St Michael's Uniting Church

Sunday Service
2017-07-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2017-07-23 10:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.

Open House Melbourne
2017-07-29 10:00 - 16:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s Uniting Church is proud to be part of the month long celebration of architecture, design and the city during Open House Melbourne.
We invite you to visit St Michael’s and experience this inspiring building filled with history and emotion.
St Michael’s, completed in 1867, is built on the site of the first permanent church in Melbourne. The interior design, though ahead of its time, is influenced by a theatrical style reminiscent of Florentine galleries. The exterior reflects Tuscan style with Romanesque features.
Experience the magnificence of St Michael’s bicentennial windows, created by renowned Australian artist Klaus Zimmer: a rare expression of visual theology and the largest display of existential-religious stained glass in the Southern Hemisphere.
Visit Mingary, The Quiet Place (on the west side) – a non-denominational peaceful escape from the hectic demands of the city.

___________________________________________

Saturday 29 July:
10am – 4pm Open House
Sunday 30 July:
10am – 11.30am, Sunday Service
12pm – 4pm, Open House

Organ Recital
2017-07-27 13:00 - 13:30, 2017-07-20 13:00, 2017-06-15 13:00 - 13:30, 2017-06-08 13:00 - 13:30 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Every Thursday at 1 pm, the St Michael’s Carillon is sounded and the grand organ comes to life for a free 30 minute recital. Now into their tenth year, these recitals are well attended by the public.
Performed by organist Rhys Boak, and visiting artists, brings the joy and beauty of live music to many Melbournians and visitors.
Please check your orders of service or our Facebook page each week to see who will be performing the following Thursday.
Music has an important role to play in the functioning of society and has had for many thousands of years. No human culture appears to be without music. Singing, in particular, seems to be universal. Music is invariably expressed in relation to religion. The music program at St Michael’s each week brings us some of the best musicians and music that Australia has to offer to enrich our experience during our Sunday services at special events during the year.

