Parish Connections Dec17Jan18

CPAORNISNHECTIONS

december 2017/january 2018

Benozzo Gozzoli – Madonna and Child (detail) (www.artrenewal.org)

What do a widow, a prostitute, an alien and a
voluptuous bather have to do with Christmas?

The Rev’d Canon Dr colleen o'reilly

Someone asked me once, “Why did where all living things have a finite At Christmas time, we celebrate
Jesus die?” I answered that it was amount of time before they cease to the birth of Jesus, an event that
because he had been born. I was not be alive. I quickly realised the person continues to draw people to church
trying to be funny or ridicule the was asking me about the meaning of in significant numbers. There is
questioner. After all, the reason we all Jesus’ death, a different and much still an attractive grandeur and
die is that we are born into a world more complex question to answer.
continued overleaf

CHRISTMAS continued

solemnity in a traditional Christmas service of the Rahab was a prostitute who hid Joshua’s spies when
kind St James’ offers people. But they flock to little they came to Jericho prior to taking the city by siege.
weatherboard country churches, as well as to city Her story is in the book of Joshua, Chapter 2. Having
cathedrals, or sing carols by candlelight in the local come to believe in Israel’s God, Rahab acted against
park, even before the summer sun has set. They come, her community, saved her own life, and aided the
perhaps just this once in the year, to sing the familiar Israelites to enter the land promised to them forty
carols, hear the familiar stories of shepherds and years earlier when they left Egypt.
wise men, and smile upon the infant whose arrival is
both comforting and puzzling. After all, who is the The third woman, Ruth, has been considered good
child said to be conceived without a human father, enough to include in stories taught to children. A
announced to shepherds by an angel accompanied by childless widow and a foreigner, she goes with her
the heavenly host, sought out by astrologers willing also-widowed mother-in-law Naomi to live in Israel.
to travel from the east to find him, and said to be the There she marries Naomi’s kinsman Boaz, becoming
Word of God made human flesh, full of the glory of the Gentile grandmother of the great King David. The
God as an only son is the glory of his father? Book of Ruth tells her story in four chapters.

So, where is the meaning of Christmas to be found? The fourth woman in Jesus’ family tree is Bathsheba,
Is it found in the stories of extraordinary events famous for bathing in sight of King David who, in
associated with Jesus’ birth, in the stories and turn, arranged her husband’s death on the battlefield
teachings of his adult life, in his dying and being found and married her, adding to his collection of wives and
raised to transformed life, his gift of presence even in concubines. The child conceived before the marriage
his physical absence, or in all of this and more? Regular died, but the second son, Solomon, became the wisest
worshippers will know that over each liturgical year, king Israel has known. Read all about this in 2 Samuel
the purpose and meaning of Jesus’ birth unfolds as the 11:1–12:25.
seasons move through the overarching story, as told in
turn by the gospel writers, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Since Jesus’ family tree includes Jews and Gentiles,
And sitting behind or above is the grand prologue of women and men, Matthew wants his readers to know
John’s gospel giving a perspective from beyond human this child, Jesus, has come for all people, the so-called
time: ‘In the beginning…’ ‘saints and sinners’ or ordinary people of everyday life.

Try as preachers might, the Christmas story makes With such complex and real characters in the
little sense in today’s world. Yet it is transformative of background is it any wonder that the stories of Mary
our world because it is the story of God’s coming into and Joseph are also stories of real people? Both live
our world to communicate with us in a language we way beyond cultural and personal expectations to
can understand, if we just open our hearts and minds accept that God’s purposes are taking place through
to the humanity we share with Jesus. them, and they act in that trust.

The meaning of Christmas is found in taking the birth Before the child is born, Joseph is told in a dream that
stories seriously as the stories of people who really his name, Emmanuel, means ‘God is with us’. When
lived, and who, like us, did not at first understand the child is born, his mother, Mary ponders in her
what God was doing in and through their lives. heart all that she is part of, and what is said about her
son, and enters into the mystery of his existence, just
Take the four women mentioned in Matthew’s as we still do today.
genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1–17). None of them
is an ancestor respectable people would own up to, John’s gospel conveys the grandeur of Jesus’ becoming
although we all know there are so-called ‘black sheep’ human for us and like us. Read John 1:1-14, and let
even in the best families: the extraordinary assertion that God’s Word was
alive and active before ever human ear took shape, or
Tamar, a childless widow, waited and waited for the human mouth spoke, take you to new wonder that
promise of a new husband from among the brothers of our humanity can bear such divine freight. This life,
her dead one. Eventually she tricked her father-in-law given human shape in the frail flesh of a newborn
into getting her pregnant by posing as a prostitute. baby, is the divine life that fills the universe, as light
You can read more about her in Genesis 38:1–30. fills darkness. This is the Christmas story, not the
mere fact of being born, but the unique character of

PAGE 2 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

CHRISTMAS continued

the newborn child in whom the fullness of God was bent over like Christmas candy canes, the candles are
pleased to dwell, as the apostle Paul will later write to now useless. I have kept them and think about them
the Colossian Christians (Colossians 1:19). from time to time as object lessons in the mystery of
Jesus’ birth, called the Incarnation. In other words, he
This story means that if we would know God, we became as we are, that we might become as he is.
must know our own humanity and the humanity we
share with others as the means of encounter with the The candles can only be straightened out and made
divine. Since God has chosen to communicate through fit for their original purpose if heat is gently and very,
one unique human life, we dare not discount our own very carefully applied to the bends in them. The very
life, or others’ lives, as expressions of God’s life. In same thing that has made them unfit for purpose, heat,
coming among us as a baby—truly human and truly is the very same thing that can restore them.
divine, living our common life, sharing in the ordinary
joys and sorrows of family and community, vulnerable God communicated through all kinds of people from
to all that is destructive in human behaviour yet not the beginnings of human history, and managed to be
once imitating our selfish and wilful desires—Jesus’ understood enough by a particular people chosen for
life transforms human life from the inside out. that purpose, so that the universal nature of God’s
purposes and love for humanity could be glimpsed.
When we speak of Jesus’ life, we are referring to his
life in its entirety. This encompasses his earthly life, But the Christian faith makes the bold assertion
including his death, full of trust in God even in the face that, in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem among
of human cruelty and God’s seeming abandonment, those particular people, God’s purposes and love
and his resurrection by God to a new and transformed for all humanity is given embodied and irrevocable
life. The wooden feeding trough where the newborn expression through one life, the life of Jesus
was put to sleep prefigures the wooden cross on which Emmanuel, so that every life can become filled with
he closed his eyes for the last time. Both are key to the God’s grace and truth.
Christmas story despite our best efforts to keep the
latter out of sight. Christmas celebrations might be replete with
familiar carols and customs, but to really engage with
A few years ago, we had a run of extremely hot days Christmas is to enter the unfamiliar work of the Word
in Melbourne, so hot that even the bluestone interior becoming flesh in us, and among us, so that the glory
of St George’s in Malvern heated up. The tall candles of God might yet be seen in the humanity we share
in the Lady Chapel wilted in the relentless heatwave. with Jesus, born to Mary, that first Christmas.
I should have removed them and laid them flat, as
parishes do in consistently hot places. Of course, The Rev’d Canon Dr Colleen O’Reilly is Vicar of St George’s
Anglican Church, Malvern, Victoria.

advenT & ChriSTmaS Wednesday 20 December
ServiCeS 2017 1:15pm Lunchtime Lessons and Carols
6:30pm Candlelight Carol Service
Sunday 3 December
7:30pm Advent Carols Service Thursday 21 December
Sunday 10 December 6:30pm Candlelight Carol Service
4:00pm Advent Cantata Service
ChriSTmaS EvE: Sunday 24 December
(new work by Dan Walker) 6:00pm Christingle (Children’s Service)
Sunday 17 December 10:30pm Night Eucharist of the Nativity
9:00am Sung Eucharist
ChriSTmaS Day: monday 25 December
with Children’s Pageant 7:45am Eucharist of the Nativity
7:30pm Nine Lessons and Carols 10:00am Choral Eucharist of the Nativity

St James’ Church, 173 King Street, Sydney www.sjks.org.au T: (02) 8227 1300

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 3

rev’d andrew sempell Being, Becoming and

I commenced my last article with In this article, I look further at the Photo: Christopher Shain
a question about what the church organisation, practices and beliefs
is meant to ‘be’, especially with of the church; including its ideology, and doing’ is that we understand
respect to its reflecting or standing mission and purpose as a sacred, ontologically that the church is
against society. On investigation, it mystical and transformational meant to be prayerful (that is, in
emerged that the early church was community. An important matter touch with God), but functionally it
a movement that had diversity in here is the question of the extent to is meant to be active in the pursuit
organisation and practice; unique which the church might be a visible of those things about which it prays.
on the one hand, but with a mixture sign of God’s grace to humanity; In other words, we should not pray
of influences from Judaism, Greek which is to say theologically, a for the poor if we are not going to
philosophy, Greco-Roman paganism, sacramental presence in the world. be generous, we should not pray
and ‘mystery’ religions on the other. for peace if we are not going to
It did not have a singular form, nor The Church – ‘being’ or condemn conflict and violence, we
was there an ideal structure upon ‘doing’? should not pray for refugees if we
which each community was based; are not going to show hospitality
that emerged later. Ontology is the philosophical to them, and so on. We should
study of the nature of being and therefore not claim to be the church
When looking at the activity of existence. It features in theology, if we are not going to be a means of
God’s people, what does seem to especially with respect to the study bringing God’s grace into the lives of
be present in both the Old and of the nature of God, humanity and others.
New Testaments is a three-way the church. Next to ontology is
tension between the ministries of the matter of function, or what an Ideology, Theology and
prophecy (including a concern for entity is meant to ‘do’. For example, Politics
justice, honesty and faithfulness), there is a theological distinction The concept of ideology is a modern
priesthood (with a focus on worship, between the ‘immanent’ Trinity one that grew out of the French
compassion and teaching), and (concerning who God is—as Revolution, although its features
oversight (being the leadership and Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and the existed long before then. It refers
ordering of the community). It is ‘economic’ Trinity (what God does — to an ordered set of beliefs, myths,
suggested that all three need to be relating to the world through Christ narratives and ideas that shape
present for the body of believers to and the Holy Spirit). One definition the behaviour of individuals and
function well, but problems arise describes ‘essence’ and the other societies. In this respect, it is a
when one function dominates the ‘activity’. narrower concept than ontology
others. A challenge then, is to look at and tends to have a political, social
how these three features of church The ontological and functional or organisational emphasis. Some
can be nurtured and encouraged in a perspectives also apply to the examples are secular-liberalism,
balanced way. church, and have an impact on
the understanding of its mission.
Diversity within the church These perspectives often lead
resonates with St Paul’s First Letter to disagreement, as some argue
to the Corinthians, in which he that the church is meant to BE
wrote of the church as ‘one body something and others that it is
with many members’ (1 Corinthians meant to DO something. Once
12: 12-31). It also sits comfortably again, the answer is a little bit of
within the ‘mixed economy’ model both—the church is meant to BE
of church presented by the former and DO—one cannot exist without
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan the other. This is reflected in the St
Williams, (‘Making the mixed James’ Church Mission Statement:
economy work’ - 6 May 2011). ‘…to be a transformational community
Diversity is good for the church built on the love of God and worked out
because it allows many people to in the ministries of word, sacrament and
use their gifts and encourages more incarnation’.
people to be part of it.
Another example of church ‘being

