THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ST MICHAEL’S INTERSECTION

ç¦çÝã 2012 Editors: Dr Debra Campbell & Johanna Hersey Mingary and The Centre For Wellbeing 2012 Melbourne Awards Finalists

e judging panel of the prestigious “e Awards tell the inspirational stories Melbourne Open House Melbourne Awards has released its of passionate Melburnians who shape our Melbourne Queer Film Festival shortlist of nalists, following a record city and have helped make Melbourne number of submissions for the city’s one of the world’s most liveable cities.” Vision Australia: Carols by Candlelight top honours. Included in the list of “Each of these nalists joins a rich legacy Contribution to Community by a Finalists are Mingary and e Centre of Melburnians and marvellous Community Organisation for Wellbeing at St Michael’s. organisations recognised over the past ‘ASRC Catering’ - Asylum Seekers Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said he was decade, for establishing events, projects Resource Centre delighted to see a record response for and businesses that embody the energy Mingary and e Centre for the Awards’ tenth anniversary: and culture of the city.” Wellbeing @ St Michael’s “Now in its 10th year, the “e independent judging panel for the ‘Homeless Persons Program’ - Royal Melbourne Awards provide an Melbourne Awards 2012 includes over District Nursing Service opportunity to honour and celebrate the 40 business and community leaders across city’s high achievers, recognising their a range of industry sectors. e nal Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic outstanding contributions to shortlist has been decided upon following sustainability, prole of the city and scrutiny of the applications submitted e list of past Melbourne Award winners includes distinguished and community building.” and a rigorous interview procedure.” well known personalities such as restaurateur Guy Grossi, Patrick McGorry of ORYGEN Youth Health and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. We look forward to learning the results on August 18.

Mingary and e Centre for Wellbeing are in amazing company and we are p 2: ‘’ thrilled. Here are some of the 2012 Awards nalists: Sensation A special Tenth Anniversary Gala Contribution to Melbourne’s prole Event will be held at the Melbourne Karise Eden by a Corporation: Town Hall on Saturday 18 August where the Award winners will be Australian Grand Prix Corporation announced. Eureka Skydeck 88 “In this landmark tenth year it is ‘Suzuki Queen Victoria Night Market’ extremely pleasing that we have received ‘Australian Open’- Tennis Australia. more than 100 submissions for this year’s Melbourne Awards. e program has Contribution to Melbourne’s Prole really established itself as an integral part by a Community Organisation: of how this city acknowledges its greatest Melbourne Festival ambassadors.” the Lord Mayor said. Melbourne Fringe PAGE 2 INTERSECTION

STARS OF ‘THE VOICE’ In Heavenly Sounds Concerts AT ST MICHAEL’S

Karise Eden (pictured left) the 19 year-old winner of e Voice 2012' will give her rst live performances under the banner of the Heavenly Sounds tour this October, with all of her Melbourne shows at St Michael’s. Karise took out the title of e Voice 2012, wowing coaches and the public alike. It was Karise herself who chose to conduct her rst major national tour in the enchanting setting of churches. Karise's debut album 'My Journey' took out the coveted number one spot on the ARIA album charts on debut, exceeding platinum sales. Set in the architectural splendour, rich acoustics and ethereal ambience of St Michael’s, Karise’s talent will be beautifully showcased. Karise says: "I was made aware of the Heavenly Sounds concept just after e Voice nished. e idea of singing soul and in beautiful churches is so exciting. When we were planning the rst tour, I really wanted to try and make these shows as unique as possible and keep them feeling intimate. " Karise will be supported at all shows by Lakyn Heperi (pictured at left). Lakyn, who scored a gold single on e Voice with his cover of Big Jet Plane, will be showcasing new material to be released later this year. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