That’s the Spirit
2017-07-24 08:00 - 17:00
Notes on the Sunday address by Rev Ric Holland, 2 April 2017
“I will put my spirit into you shall live” Ezek. 37.14
Ezekiel’s message is that something that was dead i.e. the disunity between the separated nations of the northern and southern kingdoms can be fixed. They can be re united and live again centring on the restored and revitalised city of Jerusalem and its Temple. He believed that God’s spirit can make that happen.
Do we believe that that same spirit can still bring healing and peace and unity to the nations across the world?
THE WORLD
As it was being applied to two ancient kingdoms can it still work? Can it be applied to North and South Korea? to Ireland and Northern Ireland? To Cyprus Greek and Turkish, can it still bring peace in the Middle East; can it reconcile Hungary and Serbia, between Spain and its Northern Basque territory? And yes even between Israel and Palestine?
Ah you say that’s too far-fetched. Not possible.
Well, tell that to Nelson Mandela as he rots away in his Robben Island cell recalling on every lonely and isolated day the two nations of South Africa, Black and white. Further divided by rich white and shockingly poor black. Ask him if they can ever be healed? At the same time ask Father Trevor Huddlestone, Albert Luthuli, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, fighting for the end of Apartheid.
Well you might hear some say “even if it were possible, there would be bloodshed and revenge”. Then stand back and look at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission demonstrating healing, and forgiveness and reconciliation. I think then you can see dead bones coming to life.
Then there was Rosa Parkes, forced to sit in the black section of the Mississippi bus and then give up that seat to a white person. Who, along with tens of thousands of other black citizens were told where to go to the toilet, where they could and could not eat, even who they were allowed to love and marry? Tell her that the spirit through her cannot change the world. Or that one day there would be a black President in the white house and tell that same thing to Rev Martin Luther King Jr himself inspired by Rosa Parks, a man who with the power of the spirit went on to change the world.
Offer that same pessimism to Angela Merkel who leads a country still living with the shame of the concentration camps, a country who itself within the last couple of decades was divided, East and West. Tell her that countries can’t change and listen to her words as she leads a country “Where nobody will be abandoned, and nobody excluded”. “To exclude groups of people because of their faith isn’t worthy of this country. It isn’t compatible with our essential values, and its humanly reprehensible. Xenophobia, racism, extremism have no place here and we are fighting to ensure that they don’t have a place elsewhere either”.
Tell Mikael Gorbochof that the spiritual influence of his grandparents has no place in breaking down the iron curtain and giving back liberty and freedom to millions of people across the then communist world.
No I truly believe that the spirit that dear old Ezekiel was talking about nearly 3000 years ago is alive and well and continuing to change the world.
THE CHURCH
O but then there’s the church, the immobile, rock solid bulwark of orthodoxy totally intransigent to change. Immoveable and for centuries dictatorial to its poor followers and which for 1500 years was able to totally control its worshippers by conducting its services in a completely foreign and dead language. Well this year, of course, we celebrate 500 years since the Reformation began with Martin Luther hammering on the door of Castle Church Vittensberg his declaration of belief. “Here I stand I can do no other” and whose spirit dramatically changed the course of church history, enabling people to worship in their own language and to play an informed part in the church’s future.
That act truly shook the very foundations of the church. We celebrate it this year in an event that is presently being organised by Melbourne City Churches in Action (Federation Square). This was the spirit moving in the church.
But what happened? Well the church is very good at being stimulated, enthused, inspired and then, going to sleep. And so it did. And throughout its history its needed re- awakenings. (This is what Ezekiel was doing in about 600BC).
Church history is littered with people rattling the cage. People like Robert Browne who in the 1620’s stood up to the orthodoxy and bureaucracy in the Church of England and fighting for an independent spirit within the church gave birth to the Congregational or independent church movement.
And then of course there is John Wesley who with George Whitfield and Charles Wesley changed the face of the church worldwide. He was an Anglican Priest who got really fired up with the irrelevance of the established church to ordinary people. His spirit was set alight on the 24 May, 1738 when as he says his “Heart was strangely warmed,” strangely warmed it was a burning furnace. The Anglican Church wouldn’t let him preach in their churches, so he went out doors. Then they banned him from preaching in any parish even outdoors. He replied by famously standing on his father’s grave and claiming they couldn’t stop that. He addressed huge social issues including Prison reform and slavery, introduced social justice as a natural part of the work of the church and smashed much of the accepted church orthodoxy of the day like apostolic succession which he described as a fable.
His spirit inspired influence spread around the world like a massive flame. It is said that the British counterpart to the French Revolution was diverted because of Wesley. I continue to be inspired by his life and his words including” Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can , at all the times you can, to all the people you can as long as you ever can.”
Yes, but of course, it didn’t take long before the very church which he founded itself had become an institution and it took other people in the 19th century like Hugh Bourne and William Clowes to break away from the middle class Wesleyan church which had become too formal and upper class controlled. So the Primitive Methodist Church came into existence which provided a birthplace and the nurturing of what became the Salvation Army, Pentecostalism, The Trade Union Movement and the Labour Party, all of which now no longer have the spirit and the energy where they began.
And so it goes on and on to today. Can this slumbering giant wake up?
Yes the church still needs the spirit to provide the wakeup call. It still needs the dynamism and progressive thinking of the best of its past to alert the present. It still needs that spirit. In the NT the Greek word dunamis is used 120 times. It’s from this word that dynamo comes. Dunamis is the power or the energy of the spirit. It’s this power which is claimed by people such as Paul Tillech, or Martin Buber, or Rudolph Bultman or Soren Kierkagaard or Bishop John Robinson, or John Spong or Francis Macnab and whoever is next, to keep on keeping on.
And we have a role in our church. We have a responsibility to influence and engage with other churches outside and within the UC, to wake up this sleeping giant. We don’t want in a few years a few tired surviving remnants to wake up like Rip Van Winkel and discover that the church had slept through a revolution.
This is a task for us, to carry the flame of reason to keep that spirit alive for the whole church. We might be small but a bit like the pilot light on a gas cooker, the ignite button can be pressed and bring on full heat in a second. Let’s bring these old bones back to life!
And then of course having fixed the world and the church – what about US?
We are reminded of Jesus’ words to you and me. Very personal and direct: “I came that you may have life… life in all its fullness.”
So what does this spirit bring to our old tired bones?
I believe it is powerful. It is “dunamis.” It lies within each one of us. It’s there for us to find…not as an outward gift but as inward personal revelation.
As the Dalai Lama said “Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions”.
But we know, don’t we, that as we seek for this perfect new life, we come across pretty awful barriers in the way. The bones are a bit creaky and sometimes don’t work at all.
So what does the spirit urge us towards to really grasp this what Wesley called “The path to perfection”?
Well there are many many things and we will be considering them over the next few months.
Let’s just remind ourselves of a handful:

Obviously the first one is relationships. We need each other. Not to be in each others pocket, but to get to each other story we need to make a conscious effort to find each other to share our own and to listen to others. Even in the church we can sit next to each other in the pew for years and only have a cursory knowledge of the lives of the people around us. Make an effort today to reach out. Move a little bit away from your familiar group and go find out stuff about one other person and in so doing you will be revealing something of yourself to them too. Relationships are being built and the spirit is moving.
Personal Resilience. This is about meeting life’s problems not as stumbling blocks but as challenges and helping someone else to meet theirs too with confidence and courage.
Create strengths out of weaknesses. Often what you might see as a weakness or a problem can be converted into a strength. E.g. what you might see as loneliness can be converted into the potential for meditation, or prayer or study, or remember my daughter Primrose with no script at the Nativity Play, she had freedom to do whatever she liked. Claim that freedom.
Inner strength. I believe we all have an inner strength… call on it. Destroy past negative feelings or mistakes made; dispose of guilt, opportunities lost. We need to separate ourselves from them and look forward, not backward.

We can do all this, calling on each other and the knowledge of others who have done it before us.
Then and only then can the world, the church and ourselves.
Dance, dance, dance to a new tune bring those old bones to life and Hear the word of the lord!
BLESSING: (From the Talmud, Rabbinic exposition on Jewish Scripture):
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obliged to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it”

Amir Farid and Quinton Morris in concert
2017-07-23 13:30 - 15:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
A unique opportunity to hear two of the world’s most sought after musicians performing in the architectural splendour of St Michael’s Uniting Church in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Experience a spiritually enriching performance full of cultural insight and uplifting music with New York-based Iranian-Australian solo Pianist, Amir Farid, and American Concert Violinist Dr Quinton Morris.
We are delighted to welcome Amir back to St Michael’s after his recent performance at Carnegie Hall New York and look anticipate a joyful afternoon of musical entertainment.
Time and Date: 1.30pm, Sunday 23 July
Duration: 90 min, no interval
Location: St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins St, Melbourne
Admission: $10
Tickets will be available for purchase at the door on the day

Amir Farid
Winner of the prestigious 2006 Australian National Piano Award, Amir Farid is a New York-based Iranian-Australian solo pianist, associate artist and chamber musician. He has been described as “a highly creative musician, a pianist of great intelligence and integrity.”
As one of the most versatile and loved musicians in Australia, Amir has performed concerti with major orchestras, collaborating with conductors such as Christopher Hogwood, Oleg Caetani, Johannes Fritzsch, Alexander Briger, Marko Letonja and Benjamin Northey.
Highlights include Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Mozart’s concerto No.14 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and “The Mozart Dances” with the Mark Morris Dance Group and West Australian Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2015 Perth Festival.
Dr Quinton Morris
Dr Quinton Morris enjoys a multifaceted career as a concert violinist, chamber musician, educator and entrepreneur. He performs solo concerts, recitals and chamber music and presents lectures all over the world: the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Notable solo concerto performances have been performed with the Seattle, Thalia, Renton, Tacoma Youth and South Suburban Symphonies, Orchestra Seattle and the Everett Philharmonic. Dr Morris presented sold-out recitals in the renowned Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall for the past three consecutive seasons.

Sunday Service
2017-07-16 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.

