Lots of ‘firsts’...

I’m gradually recording the life changes and adaptations that have occurred in my life throughout the lockdown, social isolation and social distancing measures caused by the Pandemic. Pondering has become quite a big thing in my life and one conclusion I’ve come to is that life in recent months has been a whole series of ‘firsts’. In this post I’ll write about one of the first ‘firsts’ that occurred...worship in a pandemic. 

Like many parishes, we went online. Firstly we tried out a free version of the Zoom app but that is limited to 40 mins per session, but it was good to get a feel for the technology. A lot of us were familiar with FaceTime and Skype but many parishioners weren’t. But even our 90 year olds started to embrace the system. Very soon, the parish moved to a paid version of the app (paid for by the Diocese so we were no longer restricted to 40 min meetings) and not only was it used for services, but also parish meetings and training sessions for our trainee priest placement. 

Palm Sunday was a ‘first’. I wanted DH and I to have the little palm crosses so I had looked around the garden for leaves I could use as we don’t have a Queen’s palm tree that is traditionally used. I thought, dianella, liriope or lomandra leaves could be used but thought I might try strips of the leaves of the pony tail palm which apparently isn’t a palm tree after all. 

It worked perfectly! I used what I had available and it had worked. But I’d been prepared to try those other leaves if it hadn’t worked out. You know that old saying about ‘necessity’ and the ‘mother of invention’. 


And I cut a frond off another palm-like tree which was self-sown  years ago in our backyard to place behind our chairs in lieu of the normal Palm Sunday procession. 

We used an iPad for the Zoom meeting which only has room on the screen for 9 participants. You have to scroll sideways to see everybody. But some people used their PCs and this friend with a large monitor sent us all this photo. 



And through the wonders of Zoom, we had Bishop Jeremy as a guest preacher. We were all in different places but could be ‘together’ in another sense. 

Soon I’m going to write a post about Easter 2020 and there will be ‘firsts’ in that too! 

Doing a bit to help...

On the last Friday of most months our parish has a morning tea at which everyone and anyone are welcome. Some of the ladies take the opportunity to cook the most calorie laden items possible, which balances out the cheese and crackers that I bring along! Some months we all bring along an item for a theme that has been set the month before...such as favourite china items, favourite poems, books etc. These are all designed to really get conversations going.
But having parishioners gather like this is always a perfect reason to get a 'few jobs done'.

So at our October morning tea we all pitched in and packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child which is run by Samaritans Purse. This task entailed packing gift items into shoe boxes and these would then be sent overseas to designated countries and distributed to needy children. In a previous morning tea we had brought along suitable items to start a stockpile for the boxes.

 Items for the boxes are based on 6 themes; something to wear, something to play with, something for school, something to love, something special, something for personal hygiene. Of course, different ages and boys and girls are catered for and the labels we place on the boxes show this.

Our parish contribution included not only filled shoeboxes, but also 3 bags of items that we couldn't fit into the boxes we had collected. Each box has to be accompanied by a $9 donation to cover costs of shipping. Again, generous parishioners donated more than enough to cover that cost.

There are those who feel that 'charity should begin at home' and frown on sending items overseas, but I know a number of people who have been doing Samaritans Purse for quite a while, so when our parish decided to become involved, it seemed perfectly natural. At the same time in the last few months of 2016, our parish collected toiletries and other items as gifts for the Mission to Seafarers gift giving program for any merchant seamen in the port of Brisbane in December. We also were collecting non perishable food for local charities to distribute. So all, in our small way, can help so many others.

At the November morning tea, before we sat down with our 'cuppas' we packed home baked biscuits (cookies) and slices ready for sale at our Christmas Craft markets the next day.

 

The tray of chocolate coconut slice that I made was packed in some boxes that we had left over from another function.

Throughout the year we save wide necked jars to pack the baking in and then decorate the jars a bit to make them look festive. 

In 2016 I made sure that I was available to help 'all day' at our Christmas Craft Market( really only 7.30am to 2pm), as our number of helpers is getting less each year as the older people move away...or pass away. Other years I've just done a few hours early in the day and then headed off to another commitment that I go to on the same Saturday every month. So I helped in the kitchen with the morning teas until 10 and then manned the parish stall until close of business...and it was fun.
The collage shows some of the stallholders at last year's market; most are regulars who book a table every year.

 

A view of the parish stall which I looked after. The big gap on the table was caused by the 'roaring trade ' I was doing with our home baking.

The parish made a nice profit from the market, so that was good!

I think we skip morning tea in January as it is around Australia Day, so February will be our first one for 2017.  

Friday Night Sew In...

In the first part of last night, DH and I were at a fundraiser Trivia Night...

There were 9 in our team; a combination of family and friends.

We had lots of laughs, lots of questions that we knew the answers to...but a few we didn't know...despite really 'racking our brains'!! The team at the table next to us were scoring similar results to us in all rounds...it was 'neck and neck' there most of the time!!

But...we won by one point! This was good as the tiebreaker questions are always tough!

