1

St Michael’s is a unique church. We are proud of our independent spirit; seeking continually to discover new ways to understand faith and to demonstrate it in our lives, and in the heart of the city.

As part of the Uniting Church in , St Michael’s is committed to involvement in social and national affairs. We hold foundational Christian values of the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life and concern for the welfare of the whole human race irrespective of race, creed, gender, sexuality, status or age.

Chair of Congregation: Ian Smith Deanery III: Contact and Care Church Council Chair: Laura Beckett Dean: Lyndell O’Brien Treasurer: Ian Cox Deputy Dean: Joy Arnot Secretary: Maree McDonald Deanery IV: Programs Deanery I: Household Dean: Lorraine Woolley Dean: Peter Anderson Deputy Dean: Val Gill Deputy Dean: Jack Morgan Deanery II: Church Services Culture of Safety Contact Person Dean: Graeme Adamson (Keeping Children Safe) Deputy Dean: Albert Phillips Val Gill Organist & Manager of Music Rhys Boak

2

St Michael’s is a vibrant, progressive, inclusive church with a long tradition of nurturing the spiritual well-being of the human person and working for the common good in society. ♥ Our buildings may be closed, but our hearts are open. ♥ During the COVID-19 virus pandemic, we are offering Sunday Gatherings online – Reflections by our minister Rev Dr Margaret Mayman; biblical and contemporary readings from congregation members; beautiful music by organist, Rhys Boak and guest musicians; and prayers for these challenging times. A video of this service will be available on the website and YouTube on Sunday. http://www.stmichaels.org.au/ https://www.youtube.com/user/StMichaelsChurch/videos

Jerome, 4th century bishop "The words the Lord spoke--'Lest gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them'--leave room for repentance. We are advised not to be quick in cutting off a fellow believer....'"

Georgia Harkness, 20th century "The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world."

Sarah Owens, Sourdough: Recipes for Rustic Fermented Breads, Sweets, Savories, and More, 21st century “If weeds constantly overrun your garden rows, ask yourself what those are and why they are growing there. Put down the hoe long enough to consider what the weeds are telling you.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 "If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?"

Charles Dickens, 19th century "I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world."

Albert Camus, 20th century "I shall tell you a great secret my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment, it takes place every day."

Vincent Van Gogh – Wheat Field with sheaves

Welcome to our online gathering at St Michaels Uniting Church in . I’m Margaret Mayman, minister at St Michael’s. Wherever you have come from, wherever you are going to; whatever you believe, whatever you do not believe; you are welcome.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have walked in this land. People participating in St Michael’s gathering today stand on the lands of the First Peoples of many nations. I invite you to name, the people on whose land you live or work.

We honour the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, on whose land St Michael’s Uniting Church was built. We acknowledge that land was taken from Indigenous people without their consent, treaty or compensation. We honour their elders, past, present and emerging and join in prayers for justice and reconciliation.

In Melbourne, we are in the living through our second level 3 lockdown We experienced the end of social isolation. The threat of the pandemic had been dissipating, and then in what felt like an instant the new beginning was gone. Vulnerability and anxiety are back for some. Boredom and irritation at the limits are back for others.

I know how much people miss gathering together, for prayer and bread and wine, for conversation and coffee and tea.

This is a challenging time – a time of wrestling with meaning for churches, communities, cities, and nations. Even before COVID many of the challenges that face us were already there… in the fabric of creation, weakened and frayed, by the human activity of consumption. in the injustice of racism, which is both structural and personal, not just a problem far away in America, but right at the heart of who we are in Australia.

We can stay with our analysis of wrong, we can let our fears define our future, or we can be part of the listening, the responding, the opening that will move us to a new way of living, a new way of being, that will not come to pass by judgement of one another but by holding a vision, and hoping for its becoming, no matter how small the flickering candle that lights the way may be.

This time in the church’s year is the season of Pentecost. We sing songs of the spirit. We tell of the vision of another world, a vision that Jesus called the kingdom of God.

