Grape d Vine

Easter Newsletter, No.14

Easter 2014

I am the vine, you are the branches. John 15:5 The Anglican Parish of Holy Trinity, Balaclava & Elwood Cnr. Chapel Street and Brighton Road, Balaclava

Our great psychologist

by Rev. Geoff Cheong
Recent public opinion has once again challenged the place of Religious Education in schools. Its an important question and needs constructive dialogue. Criticism that religion is merely a myth is unhelpful. There is no debate of Jesus existence worth entertaining. The ultimate conclusions of his significance are for peoples personal determination. Amongst other things many Christians are inspired by the thought that he was the great psychologist. The profound insights into peoples lives, the teachings on the human experience have remained core to the great wisdom literature of history. His greatest psychological accomplishment was to open the human mind to the importance of the interior journey. While ancient wisdom declared the beginning of wisdom was to know ones self it was Jesus who presented a practical, comprehensive approach to accomplishing this.

Ever since the field of psychology has gradually developed until the comprehensive, systematised insights of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Over the last century their work has developed into a great profession of care and counsel. Many have been blest through this domain of knowledge. The sadness of this story is that by turning it into a field of science to the degree that anything not scientifically verifiable was determined to be suspect. Perhaps the greatest contribution made in this field was to ground his vision in the most wonderful, comprehensive approach to life. He presented an insight that we still only toy with. He taught that we must not only love our neighbour but we must love our enemies. His perception of reality saw way beyond normal daily encounters to the root of humanitys deepest troubles. Common sense may not lend itself to pursue this ideal but speaking out of the depth of the mind we call spirit, he believed love could reconcile even the most horrendous. The documented record of his psychology is not as prolific as the current 19th and 20h masters of the mind but 2

his insights still far outreach the depth and breadth of any others.

His work will continue to stand as the great yard stick of the human mind, soul and spirit. No wonder Christians continue to speak of him as the great psychologist.

My Journey with Relational Spirituality

by Rev. Geoff Cheong

devoted and faithful people who have made up these wonderful communities. Very simply it has blessed us both richly. I have four more years before the Diocese requires me to retire from this formal ministry. I guess health will determine exactly when this happens.

On St Matthias Day February 24th 1974, I with a number of other people gathered at St Pauls Cathedral for our Ordination as Priests. 24th February 2014 was therefore the 40th anniversary. I look back over those years and recall three major parish ministries I have been involved in. Firstly a small three church rural parish in Canada; secondly 16 years in the middle suburban parish of Mentone and now most recently just over 10 years here at the inner suburban parish of Holy Trinity and I have many wonderful memories of three fine communities. Jane and I can recall so many fine, 3

Memories make me shudder when I think of how inexperienced and green I was in those early years. Fortunately the fine team members of each community has ensured that I grew and matured through those decades. I may not be as energetic as those green early days but my heart is as excited as it ever has been. This despite the churches steady decline over the last half century (census figures indicate in 1947 approximately 40 per cent of the population were Anglicans while in 2011 17 per cent were - only 10 per cent are inclined to attend church). Consequently my 40 years have challenged me to continue asking questions of this decline against the back drop of our growing secular society. During the last 15 years a picture has becoming clearer to me and I have taken time in formal studies to articulate

an approach to spirituality that respects all contemporary fields of knowledge.

What is Relational Spirituality

The search for an authentic spirituality that can be lived and expressed for the contemporary world requires numerous new questions to be addressed.

I speak of this as Relational Spirituality. This ongoing learning constantly stimulates me and provides a very specific vision for tackling one of the greatest challenges several authors speak of as facing humanity today. The challenge in the form of a major mutational shift in human consciousness that is shaping the way humans now live in the one global village. There are many prophetic voices warning of pending disaster yet there are other voices assuring us this can be diverted. I am most inspired by a Roman Catholic mystic interfaith theologian who declares humanity has lived its history with a story of conflict; to prevent global catastrophe we must now discover a story of peace. The vision I hold through Relational Spirituality offers me an approach for establishing such a story of peace. Far from retiring when my 70th birthday arrives I will be transitioning into a new ministry that looks as exciting to me as any of the past 40 years.

