June 2014 - St Stephen`s Uniting Church

VISION
St. Stephen’s Uniting Church
Autumn/Winter
June 2014
Inside this issue:
Ockert Meyer
2
Editorial
3
An Enlightened View 4
Letters to the Editor
6
From the Organ
Bench
8
From the Choir
Stalls
9
Trees
10
Parliament
11
The Grant Project
12
Miracles
14
Stories
18
Valediction
19
Trinity Sunday
22
Calendar of Events
23
197 Macquarie St, Sydney
[email protected]
www.ssms.org.au
Phone: (02) 9221 1688
Fax: (02) 9230 0316
Page 2
AN APPRECIATION - REV. DR. OCKERT MEYER
As one who has only been at St Stephen’s since
the beginning of 2013, I feel very privileged to
have been asked to write an appreciation of Rev
Dr Ockert Meyer, whom others have certainly
known longer than I. It is, however, a welcome
opportunity to offer some personal reflections with
which others may resonate.
As soon as it became known that Ockert had
accepted a call from Wesley Uniting Church in
Canberra, many of us knew that we were losing
someone very special. Countless people
expressed their deep sadness at his departure.
For all, the reasons were the same: a wonderful
man, outstanding preacher and excellent Minister.
One’s first encounter with Ockert would usually be through his conduct of worship and his
sermons. Immediately evident were always his warmth and genuineness – we really felt
welcomed into the presence of God, and truly that the blessing of God had been brought down
on us at the service’s conclusion. Ockert’s liturgy was always beautifully crafted around the music
and the readings. But the high point was always the sermon. Few could match Ockert’s learning
and insight; his lifetime of reflection and study of the scriptures week after week revealed to us
deeper meaning and perception of familiar passages. At their heart, all his sermons pointed to the
deep freedom and peace that are to be found in understanding the God whose person pervades
the scriptures, and who was embodied in the person of Jesus. Deep understandings, yet
eloquently and simply put – Ockert’s oft-used phrases, “in other words”, “and therefore”, invited
us all into the understanding being offered. Who could forget the poignant moment when he
spoke of his own conversion, when the atmosphere of one of the great European cathedrals
confronted him “with the emptiness of my life”? Or his sermon on Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus’ statement that no word of the Law would disappear, when he spoke of his personal anger, as a young
Christian, at this challenge to the freedom of the Gospel he had discovered, and his lifetime of
reflection on this passage. What a privilege it was to share in his resolution! Or on Matthew 6:3842, when he turned on its head the usual reading of these difficult injunctions, to be another
proclamation of the freedom we have in Jesus?
His final sermon, on Psalm 23, in which he focused on the faithful presence of God with us at all
times, was a fitting end. It was a good message with which to leave us; it was equally the very
message we would want him to carry away from us. God will sustain us all.
Few of us will have heard a better preacher of the Word of God.
Page 3
Look beyond the Sunday service, however, to get to know the man, and the reason for the depth
of people’s feeling of loss at his going soon becomes clear. Ockert is a gentle, kind and thoughtful man; he is a humble man, to whom it is very hard not to have been attracted. He won a
permanent place in the hearts of many of us.
On a personal note, I add that Ockert was very important for Lauris and me in a process of
healing we had to go through, and he helped us find peace. I know there will be many such
personal stories. Ministers like Ockert Meyer leave their mark on a congregation, not through
institutions or traditions, but through the personal experiences they bring about or share. That is
why he will be sadly missed at St Stephen’s; that is why the people of Wesley are so fortunate.
That is why the warmth of his time among us will live on in many hearts.
May the rich blessing of God be always with Ockert Meyer, wherever his call may lead him.
Alan Harper
OAM
EDITORIAL
In the absence of a permanent minister, we have no message
“from the Minister’s Desk”. Nevertheless, Alan Harper’s
reflections on our spiritual dimensions and the limitations of
one-dimensional rationalist thinking should give us much food
for thought.