Guest artist: Rosie Riebl (Piano)
Music between the readings: Bach Partita no.1 BWV 825 – J.S. Bach (1685-1750) & Interlude – Rosie Riebl
One of the most extraordinary aspects to the music of J.S. Bach, is that it continues, after centuries, to inspire young musicians from all walks of life, from countries as far away as Australia. This short partita of Bach flows into an interlude by Rosie Riebl, who will play her composition for us live this morning.
Music during the offering: Prelude in C# major BWV 872 – J.S. Bach (1685-1750) reimagined and recomposed by Rosie Riebl, and Andras – Max Richter (b. 1966)
The Bach prelude from The Well Tempered Clavier that inspired this re-imagining by Rosie Riebl is a set of works written to demonstrate J.S. Bach’s new tuning system, invented to enable instruments to play in all keys without re-tuning. This system is used universally in western music today. Max Richter is a British / German composer who is an important figure in post-minimalist composition.
The Postlude: Fugue in G minor BWV 542 – J.S. Bach (1687-1750)
Continuing on from the Bach inspired works heard earlier in the service, this organ fugue known as the ‘Great fugue in G minor’ is a dazzling feat of imagination in itself, what becomes of it’s opening theme, and how it is woven into a wonderful piece of music is quite extraordinary. As a feat of counterpoint, it has not been rivalled after nearly 3 centuries.
Artist Bio:
Born in Melbourne, Rosie began her Piano studies at age five. Six years later she was accepted to study under Professor Frank Wibaut, then director of the Australian National Academy of Music. At 14 Rosie moved to Vienna to study at the Universität Darstellende Kunst Wien. During this time she gave a series of public performances including solo and chamber shows in Salzburg and Vienna. In addition to this she participated in a number of Master courses notably those given by Professor Karl.H Kämmerling in Lindau and Bückeburg.
Following her return to Australia, Rosie continued performing, competing and studying at the Australian National Academy of Music. During her two years at ANAM, she participated in master classes with an exciting array of international artists including Gary Graffman, Pascal Rogé, Boris Berman and Imogen Cooper.
After two years at ANAM Rosie spent some time performing in New York and eventually moved to London. It was during this time that her current interest in composing and music for theatre, television and film began to emerge. After her time abroad she moved to Sydney where she received a first class Honours from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Rosie is currently performing and accompanying, as well as composing for solo performance and moving picture with a focus on contemporary classical music.

Organ Recital
2017-07-13 13:00 - 13:30 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
This Thursday, 13 April, David Agg (Organ) and Georgia Wilkinson (Soprano) will be performing for the Lunchtime Organ Recital Series.
Doors open at 12.30pm and the recital is starts at 1pm
FREE ENTRY

Every Thursday at 1 pm, the St Michael’s Carillon is sounded and the grand organ comes to life for a free 30 minute recital. Now into their tenth year, these recitals are well attended by the public.
Performed by organist Rhys Boak, and visiting artists, brings the joy and beauty of live music to many Melbournians and visitors.
Please check your orders of service or our Facebook page each week to see who will be performing the following Thursday.
Music has an important role to play in the functioning of society and has had for many thousands of years. No human culture appears to be without music. Singing, in particular, seems to be universal. Music is invariably expressed in relation to religion. The music program at St Michael’s each week brings us some of the best musicians and music that Australia has to offer to enrich our experience during our Sunday services at special events during the year.

Sunday Service
2017-07-09 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.

Guest Artist: Amir Farid
Music between the readings: Moment Musicaux Op. 94 No.1 – Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Music during the offering: Clair de Lune from Suite bergamasque – Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
The Postlude: First Light – Stuart Greenbaum (Contemporary Australian Composer)

Organ Recital
2017-07-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2017-06-29 13:00 - 14:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Every Thursday at 1 pm, the St Michael’s Carillon is sounded and the grand organ comes to life for a free 30 minute recital. Now into their ninth year, these recitals are well attended by the public.
Performed by organist Rhys Boak, and visiting artists, brings the joy and beauty of live music to many Melbournians and visitors.
Please check your orders of service or our Facebook page each week to see who will be performing the following Thursday.
Music has an important role to play in the functioning of society and has had for many thousands of years. No human culture appears to be without music. Singing, in particular, seems to be universal. Music is invariably expressed in relation to religion. The music program at St Michael’s each week brings us some of the best musicians and music that Australia has to offer to enrich our experience during our Sunday services at special events during the year.

French Conversations
2017-07-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Join native French speaker, Johanna Hersey, for a fun and informal French conversation workshop where all are welcome to practice their French and receive some pointers in basic French conversation skills.
Beginners and fluent speakers alike will find someone to chat to in French with help and guidance on hand.

Sunday Service
2017-07-02 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry

Music on Sunday
The St Michael’s Singers
Music between the readings: For the beauty of the earth – John Rutter (b. 1945)
Music during the offering: All things bright and beautiful – John Rutter (b. 1945)
Music during communion: The Lord bless you and keep you – John Rutter (b. 1945)
The Postlude: Toccata in 7 – John Rutter (b. 1945)

Philosophy for Beginners
2017-06-25 11:45 - 12:45 | Camellia Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Thinking outside the square
A lively, interactive discussion group, presented by Dr Peter Kingsbury, focusing on thinking outside the square.
Designed to inspire creative and innovative thinking.

