Still thinking
At the University of Toronto I shared an office with a futurologist. Gavin was a post-doctoral student who was writing a book on, the "Technological Structures of the Future." I cant remember much about our conversations and his writings, but I do remember he was an avid fan of "Star Trek" and that he was always irritated when someone would say, "Oh well, nobody knows the future." For Gavin that wasnt true. He believed that people could know the future if they just paid attention to the present. For him the seeds of the future where clearly evidenced in what we see around us today. Just look and learn!
I dont think he is right. There is a sense that brand new things do appear in our lives and the life of the world that cannot be understood just by considering the present. An example of this is Albert Einsteins statement, "You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created." We often need something new to deal with the messes we have created in the present. Nevertheless, if we pay no attention to the present then we are sure to create problems in the future.
So where does that leave us with the future? The future, as a place within our minds is important because we live as if there is a tomorrow, a next week and a next year. Is that guaranteed? No it is not! But how we live in the present will influence and determine much about the future, but not everything. As much as we try we cannot control or predict what will happen next month. Nevertheless, we need not have anxiety about that. I think there are three simple principles we can all live by, which will shape us and our future. They are:
Live fully in the present. When we are tempted to indulge our fantasies about the future, whether they are catastrophic or blissful, we must draw back into the present and to Jesus words, "I have come that you may have life, life in all its fullness." John 10:10
Commit yourself to change. Life is about letting go, it may not be easy but it is necessary. The prophet Isaiah was not timid about the future, "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
Trust in the source of Life and Love in the Universe. It is all about faith and trust. Its about living with confidence - not necessarily certainty - that I am held in the arms of a loving God. Again from the words of Johns gospel, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
The 19th century preacher and theologian Henry Ward Beecher got it right when he said, "Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or with the handle of faith."
Christopher Page
Welcome to Toorak Uniting Church
Sunday, 2 August at noon | JMC Christmas Lunch. | John Macrae Centre. |
Wednesday, 5 August at 6 9pm | PB Handbells. | Wettenhall Room. |
Sunday, 9 August at 11:15am | D Hodges Memorial unveiling. | Kinross House. |
Monday, 10 August at 10:30am | Drop In Card Day | Faichney Room. |
At 7:30pm | Finance Committee | Wettenhall Room. |
Tuesday, 11 August at 10:00am | Coordinating Forum | Manse Café. |
Wednesday, 12 August at 6 9pm | PB Handbells | Wettenhall Room. |
Thursday, 13 August at 9:00am | UAT meeting | Wettenhall Room. |
Tuesday, 18 August at noon | Management Team | Wettenhall Room. |
Wednesday, 19 August at 6 9pm | PB Handbells | Wettenhall Room. |
Thursday, 20 August at 10:00am | Morning Group | Faichney Room. |
Sunday, 23 August at 10:15am | Baptism Reunion service and lunch. | |
Monday, 24 August at noon | Time for Fellowship Lunch | Faichney Room. |
Wednesday, 26 August at 6 9pm | PB Handbells | Wettenhall Room. |
Thursday, 27 August at 10:00am | Prayers for Christian Unity | Swedish Church. |
28 August 6 November | Christopher Page on Roach Exchange to Denver. | |
2 September 25 October | Wolfgang Stahlberg on Roach Exchange at TUC. | |
Sunday, 29 November at 10:15am | Grandparents service and lunch. |
Thank you to Brian Clough
for taking the TUC choir for the month of July, contributing to the whole TUC music ministry and bringing the TUC choir much fun, laughter and joy.
Welcome back Jennifer!
In our Thoughts and Prayers:
We think of Lois Walker, as she mourns the death of her sister last Saturday.
Reverend David Hodges
There will be a Dedication of the Reverend David Hodges Memorial following the 10:15 service next Sunday, 9th August in Kinross House. It will include morning tea. Please RSVP to Nina Mumford for catering purposes on 9505 6775 or nina.mumford@optusnet.com.au
John Macrae Centre
A special mid-winter Christmas dinner will be held at the Centre on Sunday August 2nd at 12.30 pm. Come and enjoy a convivial feast - entree, roast turkey, and plum pud with hard sauce. Our guest speaker, Patricia Begg, will inspire us with her discoveries during a recent trip to Russia "Opulent Moscow".
Please ring the JMC office on 9829 0320 for bookings. $40 per person. Everyone is most welcome to attend.
Toorak Op Shop
still needs winter clothing donations. 143 Canterbury Rd, Toorak. Ph: 9827 3172.
The Future of Religion, Jesus, & Christianity
The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria & Common Dreams on the Road present a Lecture & Symposium by Dr David Galston.
Venue: | Toorak Uniting Church |
Friday 28 August 7.00 pm | "Has Religion a Future?" |
Saturday 29 August 10:00am | "Has Jesus a Future?" |
11:30am | "Has God a Future?" |
1:30pm | "Is There a Post-Christian Christianity?" |
Bookings: | Will Open Soon. |
Funeral planning
Are you interested in lodging a funeral plan with the TUC Office? It can give as little information as the hymns that you would like sung, or be as detailed and elaborate as you like. If you would like to investigate the possibilities, please contact the office on 9829 0300 or email us: ToorakUC@bigpond.net.au
Wanted to borrow
If anyone has a trailer they could lend Anne Page for a couple of hours on Wednesday 12 August, she would very much appreciate it. Please contact Anne on 0411 097 531.
Master Class in Asset Based Community Development with Cormac Russel
The relationship between organisations and communities is changing and this change is going to require a fundamental shift in behaviour from both officers in organisations and residents in communities. In this stretching and refreshing master class, Cormac Russell, who is a thought and practice leader in Asset Based Community Development, will provide participants with the opportunity to look at three fundamental questions for creating sustainable and resilient communities:
To Register: | www.bankofideas.com.au |
Cost: | $220 includes GST, refreshments & a light lunch |
Date: | Tuesday, 25 August |
Time: | 9.00 4.30 (Coffee & Registration from 8.30) |
Venu: | Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), 11th Floor, 60 Collins Street, Melbourne |
Have any questions ? | Contact Maria at md@bankofideas.com.au or call (08) 6293 1848 |
News from Kinross Arts & Spirituality Centre
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.
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Lectionary Readings for 9 August 2015, Pentecost 11
2 Samuel 18: 5 9, 15, 31 33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4: 25 to 5: 2; John 6: 35, 41 51
The liturgical colour for Pentecost is green.