Vere [Faith] Sydney Theatre Company

  We went today to see John Doyle's new play Vere [Faith] at Sydney Opera House. The story reflects his own Father's illness and death, suffering from dementia. Doyle is so clever, well read and so good at dialogue.
   The play reflects his dry humour and is filled with social comment plus lines you could hear him saying [particularly through Richard, the Vice Chancellor] and is just a wonderful story!!
   It's about a battle between science and God and that's interestingly cast around the impending and tenative confirmation of 'The Higgs Boson'. In that way even the science is in some ways a question of faith. It's confirmation will yet again confirm 'standard theory'.
   Faith is explored and cops a hiding in it's fundamentalist form as the key characters move from being reasonable to judgemental & insensitive.
   John Doyle's familiar territory is scything humorous social comment. In this outing social media, music and pop culture are explored. Though Kevin Rudd isn;t named he is nailed in one line...
   I loved the story, the humour and the characters whose dialogue must have been a nightmare to learn. Not just the science but the width of the sources, the sharpness of the language and how wonderful it all was...
   No matter how many times I edit this post, it doesn't do the play justice... my own story will be the richer for time spent reflecting on how it felt to be eavesdropping on this most personal of journeys...

Detroit Pistons Dance Cam Dance Off

Bounce it kid!!

New Toyota Legendary Moment

'What is....' a repost and follow up to 'What if...'

For those connected with my Youth Ministry Development Work and the UCA...

Original post

"It's a bit dangerous to 'what if ?' in a blog entry with half formed thoughts or to think about how some things you'd 'what if ?' have been held up by being outside processes you could help with or would cajole you to act earlier too... anyhow... I have some strategising to do prior to the last week of November and this is a great way to process some thoughts because let's face it, who reads this stuff anyhow!! And my "Nobody Reads Your Stupid Tweets" t-shirt is very appropriate really...

In not the right order, in the UCA in the Hunter, if we continued a path of seeking to be 'missional,' what if ?

- we understood that to be participation in God's renewing and reconciling the whole of creation and sought to explore the implications of that by asking questions like: who do we want to be? what story do we want to tell? And how does our mix of gifts, abilities & passions suggest we'd be best placed to serve the 'hurts' and 'hopes' of our community with an outward focus ?

- we could convince people that Sunday worship was supposed to be an outcome of our activity not the sole focus that itself is a remnant from decades past? The societal change over the last 70-100 years find us in a time of transition which means the shape of church best suited to this 'mission' is up for grabs

- people of all ages chose to be church that focused on meeting young people in their community and created forms of church they need [or even if for folks their own age if not young people] e.g. St Laurence, Reading

- we knew several city based congregations cannot continue to offer a subtle variation on the same style of worship

- some of those same places collaborated in ministry and mission with children and young people and understood that the goal was/isn't and can never really be integrating them with existing Sunday congregations. At least five decades of rapid social change necessitate forms of worship that arise out of and reflect the culture and experience of younger generations

- Every ministry placement in the Hunter was made a Presbytery [regional placement] and ministry and mission fields for those agents was interpreted for a new scenario, not just geographic or financially based history

- Groups and activities in local congregations were mission focused and invited all ages to make their contribution 'shoulder to shoulder', choosing 2-3 key activities to develop 'legend status' on the community 'grapevine'

- our focus on Christ sought to understand his identity in our midst and so we taught faith seeking practices in context not faith content knowledge in abstract [not so much what we believe but how]

- we knew that this is genuinely a time for experiments where no change is permanent but might be worth a try

- we embraced David Bosch' notion creating flexible structures enabling us to move fast and to respond

- we sold some buildings and pooled the proceeds for some jointly envisaged projects across existing congregational areas but seeking to create new forms of church

- ministry with younger people was undertaken by congregational members alongside any paid ministry person

- Youth Groups formed around some agreed mission focus with young people whose socialising and worship grew from the projects they collaborated on

So now that's edit two...."

So, I had a conversation this week with a colleague and we both went along to a Presbytery meeting conversation that related to these issues [loosely]... determined to write more in response to that meeting and to press for strategic thinking about our goals in the light of limited money....

