St Michael's Uniting Church

Organ Recital
2017-10-12 13:00 - 13:30, 2017-09-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2017-09-14 13:00 - 14:00, 2017-09-07 13:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | 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.

Sunday Service
2017-10-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2017-10-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2017-09-17 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.

Grand Organ Recital
2017-10-05 13:00 - 14:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
St Michael’s Uniting Church is proud to present this inspirational Organ recital as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.
Thursday 5 October at 1pm the St Michael’s carillon will be sounded, and the grand organ will come to life for a free hour-long recital by special guest organist Hans U. Hielscher.
Experience the joy of hearing the grand organ performed live in the beautiful surrounds of a heritage listed church in the heart of the city.
Date: Thursday 5 October
Time: Doors open at 12.30pm, Recital starts 1pm, concludes at 2pm
Where: St Michael’s Uniting Church, Corner Collins and Russell Street, Melbourne
Mobility Access via St Michael’s Walk
Entry is Free

Hans U. Hielscher
Hans U. Hielscher has been organist at the Marktkirche in Wiesbaden (Lutheran Cathedral of Nassau), Germany, since 1979. His studies were at the Detmold State Academy of Music and in Paris/Rouen, France. He also studied carillon at The Nederlandse Beiaardschool in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Hans has presented more than 3,500 organ recitals around the globe, his concert tours have taken him to all European countries, the United States (61 U.S. tours), Bahamas, Israel, Iceland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. He has been featured on radio and TV broadcasts, 22 CD recordings on the Motette, Wergo, IFO, Lade labels and is the author of the books “Alexandre Guilmant – Life and Work”, “Famous Organs in the U.S.A.”, “The Organ of Wiesbaden Marktkirche”. He is a published composer of some 50 works for organ. Hans has been honoured by the French government in Paris for his worldwide engagement in French organ music and nominated “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” in 1985.

French Conversation
2017-10-01 11:45 - 12:45 | Camellia Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Join native French speaker, Johanna Hersey, for a fun and informal French conversation class 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.

10th Anniversary of the Lunchtime Organ Recital
2017-09-28 13:00 - 14:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Join us as we celebrate the 518th recital in our Lunchtime Recital series. Performed by St Michael’s Organist and Manager of Music, Rhys Boak and the Japanese born organ virtuoso, Ryoko Mori, the two organists that presented the inaugural recital in 2007.
The music presented will range from the late Baroque Era, to the 21st century, and will include music for four hands and four feet (two organists at one organ).
The program will include music by composers such as J.S. Bach, Louis Vierne and more.
Over the 10 years that this program of weekly organ recitals has run, many leading organists from around the world have taken part, a complete list is not practicable to include here, but recitalists from the UK, France, Belgium, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Czech Republic, Russia, China, Japan and the USA have taken part.
Ryoko Mori was born in Japan and is an internationally active classical organist and pianist. She studied with Tomoko Miyamoto at Ferris University and Naomu Matsui at Seitoku University’s graduate school. She also studied organ with Naoko Imai at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts. In 2013 Ryoko won third place in the International Goedicke Organ Competition. Ryoko now runs her own private organ studio. During her time in Australia, Ryoko was the organist and director of music at several important churches including Melbourne’s Toorak Uniting Church, Wesley Uniting Church and Malvern Presbyterian Church. She has performed for several international organ festivals including the Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields Festival, and The Scots’ Church International organ festival. In 2005 Ryoko helped perform the first ever series of organ recitals held in mainland China, opening the Gulangyu International Organ Museum, the largest museum of its type in the world.
Rhys Boak is one of Australia’s busiest organists. He is in constant demand locally and internationally as both a recitalist and accompanist. He is currently the organist and manager of music at St. Michael’s Church, Melbourne. Rhys Boak was born in Melbourne. He studied organ with John Mallinson, Douglas Lawrence OAM and Sergio de Pieri at Melbourne University, and harpsichord with Ann Murphy.
He is a veteran of several concert tours including tours to Europe and Asia and his playing can be heard on more than a dozen CD recordings both as a soloist and as an accompanist to many of Australia’s finest choral ensembles.
In 2006 Rhys traveled to China where he gave a series of concerts with fellow Australian musician Geoffrey Tozer featuring the rare combination of Piano and Organ in duet. They ended each concert with a series of improvisations on local folk melodies. In 2011 Rhys again toured Germany, Denmark and France performing on several important historic instruments such as the Silberman organs of Freiberg Cathedral.
Rhys is highly active as an organist, pianist, choral conductor, composer and arranger. He has arranged and transcribed music for artists and institutions such as Greta Bradman, Geoffrey Payne, Sir Richard Bonynge, The English Chamber Orchestra, Move Records, Sony Records and Decca.

