First Church of Otago

WELL, CAN YOU IMAGINE?

I once knew a lady whose constant response in any conversation was “Can you imagine.”

People were never quite sure whether there was a question mark of an exclamation point after her compulsive comment. Whatever you said to Beryl, whether it was about the mundane or the momentous, you could be sure she’s punctuate it with, “Well, can you imagine!”

She meant well, but it agitated people, especially her husband. I felt him cringe every time she blurted it out. One evening while visiting in their home, I sensed her husband’s patience had run out. She said it once too often. His rapier reply was, “Yes, Beryl, I can imagine an d let me tell you what I can imagine: what life would be like without you constantly saying, “Can you   imagine!”

Beryl’s nervous conversational tick might make us laugh, but her question needs to be asked. Can you imagine? If you were to lose your facilities, which would you desire to lose last (as though we would have a choice!)

The faculty I least desire to be deprived of would be two-fold: my memory and my imagination, for with it would go my capacity to think. Memory and imagination are inseparably linked, like a horse and cart. It’s one of the greatest gifts, the gift to believe the impossible in the midst of change and difficult circumstances.

I remember with great affection one of my Professors at Knox Theological Hall where I trained for the ministry. He encouraged his students never to lose the power of imagination. Ian Dixon believed the best was yet to be for all his students. He convinced us that Christ wanted the very best for each of us. The trouble is that frequently I used to think it was not possible.

Many years after my ordination I discovered an anonymous poem that described the unwillingness that I recognised in myself   to expect too much, to believe that the best still lies ahead. I wonder, does it speak to you? Read the rest of this entry »

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH OF OTAGO

 APPEAL FOR DONATIONS FOR FIRST CHURCH SPIRE RESTORATION

The Deacons Court of First Church has agreed to hold a Public Appeal for Funding towards the

Restoration of the First Church Spire. Applications are being made to various trusts.

The total cost of this work is estimated to be in the region of $600,000

TO DONATE TO THIS APPEAL post to First Church Office, PO BOX 374 Dunedin (cheques payable to First  Church of Otago Restoration) —name and address for a receipt please

 For paying into First Church Bank account :

BANK ACCOUNT WESTPAC  03 0905 0933091-00( name for receipt –  please email  your address  to firstchurch@xtra.co.nz)

– Please note all donations are eligible for tax rebates) Read the rest of this entry »

SUNDAY SERVICES AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OTAGO

10am Morning Worship

12 Noon Cook Islands Service

2.00pm Samoan Service

Quarterly Communion 10am

SERVICE SUNDAY 3 JUNE 10.00am –COMMUNION SUNDAY – Rev Graeme Munro