PAGE 4 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

Behaving as Church

social-democracy, theocracy, (ACL), among others. Despite its ‘The Medium is the
monarchy, meritocracy, consumer name, the ACL is merely a right- Message’
capitalism, national socialism, wing political lobby group that
communism, and so on and so forth. only represents its members and Another important aspect of being
is not structurally connected with and behaving as church is the
Social movements and institutions the churches nor representative of need to communicate with the
will tend to have some sort of them. Media commentary, however, surrounding community. While the
ideology to provide group cohesion, might cause us to think otherwise! gospel message may be consistent,
as well as practical direction and A question that therefore arises in nevertheless the language, concepts
motivation for their members. In these circumstances centres on the and medium for communication will
this respect, theology is a subset concern about what might be the change over time. The printing press
of ideology but is focussed on dominant agenda: the politics or the (a new-fangled mechanical invention
God rather than humanity. Of gospel, and which informs the other? in its day) for example, became one
course, it is sometimes difficult of the most powerful instruments
to tell the difference. Recent The leaders of the church need for the spread and influence of the
political debates about same-sex to understand the influence that European Reformation. Digital
marriage, the treatment of refugees, political ideology has upon it, and technology is doing the same today
immigration, and multiculturalism, avoid the temptation of aligning by allowing people to communicate
have included commentary from their churches to particular en masse while bypassing the
religious groups on both sides of the ideological positions as a means hegemony of media operators.
argument, which in a democracy of gaining influence within a Islamic fundamentalists have been
is expected. Sometimes the views, government at the expense of lethal in this way.
while attempting to be ‘theological’, being a prophetic voice in society.
however appear to be driven more During the eighteenth century, the ‘The medium is the message’ wrote
by political ideology than doctrinal established Church of England was Canadian Marshall McLuhan in 1964
principles. so enmeshed with the business in his criticism of popular culture
of government that it became a and its media-driven obsession with
Indeed, in the modern world, moribund sub-set of it. This changed material things and technology.
churches have sometimes attached when progressive social reformers McLuhan was concerned with the
themselves to certain political such as William Wilberforce, and blindness of Western society to
agendas to such a degree that religious reformers such as John how it is shaped by the things that
they have become subsets of the Wesley spoke prophetically. people possess and use in their daily
politics and indistinguishable lives. He was especially concerned
from it. This has been the case While the desire to engage in that these things can cause people to
regarding alignment of right-wing the ordering of the community disengage with real relationships.
religious groups in the United is accepted, it is nevertheless
States of America with the right to important for the church to McLuhan’s concern focussed on
bear arms, and it was also the case distinguish between those things how we choose to live our lives
of the Roman Catholic Church’s that are predominantly secular in through the things that consume our
connection with the Democratic nature, those things that have to do time and energy, and that become
Labour Party in Australia during the with the ordering of the life of the expressions or extensions of who
1950s and 60s. church, and finally those things that we are. This can lead to an ‘unreality’
are about the proclamation of the when it is over-extended, bringing
There should be nothing surprising gospel. This is partly the position disorientation and dysfunction, he
in any of this—theological of the liberal-democratic concept of argued. For example, television can
agendas and religious engagement the separation of church and state, be a healthy form of communication
with society will tend to have where the church does not interfere through which we become aware
organised political outlets. What is with the ordering of the state and of the wider world, but it also has
disingenuous, however, is the claim the state does not interfere with the the potential to dominate us to the
by ideological groups and political ordering of the church. Yet, each extent that we only experience the
parties to be the ‘proper’ expression need to engage with the other for world through the television. Real
of a faith group. This is the problem the mutual benefit of society. communication then ceases to
of the Australian Christian Lobby
continued overleaf

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 5

Being, Becoming and Behaving as Church continued

exist. So called ‘reality TV’ is a good transformational community. That ended up in the matter of same-sex
example of this, as it bears little means it is set apart and empowered marriage. But it doesn’t have to stay
resemblance to reality. Today, the to bring an experience of God’s love this way, there can still be good
internet and social media are even to the lives of people in the world, news.
more powerful agents in this regard. so that they may be changed and
drawn into a closer relationship Somehow, we need to rediscover
The church can run into similar with God themselves. the transcendence, mystery and
problems. It can so focus on the universality of God on the one
activities and ideas of ‘being church’ Functionally, the church is called hand, and also experience the God
that it ceases to be an effective and to be a bringer of God’s grace into whom we came to understand was
dynamic ‘sacred community’ giving the community. Moreover, it is a present in Jesus and continues to
of itself for the benefit of others. The ‘conduit’ for God’s grace rather than be present in his followers today
image that many people have of the a ‘possessor’ of it. As Martin Luther on the other. This is the God who
church is one that has the features of argued, if the Church actually is not bound by the ecclesiological
institution, hierarchy and dogma— had a storehouse of grace then it and theological constructs that we
the tat, trappings and tradition should, in the spirit of Christ, give create, but rather is present in and
side of things. This, for many is it away rather than sell it (which transforming of the world in which
‘the message’. But God doesn’t was happening through the sale of we live. It is the God of Christmas,
call us to be an institution, but indulgences). It is the same today; if who arrives in vulnerability,
rather to be a faith community or God’s grace is present in the church engages through love, and brings
‘communion’ that is actively engaged then it should be freely giving it hope in the darkness of life. To
in developing relationships between away by being a blessing to the achieve this, there is a need for
each other and God. Nevertheless, community rather than a curse. diversity, an acceptance that we do
the church does need structure, not ‘know it all’, and a desire to give
tradition and belief, principally for Unfortunately, this has not always of ourselves in the service of others,
the purposes of providing corporate been the case, and recently the rather than demand that the world
memory, giving shape to its beliefs, church has too often turned to conform to us and meet our needs.
and facilitating its ongoing mission. special pleading to protect its
interests; be it a desire for tolerance The Rev’d Andrew Sempell is the Rector of
A Sacred, Mystical, of its peculiar beliefs such as ‘male St James’.
Transformational headship’ or ‘creationism’, or
Community exemptions from discrimination
laws so that they have no impact
In this short journey of exploration on its religious practices. In this
on the nature of the church we way, the church presents itself as
have looked at how it is called both an institution that wants to receive
to ‘be’ the presence of God and ‘do’ grace from the community rather
the things of God in the world. A than give it—indeed, a matter of
description of the church is that it law over grace. It is where we have
is called to be a sacred, mystical and

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PAGE 6 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

two books The Very Rev’d
Dr Peter Catt

Christmas; the themes are exhausted. whom you want to discover, did not
Yet there is always room make the letters with ink; he put in
on the heart for another front of your eyes the very things
snowflake to reveal a pattern. that he made. Can you ask for a
louder voice than that?”
Love knocks with such frosted fingers.
I look out. In the shadow Reading the two books together the ministry of the incarnate Word
of so vast a God I shiver, unable can generate a creative tension. in its own way. Having the two can
to detect the child for the whiteness. The tension arises when the two protect us from the form of idolatry
books seem to be at odds with one known as bibliolatry. I am always
R. S. Thomas from Blind Noel, in No another. Examples of this include troubled by the way the word Holy
Truce with the Furies (1995). the dispute between Galileo and is used about the Bible.
the Inquisition over the relative
‘There is always room on the heart motion of the Sun and the Earth, The creative tension created by
for another snowflake to reveal a the Creation-Evolution debate having two reference points can
pattern…’ and, in our own time, the debates alert us to potential misreadings of
about gender, sexuality, the shape one or other of the books. Had such
Deeply embedded within the of marriage and the submission a method been in use by the Church
tradition of our faith is the idea of wives to husbands. The tension authorities when Galileo was being
that the revelation of the Divine is becomes creative when we tried, they might have come out of
recorded in two books, and that we acknowledge that our reading of the interaction looking less foolish.
do our best theology when the two the two differs, and then strive to The gospel is not a fairy tale and
books are read together. The two resolve the conflict by finding a way we do well to avoid any reading
books are the Bible and the Book of to read the two so that they sing that suggests otherwise. We do not
Nature, or the Book of Creation. with one voice. As a result of the want to be grouped with the anti-
tension set up by the conflicting vaxxers and the flat-earthers.
John Scotus Eriugena, a ninth Creation-Evolution readings of
century Irish theologian, captured the two books, for example, many In a letter to Benedetto Castelli,
this idea most succinctly by of us discovered an evolutionary Galileo identified the problem
describing the ‘two books’ as two God and came to a fresh, awe-filled, associated with having just one
theophanies—two manifestations understanding of what it means to book. ‘It seems to me’, he wrote,
of God that humans can acknowledge God as the creator. ‘that it was well said by Madama
comprehend. One theophany, he Serenissima, and insisted on by
said, was mediated through the The use of the two books, and the your reverence, that the Holy
use of words, the second through embracing of the creative tension Scripture cannot err, and that
physical objects. that can arise as a result of reading the decrees therein contained are
two instead of just one, introduces absolutely true and inviolable. But
But the idea of the two books a system of checks and balances I should have in your place added
dates back to the Church Mothers into the way we read God. It can that, though Scripture cannot err,
and Fathers. Augustine, in his also save us from hubris, as we find its expounders and interpreters
Expositions on the Psalms wrote, ourselves searching for what God
‘It is the divine page that you must has in mind rather than assuming continued overleaf
listen to; it is the book of the that we already know it in a
universe that you must observe. definitive way. This can help us to
The pages of Scripture can only avoid being ridiculous and ensures
be read by those who know how that we are not easily dismissed as
to read and write, while everyone, narrow-minded or irrelevant.
even the illiterate, can read the
book of the universe.’ And in a Acknowledging that there are two
sermon he said, “Some people in books also serves to remind us
order to discover God, read a book. that the Word of God is Jesus, the
But there is a great book: the very incarnate Word, not the written
appearance of created things. Look word. Each of the two books reveals
above and below, note, read. God

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 7

two books continued

are liable to err in many ways; and not have been the unnecessary in that book in our day, might have
one error in particular would be distraction it proved to be. something to say about submission
most grave and most frequent, if we in marriage being an expression of
always stopped short at the literal Imagine, to bring this way of culture rather than an expression of
signification of the words.’ honouring God in the world home how we are ordered.
to our current church life, the rich
From the point of view of my own conversations that we could be The interaction of the two books
faith journey, had the art of reading having about gender, sexuality and ultimately prevents the themes of
the two books together been part of the future of marriage. The second Christmas from being exhausted.
the Christian repertoire when I was book, which indeed was the first, God is with us in the process of our
a teenage seeker, then the Creation/ has much to teach about how our becoming, and in our developing
Evolution debate, that made it so biology affects our identity. And the understanding.
difficult for me as a young scientist unfolding of human community, the
to enter the life of faith, might record of which is being laid down The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt is Dean of
St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane

Editorial Counselling @ St James’
policy
St James’ Church offers a socially inclusive and non-faith based
We aim to publish a professional counselling service as part of its outreach ministry to
wide range of views and the city.
opinions in this magazine.
Publication should Our professional counsellors/psychotherapists/coaches are available
therefore not be read as to assist individuals, couples and family members on a wide range
St James’, the Rector, of issues. Appointment flexibility is offered to accommodate work
Parish Council, staff or schedules. The service is provided in rooms in the lower level of St
parishioners necessarily James’ Church, located in the heart of the city.
endorsing or approving any
particular view or opinion. To make an appointment, or for further details, please visit www.
sjks.org.au or telephone 8227 1300.

