Brothers together

When Peter's Mum had complications after surgery there was a good reason for him to fly to Cairns and spend some time with her. Peter's brother John (Mon) had promptly flown up, and Peter (with Bec, Piper and Jasper) flew up four days after that. Mum who is known as 'Ma' to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was slowly recovering on a fluid restricted diet, but was feeing very tired and definitely 'out of sorts'. She was heartened to see her sons: Phillip (who lives up there close by) and John and Peter who flew in to be with her and Dad during this critical time. This was the first time for about 20 years that the brothers have shared the same space together, and the reunion was a great encouragement for their Mum. It was a bonus to have Bec come up as well, bringing Piper and Jasper in tow. Bec's husband Gord would follow a few days later. It was special to see Piper talk with her 'Ma'. The first picture shows 'Ma' with Jasper and Bec.

There were a number of family times up there apart from visiting the hospital each day. There was even a family cricket game which involved chasing Phillip's dogs when they fielded the ball and took off with it. Peter's son Simon also happens to be living near by and he was a part of these family events. Peter's Dad has got his own terminal ailments and has become quite worn out with all the travel each day to the hospital, and we are very appreciative of the support John has given him, doing the driving and cooking each day for him. Fantastic you are, Mon.

This second picture shows John, Phil, Dad, and Peter - a proud father with his three sons.

Mum and Dad are now hoping for a twin lodging at the nearby nursing home with a very good name.

A Night at the Duck

This event came together without the usual drawn out, meticulous planning. It began when Kelli and Bruce wanted to go to a "Pie Night" at the Flying Duck Hotel, Prahran. They were told it was better to come when the roast was on and that was Sunday. OK. Sunday. Bruce's parents, Con and Gina could come. Hey, why not open it up to more people?

So with two days notice the word spread to Kelli's brother Dave as well. She messaged us about it. We messaged our son Dan. When cousins Dave and Dan met they both knew they were out for that night but took a while to realise that it was going to be the same event.

On Sunday, we (P&B), with Michelle picked up Dan and Dave in the afternoon, and visited with Bec, Gord, Piper and Jasper until nightfall. From their place it was a 200 meter walk to the Duck. The picture shows us walking there. It has been pretty amazing out of all the hotels that Kelli has worked in, it is one of the closest to the Funks. But tonight Kelli was sitting with us, and we made up a long table of thirteen (counting Jasper who did not take up a seat or take a bite).

There were six roasts left in the kitchen because the midday meal session had consumed most of that. As it turned out it was not a problem with half of us at least choosing something different. For the record the food has always been good the times we have been there. And Dan must have hollow legs.

The reasons for the event were numerous. Kelli could claim her 22nd birthday (coming up). Michelle could as a special meal with all possible (and local) family members before she departs for Canada in a little over a week. Bruce could as a "meet the parents" night with our first meeting with his parents Con and Gina (future in-law-in-laws). The night was sensational whatever the reason.




There was a fun photo session before we left. This snap shows Dav, Kelli, Bec, Dan, and Michelle, cousins from three branches of the Berkeley family, Donna, Barb, and Chris. A memorable night.

Preparation for a new term

We had a productive Childrens Church leaders meeting on 1 July and are now preparing for the coming term under the theme of the "fruit of the Spirit": 22 July – Joy, 29 July – Peace, 12 August – Patience, 19 August – Goodness and kindness, 26 August – Faithfulness, 9 September - Humility and self control, 16 September – Love. Each member of the team is responsible for the details (the special focus) of one week. Another member each week is responsible for prayers.

Lenox, the African child the Children have been sponsoring for years, is going to be "re-presented" for the young ones who don't know much about him. Lenox needs renewed interest. One of Peter's tasks is to make a large thermometer that is changeable so the children know how their giving is growing for Lenox.


