Celebrating the Unthanks

Festivals of arts always give us the opportunity to dip into a smorgasbord of genres we may not otherwise take the trouble to encounter. Jenny and I celebrated belatedly her birthday by having a night out with the Unthanks, a unique folk group blending traditional and contemporary music from the north east of England – (Unthanks is the surname of the two lead vocals – not a disposition!). The setting was great – a warm balmy night on Perth’s esplanade, a mob of happy Egyptian born Aussies celebrating at one end and us gathering at Beck’s Music Box at the other. The Unthanks connected quickly with the audience with their wry, self-deprecating humour and their repertoire of lullabies, clog dancing, sea shanties and ballads depicting historical and contemporary social commentary. It is true what the reviews said – they “inhabit” their music. It was a marvelous and winsome 90 minute immersion in Geordie song and dance. Here’s a taste (from a file clip):

Singing for flood relief

I often grab a snack in this food court and have thought how well it might lend itself to a “flash mob” performance.

Well, now it has! And it’s for flood disaster relief.

http://www.youtube.com/user/StorytellerMedia

(For some reason I’m unable to directly embed the video here.)

Edit: Ahh – good reason – it’s on a page where each click generates a donation to the flood appeal from Google ads! So go there and click!

Praying with the Coptics…

Many of Perth’s Egyptian community endured a sleepless night as the dramatic events of their homeland unfolded and the seat of government changed. Such was the background for the 40th day commemoration of those who died in the Alexandria bomb blast on New Year’s Day following midnight prayers. It was my privilege to attend the newly renovated St Mary’s cathedral in Perth and represent my communion at the Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Christian Martyrs of the Middle East organised by the Coptic Orthodox Churches of WA and the Syrian Orthodox Church of WA.

There is nervousness amongst Coptic people about the future for Egypt, and indeed, the whole Middle East. As a minority people with very deep and ancient roots in the region, they have suffered a great deal. There is no guarantee that persecution will not continue  as opposition to their presence and the drive for sharia law persists, even in spite of strong shows of unity in the recent street demonstrations.

This morning’s prayers were indeed for those who have recently died as a result of their Christian faith, but also for the land of Egypt, that opportunities for a peaceful transition to a just and peaceful life for all  might be availed.

Saying sorry – the continuing journey

The third anniversary of the Australian government’s Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is rapidly approaching (13th February). What of substance has occurred since then? A bi-partisan response to the audit presented to federal parliament this week, Closing the Gap, revealed some challenges, unfulfilled intentions and a degree of frustration on all sides. What is encouraging, however, is the political will to keep engaging. Such is the nature of this long journey.

Reconciliation Australia describes a cooperative entity called The Healing Foundation that was established one year after the Apology. It describes initiatives taken within indigenous communities that work towards the healing process. Crucial elements include the community basis of control, recognition of and patience with complexity, and the diversity of healing approaches required. There is a wisdom here that I hope the parliamentary and wider Australian community are beginning to hear and receive.

Healing (making whole) is a total community project.

What Would Jesus Cut?

There will be considerable angst in Australia’s Federal Parliament today as a minority government seeks the support of the cross-benches to pass a flood tax levy. The Opposition prefers that post-flood reconstruction be funded by budget cuts, targeting a range of so-called “soft” options such as our commitment to overseas aid. Our friends across the Pacific and a little to the north are also debating budget cuts, hence the Sojourners project “What Would Jesus Cut?” Not a simple question to answer, as Jesus was never in governance, but many in government claim to to be inspired by his wisdom and guided by his principles. So “what would Jesus cut?”

Travelling lightly

Over the last few days, Perth lost 72 homes to fires (with significant damage to 30 more). Some evacuees told me of the moment they knew they had to leave at very little notice. What could they grab? They decided to leave everything – it wasn’t important as long as they had each other. As it happens, they were abler to return to their home which was unscathed. What freedom, however, to be so unattached to material things, even those which must carry some significance. What freedom to travel through the world so lightly.

Vale Ron

One hour to go to conducting one of the largest funerals we’ll see here for a while. Not some great statesman or civic leader – just a simple soul who lived his 86 years well and without complication, enjoying the fullness of each moment and the presence of each person. He taught us much and we will miss him. Well done, Ron, good and faithful servant.

More fires, more floods

Here,  in Perth, we have lost up to thirty five homes over 12 hours and the fires are still out of control.

AM – Fire devastates homes in Perth’s east 07/02/2011.

In the east, flood damage from storm and cyclone directly affecting thousands is still being assessed.

I noticed in news reports on the fires that people were being arrested for passing barricades to get to their threatened homes. I wonder if this is a manifestation of ‘disaster fatigue’ – that people are becoming blasé about personal safety because extreme natural events across the country have been part of our scene for about six weeks straight.

Anyhow, spare a thought for emergency workers – firefighters, police, rescuers – professional and volunteer – whose tasks stretch ahead to some unknown horizon at this stage.

Spare a prayer for those who have lost all but their lives and who must begin the process of reconstruction.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Boundaries

WordPress is impressing this challenge upon us bloggers, so I grabbed the camera and prowled the boundaries of my workplace & abode. We often say we live and work in a fish-tank – exposed to all. I was surprised to see how many “boundaries’ were in in evidence.

The first was the one set up by these ants who seem to think rain is on its way.

Not to mention our grand old tuarts guarding the pathway in.

Then look at our fences!

There are a few more, but that will suffice to demonstrate that even at our most open we need our boundaries!

Praying for Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

What a way to tour the world! The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us to these three countries, which for their size, have had strong parts to play in modern history. We join the rest of the planet in prayerful thanksgiving for some legacies and intercession for some challenges surrounding the good folk of these nations.

At the Prayer Cycle’s invitation, I repost the coming week’s prayers here. More general background on Luxembourg is found here.

Give thanks for:

  • The Protestant Church in the Netherlands. May it continue to serve as a witness towards the visible unity of the church.
  • Christians who make a strong witness for justice and peace in our world.
  • Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Brueghel, Vermeer and all those who, with their art, have given us new eyes to see.

Pray for:

  • Tolerance and mutual respect between the Flemings and Walloons in Belgium.
  • Drug users and those who sell drugs, that they find comfort and strength in God instead of substance abuse.
  • The church’s vitality to attract once again those who have lost interest in the faith.
  • The hundreds of asylum seekers at the borders, who are turned back to where they came from without exception, and who are deported without any hope of a better future.
  • A healthy and open discussion between those who believe and those who don’t, between those born in these countries and those who came later, so that people don’t let themselves be tempted to develop racial prejudices.
  • People to respect each other’s identity.
  • Neighbours to live in peace with one another instead of treating each other with indifference and suspicion.
  • Young people who cannot find a job after finishing their education.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the sun that always rises, but never sets.

You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing.

You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul.

You are the light that dispels the clouds of error and doubt,
and goes before me every hour of the day,
guiding my thoughts and my actions.

May I walk in your light,
be nourished by your food,
be sustained by your mercy,
and be warmed by your love.