In the meantime, just as he came to our aid in 2010, David Gill
has kindly come to our rescue again, with his profound and
challenging messages from the pulpit. Indeed, we are
immensely grateful to him for giving us so much of his time, not
just on a Sunday from 9—11, but by giving us many hours
more with everything that a permanent minister is expected to
do, whether it be the Tuesday communion service, or a
baptism, a funeral, protection from violent characters who walk
in from the street, or engaging with all the members and
visitors with such good humour.
We are very blessed indeed.
Page 4
AN ENLIGHTENED VIEW
I recall interviewing a young woman for a teaching position some years ago. In the environment
of a Christian school, questions regarding an applicant’s faith are very much germane. “No,” she
said, “I’m not a Christian, but I’m a very spiritual person.”
Although the stance at my school is that the Christian Gospel is the Truth, this young woman
was nevertheless articulating a fundamental truth about human beings. We do have a spiritual
dimension; we know deep within ourselves that we are more than a cluster of cells responding to
chemicals and electrical impulses. Indeed the very notion that our deepest emotions – love,
despair, empathy and sympathy, and even hate – are simply generated by small changes in our
body chemistry resonates with few people. Deep human relationships are more than the byproducts of sexual attraction, the urge to procreate, or basic herd instinct.
If we recognise this within ourselves, it ought to give a perspective to how we view the world.
However, we live in a ruthlessly rationalist age, and it is not surprising, not only that more people
identify themselves as atheists, but also that even more do not even think about questions of
spirituality or the existence of God. While there are exceptions, the overall trend in church attendance across the western world is down, and the age profile of those who do attend is up. For
many middle-aged and young people, church
would never enter their consciousness. Nor, for
that matter, would other expressions of human
spirituality. Their upbringing and education have
trained them for a world in which an important
dimension of our humanity has been relegated to
nothing.
We are the heirs of the Enlightenment, that
movement which began in the late seventeenth
century and championed reason over superstition. In many ways, the Enlightenment laid the
foundations of the modern world; we owe its first
thinkers and their successors a great debt. Out
of the Enlightenment grew modern science,
technology and medicine, and very importantly,
modern concepts of government and the rejection of absolutism. The application of human
reason to virtually every aspect of life has borne much fruit indeed!
But at a cost which has become more and more evident in the late twentieth century and into this
twenty-first century.
The pervasiveness of rationalist thinking in modern western culture, its complete domination of
education, and the seductive material benefits which it has wrought, have so blinded us to the
Page 5
spiritual dimension in our own lives, and to the realities that do not succumb to mathematical
formulae or scientific experiment, that these vital parts of our existence are scarcely recognised,
and when they are, we hardly have the vocabulary to articulate them. Little wonder that my applicant could only manage, “But I’m a very spiritual
person.” The words sounded to me like the
inarticulate stumblings of someone trying to
describe something for which she had no
adequate words.
Very few of the Enlightenment thinkers were
atheists, although some were. In fact, Enlightenment thinking and methods led to great strides in
our understanding of both the Old and the New
Testaments. Most worked in educational institutions in which the centuries-old marriage
between scholarship and religion was maintained, each informing the other. One can never
know, of course, but one suspects that most
Enlightenment thinkers would celebrate the right
of anyone to be an atheist, but be surprised, if not alarmed, by the number of modern people who
exercise that right – to say nothing of the vast numbers who never even think on spiritual
questions.
The Easter story dramatically challenges our rationality. No scientific experiment, no chemical
equation or mathematical formula could ever explain the resurrection of Jesus. It is hardly a
surprise that many modern heirs of the Enlightenment, with the world-view to which they have
been trained, reject the very idea as absurd. Is this not superstition at its most incredible?
However Christians would want to pose the question differently. Does this not demonstrate the
limitations of rationalist thinking? If we recognise in our own selves that we are more than piles of
cells, ought we not recognise that there is more to the world than the things that are susceptible
to rational analysis? Is there no room for revelation as a legitimate source of knowledge and
truth?