4

In the Spirit, and with that vision, after his death, the friends of Jesus, women and men, outsiders, and dissidents, fearful and brave knew the Power of Presence and the Promise of Peace.

What they knew is offered to us, so that even now, as we feel whatever we feel in the midst of lockdown 2.0, we take time to celebrate this life, and the love the sustains us and never leaves us alone.

In the name of our God who shares divinity with us. In the name of the Risen One who shares humanity with us. In the name of the Spirit who disturbs and inspires us.

We gather apart and yet together honouring each other and the One who meets us here.

A hymn from our tradition reminding us to focus on the vision that our faith sets before us: the vision of the commonwealth of God. Let us sing “Be thou my vision.”

Be thou my vision, the joy of my heart; nought be all else to me save that thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, the lamp to my feet; thy word, like honey, to my lips is sweet; thou my delight, my joy, thy command; my dwelling ever, be the palm of thy hand.

Riches I heed not, nor seek human praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always; thou and thou only, first in my heart, high God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

5

High God of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all. Gaelic 8th Century Adapted Tune: Slane Irish Traditional Melody harm. David Evans (1874-1948)

To the God above god...we turn our thoughts in meditation. To the God above the god of any single nation, who unites the people of the world in the bonds of kinship and peace; To the God above the god of any single ideology, who knows that one human life is more valuable than all the systems in the world; To the God above the god of any single religion, whose goodness and inspiration are the possession of people of all faiths; To the God above the god of power who brings humility to our minds and reverence to our hearts... we dedicate ourselves in gathering together And we breathe in this God, and share it with all that lives and breathes with us…

A time of silence

Peace be within us and among us.

God, you are life for us, holy be your name. Your new day come, your will be done, On earth as in your vision. Give us this day our bread for the morrow; And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Strengthen us in the time of test, and deliver us from evil. For the power and the splendour and the fulfilment are yours, now and forever. Amen.

May the peace of Divine Presence be with you! And also with you!

People are invited to send peaceful thoughts to members of our community.

6

Jesus presented another parable to those gathered: "The reign of God may be compared to a farmer who sowed good seed in a field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. The farmers workers came and asked, “Did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' The farmer answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The workers in turn asked, 'Then do you want us to go and pull them up?' But the farmer replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the harvesters to collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, then to gather the wheat into my barn.'" Then Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." Jesus answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Chosen One; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of God’s reign; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Chosen One will send angels, and they will collect out of the realm all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the reign of their Abba God. Let anyone with ears listen!

For Jesus’ stories of comfort and challenge. We give thanks.

“A Credo for Progressive Christians” by Jim Burklo.

I worship and adore God, source, essence and aim of all things, spirit the enlivens all beings. I follow the way of Jesus, who found God in himself and shared a way for others to find God in themselves. He was born through love, he lived for love, he suffered for love, he died for love, But love never dies. I submit myself to the leadings of the love that is God, that I may be compassionate to all beings, that I may live and serve in community with others, that I may ask for and offer forgiveness, that I may praise and enjoy God forever. Amen!

7

For the word of God in scripture and poetry, For the word of God among us, For the word of God within us. We give thanks.

“Learning to live with weeds”

Crossing the Spheres – Michelle Nelson This work, Crossing the Spheres is the first movement of a suite for two guitars by Michelle that reflects on the spiritual dimension of migrating between cultures, inspired in part by the ancient notion of the 'music of the spheres'. Michelle Nelson & Meredith Connie (Guitars)

Loving God, we pray for every nation, for the people of every nation, young and old, of every race and religion, that everyone may have what is necessary for life and more than that, what is necessary for joy. Help us to see our part in the coming of a new day, and to join with others who long for abundant life and work for a better world.

We give thanks for the places in the world where the oppressed are finding their voices. For journalist Stan Grant who told the story his life and the story of his family, that we might see the lives of Aboriginal people through their eyes, and understand the part we play maintaining present inequities by denying past injustices. We give thanks for Indigenous People who instead of shaming and judging invite us to walk with them on the long road to freedom.