Sunday Service
2017-06-25 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry

Guest Artist: Alexandra Ioan (Soprano)
Music between the readings: Morgen! – Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Music during the offering: ‘Ave Maria’ – J.S. Bach (1685-1750) & Charles Gounod (1818-1893)
The Postlude: March on a theme by Handel – Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)
Artist Bio:
Alexandra Ioan is an opera singer residing in Melbourne, Australia.
Originally from Romania, Alexandra studied piano from an early age alongside choir, music theory and music history. After arriving in New Zealand in 2002, she turned to voice as her instrument. After finishing studies at the University of Auckland (Conjoint degree in Music and Commerce), Alexandra received a Masters of Music from the University of Melbourne, in December 2013. She is currently studying towards a PhD in Music Performance with a focus on Romanian folk inspired art songs. Alexandra has sung as a soloist and chorus member with Victorian Opera, Opera Australia, New Zealand Opera and Gertrude Opera. She has also presented art song recitals for the Lieder Society of Victoria and the University of Melbourne Lunchtime Series. Recently Alexandra won the 2016 Liederfest competition, was chosen as a semi-finalist in the 2016 Mietta Song Competition and won the 2015 Boroondara and Warrnambool Aria Competitions in Victoria. She has also won the New Zealand Becroft, Napier and Christchurch Aria competitions.
Alexandra was a 2009/2010 Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist with the New Zealand Opera. During her internship she performed the role of Barbarina in the opera The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. One reviewer describes her performance ”Barbarina was charmingly played by Alexandra Ioan, who has an exceptional voice – a young singer to watch.” In 2015 Alexandra was a Young Artist with Gertrude Opera, where she received the Alice Amy McDonald Scholarship and performed main roles in their inaugural Nagambie Lakes Opera Festival. Other operatic highlights include performing with Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra in the New Zealand Aria finals and sharing the stage with one of the world’s most famous sopranos, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, at the Nelson Sealord Opera in the Park.

Healthy Ageing Seminar - Let’s Talk About Anxiety
2017-06-23 11:00 - 13:00 | St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Each month we choose a theme and present an exploration of helpful psychological tips on that theme. Presented by Julijana Chochovski, of The Cairnmillar Institute, these seminars provide much-needed tools for coping with problems commonly associated with ageing.
The supportive and friendly atmosphere allows participants the opportunity to discuss a variety of concerns that may arise in later years. Hosted by St Michael’s Uniting Church in the heart of the CBD, these secular seminars will help inspire you and your loved ones to enjoy an independent and high quality of life.
This month the theme that will be explored will be:
Let’s Talk About Anxiety
‘Don’t worry, be happy’ – so the song goes, but sometimes it’s not so easy.
Clinical Psychologist Julijana Chochovski explores the challenge of dealing with anxiety as we age.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. On average, one in four people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life.
There are many forms of anxiety disorder but the one thing they have in common is their impact on our day-to-day activities.
Learn about why we experience anxiety and discover how to manage it effects on our wellbeing.

“These seminars attract so many older people, and I’m not surprised considering the important topics they discuss, all of which help older people to age well.” – Noeline Brown (Australia’s first Ambassador for Ageing)

Cost: $20 includes tea, coffee and sandwiches
As seating is limited, please email, admin@stmichaels.org.au, call 9654 5120, or click below to reserve your seats.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organ Recital
2017-06-22 13:00 - 13:30 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Every Thursday at 1 pm, the St Michael’s Carillon is sounded and the grand organ comes to life for a free 30 minute recital.
This Thursday Jennifer Chou will be performing:
George Gershwin (1898-1937): 3 Preludes
Prelude 1 – Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Prelude 2 – Andante con moto e poco rubato
Prelude 3 – Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Louis Vierne (1870-1937): from Pièces de Fantaisie Suite No. 2:
III. Hymne au Soleil

Feux Follets
Clair de lune
Toccata

Please note that the guest musician for Sunday, 25 June, will be Alexandra Ioan (Soprano)
Next Thursday’s Lunchtime Recital will be performed by Rhys Boak

Music has an important role to play in the functioning of society and has had for many thousands of years. No human culture appears to be without music. Singing, in particular, seems to be universal. Music is invariably expressed in relation to religion. The music program at St Michael’s each week brings us some of the best musicians and music that Australia has to offer to enrich our experience during our Sunday services at special events during the year.

Sunday Service
2017-06-18 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.

