Parish Connections August-September 2019

PARISH

CONNECTIONS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

Image: ejaugsburg from Pixabay

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD:

AN EASTERN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
ON CARE OF OUR PLANET

ROBIN GIBBONS

THE CALAMITY FACING US repentance and restitution of dramatic action to limit the effects
a grave sin against all of life. is taken over the next decade, but
ALL Attenborough constantly places he does not spare our blushes,
before us the sheer scale of a there has been irreversible damage
One of the great national massive problem caused almost done and a cataclysmic warning
treasures of the UK is Sir entirely by our own actions. In a is in order: “I believe that if we
David Attenborough, whose BBC Programme, Climate Change better understand the threat we
documentaries on nature have the Facts, aired on national and face the more likely it is we can
entranced and engaged millions international TV in April 2019, Sir avoid such a catastrophic future.”1
over many years. He is also a David said that we face “irreversible Too many pictures of communities
prophet in the mould of the Old damage to the natural world and now under threat, animals, insects
Testament figures such as Jeremiah the collapse of our societies”. He and marine life driven to almost
or Daniel, calling people to face also says that there is still hope if
the realities of their existence and continued overleaf
the need for their constructive

1 Climate Change - The Facts, BBC One, Thursday 18 April 2019

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD: An Eastern Christian Perspective on care of our planet continued

extinction and the impact of fossil nerve to say, ‘this is our rubbish, greater stress on the role and work
fuels and our rubbish, especially we’ll give you money to spill it on of the Spirit, but also has the ability
plastic on the fabric of our Mother your land’ is intolerable.” Sir David to bridge divides in interesting
Earth, show this dreadful pattern Attenborough says young people’s ways between religious experience
of destruction. What then can concern for the planet is “a great and ordinary life; maybe not a
be done, how do we hand over source of hope.”3 But I have to ask bad thing given the propensity of
the Earth and all on it to another the question, is there hope? Have some western religious persons
generation even yet unborn? we enough courage as church to create a false dualism in terms
people to really stand up and of sacred and secular? In the case
The fact of the matter is that fight for justice of which this, the of our planet any new or revived
action needs to be taken now, martyrdom of our planet, is perhaps approach that takes the case of
and urgently. We no longer have the worst example of endemic matter and life as blessed, good and
the luxury of endless debate and greed and corporate sin? important is a plus. One has only
discussion; politicians, scientists, to delve into the deep wisdom of
religious persons, businessmen EASTERN CHRISTIANITY the Desert Fathers and Mothers,
and women need to act now, both and of that great and powerful
in the practical sense of reducing In my book, For the Life of the World: hesychastic tradition of monasticism
waste, halting destruction, reducing An Eastern Christian Approach to Nature to discover a different approach
carbon emissions, planting more and Environmental Care, I explore towards careful stewardship of
trees, exercising a radical loving issues around climate change and resources, where the human is not
care for life and our planet, and global ecological issues via the ‘in charge of’ but ‘responsible for’
by a shift in mentality and ability of Christianity―one of the other creatures, a shift away from
approach, trying to inculcate world’s most frequently practised control and hegemony, towards
a different perspective, a far religions, particularly from the pastoral care in the widest sense of
more compassionate sense of point of view of the Eastern inclusion and support.
responsibility, that looks beyond Christian tradition―to provide
the narrow selfish human confines insight into how we might, even In this model of creation-centred
to the rest of the planet and its at this late hour, shift perceptions servant-hood, the East shows us
future. and change our lives and hearts.4 a way, the ability to allow the
I see this in that great prophetic theological gift of economia to grow,
We are all in this together! New call of those who, like Pope that is adaptive discernment and
models and new horizons need Francis, Patriarch Bartholomew, practical application of the values
to be sought and we need to look Sir David and others, challenge of love, mercy, and forgiveness. This
to our own religious heritage and us to radically shift our pattern is done in terms of relationships
see if, in our faith communities, of life and perception, but from a of the human and the world of
we can find ways to motivate, conversion of ‘heart’. The Eastern living creatures at every level, as
understand and change the Christian tradition has some well as challenging the unjust
patterns of human destruction. unique perspectives in theological and destructive structures that
As Attenborough himself said in discourse, unencumbered are causing our planet to literally
the final and harrowing episode by medieval scholasticism, choke towards extinction. A
of his Blue Planet 2 which showed Reformation controversies and strong theology of economia allows
the appalling destruction plastic the later patterns of Catholic and churches to dialogue in different
wreaks on our oceans and all its Protestant thought; they look more ways and give new directions
life, and which was widely quoted to a living tradition inspired by the to pastoral interpretations of
on Twitter,2 “To chuck plastic into earlier and more Semitic origins particular moral and economic
the ocean is an insult. To have the of the faith. Their theology has a issues: in this sense the wisdom of

2 https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-08-29/blue-planet-2-plastic-waste-final-episode/
3 https://twitter.com/BBC/status/1148532051492188161
4 See Robin Gibbons, 2019, For the Life of the World: An Eastern Christian Approach to Nature and Environmental Care, Peter Lang, NY
5 Orthodox Church ‘economia’ is the suspension of the absolute and strictapplications of canon and church regulations in the the life of the
Church, without subsequently compromising the dogmatic limitations, and is only applicable for a particular case. The intention implicit in
this concept is that Love, Mercy, and Compassion remain more in control than absolute law. Stefan-Ioan Stratul, Romanian Orthodox Church,
March 2009.

PAGE 2 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD: An Eastern Christian Perspective on care of our planet continued

the East has plenty to say to all of conductivity and openness to this or Seraphim and whose love of
us at this moment in time! 5 dynamic Spirit. creatures gave him the insight into
God’s love and joy revealed through
THE HOLY SPIRIT AS The deep rootedness of monasticism the ‘littlest ones’. All these are
gives to the Eastern Church a sense treasures to be further discovered,
TRANSFORMATIVE of alternative living which places but gifts with a real meaning and
hefty values on things we take for purpose for us, primarily to place
PRESENCE granted or waste, it challenges us before us the choice of Gospel
to care for all things, demands we metanoia, that profound change of
Let me explain a little further, so encourage proper self-sufficiency heart we all are called to hear, and
as to offer a glimpse of the variety and respect for all forms of life on hearing, accept in joy! If we cannot
of such insights, sharing with earth. The Liturgy gives to all of take the lead and respond, trying to
you several examples of this style this a deeply rooted spirituality, restore ‘Eden’ with ‘ fallen eden’, who
of transformative spirituality, so ecclesial, community-based, can?
necessary and essential in our transformative and centred on the
world. So many of us have lost interplay between the Trinity and The Rev’d Canon Dr Robin Gibbons is
touch with the interconnectedness ourselves, between life on earth and an Ecumenical Canon of Christ Church,
of earth and life, of creature and that of heaven. It also places before Oxford, and Chaplain of the Greek-
human, of water, air, fire, life us the gift of the resurrection. What Catholic Melkite Church in the UK. He
present together and dependent on we do here is not a preparation is also Director of Studies in Theology
each other! In its spiritual tradition, for a future, but a sharing now in and Religious Studies at the University
Eastern Christianity opens out a the life of the angels already given of Oxford Department of Continuing
more sacred and sacramental role us in Christ! It is the vision of the Education.
for our everyday lives, perceiving a transfiguration of all, what we
deep harmony in this relationship grow, take, bless, and birth here, is COUNSELLING
between material elements and all also transformed by the Spirit into @ ST JAMES’
life, present now in the Kingdom an offering for God, as we hope to
realised amongst us, but awaiting be at the end of our temporal lives; St James’ Church offers a socially
completion! This is not empty as the Divine Liturgy puts it when inclusive and non-faith based professional
theology, a hint of the dynamism the priest lifts up the Holy Gifts counselling service as part of its outreach
it offers and how we may achieve of consecrated bread and wine: ministry to the city.
conversion of heart is seen in ‘Your own of Your own we offer to
this preparatory prayer of most You, in all and for the sake of all’. Our professional counsellors/psychotherapists/
Byzantine liturgies: If that seems strange, let’s put it coaches are available to assist individuals,
this way: all things in this theology couples and family members on a wide range
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the come from and lead back to God, of issues. Appointment flexibility is offered
Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and matter, materiality, creature, land, to accommodate work schedules. The service
fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and water, stars, the dust that binds us is provided in rooms in the lower level of St
giver of life: come and dwell in us, cleanse together belong together, not in any James’ Church, located in the heart of the city.
us from every stain, and save our souls, O sense of pantheism, but because
gracious Lord. they are loved, created, sustained To make an appointment, or for further details,
and belong with us in God. please visit www.sjks.org.au or telephone
This beautiful prayer with its 8227 1300.
implicit theology of the role and CONCLUSION
person of the Spirit, and its explicit
acknowledgement of activity, sums There is much more one can say
up the presence and embodiment and share, such as the theology
of the Holy Spirit in the life of the of the Icon as an example of
person, the Church and the world, transformed matter, or of Patrisitic
for present ‘in all places’, the Spirit treasures, that deep practical
is not only the giver of life but wisdom of Saints such as Basil,
the one who sustains and in fact who wrote wonderful homilies
repairs and reconciles the damage on the worm and other animals,
of sin; so in essence the survival of
all depends upon our receptivity,

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 3

REV’D ANDREW SEMPELL RELATIONSHIPS VS

St James’ Church is fortunate to be part of a the Anglican Church in New Zealand, which are based
collaboration of churches located in major cities on the relationships between the parties rather than on
around the world, including New York, Toronto, ideology or praxis.
London, Edinburgh, Paris, Cape Town, Hong Kong,
Sydney and Auckland. Senior clergy from these An important ideological issue that lies behind the
churches meet once a year in what has come to be creation of GAFCON is the matter of defining the
known as the International Network of Inner-City mission of the church and how this is to be manifested
Churches. The group is convened by the Rector of in its life.
Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York.
There are a number of ways of understanding this,
This year, the conference was held in Auckland and depending upon one’s preconception of the nature of
the topic was the New Zealand Anglican Church the church and the nature of salvation. I offer three
in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and the perspectives that reflect attitudes about the church and
interrelationship between the Pakeha, Maori and its mission:
Polynesian peoples within it. It is a unique structure
that gives both recognition and a high degree of 1. Confessional Church: This position is based on
autonomy to the three groups whilst also maintaining statements of faith and is concerned with the need
close communion and exercising mutual decision- to believe and do the ‘right things’. It is a matter of
making and support. having correct theology and correct practice. This
perspective breaks into two distinctions:
The 1992 Constitution of the Church provides for
three partners that order their affairs within their own a. Catholic: that says ‘salvation is only to be
cultural context in what are called tikanga. Tikanga found through participation in the church and
Pakeha comprises seven Dioceses, Tikanga Maori submission to its magisterium (reflecting the
comprises five Amorangi (the boundaries of which apostolic succession) its tradition (as God’s
differ from those of the dioceses) and Tikanga Pasefika ongoing revelation to humanity), and the
encompasses Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, sacraments as signs of God’s ongoing presence
and is known as the Diocese of Polynesia. and work in the world (incarnation)’, and

The main thing to note is that this church construct is b. Evangelical: that says ‘salvation is only found
described principally in terms of relationship between through submission to Christ as articulated
peoples rather than by property, ideology or practice. in the Bible (when it is correctly understood)’.
The model therefore allows for a high degree of The application of a specific hermeneutic (or
autonomy and diversity whilst retaining unity. method of interpretation) is therefore vital to
ensure control over the purity of doctrine; and
A recent concern emerging in New Zealand (as well the hermeneutic is usually one that tends to
as several other places) is the agenda of the Global Biblical literalism.
Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON). GAFCON
is principally supported and managed by the In their extreme manifestations these perspectives
Anglican Diocese of Sydney and has been establishing segue into a positon of salvation by ‘works’ based
breakaway churches in many parts of the world where on what we do for God rather than what God does
there has been disagreement over the practices and for us.
policies of the local Anglican province.
2. Relational Church: This position argues that
The latest GAFCON move is in New Zealand where salvation comes through a relationship with God
a schismatic church is being constructed out of six through Christ that extends to the relationships
parishes that disagree with the recent decision of the we have with each other, also described as love and
New Zealand General Synod to allow clergy the option justice. In this respect, the church and the Bible are
to bless same-sex marriages. Sydney Diocese has said means to right relationships between people and
that it will fund this activity, and also argues that these not ends in themselves. This too breaks into two
parishes should be allowed to remove their property distinctions:
from the Anglican Church.
a. Liberal: that says that Christ died for all people
As you can see, it runs against the defining principles of and all are welcomed into his kingdom—an
inclusive approach. Salvation is seen as an act

PAGE 4 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

IDEOLOGY

of God’s grace extended to all humanity. It is •  a ‘correct understanding’ of the Bible that is more

therefore not up to us to make distinctions conservative and literal than a liberal or critical one,

about who is in and who is out. As Jesus said: •  correct behaviour through a moralistic and
‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. conservative social policy, and
For with the judgement you make you will be

judged’ (Matthew 7:1). •  a strict definition of church membership that

b. Conservative: that says that Christ died for includes exclusion or marginalisation of those who
those whom God has chosen and who manifest do not conform to the ideology of the group—lest
this through the quality of their lives—an the group be influenced by ‘heretics and apostates’.

exclusive approach. In this model the church Unlike the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, the
needs to discern who are the godly and who Anglican Church has avoided being a confessional
are not, so as to ensure purity of the group. As church. Instead, it has tended to be localised, inclusive
Jesus said: ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, and diverse; defining itself as a communion or ‘koinonia’
Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but based on a covenant, rather than a religious club based
only one who does the will of my Father in
on rules and exclusion of those who ‘do not fit in’.
heaven” (Matthew 7: 21).
St James’ sees itself as part of this convenantal world-
3. Charismatic Church: This position argues that wide Anglican Communion, that is based on respect for
salvation comes through baptism by the Holy
the Scriptures, reason and tradition, on the one hand,
Spirit, which is made manifest by the exercise
whilst being committed to inclusion, diversity, justice,
of the spiritual charisms, especially speaking or
and living out the ministry of being Christ to the world
singing in tongues.
on the other. We call it being ‘Classically Anglican’.

