Still Thinking – The Physics of Love Two films Anne and I have seen recently are worth mentioning. The first is The Imitation Game, the story of how the mathematician Alan Turing was instrumental in developing the "computer" that succeeded in breaking the German Enigma Code, so giving the allied forces an advantage in World War II. The second film is The Theory of Everything, based on the life of Stephen Hawkins the theoretical physicist who first postulated the importance of black holes in the universes and later modified his thesis to argue the universe in fact, has no boundaries. Heady stuff!
Both are enjoyable films and probably loosely based on the facts. But as I later reflected on these two movies I became more and more convinced that life is all about love. It is not an easy task for the modern mind to make the leap from quantum physics and mathematical theory to the notion that "love makes the world go around." And it is not that sentimental view that I am suggesting.
Ian Lawton an Anglican minister in Sydney has argued that
wisdom from science brings us full circle to the spiritual wisdom that is often associated with the Jewish texts….. You participate in every conflict in your life, as well as every opportunity at least to some degree. You co-create reality with your observation.
The theory that everything has both a common source and is interconnected has been around for a long time. Following Einstein, Lawton says:
Quantum physics suggests that the ideal of oneness that spiritual traditions have taught for centuries is actually built in to the nature of the universe.
But the question remains, "what is that unifying oneness?" I don’t think we have better idea than that it is love (the most searched phrase on Google in 2012.) Love is relational connectedness; altruist bonding or chemicals and electricity in the brain* and while many will dismiss this as too anthropomorphic – human centred, I cannot think of any "bigger" explanation than that love creates oneness and the universal oneness sought by both science and spiritual religion is found in love.
Stonnington Combined Lenten Pilgrimage
which will incorporate contemplation, conversation and prayer on the Theme of the "Hard Places"
The meetings will be in the worship sanctuary of each of the Stonnington Uniting Churches during Lent. Meeting places and times are as below:
St Andrews Gardiner:
10am Wednesday, 4 March and
7:00pm Thursday, 5 March
Serrell Street:
10am Wednesday, 11 March and
7:00pm Thursday, 12 March
Toorak:
10am Wednesday, 18 March and
7:00pm Thursday, 19 March
Ewing Memorial:
10am Wednesday, 25 March and
7:00pm Thursday, 26 March
Lenten Studies
Led by Bishop Graeme Rutherford retired Assistant Anglican Bishop of Newcastle.
Wednesday, March 4th at
St John’s Anglican Church.
Tuesday, March 10th at
Toorak Uniting Church.
Tuesday, March 17th at
St Peters Catholic Church.
From 7pm – 9pm.
The three studies will give a panoramic view of the Bible. Bishop Graeme's aim is to assist people to reflect on the 'unifying structure' of the biblical story in the light of their own life experience. He says, 'Everyone lives by a story. Everyone has a faith. Let's not be intimidated by those who say that only some do! The Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann speaks of Christian conversion as 'the re-storying of one's life in the stories of the Bible'. Seen in this way, conversion is a word with an ongoing and repetitive force - something that does not happen once, but again and again. My prayer is that the Spirit of God will take the Word of God and apply it afresh to the minds, emotions and wills of all who gather for these ecumenical studies.'
International Women’s Day – ‘Fly into Freedom’
Guest Speaker: Prue Gilbert Friday, 6 March, 7:15am – 8:30am, Auditorium
Loreto Toorak past pupil. Prue Gilbert is a qualified Executive Coach, gender diversity consultant and expert facilitator with a legal background. In 2014 her company was recognised by the Australian Human Rights Commission for their work on pregnancy discrimination in the work place. Prue is committed to her work as a human rights advocate, for women and girls, informed by Ignatian Spirituality and her Loreto Education.
John Macrae Centre – Afternoon Soirée
A special illustrated presentation will be given by Patricia Begg on her recent intimate perspective on the palaces at St Petersberg. This will be followed by an afternoon high tea and a glass of bubbles. The date is Sunday March 15, from 3-5pm and the cost per person is $25. Please book at JMC on 9829 0320.
John Macrae Centre – Driver required
JMC urgently needs a volunteer driver for our 8 seater bus to pick up our members at 10am-11am on Fridays and to drop them home at 3pm-4pm. If you can help please ring Katrina on 9829 0320 for more details. No special driving licence required.
ANZAC Centenary Sunday, 26 April 2015 A Special Service of Remembrance of the Great War 1914-1918 will be held on Anzac Sunday, 26 April, at 10:15am at TUC. In part we will be honouring those whose names are recorded on the Toorak Presbyterian Church Honour Board and the Roll of Honour.
We wish to invite family members of those whose Names are inscribed to join us. This is a call to our present congregation to assist if they have knowledge of any relatives and a current contact address or phone number.