French A New Outreach: Conversation Wellbeing For Clergy Day

French Conversation workshops are open to everyone interested in speaking French in a relaxed and fun environment. All levels are welcome, whether you just know a few words or whether you can carry out a conversation in French. e workshops are theme based and include (a little) grammar, vocabulary and plenty of conversation in small groups of three or four, always nishing on a light note, visiting some of the best French songs, from Charles Trenet to Francoise Hardy. ere is no need to enrol: just come and join in: e second Sunday of the month (not in Sept or Dec.) e Centre for Wellbeing Studio. 12noon –1pm. INTERSECTION PAGE 3

Regular Dancing Reduces the Risk Of Dementia

For centuries, dance manuals have exercise and doing housework. Why dancing? lauded the health benets of dancing, One of the surprises of the study was e essence of intelligence is making usually as physical exercise. More that only one of the physical activities decisions. And the concluding advice, recently we've seen research on the examined appeared to oer protection when it comes to improving your deeper benets of dancing, such as against dementia. It was dancing. mental acuity, is to involve yourself stress reduction and increased  ere were cardiovascular benets for in activities which require split- serotonin levels. Now a major study all exercise, but the focus of this study second rapid-re decision making, has added to the growing evidence was the mind). as opposed to rote memory (retracing that stimulating the mind in certain the same well-worn paths), or just ways, including learning dance working on your physical style. One sequences, can ward o Alzheimer's way to do that is to learn something disease and dementia, as well as keep- new. Dancing integrates several brain ing the body t. In addition, regular functions at once, simultaneously dancing has been seen to increase involving kinaesthetic, cognitive, cognitive acuity at all ages. musical and emotional processes.

e New England Journal of Do it often Medicine recently reported on the Below is an excerpt of the exciting More is better. And do it now, the ects of recreational activities on ndings of the study in relation to sooner the better. It's essential to start maintaining mental acuity in aging. reducing the risk of dementia: building your cognitive reserve now. An extra-ordinary 21-year study of Some day you'll need as many of senior citizens, 75 and older, was led Reading - 35% reduced risk, cycling those stepping stones across the creek by the Albert Einstein College of and swimming - no reduced risk, as possible. Don't wait - start building Medicine in New York City. e crossword puzzles four days a week - them now. researchers hoped to learn which, if 47% reduced risk of dementia, Come and join the Salsa Class each any, physical or cognitive recreational Playing golf - no reduced risk, Tuesday evening, 7.00-8.30pm in activities reliably inuenced mental dancing between 1-4 times every the Centre for Wellbeing Studio. acuity. Cognitive activities included week in structured dance classes - Casual attendance is $15 per reading books, writing for pleasure, 76% reduced risk of dementia. person or $100 for 10 classes. doing crossword puzzles, playing In short, dancing showed the greatest No experience is needed, just the cards or playing music. Physical risk reduction for dementia of any motivation to learn and have a activities included in the study were activity studied, both cognitive and good time. Couples or singles are playing tennis or golf, swimming, physical. welcome. bicycling, dancing, walking for St Michael’s Bookshop Refurbishment

St Michael’s Bookshop, located on the rst biographies and diverse non-ction titles. oor of St Michael’s building is open every Donations can be left with our dedicated Sunday after the Church Service. volunteers: Ann Vaughan (left), Margaret It has recently been tted with new shelves Ledley or Peter Kahane. In future, we hope with extended capacity and now oers both to open the bookshop Tuesdays and new and quality used books. e used books Wednesdays, along with the Library are sold at low prices with all Sunday Lounge, to attract city workers. If you proceeds to Global Concerns, who also oer would like to help in the bookshop on used books for sale in the Hall. All donations Tuesdays or Wednesdays, expressions of of used books are most welcome, particularly interest are welcomed, just see the Visitors on inspirational, psychology, arts, theology, and Information Table in the Hall and personal growth, or health topics, as well as leave your contact details. PAGE 4 INTERSECTION