Relational Spirituality believes that the command to love God and ones neighbor as oneself provides a timeless model to explore reality in our secular society. Whatever background, culture, religion or philosophy you come from, we seek meaning and connection to the whole, and to unity itself.

The Centre for Relational Spirituality provides a community for people who are current day seekers of an integrated holistic lifestyle that brings together meaning and purpose from all divine sources. Friendship, worship, discussion, guest lectures all contribute to the building of our lives and our community.

Monthly discussion forums meet here at the Holy Trinity Church, on Sunday 4:30pm to 6:00pm and Friday 1:30pm to 3pm at the Community of the Holy Name, Cheltenham.

Program for Lent & Easter Services

Palm Sunday 13th April
4:00pm Childrens Easter Activity 10:30am Parish Eucharist

Maudy Thursday 17th April

8:00pm Commemoration of Last Supper

Good Friday 18th April

3:00pm - 6:00pm Holy Trinity church open for private

9:30am Ecumenical Service devotions

Saturday 19th April Easter Eve

8:00pm Lighting of Pascal Candle & Renewal of Vows

Easter Sunday 20th April

10:30am Parish Eucharist
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A Lenten Focus
Guest Speaker: Edmund Chia Sunday 9th & 23rd March and Sunday 6th April 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Holy Trinity Balaclava & Elwood (Cnr Chapel St & Brighton Rd)

process through individual human development.

This lecture series will discuss the topic of God as it is broadly conceived and understood. The first part takes its starting point from Karen Armstrongs books A History of God and The Case for God. It will explore the evolution of humankinds understanding of the concept of God as part of human culture and how these ideas shape our collective and individual religious consciousness.

Edmund Chia is originally from Malaysia. He served as executive secretary of interreligious dialogue for the Asian Bishops Conferences from 1996-2004. He then taught at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago where he last served as Associate Professor and Chair of the Doctrinal Studies department. He joined the School of Theology of the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne in 2011 and serves as co-director of the Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue. He has a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Human Development, an M.A. in Religion, and Ph.D. in Intercultural Theology.

The second part of the series then explores the ideas put forth by Ken Wilber in his books Integral Spirituality and A Brief History of Everything.

Bishop Paul White to visit Holy Trinity

It will examine how the cosmic evolutionary process is captured in the personal evolutionary 6

On Sunday morning 30th March the Bishop has asked to visit our parish for the 10:30am Sunday morning worship. We trust you will be able to take this opportunity to join with him.

Community Christmas Tree Festival

For the second year in a row the parish has held its annual Community Christmas Tree Festival (CCTF) in the early weeks of December. Well supported by the local schools, businesses, institutions, local council and individual residents and parishioners we decorated approximately 60 Christmas trees.

With far more friendly temperatures we were delighted with the number of people who came to witness the spectacular atmosphere. These included school children, families, the elderly from two nursing homes and others simply coming as a result of our advertising and reputation. The three highlights were the Lights on Dinner at which event our local mayor Amanda was the Guest Speaker, the Melbourne Singers of Gospel concert and the general carol singing on the Sunday afternoon. It is planned that for 2014 one extra day will be added to cater for the growing crowds. Please mark in your calendar the dates Thursday 4th Sunday 7th December. Have you come up with a theme for your tree for this year yet?

Calendar Update

The Australian Anglican Church Calendar originated in 1993 in the Parish of Mentone where the Vicar Geoff and Stuart and Jenny Allen were involved. Long after they had left the Calendar was handed over to Australian Overseas Aid.

For two years it was managed by them before it found its way to Holy Trinity. Those who have witnessed the beautiful photography by Robin Page will speak of it in glowing terms. 7

While the financial benefit is difficult to determine precisely, an estimate

to the benefit of mission across the Australian church would be well over $300 000. Money is distributed across the hundreds of parishes when selling it as a fundraiser.

With major contributions having been made to originally the Retreat House in Cheltenham and later Anglicord, now known as Australian Overseas Aid, and the local parish mission of Mentone such as SOS Counselling Inc. Now that it is at Holy Trinity we look forward to the way it will contribute to the mission of this parish. The 2014 calendar has raised approximately $12 000.