We celebrate Easter – or at least we take a national holiday – in Australia because of our
Christian heritage. Quite rightly, it is a time of family gatherings, rest and recreation. But let us
hope that it is also a time to contemplate the world through a wider perspective, and to take
seriously the challenge posed to us all by the central event of the Christian faith. May it be a time
when we take seriously our spiritual dimension, and allow it to develop into its legitimate and
important part in our lives.
Alan Harper
OAM
Page 6
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hello and greetings to everyone at St. Stephen’s! You’ve all probably forgotten little ol’ me, but
that’s fine. From everything that I’ve heard from colleagues and read in various sources
(especially the regular choir updates that the fantastic Director of Music still sends me) – the
musical side of St Stephen’s is flourishing. Am I surprised? Of course not.
I was delighted to hear that Dr. David Hood had been offered the job of choir conductor. How
fantastic that the position had numerous applications for the position that I held in such high
regard. I am truly happy that things
are going well for so many,
especially for those dear members
of the choir who gave me more
support during my four years than I
could have possibly asked for.
Bravo to you all!
Despite my best intentions to have
a quieter 2014, life is busy as
usual. I have been involved with
the Sydney Philharmonia during
their recent concerts of ‘Elijah’ at
the Opera House. I am working
with my own choir and with David
Drury, as well as preparing to do
some education work with the
Sydney Symphony later this year. I am also in the process of starting a new choral program at
the Australian Catholic University in North Sydney and preparing to take Bel a cappella on their
first choir tour to Italy, Slovenia and Austria next year. Life never gets dull for a musician and I
count myself lucky!
My wonderful wife has started another degree, this time embarking on a Masters in Primary
Education and we are in the rather daunting position of saving like crazy for a house deposit!
Shame that we’re taking a holiday to New York again early next year!
Once again, thank you to everyone who made my time at St. Stephen’s such an enjoyable and
fulfilling time in my young career. Thank you also to Ruth Lockley for her very kind words in the
last edition of “Vision”.
I wish both the choir and church all the best for the future.
Regards,
Anthony Pasquill
Page 7
TO THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
St Stephen’s Uniting Church
I had the privilege during Easter to attend Olivet to Calvary on Good Friday and the 10am Easter
Sunday morning service.
May I take this opportunity to say how much I really enjoyed both. I really enjoyed the opportunity
the congregation got to join the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the service.
I know that these extremely professional musical presentations don’t just happen without a great
deal of hard work by many people especially the Director of Music. May I say thank you for all
your hard work to make Easter such a memorable experience.
I would like to express my appreciation to David Hood, Joshua Ryan, the St Stephen’s Brass
Band and the fantastic St Stephen’s Choir. St Stephen’s can be very proud of its wonderful and
professional music team.
I wish you all the very best for the year ahead.
Warmest regards.
Ken Stewart.
Page 8
FROM THE ORGAN BENCH
This year has seen many changes with our music. After
the choir resumed at the end of January, Margot
McLaughlin directed the choir while interviews and auditions were held for a new choral director. David Hood was
appointed and thrown in the deep end with preparing all
the Easter music which included our first performance of
Maunder's 'Olivet to Calvary' with a combined choir of
about 70 singers, two soloists from Opera Australia and
accompanied on the organ by Joshua Ryan and the
Director of Music on Good Friday afternoon. Going
through the incomplete church records, it seems that the
last time 'Olivet' was performed at St Stephen's was in 1967.
We have had several new choristers join our ranks as well as some reluctantly needing to leave.
Currently we have about 20 choristers if all were to sing on the same Sunday. We hope all our
new ones will enjoy our music making and leading the worship at St Stephen's each week. We
have also been blest with David helping to lead the hymns and play some voluntaries on his
trumpet.
Our organ scholar, Joshua Ryan has commenced his music degree, majoring in organ at the
Sydney Conservatorium and we look forward to seeing him make wonderful progress.
The Friday Music recitals recommenced in February with some amazing performances having
been heard already. This series has become so popular that there is a waiting list for people
wanting to play this year and bookings have already started for 2015.