The brass Roll of Honour of Fallen Soldiers listing 24 names, is situated on the east wall of the transept. The Honour Board listing 129 men and women who served in the Great War is situated in the Dunlop Porch, the main south-east porch.
Please read the names, or collect a listing from the entry porch table or the church office. All information will be useful – please contact the Archives Committee – Pamela Wilson 9822 0089 or Jeanette McArthur 9818 2205 or leave a message with the church office. Thank You.
Name Badges
The Office Staff are about to order a new batch of resin name badges with the UCA logo. If you would like to order one, please email Catriona or Kimberly at ToorakUC@bigpond.net.au with the exact spelling you require. Cost is $12.50 each.
Last Sundays Lunch
A refreshing lunch of great fellowship was enjoyed by some 45 members of our congregation following the whole church family service. Delicious cakes were provided by Lenore Newnham, Rebecca, Annette Davies, Sarah Jane Watson, Anna Field, Fiona Thomas, and Nina Mumford.
Barbara McKinnon would like to thank the many who assisted with clearing plates and dishwashing during the lunch, and also note the invaluable contribution made by Lenore Newnham in assisting with both preparations and the final clean up.
The Water's Rim – A solo exhibition of paintings by Jane Oehr
The Opening was on Thursday 5th February withGuest Speaker: Dr Vincent O'Donnell – Presenter of the Community Radio Network's national arts and culture current affairs program Arts Alive.
Exhibition Dates:
Thursday, 5 February – Sunday, 8th March 2015; Open 8.30am - 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Weekends by appointment.
About the Exhibition:
Jane is joining with Kinross for her second solo exhibition at the Kinross Gallery. Jane is a visual artist and film maker. Her new work is inspired by the coasts of New South Wales and Victoria and Australia's famous beaches, rock pools and shoreline. The paintings evoke associations with water, moving currents, turbulence and calm and the mysteries beneath.
Thursday, 12 March to Sunday, 26 April
Moments in a Dream – The world of Ink Art – Seifu Sandaiji Seifu Sandaiji is a Bokusho artist who studied her art form under the guidance of Kofu Ohashi and Jikihara Gyokusei in Japan.
She has had group and solo exhibitions in Japan, the USA and Australia.
From March 12th - April 26th Kinross will display a solo exhibition by Seifu Sandaiji of new work created for Australia.
The Opening of the Exhibition is on Thursday 12th March; 6pm - 8pm
Enquiries & RSVP to: uat@toorak.unitingchurch.org.au; tel 03 9829 0340
Come and see brilliant contemporary Japanese ink art in a special exhibition.
Open 8:30am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
Sunday, 15 March 2pm – 4pm
Visual Art Performance – Seifu Sandaiji As part of the Moments in a Dream exhibition, A visual art performance by Seifu Sandaiji on Sunday 15th March 2pm - 4pm.
Accompanied by the bass flutist Peter Sheridan and and Japanese drummer Takeo Doi.
The event will also be enriched through the service of Japanese green tea by tea master - Scott Rogers.
Gold Coin Entry.
Manse Gallery Café
The café is filled with light, warmth, flowers on the table and good food. Please call in for great coffee, hot soup or delicious cake. It has a wonderful atmosphere with outstanding meals and coffee. Why not meet up with friends or conduct your next meeting there? The Café now has EFTPOS – no need to remember to have cash.
For enquiries and (group) bookings contact Raz Psonis on 9829 0341 email: meetatmanse@gmail.com Raz and her team will make you very welcome. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 3:30pm.
Gallery Contacts:
For all exhibition enquiries and bookings please telephone Lyndel Wischer on: 9829 0340 or email: uat@toorak.unitingchurch.org.au or visit the Kinross House page on the TUC website. You are also welcome to call in to the Kinross House Office which is normally attended 10 am – 3 pm, Tuesday – Friday or by appointment.
Lectionary Readings for 8 March 2015, Lent 3
Exodus 20: 1 – 17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 25; John 2: 13 – 22.
The liturgical colour for Lent is purple.
For recent issues of 'Update' select the Sunday of the month or the year below
Two films Anne and I have seen recently are worth mentioning. The first is The Imitation Game, the story of how the mathematician Alan Turing was instrumental in developing the "computer" that succeeded in breaking the German Enigma Code, so giving the allied forces an advantage in World War II. The second film is The Theory of Everything, based on the life of Stephen Hawkins the theoretical physicist who first postulated the importance of black holes in the universes and later modified his thesis to argue the universe in fact, has no boundaries. Heady stuff!
The Water's Rim – A solo exhibition of paintings by Jane Oehr
Moments in a Dream – The world of Ink Art – Seifu Sandaiji