8

Life-giving Spirit , we pray for a world that is weeping with pain: for loss of opportunities, for loss of hope, for loss of loved ones, for loss of meaning, for loss of work, for loss of relationship. In these places, may your presence and your hope be known.

In silence, we pray for the earth and its people, for particular people, places and situations known to us, where comfort, justice and healing are needed. A time of silence. Compassionate God, give us the courage to hope for what we cannot see: renewal where there is destruction, reconciliation where there is enmity and restoration where there is brokenness. As we hope for what we do not see, may we act in trust.

We pray together, that we may hear one another into speech, and inspire one another into action. In your many names, O God, we pray. Amen.

Though we express our understandings of the Sacred in different metaphors in different ages, Divine Presence and Sacred Call endure over the generations. Let us sing together “God of history, recent, ancient.”

God of history - recent, ancient - God of every yesterday, still our God in this day’s moments, where we go or where we stay: You have set us in this context, time, relationship, and place, hear our praise and glad thanksgiving for all signs of present grace.

You have called us from division into unity and hope. Each and all belong together in the world’s kaleidoscope. Help us listen to the voices daring us to be and do what you plan for church and people, loving others, praising you.

9

How are we, then, called to answer as we work and as we live, called to justice, called to mission, learning to receive and give? Shall we build a bridge of promise? Tear down walls that split, divide? Fling wide doorways, open windows? Let the Spirit come inside?

God you point us toward the future where Christ leads and shows the way. Here and now, work not yet finished needs our strength and will today thus we move into tomorrow, called to live and work and be reconcilers, pilgrim people, called by Christ, by Christ set free. Words: Jane Parker Huber Tune: Hymn to Joy Adapted from Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Each week, we dedicate the gifts of time, money and energy given over this past week in various ways to sustain the ministry, mission and music of St Michael’s Church and the Mingary Counselling Service. Though we are not together, we continue to be the church.

Let us pray: God who is the source of everything we are and everything we have we offer you our gifts for the life all people, and all life on Earth. We offer ourselves and our lives, our commitment to healing and right relation trusting that in you we will find strength to respond in love. Amen.

May the God you see in all the colours of creation arouse in you a sense of awe and wonder. May the God who is sacred presence be real to you. May the God who is a source of inspiration and courage keep calling you forward. May your God go with you, and bless you. Amen.

10

May the blessing of God go before you, May her grace and peace abound, May her spirit live within you, May her love wrap you round, May her blessing remain with you always, May you walk on holy ground. Miriam Therese Winter (1938 - ) Tune: Blessing Song ©Medical Mission Sisters. 1987

I’ll be seeing you - Sammy Fain (1902-1989) Recorded on the day prior to lockdown resuming, this somewhat sentimental piece made famous by the recently deceased Dame Vera Lynn and Bing Crosby is imaginatively, and spontaneously re-imagined in this very touching duet between father and daughter musicians. Hopefully, it will not be much longer before the St. Michael’s community once again see each other in the familiar place of St. Michael’s. Olivia Chindamo (Soprano) & Joe Chindamo (Piano)

People have been asking how they can support the mission and ministry of St Michael’s when they are not able to make their offerings at church on Sunday. There is a ‘Supporting Us’ button on the St Michael’s website. We are very grateful for offerings that have been received from members and from the wider audience of people who are appreciating our online videos. If you would like to contribute, you can make an offering through the website by credit card or use online banking. A downloadable donation form is also available. Thank you. The online banking details are: St Michaels Uniting Church BSB: 083004 A/C: 515113338

Lord’s Prayer paraphrase by David B Royer and Jonathan C Nelson. Flames of the Spirit: Resources for Worship. Edited by Ruth C Duck. “A Credo for Progressive Christians” by Jim Burklo in “Birdlike and Barnless: meditations, prayers and songs for progressive Christians.” “Be thou my vision, O joy of my heart,” Gaelic 8th Century Adapted. Tune: Slane. Irish Traditional Melody. harm. David Evans. “God of history, recent, ancient.” Words: Jane Parker Huber. Tune: Hymn to Joy. Adapted from Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) “Blessing Song,” Miriam Therese Winter. Medical Missionary Sisters in Woman Song.