The conversation reminded me of the many times in recent years I've asked a question alongside the missional thinking...... the question is "what is the good news/gospel?" The contention is that we've lost the language to articulate our answer. What ? 

I mean, in an effort to be communities of faith people have forgotten/not attended to/lost/been challenged about the what ? What is the 'good news'? i.e. today, now, in our communities. It's important because lots of our sharing is about stories, questions, things that made sense decades ago, or it impacted us, won't it impact others now...

I've mostly offered the question in encouraging thought about ministry and mission with young people because that's been my main context... it aligns with Kenda Creasy Dean's haunting questions for youth ministry...

Does youth ministry matter?

Do our practices of youth ministry reflect Christ?

Do our existing 'models and practices' reflect the church's best theological work?

Do they accomplish what we imagine?

Do they bear any relationship to the church?

Do our practices of youth ministry. shape Christians?

How long can we keep this up?

Can we do better?

   In reflecting on these questions and the common practice of a 10-15min 'Devotions' I've begun by asking 'what is 'good news' about what and how we believe in Jesus Christ?... It helps you begin [in the right place] thinking about and responding out of why anyone would want to be part of who we are...

[As an aside, sometimes I want to reflect back to groups that a focus on 'doing stuff the way we like', dressing in Sunday best, offering judgement not compassion, coming across as being people who are 'better' that you and focus on Sunday worship as a main or only major activity are all black marks against our best efforts]

   Now, you could simply change the focus of these questions where applicable, to the whole church and any and every community of faith/congregation...

Being 'missional' doesn't replace these questions. it just means an outward and sent focus, connections with context and culture that give effect to how we respond in action and worship....

They are onto something talking about Youth Workers and Leaders, becoming 'practical theologians'. As long as we know the questions are different from the past as well as our answers. Some theologians 'potshot' current missional thinking but it's because they can't see that the questions have changed, not just the answers...

Best practice youth ministry would be about communities of people attempting to live through life's real issues together trying to discover the identity of Jesus in the middle of life and them. Trite answers, one verse Bible quotes and 'preaching' transformation without evidence you participate with your own life is a bit empty. Young people are not wrong to want to see 'life and faith connected in action.'

OK, can you tell today is a verbose day of reflection, space and thinking... I'll be lap swimming and thinking about this asap!!

Cosplay

 

 Channel flicking and I saw the aweful 'Weekend Sunrise' feature about 'Cosplay' or an originally Japanese inspired revitalisation of dressing up in costume for fun gatherings/clubs and events!! Not just comicon conventions, manga or anime but all kinds of stories based in comics, books, movies etc... It's interesting to me that 'come in cosume' events had seemed to me to be less popular in recent years [certainly in youth activities I've been around] often seeing a few keen participants alongside makeshift cape or funny hat wearing reluctance... that's different to a culture of encouraging simple 'DIY' costumes that aren't expensive... it's more not wanting to appear too geeky or just thinking nobody else will bother!!

   Against that trend we often gather on a Saturday night for dinner at a local pub with an upstairs function room that often hosts costumed birthday celebrations!!

   Either way, I reckon there's a lot of fun to be had and a cohort of young people who'd really embrace the energy and effort of going to all the trouble of dressing up!! I sense  a combined youth event coming up!!!

   Be warned, as you go searching for cosplay you'll find a selection of rotund or busty comic superheroes with afew Dr Who's tossed in... Check it here and here