ORCHESTRAL MASSES 2018

The Choir and Orchestra of St James’ will again provide sublime musical settings for three special services in early 2018.
Note the dates in your diary now so you don’t miss out! Each service begins at 10:00am.

Sunday 14 January Sunday 21 January Sunday 28 January
Francisco Valls Peteris Vasks Haydn
Missa Scala Aretina Missa
Missa Sancti Bernardi von Offida
(‘Heiligmesse’)

PAGE 8 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

Camino to Santiago julie sheppard

A group organised by the Sydney College of
the Oratory of the Good Shepherd walked
on a Camino from Sarria to Santiago
de Compostela in Spain from 20–29
September. The ten pilgrims included four
members of the parish of St James’ King
Street: Julie Sheppard, Christopher Godfrey,
Kumar Rasiah and Fr Ron Henderson
OGS. We asked Julie to reflect on her
experiences for publication in Parish
Connections. This is her response:

In May, Kumar spoke to me about of a group of fellow Christians Morning Prayer and Eucharist
a planned trip to Spain to walk including Fr Ron Henderson as our before breakfast, and after arrival at
the last 115km of the Camino. My Chaplain. the day’s destination, Evening Prayer
interest was high, and when he before dining. Important times.
encouraged me to join the group “God, are you really gifting me with
bringing it to 10 people I became this?”, I asked one morning during The first sight of Santiago in
quite excited. I had often thought my prayers. Soon I was seeing it as the distance on the tenth day of
it was something I would love to a ‘window of opportunity’ that I walking brought mixed feelings.
do. This seemed to be possible! The must take. Yes, our destination was near, but a
distance was spread over 10 days of wave of sadness washed over me as
walking. Rather than the 24-30+km Some stress involved in getting to I realised it also meant that all I had
that most pilgrims cover each day, Spain was soon forgotten with the been enjoying so much was coming
our biggest day was 15km. Luggage joy of meeting up with the members to an end.
would be transported daily to our of our group. From then onwards,
next destination, where we stayed it was an uplifting couple of weeks Scaffolding for restoration work on
in comfortable accommodation, of immense enjoyment that will the Cathedral hid the front of it from
leaving us only a light day pack to stay with me for the rest of my us, as we stood in the huge open
carry. Furthermore, the ‘pilgrimage’ life! Indeed, for several days after square before it. A bit disappointing.
would be shared with the company returning home, my dreams and We entered from a back or side
daytime thoughts were threaded door. We took our seats at 6:30pm
with the atmosphere of the Camino for the 7:30pm Mass for which the
and mental pictures of the Galician Cathedral was packed.
countryside: farmlands, centuries
old stone houses, little chapels While waiting, I pondered the years
and churches, wide views across and years of devotion expressed by
distance, walking tracks sheltered many thousands who had been part
by the arching branches of trees, of Cathedral life over the centuries,
and the outdoor cafes along the way especially the builders, artisans and
for the refreshment of ‘pilgrims’ as craftsmen, and, just momentarily, I
they take a break. felt a sense of God’s presence in it all.

Each day was wrapped in prayer: continued overleaf

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 9

camino to santiago continued

During the Mass I was most taken All I can say is that it was a colour my ongoing life pilgrimage.
by the nun (or religious sister) time filled with enjoyment and At present, ‘my Camino’ has been
with a lovely singing voice who delight: in God’s creation and the more about experiencing God’s
taught us the responses 10 minutes capacities of human endeavour; in gifts to me of love, freedom, peace,
before the Mass commenced, and the company of members of our joy and delight, and I overflow
continued during the Mass to group; in the pleasures of walking, with gratitude for all who have
competently direct proceedings sometimes with another, and contributed to this, particularly,
from behind, drawing us all in with sometimes by myself; and in the members of our group and those
the movements of her hands, and camaraderie of encounters on the at home who showed their interest
yet at the same time remaining way with other ‘pilgrims’ of various and said they would pray for us.
unobtrusive. A work of art! nationalities, ages, and capacities.
Julie Sheppard is a parishioner at St
Have I learnt anything about Maybe ‘meaning’ will unfold James’.
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than a holiday. Was it a spiritual
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A HYMN FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING associate professor
Michael Horsburgh am
HARKING TO THE ANGELIC HERALDS

Christmas is fast approaching, a fact that we know, not just because we follow the church calendar and find
ourselves in Advent, but because the ubiquitous and inescapable carols have begun in shops and malls everywhere.
We have unnumbered opportunities to hear ‘Hark! the herald angels sing’ in as many versions as we can imagine
and many more than we can endure. Charles Wesley has a lot to answer for!

His hymn has had a somewhat chequered history. It first appeared in the second edition of the Wesley brothers’
Hymns and Sacred Poems of 1739, under the title ‘Hymn for Christmas Day’. The original had ten four-line verses:

If this original is compared with the version we now
sing, we can see that many changes have been made.
George Whitefield, the Wesley brothers’ early friend
and later opponent, was first. There was no copyright
in those days and publishers were free to make any
changes that they desired. Whitefield published his
eight-verse version, omitting verses 8 and 10, in his
Collection of Hymns for Social Worship of 1758, for use for
his Tabernacle Congregation in Moorfields, London.

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 11

harking to the angelic heralds continued

The original ‘Welkin’ refers to the sky, the firmament Hymns Ancient and Modern, ever with an eye to orthodoxy
or the heavens and, even in 1739, was somewhat and its effects on sales, to make their change.
archaic. His change to the first line probably saved the
hymn from ultimate obscurity, but, as Andrew Gant An exception to the now customary three-verse
suggests, ‘new-born King’ is less theologically accurate hymn is The New English Hymnal, which still retains a
than ‘King of Kings’. It reduces the cosmic sense of fourth verse combining the original verses 7 and 8
the original to a more secular earthly event, one king with the suggestion that it might be omitted, which
among many. it invariably is. Thus, this hymn is now not exactly
as Wesley wrote it, being possibly the most changed
The last two lines of the second verse were then of all his hymns. The changes certainly ensured its
changed to their present form, continued use. Wesley was not, however, pleased
with the changes made by Whitefield and Madan and
With the angelic host proclaim, the hymn disappeared from the Methodist collections
Christ is born in Bethlehem. for some time. The practice of altering the Wesleys’
hymns had become so common that John Wesley
in Martin Madan’s Psalms and Hymns of 1760. Madan, complained publicly:
originally a barrister, was converted by John Wesley
and took holy orders, becoming chaplain to the Many gentlemen have done my brother and me
London Lock Hospital, an institution for the treatment (though without naming us) the honour to reprint
of venereal diseases. He ultimately fell out of favour for many of our Hymns. Now they are perfectly
advocating, in a book called Thelyphthora, or a Treatise on welcome so to do, provided they print them just
Female Ruin, polygamy as a solution to the many sexual as they are. But I desire they would not attempt to
sins he observed. He thought, it seems, that polygamy mend them; for they really are not able. None of
would absorb all the surplus women and incorporate them is able to mend either the sense or the verse.
them into families. Therefore, I must beg of them one of these two
favours; either to let them stand just as they are, to
In his Collection of Psalms and Hymns of 1775, Richard de take them for better for worse; or to add the true
Courcy omitted two more verses, leaving six in all. A reading in the margin, or at the bottom of the page;
significant change was then made in an appendix to that we may no longer be accountable either for the
a 1782 edition of Brady and Tate’s New Version of the nonsense or for the doggerel of other men.
Psalms of David. This appendix reorganised the hymn
into three verses of eight lines each and created a But, by 1845 it had reappeared in the latest edition of A
chorus with the first two lines of Whitefield’s first Collection of Hymns for the use of the People Called Methodists.
verse. Thus, the modern form was achieved.
The text has been parodied on many occasions. Many
The original verse 4 ending was changed to of us will remember this:

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Hark the herald angels sing
Jesus, our Emmanuel. “Beecham’s pills are just the thing”,
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
in Hymns Ancient and Modern of 1861. The original line, Two for adult, one for child.
‘Pleas’d as Man with Men t’appear’, attracted some
attention because of its possible implication of heresy. Beecham’s Pills were a well-known laxative
The Docetic heresy appeared in the second century manufactured in the United Kingdom between 1842
as an attempt to solve the problem of the incarnation. and 1998. The business provided the wealth for the
How could God become human? The proposed conductor Sir Thomas Beecham (1879–1961). More
solution was that he didn’t, he only appeared to. Thus, recently, a parody has advertised the Burger King
the humanity of Jesus was an illusion. The name of chain:
the heresy comes from the Greek ‘to seem’ (δοκεῖν).
Docetism was condemned by the Council of Nicaea Hark, I heard my best friend ring,
in 325. The condemnation appears in the Nicene “Let’s have lunch at Burger King.”
Creed in the words ‘became truly human’. There is no With chicken sandwiches both spicy and mild
suggestion that Wesley adhered to this heresy but the And Kids Club meals for every child.
possible implication may have prompted the editors of Don’t you worry ’bout your thighs

PAGE 12 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

harking to the angelic heralds continued

As you order extra fries. which Wesley’s Easter hymn is set in the New English
We don’t need no special sauce Hymnal (No. 113), although without Wesley’s first
Cuz the Whopper is the boss. verse. It has no Hallelujahs.
Hark, I heard my best friend ring, The hymn has been sung to many tunes over the years,
“Let’s have lunch at Burger King.” including ‘Newton’s Double’ from the Oxfordshire
village of Adderbury, which dates from before 1850:
Perhaps in times of pollution and climate change, this There can be no doubt, however, that the popularity
version is more appropriate: of the hymn is due to the tune to which we now
sing it. That eponymous tune by Felix Mendelssohn,
Hark the Carol singers choke, (‘Mendelssohn’ in the New English Hymnal but ‘Berlin’ in
from the smog and fumes and smoke. some other books) was adapted in 1855 by the English
See them rub their itching eyes organist, Williams Hayman Cummings, from the
while soot pours from the skies. cantata Festgesang (Festive Hymn) of 1840. The Musical
Filthy air their throats expel, Times of 1897 described how Cummings did it.
gasping out The First Noel,
Joyful Voices cough and hack, Mr. Cummings informs us that he eagerly procured
While fresh snow is turning black. everything that Mendelssohn composed as soon as
When their final song is sung, it was published. While playing over the chorus
they’ll head home with one less lung. in G he was at once struck by its adaptability
to the words ‘Hark! the herald angels sing’. He
Finally, those with a cynical view of politics might copied out the parts, and the tune was sung with
prefer this: great enthusiasm by the congregation at Waltham
Abbey. He soon afterwards began to receive so
Hark! the politicians rant, many applications for manuscript copies that he
Giving their self-serving slant; took his arrangement to Messrs. Ewer and Co.,
Social justice, so they say, who published it in 1856.
Is a pipe-dream—far away. The tune’s rousing notes tempt us, usually successfully,
Insurance lords are our salvation, to sing the hymn with great energy, which is what is
They know what’s good for the nation. required for the words.
If somebody starts to think, Perhaps you will enjoy even the shopping mall
Suddenly they are labelled ‘pink’! versions a little better now.
People, can’t you recognize Associate Professor Michael Horsburgh AM is Diocesan Reader
That these are whopping monstrous lies? at St James’.