We are emailing each other with our contributions and updates on tasks we each have to do. A database and other "official stuff" is coming together. The Communion Sundays (first Sundays of each month when there is no Childrens Church) will be organised with the alternative programs. We are still on the lookout for volunteers, and it would be a huge bonus if someone surfaced who was musically inclined. None of us have that skill.


The picture shows cardboard puppets and "city" props for the story "the walk to Emmaus" that we used last term. That story at the end of Luke has Jesus recognisable only after he breaks the bread at the end of their journey. There's a message in it for all of us.

David 1957-2007

Our friend Dave passed away Wednesday 27 June 2007. He had not been well. He had been a heavy smoker for most of his life. He was buried 3 July 2007.

Peter loved the theological conversations he had with him. Dave coined the term nerdify. He likened it to something fearful but inevitable, and understood nerd in the normal sense of being a "square" or a "do gooder". This was the end result of too much church attendance. So Dave and Peter used this new term to explore their faith journeys. For Dave being part of a caring church family was to experience a process of nerdification. He told us that when he was very young he was truly a nerd. He believed in God and he remembered a picture of him with a cross and looking a real nerd. As he grew through adolescence he cast off his nerdish ways and became a man of the world with a tough facade.

What stands out in our conversations was this theological use of 'nerd'. Dave had allowed himself to be nerdified by God, yes, to become a nerd again, to stand beside all other nerds in God's kingdom. This was a significant insight, the giving over of his life to God in that way – to make his peace with God. We will be touched forever by his thoughts and concepts, and will surely miss him as a friend and life mentor who has constantly reminded us of how the world sees the Church (i.e. full of nerds).

Grandchildren

It is really nice when the Funks and us can have a meal together and catch up. These last few days have been like that. Bec and Gord returned from the Gembrook Retreat (a subject we will have to cover one day) and chilled out with us Sunday arvo. During that time we squeezed in the viewing of the new James Bond movie Casino Royale (another subject we will have to write about). And Jasper had turns with people in the room.

Jasper is growing fast. Piper is also changing, articulating her desires clearly and confidently. Though we have followed Piper's development for over three years, we now realise how much we have forgotten about her first year, now that Jasper is on the scene. It is hard to make links to what Piper was doing when she was at Jasper's age. Maybe that is a normal thing.

Childrens Feast

This is an update on how things are going with leadership concerns for our Childrens Church. We have had two helpful meetings that have resolved that we are a "team based" leadership, and Barb is the spokesperson and peter will behave like a treasurer. We are still a bit short of volunteer helpers.




We have decided as a team to travel down the path of "how Jesus wants us to live". At our next meeting, during the school holidays, we will work out the details of this overarching theme, and hopefully have a string of meaningful lessons with "craft" additions. In that sense we are not using a purchased curriculum. This is both liberating and scary. Your prayers will be appreciated.



The picture shows our little "heavenly" feast on the last Sunday of the school term, renacting the theme of the parable of "the Great Banquet", and how the invitation was extended to include those on the fringe if society because there was still room for more to come (Luke 14:15-24).

Holiness living

The popular quote "holiness is next to godliness" is an apt way to lead into this post.

Holiness is an obtainable human quality to be aimed for, given by and used by God in the course of the Christian life. Peter has just completed a 'intensive' subject unit for his Whitley Theology course at the Salvation Army Training College just up the road from Whitley College and affiliated with it under the Melbourne College of Divinity.




The unit was called "Foundations of the Wesleyan Holiness Tradition" led by Geoff and Halie Webb, and it coincided with their unofficial book launch on the subject. It was the perfect subject to enrol in for Peter, who was travelling towards the completion of his course without really understanding what 'theology' was all about. The truth of it is that we are all on a journey to figure that one out, but what was gained during these 'intensive' two weeks were many of the tools to analyse a theological position. For Peter, those were "Ah ha" moments that were just in time in the scheme of things.

The picture was taken from the dining floor of the Salvation Army Training college, Parkville, overlooking Whitley College (the circular building), and the city of Melbourne is in the distance.