Hymns are printed and streamed with permission. Church Copyright License (CCL): 261070 and Church Streaming License (CSL): 569311

11

Meredith Connie has been active as a Classical Guitar performer, composer and teacher for over thirty years in the USA and in Australia. In 2017 she released her most recent CD on Move Records Fairy Tales Monsters and Wild Animals, a solo recording of her own compositions and fantasy themed works. Previous releases include Sol Y Sombras (Light and Shadow), a recording of solo and chamber works, and Imaginary Landscapes (duo with flute as Duo Rubicund). Meredith is very pleased to be working with Michelle Nelson as a duo, exploring the vast riches of guitar chamber music.

Michelle Nelson, a professional musician since the early 1980s, has extensive experience in performing and composing, teaching, assessing and guitar education writing. As a composer Michelle has written several works that have been featured and broadcast regularly on Australian classical music radio networks. These include the Brolga Dances suite recorded by the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra on their 2009 album Brolga Dances [Move MCD 410], Sonata for Flute & Guitar on Michelle’s 2012 album After The Fire [Move MCD 492], The Guitarist’s Bach from her 2016 album Return To The Dance [Move MCD 531], and the popular Midsummer Dance and Strawberry Fair, from the Midsummer Bagatelles suite, on the 2017 album Ringing The Strings [Move MCD 557] by the Concordia Mandolin & Guitar Ensemble. Current projects include writing duet material for the Nelson Connie Duo.

Olivia Chindamo is a New York-based jazz vocalist from Australia whose unique voice effortlessly carries and delivers stories and melodies with the highest level of integrity, honesty and musicianship. With a special love for improvisation, Olivia's musical endeavours offer a fresh combination of old and new as she continually fuses an ever expanding knowledge of jazz history with her modern sensibilities, impressive technique and vocal versatility. As the first ever vocalist to receive the prestigious Bell Award for “Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year” in 2016, Olivia has firmly cemented her place in her local and national jazz scene. Touring and performing frequently with her own projects and as a guest to globally celebrated artists such as James Morrison (AUS) and Willie Murillo (USA), Olivia is no stranger to the stage. Recent highlights include her debut performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Sidney Music Bowl and travelling to Europe with Willie Murillo to perform and record with Big Band Liechtenstein. Having studied under the tutelage of some of America’s finest jazz musicians at the Banff International Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music in 2016, Olivia felt more drawn to the United States than ever before, inspiring her bold move to relocate to the other side of the world and fully pursue her love and passion for jazz music. Olivia is currently studying at The Juilliard School, where she is a part of the inaugural Jazz Voice graduate program.

Joe Chindamo is musical polyglot in the tradition of Bernstein and Previn. He is routinely described as one of the best jazz pianists in the world, though his art transcends jazz, having composed concertos, chamber music and film music. He possesses an uncanny ability to personalise anything which enters his orbit, as is evident in his work with violinist and duo partner Zoe Black. With twenty three CDs in his wake, many of them topping charts in Japan, countless world tours and a plethora of awards, he can comfortably take his place amongst the best jazz pianists in the world. Joe's abilities and musical activities transcend jazz, as is demonstrated by his work with violin virtuoso Zoë Black, with whom he has formed a innovative duo and recorded two CDs entitled REIMAGININGS. and DIDO'S LAMENT.

