We left Arizona on Tuesday evening for Los Angeles. From there we took a direct flight to Sydney, getting on the plane Tuesday night and getting off the plane 6 am on Thursday. What happened to Wednesday? I was about to ask for a refund when I stopped to think that the answer is all too easy. We will get two Tuesdays in September to make up for it. But does it really make up for it? Haven't we lost a Wednesday forever?

Getting through customs we were met by Murray and Lori -; and it was as if time melted away since we saw them last. My youngest brother, Don, came to Australia in 1957, and I am sure that if he could have travelled with me, he would have found that somehow the time between then and now merged into a timeless presence.

Before the invention of the telephone no one ever thought to ask what time it was in other parts of the world. London might be six months away or the neighbouring state might be three weeks away. In a fairly short time all that has changed. It is an easy matter to phone anywhere in the world, but there is always the question: what time is it in the place I am calling? There have been embarrassing moments when someone gets a ring at 3 o'clock in the morning only to have the person on the other end of the line say: "oops- I must have subtracted instead of added the 7 hours difference."

Which reminds us that time is a human invention, and on a sphere like the earth, time differs depending on where you are on the globe.

Spiritually time = a change of state. This is another thing that makes international travel so disorienting -; you get on a plane, fall asleep (if you are lucky), and wake up in another place and another time-zone but it is as if no time or even space has elapsed. The spirit does not really live in time or space -; it connects with them when needed, but it is really a timeless organism. This is why eternal life does not feel to the angels like a very long time -; it just feels timeless, an unending series of changes of state. And since we are all in different states as far as our inner world is concerned, spiritually we are all in different time zones -; for some of us it is Wednesday - for others, every day is Sunday.

Congratulations to Robert and Huiling Sun Cooper on the birth and baptism of their baby.

Sermon Topics - July

July 2	"How can I love myself?"
July 9	"How can I serve?"
July 16	"Becoming free"
July 23	"Small changes and real growth"
July 30	"Listening to the small voice"

Children's Talks - I am planning to give a children's talk every Sunday, whether there are children in church or not. Perhaps this will speak to the child in each one of us

Living Spiritually Classes - A series of six classes on "Living Spiritually" began on Friday evening 23rd June and will continue every fortnight thereafter as per the schedule below. Even if you missed the first one please come and join with us in later classes. These classes are suited to people with little or no background in the New Church, as well as to life-time members, since it is a class about the application of a few basic doctrines. Each class will involve a) lecture, b) discussion, c) journaling, d) sharing in small groups. A syllabus for the class is available for you to pick up. Please feel free to invite your friends. When you come, please bring a pad of paper or notebook, and something to write with.

Class Topics

June 23	"Our state at birth"
July 7 - with dinner	"Ruling Love and Usefulness"
July 21	"Freedom and Repentance"
August 3 - with dinner	"Conscience and Temptation"
August 18	"The Role of Others"
September 1 - with dinner	"Sickness, Grief and Death"

Office Hours - I am planning to be in the office certain hours of the week and would welcome having people drop in to chat. Soon I will announce what those hours will be. Call me anytime on (02) 9580 1589

Hospital And Home Visits - I am happy to visit people in hospital or in their homes. Please keep me in touch with any people who might want such a visit.

Water Colour Lessons - Is anybody interested in watercolour lessons? I would be happy to give a few classes while we are here every Saturday at 2 pm.

Bushwalking - Louise and I love to bushwalk, and would enjoy doing so with others -; our pace is fairly slow, and I stop to look at flowers.

Ted Simmons passed into the spiritual world on 19th June 2006 at the age of 93. Father of Gai Kennedy, grandfather to Gai and Merv's children Peter, Stuart and Kathryn, and brother-in-law to Tom and Shirley Taylor, Ted was a man of integrity, a man known for his warmth and openness and a gentle and thoughtful man who we will all miss. A number of people from the Hurstville Society were able to attend his memorial service at Castle Hill conducted by Rev Julian Duckworth. The following are eulogies given at the service.

In Honour Of Ted Simmons
Written by Rev Ian Arnold and read during the Memorial Service

Dear Family and friends,

Along with you all, gathered today for his funeral and resurrection service, I honour Ted in his passing and give thanks for the privilege of not only knowing him but coming alongside of him from time to time as a pastor and friend.

