A question consigned to a bygone age when the world seemed somehow kinder, less self-involved and undoubtedly more religious. As I begin my fifth month in Lane Cove I’m discovering that not everything is as it seems.

By Liam McKenna, Community Chaplain.
 
‘Spiritual not Religious’ has been a popular label for some time. To be ‘religious’ conveys the kind of institutional overtones that sends many running for the hills. To be ‘spiritual,’ in contrast, suggests something much more personal.  There are countless books, blogs, websites and gyms telling us how to live a healthy and fruitful life, with remedies to unlock the secrets of mind, body and spirit only a subscription away! 

At the Community Chaplaincy, we adopt a more holistic approach, seeking to nurture a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit and working in the space between – something we call, soul-care.

We find that soul-care is something that we build through our actions together in community –something to be practiced, rather than a singular metric to be achieved.

“I can’t say I’ve ever been asked how it is with my soul,
but I‘m increasingly asking others.”

The community chaplaincy has wisdom to share but we’re not experts on living life! We desire to add value to those who share their time with us, and we strive as far as we’re able to provide you with insight, knowledge, and tools for you to engage upon the path of your choosing; soul-care, which honours the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit, and; embracing and advocating practices from the ancient past through to the present.

Attending to soul needn’t be heavy lifting. Small steps, through repetition of effort, through the accumulation of soul care practices tested against the challenges of everyday life.

Want to know more? Why not call in to one of our activities, or drop me a line…


Liam McKenna
Community Chaplain

The biting cold of recent days has a been a rude awakening to just another cycle of life. The earth still turns, and the seasons are changing about us but, perhaps there are some moments that seem uncomfortably familiar… dare I say monotonous?  

By Liam McKenna, Community Chaplain.
 
A waterdrop was trickling down the inside of my kitchen window as the kettle gave out its last breath of steam. It was no different to any other morning in many ways, but something occurred to me as it might to you from time to time: will today bring more of the same as yesterday?

Oh, I know we’re supposed to be continually content –happy, even. But sometimes, just sometimes, we find ourselves in a rut don’t we? There must be more to life than this.

There is a mystery about the Spirit - what it is, how it works, spreads and interacts with us. We have some clues from our experience: those mysterious moments where something speaks deep inside of us in an uncanny way. Or the way we feel so 'connected’ with others at times. Or we just 'know' something and we can't explain why.  The various activities of your Community Chaplaincy are a safe space for connecting with your ‘self’ and others in an atmosphere of respect and awakening to your authentic life through exploring mindfulness practice, creative expression, reflection and discussion in a myriad of contexts. Walking with wonder, talking together over coffee, meditating together on Zoom, holding one another up in times of joy and sadness. The chaplaincy is a community that looks out for one another and by doing so enriches our sense of what it means to be human –because we belong. We participate, We share.
 
In essence, I am because you are
…and it wouldn't be same without you.
 
Next time you’re in a rut why not call in to one of our activities, or drop me a line?
         I’ll be happy to walk the circle with you.


Liam McKenna
Community Chaplain

It comes as no surprise how much more quickly time seems to pass as we grow older. As I join you, the community chaplaincy is approaching its ninth year.

I’ve been welcomed with open arms at tables long and wide as I begin my time with you as Community Chaplain. Days of celebration have inevitably given way to the task at hand… and no two days seem the same. How wonderful!
There is a true community spirit in Lane Cove, where people watch out for each other. This is something my predecessor Karen Paull was keen to cultivate at the community chaplaincy and I in turn am committed to nurturing. Thanks to a committed group of volunteers, my time is freed up to walk alongside others as much as lead them and this creates space to explore new possibilities in a spirit of service.

There are many groups the community chaplaincy hosts –including bush-walking groups, a meditation group which meets on Zoom and an outdoor Sacred Space gathering. There’s also a Book Club, and we hold a weekly coffee group at Two Brothers Café which offers a point of connection for many. These activities give my time some structure, but with people and their lives as my main focus, flexibility is needed.

We recently marked Volunteer Week –a celebration of volunteers and acts of service to others. According to the 2021 National Church Life Survey Some forty-six per cent of Australian church attenders (across 20+ denominations) participate in community groups that aren’t connected with their churches. Of those, involvement in community service, care or welfare groups form the majority.

Whatever your motivation we add our thanks to all those who volunteer in various ways from day-to-day.
What a difference a day makes, indeed… when the difference is you.