Several important services are approaching with special music. On Trinity Sunday, 15 June, we
will be singing a service of Choral Matins from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and then our
HymnFest 'Singing the Psalms' will be held on 14 September.
Mark Quarmby
Director of Music
Page 9
FROM THE CHOIR STALLS
It was quite a challenge for me to assume leadership of
the choir at a time not only when Easter musical commitments were very pressing, but when the church was
losing its dynamic and very popular minister, Ockert
Meyer. It soon became obvious to me that Ockert was
deeply loved and respected, and I felt privileged to have
had the opportunity to have heard some of his famous
sermons before his departure. I have also found David
Gill’s thoughts very interesting and enlightening, and
believe the church is very fortunate to have had two
such leaders over the past few years.
As for musical things, I had been impressed with the choir when I had auditioned for the job, and
was very excited about starting in the new position. In particular, I had sensed that this was a
very responsive and hard-working choir, and this impression was confirmed after just a short
period of working with choir members. This was clearly a very viable and musical choir, a tribute
to its previous choirmasters and of course to Mark Quarmby’s dedication as Director of Music, not
to mention his skills as an organist and his knowledge of the liturgy and repertoire. Despite
having lost a few personnel to the usual things such as moving cities, competing commitments,
etc., I was confident that we could maintain and increase numbers in all sections. I’m very
pleased to see that this is what appears to be happening.
On a personal note, I felt immediately comfortable with the service and worship at St Stephen’s,
and have been made to feel very welcome by everyone. It was a great thrill to have had the
opportunity to conduct the massed choir on Good Friday for the performance of Maunder’s Olivet
to Calvary, and I was very satisfied with all participants’ knowledge of the score, capacity for hard
work, musicianship and the overall sound we achieved. I also felt very honoured to have worked
with four such wonderful soloists – two drawn from our own ranks! –and of course, it is rare that
one gets an opportunity to perform with such incredible organists as Mark Quarmby and Joshua
Ryan. This experience was reinforced by the music we presented on Easter Sunday, which I felt
was appropriate to and uplifted by the service of that most important day.
My immediate two goals are to continue to develop the sound of the choir and to build membership further. I am very grateful for the support and encouragement of choir members and congregation, and am looking forward to a lengthy, productive and happy association with St Stephen’s.
David Hood
Choral Director
Page 10
FROM WHICH TREE DID YOU FALL?
“A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men” – Joseph Addison
June 4—June 13
Hornbeam
has good taste; cool beauty; makes life
comfortable; looks for kindness; mistrusts
most people
June 14—June 23
Fig
sensible; strong minded; honest; loyal; hates
contradictions or arguments.
June 24 (only)
Birch
vivacious; modest; does not like anything in
excess; imaginative; creates calm and
contentment
June 25—July 4
Apple
adventurous; sensitive; wants to love and be
loved; generous; lots of charm.
July 5—July 14
Fir
likes idleness; social butterfly; talented;
reliable; tend to care for those close to them.
July 15—July 25
Elm
finds difficult to forgive mistakes; faithful
partner; practical; good sense of humour;
honest
July 26—Aug 4
Cypress
strong; adaptable; optimistic; hates loneliness; needs to be needed.
Aug 5—Aug 13
Poplar
not very self-confident; but shows courage in
emergencies; needs pleasant surroundings;
often lonely; reliable in any situation
Aug 14—Aug 23
Cedar
confident; of rare strength; enjoys good
health; industrious; ability to make quick
decisions
Aug 24—Aug 31
Pine
Craves peace and harmony; a good Samaritan; active imagination; low self-esteem;
compassionate.
Page 11
PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE
As part of our evangelistic outreach over the last twelve
months, our Church Council and Minister set out to build up
relationships with Christian contacts at Parliament House – Dr
Rob Stokes (Member for Pittwater in the Assembly) and Rev
Fred Nile MLC (in the Upper House). This led to an initiative
by Rev Fred Nile in securing the Premier’s approval for the
holding of a Church Service at St Stephen’s on 4th March to
mark the start of the new Parliamentary session for 2014.
