Dunedin, New Zealand, my city - my people
Friday, September 30, 2011
I am "wire netting".
I have just been for a walk up "my mountain" (Mt Cargill) while writing my sermon in my head. On the track there are several board walks and the board walks have netting nailed to them. The netting is essential! I recall tramping down near the southern most tip of the South Island of New Zealand. I was walking through bush beside my wife and it was raining. We came to a small bridge over a stream and should have gone over it in single file. It was a board walk type bridge with netting on it. I, however, stepped onto the outer edge of the bridge where there was no wire netting. It was as slippery as ice. With a big pack on my back I went down in a heap one, foot dangling in the creek underneath. I bruised myself badly, and ever since have made sure I stay on the wire netting whenever I encounter a board walk. Wet wood is slippery.
As I walked over board walks today I got to thinking that I am a bit like netting on a board walk. I may not see the results of my actions or work, but maybe, just maybe my efforts help to give people traction in life and stop them falling over? I thought also that there are people in my life who are like wire netting helping me to have traction and not slip over. Just part of my musings while I walked. :-)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Two Certificates ... a new role
Crisis Intervention and Management Australasia
I have spent the last three days doing a course in Critical Incident Stress Management / Group Crisis Intervention. It is a course approved by the "International Critical Incident Stress Foundation". I have a bit of paper that says I can do the work I have been doing since 1995. I put my new certificate in my folder of certificates and discovered that I had three other CISM course certificates from various organisations. I do know that I am well trained and quite experienced in this work.
St John Certificate and things
I was invited to go to St John for a "little presentation" tonight. I got over to the HQ building and there were about forty staff and the area committee gathered. There was a speech by the regional chaplain and he welcomed me to the family of St John and formally appointed me as a chaplain, presenting me with a St John Stole. ... the "badge of office". Then the Area Chairperson presented me with a rose bush ... linked to St John ... and a Certificate of Appreciation. A paramedic made a spontaneous speech which I really appreciated. He expressed appreciation for the way I came across and had lunch with them. He appreciated that I allowed them to off load in their way, in their language. He said that the support I gave was most often "very subtle in which we subconsciously unloaded our stuff while you just listened." During the cup of tea and sandwiches later I had many handshakes and expressions of support. I looked around the room and there were couples I had married. There were people whose parents I had buried. There were school aged children running around from couples I had married. "This is saying to you, we want you to keep coming across for lunch with us!" said one paramedic. "We really appreciate your presence." I felt honoured. I felt a little scared that I was launching into another voluntary position with responsibilities. But I also feel excited. It is a good organisation doing good things for the community. I have the opportunity to be there amongst them as a representative of "the Sacred" encouraging and supporting. One door (Workplace Support Chaplaincy) at St John had closed, and another door (voluntary chaplaincy) has opened. My life experiences keep expanding.
I have spent the last three days doing a course in Critical Incident Stress Management / Group Crisis Intervention. It is a course approved by the "International Critical Incident Stress Foundation". I have a bit of paper that says I can do the work I have been doing since 1995. I put my new certificate in my folder of certificates and discovered that I had three other CISM course certificates from various organisations. I do know that I am well trained and quite experienced in this work.
St John Certificate and things
 |
| Rose, certificate of appreciation, stole and CISM certificate. |
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
What would Jesus do?
We have a man who comes to our Space2B, Drop-in centre and Church who has totally inappropriate ways of relating with people and seems to be getting worse. He will get offended easily if people don't listen to him or don't agree with him and frequently starts yelling. Lately his personal hygiene has been an issue also. His actions ruin the Space2B experience for people. It does not feel a safe place like it is intended to be. We have been tolerant and many people bend over backwards to "be nice" and inclusive. We have a couple in our Church who give an open invitation to people for lunch on a Sunday about once a month. People really appreciate this and the house is quite full. Apparently this last Sunday this man started shouting there and being disruptive. What would Jesus do?
It annoys me that agencies who receive money to look after such people seem to readily ban them if they become disruptive... so they are not looked after. They are left on the street to flounder. Anyway think about us. We are trying to find ways to lovingly care for this man who has mental health issues, but at the same time keep others safe and make our place suitable and welcoming for them. Wish I knew what Jesus would do?
It annoys me that agencies who receive money to look after such people seem to readily ban them if they become disruptive... so they are not looked after. They are left on the street to flounder. Anyway think about us. We are trying to find ways to lovingly care for this man who has mental health issues, but at the same time keep others safe and make our place suitable and welcoming for them. Wish I knew what Jesus would do?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Church is good for me!
