Hello everyone,
It’s good to be back in sunny Wellington.
Always plenty of threads to pick up – Transgender Day of Remembrance Gathering this week and our annual meeting on Sunday too. Reading the annual report, you realise there’re a lot of person-hours behind all activities. Some may have been yours. A faithful core do a lot. Thank you for the work you do.
On Sunday we’ll be in Conference Rooms 1 & 2 for the annual meeting to allow extended conversations over morning tea with our visiting choir, the Glamaphones. It is really amazing they’re coming to sing for us since they’re preparing for a concert this Saturday night. You might like to go – it is 7:00pm – 8:30pm in the Massey University Theatrette Block 10 (Old Museum Building), Buckle Street, Wellington. $15/$10.
Rex Hunt, an Australian progressive writer has suggested new days we could celebrate. I contributed some NZ ones – Waitangi, Matariki, Parihaka and also Transgender Days of Remembrance (Nov 20) and Visibility (Mar 31) and Reformers/Progressive Sunday (Oct 31). Someone at St Andrew’s once suggested we make a decision to always have certain days commemorated like Parihaka and Matariki. That’s a good idea.
Christian World Service resources are on their Christmas Appeal website. Our own Vivien Chiu has a new tune published on the website to some words of Shirley Murray’s. Have a look: http://christmasappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/The-light_tune_copyright-for-CWS-use.pdf We will enjoy singing Vivien’s new tune this Advent.
This week Roger and I went to the movie about Freddie Mercury, lead singer for Queen. Like the movie ‘McQueen’ about Alexander McQueen, fashion designer, the raw talent and creativity of this designer and the Queen musicians amazed. Also, the degree to which that creativity ‘took it out of them’ and exacted great cost was evident. Not least was the loneliness between gigs or shows. Especially remarkable was the frenetic energy filled 20-minute gig Queen performed at Liveaid in 1985. How does one come back down to mere mortality after such an experience? We benefit from the creativity of many artists, musicians, designers. They give much more than simply a song or product or artwork. They give, each time, something of themselves. Any authentic creative act comes with some of the energy of its creator as their gift to the world. I hope the energy and creativity which many people pour into our weekly Gatherings has the same effect of spirit calling to spirit and finding an authentic encounter.
Come on Sunday and see for yourself!
Susan
To view the full e-news click here: https://mailchi.mp/8c7e4c1dd5b6/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-1433817