St Michael's Art Competition - Winner Announced
2017-09-24 12:00 - 12:30
Join us in the St Michael’s Walk Colonnade after the St Michael’s Day Service (approx. 12pm) as we announce the winner of the 2017 St Michael’s Art Competition

St Michael's Day Service
2017-09-24 10:00 - 11:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
The theme for this years St Michael’s Week is ‘Nurture’.
St Michael’s has a tradition of helping people grow and develop their life and their faith. Our faith should always be growing as should our lives, but unfortunately many young people have that growth stinted through a range of tragedies that negatively affect their lives.
With this in mind, St Michael’s will be honouring the work of the Mirabel Foundation which nurtures children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use.

St Michael’s Medallion Recipient
It is a privilege to welcome Jane Rowe to St Michael’s. Jane personifies “to give and not to count the cost”. Through Mirabel she has supported thousands of seriously disadvantaged children by giving them hope and a future.
Mirabel is an Australian Children’s Charity that was established in Victoria in 1998 and extended into New South Wales in 2003. Mirabel is the vision of Jane Rowe, who identified a vulnerable group of children and took action to make a positive difference in their lives. In her work as a drug and alcohol counsellor, Jane witnessed the devastating effects that drug use has on the children of drug users and the cycle of abuse that repeats itself through generations if action is not taken.
Jane believed that it was possible to bring about positive change to the lives of these children. Through her insight, passion and experience, she has raised awareness of this vulnerable group of children and in December 1998, with the support of countless individuals, Mirabel was launched with a two-night benefit concert in Melbourne. Since this time, Mirabel has provided vital assistance and support to thousands of children living throughout Victoria and New South Wales.

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
2017-09-24 09:00 - 10:00
Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Di Kerr will deliver a welcome to country and smoking ceremony in the St Michael’s Gardens as we acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather to celebrate St Michael’s Day.
Join us as we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Elders from other communities who may attend this special service.
All are welcome

St Michael's Day Breakfast
2017-09-24 07:30 - 09:30
Launching the St Michael’s Day festivities, this breakfast is one of the great events in the St Michael’s calendar.
A great “TOGETHER” event with the people of St Michael’s sharing a delicious breakfast, catered by Ann Wilson.
Jane Rowe, founder of the Mirabel Foundation, will be our special guest speaker, discussing how she identified a vulnerable group of children and took action to make a positive difference in their lives.
Seating is limited – tickets are available from the Hall Foyer after service.
St Michael’s Hall
SUN 24 SEP 7.30AM
TICKETS $30
BOOKINGS Hall Foyer after service

Paul Grawbowsky in Concert
2017-09-22 19:00 - 20:00
Experience one of Australia’s most celebrated musicians in the architectural splendour of one of Melbourne’s oldest churches.
Paul Grabowsky presents a solo piano program highlighting the artistry and skill which have resulted in many accolades and awards over his 40 year career, including 5 ARIA Awards.
A pianist, composer, arranger and conductor, Paul has performed with jazz luminaries such as Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Johnny Griffin.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear one of the truly great musicians of our time.