Being the Community Chaplain keeps me busy but there’s always time for acts of service. Perhaps you have some thoughts of your own? I’d love to hear them. And do say, ‘Hello’ when you see me out and about.


Liam McKenna
Community Chaplain

The solemnity of ANZAC Day has now passed – a time for reflection on heritage, sacrifice and heroism even while, unfortunately, the scourge of armed conflict continues to be a characteristic of our world.
 
An important element of ANZAC Day services is the catafalque party where four members of an armed guard stand, heads bowed and weapons reversed, facing outward from the catafalque as a symbolic form of respect for those who have fallen. Our son, an active Reservist with overseas service, has been privileged to be a part of such remembrance ceremonies on a number of occasions.
 
ANZAC Day gatherings reflect a changing of the guard as younger service men and woman emerge in place of older colleagues who experienced the conflicts of decades’ past.
 
And so it is with life more generally – a never ending changing of the guard. Generations come and go, attitudes evolve and are refined; behaviours and expectations deviate from those of the past; technology matures at a rapid, even accelerating, pace helping to change society.
 
‘’If you don’t have a sense of where you come from how will you know where you are going?’’ is an adage that continues to ring true – leading in part to many television programs seeking to trace peoples’ ancestry so as to solidify a sense of belonging.
 
Understanding and respecting the past also applies among our indigenous colleagues as they rely upon and publicly pay respect to their elders who have a profound and continuing influence on their society.
 
And now change has come to the Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy.
 
Karen Paull, the inaugural Chaplain, has moved to the NSW South Coast to provide chaplaincy and practical support to communities still struggling to overcome the aftermath of ferocious bush fires.
 
In her stead we are delighted to welcome Liam McKenna who brings a wealth of experience in community interaction and support from the UK and, more recently, broadly similar roles elsewhere in the Lower North Shore.
 
With the changing of the guard have been fond farewells and encouraging welcomes. You can reach out to Liam via [email protected]  or 0404 596-592.

As the circumstances of your life evolve and especially in the busyness of life, make a conscious effort to reach out to family and friends. Their influence and support contribute to who you are and, in turn, to a richer, supportive community for all.
 
 Peter and the Chaplaincy team

In a discussion dealing with the bigger issues of life, the question emerged "why do we say green with envy?". Why not puce or beige or vermillion?
The colourful spectacle of World Pride celebrations in Sydney and of our Prime Minister smeared with multiple colours at the Holi festival in India serve to remind us of the importance of colour throughout the world.

Advertising agencies give careful attention to the selection of the most appropriate colour that will help to influence the consumer. Interior designers and fashion designers give careful attention to colour to enhance the appeal or their creations. Psychologists turn their minds to the influence of colour on all aspects of daily life - and yet cultural influences are also in play.

In East Asian cultures the accepted funeral colour is white, representing purity and re-birth. In stark contrast, the Western world's inclination is towards black, representing solemnity and mourning.

The spectrum of colours that we see on our wall when the sun strikes the open louvre windows is magical.

And so it is in life. Individually we display our different and unique colours: reflected in personality, values, interests. In my tradition the colours of life might also be described as the fruits of the Spirit "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."

But, it is in the mix of colours where real beauty and true value lies. By each person making their unique contribution to our local community, it creates a caring, strong, generous and rich environment for us all - truly a unique, desirable palette.

So there is every reason and encouragement to savour, celebrate and appreciate the diversity of all within our neighbourhood - skin of brown or black or white; hair of silver or blonde or dark or none; eyes of blue or hazel or grey.

And should you chance, along the way, to meet with others feeling blue or down-hearted take a moment to express genuine concern: to engage in open conversation, to provide careful nurture and personal reinforcement.

Your interaction may well result in the colour of their world becoming lighter - not so much characterised by the darkness of despair but progressing towards the delight of the light.

Oh yes, that question about green with envy. Yet again we can blame that fellow Shakespeare who, in at least three of his plays, associated green with envy and jealousy.
 
 
 
Peter and the Chaplaincy team

It’s March already. The busyness and excitement of the holiday period is now just a memory of good times amongst crowds at the fireworks, beach, cricket and The Canopy.

And yet not everyone in a crowd is necessarily happy. The late comedian Robin Williams is quoted as saying “I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not! The worst thing is to end up with people who make you feel alone’’.