Divinity and Gender Vale Ray Canterford Many people still think of God as a even the most diehard opponent of male super-being. Karen Armstrong, women's ordination will admit that Ray Canterford one of St Michael’s author and former Catholic nun, since God is spirit and transcends all distinguished and charismatic explains why ‘He’ isn't. human categories God cannot be members has died. Ray was a part of Ever since the Bible was translated into conned to a particular gender. e St Michael's who attended regularly the vernacular some four centuries ago, very rst chapter of the Bible says for over 20 years. it has ceased to be the preserve of For all of his working life he was a clerical cognoscenti. Listening or professional engineer, and long after reading in their own languages, many would have retired, he worked ordinary folks may see God as a male on. personality with all the faults and Ray faced sadness at times in his life virtues of masculine human beings writ and he remained a deeply caring father to his family. large, or as a cosmic Big Brother, Karen Armstrong controlling events on Earth and In his later years, at of 85, he demanding absolute obedience. rmly that both male and female married Norma and they celebrated No wonder the modern feminist spies human beings were created in God's more than a decade of a good life grist for her cause, railing the idea that image (Genesis 1:27); both sexes, together. a male deity should approve the therefore, are capable of expressing Our thoughts and sympathy are with iniquity of patriarchy and, by identify- the divine essence. Ray’s family. ing the sacred with the masculine, Nearly all cultures evoke a “Golden should marginalise women in religion. Age’ at the beginning of time, when Library Lounge Just possibly (though most Anglicans men and women were at one with one hotly deny it), the Church of England's another, with nature and with the & Relaxation bitter dispute over the ordination of gods. Room women to the priesthood was fuelled by In the biblical story of Eden, the man this conception of god as male. and the woman were at rst ‘not Do you work in the CBD? Or do you Anglican and Roman Catholic Chris- ashamed; of the sexual dierence have friends or relatives working in tians see their priests as representatives between them. the vicinity of St Michael’s? of God. So ingrained is the idea of a Creative monotheists have associated ere is now, in the centre of the male God that many are repelled by the female images, redolent of peace and city, a place to unwind, browse and notion of their deity being represented healing, with the sacred. Perhaps this borrow books, have a tea or coee by a woman. e problem is exacerbat- type of spiritual imagery and thinking and even close your eyes and relax in ed by the doctrine of the incarnation, has the power to counteract the a massage chair. which teaches that the Word of God cruelty and hatred that monotheism was made esh and came to live in the has so often been party to. e Library Lounge, located on the world in the person of Jesus. e choice If so, let God or Spirit (rather than rst oor of St Michael’s Building, is of a male rather than a female body e Lord’) be praised. open every Tuesday and Wednesday, seemed to indicate that God must also is extract is from the article Divinity between 10.30am and 2.30pm, via somehow be like a man. and Gender by Karen Armstrong, rst subscription ($45.00 per year) or by is, of course, is to regard God in far published in e Economist. casual donation of $2 for use of a too reductive a way. When pushed, anks to Wal Reid. massage chair or a quality coee. INTERSECTION PAGE 5

Sunday Lunch Group Famous Yale Choir Performance At Café on Bourke: 50 Bourke Street Melbourne after service. Contact: Susan Robinson in St Michael’s Library. What in the world is a Whienpoof?