When: 7pm, Friday 22 September (Doors open at 6.30pm)
Duration: 1 hour, no interval
Location: St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins St, Melbourne
Tickets: $20 full, $60 for a group of 4
Limited seats will be available for purchase on the night

It is difficult to describe Paul Grabowsky’s career easily. He has been a director of some of Australia’s most prominent arts festivals, the composer of nearly thirty feature film scores, and several works of music theatre, the founder and leader for nineteen years of the Australian Art Orchestra, an executive at the ABC, and is currently at Monash University, where he heads up the Academy of Performing Arts.
Whether as composer, teacher, television personality, mentor or advocate for the role of artistic expression as a defining attribute of contemporary life, for him this is all informed by his work as a pianist, and composer, particularly in the field of jazz, where, according to him, ‘the piano never lies’.
His musical journeys have resulted in collaborations with musicians from many countries, not least with the First Nations peoples of Australia, and those journeys continue. Among his many awards are five ARIAs, the Melbourne Prize for Music and an H.C. Coombs Fellowship. In recognition of his achievements he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014.

Healthy Ageing Seminar - September
2017-09-22 11:00 - 13:00 | St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” – Edmund Hillary
Join Clinical Psychologist Julijana Chochovski as she explores the keys to motivation. Learn about setting goals and finding rewards in what you do and what you don’t want to do.
Time and Date: 11am, Friday 22 September
Location: St Michael’s Place, Hall, Ground Floor (behind the church)
Tickets: $20pp (includes tea, coffee and sandwiches)
Limited Seating Booking Recommended: Click the link below or call 9654 5120 to reserve your seats

Each month we choose a theme and present an exploration of helpful Psychological tips on that theme. Presented by Clinical Psychologist 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.

“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)

Peter Sheridan and Rhys Boak in Concert
2017-09-21 13:00 - 14:00
Celebrated flautist, Peter Sheridan, will perform an innovative program of music in the spectacular surrounds of St Michael’s.
Accompanied by Rhys Boak on piano and the St Michael’s grand organ, the program will include music written for a collection of ‘Low Flutes’ including the alto flute, bass flute, contrabass flute and the world’s largest flute, the Hyperbass Flute.
Experience the thrill of hearing the world premiere of a flute sonata by Phillip Rawles. Along with music composed by Michael Rosiak and Johannes Brahms.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear the unique resonances created by blending the fascinating extended family of flutes with piano and grand organ.
Time and Date: 1pm, Thursday 21 September
Duration: 60min, no interval
Location: St Michael’s on Collins,
120 Collins Street, Melbourne
FREE EVENT
Bookings not required

Breadtime Stories
2017-09-20 12:00 - 13:30 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
with Award winning writer and actor Jim Howes
Stories form a major part of who we are, whether it be stories of strangers, famous people or those from our own lives. They could be called the ‘growing panes’ of our lives – windows into the laughs and pangs of growing up. The stories told today will draw from Jim Howes’ own rich experiences along with a sprinkle of the imagined.

Storytellers are always holding on to or inventing stories that have some sort of ‘hook’ into the artist’s life or world view. Jim Howes had his first story published back in Ireland when he was a ten years old. Since then, he has published around 200 books for children and adults, performed live and in a number of films and TV series. Story is central to everything he does – he’s been telling or writing them for decades and written speeches for two premieres and government ministers. He will be telling several stories across the emotional spectrum at this event, even if there’s only an audience of one.
This is a FREE EVENT
No bookings required
All are welcome to attend

Sally-Anne Russell in Concert
2017-09-19 13:00 - 14:00
As part of our St Michael’s Week celebrations, one of Australia’s finest mezzo sopranos, Sally-Anne Russell, will perform a special one-hour recital.
As a principal guest artist she has sung with Opera Australia, all of the State Opera companies and all of the major Australian symphony orchestras. An ARIA Award winner, she has recorded on ABC Classics, Chandos and Decca labels.
She will be accompanied by St Michael’s own Music Manager, Rhys Boak, one of Australia’s finest organists.
“Sally-Anne Russell is one of Australia’s current operatic and oratorio stars.” – Rob Holdsworth (The Australian Book Review 2015)

Time and Date: 1pm, Tuesday 19 September
Duration: 60min, no interval
Location: St Michael’s on Collins,
120 Collins Street, Melbourne
FREE EVENT
Bookings not required