GAFCON gives expression to a conservative- The Rev'd Andrew Sempell is Rector at St James'
evangelical perspective that seeks to turn the Anglican
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 5

FR ROBERT WILLSON THE REMARKABLE

For two hundred years, St James’
Church has stood on the corner
of Macquarie Street and opposite
Phillip Street, in the heart of Sydney.
Macquarie Street is traditionally
the street of the medical profession,
as the term ‘Macquarie Street
specialist’ indicates. Phillip Street
and the Supreme Court have very
strong links to the legal profession.

As I walk along Macquarie Street, I Image: Photograph of a painting of Dr James Barry Wellcome L0020315.
reflect that, in the 19th century, all Source: Wikimedia Commons
the medical doctors were male, and
the idea of a female in the medical behind that simple grave. When I details in her 2002 work, Scanty
profession was unthinkable. Not saw the headstone, it reminded me Particulars. But final confirmation of
far away from Macquarie Street is of a book I had read years before, this bizarre story only came to light
Oxford Street and the site of the written by historian Isobel Rae, and a few years ago.
Victoria Barracks, one of the largest published in 1958. In the style of
military bases in the British Empire. 19th century biographies, the title After a very successful but
Through the gates of the Regency- was The Strange Story of DR JAMES controversial career in the British
style Barracks, Australian soldiers, BARRY, Army Surgeon, Inspector- Army, Barry died a lonely death
including my grandfather, marched General of Hospitals, discovered on in London in 1865. The maid who
off to the brief Sudan War and death to be a woman. laid out the body for burial made
later wars. But, as with the medical the astounding discovery that
profession, the very idea of a female With the information at her the senior officer was, in fact, a
officer or soldier in the army was disposal, Rae had done her best woman. A storm of gossip erupted.
unthinkable in the Victorian Age. to tell the amazing story of one The horrified authorities arranged
This is the story of one woman who woman who had managed to break a quick funeral and desperately
broke down both barriers in Britain, down two career barriers in 19th hoped that, with Barry safely
but has been largely ignored by century Britain: that of medicine buried, the whole matter might be
history. and the army. A later biographer, hushed up. It has taken a century
Rachel Holmes, filled in further and a half for the full story behind
Many years ago, my wife Beth and I
spent Long Service Leave in Britain.
It was a very cold and wet day in
London when we decided to visit
the famous Kensal Green cemetery,
where many graves of eminent
Victorians may be found. We
paused before a simple weathered
headstone, which stated it was the
last resting place of James Barry,
Inspector General of Military
Hospitals, who died on July 15, 1865,
aged 71 years.

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF

MILITARY HOSPITALS

Barry was both a medical doctor
and a senior army officer, and an
almost unbelievable story lies

PAGE 6 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

SECRET OF DR JAMES BARRY

the Kensal Green grave to be told. A BRILLIANT DOCTOR the maid who had prepared his
body for burial revealed his secret.
MARGARET BULKLEY Barry was a brilliant doctor. At James Barry was a woman. But
Cape Town in 1826, he achieved with only the word of a maid there
The story of James Barry began a medical triumph. The wife of a remained endless speculation and
in about 1795 when a girl named wealthy merchant was in agony gossip.
Margaret Ann Bulkley was born with the birth of her first child
in Ireland. Her uncle was the and would surely die. Before the Ten years ago, the mystery was
famous Irish artist, James Barry. age of anaesthetics, major surgery finally solved. A retired South
As a teenager, Margaret became such as a caesarean section was African medical specialist managed
determined to do what was then almost unthinkable. Yet, with what to uncover a vast collection of
unthinkable. She wanted to seemed like reckless courage, Barry letters. These included letters
study medicine. Her mother and performed such an operation, and written by James Barry while a
influential relatives conspired mother and son both lived―a medical student in Edinburgh, and
to help her. In 1809, mother and remarkable achievement. letters written by the teenager
daughter arrived in Edinburgh, Margaret Bulkley while in
home to a famous medical school Barry was zealous in his efforts Ireland. Experts all agree that the
in the University. It was at that to reform the health of and living handwriting is identical, and that
point that Margaret Ann Bulkley conditions for soldiers on active they were all written by the same
vanished from the records forever. service. He was brilliant but person.
Her name never again appeared in impetuous and headstrong. On the
any official document. However, island of Corfu, Barry saw an officer The reference books claim that
at the very same moment, a stupidly mistreating his men. He Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-
young man named James Barry flogged the man with a horsewhip. 1917) was the first woman to gain a
enrolled in medicine and began to Legend has it that he engaged in medical qualification in Britain. The
attend lectures in the Edinburgh three duels and may have shot at bizarre story of Margaret Bulkley
Medical School. He sat all the least one man. (James Barry) shows beyond
examinations and graduated with doubt that history will have to be
high distinction in 1812. After Those who met Barry described his rewritten.
graduation, Barry prepared to enter personal appearance as grotesque.
the British Army. It is incredible His hair was dyed bright red. He The New Testament teaches that
that the young doctor managed to was small in stature with a high- in Christ there is neither male nor
avoid any physical examination― pitched voice, and wore built up female. In our time we have seen
luck and influential relatives might heels to try to give himself extra the professions such as the medical,
have helped. In the records at the inches. He was said to look absurd the legal and the military open to all
War Office in London, one can in full-dress army uniform, with without discrimination. It is a sad
follow the medical career of Barry a cockaded hat and a huge sword, irony that in certain places in the
all over the British Empire. and always carrying a small dog. Christian Church this teaching has
still not been accepted, and women
His professional postings included KEEPING THE SECRET are not allowed to be priests or
time in the Cape Colony, Mauritius, bishops.
the Caribbean, and Canada. The Yet for many years Barry was able
Medical Officer saw slave rebellions to keep his secret. In Trinidad, Fr Robert Willson taught History and
in Jamaica; he inspected hospital he almost died of Yellow Fever. Religion for many years at the Canberra
ships loaded with the wounded Another doctor saw his nude body. Girls’ Grammar School and is an
and dying from the Crimean Later, Barry swore him to secrecy Anglican priest in the Diocese of Canberra
battlefields; Florence Nightingale and the secret was kept until long and Goulburn
described Barry as the most after his death.
hardened creature she had ever
seen―but she never suspected he While he was home in London
was a woman. on leave from Canada, Barry lived
alone in a room in a lodging house
and there fell victim to a dysentery
epidemic in 1865. After his death,

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 7

MARGARET JOHNSTON WOMEN IN THE

Source: London, British Library, Yates Thompson MS 11 6v

The St James Institute’s mid-year studies Jewish roots, gospel truths and the biblical stories, women play the lead
were written by Sue Mackenzie (see
article in the April/May issue of Parish reality in the early church. We also or a major supporting role.
Connections). This response is from a
participant in one of three study groups. identified the Greek and Roman We actually count stories about
attitudes to women that the Church women in our modern media and are
For decades the topic has generated inherited, and how these still play concerned about relative scarcity.
much soul-searching, with out. The discussion in our all-women We also recognise that women, by
considerable progress but also major group highlighted some aspects of and large, have been written out of
disappointments. The picture today the writing of the Bible and how we our historical narratives; stories of
looks like a patchwork of practices read it today. It became apparent ordinary women have generally been
across the world and across women may even engage differently absent, until historians began trying
denominations; and now, at least with the texts, as we explored how to redress the imbalance. And yet
in Sydney, it feels like we have hit women are represented in the Bible. the Bible is full of wonderful stories
‘pause’. Our aim in this set of studies
was to revisit the subject; but rather SO MANY ‘WOMEN STORIES’ featuring women, often quite fully
than plunge into issues such as the
ordination of women, we stepped The Bible can appear a bit like a drawn characters we can relate to.
back from where we are presently roll call of popular girls’ names― Their roles were significant for their
at. In a traditionally male-dominated such as Miriam and Deborah, Ruth time and place―sometimes for all
church it makes a lot of sense to look and Naomi (from our first two time and every place. When we stop
more closely to the Bible for female sessions which focussed on the to consider, it is rather astonishing.
role models. Old Testament), and a long New So if we look at the role of women
Testament list―Elizabeth, Martha, in the Church from the perspective
So we started from biblical Anne, Susannah, Joanna, Priscilla, of how women are portrayed in the
fundamentals rather than feminist Chloe, Lydia, Aphia, Nympha, Bible we find a real anomaly. Instead
arguments about equality. It became Junias, Rhoda, Phoebe and an array of women being under-represented,
a quiet celebration, drawing on of Marys. Whether or not some women are very much present
were real historical figures, what throughout.

is noteworthy is that in so many The Bible is an ancient compilation.

PAGE 8 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

CHURCH: A RESPONSE

All the ‘women stories’ were told the baby turns out to be one of the like the costly perfumed substance
and retold before being written most important figures in the whole with which Mary anointed Jesus’
down and codified in the Torah of human history, the great prophet feet and then dried them with her
and our Old Testament and and deliverer himself. Big sister hair. Women were present at the
New Testament. Both human Miriam was still by Moses’ side foot of the Cross, when all but one
discernment and divine inspiration when they crossed over the Red Sea; of the male disciples went missing;
are at work; but there is no doubt and it was she who led the worship women were the first bearers of
these stories were all vetted by in the wilderness. And whether it the Easter message. It isn’t only
men. Today we might call those was Queen Esther or a little Jewish women with whom these stories
men the ‘gatekeepers’, instrumental slave girl, a female Judge over Israel resonate (though at one point our
both in preserving the stories and or a non-Jewish prostitute, all are group swapped favourite stories,
in whatever cultural overlays were agents of deliverance. In the New including the woman at the well,
applied. Clearly, since the ‘women Testament, it is the Virgin Mary the wedding at Cana, the woman
stories’ seem to run counter to the who gives birth to the Saviour of the taken in adultery and the woman
norms of the patriarchal societies world. who touched his garment). It seems
and cultures in the ancient Near that Jesus went out of his way to
East, they must have really mattered. True, not all the women in the Bible recognise women in ways that
are saintly (we wondered about a sometimes made his contemporaries
REVEALING THE NATURE good deal of outright duplicity). look askance. His ministry was
But throughout the Bible, women supported in very practical ways by
OF GOD have important saving roles in a whole cast of women. He taught
the great overarching narrative of them, spoke to them directly, never
These stories still matter―there salvation. Also, the distaff side is disparaging their intellect or their
are no accidents with God. It full of surprises, and perhaps it is ability to comprehend and respond
is inescapable that, as with all important to recognise that God’s to his message.
narrative theology, they reveal deliverance is frequently surprising.
important aspects of the nature In the Bible it is often shown as So women in the Bible provide some
of God and his relationship with coming from unanticipated quarters, very appealing role models. They
his people. That was the test all totally out of left field, in an unlikely have agency, they are courageous,
those men applied. So what do the combination of circumstances. obedient and resourceful. Women
women’s stories reveal? Even if not Surely the women playing are prepared to resort to feminine
unique insights, what weight do apparently amazing roles are all the wiles or open battle―whatever it
they add to the biblical evidence? while illustrating how we should be takes. Women are valued not just as
prepared for God’s saving grace to be wives and mothers; there are quite a
Perhaps the most important theme active in the world way beyond our few prostitutes, and widows aren’t
in the Bible is deliverance (or expectations. God thinks and acts portrayed as non-persons. But how
salvation). Over and over again the outside the box. He certainly isn’t important is gender in the ‘women
message is that we have a God who limited by any archaic or modern stories’? Would they work if a male
saves. Should we be astonished social norms and conventions about replaced the female protagonist?
that his chosen instrument(s) are ‘female’ roles. We should be wary Many of the stories clearly would
not infrequently, women? The about them, too. not convey the same message. For
first story in our study is usually instance, we dismissed the idea that
titled ‘Moses in the bulrushes’. It The other great theme in the Bible Deborah was made a judge only
is a heart-warming tale of female is love, with women frequently because no man was available and
cooperation and collusion, involving its embodiment. On one level willing to step up and assume the
a bunch of uppity Hebrew midwives they furnish sublime examples of role.
(‘Sorry, Pharaoh, our mothers just devotion and faithfulness, loyalty
pop their babies out before we can and tenderness, but the stories This seems to suggest that narrative
get to them in time to follow your are not primarily about womanly theology does draw a certain
orders to strangle the boys at birth’), virtues. We should also interpret strength and nuance from gender
a mother and big sister who hatch a them as revelations about God’s differences. Are some human
plan to save a newborn son, and an unfailing love, poured out for us attributes, which, in our culture,
Egyptian princess who didn’t come we assign to ‘female’, there from
down in the last shower. Of course,

