As the commencement date for starting this new ministry creeps ever closer, I find myself waking at odd hours of the night (and day sometimes - I am technically on holidays) with inspiration - a necessary ingredient for the budding artist (he says with tongue planted firmly in his cheek). So that is why I am posting this, my potential first newsletter article at 12:14am on a Monday....this had better not happen next month!!

For my birthday last year, Casey bought me a French Easel, a basic set of acrylic paints, various sized brushes, a couple of mediums (painting – not to be confused with the TV Drama) and three blank canvases. You see, for many years I had been threatening to take up abstract painting, but had never actually taken the plunge. Now, before all you artists get enthusiastic – I am very (and I cannot over emphasis this too much) amateur – but I am excited about the possibilities. For example, my very first 'painting' if we can call it that, which sits now in my lounge room on the easel was me seeing what colour the paints were, by painting odd shapes. Comments on it so far include, "hmmmm" and "That's [pause] interesting." However despite all that, there is something mysteriously spiritual about preparing, setting up, laying out the tools and staring at a blank canvas that is bursting with creative potential. I guess you could say the same thing about where we all find ourselves this month. Staring, as it were at a canvas full of potential. By no means a blank canvas, because as a Church you have been painting your story into the local community for over 20 years.

In Luke’s Gospel, the artist’s canvas of Christ’s journey had begun with divine inspiration of epic proportions, exploring the highs and the lows of existence, with Song, with Shepherds and Angels. By the time Jesus gets back home to Nazareth, he had his inspiration for the rest of his masterpiece. In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus is pretty much charcoaling in the design for the rest of his work. After unrolling the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in his local synagogue, Jesus reads:

The Canvas of Jesus’ ministry was spread out before the people, ‘This is what the masterpiece is all about, and now be witness to the creative genius of God.’ The rest of Luke’s Gospel gives us an insight into how this artistic genius fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah by creating a masterpiece of such impact that is continues to change and inspire the world today.

Now, I do not know what the canvas has in store for the community of the Mount Barker Church of Christ however I am really excited to be joining you and exploring this together. I look forward to getting to know everyone, hearing all your stories, sharing in your journey and experience of life and adding the next phase to the canvas of the Mt Barker Church of Christ as it seeks to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in this hills community.

Shalom - Sae.

I suppose I could also have explored that the reason painters (and I am now including my self that assembly - stop laughing) find such inspiration in the blank canvas, is for the same reason that God created so beauty 'ex nihilo'. Perhaps paintings see themselves as god-like in the creative process?? Hmmm, now that is something to explore with someone....

Far away in the tropical waters of the Caribbean, two prawns were swimming around in the sea. One called Justin and the other called Christian.

The prawns were constantly being harassed and threatened by sharks that inhabited the area. Finally one day Justin said to Christian, "I'm fed up with being a prawn; I wish I was a shark, and then I wouldn't have any worries about being eaten."

A large mysterious cod appeared and said, "Your wish is granted" Lo and behold, Justin turned into a shark. Horrified, Christian immediately swam away, afraid of being eaten by his old mate.

Time passed (as it does) and Justin found life as a shark boring and lonely. All his old mates simply swam away whenever he came close to them. Justin didn't realize that his new menacing appearance was the cause of his sad plight.

While swimming alone one day he saw the mysterious cod again and he thought perhaps the mysterious fish could change him back into a prawn. He approached the cod and begged to be changed back, and, lo and behold, he found himself turned back into a prawn. With tears of joy in his tiny little eyes Justin swam back to his friends and bought them all a cocktail. (The punch line does not involve a prawn cocktail - it's much worse).

Looking around the gathering at the reef he realized he couldn't see

his old pal. "Where's Christian?" he asked. "He's at home, still distraught that his best friend changed sides to the enemy & became a shark", came the reply.

Eager to put things right again and end the mutual pain and torture he set off to Christian's abode. As he opened the coral gate, memories came flooding back. He banged on the door and shouted, "It's me, Justin, your old friend, come out and see me again."

Christian replied, "No way man, you'll eat me. You're now a shark, the enemy, and I'll not be tricked into being your dinner."Justin cried back "No, I'm not. That was the old me. I've changed.".........

(You're going to love this...)

"I've found Cod. I'm a Prawn again, Christian".