Reflections 

 

I read this reflection by Rev Tom Stuart at Charlestown while filming for Project Reconnect. I particularly like his comment on growing old 

Click Here

 

What do Australians think about Religion?

The ABC recently polled Australians about what they think about many contemporary issues. One of those issues was religion and belief. Click Here to see a summary of what Australians really think 

 

 Why is the Uniting Church interested in Social Justice?

Uniting Justice has been the Justice unit of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia pursuing national matters of social and economic justice, human rights, peace, and the environment. The Uniting Church punches well above its weight in SJ matters. For more information click here Social Justice

 

Words of wisdom shared by Val Beckmore at the exercise group:

An Empty Mayonnaise Jar and two cups of organic camomile tea

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  Again they agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar and shook it lightly. Of course, the sand filled up the rest of the space. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of camomile tea from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the grains of sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life".

  1. "The golf balls are the important things – God, your family, your children, your health, your best friends and your favourite passions–and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
  2. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
  3. The sand is everything else–the small stuff."

 “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are really important to you.

“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Talk to you friends and family. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play more sport. There will always be time to clean the house, paint the fence,  wash the car and fix the leaking tap. Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the camomile tea represented. The professor smiled.

“I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a cup of tea with a friend.”