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 9

WOMEN IN THE CHURCH: A RESPONSES continued

the Beginning in the nature of the of peoples in the sprawling Roman women are to comport themselves
Divine? This has been described as Empire. How much accommodation in church are accorded equal weight.
‘the feminine principle in the heart of was possible in preaching Christ’s We did not try to explore how
God’. We can recognise what is good message to the whole world? They equally longstanding superstitions
and true in both male and female were starting where people were at, concerning women’s bodily purity
(and variations thereon) because we dealing with a range of situations (literal or ritual) might still linger.
are all made in the image of God. on the ground, evolving as the
new churches grew. Salvation was It was interesting that the word
JUST THREE VERSES IN THE proclaimed to women as well as ‘misogyny’ was not canvassed, nor
men, based on the promise ‘in Christ how power relationships play out.
WHOLE BIBLE there is no longer male nor female…’ Christian women have possibly
(Galatians 3:28). In the early Church been reluctant to admit that some
We finally looked at some of the the important role of women is freely men simply do not like women
more contentious passages in the acknowledged―it was sensible and and may tend to be dismissive
New Testament, bearing in mind pragmatic. Women were generally or domineering. Yet antagonism
that they remain the authoritative encouraged and eagerly seized every towards women, and specious
canon and cannot be disregarded. opportunity to hear the word of arguments justifying it, have been a
Specifically, we discussed verses God. Language and literacy may thread throughout the history of the
prohibiting women from teaching have been barriers in some periods Church. Societal norms, economic
men, from preaching in church, and but, above all, women could see that dependency and religious practice
endorsing men having headship over they were included. consigned women to subservient
women. roles for centuries. One interesting
MORE TO BE SAID byway not explored is whether the
It was interesting that most of our veneration of female saints (safely
group had been nurtured in the We noted in passing that the most dead) appealed to generations of
evangelical tradition and were very dramatic shift towards excluding women largely devoid of live role
familiar with these injunctions. women within the Church came models in the Church.
Nonetheless, explanations about after the Emperor Constantine
the specific situations Paul was embraced Christianity as a means Yet in the Bible the whole, rich
addressing were clear to us. Ephesus of shoring up the Roman Empire. diversity of humankind is on
was a Greek town with a rampant, His move was a naked exercise in display. Women are shown as prime
female-dominated local cult to the power that seems to have ruled examples through which God’s
goddess Artemis. Old habits died out diversity in so many forms, and truth is revealed. And in revealing
hard in the new Christians, and served to prioritise maintaining the God to us, the Bible is also revealing
needed to be explicitly discouraged. status quo for the next 1,700 years. us to ourselves. It tells us who
There and elsewhere, women new we are and can become; it invites
to the faith and largely uneducated What other factors might have a us to consider a whole range of
may have needed more spiritual bearing on how ‘appropriate’ roles narratives. Are these eternal verities
direction than male converts. for women are defined within the or culturally determined behaviours?
But it is apparent there was no Church? Diffidence on the part of Are they relevant to us today?
absolute prohibition―Priscilla many women, a disinclination for Overwhelmingly, the Bible is telling
was a commanding, widely assertiveness or confrontation? us that women are included and
respected figure in the early We only touched on the ‘problem’ valued. The full range of women’s
Church. What was needed in of female sexuality. Women’s gifts and talents, no less than men’s,
specific circumstances in a given hair in most ancient and some should therefore be made available
period should not be taken to have modern cultures is not only seen and utilised by the Church. We are
universal application. Context is as sensual but a sexual organ, in fact not talking about a single
important. hence longstanding traditions for role for women but potentially
women to wear head coverings. a multiplicity of roles, including
In Paul’s epistles we sense the But within living memory, most leadership positions.
challenges facing the apostles and of our churches have dispensed
early church missionaries (a number with that requirement; clearly not In our society we are investing as
of whom were women). They were all biblical stipulations about how never before in empowering girls
reaching out to a multicultural mix

PAGE 10 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

WOMEN IN THE CHURCH: A RESPONSE continued

and young women; we are trying St James’ Organ Replacement
to do the same for women in poor & Restoration Appeal
countries around the world. Church
schools, our mission outreach, are Striving for the second million!
actively engaged in this endeavour.
Christians do have to be consistent Thanks to your generosity, the St James’ Organ Appeal has raised just over
about this message. It is deeply $1 million.A great effort!
troubling, a jarring disconnect, if Our next target is to raise $2 million by the end of 2019. Spread the word
the Church today does not reflect amongst your friends and keep up the momentum!
fundamental biblical truths about Pick up a donation form in the Baptistry or go to the Appeal website to
women’s roles. download one.

Acknowledgements Why support this appeal?

Sue Mackenzie, The Role of Women in A pipe organ plays a significant part in the life of a church and in the
the Church, St James Institute, Sydney, wider music community of the city. The new Dobson organ at St James’
2019 will be the third largest pipe organ in Sydney after the Sydney Opera
House and Sydney Town Hall.
Amy Orr-Ewing, “Isn’t the Bible Its point of difference is that, apart from its use in regular church services,
Sexist?”, Reboot Youth Apologetics it will also be available to international organists and music students for
concerts and recitals. In this way, generous donors can be assured they are
Margaret Johnston is a parishioner at St making a difference to both the cultural and spiritual life of Sydney.
James’
Visit the Appeal website: stjamesfoundationorganappeal.com.au

The St James’ Music Foundation
ABN 81 868 929 941

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 11

BROOKE SHELLEY TRIBUTES TO RUTH

THE FOLLOWING ARE TWO moved to Sydney in 2004, and be destroyed...only dimmed...and
she was referred to St James’ she believed by honouring that
PICTURES OF MUCH-LOVED by the then Dean of St Peter’s core that people, communities
Anglican Cathedral in Adelaide, and the world could be healed.
PARISHIONER, RUTH Stephen Ogden] who had
studied with [Associate Rector] She had endless hope for people,
MCCANCE, WHO DIED ON John Stewart. Peter Kurti was humanity and our planet. Many
rector when Ruth arrived, and people share this belief, but few
AN EXPEDITION IN INDIA. invited her to become part of the actually do anything about it.
Parish Council. She went to the Ruth showed us daily how it
In the November 2012 edition of AGM of St Laurence House soon could be done, through both her
Parish Connections, Karen Finch afterwards, ending up on the microscopic and macroscopic
wrote: volunteer-based Management interactions with people and
Committee, where she remained communities.
Growing up in the United for the next two years. She then
Kingdom, Ruth followed a became Vice-Chair, a position The cornerstone of Ruth’s
fairly conventional path at she held for two years, until philosophy was to honour who
school and university, and then becoming Chair. you are, and the gifts that you
intended to go on to qualify as have been given―even though
an accountant. However, a gap At St Laurence House, Ruth it may be hard to accept what
year that included travelling [was] committed to an approach these are. She did the best to
to India changed everything. which aligns to the philosophy honour hers within the many
She had what she describes and skills she [used] in her communities that loved her and
as an epiphany, realising with professional life, working with are represented here today.
certainty that her life would people to realise their greatest
take an altogether different potential and bring their Her wisdom and intellect shone
direction, although she wasn’t strengths to their personal and and, although it may be a cliché, I
certain what this would be… professional lives. think that most of you here today
Seeking further opportunities would agree that she had an old
to learn more, she left Britain for [On her own spiritual journey, soul.
Australia, destination Adelaide, Ruth said,] “The biggest
where Anglican Minister, problems we face are global During times like this, people
counsellor and therapist John E. in nature, so our thinking like to share their stories, and I
Warren, was doing pioneering and solutions have to become would like to share a beautiful
work in the field of personal global―and our sense of story from one of Ruth’s friends
development. She started community and belonging have that really sums her up:
training in transactional analysis, to be global.”
and collaborated on working I remember in particular one day…
out a system to set up national A Memorial Service for Ruth was we had just finished a few days of
competencies for psychotherapy. held at St James’ on Monday 1 July. offsite team meetings. She suggested
She began working with The following is an except from that she and I spend a day together
the long-term unemployed the tribute written by her husband, one-on-one. We took a trip to a place
and migrants, helping place Trent Goldsack. for a 2-3 hour hike. Throughout the
them with companies such as day, I went on and on (as I am likely
Westpac and Telstra. Later she You did not meet Ruth―you to do)…I was blathering about my life
joined the Australian Stock entered into a relationship with philosophy, probably trying to sound
Exchange, initially leading their her. She saw the potential in very impressive, sharing with Ruth all
public education for South everyone she met and could the people I had been reading and such.
Australia/Northern Territory, see who we all could be―her Ruth walked alongside me, occasionally
then working in the area of greatest reward was to see us be asking a question, occasionally
corporate governance and market true to ourselves. She believed encouraging us to stop for a drink or to
supervision—a crossover from that everyone had, at their core, a look at the views (most of which I had
working within the community beautiful essence that could not missed because I was stomping along in
to working within a corporate my own little world).
environment.

[Ruth and her husband, Trent,

PAGE 12 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

MCCANCE 1968-2019

Near the end of the day, when we were conveyed all that in a simple gesture Image supplied
about to get to a local place for dinner, and question!
she found a moment when I took a trying to expose her beautiful
breath and paused in my monologue This story is just one example core―and that journey and her
and she did the most remarkable of the gifts that Ruth gave to generosity is what allowed her
thing…I can still see it in my mind like it the people around her. She to be the special person that we
was happening right now. She smiled at was generous with her gifts, all knew. The path that made her
me in that arresting, ‘I am really seeing and for many of us, they were who she was is available to us all
you’ way and reached out, put her hand the greatest gifts that we had if we choose to follow it. A hard
on the middle of my chest. She didn’t received. road, but the rewards are great.
say anything at first and honestly it
caught me off guard. After a moment Gifts like this are free, and whilst I never really understood Ruth’s
or two, she asked “what’s going on in they can sometimes be very desire for nature; however, what
here?”. At this point, I had worked with hard to give―and receive―they I did understand was that being
Ruth for 7+ years and was getting used are incredibly meaningful. I in those wild natural places
to her style…less business and more remember on many occasions energised her soul. It was a core
spiritual. But this time, I wasn’t ready when I brushed one of her gifts part of her being, and a part of
and I think I wrinkled my nose and off, she would say, “That’s OK― the whole that I loved. Although
looked down at her and gave her this keep it and unwrap it when you I did not understand it, I was
sort of snort and an annoyed look…like are ready”. happy to encourage it―the
‘what the heck are you talking about delight when she came back was
and why are you interrupting my deep I know I still have a few left to enough for me.
and meaningful thoughts about myself!’. unwrap and I treasure those that
She continued to smile, put a bit more I already have. Ruth had such a deep respect
pressure on her hand so it almost for nature. Nature awed her
rocked me back on my heels and asked Ruth had her demons as we all and nourished her. Being in the
again “What’s going on in here?” do and she, like us all, battled mountains for her was being true
them daily. However, she did to herself.
I can’t say exactly why Ruth’s gesture not let them define her. For as
or question worked on me so brilliantly. long as I had known her, she was […Ruth’s] life was filled with
I know what happened next…I got really her relationships and loves,
angry and stormed off. I was filled adventures and passions.
with this intense sense of frustration,
embarrassment and confusion.

For some reason, that gesture broke
through. Of all the conversations and
hours of coaching, this was the moment
that really broke through. It started a
3-year long revival of my spiritual life
and perhaps more importantly closed
a door on a chapter of my life leading
up to that moment that was defined
by arrogance and self-absorption (I
honestly don’t know how she put up
with me for all those years before).
‘What’s going on in here?’…stop living
from your mind and your ego and start
to live from your heart and your soul…
start to live an embodied life. Become
truly part of this miraculous, messy,
animated world around you…Ruth

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 13

TRIBUTES TO RUTH MCCANCE continued

However, no matter how busy ‘On November 8, 2017 my father Ruth the singer, mountaineer,
she was, Ruth made time in the died, not before his time, but sailor, the corporate woman, my
midst of it all for pausing―for very quickly, without warning wife and my best friend is now
contemplation, and connection. and alone. And this is indeed gone, but her mark on the world
Ruth summarised the importance the heart of it all. As mortals we will endure through the positive
of this in her own words. As we know there is a final moment effect she had on all our lives. Let
move forward, we can take these in our lives: a conclusion to the us treasure the presents that we
words with us: innumerable moments we have already have open and keep safe
lived and the moment when I those we have not opened until
“The only moment we can ever most hope we can be present to the time is right.
influence in our lives is this the fullness of what it means to
moment….and the next….and the be human.’ How best to remember her? Keep
next. My capacity to live life well trying to be the person that she
therefore rests in being as alive I hope she found this place. could see we could be.
and present as I can be moment
to moment. If I am lost in anxiety
about the future or regrets about
the past, I squander the present.
With all my senses and awareness
present and with all the gifts and
love I have to share, I can shape
my life and positively affect the
lives of those around me”

Ruth also had profound thoughts

on the importance of finishing

our journey through life. As she

wrote: Image supplied

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

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]

COUNSELLING@ST JAMES’ Loretta King 8227 1300

PASTORAL CARE COORDINATOR Chris Cheetham 0407 017 377

FACILITIES MANAGER Tony Papadopoulos 8227 1312

VERGERS Gilbert Santayana/James Farrow 8227 1312/0432 879 801

PAGE 14 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

PROFILE: TOM HALLWORTH BROOKE SHELLEY

Tom, you’re our newest Choral and more difficult to find parishes Image supplied
Scholar―congratulations! that truly value the place of music
How did you find out about the in the liturgy, but this is something Is there anything you’d like
Choral Scholarship programme that I’ve found St James’ certainly to share with the Parish
here at St James’ or what brought excels at. Connections’ readers that hasn’t
you here? been covered here?
Are you a ‘church person’ and are I’d just like to add that I’m very
Thank you! I’ve always had a love there any other churches that you grateful for the choral scholarship
for choral music, particularly sacred have been a member of over the programme, and am excited to be a
music, and so have been following years? part of the parish for years to come.
the music programme here at St Brooke Shelley is Communications and
James’ for quite some time now. As I’ve spent most of my life thus far in Media Manager at St James'
someone who has sung in a few either the congregation or the choir
other choirs in and around Sydney of various churches. While growing A chorister's view of the
I’ve known a number of St James’ up, my family’s church was St Patronal Festival 10:00am Service, 28 July
choristers for quite a while, and it Anne’s Strathfield. For the last two
was mainly they who pushed me years, however, I was a part of the
into auditioning. choir at St Andrew’s Cathedral.
I’m also a choral scholar in the
What are you studying and Evensong choir at Christ Church St
where? Laurence.

