Aberdeen Unitarian Church

CALENDAR

JULY/AUGUST 2007

 

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CONTENTS


Secretary: Mr. Wm. S. Stephen, 18 Woodend Place, ABERDEEN, AB15 6AL


EDITOR'S FOREWORD

Stimulations generally thought of as being a good thing, particularly for younger children and the elderly in order to exercise their menial faculties and maintain their intellectual acuity. However, our current way of life may expose us to over-stimulation, which is certainly not beneficial, because the nonstop, frenetic assault on our senses makes us tired, irritable and nervy. Recently the Epilepsy Society complained about the unsettling effect of the 2012 London Olympic logo upon its members, and the Bishop of Reading has just published a book about the evils of 'multi- tasking' that is trying to do a great many things at the same time. Choosing to 'multi-task' is one thing, but we city-dwellers are victims of involuntary multi-tasking, in that we have no protection against uninvited sensual stimulation. Sitting in my garden, on a Sunday afternoon, I am assailed by the ground-bass of traffic noise punctuated by emergency vehicle sirens. Someone else is mowing the lawn with a bronchial motor mower, while listening to an over-amplified pop radio station. A TV set is blasting away three doors up; a barbecue party is shouting its way through hamburgers and chicken legs, a car alarm is screaming for attention, and suddenly the sky is torn to tatters by shredding helicopters. The air is pungent with charcoal smoke and petrol fumes. The subtle scent of roses and the sweetness of bird-song which I expect in my garden are annihilated by the crassness of 21st century culture.

But not on Shapinsay; not at Haughlands. I had not realised how distracted I had become, how fragmented my consciousness, until I spent a few hours on that Isle of Tranquility. The 24/12 cacophony of the techno-age had melted away, replaced by bird-song and the sighing of the waves upon the beach. Sky blue, grass green, sea blue-green and white, butter-cup yellow and the muted shades of local stone comprise the modest palette of this pastoral haven. Instead of defending myself against this environment I wished to absorb it, to embrace it, to become a part of it. Indeed, I felt I was a part of this landscape. I was at home here. My senses were keen, refreshed, eagerly responding to the harmony of colour, light, scent and sound. The proportions were right, the scale was human. Simply to walk across the pasture or linger by the shore was to meditate. Here, I could feel at one with the universe. This was a healing experience which made me realise just how many distractions there are in my day-to-day living, radio, television, telephones, newspapers, internet, noise, noise. noise! The sheer violence and invasiveness of modern culture. driving out peace, alienating the spirit, and leaving in its wake a confused and splintered self.

Haughland Unitarian Centre, Shapinsay

At Haughlands I knew how important it is to set aside a time of tranquility and inactivity for oneslf;
away from all distractions and external stimulation, to retreat into oneself, and rediscover the universe. What a good idea Sunday was. A day of rest. Perhaps this is an idea we should revisit.

Wm. S. Stephen (Editor) 

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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

Many congratulations to Jean Shanks who celebrates her 96th birthday this month (July). Jean is a loyal member of the Women's League, a regular attender at Sunday Service and at all Church occasions.


We send Jean our best wishes and hope she has a very happy birthday.

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PASTORAL GREETINGS

We express our continuing concern and support to all our members who are in hospital or confined to their own homes because of illness or infirmity. You are in our minds and in our prayers.
We appreciate receiving news of our members and would like to hear from anyone who would appreciate a visit from our Minister.

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CONGRATULATIONS

We congratulate Neil Stewart on being selected to play in goal for the Westhill Primaries football team next session.
Neil, who is about to enter Primary 7. has been specialising in goal-keeping for several years and his hard work and application have been rewarded by this recent appointment.
Well done, Neil!

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ANNIVERSARY FAIR

Our major fund-raising effort this year will coincide with our Anniversary weekend on Saturday 13th October. It is anticipated that our usual range of stalls will operate. The coordinator for this event is Anita Stephen who will appreciate all offers of help.

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HAUGHLANDS VISIT

Anita and Bill Stephen recently paid a flying visit to Haughlands, the Unitarian Centre & Retreat on the Orkney Isle of Shapinsay, created and operated by Lesley and Bill McEown.


Lesley and Bill acquired a traditional croft, renovated and converted the buildings to form the Haughlands Centre, which consists of a chapel, two meeting rooms, and comfortable dining and sleeping accommodation for 8 people.


Lesley provides a programme of activities for her guests if necessary, but there is no obligation to participate in this. One could spend the time in reading, walking, meditating, thinking on one's own. Full board costs £30.00 per person, per night. Guests are met off the ferry from Kirkwall (30 minute crossing) and driven 3 miles or so from the pier to Haughlands. 


Shapinsay is a small green island with wonderful views of sea and sky and is an open door to the rest of the universe. It is a haven of green, blue and white harmony, light and grace. 