My sense of privilege is all the greater in that I knew both Ted and Nell, a most lovely and devoted couple, two people who cherished each other; and felt Ted's immense pain and sense of loss when, so unexpectedly Nell passed away. For years previous Nell had nursed her mother and, with them, we had imagined that after her death Nell and Ted would be able to look forward to relaxed and long years of retirement living together. But that was not to be.

In the event, and as he and Nell agreed, Ted completed the move to Baulkham Hills, where they had both thought to have lived, Ted turning their unit into a lovely home and unerringly keeping his pledge to Nell to live bravely and fully over the years that followed.

But as I think of Ted what comes to mind are other, deeper, qualities he possessed and which made him the loveable man he was.

It is to Ted's great credit that he was never old in an "old" sense. Along with his warmth was his ability to enter right into your very own world, affirming you and making you feel that your life, interest, hopes, disappointments and concerns at that very moment were his very own. And he just so easily spanned the generations in this way, so dearly loved by his family, so much a friend as well as a grandfather to his grandchildren.

At first it seems sad that he will not, after all, see and hold his first great-grandchild; so near was he to doing so but now not to be. But who knows? My feeling is that he will be much more part of the love, care and life of this new little person, also of the new parents and grandparents, than even he would have been, physically, and by being here. For now he can be a spiritual presence and angelic influence and it can easily be that this is what the Lord has called him forward to be.

Ted never stopped missing Nell though he never imposed this on others or wore his loneliness self-pityingly. Now their partnership resumes and enters a new, rich, phase. Who of us would really want to hold him back from this?

And yes, we say he is "gone". But not very far. In spirit he remains as much in touch with us as ever. Indeed, liberated from his physical body, it could be that you who loved him so much will sense and feel his presence with you more powerfully than ever before.

The Lord be with you all as you grieve the loss of Ted, so rightly loved and cherished by you as he was.

All is Well
A poem read by granddaughter Kathryn Kennedy.

All Is Well
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918

Edward George Gabriel Simmons
A eulogy prepared by the family and read by Peter Kennedy

How does anyone do justice to Ted on paper? He was one of life's special treasures and we, his family, are honoured that he was ours.

Ted, was born on 6th May 1913 in Waterview Street, Five Dock, the fourth and youngest child of William Gabriel and Eliza Isabella Simmons. He was originally to be named Frederick John, but war broke out and his father, a staunch Englishman, born and bred in London, called him Edward George after two of Britain's kings, and then threw in the family name Gabriel for good measure - this name has now been passed on to Ted's daughter Gai and granddaughter Kathryn, making Kathryn the 5th generation to share the name.

His father William was an alderman of Drummoyne Council for nine years and served as Mayor of Drummoyne for two terms. His mother Eliza sadly died when Eddie, as he was then called, was only 3 years old. This was one of the great sadness's of his life in later years as while he had photos of his mother he said that he had never had the foresight to ask the ones who knew her what she was really like while they were still alive and could have told him. He felt he had missed the opportunity to ask about a very important person in his life - maybe now he has the answer to his questions.

While he missed out on his mother's love growing up, he had two devoted and loving older sisters, Ethel and Flo who loved him dearly and must take great credit for bringing him up to be the wonderful person that he became.

He attended Five Dock Public school - where he once told us he won "the most popular boy competition" - the first prize was a sought after pen but he lost it on the way home before he could show anyone. He later attended Leichhardt Technical School leaving at the age of 15. He went into the family business which was a blind factory owned by his father. As the youngest he was given the job of cleaning the old and dirty blinds that were brought in -; he would say that this was "the worst job I ever had" and decided then and there it wasn't for him. He applied for other jobs (without telling his father who was horrified when he found out) and secured a one month trial with Siemens Brothers electrical machinery manufacturers. He stayed with this industry for nearly 50 years - through various mergers and takeovers when people were losing their jobs to the opposition Ted was the one person that each successive company wanted to keep - he was an asset to each company that he worked for and each time there was a takeover, Ted (despite many concerns on his part) was always retained and promoted - which is testament to his integrity. One phone call we had this week was from a former workmate who said Ted was "the best boss he ever worked for" - some of his former colleagues still keep in touch even though they were "the kids" when he was in charge. At his farewell dinner with tongue in cheek, he informed the Managing Director that he had started on a one month trial 50 years before and that "My job has still yet to be confirmed"!