Eight clergy from across Sydney participated and our Joshua
Ryan provided the music - a liturgy amended from the Federal
Parliamentary Opening Church Service was used. The Most Rev Glenn Davies, the new
Anglican Archbishop, preached the sermon, drawing on a text from St Paul, [Romans 13.6] in
which he refers to the role of leaders and authorities, as the ministers of God, and working on
his behalf.
Some thirty MPs plus their wives and many members of the public turned up – one lady
coming from Bungendore (near Canberra) .Everyone seemed to value the occasion. Our
thanks go to Mark Quarmby who used his computer skills to publicize the event, and to Ms
Judy Russell, Rev Nile’s secretary, who carried out most of the official organization.
Alex Norquay
Page 12
GRANT PROJECT
Since hearing the news that
St Stephen’s had been
awarded a NSW government
heritage grant of $150,000 at
the end of last year, there
has been much activity in
preparation for work to begin
on repairs to the exterior of
the western wall of the
church. This wall houses
our valuable large stained
glass window (the Armstrong
window) so it is vital to protect it and the surrounding
areas which have suffered
water penetration over many
years. Repairs are
expected to be completed by
October 2014. The project
also includes installing new
external LED floodlighting which will allow the congregation to enjoy the fine details of both the
Armstrong window and also the other stained glass windows along the side walls of the
sanctuary.
On the opposite page is a flyer giving you an opportunity to make a tax deductible contribution
to our St Stephen’s National Trust Restoration Appeal. Thanks to generous donations received
by this appeal over the past year we were able to use $100,000 to make recent payments for
preliminary costs, scaffold hire and materials in the current project. As the total cost of the
project is expected to reach $485,000 (much of which is absorbed by the scaffold on three sides
of the church) we are now seeking to build up the National Trust Appeal over the next few
months. Donations would be greatly appreciated and will be receipted promptly.
Sheena Wiard, Coordinator, Property Resource Group
Bernice Stewart, Trustee, St Stephen’s National Trust Appeal
Page 13
ARMSTRONG WINDOW APPEAL
Opposite is the glorious western window of St Stephen’s. It is best viewed on a sunny day
between 11am and 12 noon EST. The church is open during the week and the Sunday morning
service at 10am. The window is often referred to as the ‘Armstrong Window’ because it was
donated by Dr George Armstrong and his sister Mrs BA Sutherland in memory of their parents
and brother. Dr Armstrong was the Senior Elder who laid the foundation stone of the current
building in 1934.
The window was dedicated in 1936 and is a superb example of glass artistry. It was designed by
Norman St Clair Carter, a fashionable and competent Sydney portraitist who lectured at Sydney
Technical College and the University of Sydney’s Department of Architecture from 1922 – 1947.
The stained glass was produced by Standard Glass Studios at Strathfield.
The western façade of St Stephen’s which incorporates this window is in urgent need of repair
and weatherproofing, including r-rendering the external surface, filling cracks around the stone
window frame and roof parapet stones, and replacement of flashing at the edge of the roof.
We need to conserve this important part of Sydney’s heritage and would be grateful; is you would
make a tax-deductible donation to this restoration project. Pease complete the slip below and
send with your donation to St Stephen’s Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie St Sydney 2000.
Receipts will be issued promptly by the church office.
I enclose a cheque/money order for $..................... for the St Stephen’s Western Façade Project.
Cheques should be made payable to NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA NSW DIV, ST STEPHEN’S UNITING CHURCH RESTORATION APPEAL.
Please send my tax-deductible receipt to:
Name: ……………………………………………………………
Address: …………………………………………………………
St Stephen’s Uniting Church
197 Macquarie St
Sydney 2000
Page 14
MIRACLES
How should we define miracles?
When we think about what constitutes a miracle, our mind generally turns to a wonderful cure
from a serious ailment, an amazing escape from an accident or disaster – or the safe arrival of a
baby against all the odds. However, this definition presents problems as it forces us to ask why
one person should be saved rather than another – or why one couple should bring a healthy
baby into the world, yet this joy appears to be denied to another equally deserving couple.