Widens my circle of concern
I often do not have much good to say about the church - even though I am a Church minister. I think the Church distorts the way of Jesus. I think that often the Church has led to a self-centred christianity. I do not like much what happens and what is expected in worship. I do not enjoy organ music. I think often the Church has become an end in itself rather than a means to an end. As I reflected on my life sometime in bed last night though, I thought of something significant my Church experience has done and does do for me. It widens my circle of concern and interest. We can easily lapse into a sheltered lifestyle, where we look after ourselves and our "tribe". We can become just a part of the problems in the world by basically being apathetic about the needs of others. Someone has said that the opposite of love is not "hate" but "apathy" - at least hate treats the other as a person. Apathy is indifferent to the other's existence altogether. In my life my experience of Church has always kept before me the needs of others.
As a kid growing up in the North East Valley Church of Christ we had people in our congregation who had a wider vision about life. Dr A L Haddon, principal of the Glen Leith Bible College, had a passion for CORSO. We as kids were involved in door to door collections, packing second hand clothing. I had a relative we called "Uncle Harry" (Harry Smith, married to my father's cousin) He was involved with St John Ambulance and we as children got involved on street appeal days and were aware of this service organization. We were constantly informed about the needs of people in Southern Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) by visiting missionaries. One of my heros was a one time missionary, Sir Garfield Todd who championed the cause of the black population, became Prime Minister of that country, but later was imprisoned and suffered for his beliefs. He visited and knew my parents. We had visits from Leprosy mission representatives who challenged us with the needs of lepers throughout the world. Christmas was always not just a selfish wallowing in gluttony and receiving of gifts. We were always made aware of the needs of others through the Christmas Bowl appeal. This has been true throughout my life. As a minister when I have had to seek to communicate the message of scripture I have been challenged by Jesus' words calling for a servant lifestyle again and again. The message of Old Testament prophets to look after the poor, to seek justice and to care for the oppressed has always challenged me. Right through to last Sunday's Mission Sunday visit, the Church has been good for me as a person. It lifts my vision from my own navel gazing to think about others. It broadens my understanding of the world. It puts the problems of life in perspective alongside the needs of others. It simply widens my circle of concern and in so doing helps make me a better person.
Stupid car, stupid flu and stupid weather.
Today I have a sore throat. It feels like the flu is coming back again. The weather has once again been uncertain with cold winds so it has made me hunker down inside most of the day. We went to the farm supply store and bought a big bag of sheep nuts to feed our goats. While loading this into the back of the car I hit my head on the hatch. I could feel it gouging out the skin on my scalp. It just keeps bleeding and has given me a bad headache. But it will come right. Not a great day off. Now you can say "He talks through a hole in his head."
I often do not have much good to say about the church - even though I am a Church minister. I think the Church distorts the way of Jesus. I think that often the Church has led to a self-centred christianity. I do not like much what happens and what is expected in worship. I do not enjoy organ music. I think often the Church has become an end in itself rather than a means to an end. As I reflected on my life sometime in bed last night though, I thought of something significant my Church experience has done and does do for me. It widens my circle of concern and interest. We can easily lapse into a sheltered lifestyle, where we look after ourselves and our "tribe". We can become just a part of the problems in the world by basically being apathetic about the needs of others. Someone has said that the opposite of love is not "hate" but "apathy" - at least hate treats the other as a person. Apathy is indifferent to the other's existence altogether. In my life my experience of Church has always kept before me the needs of others.
As a kid growing up in the North East Valley Church of Christ we had people in our congregation who had a wider vision about life. Dr A L Haddon, principal of the Glen Leith Bible College, had a passion for CORSO. We as kids were involved in door to door collections, packing second hand clothing. I had a relative we called "Uncle Harry" (Harry Smith, married to my father's cousin) He was involved with St John Ambulance and we as children got involved on street appeal days and were aware of this service organization. We were constantly informed about the needs of people in Southern Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) by visiting missionaries. One of my heros was a one time missionary, Sir Garfield Todd who championed the cause of the black population, became Prime Minister of that country, but later was imprisoned and suffered for his beliefs. He visited and knew my parents. We had visits from Leprosy mission representatives who challenged us with the needs of lepers throughout the world. Christmas was always not just a selfish wallowing in gluttony and receiving of gifts. We were always made aware of the needs of others through the Christmas Bowl appeal. This has been true throughout my life. As a minister when I have had to seek to communicate the message of scripture I have been challenged by Jesus' words calling for a servant lifestyle again and again. The message of Old Testament prophets to look after the poor, to seek justice and to care for the oppressed has always challenged me. Right through to last Sunday's Mission Sunday visit, the Church has been good for me as a person. It lifts my vision from my own navel gazing to think about others. It broadens my understanding of the world. It puts the problems of life in perspective alongside the needs of others. It simply widens my circle of concern and in so doing helps make me a better person.