So it wasn't until we were home again that I was able to do some work on my latest knitting project. And it was a lovely way to 'wind down' after our fun evening. 

I also wrote about this throw for FNwF at the beginning of the month.

And it has grown since then.

I really would like to have this throw finished by the second week of May.
Wendy, over at Sugarlane designs blog is our lovely hostess for FNSI...you can see and visit all the other FNSIers via the links here on Wendy's post.
P.S. While you're visiting Wendy's blog, read her last post on her fun cooking lesson experiences with Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food!

Last Sunday...

Most Sundays, DH spends the day at the golf club with  his friends. But last Sunday, we spent the day together...
First there was the 9.30 service at St James...it was a special day as 6 children from the Sunday School were making their first communion...most of them were grandchildren of fellow parishioners, so a real family affair. And there was a huge table of goodies for the children and their families after the service! :-)

Cameras clicking/filming as Father Bruce  performs the ceremony; the adult family members are standing behind the children

This lady is the proud grandma of 2 of the children

 This is her husband below (in black) who was the Rector at St James when my girls were little. It was great to 'catch up ' with them both as they have retired to a country town.

Then after the service DH and I headed off. Our destination was Buderim, a very pretty little town in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Here is a view in the main street of Buderim. This modern looking shopping centre is on the site of the old Buderim Ginger Factory which relocated to Yandina quite a few years ago now...

Here is another view of the main street; this time looking in the opposite direction...

First stop in Buderim was for lunch at 'The Chopping Block', a quaint cafe in the main street. We've eaten here before and enjoy the food there. Sunday was no exception!

My beef burger with the works!

 And DH had the same!

Looking from our table over towards the blackboard menu...(the clocks are set to various world cities but some, such as Soho, NYC is wrong! lol)

Then after a bit of a walk down the main street, we went back to where the car was parked and then drove to the Community Hall. Robyn, a former student of mine, runs the Buderim Youth Theatre of Excellence, and DH and I had travelled there last Sunday to see the latest production, 'Little Shop of Horrors'. As usual, the young actors did a brilliant job and we thoroughly enjoyed the show.

After the show we drove home after having had a lovely day together. 

Out and about...

Last Friday night DH, DD1 and I joined some friends and made up a team for our parish annual Trivia Night. DD1 had asked to join us as she is pretty good with the questions about the more modern pop stars and actors/celebrities and those sorts of questions can pop up!

Each team brought along nibblies for the night...and coffee and cake was served at supper.

Here's our healthy nibblies; DD1 has a good spot right in front of the cheese plate and the sundried tomato dip! lol

DH was a bit disappointed when he saw that the categories of questions did not include Sports which is his speciality. There were some interesting questions nevertheless and our team knew most of the answers. There was lots of laughter and giggling mind you, so not really a serious evening. And that's what I like about this annual event. We all have fun and raise money at the same time! 

No serious, mournful faces here!!

'Cuppa' time at the end of round 4 

Twice during the evening, we had a game of 'Heads and Tails'. So hands on bottoms (tails), or hands on heads(heads)  or on one of each position. Two coins are thrown and if the land different to what you predicted you sit down as you are out. The game continues until there is only one person left standing. As players donate a coin per game...more money is added to the night's totals.

So how did our team go in the competition. We came second; the winning team beat us by .75 of a point! How close was that!

Next morning I headed off to the Grovely Knit and Natter and my friend Dianne was so thoughtful...

Gabby, the owner of Yarn Over brought out some Tim Tams that were leftovers from other knitting groups' meetings. But Dianne had stopped at a bakery on her way there and she decided not to buy anything sweet but instead she chose some savoury pastries, just so I could join in. I don't expect special treatment, but it sure is great when something like that happens.

Not a knitting male here but another member's wonderful husband Ron. Ron  carried all the donations (and there were lots) out to his car ready to take to Karen. 

The rest of my weekend was spent knitting and sewing...that's a pretty good way to finish the weekend I reckon!

The art show...

At last it was opening night at our parish art and craft show. The Premier opened the show on the dot of 8pm. In his speech Mr Newman urged all assembled to spend up just as he and Lisa (Mrs Newman) planned to do before they left for the evening. DH took him at his word and bought a painting... just a smallish one...

The Premier with the organisers, Margaret and Greg

The painting that DH bought; a scene of the bike path through Downey Park at Newmarket

It was a lovely evening catching up with friends and walking around looking at the wonderful lot of paintings entered this year as well as checking out all the craft items. I loved a large painting of some orange nasturtiums but it was just beyond my budget! lol

The jazz band that entertained us; they were great!

One section of the hall with the paintings

The crafts were displayed in the church

Bishop Jonathan chatting with some of the guests

The bar 

Early in the evening I got the news that my throw had sold. One of my friends had bought it for her sister's 60th birthday; the party is next weekend and Lesley loves the autumn colours. So my friend was thrilled to find something special for her sister and I was so pleased because the sale helps with those community projects as well as the orphanage in Harare.

DH with our friend Patricia who bought my throw for her sister