WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH
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WEST EPPING UNITING CHURCH
Our Vision:
We are people sent to share the love,
hope and compassion of Jesus Christ with
Newsletter
all the world Sunday 11 July 2021
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had When his daughter Herodias came in and
become known. Some were saying, ‘John the danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and
baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you
this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to
others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even
prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her
Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The
beheaded, has been raised.’ head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she
rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested you to give me at once the head of John the
John, bound him, and put him in prison on Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved;
account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests,
because Herod had married her. For John had he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the
been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring
your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the
against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it
not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When his disciples heard about it, they came and
When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
and yet he liked to listen to him. But an
opportunity came when Herod on his birthday
gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and
for the leaders of Galilee.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which we gather, the Wallumedegal people of the Eora nation
and give thanks for their care of the land over many generations.
Geoff’s Reflection
7th Sunday of Pentecost
Power and Privilege or Love and Justice?
This week Ash Barty has continued her wonderful journey through Wimbledon. She plays with joy and
passion and is gracious in winning or losing. This year she has chosen to honour one of her heroes – Evonne
Goolagong-Cawley, the magnificent former Wimbledon champion and fellow Indigenous woman. Evonne
played with fluidity and grace and loved being on court – win or lose. She seemed to breeze through much
of life but there were struggles and difficulties – some due to her being Aboriginal.
This week we have also celebrated NAIDOC Week and heard stories of indigenous people, their spirit,
wisdom, struggles and hopes. We have particularly heard stories of their connection with the land and their
call for healing of land, relationship, culture and their being. There is a painful history that remains as an
understory, one avoided or ignored by much dominant culture. As Evonne Goolagong was floating across
the court on her way to a first Wimbledon Title in 1971, I was learning Australian history and geography –
devoid of Aboriginal reference or acknowledgement of their prior existence and custodianship of the land.
Much has changed over the last 50 years – but not enough!
There are wonderful stories of collaboration and sharing of life and wisdom. There are many other stories
that are painful. There are massacres and abuse; the treatment of Aboriginal people as savages and ‘lower
life’ of this land rather than as dignified human beings with a different culture. Disease and superior violence
severely reduced the Aboriginal population in the early colony. The policies of the colonial regime denied
Aboriginal people rightful occupation of their traditional lands, including sacred sites, rivers, lakes and their
natural habitats and homes for food and living. They were herded into missions and access and movement
across the land was severely limited. They were denied much of the natural culture that sustained them and
gave them meaning and purpose. The result? A people who have lived with shame and despair in the
face of superior power. Some have fought and been taken down, sometimes after small or significant
victories but little has really changed.
On the face of it, the Western culture that has dominated this land seems to be far more successful and
powerful as it has overwhelmed and marginalised the weaker and made them vulnerable. We have
celebrated power, strength and success and are largely oblivious to the continued struggle of this ancient
race and culture who have been good stewards in this ancient land for millennia. In fact, we often look
upon their shame and poverty with distaste and judgement. Consecutive governments have made
promises but do little that is meaningful – or truly compassionate. The idolatry of success, wealth and power
in our own culture ensures we are fearful of any potential threat of recompense or loss of exclusive control or
rights to land. We don’t know how to live together and share resources. We only know ownership and
possession, accumulation and control. It’s in our culture and our significant leadership, political along with
dominant cultural voices in media, business and community, reinforce this story and maintain the status
quo. It echoes through asylum seeker debates and reductions in foreign aid and services for poor.
Those who speak up and challenge this dominant voice or who ask questions, offering an alternative
version of history are too often silenced or criticised! If it comes from Aboriginal voices, they are often
ignored as radicals and troublemakers. Sympathetic white voices they are considered ignorant, gullible or
worse. This is the way power works and is the story of the world. The powerful lord it over the weak instead of
providing care and protection. The stories of ruthless despots in poor nations who steal international aid
money and deny the true recipients are legendary. The greedy and powerful grow fat at the expense of the
poor and desperate under their care and protection; they are left to struggle, suffer and die.
This week’s gospel story (Mark 6:14-29) is such an awful story of political intrigue that results in the unjust
death of John the Baptist by beheading. It is gruesome and horrific, and I sought to avoid it until I watched
the evening news and realised it was life.
The figure in Mark’s story, Herod Antipas, was one of the sons of the despotic, mad and violent Herod the
Great, ruler of the Jews under Rome at Jesus’ birth. Herod Antipas locked John the Baptist away after he
spoke out and accused him of both breaking the Jewish laws and of using marriage for political gain – both
in his first marriage to a Nabotean Princess, daughter of a potential enemy, and in his second marriage to
his brother’s wife after their affair.
Herod was intrigued by John and feared his authority amongst the people. He didn’t like all that John
said but something in his words and the authority of his message touched something deep in Herod that he
couldn’t ignore but wouldn’t give in to. It all came to nought for John when Herodias, the second wife, had
her opportunity to exact revenge on his words. Her daughter danced before a party Herod hosted, a
drunken celebration for the elites of the land. She entranced the crowd and Herod promised her anything
her heart desired – her mother demanded John’s head on a plate. Herod feared this but couldn’t lose face
before the crowd and gave her John’s head. Such is the way of the world with voices that speak against the
powerful and embarrass them or call them into question. Herod’s action wasn’t the first and won’t be the
last – it is the story of the world. I saw it on the nightly news – again. Violent retribution, domestic violence,
culture wars and the diminishing of those who are different and lees able to defend themselves. In NAIDOC
Week we hear the pain and pride of Indigenous people in their struggle for justice.