Perhaps we need to expand our horizons and look at the small miracles which surround us every
day. We can all name those which seem to be the most wondrous to us as individuals. One miracle might be the colour and beauty of a flower, another the pleasure of a new discovery whilst yet
another could well be the sense of inner calm which comes even during moments of pain and
sorrow. The determination and commitment of individuals to finding solutions and cures for the
ills of this world could well fall into the category of “miracles”.
Perhaps the greatest small miracles are to be found in our ability to endure suffering whilst still
experiencing moments of joy; the love, support and encouragement of family and friends through
the good and difficult moments of this life; and the peace we feel within ourselves which comes
from our faith, even in moments of darkness.
Janice Dawson
Page 15
MIRACLES
A man was driving along the highway and saw a rabbit hopping along the middle of the road. He
swerved to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately, the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit.
The driver, being a sensitive man as well as being an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the
road and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, he saw that the rabbit was dead. The driver felt so awful that he began to cry.
A woman driving down the road saw the man crying and pulled over. She stepped out of her car
and asked the man what was wrong.
“I feel terrible,” he explained. I accidentally hit the animal and killed it.”
The woman told the man not to worry. She knew what to do. She went to her car and pulled out
a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit and sprayed the contents of the can onto
the rabbit. Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two people and
hopped down the road. Ten feet away, the rabbit stopped, turned around and waved and at the
two people again; hopped another ten feet, turned, waved, and repeated the action until it was
out of sight.
The man was astonished. He couldn’t figure out what substance could be in the woman’s spray
can. He ran over to her and demanded, ”What was in the spray can? What did you spray on the
rabbit?”
The woman turned the can. It said, ”Hair spray- Restores life to dead hair. Adds permanent
wave”.
Jesus restores our life and creates beautiful waves in our lives.
From A Bucket of Surprises compiled by J. John and Mark Stibbe
Contributed by Pam Fisher
Page 16
REFLECTION ON A MIRACLE
A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.
REFLECTION ON THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND- Matthew 14:13-21
“There is no need to dismiss them.
You give them something to eat” . . . .
‘They all ate and were satisfied.
There were twelve basketsful left
over.’
This was a miracle.
God’s feeding miracles were not new.

There was the manna in the desert for forty long years;

The widow’s stock in the cruse was
replenished daily;

The ravens brought food to Elijah in the morning and in the evening.
Yet, our “rational” minds search for explanations of miracles :
Flamboyant flowers bloomed once a year on Mount Sinai- hence the ‘flaming’ bush;
Jairus’ daughter was not dead; she was in a coma;
Jesus trod water on the Dead Sea which made him buoyant;
AND
The boy’s loaves and fish did not multiply –
Many in the crowd had food with them and the presence of Jesus and his concern for the hungry
motivated people to act: those who HAD food, voluntarily shared with those who had not.
Well, was not THAT a miracle?…which makes one ponder:
If every human on this planet who has food shared some with just one other who has not, will
there be not a surplus when all have fed? –and not twelve basketsful; more like twelve hundred
thousand, perhaps.
In October 1984, I remember watching “Live Aid” and “Band Aid”, the concerts which raised 8
Page 17
million & 18 million pounds to help the starving in Africa.
Bob Geldof, was motivated to appeal to fellow musicians to join him in a world- wide concert
broadcast when he saw the obscenity of the excesses of one half of the world and the sheer starvation through famine, of the other half.
Mahatma Gandhi was right:
“The world has resources for everybody’s need;
but it has not enough for everybody’s greed”
Ruth Pooniah
SEVEN STANZAS AT EASTER
Make no mistake.
If he rose at all
It was as his body,
If the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the
molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the church will fall.
It was not the flowers,
each soft Spring recurrent;
it was not his Spirit in the mouths and
fuddled eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as his flesh: ours.
The same hinged thumbs and toes,
the same valved heart
that – pierced – died, withered, decayed, and
then
Re-gathered out of his Father’s might
new strength to enclose.
