Rob Gallacher, The Colour of Prayer; Contemplating Christian Icons (Blackburn, Victoria: Penfolk, 2020)

Melbourne based icon writer Rev Dr Rob Gallacher has produced this stunning collection of his own work. The author, who began developing his own skills in this art form thirty-five years ago, founded the Otira Icon School, later known as the Uniting Church Icon Schools, in 1995. He has also travelled extensively in the Eastern European and Middle-Eastern homelands of the icon as a distinctive form of Christian art. The Book, The Colour of Prayer, was to be launched in late April, but this had to be postponed because of the lockdown. In the meantime the author has made his book available following a ‘soft launch’ on the internet, with a proper book launch to follow, hopefully in September.

The book contains reproductions of thirty-nine icons in brilliant colour, beautifully photographed by Michael Shirrefs, each accompanied by two sets of text: an explanation of the icon in the context of biblical story behind it; and a contemplative reflection on the scene depicted. The contemplation is invariably completed with an excerpt from a hymn from Together in Song, an element that ties the foreignness, to western eyes, of the icon art form with the familiarity, to western ears, of the hymnal. The book is thus more than simply and exhibition of Rob Gallacher’s impressive and skillfully executed body of work – it is also, and more importantly, offered as an aid to prayer.  Whether or not you are already familiar with the place of icons in Christian art and prayer life, this book will lead you to see some of the Gospel narratives with new insight; whether or not you already make use of icons in your prayer life, this book will deepen your approach to prayer.

 Rev. Dr. Duncan Reid.

If you would like to order a copy and haven’t received the details directly, email the minister to have your request forwarded: minister@marktheevangelist.unitingchurch.org.au

1. Our second quarter study groups return next week, online for as long as we need to be before going back to face-to-face. The studies will be the first of several as part of an overview of the Old Testament; see here for more information
2. Rob Gallacher has published a book — ‘THE COLOUR OF PRAYER’ — and it may be that some people from Mark the Evangelist would like to buy a copy. For details and a review, see this dedicated post.                 
3. If you would still like to be added to the ‘MtE C-19 contacts list’ but haven’t responded yet, find and reply to the email from Craig earlier in the week.
4. This week’s Synod eNews (May 1)
5. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster (April 29)
6. In the Easter season (from now till end of May), our Sunday reflections will look particularly to the lectionary’s selections from the book of 1 Peter. For more information, see the dedicated post.
7. We will vary the lectionary slightly this week; the lectionary re-orders chapter 2 this week and next, but we’ll take the readings in the order they appear in 1 Peter — so will take next week’s selection this week and this week’s later! So, for commentary on the Gospel and Pslam this week Easter 4A, May 3, see here; for commentary on the 1 Peter text we’ll consider this week see here
8. A brief account of ministry of the saint commemorated this Sunday can be found here:    May 4 – Monica, mother of Augustine of Hippo

You may have noticed that our new paschal candle has ‘crept’ into the worship space; it usually arrives with some fanfare during the Easter Vigil service but we didn’t have one this year! Thanks to Mary who did most of the work — blues to pick up on our work with Jonah earlier this year — and to the kids who did just a little…

1. In the Easter season (from now till end of May), our Sunday reflections will look particularly to the lectionary’s selections from the book of 1 Peter. For more information, see the dedicated post.
2. We have a new paschal candle!
3. Again, links to the online services can be found on the home page as the services become available, and on the online services page. Remember that, if you have a smart TV (or Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.), you can watch the service on the TV by opening the YouTube app on those devices.
4. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster.
5. “Getting through the crisis. As we are planning the autumn edition of Mark the Word, we would like to include contributions from you about any aspect of the topic of Covid-19. If stuck , please turn to possible sources such as the radio, Letters to the Editor, cartoons, literature and anything else you wish to draw upon. If you have something to contribute, please contact Rosemary or Suzanne.
6. Synod e-news update (April 9)
7. Synod e-news update (April 16)
8. Presbytery e-news update (April 17)
9. For commentary on the RCL readings for Easter 2A, April 19, see here;  These weekly commentary resources now include a link to the new lectionary  podcasts from the Synod’s Centre for Theology and Ministry
10. A brief account of ministry of the saint commemorated this Sunday can be found here.