He was an executive member of the Electrical Wholesalers Association of NSW for 15 years and Chairman for 3.

In 1937 he joined the St John's Ambulance Brigade and when war came he became attached to the 8th Field Ambulance Brigade and was sent first to Narellan and then to Wallgrove army camps. However the government then introduced "manpower" so he was told that he had to leave the army and go back to Siemens because it was classified as a protected industry. He wasn't happy about this but had no choice. Sadly the 8th Field Ambulance Brigade was sent to the islands where they nearly all lost their lives.

Ted in the meantime had met his soul mate and love of his life, Nellie Taylor. They married in 1946 and as housing was short moved to Ted's grandfather's home in Leichhardt. It was a large house, built by his maternal grandfather and Ted and the rest of the extended family had spent much of their earlier lives visiting and staying in the house. It was by now only occupied by two of Ted's maiden aunts and they renovated the top floor to convert it into two flats and Ted and Nell moved into the upstairs rooms. They lived at Leichhardt for 13 happy years and Ted would say it was like living at "headquarters" because there were constant visits from cousins, aunts, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews - always someone popping in - a very large extended family who loved and cared about each other deeply.

Ted and Nell's beloved only child, Elizabeth Gabrielle, or Gai as she is known was born during this time and the three of them were a very close and devoted family unit. Gai would go everywhere as a child with her Dad and they had the nickname of "Charlie Chan and his Number One daughter".

Ted and Nell built their first home at Carlingford, and moved there in 1959 where they stayed for the next 30 years. The week they moved it rained and rained and rained, and Ted walked back and forth from window to window, trying to get used to the small modern rooms after the spaciousness of Leichhardt with its 12 foot ceilings, and he was heard to mutter occasionally something about …….not being able to swing a cat …………! But they were delighted to have their first home after all that time and there were lots of happy times and wonderful memories made there. Friendships with the neighbours from those times have continued to the present day.

Ted had many roles in life - one of being father of the bride - Whilst he only had the one daughter he had the privilege of walking three beautiful brides down the aisle as their "father" - a duty he thoroughly enjoyed. He was also a much loved uncle and "father figure" to his nephew John and niece Marnette as he had lived with his sisters and children until he was married.

Ted and Nell's daughter Gai and husband Merv gave them four lovely grandchildren - Stephen who unfortunately died in infancy - Peter, Stuart and Kathryn. Ted was very proud of his grandchildren, and they were all dearly loved by their grandpa. He was thrilled and proud to see them so happy in their adult lives with their partners.

Sadly Nell didn't get to see them grow up as she passed away in 1985. Nell was the love of Ted's life and there wasn't a day that he didn't miss her - they shared a very special bond and as he got older he missed her more and more and longed to be with her once again -; now he has his wish and has his beautiful Nellie back again.

Ted had a great love of all sports, and thoroughly enjoyed watching the cricket and football - he was a member of the Sydney Cricket Ground and often used to go with his brother Bill and take their small nephew John to see the games. It was a social day too as in those days all their friends would go and meet there - having the same seats each week and enjoying the times together. Ted's grandson Peter shares this same passion and he and his grandpa loved the times they spent together watching the games and talking about the scores. He was an avid Balmain Tigers supporter never missing a game. Gai went to several grand final matches with her Dad with the two of them eating meat pies and standing on the seats to cheer on their team - much to Nell's horror when she found out what they had been up to.

He was a member for many years of Carlingford Bowling Club and after Nell's passing he moved to Aminya where he enjoyed many games of bowls on their green.

His grandchildren used to individually drop in on him and take dinner to share and spend the evening chatting with their grandpa - and he felt privileged when his grandson Stuart confided to him alone that he was planning to propose to his girlfriend - Grandpa was the one who was entrusted with the family secrets and how lovely it was that the three of them knew he could be relied on for his unconditional love and would help them and be there any time day or night. He would always have chocolate or strawberry milk waiting for Kathryn when she would call in twice a week on the way to her waitressing job just in case she didn't have time for dinner and always called her his "favourite granddaughter" even though he only had the one!

Family barbeques, Christmas, birthday parties and get togethers always included Grandpa and he loved each of these occasions just being with us all. We all cooked extra so that he could take a baked dinner or two home with him for the next day.

