From the Locum Dean
Today, Friday 10 September, is “World Suicide Prevention Day”. Many of us would have been impacted by the sudden and unexplained death of someone we have known, perhaps even of someone we have loved. The act of taking one’s own life in any form is a tragedy.
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The statistics show that the number of people in Australia who will attempt suicide within a year will be 65,000. Of this 65,000, 3,000 will complete the action resulting in death. It is hard to know what drives people to contemplate taking their own life. The reasons are probably as diverse as the number of people who attempt it.
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There are a couple of things that I would like to mention. The first is that we have a duty of care for each other. We recall the R.U.OK theme that recently played across our television screens and through all social media. Thursday last week the theme was modified to “Are you really OK?”. We are encouraged to check on each other and to help each other find appropriate help when it is needed. This could range from needing someone to speak with, someone to listen - it may be through mental health diagnosis, or through tragedy and disaster. Sometimes people reach such a low state of mind they have come to believe that life is simply not worth living. Whatever the reason, suicide is a reality in our society, and we need to be aware of it.
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The second thing I would like to mention is the impact that the suicide of a friend will have on the lives of the people who love them. We are often left with a sense of loss and grief which is compounded by the question of why our friend would think that this is the only way out. It does not matter how many times we ask “Why?” - there will never be a satisfactory answer. Another question we will ask ourselves is the one that insists that there should have been something we could do to stop it. We cry “If only I/we/they had noticed. There must have been something that could be done".
These questions and expectations will leave us exhausted and no wiser. We will never fully understand why someone could take their own life.
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During this period when we are asked to participate in “suicide prevention awareness” we need to ask ourselves whether we are OK. Are we having negative thoughts regarding life? Are we looking for a way to avoid our problems and difficulties? If you are having thoughts of self-harm, please seek help. When someone asks whether we are OK, please be honest. If we do need help, or we are aware of someone who needs support, please ask for help. It is perfectly all right for us to admit that we are not OK and that we need assistance. Please turn to friends and utilise the professional assistance that is available.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Emergency 000
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The Plague: Thank you to the parishioners of the Cathedral for obeying the restrictions and regulations demanded by our health department and government. There has not been any occasion demanding discipline of parishioners for being disobedient regarding the wearing of a mask. Masks are uncomfortable, difficult to breath in, and completely crazy to sing in. On the other hand, they effectively reduce the risk of being infected with COVID-19, or indeed our passing it on to others.
We have no idea what the future holds in this area, but I suspect that masks will be a part of everyday living for some time to come.
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Weddings and funerals: On a positive note, we can now increase our numbers for weddings and funerals. My understanding is that our guests can now number 150 people, assuming the area can legally hold that number of people. Oh, and I love this. A young couple in America arranged their wedding, confirmed the guest list, and paid for the reception. Some of the guests who had accepted the invitation did not attend the wedding, so the couple sent them a financial account for the cost of their seat at the reception. This is a valuable lesson on how to win friends and influence people. I suspect that their next meeting will be a little tense.
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– The Rev'd Adrian Stephens, Locum Dean
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Rev'd Joan Claring-Bould will have reusable cloth face masks for sale at Sunday services this week. Sourced from Westcare, they feature beautiful Indigenous artwork designs such as in the image below. $10 each.
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Thank you to Cherilyn, Elspeth and Agnes - beautiful work!
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Creation Quote for the Week
‘Listen to the cry of the Earth.’
For the first time, the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion have jointly warned of the urgency of environmental sustainability, its impact on poverty, and the importance of global cooperation.
Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby urge everyone to play their part in ‘choosing life’ for the future of the planet.
In a joint statement, the Christian leaders have called on people to pray, in this Christian season of Creation, for world leaders ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, this November. The statement reads: ‘We call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavour to listen to the cry of the Earth and of people who are poor, examining their behaviour and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us.’
Click here to read the full statement
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Sunday 12 September 2021 – Online Pew Sheet Links
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Sunday Night with Lynn Arnold 7pm on 1079Life. This Sunday, Lynn’s guest will be Greg Sheridan, discussing his latest book Christians: The Urgent Case for Jesus in our World.
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COMMUNITY NOTICES
New to the Cathedral? Connect with us using the green Connect card or online http://www.stpeters-cathedral.org.au/connect-with-us/
Name Badges: Order a Cathedral name badge from Pam Saint on 0419 031 871 or Cathedral Office 8267 4551. $20 each.
Cathedral Opening Hours: The Cathedral is open for visiting and private prayer on Mondays from 11am-1pm, and and Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-3pm.
Company of Preachers: The next Company of Preachers event will be held in the CP Hall on Wednesday 15 September, 2pm-4pm. The third of four seminars for 2021 will be presented by The Rev'd Dr Jo Armour and Mr Peter Burke, and is entitled, “Preaching Justice”. All welcome to register at https://companyofpreachers3
2021.eventbrite.com.au
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One Welcomer Needed: On Saturday 18 September from 11am-1pm, one extra volunteer welcomer is needed. If you are available to help, please contact Cathedral Office. Keeping the Cathedral open in these uncertain COVID times with a reduced number of visitors remains a challenge, and we are extremely grateful to all volunteers on the welcomers’ roster for their dedication and support. Thank you, all!
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International Day of Peace Event: Tuesday 21 September 2021 at 6.30pm in the Cathedral: A Program Commemorating the 2021 International Day of Peace: Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world. Featuring The Rev'd Dr Lynn Arnold AO as Keynote Speaker, and Guest Speakers Ms Nadia Rahim and Ms Gillian Aldridge OAM. Visit http://www.stpeters-cathedral.org.au/events/international-day-of-peace/ to register your attendance. Program organisers: Pinnacle College, St Peter's Cathedral, City of Salisbury, Centacare, and Multifaith SA.
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On Saturday 25 September, beginning at 9.30am Adelaide time, the World Community for Christian Meditation Australia will host an online seminar.
Email joanmmckeegan@outlook.com by 22 September to register to watch online from home, or join the St Peter's Cathedral Christian Meditation group in the CP Hall from 9.30am to watch the morning sessions together.
Laurence Freeman OSB will lead us in meditation and talk about The Power of Pure Attention and Information Alone is Not Enough.
Dr Barry White will share with us how we can, and need to, place a contemplative practice at the centre, allowing us to live a life where being is primary to doing.
Dr Peter Smith will give us his insights into his personal experience of how meditation helped him cope with trauma following an accident.
Janet O’Sullivan will reflect on the interconnectedness of human and environmental health.
A suggested donation of $10 for the National Community and The WCCM Bonnevaux Program.
Account details:
NAB - Australian Christian Meditation Community
BSB: 083-166 A/c No: 868170813
Reference: HW and your full name |
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