12

A man with an international reputation, Joe has performed concerts all over the world. Of particular note, the Umbria Jazz Festival, The Tokyo Dome and The Lincoln Centre in New York. He also toured with famed US drummer Billy Cobham for over years. His formidable pianism has earned him admiration from amongst the classical elite. In 2008 Joe was invited to perform three concerts in italy by the celebrated classical pianist Michele Campanella. (Joe was invited back to perform in Naples by Campanella in 2011). The celebrated piano maker Paolo Fazioli heard Joe at the Umbria Jazz Festival and invited him to play at his auditorium in Venice as a result of an enthusiastic recommendation by the formidable Nikolai Demidenko. In Australia, Joe is routinely invited to perform at all the principal festivals and a host of other venues ranging from house concerts to jazz clubs to the Sydney Opera House (where, along with James Morrison, was a featured soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra). Amongst a plethora of awards, Joe has twice won the MO award for Jazz Instrumental performer of the year, two BELL AWARDS for best album and the APRA award for best jazz composition of the year in 2009 for 'Something Will Come to Light." More recently, Joe's unique gifts as a composer of chamber music have come to the fore. Joe has been commissioned to compose and arrange for chamber ensembles such as ACACIA Quartet, the Freshwater and Seraphim Trios, Sarah Curro, the Flinders Quartet, David Berlin and Wilma Smith. Two of his works for string orchestra were recently performed by Australian Chamber Orchestra 2. His Toccata for violin was chosen as the requisite Australian work by Anne Marie Johnston, who performed it at the ABC Young performers' awards in 2013. An Australia Council Fellowship in 2003 facilitated his composing of a concerto for Accordion and Orchestra. His String quartet number 1 was premiered in June 2014. This was also funded by the Australia Council by way of a commission by Acacia quartet. He has recorded 23 CDs under his own name and collaborated on other recordings with distinguished artists such as James Morrison, Ray Brown (of Oscar Peterson fame) and the Brecker Brothers. He has worked with artists such diverse artists as Olivia Newton John (on her album Warm and Tender) and Sofie von Otter in a special performance at the Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2011.

During this time we are unable to meet together in person, we have put in place a program to assist everyone to continue to feel connected and supported. We have a team of members of Contact and Care and Church Council who are each keeping in touch with a group of people by telephone, to keep the important lines of communication open. If you would like to have someone get in touch with you for a chat during these times, please contact the St Michael’s office and leave your phone number or email address. The members of the Contact and Care Team are also available to talk with, or assist people, who are experiencing difficult times for any reason. If you would like to speak with a member of Contact and Care, please contact the St Michael’s office. All matters remain confidential. Lyndell O’Brien: Dean of Contact and Care Joy Arnot: Deputy Dean

13

Living in the time of a global pandemic can feel as if our known world has turned upside down and inside out. The St Michael's Prayer Tree (a small group within Contact and Care) is available to support you, during this different and difficult time. We are striving to ensure that everyone is cared for. We extend an offer to pray for you or someone you know. All prayer requests are treated with sensitivity and respect. We do ask that you seek permission from the person concerned, if the request for prayer is not for yourself. If you wish for us to pray for you, or someone dear to you, please contact the St Michael's office (9654 5120) and ask for a message to be forwarded, or speak with Catherine Jones directly. There is no breath of prayer or intention of thought for another in Love that is not answered No cry for help goes unheard and at the end of the darkest night a new day is always born. (Sylvia Briault in Precious Words) Catherine Jones, Prayer Tree Leader

Our minister, Rev Dr Margaret is available for pastoral care meetings by phone. Please phone the office to arrange a time for Margaret to call.

https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelsmelbourne/

https://www.youtube.com/user/StMichaelsChurch/videos

Podcast www.soundcloud.com/stmichaelsunitingchurch

In light of the COVID-19 State of Emergency in , St Michael’s Sunday Gatherings will be offered online for the foreseeable future. Links to videos, orders of service and the latest eNews are on the front page of our website.

Thursdays at 11am- noon (join anytime) Meeting ID: 834 6407 7308. Password: 000405 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83464077308?pwd=NnIrWFA4VlN2bEEvcE4vRUhnblpudz09

One tap mobile: +61731853730,,83464077308#,,1#,000405# Australia Telephone audio only: +61 3 7018 2005 Australia (use meeting ID and password)

is offering Telehealth services (with the counsellors working from home) for existing clients. If you require counselling, please contact the office and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

“An extraordinary vision for ordinary life” Rev Dr Margaret Mayman Music: Georgia Wilkinson (Soprano) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano) 14