I’m studying a Bachelor of Music Do you find singing in a church
(Performance) majoring in has influenced you from a faith
Classical Voice at the Sydney or spiritual perspective? If so, can
Conservatorium of Music. you share anything about that?

Do you have any future I find music’s place in worship to
aspirations? be utterly transformative, in that it
enables us to relate to spirituality
At the moment, I have a seemingly on a level that is above and beyond
quite far-off vision of moving to what words can express. Music
the UK and becoming involved has the unique ability to bring
in the Early Music and Church new meaning and understanding
Choir scene over there. I have, to a liturgy that I argue would
however, been told that in the otherwise be unobtainable. The
music industry it’s nigh impossible prime example of this I think is J.S.
to predict exactly where you’ll end Bach’s setting of the St John and
up, so for now I’m just focussing on St Matthew Passions. People often
improving myself as a singer and refer to Bach as the fifth evangelist
musician, and keeping my options because he presents the gospel
open. through a medium that seems to
speak directly to the soul.
What do you enjoy so far about St
James’? Do you have any particular (or
peculiar) interests or hobbies?
So far, I’ve found the sense of
community at St James’ to be really When I’m not playing, listening, or
lovely. It’s exciting to be part of a writing music, you’ll find me at the
parish where the choir is so warmly Dojang training in Taekwondo. In
appreciated and it’s encouraging saying that, please don’t take that
to hear from parishioners the effect as an excuse to pick a fight with me,
our music-making has on the because you will most likely win.
services. It’s sadly becoming more

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 15

COLIN’S CORNER

ERECTION OF A WAR MEMORIAL AT ST JAMES' Image: Brooke Shelley

PART 3 ‘To all who will hear comes the call of duty to God in
heaven and to man on earth.’
Following a meeting of St James’ Church parishioners
on Thursday, 11 March 1920, fundraising commenced On the former he spoke with the diffidence and
for the sum of £750, as a minimum, for the erection of a difficulty of a layman, and yet as a Churchman he
War Memorial tablet. Francis Derwent Wood, a British could not ignore the fact that people did not come to
sculptor, was to be engaged to ‘design and execute a Church in these days as they used to do. Life was too
suitable memorial in bronze to be erected on the wall of crowded; the claims of fresh air and exercise are too
the Baptistry of the Church.’1 insistent, many claiming rest and recreation as essential
after a hard week. With great diffidence he ventured to
The war memorial was unveiled by the Governor- suggest to busy people that there were early morning
General, Baron Forster, at a special service on the services in the Church, and attendance at them still left
evening of Wednesday, 14 June 1922. The following is a long day for fresh air and recreation. Of duty to man
taken from The Monthly Church Messenger, July 1922. he spoke with more confidence. We in these days had
no right to think that we could live our lives free from
THE UNVEILING OF THE all responsibility towards our brother. The world, as
WAR MEMORIAL TABLET a result of the war, was shattered and sundered, and
if we all stood aside and thought merely of our own
The service took place on June 14. The tablet was welfare or ease, the state of things was not likely to
unveiled by His Excellency the Governor-General, improve. It seemed to him that what was required of all
whose words, quoted in part below, will long be sections of the population, of everyone who cared for
remembered. Three Bishops were present, and assisted Australia, was that we in this happy land, the land of
in the service. There were also a number of visiting infinite possibilities; should join in loyal comradeship
clergy. The choir fully rose to the occasion. The and co-operation, seeking by our own effort to
Russian Contakion, sung unaccompanied from the overcome the difficulties with which we are faced. He
west end of the Church, provided a most appropriate was convinced that if that spirit was brought into the
accompaniment to the unveiling and dedication. To the midst of our difficulties, social, industrial, or political,
members of the choir, the readers, and to those who the solutions of our problems is [sic] not far distant.
shared in the arrangements of the service we offer our The men whose names were recorded on the tablet had
thanks and appreciation. The following is taken from not paused to think, when the call of duty came, ‘What
the Governor-General’s address on the occasion: about my comfort? What shall I get out of it?’ Their
answer was, ‘What can I do, and how soon can I do