Neither the original nor the parodies would work
without a memorable tune. The Wesley brothers
first set the hymn to the same tune as they used for
Charles’ ‘Christ the Lord is ris’n to Day’, which was
first published in the same edition of Hymns and Sacred
Poems. This tune appears to be ‘Easter Hymn’ from
Lyra Davidica of 1708. Our present version of this tune
includes Hallelujahs at the end of each line, which
the original Wesley text of the ‘Easter Hymn’ did not
have. Both hymns have the same 77.77 meter and could
thus be sung to the same tune. A version of ‘Easter
Hymn’, with the words to ‘Christ the Lord is ris’n
to Day’, appears under the name, ‘Salisbury Tune’ in
John Wesley’s first tune book, commonly known as
The Foundery Collection, of 1742, but this version already
has the Hallelujahs included. So, the identity of the
original tune is somewhat uncertain.

An alternative possibility is ‘Savannah’, which also
appears in The Foundery Collection. This is the tune to

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 13

holly raiche Mission and Outreach:

Every year, one tenth of St James’ Inclusion (people on the margins) and other essential legal issues.
offertories are given to charitable Volunteers serve daily meals and
purposes. The task of distributing ŪŪ Act for Peace – Gaza provide essential groceries. The
St James’ ‘tithe’ falls to the Centre also allows clients to use the
Mission and Outreach Committee, ŪŪ Anglicare funding for Aboriginal Centre’s kitchen all day. Volunteer
comprising Penelope Burton, community in remote WA tutors help asylum seekers with
Robert Marriott, Michael Robinson, the English language, and other
and Holly Raiche. Classically Anglican volunteers hold afternoon classes in
music, yoga, sewing, and computer
With $30,000 to distribute this ŪŪ Continued support for training skills. Finally, volunteers and staff
year, the Committee, with Parish of Aboriginal people in Christian give the asylum seekers advice,
Council approval, settled on six leadership including helping to write CVs,
recipients ($5,000 each). The and support work readiness, in
Committee based its allocations ŪŪ St Laurence House programme collaboration with the Centre’s
on the three themes of the Parish providing living skills and business partners.
Strategic Plan 2015-2020: support to young people at risk
of homelessness The Centre has 40 volunteer
ŪŪ Social Justice staff, and with the assistance it
Asylum Seekers Centre has received, it has been able to
ŪŪ Inclusion (people on the The Centre provides a range increase the number of people it
margins) of services for asylum seekers helps support per year from just
needing assistance. The Centre’s over 400 people in 2011-12 to over
ŪŪ Classically Anglican – support assistance begins with personal 2000 people in 2016. Support for
for Anglican activities case management, to assess the all of the Centre’s activities is
needs of people seeking asylum, particularly important because
The Committee also seeks to and includes financial aid and the Centre does not receive
balance allocations between local, emergency support. One of the Government funding.
national and international charities. first assessments is a free health
Based on those criteria, the care check, with free health care Support for a Syrian
allocations for 2017 were as follows: programmes provided by volunteer Family
medical professionals, including
Social Justice GPs, dentists and physiotherapists. Early in 2017, Anglicare announced
The Centre, with assistance a fundraising project to support
ŪŪ Asylum Seekers Centre from pro bono lawyers, provides Syrian refugee families migrating
legal advice with protection visa from Jordan, where they are now
ŪŪ Support for a Syrian refugee living, to Australia. The advice
family from Anglicare is that each Parish/
group would need to raise about
$15,000 towards accommodation
and support for the families when
they arrive in Australia. A special
fund has been set up by St James’ to
support a family, and the Mission
and Outreach Committee has
contributed $5,000 towards that
fund. It will be between 12 and 24
months before the families start
coming to Australia.

Photo: Ben Littlejohn, Act for Peace

PAGE 14 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

St James’ Tithe

Doctor and child  Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Christian
in West Australia Leadership Programme
Photo: Ben Littlejohn, Act for Peace This project was established in 2013
by Anglicare’s WA East Kimberley This will be the third year of St
Act for Peace – Health regional office based in Kununurra. James’ support for the Indigenous
Clinics in Gaza With the seed funding, the Balgo Theological Education in
This project helps to fund health community built a community Central Australia Inc (IECTA).
care services for vulnerable families, garden to provide not only a source St James’ is one of four churches
particularly children, in Gaza. Gaza of healthy fresh food, but a strong involved (the others are the
has been under blockade for the symbol of community pride and Lutheran, Catholic and Uniting
past ten years, with access to food involvement. The original garden Churches). IECTA cooperates with
and medical supplies cut off, and was constructed, fenced and planted Nungalinya College, Darwin to
children in particular impacted on, with a range of vegetables and herbs offer an accredited Certificate in
both physically and mentally. in 2013 and 2014. Fruit trees were Christian Ministry and Theology
planted adjacent to the garden. for Aboriginal men and women in
Act For Peace, working through central Australia.
the Near East Council of Churches, The community has been an active
helps fund three primary health consumer of the produce grown, and In July, they ran a course in Biblical
care services in Gaza. The clinics a senior male community member theology, using material that
provide vital services including pre- is a self-appointed guardian of the has been translated from local
and post-natal care for mothers and community garden. He maintains Aboriginal languages into English.
babies, nutritional support, free the gardens, including weeding, A second course, running for three
prescribed medicine and dental clearing debris and watering via a days and focusing on the Old
care, and dermatology services. mobile watering tank. Testament, was held in September.
They also provide psychosocial In the long term, ITECA plans
support for mothers and children Unfortunately, the original fruit to develop and offer accredited
who have suffered trauma. trees outside of the fenced areas courses in theology.
were stolen, but all remaining
plants in the fenced area are intact St Laurence House
and thriving, and enjoyed by the
community’s children and family St James’ contributions this
members. year go towards the St Laurence
House project, STAY (Supported
The St James’ contribution is being Transitional Accommodation for
used by the community in three ways: Youth). The contributions will
help fund outreach youth workers
ŪŪ The installation of an automatic under this programme, to provide
irrigation system; case-management support through
their living-skills programme
ŪŪ The planting of new fruit trees; for homeless youth. St Laurence
House has been acknowledged
ŪŪ The extension of the existing by the Minister for Family and
fencing to enclose and protect Community Services, the Hon Brad
the fruit trees. Hazzard, for the way St Laurence
House works with homeless young
This will ensure that the existing people, using an internationally
garden thrives, for the health and best practice approach to deal with
support of the Balgo community, the personal histories and complex
and that fruit is added back into the needs of homeless youth.
community’s healthy foods output.
Holly Raiche is a Churchwarden at St
James’.

Health Care worker on a home visit  Photo: Ben Littlejohn, Act for Peace

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 15

holly raiche and macquarie's earlier church
kumar rasiah

There are three names that tie St
James’ Church to St Matthew’s
Anglican Church in Windsor:
Governor Lachlan Macquarie,
Francis Greenway, and the
Reverend Samuel Marsden. Both
churches were commissioned
by Macquarie, Greenway was
their architect, and both were
consecrated by Marsden.

The history of St Matthew’s their own language, and then in Rev’d Marsden. Unhappily, by then,
goes back two hundred years English. Macquarie had left Australia, and
to the laying of the church’s Greenway in that year would lose
foundation stone on 11 October Just as St James’ has its own his position as Civil Architect.
1817. St Matthew’s Church, and history to tell—starting life as a
indeed the town of Windsor, court house and ending up as a The foundation stone also has
have just marked this significant church—so has St Matthew’s. The its tale to tell. When Governor
Bicentennial anniversary with a foundation stone that Macquarie Macquarie laid the foundation
combined schools’ service on the laid was an earlier version of the stone on 11 October, he deposited
actual day of 11 October, followed one used in today’s St Matthew’s the rim of a Spanish dollar in the
on Saturday, 14 October by a town Church. The earlier church was sandstone. Later that evening, an
‘birthday bash’ in the park opposite designed by Henry Kitchen, based ‘indigent convict’ stole the coin.
the church, including music, food on a Greenway design. However, So, the next night, Macquarie
stalls, historic exhibitions, and apparently work on the church deposited another coin and re-
a re-enactment. On Sunday, 15 was very slow, and Macquarie laid the foundation stone. Later
October, St Matthew’s held sent Greenway to Windsor to that night, another indigent
a special anniversary service, investigate. In Greenway’s view, convict, another coin lost. It is not
with special guests including the work was of inferior quality clear from the records whether
His Excellency the Honourable and the bricks sub-standard and, Macquarie came back to re-lay the
T.F. Bathurst AC, Lieutenant- in 1818, the building was razed foundation stone for a third time.
Governor of New South Wales to the ground. Greenway then Indeed, the correct placing of the
and Mrs Robyn Bathurst, and totally redesigned the structure original coins and foundation stone
The Most Rev’d Dr Glenn Davies, and personally directed the is not known, even now.
Archbishop of Sydney and Mrs construction of the church that is
Dianne Davies, with the Rev’d today’s St Matthew’s. The work Holly Raiche and Kumar Rasiah are
Chris Jones officiating. The was completed by September 1821 Churchwardens at St James’.
Rev’d Andrew Sempell and and, a year later, consecrated by the
Mrs Rosemary Sempell were
represented at the service by St
James’ Churchwardens, Holly
Raiche and Kumar Rasiah. There
was barely any standing room in
the church for the service, with a
large overflow of past and present
parishioners and townspeople
watching the service from outside.

In what was a very moving
opening to the service, Darug Elder
Aunty Edna Watson welcomed us
all to country, followed by her two
granddaughters welcoming us in

PAGE 16 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

A TRIBUTE TO JEAN LOWE sue mackenzie

(18/4/1930 – 3/11/2017)

Jean was someone known to many assisted at Vision Australia with there and Jean would trek for
at St James’ King Street, having tasks such as helping to convert miles to reach outposts in the
been a parishioner for over 40 books to Braille and driving blind mountainous region. No doubt her
years. From setting up and, until folk on their errands. As a keen love of bushwalking stood her in
recently, running the Parish Library walker, she was a lifelong member good stead! When based in Rabaul
in the Crypt to organising the of the XY Ramblers, a bushwalking at the age of 35, she was diagnosed
Parish Retreats to laundering the group she first joined when living with breast cancer, and so had to
linen used in services to trimming in Newcastle. Jean was also a return to Australia for treatment in
stamps donated by parishioners passionate traveller. Her family Brisbane. Because of this experience,
and then taking them to Anglican tells of an old scrapbook, begun in she was able to empathise with her
Board of Mission (ABM) to visiting 1888, in which 10-year-old Jean had niece, Alison, a fellow-sufferer. In
the ill in Sydney Hospital as part written that her future wish was ‘to her tribute to Jean at her funeral
of the Hospital Visiting team from travel’. And that she certainly did! on Tuesday 14 November, Alison
St James’, joining in the Who is My recalled her aunt’s loving and
Neighbour? group, and attending Jean was born in Gloucester, but supportive cards and letters.
many St James’ Institute events, Jean her high school years were spent at
was someone frequently involved Maitland Girls’ High. Then it was Once successfully over the hurdle
in church activities. Many newer off to Stroud Shire Council where of breast cancer, Jean became an
parishioners may be unaware that she began training in architecture art teacher. She went on to teach at
she also ‘wrote’ (painted) the icon and drafting. This profession first Punchbowl Boys High for a short
of our patron saint, James, which took her to Newcastle, but then to time, and then at Ashfield Boys
is displayed prominently in the London and later Canada. While in High until her retirement. Teaching
church each St James’ Festival. She London, she indulged her travel bug, allowed her to save enough to buy
was faithful, talented, generous hitch-hiking with friends around her beloved apartment in Croydon,
with her time and resources, and England and Scotland. During this on the top floor of a block which
tireless in working for others and time, she met a group of five New gave her a view of trees and a lovely
serving her Lord. Not long ago, Jean Zealand girls, and together they sunny outlook from her balcony.
received a Parish Commendation bought a London taxi, proceeding But it did have rather a lot of stairs!
in acknowledgement of her faithful to drive all over Europe, camping Although Jean did not find them a
service to St James’ King Street. along the way. Jean revelled in her problem for most of her time there,
But it wasn’t only the church which adventures producing many travel in recent months they were a great
was the recipient of her generosity diaries and sharing her experiences trial. Stoically, Jean would take
and dedication. Until frailty with her family. them very slowly, having frequent
prevented her, every Monday she rests. She refused to move and only
Later exploits included learning asked for help when desperate. Her
The St James’ icon painted by Jean to ski in Canada, and obtaining a niece, Carolyn, told me how grateful
driver’s licence there for the first the family is for the support Jean
time. Car-ownership followed and received from neighbours such as
so did road trips all over the USA. It Louise and Melissa.
was while she was in Canada that
Jean joined the Church of England,
and so began another lifelong
passion.

