Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, published 1997.
In this novel the author tells us the story described in Genesis 29-34 but from the perspective of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob and Leah to survive to adulthood.
She has taken the Genesis story and fleshed it out with details of contemporary life and culture, focussing especially on the female characters and how they lived their lives in the overwhelmingly patriarchal society of Hanan and Canaan in 1500BCE. From the routine (perpetual spinning, food preparation and childcare) to the life-changing (marriages, childbirth and deaths) and the truly remarkable situations when the whole tribe reforms itself and moves off in different directions, potentially into war.
At the heart of Dinah’s narrative is the rhythm of the few days each month she spends with her mother and aunts in the menstrual tent where, ironically, the taboos of that same patriarchy give them freedom and safety to talk about their lives and feelings as women and girls, and to interact in ways that reflect events in the life of the tribe as a whole.
Anita Diamant is known for her non-fiction books about Jewish life in our own times, and in The Red Tent she enriches our understanding of the Biblical story by filling in the human background and context we would expect in a story of today.
Pamela Hindin-Whitewood
TO A MUSICIAN
When, all life’s harmonies and discords o’er,We meet again on Jordan’s further shore,I fear the concert may be too one-sidedIf only harps and voices are provided.Down here your music, Lord, has lent us wings,When played on pianos, wind, percussion, strings.For us, all out of tune, you’ve paid the ransom;So grant a corner in some sound–proof mansionWhere we may play, with powers refined, diviner,The Brahms ‘cello sonata in E minor.
Ruth Conolly (Jim's Mum)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams – a film by director Werner Herzog
One might think, at first glance, that a young graffiti artist had left their ‘mark’, proof that they had been here. But ‘No’. Look further – 32,000 years ago on the walls of the Chauvet Cave can be found the oldest human-painted images found on earth. This spectacular art work dates back to a time when Neanderthals still roamed the earth and cave bears, mammoths and ice age lions were the dominant populations of Europe. These early humans were artists, these wonderful images of wild animals – many extinct – are all drawn with sophistication. For example, a bison is shown with eight legs “suggesting movement”. I found watching this film to be a profound experience.
Roz Lefay
Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesiac/o Knox Chapel, 28 Bealey Avenue (PO Box 320)
Christchurch 8140p 366 2253 e [email protected]
www.stlukesinthecity.org.nz
interim priest-in-charge The Ven. Canon Helen Roud027 657 7947
Out of This World
In memory of Czeslaw Milosv
‘Like everybody else……’
‘Like everybody else, I bowed my head
during the consecration of the bread and wine,
lifted my eyes to the raised host and raised chalice,
believed (whatever it means) that a change occurred.
I went to the altar rails and received the mystery
on my tongue, returned to my place, shut my eyes fast,
made
an act of thanksgiving, opened my eyes and felt
time starting up again.
There was never a scene
when I had it out with myself or with another.
The loss occurred off-stage. And yet I cannot
disavow words like “thanksgiving” or “host”
or “communion bread”. They have an undying
tremor and draw, like well water far down.’
Seamus Heaney
St Luke's in the City
Parish Magazine
August 2018
Welcome to the August edition of our parish magazine.
We have been very pleased to have had so many willing contributors to our first magazine, and to this our current edition. We trust this will continue. All ideas are welcome – if you have something you would like to contribute, talk to one of us, or send us your piece for consideration.
The cut-off date for the next magazine will be 19 September.
Happy reading!
Therese and Roz, editors
Roz Lefay [email protected] Aitchison [email protected]
Yay for Volunteer Work
We all do volunteer work – in our church, our community, looking out for or after someone in our family group or circle of friends. I’ve had many volunteering roles in the community; from 7 years with Volunteering Canterbury and 10 years at Nurse Maude where I had “proper” job descriptions, to organisations where I’ve lent a hand. But it’s at one of mypresent volunteer jobs where I’ve gained the most satisfaction.
Every Sunday afternoon I spend one and a half hours in a rest home dementia unit leading “music therapy”, and 2 or 3 times a month with “laughter wellness” sessions.
A few weeks after I started, I greeted Alice as I walked down the corridor and as I passed I heard her say – “she’s a nice lady,” and my heart smiled. Two years on and a carer bought Alice in to a music session and when she saw me she said to the carer: “Oh, I love her”. It’s volunteer work and I get paid in love. The gift I receive at every session is the connection that comes from eye contact and shared smiles – what could be more rewarding!
Thanks be to God. Michaele Watson
Jim Conolly
Have you ever wondered: What is U3A?
The University of the Third Age was launched in Toulouse, France, in 1973; its aim is to present a programme of university-based continuing education as well as stimulation for those in the third stage of life. By 1981 it had spread to England and the concept has now been adopted internationally. It arrived in New Zealand in 1989 when the first group was launched through the University of Canterbury. There are now 18 groups in Canterbury and they have a variety of ways of functioning. Groups are non-sectarian & non-political. Each group sets up its own organisation through volunteers from among the group's members; they fund themselves and arrange speakers for regular meetings or organise focus groups. There are no advantages for those who volunteer their services; there are no exams, no educational requirements, no compulsory activities. Costs are minimal to suit everyone, and meetings are held during the daytime.
I’ve been a member for a year and a half now and have learnt about Salt; Vulcanology, Plastics, Virtual Reality Therapy, Music Therapy, the Geology of Christchurch and Kaikoura, Getting the Measure of Religion, Renewing Christchurch and many other topics, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!
Enquiries welcome. Margaret Allan, phone 3773975 or Alan Robb (committee member), phone 03 313 6037
blue
on Capri the gondola
rides far above the sea
hangs in green between blue and blue
below at the azure grotto
the boatman grasps the chain
we ride the surge
into glowing pale blue
our small flotilla circles
crosses the pool
(to bathe in this!)
and in Mainz
there’s an overflow of blue as
Chagal’s windows
light St Stephen’s
a triptych of swirling leaves
tumble of angels
Jacob Moses Elias
the holy family
the Christ
the ancient ark adrift on blueand generations of high water marks
on the walls of villages
along the Rhein and Main
and the grey Danube
acqua alta – ma quanto alta? 1
Barbara McCartney
1 Translates as: high water – but how high?