Guest artists: David Paterson & Rosie Riebl (Piano duet)
Music between the readings: Sonata for piano 4 hands K. 358 – W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Music during the offering: Introduction, march of the Royal Lion and cuckoo from The Carnival of the Animals – Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
The postlude: Allegretto from the Symphony No. 7 in a minor – Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) arranged for piano 4 hands by Carl Czerny (1791-1857)

Sunday Service
2017-06-11 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.

Guest Artist: Kim Tan (Flute)
Music between the readings: Allegretto from the Sonata in G Major (Hamburger Sonate) – C.P.E. Bach (1714-1788)
Music during the offering: Moderato from Suite Modale – Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
The Postlude: Tuba Tune – C.S. Lang (1891-1971)
Artist Bio: Kim Tan is a diverse musician with a fascination for the connections and fluidities between music, performance and philosophy that often lead her to programs which explore the relationship between musical expression and the human condition. Studying with teachers such as Alan Hardy, Wendy Clarke, Mardi McSullea and Margaret Crawford Kim has also performed in masterclasses and lessons with international soloists including John Wion (New York City Opera), Michael Cox (the Royal Academy of Music, London) and Katherine Kemler (Louisiana State University). In 2009 Kim travelled to Germany to have lessons and masterclasses with international soloists including; Andras Adorjan (Musikhochschule Munich), Felix Renggli (Musikhochschule Freiburg), Renate Greiss-Armin (Musikhochschule Karlsruhe), and Camille Hoitenga (Cologne). Kim is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne. Along with Samuel Dunscombe, Kim is a founding co-member of Melbourne based new music duo Chi-Uro. Kim also performs regularly with Melbourne based ensembles such as ARCKO Symphonic Ensemble and has collaborated and performed with ensembles such as Golden Fur and Aria Co..

French Conversation
2017-06-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

Sunday Service
2017-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry

Music
The St Michael’s Singers
Music between the readings: Come Down O Love Divine – William Harris (1883-1973)
Music during the offering: Variations on ‘Come Holy Ghost our Souls inspire’ – Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Music during the communion : Ave Verum – Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
The Postlude: Toccata in B minor – Eugène Gigout (1844-1925)

Sunday Service
2017-05-28 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry

Guest artist: Judith Dodsworth (Soprano)
Music between the readings: ‘Come my way, my truth, my life’ from Five Mystical Songs, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Music during the offering: ‘I know that my redeemer liveth’ from ‘Messiah’ – G.F. Handel (1685-1759)
The Postlude: Imperial March Op. 32 – Sir. Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Healthy Ageing Seminar
2017-05-26 11:00 - 13:00
Clinical Psychologist Julijana Chochovski and special guest Dr Claire Thompson will present this special seminar exploring how to prevent and slow dementia in this seminar titled:
“Let’s Talk About Dementia”
11am, Friday 26 May
Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65 years. People in their 40s and 50s can also have dementia and it is important to remember that not all older people get dementia.
While there is no sure way to prevent dementia, research has identified several risk factors that can be managed through lifestyle changes or appropriate medical treatments.
A diagnosis of dementia does not mean that life is over. It means that there will be challenges ahead, and thinking about those challenges now will help prepare those close to you and benefit you all in the long run.

Cost: $20 (Includes tea, coffee and a light lunch)
Venue: St Michael’s Church, 120 Collins St, Melbourne
Booking: click the link below or call 9654 5120 to reserve your seats
BOOK NOW

Sunday Service
2017-05-21 10:00 - 11:00
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.

Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.
St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry

Guest Artist: Bruno Siketa (Trumpet)
Music between the readings: Prelude to a Te Deum (H. 146) – Marc Antoine Charpentier (1543-1704) arr. Rhys Boak
Music during the offering: Song to the moon from ‘Rusalka’ – Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) arr. Rhys Boak
The Postlude: Grand Choeur Dialogue – Eugène Gigout (1844-1925)

Professor Joseph Camilleri Lecture
2017-05-16 18:30 - 20:00
Tuesday 9 and 16 May
In these two lectures, Professor Joseph Camilleri will address the twin questions of the moment:
How is the world to engage with Trump’s America, and how will the Eagle engage with the Bear and the Dragon, as we navigate our increasingly uncertain future?
These lectures aim to make sense of a world in profound transition, where forces – old and new, creative and destructive – are busily contending to shape the human future.