After she returned to Australia, she
became a member of the Anglican
Church and decided to become a
missionary, attending the School of
Pacific Administration. ABM sent
her to what is now called Papua
New Guinea where she became
a schoolmistress. In the 1960s,
conditions were very primitive

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 17

A TRIBUTE TO JEAN LOWE continued

Teaching also gave Jean the reader, cook and gardener, and of John featured, as did “jazzy
opportunity to enjoy even more made cards, bags and tapestries. hymns”. In what I think was the
travel, often in recent times with Even though she was a stickler for last long conversation of her life, she
her sister, Ethel, and earlier with tradition, she kept up with the times, emphasised to Brooke Shelley and
her mother. A family story tells of commenting through Facebook on me, as we visited her in palliative
Jean and her mother, at 80, on a posts by younger family members care, Psalm 19, and When The Saints
donkey riding down the cliff sides using her non-de-plume, Bene, who Go Marching In as a choral piece to be
of Mykonos. Jean visited many was one of her adored cats. Jean sung as the coffin and procession left
places, including China, Iran, Egypt, had several nieces and nephews, the church. Her nephew, Allan, felt
Israel, Malta, and Sicily, the last who now have children and very privileged to have been with
two while on an archaeological grandchildren. Once she shared with her when she died three days after
history tour with Ethel. Of course, me her impressive family tree, which our visit. Jean’s school friend, Neryl,
she also travelled all over Australia stretches back to Stephen, King from her days in Maitland, was also
with Ethel, and sometimes fellow of England from 1135 to 1154. No at her side.
St James’ parishioners, on what wonder Jean was a member of the
her family calls, “senior-citizen Plantagenet Society of Australia! Jean was independent, humble,
backpacking adventures”. fearless, tireless, determined, and
One of her nieces, Elizabeth, a devoted to her family, friends,
Following retirement, Jean Uniting Church minister in Perth, her Lord and her church. As her
undertook a Fine Arts degree recalls Jean’s love of theological nephew, Allan, told me, “She was an
at the University of Sydney, discussions about church liturgy, inspiration!”
complementing her skills in painting biblical criticism and the Gospel
and her avid collecting of art and of John. Understandably, Jean had Sue Mackenzie is Publications Editor at St
handmade treasures from around the a very large say in the composition James’.
globe. She was also an enthusiastic of her funeral service. The Gospel

FROM FAR OFF

Once, at the very turn of the year, And, delayed until that turn of year,
As day was waking distant shores, The longed-for monsoons came at last,
Earth’s Dayspring came where it was midnight still; Flooding dry paddies, swelling waiting seed.
God’s love embracing that antique promised land. Settling the dust of our scorched land,
But legend tells his herald star was also bright Rains washed away the strain in human hearts, -
In pre-dawn skies above our hemisphere, Quenching, renewing, balm for a world gone stale, -
As all of heaven did him reverence. A sweet foretaste of the Living Water.

So it happened at that turn-of-year, It seemed all the ancient mysteries of year’s turn,
In lands beyond the sunrise, Aligned with these natural signs,
Our ancestors marvelled when their firmament Hallowing that season, ripe for birth or death,
Shared the universe’s joy. For festivals, sacrifices, offerings—
Elders and shamans pondered the new star; Flowers and fruit, sweet smoke of burning leaves.
Young men set out in ships along its course Folk observed that year’s turn with special awe
Til the goal proved far beyond their reach. Knowing without knowing, yet rendering honour due.

We had no foretelling of that-year’s turn, Thus it happened, long ago at the turn-of-year,
But nature sounded out its portent And far off from Judea’s hills
When brooding peaks broke their age-long slumber We were the untold witnesses to tokens of his birth.
To thunder red-black lava down. Aeons before we would hear the Word,
The mountains formed a fiery rim The light of his Advent shone forth among us.
Around an ocean not yet named Pacific, Then in time these wonders passed from human memory
In marvellous fanfare for the Prince of Peace. Save for echoes in our dreamings.

by Margaret Johnston, a Parishioner of St James’

PAGE 18 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

colin’s corner

FROM S. JAMES’ MONTHLY Stiles. The crypt had been decorated December 30th, as a token of their
CHURCH MESSENGER, for the occasion; and after a guessing regard for the long and loving
January 1918 competition, Miss Stiles was service which he had rendered to
presented with a handsome writing them.
Back to the theme: case, a tribute to her long and
100 YEARS AGO devoted service to the Guild. 14.  Five boy members of the
choir presented a bag to Mrs
[SELECTED ITEMS FROM THE] 9.  The preacher at 11 a.m. on Hooper, for having acted as a fairy
December 16th, was the Rt. Rev. godmother to them during the
Parisb Notes. Bishop Stone-Wigg3, who gave a months of their preparation for
most interesting and detailed account confirmation, in providing tea for
1.  On Saturday, 15th of Peter Rautamara on the latter’s them between the confirmation
December, after a short service in ordination day as the first Papuan class and the evening service.
the Church, a Roll of Honour of priest. The Bishop recalled that Peter
the Youths’ Guild was unveiled in had himself worshipped at St. James’ 15.  The Rev. C. J. Collis5,
the Club Rooms, above St. James’ thirteen years before, and also spoken who, as previously announced,
Hall1. It is a handsome piece of at the open air service held at that has been appointed senior curate
work in wood and bronze and time in the Domain. in succession to Mr. Greville, has
contains the names of 32 past and been in hospital for some weeks
present members of the Guild, 10.  It is worth while (sic) for any and undergone an operation. We
who “have answered the call”2 who desire to study human nature hope, however, that he will be
to the service of their country. to visit the basement of the Parish well enough to join the staff by
The unveiling was performed Hall on any Sunday between 4 and the end of January.
by the Rector in the presence 5 o’clock. They would find a number
of the members of the Guild of men, from 150 upwards, most of 1. Now located in St James’ Church – south
and a considerable number of them permanently or temporarily aisle, outside the Choir vestry.
parishioners. Speeches were also out of elbows, gathered for tea
made by the officers of the Guild. provided by Sister Freda and other 2. The wording on the Roll of Honour.
ladies, who give their assistance
2.  On December 20th, a Sunday by Sunday throughout 3. Retired. Formerly, Bishop of New Guinea
meeting of parishioners was the year. Tea is followed by hymn (1898-1908).
held in St. James’ Hall at 7.45 singing and a short service taken by
p.m. to elect two gentlemen to one of the clergy. On Christmas Day 4. The parish farewell to Mr and Mrs Greville
fill vacancies on the Church no less than 230 assembled, and, we was held on Wednesday, 2 January 1918.
Committee. There were only two believe, each received some little He had been the Senior Curate at St James’
nominations, Mr Norman Black Christmas gift. for seven years and was moving to St
and Mr Edric Brady, who were Matthew’s, Manly. His new parish is not
declared duly elected. 12.  It was indeed a happy mentioned in either the December 1917
Christmas, and the spirit of worship or the January 1918 issues of the Messenger.
3.  The election was followed and fellowship ran right through the Later, he was Rector of Mulgoa.
by a social evening, organised by Christmas morning services. The
the Youths’ Guild. Mr Stanley Choir under Mr Allman’s inspiring 5. Mr Collis had been working in temporary
Cummins proved the winner of leadership, were as indefatigable as positions in Queensland for the previous
the guessing competition, and ever, not only leading the services two years. Prior to that he was a
was duly presented with the of song in the church, but spending missionary in the Diocese of Labuan and
prize. Supper was provided in two long afternoons in singing carols Sarawak, Borneo.
the basement of the hall by the in each ward in turn of the Sydney
kindness of Mrs Nicholas and and Coast Hospitals. JOKE SPOT
other ladies.
13.  The Children of the What do Winnie the Pooh
5.  On Wednesday, December Catechism made a presentation and John the Baptist have in
12th, the members of the Girls’ to the Rev. F. Greville4 on Sunday, common?
Guild prepared a surprise packet
for their foster mother, Miss Colin Middleton is the Archives
Assistant at St James’.
Answer: The same middle name.

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 19

PAGE 20 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

profile: lindsay and heather brooke shelley

Lindsay and Heather, how long accounting (budgeting and parishioners. It is a wonderful way
have you been parishioners at St forecasting) in the NSW to serve St James’.
James’? What brought you here? Department of Justice which
includes Corrective Services, Are there any other roles you have
Lindsay: I’ve been coming to St Juvenile Justice, Courts and undertaken here at St James’ over
James’ for sixteen years. I was Tribunal Services and Births, the years?
doing contracting work at the Deaths and Marriages. Prior to
then Department of Juvenile working in the NSW Public Sector, Lindsay: No, just serving.
Justice in Sydney, commuting I joined the Bank of NSW in 1972
from Brisbane, and often had to which morphed into Westpac and Heather: No, although I was once
stay over at the weekends. St celebrated its 200th anniversary in an impromptu ‘child’ at the lighting
James’ had a reputation for good April this year. I fell into Finance a of the Advent Candle. I had not
liturgy and acceptance of people few years ago after 35 great years in been attending long at St James’
from all backgrounds—it was also Human Resources. and had no idea what was going
within walking distance from my on and exactly what I was meant
accommodation! Heather: I work with the Legal to do, not quite a ‘role’ but a good
Aid NSW Service Desk team. My introduction to Altar Serving life.
Heather: I’ve been coming to St role is to give technical support
James’ for fifteen years. I had come for Legal Aid’s business systems What do you enjoy about St
sporadically with close friends to our inhouse staff, and the James’? Are there any other
prior to this, enchanted by the most private practitioners (solicitors churches that you have been a
beautiful music and the liturgy and barristers and their staff) who member of over the years? Have
which was new to me then, coming represent our clients in family, you always been an Anglican?
from a different denomination. crime and civil jurisdictions. We
No doubt God had a hand in all know how challenging dealing Lindsay: Above all, the friendliness
my meeting Lindsay: I had been with online forms and systems and acceptance by the clergy
estranged from the church and I can be. What motivates me is I and congregation for a relative
was thinking of returning when can assist people through using ‘newcomer’. I enjoy the good order
I met Lindsay through work, and our online systems or assist in of the liturgy and, of course, the
he told me he was worshipping providing solutions to problems or music. I have served at St Basil’s
at St James’ when in Sydney. We issues which ultimately impacts in Artarmon and Christ Church,
were married here by Father positively on our vulnerable clients. Milton, Brisbane, being a server and
John Stewart. Our friend, David I have also worked for the Australia lay reader at both Anglican churches.
Cheetham, was the server for the Council for the Arts, which
service and incredibly did all the connected with my love of the arts, continued overleaf
server roles on the day. particularly theatre and dance.