Stupid car, stupid flu and stupid weather.
Today I have a sore throat. It feels like the flu is coming back again. The weather has once again been uncertain with cold winds so it has made me hunker down inside most of the day. We went to the farm supply store and bought a big bag of sheep nuts to feed our goats. While loading this into the back of the car I hit my head on the hatch. I could feel it gouging out the skin on my scalp. It just keeps bleeding and has given me a bad headache. But it will come right. Not a great day off. Now you can say "He talks through a hole in his head."
Snowy Sunday
Snow again
This week we have had blue skies but cold winds. It is very frustrating, it is supposed to be spring. I have a good friend who moved back to Hungary and boasts about unusually warm September weather. It is annoying because I want to exercise, but the cold wind puts me off. I decided today that I would rug up, and go walking anyway. It was magical, I walked up my mountain with snow drifting down. Snow on the trees and bushes makes it look great. It was the first day of daylight saving so I had plenty of light. I look forward to using the extra hours of daylight to exercise in the out doors.
Brothers & sisters in need
Today at Church was our "Mission Sunday". We had a DVD and a couple who were our guest speakers. They have been involved in a children's village in Zimbabwe. This village looks after 101 orphans. I have always been interested in this project. There is a farm as part of it and they are working toward being self-sustainable. The statistic that hit me in the DVD presentation was that in the southern African continent there are an estimated 13 million orphans. Now if you add to that the humanitarian disasters in the northern part of Africa, you have a massive number of desperately needy people. If you stop and think about it such a massive need makes the things we in NZ gripe about pale into insignificance. I have people raising theological questions. I have people in chaplaincies trying to draw me into debates about the existence of God. People love to discuss in an academic fashion various political and economic theories. But these sorts of debates are the luxury of the rich. There is so much need, if we are human at all, we ought in this world to be trying to find ways to share our resources to help feed, give prospects and hope to desperate people. That is a deep truth whatever we believe, where ever we are. Dag Hammarskjold wrote these words...
"Human beings are like parts of a body created of the same essence. When one part is hurt and is in pain, others cannot remain in peace and be quiet. If the misery of others leaves you indifferent and with no feelings of sorrow you cannot be called a human being."
Anyway, I was reminded of the needs of the world this morning and inspired to do more to share the riches I have. I would love to go help at this village in Zimbabwe but need to work out the best use of resources. i.e. With my skills or lack of skills, is it better to give money than selfishly look for yet another adventure in life? ... we can easily use the poor for what amounts to "adventure tourism".
I appreciated the challenging input into my life this morning. They challenged by the humble example of loving creative care.
Brothers & sisters in need
Today at Church was our "Mission Sunday". We had a DVD and a couple who were our guest speakers. They have been involved in a children's village in Zimbabwe. This village looks after 101 orphans. I have always been interested in this project. There is a farm as part of it and they are working toward being self-sustainable. The statistic that hit me in the DVD presentation was that in the southern African continent there are an estimated 13 million orphans. Now if you add to that the humanitarian disasters in the northern part of Africa, you have a massive number of desperately needy people. If you stop and think about it such a massive need makes the things we in NZ gripe about pale into insignificance. I have people raising theological questions. I have people in chaplaincies trying to draw me into debates about the existence of God. People love to discuss in an academic fashion various political and economic theories. But these sorts of debates are the luxury of the rich. There is so much need, if we are human at all, we ought in this world to be trying to find ways to share our resources to help feed, give prospects and hope to desperate people. That is a deep truth whatever we believe, where ever we are. Dag Hammarskjold wrote these words...
"Human beings are like parts of a body created of the same essence. When one part is hurt and is in pain, others cannot remain in peace and be quiet. If the misery of others leaves you indifferent and with no feelings of sorrow you cannot be called a human being."
Anyway, I was reminded of the needs of the world this morning and inspired to do more to share the riches I have. I would love to go help at this village in Zimbabwe but need to work out the best use of resources. i.e. With my skills or lack of skills, is it better to give money than selfishly look for yet another adventure in life? ... we can easily use the poor for what amounts to "adventure tourism".