He occupied Unit 58 at Aminya for 20 years and in the early days was an active member of the Social Committee, always deeply involved with most activities and right up until this week he was keenly interested in the events of Aminya, looking forward to their annual fete on Saturday.

He had a knowing smile and a twinkle and with just a raised eyebrow and a grin could convey many words - but words were his strong point and there was never a time when Ted didn't rise to the occasion with an impromptu speech - these speeches were usually seen to be "off the cuff" as despite a bit of preparation he would just speak from the heart and when he did you could hear a pin drop.

Ted wasn't just a grandfather, and father, he was a Dad and a Grandpa - sharing every aspect of our lives - no matter how large and how small - he was interested in and caring about each member of his family and his friends - and when we look around and see the number of people here today to honour his memory, at 93, how many people could pull such a crowd! I know that he would have loved to see everyone here today and would probably make a much better job of these speeches than we ever could.

Ted had a very real love for his Creator and often attended various church services - he was baptised a Methodist - but used to say 'it doesn't matter at what station you catch the train, we all get off at Central'.

Ted was to become a great grandfather in the next few weeks, and he was looking forward to this time with great anticipation. Whilst we are devastated that he won't be here with us we know that he would want us to have this special joy and this precious baby will just have one more angel to watch over it.

I think we should leave the last word to his beloved Nellie, who urged us all to remember these words when she passed away, Grieve not that I am not, Rejoice that I have been.

That is the name of the new Booklet in our Bookroom, for free reading** and perhaps offering it to a friend. It is well worth reading too, and attractively set out with photos of people, and colourful pictures as background for short articles and quotes from the Bible and the Writings. On the cover of the copy I'm looking at is a photo of a boy reading in a garden. The theme of this issue is Understanding the Bible. Also, on the cover are listed some of the things we'll read about inside. The Booklet is in a handy size for reading in a bus or train or at lunchtime.

On page two we read of the main teachings of the New Church and on page three the contents are listed, all having to do with how we may better understand the Word. On almost every page are appropriate short quotes from the Bible and the Writings, as well as one or two of these helpful short articles. Then we read concise answers to questions people might ask.

In some issues under the heading Changing Lives are accounts of how some people found the Church usually in their own words. In the issue I'm reading a lady name Rachel Dickson tells her story, a gripping one indeed. Far from being one of those Born Again Instant Salvation ones, she really struggled to find the faith that satisfied her yearning. It is a must-read, and an eye-opener to those of us who grew up in the New Church.

Rachel ends her story with the account of a remarkable dream in which her father, now in the spiritual world , appeared to her. Intrigued? Read it.

Even the back page of the Booklet is not wasted. A quote from the Arcana Coelestia (Heavenly Secrets) reminds us that when we read the Word we are even serving the angels as well as ourselves, for angels are stirred by the holiness contained in the internal sense.

Reviewed by Norman Heldon

An excerpt from the latest issue of New Church Connection which focuses on Life after Death reads as follows:
The angels intend nothing but good toward their neighbour, and if they see evil in anyone they excuse it. (Arcana Coelestia 6655) Think of someone you have trouble getting along with. Identify one quality that you can appreciate about this person. Ask the Lord to help you look beyond this person's faults to focus on the good.

 ** Actually it is not free but we do have some promotional copies available for free. It can be obtained for free by accessing the latest copy and recent archives at:

http://www.newchurch.org/resources/newcomers/ncConnectMag
i.e. read it online and/or print your own copy for free. The website also has a place where you can subscribe to have your copy posted for $US19.99 (4 issues for 1 year) or $US29.99 (8 issues for 2 years). You can also make a gift subscription. Ed.

Last Sunday, May 28, we celebrated the ordinations of Charles (Chuck) Blair, Glenn (Mac) Frazier, Scott Frazier and Vicente Nobre into the first degree of the priesthood of the New Church. Chuck will continue with his work at the Academy Boys School, Mac will be assigned as the Assistant to the Pastor of the Pittsburgh Society, Scott will continue with his work at the Bryn Athyn College and translation work for the General Church, and Vicente will serve as a pastor in Brazil. May the Lord be with these men and their families as they enter into these important uses.

Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline

The Academy Board of Trustees unanimously and enthusiastically approved a new strategic plan for 2006-2011 in February. The General Church and the Bryn Athyn Society have begun their own strategic planning processes. The Academy is working with them and eventually all three plans will be coordinated.

Meanwhile, there may be questions and concerns about the Academy plan. A summary of the plan is available at:
http://www.ANCalumni.org/president/summary.html

Copies of the summary are available from the Development Office:
267-502-4895 or Development@anc-gc.org.

Please feel free to contact:

Rev. Prescott A. Rogers	Daniel T. Allen
President	Vice President/Treasurer
267-502-2579	267-502-2636
Prescott.Rogers@anc-gc.org	Daniel.Allen@anc-gc.org

It has been a pleasure to welcome Rev Frank Rose and his wife Louise who arrived in time for our June 19th celebrations. The first of these events occurred on Saturday evening 17th June with a Progressive Dinner beginning at the home of Murray and Lori Heldon progressing to Baringa for the main course and finishing at the home of Mike and Kerry Lockhart for dessert. Special thanks for a wonderful evening go to the hosts mentioned above and to Trevor and Maureen Mahy who not only joined us for the evening but also cooked the main course. Frank gave a talk on what he had learnt in 50 years as a pastor about how to grow the church, debunking some popular myths and telling us that his last pastorate in Tucson which enjoyed significant growth was due to a lengthy stay as pastor (not changing your pastor every three years!) and concentrating on getting "satisfied customers" or making sure you meet the needs of the people you are serving.

On Sunday 18th June we were privileged to witness the infant baptism of Matthew Austen Cooper (son of Robert Cooper and his wife Huiling) during the New Church Day service. This was followed by a Pot Luck luncheon with a cake to celebrate with the words "Birth, Baptism, Regeneration, Rebirth" worked around a decoration of Australian wildflowers.

It was good to have back with us during the weekend Shirley and Tom Taylor and Gail and George Marcou.

It is nice to see Jeffrey Heldon back from the Bryn Athyn High School for the United States summer holidays. He arrived just in time for the Twin 21st Birthday Party of his cousins Angela and Michelle Heldon on 11th June. Congratulations Angela and Michelle! We are all getting cricks in our necks looking up at Jeffrey as he is 6 foot 5 and still growing!

Murray and Lori Heldon and Jeffrey had a week's holiday in Port Douglas in North Queensland during June. They were happy that Naomi could arrange a business trip to meet them during the holiday.

 We have received details of the Family Camp planned at Camp Morley near Auckland New Zealand from 5th to 11th January and hosted by the Auckland Society. Camp Morley is at Clarks Beach on Manukau Harbour about 40 minutes from Auckland Airport. Situated right on the beach with very safe swimming when the tide is in and a long walk to the water when the tide is out!

Accommodation is available for 80 people so don't delay your booking too long. We will have exclusive use of a dining hall, an activities centre and lecture hall and green grassed areas. The camp is fully catered.

There are spare booking forms at the church. Phone (02) 9580 1589 for your copy or more details. You can also register your interest in attending by emailing g.keyworth@xtra.co.nz

Happy Birthday to Lachlan Hinds (9th), James Kermond (10th), Babbette Horner (14th), Theo Kirsten (30th),

Note: All events are located at the church at 22 Dudley St, Penshurst 2222 (off Hillcrest Ave) unless otherwise stated. Contact the Hurstville New Church on (02) 9580 1589 for more information or email us at newchurch@optusnet.com.au All are welcome and refreshments are served after church each Sunday.
Saturday	July 1st	2 p.m. Watercolour class
Sunday	July 2nd	10 00 a. m. Worship
Friday	July 7th	7 00 p.m. Dinner and Class ("Living Spiritually")
Saturday	July 8th	2 p.m. Watercolour class
Sunday	July 9th	10 00 a. m. Worship followed by Theta Alpha Guild Meeting
Saturday	July 15th	2 p.m. Watercolour class
Sunday	July 16th	10 00 a. m. Worship
Friday	July 21st	7 30 p.m. Class ("Living Spiritually")
Saturday	July 22nd	2 p.m. Watercolour class
Sunday	July 23rd	10 00 a. m. Worship
Monday	July 24th	Young People's Class (to be confirmed)
Saturday	July 29th	2 p.m. Watercolour class
Sunday	July 30th	10 00 a. m. Worship