Bruce Pascoe - Dark Emu
2017-09-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
We are delighted that Bruce Pasco will be visiting St Michael’s to talk about his award-winning book Dark Emu. Bruce will be giving a 1-hour presentation with Q&A in the Waratah Room at 12pm.
Bruce Pascoe puts forward a compelling argument for a reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer label for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians. The evidence insists that Aboriginal people right across the continent were using domesticated plants, sowing, harvesting, irrigating and storing-behaviours inconsistent with the hunter-gather tag. Dark Emu was short listed for 2014 Victorian Premier’s Indigenous Writer’s Award and the 2014 Queensland and Western Australia Literary awards.
‘If we look at the evidence presented to us by the explorers and explain to our children that Aboriginal people did build houses, did build dams, did sow, irrigate and till the land, did alter the course of rivers, did sew their clothes, and did construct a system of pan-continental government that generated peace and prosperity, then it is likely we will admire and love our land all the more.’ – Bruce Pascoe

Creative Faith Discussion Group
2017-09-17 11:45 - 12:45 | Wellbeing Studio, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Our Past and the Experiences that Shape Our Present.
Our life journey is a personal one-full of experiences, which help guide our response to everything happening in our lives.
This will be the topic for our next session in our series The Things That Bring Meaning To Life.
All are welcome to Join Neil in the Wellbeing Studio for this conversation.
* Note room change * Tea and coffee provided
Date: September 17
Time: 11.45 am to 12.45 pm
Location: Wellbeing Studio (end of passage) Level 1 St Michael’s halls.

St Michael's Art Competition - Opening
2017-09-17 11:30 - 13:00
Celebrate the opening of the 2017 St Michael’s Art Competition exhibition as artists from around Australia showcase artwork that respond to the theme of this year’s St Michael’s Week, Nurture.
The theme of this years art compeition connects with the good work of the Mirabel Foundation who nurture and support children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental drug use.
Artist will include: Alfie J Franklin, Wendy Hickin, Alister Karl, Leo Kengst, Rosa Leonardi, Stephen Ngaa, Jackson Raine, Ólafur Thnarsson and Paul Voth

Patsy Worledge Fabric Art Exhibition Opening
2017-09-17 11:30 - 13:00
Patsy Worledge chooses to live in the light surrounded by bright colours; her exuberance and enthusiasm knows no bounds. She thinks and creates with colour; celebrating life in her art and leaving interpretation to others.
Patsy finds pure joy in breathing new life into discarded fabrics. Honouring the fabric designer’s original motif and skill Patsy incorporates a stunning variety of different fabrics into her colourful tapestries; finding a place for even the tiniest fragment of cloth to be included into her textile storyboards.
Hours of scouring the op-shops of Melbourne and gratefully accepting all contributions of fabrics from friends and family Patsy has created her crafty tapestries. Members of the St Michael’s community may be able to look closely at Patsy beautiful work and see fragments of the fabric they donated to her creative cause.
We all wonder, don’t we, why we couldn’t quite put those odd bits into the rubbish. No doubt it wasn’t the end of its tactile journey. The spirit of so many has contributed to this exhibition of story.

Make Australia Great Again, or Make the Planet Great Again: Part Two
2017-09-12 18:00 - 18:30 | St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
6.30pm, Tuesday 5 and 12 September
Back by popular demand, Professor Joseph Camilleri OAM will present this two-part lecture series.
These two lectures focus on Australia: how we see ourselves and ‘others’, how we understand our place in the world, what kind of future we envisage for ourselves and the Earth.
Ours is a time of turbulence, but now on a planetary scale. Many in the western world, Australia included, are anxious about the future, unsure where to turn for guidance or inspiration.
Some seek to exploit these anxieties, offering black and white explanations of our predicament. For some, the problem is immigration, for others Islamic fundamentalism, or simply Islam.
For others still, it is the conspiracy about global warming, or the forces driving globalisation. And so, for them the cure for all our ills is just as simple: cut immigration, or ban Muslims, or keep the coal industry going, or find security in the barrel of a gun.
Hence, Trump’s catch cry ‘make America great again’ and Marie Le Pen’s promise of a revolution of ‘patriots’. Australia’s equivalent voices are less well known but no less shrill.