Cates Story
by Cate Newman

As I stood at the bottom of the street looking up the hill, I saw a little girl walking under a canopy of trees. She was walking by herself, school bag on her back, with a happiness in her heart. She was walking to a place she knew would always be there. Mum with afternoon tea and questions about the day. She felt so loved by her family that she felt compelled to share it in the conservations with strangers, in the music she played, and the letters written to loved ones. Shed bring her friends back for lunch, bread and cheese waiting, with mum always the centre with food, love and conversation. Now, grown up, that little girl still loves her mum and dad; its just added to with a daughter of her own. She sees that love amplified in the devotion her mum and dad have for her daughter, who more than anything, needs that safety, love and protection. That little girl will never have her mum and dad living with her. Will never 8

experience the safety of one home, one love, one future. How will she write her childhood, and her multiple futures? How will she write her story? A gift from heaven is my little girl. The bright colours she makes me wear, the pieces of her she gives my every day, the drawings that greet me when I come home from work. She notices the small things. The way I kiss my lover, the way we hug so long. The sad songs we swap for happy songs. The special Christmas days that finish with sunsets through the window. The disarming bear hugs she gives those she knows who love her. Her Family with a capital F - the grand-dad who frolicks with her in dance, music and mime, the grandma that cooks and gardens with her, the ruggedy outdoors and naughty uncle, the aunties who care for her like their own, and her three special cousin-sisters who compete to hold her hand. We are all part of the whole and this little girl who comes from split parents has made her family richer, more loving and more real. Sometimes we have too much to appreciate, and sometimes we appreciate more when we have little. What life is hers and what life will she bring to others? This little girl who brings joy to all around her is the symbol of hope we all have. No matter what happens in our life, the spirit of love can disarm everything. When I see my girl, growing up before me, I realize its me thats growing up, and filling out. She fills me with an ever-expanding love that makes me feel more real and spiritual every day. Heres to our eternity.

Crossword puzzle
1 2 3 9 10 12 14 17 20 21 22 24 25 26 28 29 31 32 33 30 27 15 18 19 23 16 11 13 4 5 6 7 8

Across
1 Symbols 4 Placed in church the Sunday before Easter 9 A Hebrew prophet 10 Christian season
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11 Abba, father 14 Young female 16 Chemical symbol for silicon 17 Recommended type of light bulb 18 What the wise men followed 20 Christmas 23 Top of the head 24 An animal 26 Sheen 27 To exist 28 Heroic tale 29 Printers measure 30 Musical performance for two 31 Negative vote 32 Where there was no room for Mary and Joseph 33 Christmas season

Down
1 Noted for his wisdom 2 Non Jewish 3 Consequently; as a result 4 Note book 5 First man 6 A cover 7 Portuguese island 8 Timid 12 Gave food to 13 Inspired revealer of Gods will 15 Betrayer of Samson 16 Hallowed 19 Past Russian ruler 21 Confer holy orders 22 Missing 25 Volcano 27 Tolling instrument

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WHAT WE OFFER AT HOLY TRINITY

SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:30am Sung Holy Communion

Meditation
Scriptural Reflection Tuesday 7:30-8:30pm Healing Streams Meditation Wednesday 2:00-3:00pm

Social Gatherings
Sunday Morning Tea After Worship Sunday Lunch 12:30pm Venue announced weekly Additional one-off events as announced.

Relational Spirituality
Short courses in the exploration of spiritual life

Personal Care
This issue was edited by and designed by Mi Fon Lew.

Our vicar, Geoff Cheong, is available for a social chat, pastoral counselling or spiritual direction. Contact him directly on 0408 583 205 or by email at gjcheong@bigpond.com

Our Contact Details

Vicar: Vicarage: Mobile: Office: Parish email: Parish website: Wardens: Verger (caretaker):

The Reverend Geoff Cheong 9531 1339 0408 583 205 9531 1562 holytrinity@iinet.net holytrinityparish.info Cynthia Levey, Jenny Allen, Rohitha Rupesinghe Robert Gourlay, 9531 1527