PAGE 16 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

COLIN'S CORNER continued

it?’ and their spirit, that brave, splendid spirit should memorials, are located throughout the United
inspire those that were left. The spire of this Church Kingdom. The Memorial to Major General Sir John
was noted on the charts as a landmark by which ships Eardley Wilmot Inglis is in St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
coming up the harbour were able to pass safely to The Machine Gun Corps Memorial is located at Hyde
their moorings. Let the tablet within these walls serve Park Corner, London.
as a beacon, by which we, and those who come after
us, may safely shape the course of their lives. ‘Derwent Wood was commissioned to sculpt the figure
to represent Australia which is located on the east
He said he could not conclude without saying one side of the Mall Circus in front of Buckingham Palace
special word to those who mourned the brave and the Victoria Monument. This work is dated 1920.
men whose names were recorded on the tablet. He Derwent Wood includes a kangaroo, some grapes and
ventured to speak to them out of the whole and deep wool as well as the Australian Coat of Arms.’3
sympathy which was born of a kindred loss, and he
knew that the burden of grief did not become lighter George Rayner Hoff, the designer of the sculpture,
as the years passed by. There was one thing, and only Sacrifice, in the ANZACMemorial, Hyde Park, Sydney,
that, which could bring true consolation, and that studied under Derwent Wood at the Royal College of
was the thought that mere length of days counted for Art.
nothing. It was infinitely better, infinitely happier,
infinitely more merciful for anyone to live a short 1 The Monthly Church Messenger, April 1920
life, crowded with duty well done, than to live to the
uttermost length of man’s existence deaf to the call 2 and 3 Extracts from Wikipedia entry: Francis Derwent
of higher duty, and he asked them to think of those Wood
they loved as being happy beyond words. Think of
them just as they stood side-by-side in all the dust Colin Middleton is the Archives Assistant at St James’ Church.
and turmoil and the danger of the battle, so now they
stand side-by-side in all the radiance of the peace
and glory of everlasting life; and if there is one little
spark of life in the faith that we daily profess, then we
know that in the security and the happiness of the life
everlasting all is well.

~~~~~~

FRANCIS DERWENT WOOD (1871-1926)

The sculptor, Francis Derwent Wood, studied in
Germany and in London. He taught at the Glasgow
School of Art and was professor of sculpture at the
Royal College of Art from 1918 to 1923. He was elected
a member of the Royal Academy in 1920.

Too old to enlist in the Army for World War I, Image: Brooke Shelley
‘Wood volunteered in the hospital wards and his
exposure to the gruesome injuries inflicted by the
new war’s weapons eventually led him to open a
special clinic: the Masks for Facial Disfigurement
Department, located in the Third London General
Hospital, Wandsworth. Instead of the rubber masks
used conventionally, Wood constructed masks of thin
metal, sculpted to match the portraits of the men in
their pre-war normality.’2

His major works, including a number of war

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 17

LORETTA KING COUNSELLING CONNECTION:

The theme of this Parish Connections to personal alienation through We live in a world that is not always
issue is ‘spirituality’, a term generally shame or guilt and/or an alienation safe, kind, fair or just. There is
understood as a connection with from others through frustration, much suffering through corruption,
a force or power transcending the anger, resentment or a number of war, inequity, disadvantage and
self or humankind. While formal other negative emotions. In such environmental devastation (all of
religions incorporate spirituality in instances, spirituality can inspire which contribute to our current
their reverence to a higher power us to rise above our predicaments, global refugee crisis). Our prevailing
through adherence to biblical and build or restore our self-compassion socio-politico-economic paradigm
prophetic teachings, rituals and and self-esteem, and increase our based on the priorities of financial
prayer, spiritual enlightenment compassion and empathy for others success, competitiveness, having
can be as basic as having a deep and their subjective perspectives. a job (no matter, perhaps, how
sense of connectedness and wonder It can help us to forgive ourselves alienating or demeaning), and an
with nature and the universe, and others for human imperfections, accompanying discouragement of
or an empathic and intuitive and in so doing bring healing to the arts or creative pursuits through
communion with others (living our hearts and minds. Forgiving lack of government support has
or deceased). It can be harnessed others or seeking forgiveness allows led many to experience a sense of
through, for example: altruistic us to let go of self-destructive spiritual vacuity. This has resulted
beliefs and values expressed in negative emotions, whether it’s in increased mental and physical
acts of kindness, gratitude and expressed publicly or felt privately health issues, the marginalisation
charitable works; taking a walk in in our hearts. Spirituality can and neglect of the needy (the poor,
the park or other natural setting to also support us in our grief and homeless, aged, sick or disabled),
experience the beauty and mystery loss over the death of a loved and an exponential rise in suicide
of creation; spending meaningful one through mourning rituals rates and domestic and family
time with family and friends and at and prayer, and with what is violence across all demographics
community get-togethers; devoting psychologically referred to as of our population. Then there are
time to meditation or prayer; ‘hauntings’ or heartening ethereal the more embedded and somewhat
and getting involved in creative experiences connecting us to the insidious oppressions, including the
pursuits, such as writing, music/ soulful presence of the deceased. It economic and cultural devaluation
singing, art and dance. Research can bring comfort in times of other of women, discrimination against
suggests that keeping a spiritual personal losses (such as those due First Nations people and their
journal containing our thoughts, to ill-health, acts of violence, natural cultural identities, beliefs and
feelings and experiences (both disasters, a family breakup, or job values; and prejudices towards
difficult and inspirational), as well layoff) by providing strength to the LGBTQI community (often in
as our beliefs and values, hopes and endure the present and instilling the guise of ‘religious freedom’).
dreams, philosophies for living and hope for a better future. Indeed, And perhaps most critical is the
commitments for the future can be medical research affirms that
a valuable tool in nurturing spiritual unresolved loss or trauma can lead
health. Indeed, from a counselling to mental health issues, such as
perspective spirituality can play depression, anxiety, addiction, and
a vital role in a person’s mental, sadly in some cases, suicide, as
emotional and physical wellbeing, well as physical decline through
providing greater meaning and stress-related illnesses, such as heart
purpose through life’s challenges attack, stroke, cancer, or an array
and an energy and courage to move of inflammatory and auto-immune
forward with acceptance, resilience disorders. Studies also confirm that
and optimism. having a spiritual outlook during
adversity, while not always easy, can
As individuals we are subject to help us reduce our pain and suffering
social and cultural norms that through acceptance and the belief
sometimes conflict with our that all experiences are lessons and
natural dispositions, core values opportunities for personal growth
and beliefs, which can often lead and change.

PAGE 18 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

ON SPIRITUALITY AND HEALING

destructive impact of ‘business as developmental experience and course of our world from possible
usual’ and our materialistic way of building block in the human greater pains to come based on the
life on the environment, threatening capacity for emotional intelligence, mindlessly short-sighted trajectory
the extinction of so many living including qualities such as self- we are currently travelling, to
species (including us) through awareness, emotional self-regulation, a more spiritually constructive
human-accelerated global warming motivation, social skills and pathway governed by love and
and the proliferation of plastics and empathy. nurturing, repair and renewal.
other non-biodegradable poisonous
substances. Finally, the internet, Perhaps now more than ever in Loretta King is a psychotherapist,
whilst being a powerful tool for the course of human history do we counsellor and coach. She specialises
knowledge, social networking, need to turn both inwardly and in many areas of mental health and
communication of ideas and outwardly to harness the spiritual wellbeing, and works with individuals
business opportunities, often guidance, wisdom and values that of all ages, couples, families and groups.
limits real life three-dimensional can improve life for all. Perhaps She is available by appointment at
human connection—an important now is the time to change the Counselling @ St James’.

A CHORISTER'S VIEW OF THE PATRONAL FESTIVAL, 28 JULY

MILESTONES

WEDDINGS
James Alexander Brett and Deniz Kayis.............................................................................................................7 July 2019

FUNERALS
Ian Mark Gosling....................................................................................................................................................16 July 2019

MEMORIAL SERVICES
Linton Mearns Morris QC...................................................................................................................................21 June 2019
Ruth Margaret McCance........................................................................................................................................ 1 July 2019

ADVERTISING NEXT EDITION

Have you ever considered advertising your The next edition of Parish Connections will be
business in Parish Connections? published on Friday 6 October.

Please phone 8227 1300 or email Deadlines (advertising and editorial):
[email protected] for advertising design Monday 23 September. Please phone 8227
criteria, quotes and copy deadlines. 1301 or email [email protected].

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 19

WHO IS THAT RINGING IN THE BELL TOWER? JACKIE DETTMANN

CHRIS PALMER WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU RUNG
BELLS?

I’ve rung in most towers in Australia and also in
England and Canada whilst on holiday. I ring for
weddings, funerals and special occasions, such
as the opening of the Sydney law term here at St
James’, as well as at other towers in Sydney.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TOWER?

Is that a loaded question? I love ringing at St
James’ and the bells are a delight to ring. Like
Marylon Coates, our current Ringing Master,
I love the deep, sonority of heavier bells and
therefore I must say I do like the bells at St
Philips, Church Hill. They run beautifully and
they have a marvellous sound. However, that’s
not about to make me defect!

WHAT ORIGINALLY DREW YOU TO AS THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO
BELLRINGING? LEARN WITH BELLRINGING, WHAT

In the mid-1970s, a friend who attended Christ ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

Church St Laurence took me up to the ringing We have a ringing simulator which is
room of the church to watch the bells being
encouraging many of us to broaden our ringing
rung. Being a musician (I was a flute player), I
was fascinated by this unique method of music- repertoire. It is a computer programme which
allows us to ring with ringers who are never
making and decided that I would learn. Basil
Potts, who was the Tower Captain at that time, wrong and have perfect striking. I’m currently
was my teacher. What patience he had! It took working on Double Norwich Court Bob Major,
St Clements College Bob Minor, and I’d like to
me about three months to learn how to handle
a bell and ring in rounds. After that I was able tackle St James-the-Great Delight Bob Major.

to progress to method-ringing, which is a form HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE
of ringing in which we have to memorise rules MOMENTS IN YOUR BELLRINGING
for producing each change of sequence. This LIFE?

produces music which is continually changing, One of the most memorable and challenging,
but is not music as we traditionally know it. but rewarding moments in my ringing life was

WAS ST JAMES’ YOUR FIRST ringing on all 16 bells of the Swan Bells in Perth
EXPERIENCE OF RINGING CHURCH (I only rang one!). You have to hold up your bell
BELLS? on every stroke which is quite a feat. However,
the glorious sound of all 16 bells ringing out gave
No, I rang at Christ Church St Laurence until me goose bumps.
2010 when I decided to move to St James’ and

have been here ever since. During this time, I WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN NOT
have been Tower Captain and Ringing Master, RINGING BELLS?

but have now passed on those duties to others. I have a strong interest in Ancient Egypt and

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT have been studying Egyptian Hieroglyphs at
BELLRINGING NOW? Macquarie University. I am about to embark on
learning Arabic in preparation for my next trip so
I enjoy the mental challenge of learning new that I can converse with the locals.
methods and the fact that I am part of a

team. Ringing is not particularly challenging WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE RINGING
physically, although beginner ringers may
AMBITIONS?

disagree, but it is good exercise. I also enjoy I plan to ring for as long as I’m physically capable.
the camaraderie of the local and, indeed, the I’d ring for my own funeral if I could do that too!
worldwide ringing fraternity. Visiting ringers

are always made most welcome at St James’ Jackie Dettmann is Tower Captain at St James'.
and this is reciprocated when visiting other

towers. Ringing is a very sociable activity.

PAGE 20 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

The St James' Foundation Donation form for:

Christine Bishop LLB (Syd) FAICD, Chairman The St. James' Building and Property Foundation
ABN 90 665 163 627
The current Board of Directors
invites you to support the The St. James' Music Foundation
ABN 81 868 929 941
dynamic resource for St James'
by way of donation or bequest. Directors: Chairman
The St James' Foundation Limited CEO
Christine Bishop LLB (Syd) FAICD
ABN 94 087 665 192 Graham Smith
The St James' Foundation Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and is Right Reverend Richard Hurford OAM, KStJ
Robert Cameron JP
the trustee of two charitable trusts, the St James' Music Foundation Daniel Ferguson JP
and the St James' Church Building and Property Foundation. Gregory West CA
Christine Bishop LLB (Syd) FAICD (Chairman),
Name
Graham Smith (CEO), Right Reverend Richard Hurford OAM KStJ, Phone
Robert Cameron JP, Daniel Ferguson JP and Gregory West CA
are directors of the Foundation. Mobile

The St James' Music Foundation Address
ABN 81 868 929 941
The object of the Music Foundation is: •·····......................................... Postcode .....................
To provide financial and other assistance to enable the production
and performance of sacred and secular music with a particular focus on Email

choral and pipe organ music along with other expressions of the Please accept my donation to the
creative and performing arts. Capital Fund of the Music Foundation

The Music Foundation allows two kinds of donations; those towards $ ...............................
the capital fund, which is invested to provide annual distributions to the
Parish. The second kind of donation can be to particular reserves, like the Please accept my donation to the
organ restoration/rebuilding fund, scholarships, production of CDs or Current Activities Fund of the
other reserves that meet with the requirements of the Foundation and the Music Foundation
needs of the Parish. Donations to the Music Foundation are tax deductible.
$ ...............................
The St James' Church Building and
Property Foundation Please accept my donation to the
Organ Replacement & Restoration Fund
ABN 90 665 163 627 of the Music Foundation
The object of the Building and Property Foundation is to provide
financial assistance to St James for the restoration, preservation, $ ...............................
maintenance, improvement, enhancement and upkeep of the Church
building, its fixtures, fittings and ornaments. The Building Foundation Please accept my donation to the
is principally a capital fund, the income of which is distributed to the Capital Fund of the Building Foundation
parish. Donations to the Building Foundation are not tax deductible.
The two Foundations have provided well over two million dollars, in $ ............................... □

distributions to the Parish of St James over the past 13 years. Please draw cheques to the
St James' Music Foundation or
The St James' Building Foundation and forward to:
The Treasurer, Unit 2702/5 York St, Sydney 2000

□OR

Direct Bank Transfer (electronic payment) to:
WBC- BSB 032 007 / Acc. No.181314
□ DOR

Please debit my: visa Mastercard
Card No.

Exp. Date /............................ ............................

□Signature .....................................................................................

Please send me information (to the above address) of how I
might include a bequest for The St. James' Music
Foundation or The St. James' Building Foundation in my will.
All donations to The St. James' Music Foundation
over $2.00 are tax deductible.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 21

THE ST JAMES' 'DIASPORA': KATE ROSS'S ORDINATION

Parishioner and server, Kate Ross, was ordained Deacon at St John’s Cathedral Brisbane on 28 June 2019, and
a number of parish representatives travelled to the Sunshine State to show their support. For background
information on Kate, read her article in the February/March 2019 edition of Parish Connections.

Clockwise from left: Kate with Archbishop Phillip Aspinall; the Ordination
Service; Chris Cheetham, Kate, and David McQuoid; Fr Andrew and Kate
after the service; a Home Communion set presented to Kate from the Parish
of St James'.

PAGE 22 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

BROOKE SHELLEY MACQUARIE PRECINCT:
Hyde Park Barracks
Many of the historic buildings
in the Macquarie precinct are 1848, it sheltered immigrant girls Image: Christopher Waterhouse
celebrating their bicentenary, and and young women and cared
we were delighted to take part in a for older, sick and poor women. visitor experience like no other
media event for Hyde Park Barracks Once a place of control, fear in Australia. This bold new
on 4 June. The Choir sang convict and brutality, the barracks later project employs the best in
songs whilst ‘12 Fort Street Public became a place of shelter and contemporary museum design,
School students, in convict replica hope. offering visitors an authentic,