The questions we need to ask – Tuesday 5 September
Australians are justifiably proud of having built a multicultural society in which people of widely different ethnic, religious and language backgrounds can live peacefully side by side. Yet, many remain suspicious of refugees and boat people, unconvinced of the benefits of immigration, disinclined to learn other languages, uncomfortable about acknowledging Indigenous Australians as custodians of this land.
This lecture will address some of the critical questions now before us:
Are we ready to enshrine in our constitution a ‘Voice for Australia’s First Nations’?
What should be the requirements of Australian citizenship?
How should we respond to the terrorist threat?
How can we best engage with Islam and with our Muslim communities?
What is the appropriate role of religion in the public sphere?
The choices that await us – Tuesday 12 September
Our political leaders often act as if the choice is between economy and environment. This lecture will argue that this is a false choice, and that reconciling economic and environmental priorities holds the key to Australia’s future.
Much has rightly been said about the fragility of Australia’s environment to which our agricultural and industrial practices, our lifestyles and patterns of consumption, and above all our carbon footprint have greatly contributed. Conventional wisdom has it that caring for the environment cannot come at the expense of our economic
prosperity. Similarly, responding to the challenge of climate change cannot mean placing international obligations above our national interests.
But the conventional wisdom may be mistaken. The lecture will canvas other ways of looking at ecological, economic and social wellbeing – and what this means for the national conversation and our public institutions. We have reached a critical point that calls for a radical rethink not just of policies, but also of institutions – and this includes parliaments, political parties, courts, media, schools and universities.

Healing Our Planet Earth (H.O.P.E.)
2017-09-10 11:45 - 12:45 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Today we will host a round-table discussion over nibbles with a look at little-known aspects of Seaweed, Cement & Plastic.
Drawing from research by the ABC Catalyst program, with Prof Tim Flannery & the Melbourne Univ think-tank Beyond Zero Emissions, Sally Clarke will host the session, including any news & views you are invited to share.
BYO lunch Tea & coffee supplied.
When: Sunday 10 September, 11.45 am
Location: Kurrajong Room, Level 1, St Michael’s Place.
Enquiries: Sally Clarke, Roger Hersey, Cheryl Power.

Sunday Service
2017-09-10 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.

Esther Schöpf (Violin) and Norbert Groh (Organ and Piano)
Visiting from Germany, the Duo Esther Schoepf and Norbert Groh is renowned for its diversity and liveliness – its broad repertoire spanning nearly all musical genres from classical concerts to so-called „easy-listening“ music.
Besides their own performances, Esther and Norbert regularly work together on numerous projects with theaters, film-makers, performance artists and also compose music for radio plays. Over the past years they have arranged the music for over 40 features and plays for the “Bayerische Rundfunk“ – including the six-part series „Die Kinder der Manns“ (The Children of the [Thomas] Mann Family) which also appeared as an audiobook.
The Duo´s latest CD production „Begegnungen“ (Encounters) was released in the Fall, 2015 under the label „Stringendo“ (Stringendo Music); under which they have also collected and recorded numerous chamber music works suitable for young aspiring musicians.

Music between the readings: Allegro moderato from the Sonata in A major for piano and violin – César Franck (1822-1890)
Music during the offering: Etude No 2 in C sharp minor for piano, opus 2 – Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)
The Postlude: Romanze in G major for violin and organ, opus 26 – Johan Severin Svendsen (1840-1911)

Esther Schöpf (violin)
Born in the Odenwald region of southern Hesse (Germany), Esther started playing violin at the age of four and after graduation from high school went on to study violin and chamber music at the Music Conservatories of Munich (Germany) and Geneva (Switzerland). Together with her chamber music ensembles “Schwabinger Klaviertrio” and “NonSordino” she frequently performs at various national and international festivals (e.g. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, Würzburger Mozart Festspiele and Heidelberger Frühling). She is concertmaster of the Munich Daimler Orchestra and of the Chamber Orchestra Stringendo. In addition, Esther develops projects combining music and literature that regularly lead to co-productions with various theaters in Munich. Numerous CD productions document her artistic work.