Were you both born and bred in You are both servers at St James’.
Sydney? If not, would you like to What do you enjoy about this role
say something about your origins? at St James’?

Lindsay: I was born and bred in Lindsay: I love contributing and
Hobart and lived there for 30 years, having a small part of ‘what is St
moving to Sydney in 1985. James’. The richness of the services
is very important to me, whether it
Heather: I was born in Sydney. I be Feast Days or Ordinary Sundays.
spent my teenage years on the
Central Coast and moved back to Heather: I love being a part of the
Sydney in my early 20s. worship and liturgy of St James’,
and especially the friendship
What do you do for your and camaraderie of my fellow
professions? servers and the lay assistants, and
the opportunity to greet fellow
Lindsay: I look after management

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 21

profile: lindsay and heather continued

I’ve not always been an Anglican. and continues at St James’. I spent laws are often implemented by
When my Mum (Baptist) and my teenage years in a Presbyterian people interpreting their views and
Dad (C of E) were married in youth group on the Central Coast imposing them, but a connection
1947, they decided that a good where bible study, Kumbaya and with God and Christ is both a
compromise would be to become Beatles songs were staples. personal and shared experience that
Presbyterians, so thus I was speaks to us of equality and care.
baptised and confirmed in St John’s Would you like to say something
Presbyterian Church in Hobart. about your faith journey over the I admired my parents’ Christian
Dad’s grandfather was a Parish years – how it began, some of the service, not only through my Dad’s
Priest in the 1880s to the early things you have learned, how it work at St Stephen’s, but both my
1930s and served in many parishes affects your daily life? Have there Mum and Dad lived their Christian
in the midlands and northern been any other influences on you? values: they mentored young men
Tasmania and became Archdeacon leaving prison, visited fellow
of Launceston (northern Tasmania). Lindsay: Of course, Mum and Dad parishioners in need, and my Dad
There are stained glass windows in were big influences, taking my was appointed an Elder Emeritus
both St David’s Cathedral, Hobart elder brother, Ian and me to Sunday of the Presbyterian Church in his
and St Mary’s, Hagley, to his School every week without fail. The later years. Dad preached when
memory. eighties were kind of wilderness our minister was on leave; he and I
years church-wise, until I moved had many arguments about St Paul,
Heather: I enjoy, indeed, love the to Artarmon, where our fellow whom I failed to understand when I
inclusiveness of St James’ from the St James’ parishioners, Fr John was a teenager and young woman. I
St James’ Mission Statement that McDonald and his wife, Kaye, were was a fierce feminist, when dealing
makes me proud to be an Anglican presiding over the parish. I can with religious matters, and did not
and a parishioner (even if this also remember a much younger Ian grasp that St Paul was a man of his
view is not always shared with McDonald playing the organ! time. Unfortunately, St Paul’s views
all our fellow Anglicans) but also in regard to women are still taken
the care and social commitment St Another significant influence over literally by some to exclude women
James’ has for its parishioners, the both my personal and faith journey in the clergy and full participation
homeless and ongoing preservation was attending the Friends’ School of the church.
of the church, both spiritually in in Hobart for my high school years.
the Anglo-Catholic form of liturgy, Quaker-based, the focus was the Do you have any particular (or
and in the history of our bricks equality of humankind, world peculiar) interests or hobbies?
and mortar. peace, and on self-reflection—can
you imagine how difficult it is Lindsay: Work is all subsuming
Like Lindsay, I’ve not always for a teenager to sit in a group (along with the daily travel) but
been an Anglican. We both have of classmates and not talk for 50 classical music is right up there
Presbyterian backgrounds: my minutes or so? along with Test Cricket (well any
Dad was the Church Officer sport really) and the ‘doings’ of our
(Verger) at (the then) St Stephen’s Heather: As mentioned before, numerous nephews, nieces and
Presbyterian Church on Macquarie it was mostly the liturgy at St their growing children.
Street, just around the corner. St James’, that I first experienced
Stephen’s has always had a strong when I was invited to attend by a Peculiar hobbies? I am addicted to
music programme. As a small child, friend many years ago now, which building models with Nanoblock©,
my introduction to sacred music drew me to go back again. I was an extremely small version of Lego©.
was wandering into the church seeking a return to the church A model can be up to 6,000 pieces
early on a Sunday morning (whilst but had been disappointed with and often requires tweezers, a torch
my Dad was setting up for the various denominations’ treatment and an incredible amount of patience
service) and hearing Bach’s Jesu Joy of women such as, reversing (not one of my better qualities).
of Man’s Desiring for the first time the opportunity for women to
as the organist was practising. My be ministers or priests or take Heather: Interests: I have two
love of sacred, classical music and prominent roles in the church. It Godsons in the USA. It’s fantastic
hymns was born at St Stephen’s was a spiritual growing-up to to watch them and their brother
understand that church rules and grow and develop, and I am

PAGE 22 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

church with audio guide ria andriani

Review of an Australian First: An Audio
Described Church Service in partnership
with Vision Australia.

The first audio described service at that the equipment is limited in ensuring that participants were
St James’ King Street on 1 October capacity. Each participant is given provided with accessible materials.
opened a new layer of experience a transmitter and a one-piece On this occasion, each participant
for me. As a church goer, I have earphone, through which they can was given a Braille booklet
participated both as a member hear the describer speaking from a containing the Order of Service,
of the congregation and also as a vantage point. which was also available as an
chorister in the sanctuary. This electronic Word document. It was
makes me very familiar with the There were moments when I really helpful being informed when
form of the liturgy. wasn’t able to concentrate on the to sit and stand, as well as having
description, especially during the words of the hymns.
St James’ is almost unique in the festival procession which
Sydney Anglican Diocese, as the occurred at the beginning of this Overall, the audio described service
church uses high liturgy, with set service, it being the Feast of St at St James’ is a great step towards
order of service and lectionary. Michael and All Angels. As a creating an inclusive worship
Although I’ve participated in many consequence, I may have missed experience for people who are blind
services, I’ve never realised how some visual information, such as or have low vision. I look forward
many visual aspects there were what vestments were worn by the to the next one.
in the Eucharist. As an immersive altar party.
experience, it was awe-inspiring Ria Andriani is a soprano and a
to find out formal gestures by the Most audio description events Parishioner of St James’.
priests and movements around are one-sided: describing the
the sanctuary; the most moving performance which occurs on
moments of the descriptions being stage. In a church service, the
when the Bible was brought down participation is often mutual: as the
to the congregation, and the lifting congregation stands, sits, sings or
of the bread and wine during partakes in Communion. Therefore,
Communion. the audio description service
attempts to accommodate this by
Adapting audio description in finding gaps in which to describe.
a church service does have its
challenges, not least the fact St James’ did a wonderful job in

profile: lindsay and heather continued

also mindful of my spiritual Along with occasionally helping In closing our profile, St James’
responsibilities. I know I will find Linds with his Lego or Nano, brings inspiration to our work,
it a challenge to answer the ‘big mostly offering moral support. consolation in recent times in the
questions’ but look forward to loss of close friends, and an ongoing
those conversations! Is there anything you’d like to spiritual and social journey we
share with Parish Connections readers could not do without.
Particular hobbies: I love being out that hasn’t been covered here?
in the garden—not weeding (who Brooke Shelley is Communications and
loves weeding?) but planting and Lindsay & Heather: Our lives Media Manager at St James’.
watching plants and trees grow has were brought together through
been one of my best experiences. public service and the Church.

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 23

Marylon Coates bell news: HANDBELLS

Most parishioners are aware of have mastered the rudiments of steeple keeper and keen tower bell
the tower bells which ring before tower bell ringing. ringer, also rings handbells. Other
services, weddings and funerals St James’ handbell ringers include
at St James’. Few may know that One of our ringers, Sue Cameron, Alan and Marylon Coates, and their
there is also a tradition of handbell hurt her shoulder shortly after grandson, Thomas Coates.
ringing. Handbells may be used starting to learn to ring in the
to ring tunes (for which tower tower. She rang on handbells for Ringing in hand provides an
bells are too ponderous) or in the the year that it took her shoulder understanding of the structure of
same patterns (known as change- to recover. Another of our regular methods that can be valuable in
ringing) as are used by tower bells. handbell ringers, Debbie Street, the tower.
Every Tuesday evening there is a is a visitor from St Mary’s. She
change-ringing handbell practice at began to learn to ring on tower You will be able to hear the
St James’ from 5:00-6:00pm. bells but didn’t like it, and has handbells rung at 6:00pm before
continued ringing only handbells. the Candlelight Carol Service on
Several of the St James’ ringers Our Tuesday practice is often Thursday 21 December.
own a set of handbells. The run by Belinda Keir, who was
designated owner brings his/her responsible for initiating an interest Marylon Coates is Ringing Master at St
bells in for the hour-long practice in handbells at St James’. Her James’.
on Tuesday evening. son, Lindsay Small, the St James’

The picture shows the bells owned Left to right: Belinda Keir, Sue Cameron, Debbie Street
by Alan Coates. They were a gift
from his employer when he retired New ringers wanted
in 2006.
We hope that a new group of ringers will start learning to ring the
Each handbell ringer is responsible tower bells in the New Year. It is helpful if two or three people learn
for ringing two bells. To many together. There is no charge to learn. Few hobbies cost so little. The
tower bell ringers, the idea of benefits are privileged access to bell towers worldwide, a new group
ringing two bells sounds daunting. of friends, regular gentle physical exercise and mental challenges
But it is easier to learn to handle as much (or as little) as you want. Please talk to your friends and
a handbell and, for the basic contact the Ringing Master to arrange a visit between services on
methods, the relationship between a Sunday, or during our Tuesday night practices (6:00pm–8:00pm).
the movements of the two bells We provide individual tuition for new learners until they have the
is relatively simple. Some ringers skills needed to safely join group ringing. As with most physical
ring only handbells, but the usual skills, it is preferable to commence with at least two lessons a week.
pattern is for an established tower
bell ringer to learn to ring the Marylon Coates, Ringing Master, 0413 006 778
pretty and portable bells after they

PAGE 24 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

Thursday Mornings at the kate lawson
Asylum Seekers Centre
Kids@Church have been collecting
About 18 months ago, during books for the children, which are
the break in a rehearsal at the greatly appreciated.
Philharmonia Festival Chorus, one If anyone is interested in
of my friends, Liz, told me about supporting the Centre and would
her morning that day at the Asylum like to know more, you can usually
Seekers Centre at Newtown, where find me in the Crypt after the 9am
she had been helping with the Sung Eucharist.
Playgroup for the children. Kate Lawson is a parishioner at St James’.