Many people believe that loneliness can never happened to them but in reality it is part of life. Being lonely from time to time is OK but persistent loneliness is a concern.

Loneliness and social isolation had a significant impact on people in both Australia and globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. New research shows that the health and social consequences of the pandemic will be felt for many years to come so now is the time to act to accelerate social recovery and build the strength of community.

The Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy is a member of Ending Loneliness Together – an Australia-wide organisation which aspires to address loneliness through both research and action. It holds the Vision ‘’imagine a world where everyone feels a sense of connection and belonging’’. What a fantastic aspiration!

The impact of loneliness is not restricted to particular age groups, gender or vocation. Those who suffer from the sense of loneliness often do so in silence – there-by deepening their sense of despair.

Phil McAullife [www.thelonelydiplomat.com], suffers from a sense of loneliness. He observes ‘’people do not know how to respond to someone who says they are lonely – typically they offer platitudes and then adopt distancing behaviours’’.

The activities of the Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy provide safe and supportive ways to offer friendship and connection. Community groups, especially those offering the involvement and engagement of volunteers, present an opportunity for the lonely person. However, joining a new group activity can be daunting and requires courage and persistence.

Let’s do all we can to look after one another. A friendly smile and greeting can be both therapeutic and maybe the start of a new relationship. Make a personal commitment to invite new people to your activity as together we strive to build and sustain a resilient, supportive and respectful community.

To learn more about Ending Loneliness Together, or if you are looking for someone to chat with, make contact with the Chaplaincy team.
 
 Peter and the Chaplaincy team

This February will be a big month for our family. Two young people commencing at new schools brings both excitement but also apprehension. Long standing friendships may come under strain as the Year 6 cohort spreads out to different high schools. The certainty of the nurturing environment of an early learning centre will be an interesting contrast to structured learning and the energy and busyness of the school playground.

Media is typically filled with stories of the loss of permanence! The trauma faced by those experiencing the worst flooding in decades; the experiences of those new to Australia after fleeing conflict or political unrest; those grieving the passing of loved ones because of illness or misadventure.

Stability and certainty are qualities we all long for. While, as adults, we intellectually understand that life’s journey brings many instances of a loss of permanence, the reality remains that such episodes in our life are confronting.

Coping with such change is a challenge for each of us! The approaches followed are as diverse as the population itself but there is a common thread – the benefits which flow from the nurture of family and/or community.

A smile, a kind word and positive eye contact; physical contact (a hand on the shoulder or even a hug); a gift from the heart (a home cooked meal or perhaps something observed to be needed but not openly sought); the support of a buddy in the playground or a mentor in the workplace.

These gifts are of immeasurable benefit to the recipient – simple and uncomplicated but offered without thought of recompense or keeping score.

Information released by the QUT’s Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies shows that on all measures, financial giving from within the Lane Cove postcode is well beyond the NSW average. Such generosity is to be applauded and encouraged but maybe the more important data is not financial but human – not from the wallet but from the heart.        

 Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (The Bible, 1 John 3:18)

The various Chaplaincy activities offer the opportunity to join in community. To find out more or if you are seeking support, please refer to www.lanecovecc.com

On behalf of the Lane Cove Chaplaincy team, I wish you a heart-filled and happy new year!
Peter and the Chaplaincy team

Our daughter soon leaves home to be married.
There’s so much anticipation in the air! I ponder how we best say ‘goodbye’ to this phase of our lives with her, whilst celebrating her marriage to the man of her dreams.

My husband and myself are also saying our ‘goodbyes’ to the many friends we have here, as we prepare to leave Sydney after Christmas.
The big celebrations planned for both occasions are wonderful rites of passage, yet it is the personal conversations I treasure most, which convey deeper meaning.

Reflection and appreciation of what has occurred is important.
Joyful times, learning and growth, disappointments and struggles, all combine to weave the rich tapestry of life we have spent together.

We have changed during our 8+ years of dwelling amongst you.
As we move on, we seek to take with us those insights to helpfully share with others. 
We look forward to what is new, while grieving what we leave behind.

Immersing ourselves in the community here, we’ve sought to construct something new, beneficial and sustainable.
It has been rewarding to see others thrive, find new friends, a love for the natural environment and, in some cases, find a deeper faith to enrich their lives.
Many are telling me it is a valuable initiative.