Haughlands is the perfect place to find oneself, discover new spiritual depths and rediscover what is really important in life.

 
Lesley and Bill are warm-hearted and welcoming, positive and cheerful, committed to their creation and eager to share its peace and healing qualities with all who care to step ashore on their enchanted island. Visiting Haughlands, even briefly, was a wonderful and memorable experience and certainly one to be repeated.

Web site: www.orkneyretreat.org.uk

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BEETLE DRIVE

This annual entomological competition to identify the Muckle Gollach of 2007 and his Wee Beastie will take place on Friday 7th September at 8.00pm. Tickets £2.00 and £1.00. 

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JULY RECESS

There will be no Morning Services on Sunday15th. and Sunday 22nd. July. This is the traditional Aberdeen Holiday Fortnight, when many of our members take their vacation.

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SUNDAY LUNCH & A PAUSE FOR THOUGHT


As an experiment in community building, fellowship and outreach, on Sunday 29th. July, we intend a major change to our usual Sunday worship. 

We shall start at 11.45am with a fish & chips lunch. A short devotional/inspirational programme will follow. Members who wish to be present are asked to add their names to a list on the church notice board. 

We would also like to encourage our friends and supporters to join us at this unique occasion.

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INDOOR MARKET


Kathleen Bruce & Kathleen McGregor have organised an Indoor Market for Saturday 1st. September, 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Each table costs £5.00 to hire and the hirer of course retains the proceeds from whatever he or she sells. 

Kathleen Bruce and Kathleen McGregor are in charge of booking. 

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EXPEDITION TO WALES & CHESTER 


Members who are booked to join the September Holiday Weekend to Chester etc. are reminded that Margaret Robinson requires the remainder of the cost by 12th. August. i.e. £318.00 per couple and £195.00 per single. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Margaret Robinson’.

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TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEAS


The Arts Group kindly invites all their friends and patrons to sample their superb Afternoon Teas on the following dates:

Thursday 19th July & Thursday16th August from 2.00pm–3.30pm. 

The cost of £ 1.50 ensures the participant exquisite china, swift and friendly service, delicious cakes etc. and fragrant teas from India and the Orient.. 

Kathleen Bruce & Kathleen McGregor will be delighted to take bookings.

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WOMEN’S LEAGUE SUMMER LUNCH CLUB.



The Women’s League Summer Lunch Club will continue to meet on the following dates, 25th July and 8th August, 1.00pm – 2.00m. 

A two course meal with tea/coffee will be served for £ 2.50. 

All members and friends are cordially invited to attend.

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SERVICE OF CONTEMPLATION

Starting on Friday 7th September, at 7.00pm Revd. Cal Courtney will conduct a short Contemplative service on the Taize model. The intention is to reach out to as many people as possible and to younger people in particular. 

This new venture, of course will also need the support of our members and friends both by their participation and in spreading the word among our acquaintances and colleagues. 

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WILLIAM DYCE

By Gladys Mintie

William Dyce

Last Autumn, Aberdeen Art Gallery mounted an exhibition of the work of the 19th. century painter, William Dyce, R.A. Although now remembered for a few of his Biblical paintings, many of which appear in illustrated versions of the Bible, and for the King Arthur frescos that decorate the walls of the Queen's robing chamber in the House of Lords, Dyce was a major cultural influence during the early decades of Queen Victoria's reign. He worked for Prince Albert, was admired by John Ruskin and William Ewart Gladstone, with whom he collaborated in the founding of the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. (S.P.C.K.). Brought up in the Catholic tradition, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the AngloCatholic Oxford Movement, and of their aims of restoring ritual, colour, pageantry, and musical liturgy to the services of the Anglican Church. He contributed to the development of the moral climate of the 19th century, establishing and propagating through his paintings and writing what we now refer to as 'Victorian values'. 

He felt it was his duty as an artist to communicate religious truths dramatically and simply to an unlettered, urban audience, the children of the industrial revolution, who were ignorant of the Bible and who had scant desire to enter a church. Impressed by the clarity and simplicity of their narrative style, Dyce tried to emulate the techniques of the medieval church painters, whose work he studied during his residence in Italy. He revived the technique of fresco painting in Britain and inspired the work of the next generation of Victorian painters, the pre-Raphaelites.

His work mirrors the mid - Victorian spiritual and cultural dilemma, in that it is torn between mythology and rationalism, faith and reason, religion and science. Much of his working life was spent propagating traditional Christian belief. For instance his House of Lord murals celebrate the knightly values of King Arthur's mythical court, courtesy, humility, courage, steadfastness, trustworthiness, generosity, compassion etc. and his painting above the throne depicts the baptism of King Ethelbert, a 7th. century King of Kent, and the first Saxon monarch to embrace the Christian Faith. He is proclaiming a parliamentary heritage of chivalric virtues and Christian observance. Many of his paintings dramatise incidents from the Old and New Testaments, and his madonnas were celebrated, not only for their beauty but also for the loving bond between virgin and child.