shirts, joined Her Excellency the emotionally moving and
Honourable Margaret Beazley Today, 200 years after the first memorable experience.
AO, QC, Governor of New South convicts moved in, the barracks
Wales in sharing a simple meal is now a museum offering Hyde Park Barracks Museum is
of roast beef, plum pudding and visitors an extraordinary living currently closed for the renewal
punch inspired by the one hosted record of early Australia. The work and will reopen in early
by Governor Lachlan Macquarie collection is considered one of 2020.
for 589 male convicts 200 years the best preserved examples
ago. It was an auspicious occasion of materials representing 1 https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.
being the Birthday of King George 19th century institutional life au/2019/06/04/re-enactment-marks-200th-
III which was celebrated as a public anywhere in the world. anniversary-barracks
holiday.’1
Hyde Park Barracks Museum is
On their website, Sydney Living currently undergoing a major
Museums further writes: renewal that will see the site
transformed with a rich, new
UNESCO World Heritage listed,
Hyde Park Barracks is one of the
most significant convict sites
in the world. Commissioned by
Governor Lachlan Macquarie
in 1817, the building, designed
by convict architect Francis
Greenway, took two years to
build and was as remarkable
then as it is now.

Originally built to accommodate
male convicts, the barracks had
far-reaching impact from 1830
as the administrative hub of the
colony’s convict system. After

Image: Christopher Waterhouse Fr Andrew Sempell, Naseema Sparks AM (Chair, SLM Trust),
and Christopher Waterhouse

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 23

ELAINE FARMER A PREACHER'S

The American Episcopal Church met a layman who said he knew because I saw a lot more that day
priest and renowned preacher who I was because I’d preached at than the positive power of oratory.
Barbara Brown Taylor calls his church. He then proceeded to I saw in him faults and flaws, an
preaching a foolhardy exercise. tell me what I’d said. Surprised and arrogant turn of the head, the
“Who will volunteer to conduct intrigued, I later checked my files deliberate management of his body,
lightning from heaven to earth?” she and discovered he was right. He’d and of his audience. I saw in myself
asks. “Who will offer a guided tour remembered precisely what I’d said the faults and flaws of my father
through the beating heart of God?”1 but it was eight years since I’d been and I did not like what I saw.
It’s the kind of commentary with to that parish. Perhaps, I thought,
which it’s impossible to disagree perhaps I’m learning something. Is Revelation. We go through our
once you have some skin in the this a voice to which I should listen? lives discovering ourselves and it’s
preaching game. Then hindsight not always a pleasant experience.
can spot the folly and arrogance A second experience a few years On that day of my father’s funeral, it
of speaking “in the name of God, later was even more startling was confronting. To see a gift, to see
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” but, and made me wonder whether it come from an unwanted source,
at the beginning, passionate a-voice-to-listen-to-or-not had and to accept it, is challenging but,
enthusiasm can easily be blinding. turned into a-finger-in-the-back. if anything is the preacher’s raison
This time it was after my father’s d’être, it is that message: that life can
When I first offered for ordained funeral. Our gathered family was come from death, from the grave,
ministry I was full of enthusiasm watching a video of my father which is the whole point of the
but had given little thought to giving an address at the dedication death and resurrection story of the
preaching. As a new theological of the Tobruk War Memorial in Christ. A beautiful and powerful
student, I was horrified to see Canberra. He’d been a barrister metaphor, and that afternoon it
my name on a preaching roster. I and reputedly a stellar courtroom played itself out for me. I was being
knew nothing; mine was the Voice orator. I could see the orator in shown what gifts I had been given:
of Ignorance and surely allowing him. He was almost eighty-four at the talent to spin words, and the
that into the pulpit was a violation the time but his tone was powerful, talent to utter them effectively. I
of something. My first sermon focused, steady, unhurried. Well- knew I was being challenged to
was hardly a promising start. Not chosen words, structure tight and stop hand-wringing about what I
indigestible, but not especially controlled. Working his audience, might have wanted to do and get
inspiring. It resonated with the commanding their attention. The on with what I was being shown I
words and tones of my then man was really good. As I watched could do. Bring words, their poetic
preaching hero, Bishop Richard I could barely breathe. I realised I beauty, and their dramatic capacity,
Holloway. What possessed me to was watching myself. I could see into the pulpit. To orate.
choose the first verses of Psalm 69 the tricks of the rhetorical trade,
is a mystery but save me, O God, for the command, the measuring of Yeats talks about ‘heart mysteries’
the waters have come up to my neck, I sink emotion. I had not loved this man, and that to find ourselves we ‘must
in deep mire says quite a bit about my did not want to be like him. His life lie down where all the ladders start,
thinking at the time. broken by war, his heartache had in the foul rag-and-bone shop of the
turned to tyranny and rage and had heart’.2 When things don’t turn out
I did not set out to specialise in blighted my childhood and a good
preaching. I set out to be a regular many years beyond. Yet, on that day
parish priest. But my path in when we buried him, I saw talent in
ordained ministry turned out to be him I had not known I’d inherited. I
potholed and rocky, with wrong found a part of myself.
turns and dead ends. I gained
valuable experience but it all There was nothing sentimental
seemed directionless and without about that experience. My father
a clear framework. Until a curious was dead and I could not tell him
incident raised questions and my of my discovery. But nor was
eyebrows. At a diocesan synod, I that discovery the stuff of vanity,

1 Barbara Brown Taylor, When God is Silent, Cowley Publications, Cambridge, MA, 1998. p.86
2 William Butler Yeats, The Circus Animals’ Desertion

PAGE 24 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

PROGRESS

as we’d hoped or expected, we do Preaching at Christ and of the grace and strength
have to try to get over ourselves and St Thomas Church Fifth Avenue of our God, not of myself. My
find hope in new directions. So it preacher’s progress has taken me
was for me anyway. I decided it was Friends help you grow. You see to tiny country churches with only
up to me not to miss the moment by yourself reflected in their eyes, you one or two faithful souls to hear
hankering over things that would hear your own words through their what I might say of their God, to
not be. I did not want to be Miss ears, and what you see and hear is sundry cathedrals, to Westminster
Haversham, buried in dead dreams, part of the honing of the art and Abbey, to wonderful parishes
ossified in inconsolable sobbing craft of the pulpit. Without such like St James’ King Street and
grief, trailing through my days in lessons sermons become stale, Christ Church St Laurence here
irrelevance, torn lace and spider incapable of stirring even the dust in Sydney, and St Thomas Church
webs. Just so was ‘the preacher lady’ motes among the pews. I had to Fifth Avenue and The Little Church
born, and my preacher’s progress learn, as does every preacher, the Around the Corner in New York,
begun. truth of the words Cardinal John and to remote mountain gatherings
Henry Newman made his own, where words about God had not
There are a number of important cor ad cor loquitur. ‘Heart speaks to been delivered by a woman before.
points to make about such a self- heart’. My friends have taught me I am deeply grateful for the grace,
determined path. First, it would that in those words lie a preacher’s respect and affection I have been
indeed be arrogance and folly to integrity even if adopting them offered in all those places.
think this progress a solitary one. means painful, pesky vulnerability.
The Christian faith says we are There is a lovely poem by R. S.
not alone whatever we do with It makes for mess. And loneliness Thomas, The Country Clergy, which
our lives. The psalmist’s prayer of at times. All preachers know their is a reminder that, whether in the
thanksgiving, ‘Our help is in the name of sermons are only completed in the service of God and the Church
the Lord, who made heaven and earth’3, is hearts of those who hear them and we scale great episcopal heights
for me not an idle catch cry. Second, that’s a lot of ‘incompleteness’ with or labour unnoticed in forgotten
a preacher has one context, the which to live. Like every preacher, corners of the church’s world, it’s
Church, regardless of occasions I’ve had to learn to live with the all one to God. Thomas’ words
which may be in non-church reality of layers of meaning in that about dedicated priests are not only
settings. And regardless of whether medieval metaphor, ‘the cloud of a reminder of calling but a relief
we may want at times to take up the unknowing’. in the face of another preacher’s
cry of Michael Ramsay, sometime reality: you can never get it right.
Archbishop of Canterbury: “I Finally, it would also be arrogance No preacher—no matter how
hate the Church!” Institutional and folly to think my preacher’s dedicated—has the last word in her
grace is not always easy to see but progress has been for its own sake, chosen field. The last word is God’s.
institutional presence is the sine qua its achievements personal and to be Thomas puts it this way:
non of preachers. admired. My job is to speak of the
They left no books,
On the other hand, third point, Memorial to their lonely thought
trusting in divine grace alone does In grey parishes; rather they wrote
not mean preachers do not need On men’s hearts and in the minds
the support and encouragement of Of young children sublime words
family and friends. Going it alone Too soon forgotten. God in his time
is another arrogance and folly, Or out of time will correct this.
and I could not have survived as a
preacher without that support from As ‘the preacher lady’, I hope I’ve
so many people—clergy and lay— left a few words behind of which
and many of them in this parish. God might say, “They’ll do”.
They have spurred me on with
affirmation and healthy critique as The Rev’d Elaine Farmer is a Priest in a
I’ve learned my craft as a preacher. Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn and is
presenting at the St James’ Institute on
3 Psalm 124:8 Saturday, 10 August. See page 35.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 25

BOOK REVIEWPROFESSOR PHILLIP JONES

A History of the Bible The Book and Its Faiths

by John Barton
(London: Allen Lane 2019, ISBN 978-0-241-00391-6)

It should cause no surprise to happily, imbued with the best of practice, especially for Christians
view the Bible as the foundation Anglican sensibility (Barton being but also for adherents of Judäism
of Christian faith and practice. Yet both an Oxford don and Anglican and Islam. Sadly, Barton has little
Christian believers differ markedly priest). He provides the reader with to say about the overlap between
in how they regard, speak of and rich means of reading the Bible biblical texts and the Koran, but
apply their proclaimed sacred and of grasping something of the his treatment of the role of the
text. More than this, not all Bible’s impact on the world down Old Testament as the sacred text
would concede the pronounced through the centuries. The status of of Judäism is enlightening. Barton
gap between organised systems the Bible and its authority are key explores how, for the Christian,
of Christian belief and what is concerns, as are the ever-changing the Old Testament boils down to
contained in the Bible. grounds for deeming the Bible to be an account of how the fall led to
the word of God. redemption, a story culminating of
Is this a shocking claim? What course with Jesus and the accounts
happens as soon as Christian Barton is interested in how of the New Testament. For the Jew,
faith and practice are deemed the texts constituting what the Old Testament is, says Barton, a
to be grounded in not only the we know to be the Bible came foundation for knowing the world
Bible but also other things, often into existence―over several and living in it, essentially ‘torah’, a
the products of history―culture, hundred years up until the second form of instruction with the status
politics and aesthetics at the century AD―and in how the of law. These are fundamentally
very least―or perhaps some Bible continued to develop since different readings of the same body
combination of Scripture, tradition that time, especially through of work.
and reason as is frequently heard tweaking what content was ‘in’
in Anglican circles? What does or ‘out’, continual translations, A major contribution of this book is
this do to the Bible’s status and evolving interpretations and fresh its insight into four broad literary
to how believers―both organised applications. genres that make up much of the
Christianity and individuals― Old Testament, which sequentially
might best relate to it? Those fresh applications include provide key insights into how the
the story of how the Bible has― text might be read and interpreted,
To unpack the Bible’s ‘foundational over many centuries―emerged each demanding its own kind of
status’ is a complex undertaking, as a central pillar of western approach and response. Having
one that would take some who culture, literature and thought, in explored the origins of the Old
cherish the Bible into territory they spheres that go well beyond the Testament and how it developed
would very much prefer to avoid. boundaries of organised religion.
Those who maintain that their Barton almost seems pleased that
belief system―in its entirety―is in today’s vernacular we hear such
grounded in biblical ‘truth’ would commonplace phrases as ‘the skin
find it difficult to have that claim of my teeth’ (Job 19:20), ‘three score
validated by an impartial referee. years and ten’ (Psalm 90:10), ‘the
That referee would point to key salt of the earth’ (Matthew 5:13),
things that underpin patterns of ‘pearls before swine’ (Matthew 7:6)
belief and practice that are nowhere and ‘the powers that be’ (Romans
to be found in Scripture, as well 13:1), even if some might think of
as parts of Scripture that are William Shakespeare as a more
conveniently set aside. likely source.

John Barton has produced a The other part of the applications
magisterial, epic volume, grounded story concerns how the Bible has
in impeccable scholarship and, variously related to belief and

PAGE 26 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

over several centuries, Barton debates over textual variations which that faith must necessarily
introduces us to the genres of and translations reflected parallel appeal. That interplay―between
prose narrative (outlining the early changes in organised Christianity, faith and the Bible, always located
history of Israel), the genres of law and of course the multitude of within historical time and place―
and wisdom (outlining guidelines interpretations of biblical texts is essentially what this hugely
for living), the genres of prophecy, down the centuries to our own informative and readable history is
and those of psalmody and other day. At all points, the key problem all about.
poems. It is wonderful how for Barton is not simply a matter of
Barton brings the Old Testament what status the Bible might have for Phillip Jones is a parishioner of St James’
to life, including difficult even Christians. Rather, he has opted to Church, King Street, Sydney
impenetrable parts. His exploration unravel the ‘authority’ of the Bible:
of the book of Isaiah is simply what does authority in this context EDITORIAL
terrific, a good example of how mean, for both belief and practice? POLICY
Barton helps provide the tools It is a long and involved story, one
necessary for understanding the that tells us much about the history We aim to publish a wide
huge range of literary approaches of the Church itself. range of views and opinions
embodied in the Old Testament. in this magazine. Publication
Then there is the matter of (divine) should therefore not be read
Of necessity, the New Testament inspiration. What meanings come as St James’, the Rector,
letters (epistles) are dealt with to the surface here, what are their Parish Council, staff or
before the discussion of the origins, and what assumptions parishioners necessarily
gospels (written subsequently), underpin them? What uses―and endorsing or approving any
and Barton brings to life the abuses―of the Bible have arisen particular view or opinion.
relationship between the two. over claims of divine inspiration?
More than this, he succeeds in For some, the existence of CLARIFICATION
highlighting the contrast between numerous translations into English
the Old Testament (constituting prompts a need to unflinchingly Parish Connections makes it clear
the documents of a nation) and defend that version deemed to that it does not impute any
the New (documents of a small, comprise the very words of God dishonesty or lack of integrity
emerging sect). (the King James Version apparently on the part of Archbishop
winning the prize). Glenn Davies that may have
Justice cannot be done here to been implied in the article
how Barton outlines the history of All of this―and very much more― ‘Has the Penny Dropped?’ in
the Bible since the second century constitutes a compelling, hugely the April-May edition of the
AD. Formal decisions needed to informative and provocative magazine.
be made concerning which texts ‘history’ of the Bible. John Barton
were to be included or excluded, presents us with the challenge
how their official status was to faced when faith is not exactly
be described, how centuries-long mapped out onto the Scriptures to

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 27

CHRISTOPHER PREACHER PROFILE:
WATERHOUSE

Congratulations on your The school, which is certainly one of
appointment as Dean of Divinity the most academically ambitious in
at Magdalen College, Oxford. the city, has a sizable student body
Could you tell us a little about the and its own Chaplain, which leaves
College and your new role? me to look after the undergraduates,
Fellows and staff in the College.
It seems to be a rule of thumb Having said that, I will certainly
in Oxbridge for people to be getting to know the choristers
greet newcomers with words and their families, and encouraging
of ‘congratulations’ rather than their involvement in the life of the
words of ‘welcome’, but I accept Chapel.
them gladly all the same, knowing
that it’s well intended! My job You’ve recently published your Sydney and Edinburgh, it’s hard
description tells me that ‘The Dean first book (congratulations!): for me to take a strong view on
of Divinity acts as a pastoral adviser Donald MacKinnon’s Theology: To the famous rivalry, or to be overly
to the whole College community Perceive Tragedy Without the Loss of invested in it. At this point in time,
of staff, students and academics’ Hope. This is an extension of your I seem to have convinced both sides