It’s a mythical creature (pictured above) and also the name of a prestigious singing group. Every year, 14 senior Yale men are selected to be in the Art Classes Whienpoofs, the world's oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. Founded in 1909, the "Whis" began as a senior quintet that met for weekly concerts at Mory's Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern. Today, the group has become one of Yale's most celebrated traditions. More than 100 years ago, on a frosty January night in New Haven, Connecticut, ve of the Yale Glee Club’s best singers convened at Mory’s Temple Bar to escape the cold. It was from the discussions that evening that a group was formed. As their fame on campus grew, the quintet began their search for a name. Denton ‘Goat’ Fowler, tickled by a joke featuring a mythical dragonsh named the Whienpoof, suggested the name to his companions, who found the name an apt reection of the atmosphere of levity that accompanied the group’s gatherings. In recent years the highly talented and Classes of the new series titled Making and Looking at Art begin acclaimed group has toured the world performing to with a presentation and discussion of a particular genre, such as delighted audiences. On August 14th at 8pm the gure drawing, still life or the works of a particular artist or famous Yale Whienpoofs (pictured below) will per- epoch, often tracing the genre from ancient times to the present. form at St Michael’s. Tickets: $25 (on sale at door) en it’s your turn to get some practical tuition and tips from Concession: $20. Bookings: 0427 028 096 professional artist, Dr John Abbate. In these unique classes, which may be attended as a series or a one-o experience, participants have discovered how and why painting made its way from prophets and princes to inanimate objects and secular subject matter. ey have also learned some basic skills and enjoyable methods of practical drawing. Classes take place on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm in the Kurrajong room at the Centre for Wellbeing, St Michael’s Building, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne. Drawing pencils and paper are provided, or you may bring your preferred medium. Bookings: 9654 5120 or [email protected] $30 per session PAGE 6 INTERSECTION Special Events at St Michael’s Programs at August 14th This edition of St Michael’s Whiffenpoofs Choir of Yale USA, Performance Intersection aims to highlight St Michael’s Monday 20th August wider world perspective MEDITATION Special Event: Sticks and Drones NZ Pipe Band Concert and our increasing Sundays - immediately after service global community and Sunday 9th September: artistic connections. POETRY GROUP Interfaith event: Contemplative Practices of World Faiths Every 3rd Sunday - after service

Sunday Service: Dr Macnab interviews author Amanda Stewart MENS GROUP 23rd—30th September: The last Sunday of the month St Michael’s Week (Many guests and events: Booklet out soon!) GLOBAL CONCERNS Tuesday 25th September: Sundays - after service Looking Deeply at Art with Dr Francis Macnab: Edvard Munch, wine and cheese Tuesday 9th October: ARTS FOR RIGHTS Activities held monthly New Faith Master Class 3 with Dr Francis Macnab and Dr Debra Campbell 10-11th October WALKING GROUP 2nd Saturday of the month. Heavenly Sounds—Karise Eden Concerts Thursday 18th October: MAKING AND LOOKING AT ART Tuesdays until Aug 28 Music of the Heart Concert—Sri Chinmoy Global Organisation

Friday 19th October: LAUGHTER YOGA Inaugural Wellbeing for Clergy Seminar—All Faiths Thursdays 12-12.45

Friday 2nd November: FRENCH CONVERSATION Ani Choying Drolma Lecture (Visiting Tibetan singer and Buddhist Peace Activist). Every second Sunday of the month

IPAD ENTHUSIASTS GROUP Every second Sunday of the month St Michael’s SAGE Week IPADS BEGINNERS COURSE GOOD CALMING THERAPIES Tuesdays 6.30pm

We are looking forward to another FRIDAY 31st AUGUST BEGINNERS COURSE brilliant St Michael’s Week organised Tuesdays 7-8pm by Pamela Smart from With Dr Francis Macnab September 23rd—September 30th SALSA DANCE Tuesdays 7-8.30pm Time: 11 am to 1pm Events include: Sunday Sept 23rd Where: St Michael’s Hall Devonshire Tea Concert WISDOM IN WINDOWS 120 Collins St, Sunday August 12 (Charity event—tickets available) Melbourne, 3000

Wednesday Sept 26th Cost: $18 inc. Lunch FREE YOGA CLASS Mumbo Jumbo Lunchtime Concert Reduce the stresses of the everyday. Tuesday Aug 28 5.30pm (Charity event—tickets available) Culminating with St Michael’s Day STORY TELLING/WRITERS GROUP Sunday August 5 September 30th

Japanese Children’s Art Exhibition LAST TUESDAY BOOK GROUP St Michael’s Day Breakfast Last Tuesday of the month: Aug 28 (Charity event—tickets available) 7-8.30pm

The Rocks Ceremony Visit www.centreforwellbeing.org.au St Michael’s Medallions or the St Michael’s website for details. AND SO MUCH MORE Full Program out SOON! For more information call 96545120 St Michael’s ON COLLINS - MELBOURNE 120 Collins St, Melbourne 3000 PHONE: (03) 9654 5120 FAX: (03) 9650 3863 EMAIL: oĸ[email protected] WEB: www.stmichaels.org.au