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted
in the
faded credulity of earlier ages;
let us walk through the door.
The stone is rolled back, not papier-mâché,
not a stone in a story,
but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow
grinding of time will eclipse each of us
the wide light of day.
And if we will have an angel at the tomb,
Make it a real angel,
Weighty with Max Plank’s quanta, vivid with
hair,
Opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen
Spun on a definite loom.
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convenience, our own sense of
beauty,
lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we
are
embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.
John Updike
20th century
Page 18
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Page19
VALEDICTION
BRYAN PAPE
Bryan Pape died suddenly, in Armidale, on 27 April 2014. He had been involved in the life
of St Stephen’s for many years. His last public act that morning was to lead worship in
Armidale’s Anglican cathedral.
A barrister of note, Bryan was a senior lecturer in Law at the University of New England.
He specialized in taxation and commercial law, and constitutional law. These interests
came together when he mounted a High Court challenge against aspects of the Rudd
government’s stimulus package.
He had held office in the National party, and at one point,
ran for parliament as an independent.
A large congregation gathered in St Stephen’s on Friday,
16th May, to salute a man of integrity and to offer support
to his widow and two sons.
David Gill
We said goodbye, on Friday May 16th, to 69 year-old
Bryan Pape, at a memorial service at St Stephen’s, at
which an estimated 200 members of the legal profession
were present. Residing in Armidale in northern NSW,
Bryan travelled to Sydney each week, in recent years, where he ran his practice as a
barrister, with an office in Macquarie Street about 100m away.
Although an active member of the Anglican church, his association with us dates back to
the ministry of the late Dr Scott McPheat in the 1980s and ‘90’s, who introduced Bryan to
the fine Christian writings of the late C S Lewis whom Bryan rated very highly indeed.
Throughout this period, Bryan organized a St Stephen’s Cricket Team which played in the
Inter-Church Competition - we all followed its bowling and run-scoring week by week from
the pulpit.
It was Bryan Pape, who spoke up in mid-2013 when we were planning a November seminar
to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of President Kennedy, reminding us all that C S
Lewis had died on the same day as Kennedy. So the successful November 2013
Kennedy:Lewis Seminar at St Stephen’s owed a lot to Bryan – some of us had used Lewis’
Page 20
books as study circle material in the 1950s and ‘60’s and valued his modern and wellbased exposition of the core Christian beliefs.
But Bryan carved his name into the annals of history around 2009/10 when he initiated a
High Court action challenging the Federal Government’s payment of $900 to each
taxpayer, to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis – a 4:3 outcome found in
favour of the Commonwealth having scope to act in this way.
Each of us has the power to make a difference in some way, small or large, in the world in
which we find ourselves. Bryan Pape was an activist - and we will miss him, though thankful that his life encountered ours, and great things happened as a result.
Alex Norquay
PATRICK IRWIN
Patrick Irwin was a long time member of St Stephen’s. When I joined the church in the
late 1970s, Pat became my friend and associate of many years on the Boards and
Councils of the church, I greatly admired his thoughtful and reasoned contribution.
Three things stand out in my memory of Pat and his contribution to St Stephen’s :
Pat was what was known as a “Minister’s Man”. He gave friendship, support, advice
and loyalty to all Ministers. I know this was greatly appreciated by them and they
respected and trusted Pat completely.
Pat was Session Clerk for many years at a time when that position was perhaps the
most important in the church. He filled it with dignity and carried out all his duties to
perfection. When a combined service of all the churches was held in the Sydney
Town Hall, on the establishment of the Uniting Church, Pat was selected to
organise the Elders and the distribution of the elements for communion.
Pat’s organization of social functions in the Ferguson Hall could not be surpassed. The
table settings, the decorations, the flowers were all meticulously arranged by Pat. I
can remember spending time, at Pat’s insistence, making sure the height of the
tablecloth from the floor was exactly the same all around the table. His flower
arrangements in the sanctuary were legendary.
If anyone deserves the accolade of, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, it is Patrick Irwin.