"Forgotten Years" Midnight Oil

Two versions of one of Midnight Oil's most typical and popular songs from their "Blue Sky Mine" album...
   This record followed "Diesel & Dust" so that just when they were making a huge name for themselves they took a year off only touring this record lightly. While not launching themselves into the stratosphere they made enough impact to cement their fame & fortune. This they collectively & individually have churned into foundations, charitable causes  & ongoing interest in indigenous education & health!!Band members play in any number of their own projects and members like Jim Moginie have turned their talents to playing and working with the production of some stellar artists recordings.
This song "Forgotten Years" is a reminder that a band can play it's best signature rhythms, get a crowd moving and still sing about stuff that matters!!
   The original 'on location' clip sets the context for this song and could be a chapter of an Oils anthology of their lyrics entitled 'Lucky Country'!! For me the song addresses the hard fought freedoms countries like ours have enjoyed since 'the war to end all wars' and is a plea that we not forget, but not just the efforts, bravery or determination of soldiers... but rather all that goes to make us who we are... without glorifying or celebrating war. It reminds us of the way we might take the 'inbetween years' for granted... and not learn any enduring lessons.
   If history has shown us anything, as humanity we are capable of great atrocities, selfishness, corruption of power, evil and delusional thoughts of dominion. Today I'd take Nov 11th to represent a reminder of the pain & loss, the foolishness and the untruth that is war. It's clear from the records that bravery, commitment to freedom and determination to bring peace are but small pieces of a pretty futile puzzle that goes to make up the nationalism that leads to armed conflict. Let's not forget the pain of loss, the families forever effected and the countries whose very 'soul' has been scarred by World War. Something like this is the ANZAC Day Address I wanted to give in 1979 and the one I tried to with far fewer resources, insights or years on experience... just the nagging notion that calling it a commemoration is not enough to bring perspective!!

What if ?

It's a bit dangerous to 'what if ?' in a blog entry with half formed thoughts or to think about how some things you'd 'what if ?' have been held up by being outside processes you could help with or would cajole you to act earlier too... anyhow... I have some strategising to do prior to the last week of November and this is a great way to process some thoughts because let's face it, who reads this stuff anyhow!! And my "Nobody Reads Your Stupid Tweets" t-shirt is very appropriate really...

In not the right order, in the UCA in the Hunter, if we continued a path of seeking to be 'missional,' what if ?
- we understood that to be participation in God's renewing and reconciling the whole of creation and sought to explore the implications of that by asking questions like: who do we want to be? what story do we want to tell? And how does our mix of gifts, abilities & passions suggest we'd be best placed to serve the 'hurts' and 'hopes' of our community with an outward focus ?
- we could convince people that Sunday worship was supposed to be an outcome of our activity not the sole focus that itself is a remnant from decades past? The societal change over the last 70-100 years find us in a time of transition which means the shape of church best suited to this 'mission' is up for grabs
- people of all ages chose to be church that focused on meeting young people in their community and created forms of church they need [or even if for folks their own age if not young people] e.g. St Laurence, Reading
- we knew several city based congregations cannot continue to offer a subtle variation on the same style of worship
- some of those same places collaborated in ministry and mission with children and young people and understood that the goal was/isn't and can never really be integrating them with existing Sunday congregations. At least five decades of rapid social change necessitate forms of worship that arise out of and reflect the culture and experience of younger generations
- Every ministry placement in the Hunter was made a Presbytery [regional placement] and ministry and mission fields for those agents was interpreted for a new scenario, not just geographic or financially based history
- Groups and activities in local congregations were mission focused and invited all ages to make their contribution 'shoulder to shoulder', choosing 2-3 key activities to develop 'legend status' on the community 'grapevine'
- our focus on Christ sought to understand his identity in our midst and so we taught faith seeking practices in context not faith content knowledge in abstract [not so much what we believe but how]
- we knew that this is genuinely a time for experiments where no change is permanent but might be worth a try
- we embraced David Bosch' notion creating flexible structures enabling us to move fast and to respond
- we sold some buildings and pooled the proceeds for some jointly envisaged projects across existing congregational areas but seeking to create new forms of church
- ministry with younger people was undertaken by congregational members alongside any paid ministry person
- Youth Groups formed around some agreed mission focus with young people whose socialising and worship grew from the projects they collaborated on

So now that's edit two....

Tornado Jumbo UFO

Wondering about this one with any money I might be fortunate enough to receive at Christmas time... Frontline Hobbies may have the fair dunkum and pricey one though.... not that I'm looking at attaching a GoPro anytime soon!!

OR then again go here and on review this would be the go!!

MLB Season Opener in Sydney Australia!!

   Shame it's not the Yankees BUT I have seen them play I guess!! Next March 22-23 at the Sydney Cricket Ground which if media is correct today seems more like the goal for the new Grandstand than the January Test Cricket... that is as they say in the understatement business 'a shame'!!

"Sirens" Pearl Jam

So this is how Pearl jam get a feature song on the MLB 'World Series' Baseball!!