Madonna & Child

Born in Aberdeen, and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Marischal College where his father lectured in medicine, William Dyce, after graduating M.A. studied painting at the Royal Academy, London and then in Rome. After travelling widely in Italy, he returned to Edinburgh where he became a successful portrait painter. London, however, offered him much wider scope for his talents and he moved there permanently in 1840 to become Professor of Fine Arts at King's College, London. He accepted other prestigious teaching posts, published several books and papers, and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1848. He established himself as a leading figure in cultural circles, numbering the Prince Consort and William Gladstone among his friends and patrons. He was commissioned to decorate the walls of the new House of Lords, an enormous undertaking, that remained unfinished at the time of his death in February 1864. 

Dyce, however, was also deeply influenced by the new sciences, geology and palaeontology, and by the theories of evolution, and, unlike many devout believers, was certain these new ideas were compatible with his Christian faith. He claimed that every new natural discovery, instead of diminishing God's creative spirit, enhanced it.

The painting which has received the greatest critical acclaim is an attempt to demonstrate that religion and science are not contradictory but complementary. This is a landscape, depicting Pegwell Bay in Kent, at sunset on 5th. October 1858. The date is precise because overhead - and represented by a smudge of light- coloured paint - is Donati's Comet, bright enough to be seen by the naked eye, even in daylight. The painting, in addition to portraying the serenity of sea and sky, Newton's' great ocean of truth', God's awe-inspiring creation, the sciences of geology, palaeontology (the figures on the beach are fossil-hunting), botany, astronomy and meteorology are all represented in the meticulous accuracy of the artist's observation and craftsmanship. This reflection of the universe, claims Dyce, is as true a revelation of God's nature as any to be culled from the pages of the Bible.

 

Pegwell Bay

While his great Biblical paintings were admired by the thousands of visitors at the annual Summer Exhibitions mounted by the Royal Academy of Art, there was a growing collection of much smaller works that fewer were privileged to witness and of which even fewer found reason to approve. Painted towards the end of his life, these canvasses are very personal, revealing his spiritual doubts about traditional Christian teaching. They seem to show that he is seeking a faith that is wider, more inclusive than Christianity, and more relevant to his experience of living in the modern world. While his public paintings are confident declarations of Biblical truths these small-scale works, as intimate as a private diary, are reflective, profound, aware of new spiritual influences crowding in upon the safe, old traditions. They usually depict a troubled Jesus, deeply introspective, brooding, his eyes lowered or turned away from the viewer, as if distancing himself from humanity. He is usually placed at the edge of the picture or even walking out of the frame altogether. He is a solitary figure, set in an actual landscape, wild, rocky, sometimes barren, always desolate, often on the Isle of Arran, which Dyce has rendered in forensic detail with halogen clarity, as if for a science textbook. 

The Man of Sorrows

The severity of his spiritual conflict is apparent when we realise that while he is engaged in rethinking his attitude towards traditional religion, he is still busy creating the vast mythological murals in the new House of Lords and painting 'The Good Shepherd', his iconic image of the Jesus of the Gospels.

The Good Shepherd

Jesus in Gethsemane

George Herbert at Bemerton

 

A kind of resolution seems to have been achieved in the (retrospective) portrait of the 17th century poet and cleric, George Herbert, Vicar of Bemerton, near Salisbury. George Herbert, a brilliant scholar and orator, rejected high office in the Church of England to serve as a country parson in an obscure parish where he could live simply and cultivate his literary gifts. Dyce visited his parsonage and painted his garden.

 

Apart from a distant view of the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, there are no religious references in the picture. Instead, two secular adjuncts, Herbert's fishing bag and lute are visible and the poet himself is caught, gazing skywards, in the midst of composition. The painting is dominated by several great oak trees, suggesting that Nature has replaced Christianity as the main spiritual influence in the artist's life. We have an impression that this is an exercise in wish - fulfilment, a quiet life, spent deep in the countryside, where he would find spiritual contentment by studying Nature and recording the infinite moods ofthe 'great ocean of Truth' that is the universe. However, his dream remained unrealised. He died while still in harness, labouring with increasing loathing upon the vast, chivalric murals which no longer interested him, depicting a mythology which no longer inspired him. Of his own spiritual struggles, the general public preferred to remain in ignorance. These intense, tortured images were too private, too introverted, aberrations unbecoming of an establishment figure, and so the knowledge of a profound and sincere spiritual odyssey became lost to succeeding generations until this exhibition, last Autumn. These pictures are a valuable and moving record of one man's personal experience as he strives to shake off the influence of the past and come to terms with his own revelation of a spiritual universe that is infinitely wider than anything he had ever encountered in traditional teaching.

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'QUIET FLOWS THE DON'

FELIX CLUB AT KILDRUMMY
MAY 2007

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