and that I am ‘responsible for all PhD thesis. What led you to that I support their team in the
services in the College Chapel.’ study MacKinnon’s theology? boat race and I’m happy to leave it
There are around 600 students in at that!
the College, 71 academics, 130 staff Donald MacKinnon was a teacher
and 14 services in the chapel per of Bishop Rowan Williams Oxford is home to three Anglican
week in Term time. The College in Cambridge, so it’s through seminaries: St Stephen’s House,
Chapel is a 15th century building reading the latter that I came Wycliffe Hall and Ripon College
with 19th century furnishings, and to be interested in the former. Cuddesdon. Will you have much
our worship bears the imprint of MacKinnon was also an early to do with the vocations and
the Oxford Movement or Catholic influence on some of my favourite training of new clergy?
Revival in the Church of England. female philosophers, including Iris
Like St James’, we are in need of a Murdoch, Philippa Foot and Mary
new organ! Midgley.

Magdalen has a fine choir of men What lies at the heart of In Cambridge, I was fortunate to
and boys, as well as a mixed voice MacKinnon’s theology? be a Tutor at Westcott House, in
choir that sing on Saturdays. addition to my role as Chaplain at
There are choral services In a word, Christ. MacKinnon was Trinity College. This meant that
every day of the week during a key voice in the revitalisation of I was charged with encouraging
Term, plus Morning Prayer on British theology after the trauma of and supporting 12 ordinands, and
weekdays. How many clergy the Second World War. He was an reporting on their progress at the
assist with all these services, or apt interpreter of the philosophical end of each year to their respective
do you have to do it all yourself? and political trends of the time, Bishops. It was a privilege to
attempting to articulate a way meet each of them weekly, being
It’s a busy schedule and I’m assisted forward for the church that avoided part of their academic, pastoral
by 3-4 other clergy from central fundamentalism or the watering- and spiritual development in the
Oxford, who generously volunteer down of key elements of faith. lead-up to ordination. Here at
to take services from time to time. Magdalen, we often have ordinands
For most weeks of Academic Term, For the past few years you’ve ‘on placement’ in the Chapel from
I’ll be in the Chapel 5 nights per been Chaplain of Trinity College, the local Colleges, and I’d be keen
week taking services. Cambridge. There are rumours of to explore other ways to encourage
a fierce rivalry between Oxford the training and formation of new
The boys attend the Magdalen and Cambridge―is that true? clergy as time permits.
School over the road; does your You’ll need to learn to punt from
role involve some chaplaincy to the other end, of course. What are you looking forward to
the school? most about your new role?
As a proud Australian, educated in

PAGE 28 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

ANDREW BOWYER

Two things that won’t surprise you: was quickly absorbed into the (very

the first is having the privilege of active!) social life of the community. JOKE SPOT

hearing sacred music each day in I think of St James’ as a place where One night a lady came home
from her weekly prayer
its intended setting, by passionate my vocation was stress-tested meeting. She found that
she was being robbed, and
and talented musicians. Secondly, I and beautifully affirmed, and she shouted out, ‘Acts 2:38:
“Repent and be baptized and
savour the opportunity to share the more importantly, a place where your sins will be forgiven.”’

ups-and-downs of the university year the sorrows and joys of many The robber quickly gave up
and the lady rang the police.
with the undergraduate students. extraordinary people are brought While handcuffing the
criminal, a policeman asked,
It’s a time of life where they are to the heart of God in worship each "Gee, mate, how come you
gave up so quickly?"
making big transitions, asking week.
The robber replied, "She said she
serious questions, and considering The Rev’d Dr Andrew Bowyer will preach had an axe and two 38's!"
vocational decisions. As a priest, it’s at St James’ King Street on Sunday 18
always a great honour and joy to be August 2019.
welcomed into people’s lives, even if

it’s just for one phase of many. Christopher Waterhouse is Director of the

When you’re not publishing books, St James’Institute.

writing sermons, leading services

or training new clergy, do you get

any time to yourself? How do you

like to unwind?

Well, a certain parishioner of St Friday 15 November 2019
James’ King Street took me along
to the Sydney Theatre Company Bicentenary Gala Dinner
numerous times during my stint
there, and the habit has stuck! I’m Guest Speaker:
often on the train to London to see a Sir Andrew Davis CBE
play at the Old Vic or Shakespeare’s
Globe. Otherwise, I read novels, visit Marking the beginning of
friends dispersed around the world, St James’ Bicentenary celebrations,
and walk in the countryside. this Gala Dinner will raise funds for

You’re remembered with great the St James’ Organ Appeal
fondness at St James’ from your
time as our Assistant Priest here. If you would like to receive a
We are enormously proud of all Save the date card and would like
your achievements. Could you say to be put on the mailing list for an
something about your time here invitation to this once-in-a-lifetime
and the part that St James’ played
in your formation? experience, please email
[email protected]
I will always remember the clergy
and congregation of St James’ with Funds raised through
fondness and thanksgiving. I arrived The St James’ Music Foundation
in 2010 as a naive curate who’d done
a year of ministry in rural NSW fresh ABN 81 868 929 941
out of Theological College. I had a lot
to learn about myself, the liturgy and
what it meant to be a priest. St James’
was a place where I felt able to grow
in confidence, hand-in-hand with
supportive colleagues, and where I

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 29

CATHERINE EATON BENEDICTINE

INTRODUCTION is a deep compassion, and a clear- THE RULE FOR TODAY
eyed realism about human nature.
Benedict of Nursia (c.480-547) The Rule of Benedict offers many
lived during the disintegration As traditional monastic insights for Australia today. We
of the Roman Empire and the communities dwindle in size and could consider:
upheavals of the 6th century. As a influence, and as Benedict and
young man he fled the decadence his Rule fade into the shadows • what the Rule has to teach
he saw around him to take up of Christian relevance, it seems us about hospitality, and
residence as a solitary in a cave timely to look again at this little the implications for how we
in Subiaco. As others sought to guidebook for community life welcome refugees.
join him, he established a basis which effectively rescued the
for monastic life, which was to church and changed the course of • what Benedict has to tell
become a model for communities European history. us about the sacredness
for centuries to come. of everything, and the
It is significant that the new implications for how we are
Benedict’s Rule drew upon existing monastic community of St Anselm treating the planet including
Rules of his day but brought in Lambeth is largely based on our Australian environment.
fresh balance to monastic life. He Benedictine spirituality, and
referred to his Rule as ‘a little rule through it, is introducing young • Benedict’s emphasis on
for beginners’. While the Rule is people to the gifts of silence, a daily humility, and where that fits
firm, and quite specific in some of rhythm of prayer, and shared life with a culture of selfies and
its practical demands, underlying it and work in community. self-aggrandisement.

St Benedict delivering his Rule to St Maurus. Image: Wikimedia Commons

PAGE 30 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

SPIRITUALITY - A CALL FOR OUR DAY

• Benedictine simplicity, and Benedict makes clear such people abuse, and distorted and self-
what that has to say to our are fundamental to the health of seeking authority. Yet, it is our loss
materialistic culture. any community. In chapter 46 he of reverent obedience to the truth
refers to ‘…….the spiritual elders, in which we dwell, and which
• Benedict’s desire to include who know how to heal their own dwells in us, that has left us so
the views of all, and the wounds as well as those of others.’2 at risk now, in our fractured and
implications for our current insecure national life.
patterns of government. Benedictine spirituality calls us to
that inner work, to conversion of We forget that the word ‘obedience’
• Benedict’s insistence on life, from the inside out. has its roots in the language of
restraint of speech, in a climate ‘hearing’ [ob audire, from the Latin
when freedom of speech is the Joan Chittister writes, ‘He wanted ob, meaning ‘in the direction of’ and
hot topic. people to work skilfully with the audire, ‘to hear’].
souls of others….and to treat their
• the Benedictine commitment to wounds well.’3 Australia needs from Benedictine
provide according to need, in the life a new understanding of, and
context of Australia’s slowness While not overtly stated in the acquaintance with, healthy
to endorse a living wage. Rule, Benedictine spirituality calls obedience―that deep listening to
us to listen to ourselves, to attend the truth that comes to us from
• Benedict’s care for the most to our wounds, and to find our the communities of which we are a
vulnerable, the young and truth through humility, compassion, part―the community of the earth
the old, in a time of Royal restraint of speech, and balance in and its creatures, the communities
Commissions into abuse. our lives. Benedict is well aware that of human encounter―family and
in living with others, especially in the church, neighbourhood and nation,
And the list could go on. tensions we experience, we discover the community of God in Trinity,
ourselves, especially those parts of and the community which exists
However, perhaps Benedict’s ourselves we disown or deny. within us, the different voices that
most important gifts for us today vie for our attention.
remain the three fundamentals of The balance of work, study and
Benedictine life―the commitment prayer built into the Rule ensures While we cannot say a lot here,
to obedience, conversion of life people cannot escape the inner life obedience, as the Rule stresses, is
through fidelity to monastic life, and the divine interactions, while born of the twin arts of listening
and stability.1 keeping them grounded in the and humility.
ordinary tasks of daily life.
CONVERSION OF LIFE Obedience is not about slavish duty
Benedictine life teaches us how to some human authority, but about
At a time when public and private to be human at a time when the our capacity to bend the ear to
discourse are too often marked by boundaries of our humanity are listen, and incline the heart to hear
projections of anger, fear and loss up for question. The Rule sets up and respond to the truth hidden
of truth, when the demands of life the conditions for us to deepen below the surface of things.
keep us extroverted and uncentred, our humanity in company with
when depression and mental illness others. It creates for us the path ‘Listen’, begins Benedict’s Rule,
reveal something of our disconnect to incarnation, to become those ‘with the ear of your heart.4
from ourselves and our reality, integrated and grace-filled human
when a culture of blame and shame beings, who signal the indwelling of Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr, some
too easily remove from us some the Christ, of God’s very self. years ago, introduced us to the deep
basic elements of self-responsibility, listening known to indigenous
when image rules, Australia OBEDIENCE people―Dadirri, that inner
needs wise women and men who stillness that enables one to listen
know how to navigate the inner The second pillar of Benedictine life to land and to community.5
landscape, who have attended to is obedience.
their souls, met their shadows, and That is the deep listening Benedict
found a way to heal the wounds of Today the word ‘obedience’ evokes calls us to. But listening, and the
their lives. a kind of horror, with all its echoes obedience of response, depends also
of misuse of power, submission,

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 31

BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY continued

on humility. Benedict devotes the communities to put down roots, begin to transform the worlds
longest chapter in the Rule (7) to to hold steady as anchor points around them, communities who
humility. for a world always on the move, hold the pools of silence for us, who
skimming over the surface and keep peace before them, who refuse
To listen, we must put aside never finding home. to let the shadows of the human
our preoccupations, our private soul dim the light of Christ, and
agendas and hidden needs. We Benedictine stability shows us who recognise their one-ness with
must choose to literally bend the importance of staying long all creation.
our ear and incline our hearts―a enough, waiting with our pains,
physical act, in a way, of making uncertainties and discomforts, CONCLUSION
ourselves less, in order to create a committing ourselves to the people
safe and open space for the word of who unsettle us and alert us to our As Joan Chittister writes, ‘To
the other. It is a humility we choose, sharp edges and long-held hurts. pursue a Benedictine spirituality,
not something imposed, and it is we must carry our part of the
our gift to the one who speaks, the Benedictine stability holds us in the human race, ………….We are to be
one who seeks to bring something present, eyes open to reality, even people who see the globe through
of their truth to us. as everything in us wants to escape. eyes softened by the gospel. We
are to see change and challenge
Chittister writes,‘If the modern age Benedictine stability refuses to let in life as God’s voice in our ears.
has lost anything that needs to be us avoid the difficult conversations Benedictine spirituality goes into
rediscovered, if the Western world needed for reconciliation, and the the heart of what it means to
has denied anything that needs complex discussions necessary for embrace the world.’7
to be owned, if individuals have the hard decisions.
rejected anything that needs to be Australia needs people formed by
professed again, if the preservation Staying in place, grounded where Benedictine spirituality who can
of the globe in the 21st century we have been planted, in ordinary hold those centres of transformative
requires anything of the past at all, everyday reality, gives space space, who know how to tend our
it may well be the commitment of and time for incarnation, the fragile humanity, and who share in
the Rule of Benedict to humility.’6 transformation of life, and the birth the mutual obedience that comes
of the new. from love and the truth which
We need to learn the ways of rises up within us and from our
obedience as Australians, the While we read the Rule with the wounded world.
ways of obedience to country, to formation of the individual and the
community, to the cries within gathered community in mind, it is Catherine Eaton is an Oblate of the
us, listening for the truths which clear that what happens within Benedictine Abbey at Jamberoo and an
call to us, and responding with them has effects more broadly on the Anglican Priest.
a humility that recognises our communities and world around them.
essential connection to all people This has been adapted from an
and all creation. The places of peace, centres of address to the Benedictine Union,
stillness, and groundings for ‘What do Benedictines have to offer
STABILITY truth, which we hold, have effects Australia today?’, June 2019
which we have no knowledge of,
The challenge of Benedictine well beyond our own homes, our 1 Joan Chittister, The Rule of Benedict (ch.58),
wisdom is perhaps most profoundly churches and monastic settings. Crossroad, New York. 2010, p.249
seen today in its call to stability. Recognising that the work we do
on ourselves and the quality of our 2 Joan Chittister, The Rule of Benedict, op.cit.
We are a nation of escapists― community life and our prayer are p.207
avoiding our dark history, the less for ourselves than for the world
poverty, homelessness and in which we are planted, gives us a 3 Ibid. p.207
loneliness on our doorsteps, and the greater sense of responsibility.
deeper call of our souls. 4 Ibid. p.3
Australia needs communities
The Benedictine commitment which, by their very presence, their 5 Eugene Stockton, The Aboriginal Gift,
to stability allows people and integrity, and their prayer, can Millennium Books, Austraila, 1995, p.104

6 Joan Chittister, op.cit. p.76

7 Ibid. p.250

PAGE 32 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

ETON CHOIRBOOK JAMES BALFOUR
BROOKE SHELLEY

The Eton Choirbook is one of the most significant
sources of early Western music available to us
today. This is a large, richly illuminated manuscript
of English sacred music, dating from the beginning
of the 16th century (1500-1504), and is one of only
three Latin liturgical music sources to have survived
the Reformation, and the only one still housed in its
original institution.

The King’s College of our Lady of Eton beside Windsor
was founded in 1440 by Henry VI, and in addition to
the school had almshouses and a Marian Chantry. Its
sister college at Cambridge was founded the following
year. Back in the 15th and 16th century, music played an
important part in the worship at the College’s Chapel,
with the Choirbook sitting on a large lectern around
which the members of the choir sang. When looking at
the manuscript, you will see that the music is separated
so the singers could fit around the book and easily read
their part.

The Eton College website describes the Choirbook’s
ritual significance:

The Eton Choirbook embodies the rituals and
practice of Eton College Chapel as a popular
pilgrimage site at the height of pre-Reformation
piety. It supplied music for the Salve ceremony, a

ritual of prayer and singing before the statue of
the Blessed Virgin that was performed at sunset
in towns and cities across Catholic Christendom…
The Salve ceremony was relatively simple worship
to which increasingly sophisticated music was
dedicated; as such it accommodated both lay and
clerical participants, rich and poor, active and
passive engagement.

In 2018, the Eton Choirbook became the first music
manuscript to be inscribed in the UK UNESCO
Memory of the World Register.

The Choirbook contained 93 pieces of music by 24
composers, but a significant portion of these works has
been damaged or is incomplete. It provides an overview
of the development of polyphony during the 15th and
early 16th centuries, showing three distinct phases.
Broadly, these are:

Phase 1: polyphonic but non-imitative, with
alternating full and reduced-voice sections.

Phase 2: polyphonic with use of imitation, cantus
firmus techniques (where the notes of a plainchant

James Balfour at Eton College, aged 18

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 33

are lengthened and used as a basis for the music), Detail of the alto part of Cornysh's Salve Regina
and the distinct Tudor characteristic of false-
relations (where two melodic lines deliberately The sumptuous music contained in the Eton