Ian Scott
Page 21
I knew Patrick from 1959/60 when I joined St Stephen’s during the ministry of Gordon
Powell and Pat was already a deacon.
In 1959 Billy Graham conducted a Sydney Crusade during which Gordon Powell, St
Stephen’s and, of course, Pat were very much involved, as he was in subsequent
crusades in 1969 and 1979.
In 1963 Patrick and his wife, Margaret who had been very involved in PFA (Presbyterian
Fellowship Association) felt that there was a need for a similar association for those older
than the current age of the association and this led to the forming of the “Continuity Group”
of which Pat became the president. We visited the homes of members and Pat arranged
speakers and social nights. Outings were arranged to Ashfield Old People’s Home and a
Burwood Children’s Home in which he was always involved.
Prior to this, Australia had a “Bring out a Britain” scheme. As an outreach project, a rundown house in Carlton was bought and Pat organized working bees to do painting, electrical and other repairs for the impending arrival of the first migrant family. He was able to
arrange a welcome for them via the Customs boat outside the Sydney heads.
Another St Stephens activity Pat organized was the annual “Gilbulla” retreat at Camden.
When Patrick became an Elder, one of his duties was to help prepare communion for 700800 members. When there was a special service at the Town Hall for the inauguration of
the Uniting Church, Pat helped with the preparation of Holy Communion for well over a
thousand people.
Patrick was involved in arranging “Pledge Dinners at the at the Trocodero, a large Dance
centre near the Town Hall with the aim of raising funds to plan outreach projects for St
Stephen’s. He was also the chairman of the “Watford Trust” which had the responsibility
of recommending outreach projects now possible arising from a generous bequest from a
member of the church. The current Bill Crews project originated at Ashfield Presbyterian
church with a grant from the Watford Trust.
During the 60’s and 70’s St Stephen’s was able to arrange visits by outstanding preachers
from overseas. Pat took part in selecting and inviting these ministers as well as being on
the selection committee when Gordon Powell and subsequent ministers retired. One of
these ministers was Leonard Small, the Queen’s padre in Scotland.
Patrick’s life was dedicated to his family, St Stephen’s and its ministers. He always was a
minister’s man.
Thank you, Pat for your example.
Bob Coulson
Page 22
Page 23
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JUNE
Tuesday 3
Fellowship Meeting: Guest Speaker Geoff Alan ‘Travels in Sicily’.
Friday 6
Friday Music: Royal Australian Navy Band Chamber ensemble
Friday 13
Friday Music: Ronald Woodcock (violin) and Lillian Camphausen (piano)
Wednesday 18*
Musical Favourites: community singing led by Margaret Langlands
Friday 20
Friday Music: Stacy Yang and others (chamber music)
Friday 27
Friday Music: Joshua Ryan (organ)
JULY
Tuesday 1
Fellowship Meeting: Guest Speaker
Friday 4
Friday Music: Tracy Wan ( violin)
Friday 11
Friday Music: Alicia Crossley and Jo Arnott (recorders)
Wednesday 16*
Musical Favourites: led by Margaret Langlands
Friday 18
Friday Music: Callum Close (piano) and Miranda Arrighi (violin)
Sunday 20
Winter Luncheon: Guest speaker Rev. Scott Kelly, National Director of
Frontier Services. ($25.00)
Friday 25
Friday Music: Nico Tjoelker (organ)
AUGUST
Friday 1
Friday Music: Nathan Henshaw (saxophone)
Friday 8
Friday Music: Stacy Yang (piano), Peta Dries (violin) and Michael Bardon
(cello)
Friday 15
Friday Music: Judith Rough (soprano)
Wednesday 20*
Musical Favourites: led by Margaret Langlands
Friday 22
Friday Music: Peta Dries (violin) and Lilian Camphausen (piano)
Friday 29
Friday Music: Stacy Yang (organ)
*Please note: $10.00 admission which includes light refreshments
Hymnfest Sunday 14 September 2014 @ 2.30pm
‘Singing the Psalms’
Page 24
St Stephen’s Uniting Church
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