Lane Cove Uniting Church, who undergird the Community Chaplaincy, agree.
They have committed to sustain the wide range of Chaplaincy activities and to continue to care for the participants. They hope to engage a new Chaplain shortly, who will bring their own giftedness to the role. Exciting times!

May the hope and joy of friendship we have found here, be yours also, as you reach out to one another – especially during this Christmas and holiday season.

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ The Bible, Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

​Karen Paull

Amidst much anticipation and excitement, my husband and myself left our Adelaide home for Sydney 8 ½ years ago. Having always lived in Adelaide and raising our children there, it was a big step saying ‘goodbye’ to our family, friends, home and our many roles there. People around us were saddened by our choice. We knew very few people in Sydney. It was such a risk! Yet we were ‘called’ here and the timing was right for us, so we went with hope. Both the two-day relocation drive, and the packing and unpacking process, helped ground the transition in reality. There was so much we enjoyed about our new life in Sydney – yet some transitioning aspects were hard. Transitions tend to be mixed blessings.

It is nearly time for us to move again. This time, we will drive south for 5 hours to the ‘Sapphire Coast’, where I will begin a Uniting Church placement as a Community Chaplain for disaster-affected people. Again, there are mixed emotions for us – excitement, challenge and loss, all rolled into one. We will embrace the changes as best we can, regarding life as a journey of change, where we are called to make a positive difference wherever we can. We feel secure, knowing our God travels with us.

We are so thankful for our time in Lane Cove! We have appreciated the people –and many organizations - that contribute to building a strong community here. We love the beautiful, natural environment and those who selflessly fight to protect it. We have found welcome and kindness – so we say ‘thank you’ to those who have embraced, included and helped us.

The opportunity to serve in Lane Cove as a Community Chaplain is unique. This is due to the extraordinary generosity of Lane Cove Uniting Church, who, in true Lane Cove style, experimented with a brand-new approach to being the Church, embedded outside of the building in many different ways. Other churches have observed the unfolding of this initiative, and some have been inspired to begin their own, in contextualised ways.

We will be here for another month or so. We would love to say ‘goodbye’ to our many friends here over that time – so please contact me via the links below. Lane Cove Uniting Church will continue to support the role and current groups while they identify my successor.

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination - Jimmy Dean

The Soul Care Conference was all go! From John Brogden’s powerful, opening story, to electives interspersed with more great speakers, to catching up with colleagues over refreshments, it was very rich indeed. On the final day, Sally Longley’s ‘Spirituality for Busy People’, based on her book, Conversations with Silence, struck a chord with my own life and practice of contemplative spirituality.

Longley explains the importance of the musical term, the fermata, as a ‘grand pause’. Claude Debussy emphasises ‘the music is not in the notes, but in the silences in between’ (p102-3). Those pauses give richness and emphasis to the notes around them and allow space for our own interpretation. These short silences add grace, majesty and expectation to the whole piece.

Taking reflective pauses in life also adds richness and clarity. They help us identify how we have changed, what emotional burdens we are carrying and the opportunity to respond. Although taking many forms, a silent time of introspection is involved, achievable in big and small bites. I value short, daily, quiet times in a set place and time. That place soon begins to feel peaceful, becoming associated with reflective rest, and for me, communion with God. Our weekly, silent, 20-minute mantra group meditation, promotes inner stillness. A 15-second pause to take in a ‘snapshot’ of beauty, and lodge it in our memory, is one of our contemplative walking practices. Our monthly group, Sacred Space, offers time to quietly explore our spirituality together, amidst natural beauty. You are welcome to any of these – see the links below.

A longer retreat allows withdrawal from the pressures of daily life, in exchange for restful introspection. We emerge refreshed and energised. If they are currently impossible, we must find the momentary pauses life offers us instead. Even pauses in conversation are a gift of reflection and part of listening well.

To pause in the midst of the demands of our lives may feel like a waste of time. It’s not – it’s a rich gift to ourselves and to those around us. The pregnant pause beckons new life in us, as we rediscover our value base. It helps push away the loud, demanding voices that threaten to overwhelm us. Start small and be gentle with yourself – it takes a little practice. Sally Longley’s widely-researched book, describes her courageous journey to deep inside of her Australian soul, making it a helpful guide.
​
                                                             “You will be delivered by returning and resting;
                                                                your strength will lie in quiet confidence.”
                                                                         The Bible, Isaiah 30:15(HCSB)