clash). Choirbook is almost exclusively Marian and is
typically quite complex and large-scale. As we
Phase 3: polyphonic with use of imitation but no celebrate Mary, Mother of our Lord, at the Choral
cantus firmus techniques. The sound of the music in Eucharist on Sunday 18 August, we are presented with
this phase is considered to be more ‘Continental’. the ideal opportunity to sing William Cornyshe’s
Salve Regina, a short extract of which we sang at our
Old Etonian and long-time parishioner at St Patronal Festival Evensong. In addition to Marian
James’, James Balfour, has generously given a copy Feast Days, the music is ideally suited to concert
of the manuscript to the Parish, which has been performance, and I relish the prospect of programming
inscribed with an illuminated dedication by long- this wonderful music in our future concert series.
time parishioner Anne Innes. The fine quality of
the publication is due to the work of DIAMM UK, James Balfour is a Parishioner at St James’ and Brooke Shelley is
the Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music. The Communications and Media Manager at St James’
organisation has been digitising music manuscripts
since it was founded in 1998 by renowned
musicologists, Dr Margaret Bent CBE FBA and
Professor Andrew Wathey and the website is a valuable
resource for performers, academics and enthusiasts
worldwide, enabling them to view the manuscripts
online in fine detail.

We asked the Head of Music, Warren Trevelyan-Jones,
how the Eton Choirbook will be used by the Parish:

Inscription by Anne Innes Patronal Festival Icon of St James' (by the late Jean Lowe)

PAGE 34 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

ST JAMES’ INSTITUTE UPDATE CHRISTOPHER WATERHOUSE

This year marks the 20th churches of other denominations. Christopher Waterhouse
anniversary of the Rev’d Elaine She has been keynote speaker
Farmer’s association with St James’ at a number of Australian and Street and Christ Church St
King Street. A regular preacher international conferences. A book Laurence, as well as a number of
here and around the world, Elaine of her sermons, And the Angels pieces from private collections.
is marking this milestone with a Held their Breath: Sixteen Reasons During the day, there will be a
special anniversary address at the for Exploring the God-Option, was series of short talks on a wide range
St James’ Institute, exploring the published by the Australasian of associated topics, including
topic of preaching. She writes, Theological Forum in 2006 and the history and development of
translated in 2008 into Bahasa vestment making, embroidery
Preaching evokes strong feelings. Indonesia by the Jesuits, with both styles and techniques, conservation
It offers comfort, enlightenment imprimatur and nihil obstat. She was and restoration techniques, and
and grace. It has also been also one of the contributors to Don’t information on how to go about
called arrogant madness, and Put Out the Burning Bush, a book on designing and commissioning new
a manipulative tool. Preaching preaching and worship published works for churches. Tickets are $20
in a modern, educated and in 2008 by the Australasian (free for SJI subscribers) and valid
sceptical world, should look to Theological Forum. The talk will all day. The exhibition will run
real life and the creative worlds be held in the St James’ Hall on from 10:00am-4:00pm in the Parish
of literature and theatre. This Saturday 10 August from 3:00pm- Hall at Christ Church St Laurence
address discusses homiletical 5:00pm. Tickets are $30 adults, (entry from Pitt Street). Talks will
arts and crimes. $25 concession, and free for SJI be held on the hour from 11:00am
subscribers. (the last talk will be at 3:00pm).
Elaine Farmer
The following weekend on Our annual St James’ Retreat
Elaine Farmer is a priest of the Saturday 17 August, we are will be held from 5:00pm on
Anglican Church of Australia. She pleased to be presenting a special Friday 6 to 2:00pm on Sunday 8
is a writer who has developed a exhibition of church vestments September at St Mary’s Towers,
specialised ministry in preaching. and ecclesiastical embroidery in Douglas Park. Our theme for the
She currently holds an Authority collaboration with Christ Church retreat this year is ‘God Give Me
to Officiate with Special St Laurence. The exhibition is Joy’. In our liturgies we’ll focus
Responsibility for Preaching being curated by Marianne Close, on psalms, readings, prayers, and
and Homiletics from the Bishop an experienced textile artist and poetry that speak of joy and about
of Canberra & Goulburn, and is theatrical costume maker, who has giving thanks to God, the hope
Adjunct Lecturer in Homiletics recently been working to restore of the Resurrection, and the joy
at Charles Sturt University. She some of the church embroidery of our praises to God. A quartet
has preached in Anglican dioceses in our collection at St James’. The of singers from The Choir of St
around Australia and in other exhibition will feature highlights James’ will lead us in the singing
countries, including on several from the vestment and textile of Evensong, Compline, Matins
occasions in the United States, collections of both St James’ King
at Westminster Abbey, and in continued overleaf
Image: Chris Shain

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 35

ST JAMES’ INSTITUTE UPDATE continued

with refreshments in the Crypt of
St James’ Church, King Street at
5:00pm. Bookings are essential and
places are strictly limited. Tickets
are $30 adults, $25 concession and
free for SJI subscribers.

For further details on these and
other upcoming events, or to book
your place, please visit sjks.org.au/
institute, or call 8227 1305 or email
[email protected]

Christopher Waterhouse is Director of the
St James’ Institute

and the Eucharist. The retreat is Image: Chris Shain Frontal used at the Patronal Festival,
a wonderful opportunity for some 25-28 July. Image: Brooke Shelley
refreshment and spiritual renewal Later in September we’re looking
and is open to everyone. The cost forward to a special event in
is $230 per person, which includes collaboration with our friends
accommodation and all meals. at St Stephen’s Uniting Church
We’ve taken our inspiration for and St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral.
the theme this year from a poem by On Saturday 21 September, we’re
Thomas Curtis Clark: presenting a ‘bellringing walking
tour’ to visit the Carillon at St
God Give Me Joy Stephen’s, then to St Mary’s to
by Thomas Curtis Clark visit the bell tower, and finally to
St James’ to learn about the bells
God give me joy in the common things: in our own church. Come and join
In the dawn that lures, the eve that sings. us on this unique walking tour to
learn about different bellringing
In the new grass sparkling after rain, methods and uncover the mysteries
In the late wind's wild and weird refrain; of bellringing. Please note: there
are many steps and stairs involved
In the springtime’s spacious field of gold, in this excursion. We’ll meet at St
In the precious light by winter doled. Stephen’s Church on Macquarie
Street at 2:00pm and end our tour
God give me joy in the love of friends,
In their dear home talk as summer ends;

In the songs of children, unrestrained;
In the sober wisdom age has gained.

God give me joy in the tasks that press,
In the memories that burn and bless;

In the thought that life has love to spend,
In the faith that God’s at journey’s end.

God give me hope for each day that springs,
God give me joy in the common things!

PAGE 36 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS Image: Chris Shain

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

MUSIC NOTES ALISTAIR NELSON

What’s happening with music at Music at St James’ is very much will be singing with the Choir of
St James’? A lot! As we approach alive and blossoming. In particular, King’s College under Daniel Hyde.
the beginning of the parish’s there is a wealth of talented It is wonderful to see another
bicentenary celebrations, it is an composers associated with St talented member of Music at St
exciting time to look back over the James’, with many premières taking James’ being offered an exciting
first 200 years of music at St James’, place. Brooke Shelley’s Praise the opportunity overseas.
celebrating the musical riches of our Lord, commissioned by Michael
current programme, and looking Horsburgh for his 80th birthday and In August, there will be lunchtime
forward to the next 200 years. premièred in May, was recorded by concerts by the organ and choral
the Choir in early July, along with scholars of St James’. Titus
Looking back, The Choir of St Owen Elsley’s O Sacrum convivium Grenyer’s organ recital will include
James’ recently made a recording (written for the Choir’s 2016 music by Elgar and Bach, as well as
for a new exhibition at the Museum European Tour) and other works. an original composition. Titus has
of Sydney called Songs of Home, This recording was made possible previously performed a number of
which will be showing from 10 by Judith Neilson, a well-known art new works at St James’, including
August this year. This exhibition collector and philanthropist, who solo organ works and Canticles for
is about music during the first offers the Dangrove Art Storage Evensong. Then on 21 August there
70 years of the colony, including Facility in Alexandria as a recording will be a concert by the St James’
early transcriptions of Aboriginal venue for arts organisations. We Choral Scholars Elise Morton
songs, and music from the homes look forward to hearing the fruits (soprano), Aidan O’Donnell (bass),
and churches of early colonial of this recording later in the year, and Tom Hallworth (tenor), who
Sydney. The Choir recorded two and to further collaborations. will perform solo and combined
Christmas carols from the West Another new piece by Brooke, A works.
Gallery tradition of the 18th and New Commandment, was performed
19th centuries (i.e. music provided by The Choir of Trinity College Finally, when I refer to music for
by a church orchestra and choir), Melbourne, in their concert at St the next 200 years, I am referring
including one composed by early St James’ in July. particularly to the new Dobson
James’ Organist and Choirmaster pipe organ being designed for
James Johnson. There will be a number of choral St James’. Following extensive
premières by St James’ composers deliberations on the façade
As we look forward to many in August and September. A design—an extremely important
liturgical and musical celebrations new mass written by Brooke factor in this historic church—the
of the coming five years, our Shelley, Missa Ænigmata, has been designs are being fine-tuned so
Organ Scholar Titus Grenyer has commissioned by Lincoln Law, that building may commence in
been delving into the archives President of the Friends of Music Dobsons’ factory. As part of the
for information on liturgical and of St James’, to celebrate his 40th Organ Appeal, a most impressive
concert music. This has included birthday. This mass is based $1 million has already been raised.
detailed information on music from on ‘Nimrod’ from Elgar’s Enigma The St James’ Music Foundation
the centenary celebrations 1919- Variations. The Choir will perform and the Parish are in the process
1924, including masses, canticles, a set of Canticles (the ‘St James’ of organising a unique fundraising
motets, and hymns sung. His Service’) by Elise Morton, one of St event: the Bicentenary Gala
findings will be reflected in some James’ Choral Scholars. And then Dinner on 15 November. This most
of the music performed over the for the end of September, Owen exciting occasion will be held
coming years. The first service for Elsley has been commissioned in the church itself, with guest
the bicentenary will be the 10:00am to write an anthem, Angels, for speaker Sir Andrew Davis CBE, and
Choral Eucharist on 6 October, Evensong on the Feast of Michael performances by choir, organ and
which will include Haydn’s Creation and All Angels. This will also be the string quartet.
Mass with orchestra. This will final service at St James’ for Owen,
be a grand event, at which the who will be leaving to start his Alistair Nelson is Organist at St James’
music will include hymns from the Master of Music in Choral Studies
centenary service, as well as current in the Vocal Stream at Cambridge
favourites. University. During his studies, he

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 37

MUSIC@ST JAMES’ IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

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 4 AUGUST SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER (CONFIRMATION
11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST SUNDAY)
Mass setting: Ives – Missa brevis 10:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
Motet: Guerrero – O sacrum convivium Mass setting: Briggs – Truro Service
Motet: Taverner – Quemadmodum
WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST
6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG WEDNESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
Responses: Smith 6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG
Canticles: Wood in E flat Responses: Reading
Anthem: Balfour Gardiner – Evening Hymn Canticles: Brewer in D
Anthem: Bruckner – Tota pulchra est
SUNDAY 11 AUGUST
11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Mass setting: Shelley – Missa Ænigmata 11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
Motet: Clemens – Ego flos campi Mass setting: Parker in E
Motet: Jackson – O sacrum convivium
4:00pm – CANTATA SERVICE
Cantata: Bach – Es ist gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist (BWV 45) WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Canticle: Schütz – Meine Seele erhebt den Herren 6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG (Upper voices)
Motet: Marenzio – Iniquos Odio Habui Responses: Plainsong
Canticles: Jackson in C
WEDNESDAY 14 AUGUST Anthem: Casals – Nigra sum
6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG (Upper Voices)
Responses: Plainsong SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
Canticles: Wadsworth – Royal St George’s College Service 11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
Anthem: Brahms – Ave Maria Mass setting: Mozart – Spatzenmesse
Motet: Mozart – Ave verum
SUNDAY 18 AUGUST
11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
Mass setting: Praetorius – Missa in Festis Beatae Mariae 6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG (Lower voices)
Virginis Responses: Leighton Jones
Motet: Cornysh – Salve Regina Canticles: Victoria ‘sexti toni’
Anthem: Martin – Justorum animae
WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST
6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG (Lower Voices) SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
Responses: Rutter 11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
Canticles: Grandi – Magnificat Mass setting: Palestrina – Missa Papae Marcelli
Anthem: Handl – Qui manducat meam Motet: Mealor – Ubi caritas

SUNDAY 25 AUGUST WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST 6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG
Mass setting: Byrd – Mass for Five Voices Responses: Ayleward
Motet: Harris – Strengthen ye the weak hands Canticles: Purcell in G minor
Anthem: Purcell – Rejoice in the Lord alway
4:00pm – CHORAL EVENSONG
Responses: Rose SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
Canticles: Stanford in A 11:00am – CHORAL EUCHARIST
Anthem: Ireland – Greater love hath no man Mass setting: Rheinberger – Cantus Missae
Motet: Dering – Factum est silencium
WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST
6:15pm – CHORAL EVENSONG (Lower voices) 4:00pm – CHORAL EVENSONG
Responses: Tallis Responses: Rose
Canticles: Victoria – Magnificat sexti toni Canticles: Leighton – Collegium Magdalene Oxoniense
Anthem: Handl – Ave Maria Anthem: Elsley – Angels

PAGE 38 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

MUSIC@ST JAMES’ IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

Experience the peaceful atmosphere of Sydney’s oldest church as it is filled with music every Wednesday lunchtime
between 1:15pm and 1:45pm. A suggested donation of $5 helps us to cover the cost of putting on the concerts.
Concertgoers can present their programmes at Jardin St James’ to receive a 15% discount between 1:45pm and 3:30pm.

7 AUGUST 4 SEPTEMBER
TITUS GRENYER – ORGAN SYDNEY SYMPHONY CHAMBER PLAYERS

14 AUGUST 11 SEPTEMBER
TBA TBA

21 AUGUST 18 SEPTEMBER
ST JAMES' CHORAL SCHOLARS SYDNEY SYMPHONY FELLOWSHIP 2019

28 AUGUST 25 SEPTEMBER
ALISTAIR NELSON – ORGAN NSW POLICE BAND (FULL BAND)

What’s the fuss about Evensong?

Come and find out.
Soak up the peaceful, meditative atmosphere,
enjoy the centuries-old service of Choral Evensong,
with its poetic Book of Common Prayer setting
(1662) and beautiful music, and experience this
traditional service from the cathedrals, churches,
and chapels of Great Britain here in Sydney.
Wednesdays, 6:15pm-7:00pm.
All welcome.

Bach Cantata Series BWV 45

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

He has told you, O mortal, what is good
Es ist gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist

4:00pm, Sunday 11 August

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

Directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones

Bach responds to the Prophet Micah’s famous words ‘do justly, have mercy, walk humbly with your God’ with music that is
both brilliant and expressive, including an elaborate chorus, plaintive tenor aria, virtuosic bass aria, and elegant alto aria.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS PAGE 39

Filling the Wind with Stories

The Rev’d Elaine Farmer
Saturday 10 August 3:00pm-5:00pm
St James’ Hall, Level 1, 169-171 Phillip Street
$30/$25 | bookings: sjks.org.au/institute or 8227 1305

2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Rev’d Elaine Farmer’s association
with St James’ King Street. In this address, Elaine discusses the art
of preaching. Preaching evokes strong feelings. It offers comfort,
enlightenment and grace. It has also been called arrogant madness,

and a manipulative tool. Preaching in a modern, educated and sceptical
world, should look to real life and the creative worlds of literature and
theatre. This address discusses homiletical arts and crimes.

Ecclesiastical Embroidery:

Finer than Gold

Marianne Close
Saturday 17 August, 10:00am-4:00pm
Christ Church St Laurence Parish Hall
Exhibition ticket $20; valid all day (free for SJI subscribers)
bookings: sjks.org.au/institute or 8227 1305
An exhibition and series of short talks on the hour about the skill
and craftsmanship of ecclesiastical embroiderers and vestment
makers. With highlights from the collections of St James’,
Christ Church St Laurence and a number of private collections.

Haydn – The Creation

Joseph Haydn’s famed oratorio marking the beginning of
St James’ Bicentenary Celebrations 2019-2024

Saturday 12 October 2019, 5.00pm Open Rehearsal hosted by the
The Choir & Orchestra of St James’ Friends of Music at St James’ on Friday 11 October
Directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones
St James’ Church, King Street, Sydney Enquiries: [email protected]

• •Tickets $50/$45 T: 8256 2222 www.cityrecitalhall.com

PAGE 40 ST JAMES’ PARISH CONNECTIONS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019