Before my ‘life change’ in 2000 All of the families are living in the
when I started working as a community while they wait for
Counsellor, I had spent many years their applications for protection to
working with children from birth be processed, and are supported by
to school age, having trained in the the Centre, where they can access
UK in 1967-68. I was newly retired medical appointments, welfare, food
and looking for some voluntary parcels and recreational activities.
work, so this sounded ideal. I had There are about 30 people there each
a chat to Jenny, the Nutrition, day. Volunteers from St James’ help
Education and Social Support with the lunches once a month, and
Manager, and passed the Working
With Children Check. Now, on
most Thursday mornings, you can
find me heading over to the Asylum
Seekers Centre in Newtown.

The Playgroup is run in a Church
Hall not far from the Centre, and
approximately five families attend
each week, with more attendees
during the school holidays.

Congratulations to our Head of Music

Pictured are Warren Trevelyan-
Jones (Head of Music, St James’
Church) with Bishop Richard
Hurford, the Australian Sub
Warden of the International
Guild of Church Musicians,
following the awarding of an
Honorary Fellowship of the
Guild of Church Musicians
(Hon. FGCM) to Warren for his
distinguished contribution over
many years to church music in
Australia. This is the highest
honour that the International
Guild can confer.

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 25

christopher waterhouse st James’ institute update

Happy New Year! Happy new Mondays 10:00am-12noon, In 2018 we will present seminars
Church year that is, since Advent Chatswood (with Sue Mackenzie) and workshops exploring
marks for us the beginning of the Homelessness, Godparenting, Icon
Christian year. We have changed Tuesdays 1:00pm-2:00pm, St James’ Writing, the work of Anglicare,
our lectionary from Year A to Year Hall (with Fr Andrew Sempell) and, as we commemorate the 100th
B, which means our principal anniversary of the end of World
Gospel for the coming liturgical Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm, Pyrmont War One, we hear from a number
year will be the Gospel of Mark. On (with Ross and Libby Hindmarsh) of Defence Force Chaplains on
Sunday 26 November, we presented ‘God in the Warzone’. We are also
‘Meeting God in Mark’ - a Twenty Wednesdays 7:15pm-8:30pm, St looking forward to working with
Minute Talk about Mark’s Gospel James’ Hall (with Christopher Trinity College in the University
and how it differs from the other Waterhouse) of Melbourne on the presentation
Gospel accounts of the life and of the inaugural Robin Sharwood
ministry of Christ. There is a most Thursdays 7:00pm-8:30pm, Lecture on Canon Law with
excellent book called Meeting God in Homebush (with Kumar Rasiah) Keith Mason QC, and with the
Mark by Rowan Williams, which Bible Society to present a special
is available for purchase from Our 2018 programme begins with a NAIDOC week seminar on the
the Parish Office. It is a brilliant private tour of ‘Rembrandt and the ongoing work to translate the Bible
companion to Mark, and something Dutch Golden Age’ at the Art Gallery into Pitjantjatjara.
which you may find helpful as you of New South Wales on Wednesday,
read and listen to Mark’s Gospel in 24 January at 5:30pm. Dr Josephine Our studies next year will
the coming year. Touma will take us on a tour of the continue to use the Pilgrim course
exhibition, exploring the art, culture materials. In Lent we’ll study ‘The
Our Advent Studies this year and theology of Dutch society in the Commandments’, then in June we’ll
explore ‘Church and Kingdom’, 17th century. Spaces on this exclusive explore ‘The Creeds’, and in Advent,
using materials from the Pilgrim tour are strictly limited, so you are ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. In May, we
course. In this series, we are invited encouraged to book early to avoid will offer lunchtime Lectio Divina,
to consider how we can ‘follow the disappointment. Dr Touma is an and our Book Group will meet
way’, experiencing Christian faith art historian with a specialty in from May to September to discuss
not just as a set of things to believe seventeenth and eighteenth century Henri Nouwen’s excellent book
in, but as a way of life. European art. She is Manager of The Prodigal Son. The 2018 Parish
Public Programs at the Art Gallery of Retreat will be led by the Rev’d
Advent Studies groups meet in New South Wales and researcher for Catherine Eaton, and will explore
the City, Chatswood, Pyrmont ‘Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden the development of the Daily
and Homebush. You are most Age’. (For more, see the article in the Offices, with a focus on corporate
welcome to join any of these October/November edition of Parish and monastic prayer. The Parish
groups—attendance is free. There Connections). Retreat will also feature a group of
is an excellent study booklet to singers from The Choir of St James’,
accompany the series which you Other highlights of our 2018 who will lead us in the offering of
may wish to purchase, even if you programme include ‘In the Divine Offices from Evensong
are unable to attend the series in Conversation: The Rev’d Canon on Friday to lunchtime on Sunday,
person. Copies of this booklet, and Dr Emma Percy’, our Holy Week including Sung Matins, Compline,
others in the Pilgrim series that we preacher for 2018, which will be held and the offering of the ancient
have used this year (including ‘The on Palm Sunday afternoon, Sunday offices of Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext
Beatitudes’ and ‘The Eucharist’), 25 March. Our guest speakers for and None.
are available for $10 from the next year include the Rev’d Dr
Parish Office. Gregory Seach, the Honourable We will continue to present our
Michael Kirby AC CMG, the Rev’d regular series of Twenty Minute Talks
Advent Studies run for four weeks John Deane of the Anglican Board which address common questions
from the week commencing of Mission, Associate Professor about the history, liturgy, theology,
Monday 27 November: Michael Horsburgh AM, and the art and music of the church.
Rev’d Dr Daniel Dries of Christ
Church St Laurence.

PAGE 26 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

REMEMBERING sue mackenzie

On Saturday 11 November, F. S. Kelly was dedicated during the benefits of a Classical
Remembrance Day was the service, with some of his education know where they
acknowledged at St James’ with family present. As the procession were. They were derisively
two services, one at 11:00am, as moved to the memorial plaque, a nicknamed the Latin Club
is traditional, but also with short, very moving motet was sung by their less well educated
another at 5:00pm. At the later by the choirs. The music for this comrades, but actually their
service, a Choral Festival of motet, with words based probably discourse was of Ancient Greece,
Remembrance, organised by the on Psalm 31, had been composed and using Shaw-Stewart’s
Friends of Cathedral Music, we by Kelly, who was such an able edition of Herodotus as a crib,
were immersed in music and musician that Limelight magazine they had devised a code using
poetry, sights and sounds, which claimed he would have been Homeric illustrations.
were both spiritually uplifting Australia’s Ralph Vaughan Williams,
and emotionally moving. There had he lived longer. Kelly was born in Phillip Street,
were three choirs involved: The Sydney, and was first educated at
Choir of St James’, The Choir of St Following Kelly’s motet, Rupert Sydney Grammar School, and later at
Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, and Brooke’s poem, The Soldier, was Eton in England. Following school, as
The Choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, read by Christopher Waterhouse. a member of Balliol College, Oxford,
Parramatta. They were supported Brooke and Kelly served together in he was awarded his BA in 1903
by Alistair Nelson on the organ. World War I, and were firm friends. and his MA in 1912. The memorial
Kelly wrote his Elegy for String plaque records that not only was he a
The occasion provided an Orchestra, in memory of Brooke musician, but also an Olympic Rower,
opportunity, not only to recall (1887-1915). Interestingly, the and a veteran of Gallipoli and the
the fallen from the many wars of biography, Rupert Brooke, by Nigel Battle of the Somme.
the 20th century and more recent Jones (BBC Books, 1999) refers
conflicts, but also to draw our to Kelly eight times. Parishioner, Sue Mackenzie is Publications Editor at
attention to a former parishioner, Nanette Danks, drew my attention St James’.
Frederick Septimus Kelly (1881– to this work and also noted how
1916), one of many whose life was Kelly had the nickname, ‘Cleg’,
cut short on the battlefields of amongst the group of officers who
World War I. We were also treated ate together in the mess; the group
to a beautiful motet composed included Brooke and Kelly, one of
especially for this service: the words two musician officers. About Kelly,
were by Robert Laurence Binyon the following is stated:
(1869-1943) and the music by June
Nixon, who was present and so able [Kelly]… had devised an
to hear her work performed. ingenious way of getting around
the censor and letting their
A memorial plaque in memory of friends in England who shared

st james’ institute continued

Subscriptions for 2018 are concession (which includes a small please call (02) 8227 1305, email
now available and are $175 for administration fee). Subscriptions [email protected], visit our
adults and $155 for Centrelink provide you with free tickets to our website sjks.org.au/institute or call
pensioners or full-time students. activities, with the exception of in to the Parish Office, Level 1, 169-
For the first time next year, we are the Retreat and the Pilgrim course 171 Phillip Street, Sydney.
offering the opportunity to pay booklets.
for your subscription monthly: Christopher Waterhouse is Director of the
$16 per month for adults or $14 To book for any of our events, or St James’ Institute.
to purchase your subscription