Tuesday 16 May – Is there Life after Trump?
For Trump’s supporters, his election victory is a welcome game changer. For others in the United States and many in the rest of the world, it is a bewildering, even traumatic event.
Some are interpreting what is happening in US politics as the ugly side of globalisation: people who have fallen on hard times lashing out against an economic and political system that has deserted them. Professor Camilleri will explore this thesis, against the backdrop of rising social and economic inequality and the scapegoating of minorities.
He will then go on to probe more deeply into the current political malaise that grips much of the Western word. On the one hand, we have a political establishment where political parties and bureaucracies seem incapable, of diagnosing the ailments of our society, let alone offering any helpful remedies. And on the other, we see a resurgent far right that thrives on resentment, prejudice, xenophobia, and growing disregard for the truth. It is not just Trump in the US, but UKIP and Brexit in the UK, Le Pen in France, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and Hansonism in Australia.
How are we to make sense of all this? Is a new more creative politics possible? If so, what might it look like?

Please note there is limited seating for this series, book early to secure your tickets.
Cost: $20 per lecture or $35 for both

Sunday Service
2017-05-14 10:00 - 11:00
St Michael’s is a unique church in the heart of the city. Unique for its relevant, contemporary preaching that embraces and inner wellbeing as its core message.
Sunday services include a mix of traditional and modern presentations interspersed with inspirational music performed by world-class musicians.

St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry

Sunday May 14th 2017
Guest Artists:
Julie Danaher (Flute) & Michelle Nelson (Guitar)

Music between the readings: Aria (Cantilena) from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 – Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)
Heitor Villa-Lobos was perhaps the most influential figure in Brazilian classical music during his lifetime. He wrote nine suites of music entitled Bachianas Brasileiras. The idea behind these suites was to combine elements of Baroque contrapuntal style (particularly the style of J.S. Bach) with elements of Brazilian folk music. Villa-Lobos began his fifth Bachianas Brasileiras in 1938, originally scoring the work for 8 ‘celli and soprano. Villa-Lobos subsequently arranged it for solo guitar and soprano, or in today’s version, for guitar and flute.
Music during the offering: Larghetto from the Sonata for flute and guitar – Michelle Nelson (b.1962)
This Larghetto is the second movement from the Sonata for flute and guitar. The guitar part this morning, is of course played by the composer herself.

The Postlude: Minuet – Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)
The Italian-born Luigi Boccherini is best remembered for his cello concerto and his numerous string quartets, from one of which this minuet is drawn.

Artists’ Bio:
Julie Danaher (flute) and Michelle Nelson (guitar) have played together regularly since meeting at the Melbourne University Conservatorium in 1999. Both pursue active teaching and performing careers. Julie Danaher is principal flautist with Melbourne’s Heidelberg Symphony and Michelle is the 1st guitar and resident composer with the Concordia Mandolin & Guitar Ensemble. Their recording of Michelle’s Sonata for Flute & Guitar has attracted numerous airplay on ABC Classic FM since its release in 2013 and has recently been featured on the American College Network
program Music of our Mothers.

Professor Joseph Camilleri Lecture
2017-05-09 18:30 - 20:00 | St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Tuesday 9 and 16 May
In these two lectures, Professor Joseph Camilleri will address the twin questions of the moment:
How is the world to engage with Trump’s America, and how will the Eagle engage with the Bear and the Dragon, as we navigate our increasingly uncertain future?
These lectures aim to make sense of a world in profound transition, where forces – old and new, creative and destructive – are busily contending to shape the human future.

Tuesday 9 May – America, Russia and China: What to do with the three gorillas in the room
The United States, though still commanding unmatched military might, is in decline, and finds it more and more difficult to impose its will on the rest of the world. The trend is visible everywhere, in diplomacy, trade and finance, and in military conflicts around the world. Russia is beginning to reassert its influence, after 25 years of humiliation following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Though starting from a low base, China has sustained over the last three decades the most remarkable rate of economic growth ever witnessed in modern history.
As one centre of power declines and another rises, new fault lines and tensions emerge, and with them new uncertainties. The lecture will address three key questions:

How will these relationships unfold in the coming years?
What are the dangers and opportunities they present?
How can friends and allies best respond?

With Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in charge – three leaders with a strikingly authoritarian bent – these are indeed pressing questions needing careful reflection.

Please note there is limited seating for this series, book early to secure your tickets.
Cost: $20 per lecture or $35 for both