Norbert Groh (piano, organ)
Born near Bamberg in Bavaria (Germany) Norbert started playing piano, organ, cembalo and accordion at an early age. His exceptional versatile musical talent soon earned him numerous awards in various competitions. He went on to study music at the “Musikhochschule” (University-level College of Music) of Munich, Karlsruhe and Vienna. In addition he studied conducting at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich, which led to positions at the Augsburg Municipal Opera and the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.
As soloist (piano, organ, cembalo), as chamber musician and as conductor, Norbert regularly performs at various national and international venues such as the Schleswig-Holstein Festival, the Munich Opera Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival and the festival “amici della musica, Milano”. Concert tours have led him to the USA, Spain, Finnland, and other countries. He also composes and arranges music for radio plays for the “Bayerischer Rundfunk” (Bavarian Radio) and an audio-book publisher. Numerous CD and radio productions document his artistic work.

Make Australia Great Again, or Make the Planet Great Again: Part One
2017-09-05 18:30 - 20:30 | St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
6.30pm, Tuesday 5 and 12 September
Back by popular demand, Professor Joseph Camilleri OAM will present this two-part lecture series.
These two lectures focus on Australia: how we see ourselves and ‘others’, how we understand our place in the world, what kind of future we envisage for ourselves and the Earth.
Ours is a time of turbulence, but now on a planetary scale. Many in the western world, Australia included, are anxious about the future, unsure where to turn for guidance or inspiration.
Some seek to exploit these anxieties, offering black and white explanations of our predicament. For some, the problem is immigration, for others Islamic fundamentalism, or simply Islam.
For others still, it is the conspiracy about global warming, or the forces driving globalisation. And so, for them the cure for all our ills is just as simple: cut immigration, or ban Muslims, or keep the coal industry going, or find security in the barrel of a gun.
Hence, Trump’s catch cry ‘make America great again’ and Marie Le Pen’s promise of a revolution of ‘patriots’. Australia’s equivalent voices are less well known but no less shrill.

The questions we need to ask – Tuesday 5 September
Australians are justifiably proud of having built a multicultural society in which people of widely different ethnic, religious and language backgrounds can live peacefully side by side. Yet, many remain suspicious of refugees and boat people, unconvinced of the benefits of immigration, disinclined to learn other languages, uncomfortable about acknowledging Indigenous Australians as custodians of this land.
This lecture will address some of the critical questions now before us:
Are we ready to enshrine in our constitution a ‘Voice for Australia’s First Nations’?
What should be the requirements of Australian citizenship?
How should we respond to the terrorist threat?
How can we best engage with Islam and with our Muslim communities?
What is the appropriate role of religion in the public sphere?
The choices that await us – Tuesday 12 September
Our political leaders often act as if the choice is between economy and environment. This lecture will argue that this is a false choice, and that reconciling economic and environmental priorities holds the key to Australia’s future.
Much has rightly been said about the fragility of Australia’s environment to which our agricultural and industrial practices, our lifestyles and patterns of consumption, and above all our carbon footprint have greatly contributed. Conventional wisdom has it that caring for the environment cannot come at the expense of our economic
prosperity. Similarly, responding to the challenge of climate change cannot mean placing international obligations above our national interests.
But the conventional wisdom may be mistaken. The lecture will canvas other ways of looking at ecological, economic and social wellbeing – and what this means for the national conversation and our public institutions. We have reached a critical point that calls for a radical rethink not just of policies, but also of institutions – and this includes parliaments, political parties, courts, media, schools and universities.

Time and Date: Doors open at 6pm, lecture starts at 6.30pm, Tuesday 5 and 12 September
Location: St Michael’s Place, Hall, Ground Floor, 120 Collins St, Melbourne
Tickets: $20 per lecture or $35 for both (Seats are limited, book early to secure yours)

French Conversation
2017-09-03 11:45 - 12:45 | Ministers Reception Room

Sunday Service
2017-09-03 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.

Music between the readings: Beauty for Brokenness – Graham Kendrick (b.1950)
Music during the offering: “A Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester” – L.J. White (1910 – )
Music during communion: Ave Verum – W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
The Postlude: Carillon du Longpont – Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Organ Recital
2017-08-31 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.
