you are just beginning, chose a short time (5 or 10 mins)
- Notice your body. You can sit in a chair with your feet on the floor, or lie down.
- Feel your breath. Follow the sensation as it goes in and out
- Notice when your mind has wandered. Inevitably your attention will leave the breath and wander to other places. When you get around to noticing that your mind has wandered – in a few seconds, a minute, five minutes – simply return to the breath
- Be kind to your wandering mind. Don’t judge yourself or obsess over the content of the thoughts you find yourself lost in. Just come back
- Close with kindness. When you are ready, gently open your eyes. Take a moment and notice any sounds. Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions
That’s it! That’s the practice. Be kind and patient with yourself.
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MANY THANKS
VIRTUAL TOURS! – An opportunity to travel from your armchair
• Arctic Travel Experts created ‘virtual lights over Lapland’ tour
• Museums from around the world – Virtual, online tours
• Access to 500 Museums & Art Galleries – Free, online