I appreciated the challenging input into my life this morning. They challenged by the humble example of loving creative care.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday night drop-in
I had another busy Friday. I conducted a funeral for the mother of one of the guys at St John Ambulance at 11 a.m. I had typed up everything the night before but during the night decided on some changes. I hit the office planning to make those changes. I did some work for a Women Across Cultures group that meets in our hall. I responded to a phone call from the Night Shelter Chairman. We were just finishing our discussion when my cell phone rang. It was another relatively short but intense phone call. That seemed to be the way of it for the rest of the morning. I had four visitors to the office and another two phone calls before rushing out to lead the funeral. I did get the changes to the funeral service made but when I made a cup of coffee thinking I could go over it before rushing out the door, I had my final visitor just come to chat. The funeral went well. I have done three for this family in the last nine months.
Arriving back at the church I spent the afternoon doing chaplaincy work at the Newspaper and fire station till well after five. At 6:30 we started our Friday night drop-in centre. We did not have many there but I thought I would tell you about it. It begins when I open the door and 30 - 40 people come in and go to the upstairs hall (The Upper Room) I try to greet the ones I know by name as they come through the door. There are some pies/sausage rolls (left-overs from a bakery) on saucers, hot savaloys (with tomato sauce and bread) dished out and sandwiches and bread rolls available. A container of cold drink is available and an urn where they can make themselves coffee, Milo or tea. Buns and biscuits are served during the night. Some rush to the two pool tables, others watch TV and all just catch up on each other. I did the first rush of dishes in a sink in the corner, played a game of pool and then played Table Tennis. There is this chinese guy who loves to play table tennis with me. He is 29 and I am 63. He hits the ball very hard so they are fast paced games up to 11. I think I still win more often than he does, but I cannot say many returns are under control, often they are purely in self defense. He would play all night but I have to pull my weight in talking to others and in doing the housekeeping chores. I always play down one end which allows me to keep an eye on the whole hall.
After at least an hour and a half of table tennis I sat to one side and surveyed the scene. There was "Mary" who was there for the first time. I first met her on Wednesday. A pretty woman in her thirties but with addictions and life hassles. She had been in court during the week. It was interesting watching her. She seemed to relax and looked at peace chatting with people. There is a couple of young girls who come with their mother and grandparents. A student on placement is engaging them in some craft work, though they are easily distracted. They have come since they were little. The grandparents separated the other week, but seem happily together again. An unemployed man comes in and greets me. He leaves early to go and put his father to bed. The father is elderly and disabled and this man spends most of his days looking after him. He calls for some food and a few games of pool and generally checks in with me telling me about his week. An elderly alcoholic/ gambling addict is a regular. I have known him for over 20 years. He wanders town with a trolly and each week says, "Dave I'm gonna get my life sorted out next week." I tell him he's been telling me that for 20years. He knows I am there for him when he needs me. On one pool table are a group of avid pool players playing in teams of two. Others watch. Two of them had a deep disagreement for a few months and one never attended during that time. They seemed to have reconciled and are the best of friends again. The other pool table seems to attract lesser pool players, some still learning the game. I prefer playing there because it is not so serious, just fun, though I can beat the best players when I am "on". This table is often where I get to know new visitors. I invite them for a game and chat while playing. The game helps to break the ice, and allows me to cross the bridges of suspicion. I must tell you about "Jack". Jack is a simple guy who lives with supervision. He has anger issues sometimes though he has never lost it around drop-in. He comes with a carer, who generally just joins in the fun. Jack has taken on the job of mixing the cold drink and sometimes helps with the dishes. He always throws cheek at me calling me "old man". This week he told me he had got wild at some stage during the week and felt like physically lashing out at someone. Then he said, "I said to myself, - Dave would be disappointed in me - so I didn't!" When he left I gave him a friendly "man hug" and said "Have a good week - look after yourself." He grinned and said "Thank you... I'll be good.. old man."
I have statistics to fill in for the national body. - How many baptisms? How many salvations? (Last year I responded "God only knows") Average attendance at Church on Sunday? Offerings etc. Excuse the french - they are bullshit... here on a Friday night amongst this mixed, weird bunch of people God is at work in a way statistics would cheapen. We have been running the drop-in since 1995 and it is still meeting a need and still a place of unconditional accepting divine love.