Mark’s brutal story of John the Baptist makes a sudden appearance, interrupting a story of Jesus’ disciples
engaged in a mission of compassion through proclaiming the good news that God’s Reign is here and
open to all regardless of who you are or what you’ve done! There are no barriers in this Reign of God
because it is an inclusive Reign of love, grace, peace and justice. These words spoke into the harsh life and
struggle of so many people deprived by injustice and abuse of power of those who ruled over them.
Accompanying these words were acts of healing that embraced marginalised and outcast people into
God’s family and participation in a life denied them due to the religious and social impact of disease,
disability or mental illness. Finally, they cast out demons, those realities of life that haunt people and deny
them life. Demons of life such as grief, guilt/shame, addiction, poverty, greed, lust and so much else that
denies people life. Over and against Herod and his ruthless, violent power is another story, one of
courageous love, grace, hope and inclusive community.
Two stories – one violent, exclusive, unjust. The other love, justice and peace!
The link to the video reflection is: https://youtu.be/Gl8IRRALoow
Rev Geoff Stevenson
Prayer for Healing Country
God of Mercy and Grace –
in your quest to bring about justice. You understand what it is like to persevere in
an unjust society when you suffered and died on the Cross Have mercy on us.
This Land weeps in sorrow. It is filled with sadness and grief because of the
atrocities of the past and present. Have mercy on us.
We yearn for conciliation and peace in this place. To yarn and listen deeply to
each other with Care and Compassion.
God of Truth –
You are pure and true – we worship you for who you are. There is no one like
you – for you shine in the darkness.
Enable all the peoples of this Country to desire, listen and understand the True
History of this Land. For only then can we walk this journey together.
Jesus, you are the tree life. Help us to be your instruments of Truth, by the Power
of your Holy Spirit.
We pray for discernment and wisdom to impart your Truth.
Deliver us from devastation and bring about Healing to Country and our communities.”
Our Healer –
May all Creation, the birds, animals, fish, trees, plants, rocks, mountains, waters, and peoples be healed to flourishing.
Strengthen us, lead us, inspire us into action, ignited by our faith in you Lord Jesus.
Help us not to lose Hope.
For it is only through justice, forgiveness and Love can there be Healing and Peace.
Amen.
-written by Aunty Dr Doseena Fergie-
Worship this Sunday
11 July at 9.30am
Please join us on zoom
Zoom Meeting Link
Telephone 02-8015-6011
Meeting ID 864-749-2332 passcode 2121
Or watch on our Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UCNf7ULm92n4lwV43xXykEWA
Please Note: Our church building is closed until
further notice.
Fresh expressions of worship
will resume after the school holidays on Sunday
18 July (covid permitting) at 4.30pm in Maurice
Davies Hall.
Inter-church Men’s Fellowship
Now re-scheduled to Monday 26 July
Dinner 6.15 for 6.30pm. Speaker will be Hans Rupp
A retired homicide detective.
Hans will follow the course of a couple of major
Homicide cases.
Dinner bookings to Bruce Sheldrick by Wednesday
21 July b.sheldrick@optusnet.com.au
Change of address
Lola Richard has moved to Dural House (room 88) at
Note: The following meeting will on Monday
705 Old Northern Rd, Dural 2148.
16 August
P: 8410 0088
m: 0408 905 688
Insights ! Celebrating 30 years Friday Discovery
Unfortunately, due to the extended lock-down, we
won't be able to meet next Friday,16 July as
Check out the articles in
planned.
the latest Insights
Joan Ross
magazine at https://
www.insights.uca.org.au/
Insights magazine is
celebrating 30 years of
building community and
sharing the Good News.
WEUC is committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abuse.
Rosters
Prayers
If you would like to know of some specific names of (Subject to Covid restrictions being lifted)
people with particular pastoral needs to pray for, please
contact Annabelle Avern (member of the Pastoral Sunday 18 July 21 9.30am
Care Team)
Ministers Assistant Betty Taylor
on 0428 368 870,
preferably on Prayers for Others Betty Taylor
weekday evenings.
Reader Alison Anderson
Welcomer Jennifer West
Stewards Ian West, Bruce Elliott
AV desk Phil & Desy
Something to Crow About!
101 Proverbs for living Proverb 2 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Psalm 89:20-37
Lectionary Readings
Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
When we serve,
We rule; When we give,
We have; When we
surrender ourselves,
We are victors.
John Henry Newman
Minister
(Vacant) Church Office 35 Orchard St Epping 2121 p: 9868 3574
Seniors Ministry Office Hours Thursday & Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm
Pastor Lyn Graham 0412 990 949 Email weppinguca@gmail.com
Office Administrator Website weppinguca.org.au
Helen Tattersall 0408 972 957 Facebook facebook.com/weppinguniting
Safe Church Contact Person WEUC Bank Account Westpac BSB 032 081 Account 961263
Erica Harrison 0409 044 923
West Epping Uniting Church uses information and news provided by its members, adherents and officers for the purposes of
conducting its pastoral ministry. In the course of that ministry, material published in this bulletin may reach an audience
wider than the membership of the congregation.
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