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 27

ALISTAIR NELSON music notes

Music@St James’ will be packing contemporary Australian lessons for the Choir, as they will sing on
a lot into a short Advent season and carols. There will be poetry read Christmas Eve morning as well as in
this year (with the fourth Sunday by Lex Marinos and Gretel Killeen, the evening.
of Advent being Christmas Eve, it music by Paul Kelly, Christopher
couldn’t be shorter!) We begin Willcock and Alice Chance, There is little time to rest for the
with the Advent Carol Service on premieres by our own Owen Elsley musicians, as they begin rehearsing
Sunday 3 December. This is the and Brooke Shelley, and newly on 8 January for the Orchestral
more solemn and reflective of the commissioned arrangements by Masses. The first two Orchestral
Carol services. The musical and Dan Walker. This concert will be Masses introduce two composers
textual thematic thread running followed by the Friends of Music new to St James’: Francisco Valls,
through it are the O Antiphons. Christmas Party and Orchestral from Baroque Spain, and Peteris
These Magnificat Antiphons for Mass Fundraiser. Vasks, from contemporary Latvia.
the seven days before Christmas Valls’ Missa Scala Aretina is his best
are best known in the form of the The next day is the final Cantata known work. Valls was also known
hymn O come, O come, Emmanuel. Service of the year: ‘BWV 2017’ is for his theoretical works, and this
In the Advent Carol service, the a new Advent Cantata by Dan mass is an homage to the famous
Magnificat Antiphons are sung Walker. This commissioned theorist, Guido d’Arezzo. Listeners
to Gregorian chant. Other music work—hot off the press at the time at the time were scandalised by the
for the service includes familiar of writing—cleverly and movingly way Valls ignored some theoretical
motets by Palestrina, Byrd, and combines several disparate elements: conventions. Contemporary
Mendelssohn, as well as beautiful traditional German chorales are listeners will be impressed by the
works of Clemens and Sweelinck. juxtaposed with poetry of Christina beauty of the music, and the grand
Rossetti, American poets Emily addition of Baroque trumpets.
On Wednesdays 6 and 13 December Dickenson, Mary Oliver, and civil
at 7:30pm, The Choir of St James’ rights activist Maya Angelou, and The composer of the second
will be making an appearance at the with a Hindu mantra. The period orchestral mass on 21 January, Vasks,
Art Gallery of NSW, as part of their instrument group BachBand@ has worked in Latvia and Lithuania,
Art After Hours programme. This StJames’ will play music of a more and is a three-time winner of the
concert in the entrance court to the contemporary style than in our Great Music Award in Latvia. He
Gallery is free, and the repertoire other Cantata Services. The Choir grew up in a Protestant family, with
is inspired by the exhibition of St James’ will be joined by a Pastor for his father, in a time
Rembrandt and the Dutch golden age. The soloists, members of the Leichhardt when sacred music was forbidden
flowering of Dutch visual art in the Espresso Chorus and The St James’ by the political regime. His Missa
17th Century happened in a part of Singers, and there is a part for the for choir and strings is the third
Europe with a long history of great congregation. For the concert and incarnation of an a cappella work
composers who went to work all Cantata Service (as well as the commissioned in 2000. Although he
around Europe: from Josquin to whole Bach@St James’ series) we has written works in a modernist
Clemens, Lassus and Sweelinck. are very grateful for the hard work of style, this is written in an accessible
Music of these composers will be Nicole Forsyth, who as has done so neo-romantic musical language,
explored, including Latin motets, much behind the scenes. reflecting his desire to “express
French psalms, and madrigals in that which is simplest and most
Italian and Dutch. The concert will On 17 December is the popular Nine essential… with simple, honest
conclude with a few well-known Lessons and Carols: you can arrive sounds.” His impassioned writing in
Christmas numbers. from 6:45pm to get a good seat, and the ‘Kyrie’ and ‘Gloria’ is contrasted
there is a pre-service organ recital by a joyous ‘Sanctus’: as he says,
In between these two concerts is a from 7:00pm. This carol service “my Sanctus is sung by happy, little
busy and contrasting weekend, with really puts one in the mood for the angels.” I leave Vasks the last word
a concert and a Cantata service, both coming Christmas celebrations. on his music: “In my opinion the
featuring contemporary Australian If you can’t make it, there are true mission of music is to talk about
works, some newly commissioned. also shorter Lessons and Carols spiritual, eternal values that rise
The concert Gul Gul Dja Mardji: Long during the week. Christmas Eve above the secular... It was necessary
is the journey takes the form of a and Christmas Day are then busy and important to convey it … in such

PAGE 28 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

a traditional form with sacred texts in honour of St Bernard of Offida, tune, which features in the ‘Sanctus’,
and hope that it will ignite some a Capuchin monk who had been and is set to the words of ‘Heilig’
light, some fire within the listened.” beatified the previous year. This is (the German ‘Sanctus’). An added
one of Haydn’s grand settings and bonus at this service will be the
Finally, on 28 January we return to features soloists, and an orchestra announcement of the Concert Series
a familiar name, Haydn, the greatest with oboes, clarinets, bassoons and for 2018!
of Classical Mass composers. His trumpets. The name ‘Heiligmesse’
‘Heiligmesse’ was written in 1796 derives from a popular Austrian Alistair Nelson is Organist at St James’.

PARISH DIRECTORY WHO’S WHO AND HOW TO CONTACT THEM

THE PARISH OFFICE Level 1, 169–171 Phillip Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
PHONE 8227 1300
FAX 9232 4182

WEBSITE www.sjks.org.au
OFFICE E-MAIL [email protected]

RECTOR The Reverend Andrew Sempell 8227 1303 (m 0419 018 225)

associate RECTOR The Reverend John Stewart 8227 1304 (AH 9410 3077)

DIRECTOR of ST JAMES’ INSTITUTE Christopher Waterhouse 8227 1305

HEAD OF MUSIC Warren Trevelyan-Jones 8227 1306

ORGANIST Alistair Nelson 8227 1308

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Dianne Ward 8227 1300

ACCOUNTANT Michelle Chan 8227 1302

Communications & MEDIA manager Brooke Shelley 8227 1301

PARISH CONNECTIONS EDITOR Brooke Shelley [email protected]

PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Sue Mackenzie [email protected]

counselling@St james’ Loretta King 8227 1300

Pastoral Care Coordinator Chris Cheetham 0407 017 377

Facilities Manager Tony Papadopoulos 8227 1312

VERGERs Graeme Reid/Max Singer 8227 1312/0412 295 678

milestones

BAPTISMS
Harriet Audrey Holden................................................................................................................................. 21 October 2017
Isabella Cathryn Maria D’Onofrio......................................................................................................... 26 November 2017
Samuel Peter Laurence ............................................................................................................................ 26 November 2017

WEDDINGS
David Anthony Fernandez and Sasha Anne Burrows........................................................................... 21 October 2017

FUNERALS
John William Dubois Spooner..................................................................................................................3 November 2017
Malcolm Robert Colless........................................................................................................................... 10 November 2017
Jean Constance Lowe................................................................................................................................14 November 2017
Hamish Richards........................................................................................................................................23 November 2017

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 29

music@st james’ in DECEMBER/JANUARY

choral music

The Choir of St James’ continues to offer inspiring choral music of the highest standards. Here is its music list for
the next two months.

SUNDAY 3 DECEMBER SUNDAY 7 JANUARY
10:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST Sung by the St James’ Singers
Mass setting: Walton – Missa Brevis Mass setting: Sumsion in F
Motet: Handel – And the glory of the Lord SUNDAY 14 JANUARY
10:00am – ORCHESTRAL MASS
7:30pm – ADVENT CAROL SERVICE Mass setting: Valls – Missa Scala Aretina
SUNDAY 21 JANUARY
WEDNESDAY 6 DECEMBER 10:00am – ORCHESTRAL MASS
Mass setting: Vasks – Missa
6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG SUNDAY 28 JANUARY
Responses: Byrd 10:00am – ORCHESTRAL MASS
Canticles: Byrd ‘fauxbourdons’ Mass setting: Haydn – Missa Sancti Bernardi von Offida
Anthem: Sweelinck – Pseaume 14 (‘Heiligmesse’)

SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST Experience the peaceful atmosphere of Sydney’s oldest
Mass setting: Croce – Missa Prima: ‘sexti toni’ church as it is filled with music every Wednesday
Motet: Clemens – Ave Maria lunchtime between 1:15pm and 1:45pm. A suggested
donation of $5 helps us cover the cost of putting on
4:00pm – ADVENT CANTATA SERVICE the concerts.
A new commission by Dan Walker
Wednesday 6 December
WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER Alistair Nelson – Organ

6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG Wednesday 13 December
Responses: Jackson Lauren White Jazz Duo
Canticles: Jackson Truro Service
Anthem: Sweelinck – Gaude et laetare Wednesday 20 December
Lunchtime Lessons and Carols
SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER
11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST Wednesday 17 January
Mass setting: Byrd – Mass for four voices Peter Maddigan – Baroque Oboe
Motet: Byrd – Laetentur coeli
Wednesday, 24 January
7:30pm – A SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS AND TBA
CAROLS
Wednesday, 31 January
WEDNESDAY 20 DECEMBER NSW Police Band
1:15pm – A SHORT SERVICE OF LESSONS AND
CAROLS
6:30pm – CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE

THURSDAY 21 DECEMBER

6:30pm – CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE

SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS EVE

11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
Mass setting: Clemens – Missa Pastores quidnam vidistis
Motet: Goldschmidt – A tender shoot

10:30pm – NIGHT EUCHARIST OF THE NATIVITY
Introit: Silent Night (arr. Twist)
Mass setting: Charpentier – Messe de minuit
Motets: Shelley – Nativity
Rutter – Dormi Jesu

SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS DAY
10:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST OF THE
NATIVITY
Mass setting: Haydn – Little Organ Mass
Motets: Sweelinck – Hodie Christus natus est
In dulci jubilo – arr.Pearsall

PAGE 30 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS December 2017/January 2018

The Choir of St James’ in a different guise…

We all know how talented the Profundis: Out of Our Depth, visit and also features many of the singers
singers in The Choir of St James’ www.brookeshelley.com.au. in The Choir Lab in a more subdued
are, so I decided to put them to the You can avoid postage costs by or ‘professional’ fashion! To
test! collecting your copy from the purchase Metamorphosis (and other
Parish Office. Cash sales are also Choir CDs), visit the Parish Office.
At the suggestion of world- available from the Parish Office.
renowned music producer, Nick Both CDs are $25 and are available
Littlemore, I wrote a collection A nice companion to De Profundis: for digital download via iTunes.
of songs in pop, dance, chamber Out of Our Depth is the Choir’s
pop, and prog music styles for the CD, Metamorphosis. Metamorphosis Brooke Shelley is Communications and
Choir. Then I put them in front of includes music written by me and Media Manager and Chorister at St James’.
a microphone in a recording studio fellow Choir Lab singer, Joe Twist,
and waited for the result. The result
is The Choir Lab (an alternative
name for The Choir of St James’) and
a CD recording entitled De Profundis:
Out of Our Depth; the title being a play
on the words of Psalm 130.

You can hear solos by Owen Elsley,
Josi Ellem, Rob Hansen, Helen
Hughson, Isabella Woods, Joe
Twist, Andrew O’Connor, Liza Lilli,
and Luke Iredale. And if you listen
closely, you can even hear the dulcet
tones of our Head of Music, Warren
Trevelyan-Jones, in the backing
chorus (which includes many of the
members of the Choir).

I would like to take this opportunity
to acknowledge the music
programme at St James’. The
environment of the programme is
such that choristers are exposed to
a wide range of choral music which,
for budding young composers,
teaches them various vocal and
compositional techniques. Most
importantly, composers within the
Choir have the support of the music
programme in that their works
are workshopped and, hopefully,
performed by the Choir. There is
no other church choir in Australia
that fosters local talent in this way.
So, when you are invited to donate
to Music at St James’, know that
your support will contribute to
this vitally important area of the
programme.

To purchase The Choir Lab’s De

December 2017/January 2018 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 31

Music at St James’

Music of the aDnduThtecAhrt GgalloeryldofeNSnW agepresent

6 December
13 December

7:30pm

Entrance Court, Art Gallery of NSW

The Choir of St James’

directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones

Quiringh van Brekelenkam: ‘Tailor’s workshop’ 1661 Free Admission
oil on canvas, 66 x 53.5 cm No bookings required
Rijksmuseum, on loan from the City of Amsterdam (A van der Hoop Bequest)

Gul Gul Dja Mardji:

Long is the journey

A home-grown Australian Lessons and Carols
with special guests Lex Marinos and Gretel Killeen

Saturday 9 December, 5:00pm The Choir of St James’
The Academy of St James’
St James’ Church, King Street, Sydney
Directed byWarrenTrevelyan-Jones
Tickets $50/45 • T: 8256 2222 • www.cityrecitalhall.com

BWV 2017Bach Cantata Series

Music at St James’ presents a series of
Cantatas performed in a liturgical setting
Free Admission

Advent Cantata
Dan Walker

4:00pm, Sunday 10 December

St James’ Church, King Street, Sydney
The Choir of St James’ and BachBand@StJames’

Directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones

This new cantata for Advent draws on Bach’s style of liturgical cantata in both structure and content, making use of period
instruments and historically informed performance practice to create a work that is both a nod to the freshness and vitality of

Bach’s own compositional style, yet maintaining a sense of relevance in our own day and age.