Arriving back at the church I spent the afternoon doing chaplaincy work at the Newspaper and fire station till well after five. At 6:30 we started our Friday night drop-in centre. We did not have many there but I thought I would tell you about it. It begins when I open the door and 30 - 40 people come in and go to the upstairs hall (The Upper Room) I try to greet the ones I know by name as they come through the door. There are some pies/sausage rolls (left-overs from a bakery) on saucers, hot savaloys (with tomato sauce and bread) dished out and sandwiches and bread rolls available. A container of cold drink is available and an urn where they can make themselves coffee, Milo or tea. Buns and biscuits are served during the night. Some rush to the two pool tables, others watch TV and all just catch up on each other. I did the first rush of dishes in a sink in the corner, played a game of pool and then played Table Tennis. There is this chinese guy who loves to play table tennis with me. He is 29 and I am 63. He hits the ball very hard so they are fast paced games up to 11. I think I still win more often than he does, but I cannot say many returns are under control, often they are purely in self defense. He would play all night but I have to pull my weight in talking to others and in doing the housekeeping chores. I always play down one end which allows me to keep an eye on the whole hall.
After at least an hour and a half of table tennis I sat to one side and surveyed the scene. There was "Mary" who was there for the first time. I first met her on Wednesday. A pretty woman in her thirties but with addictions and life hassles. She had been in court during the week. It was interesting watching her. She seemed to relax and looked at peace chatting with people. There is a couple of young girls who come with their mother and grandparents. A student on placement is engaging them in some craft work, though they are easily distracted. They have come since they were little. The grandparents separated the other week, but seem happily together again. An unemployed man comes in and greets me. He leaves early to go and put his father to bed. The father is elderly and disabled and this man spends most of his days looking after him. He calls for some food and a few games of pool and generally checks in with me telling me about his week. An elderly alcoholic/ gambling addict is a regular. I have known him for over 20 years. He wanders town with a trolly and each week says, "Dave I'm gonna get my life sorted out next week." I tell him he's been telling me that for 20years. He knows I am there for him when he needs me. On one pool table are a group of avid pool players playing in teams of two. Others watch. Two of them had a deep disagreement for a few months and one never attended during that time. They seemed to have reconciled and are the best of friends again. The other pool table seems to attract lesser pool players, some still learning the game. I prefer playing there because it is not so serious, just fun, though I can beat the best players when I am "on". This table is often where I get to know new visitors. I invite them for a game and chat while playing. The game helps to break the ice, and allows me to cross the bridges of suspicion. I must tell you about "Jack". Jack is a simple guy who lives with supervision. He has anger issues sometimes though he has never lost it around drop-in. He comes with a carer, who generally just joins in the fun. Jack has taken on the job of mixing the cold drink and sometimes helps with the dishes. He always throws cheek at me calling me "old man". This week he told me he had got wild at some stage during the week and felt like physically lashing out at someone. Then he said, "I said to myself, - Dave would be disappointed in me - so I didn't!" When he left I gave him a friendly "man hug" and said "Have a good week - look after yourself." He grinned and said "Thank you... I'll be good.. old man."
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Other People's problems
It is headed; WE HAVE A PROBLEM....
We do not have a problem, and we will never again have one. I'm sure there is a problem, but it is not ours, it is either yours or mine. The first item on the agenda is to neaten up the pronouns and find out whose problem this is. If it turns out to be my problem, I hope you will help me with it. If it turns out to be your problem, I will help you with it subject to the following condition:
At no time while I am helping you with your problem will your problem become my problem, because the minute your problem becomes my problem, you will no longer have a problem and I cannot help a person who does not have a problem!
(From: The one Minute Manager Meets the Monkey. by Kenneth Blanchard - page 75)
To give an example of what happened. I was listening to the son of a woman who died on Monday. He was telling me all about the event and their life. (I lead her funeral on Friday) The phone rang and it was this person who launched into their problem. They must have sensed my hesitancy, so they asked, "Is it OK, can I talk with you for five minutes?" I replied that, "Well no, I have a guy in the office at the moment, can I ring you back?" They then proceeded to tell me, speaking quickly, more about their problem. The flow of conversation with the man in my office ceased and "the moment" (the healing moment) as they say, was ruined. My day seemed to be dotted with moments like that.
The events made me think of the above quote I have pinned on my wall at home. I will have a more productive day tomorrow, I hope. I have heaps of hours of chaplaincy to do; I have Sunday's service to sort; I have to be ready for a funeral on Friday. ... stop waffling and get back to work David!
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