Graeme Smith writes...
The Significance of Harry Milligan
The effect of a person who has been significant goes beyond his or her lifetime. This is a story about being significant.
About 12 years ago a man called Harry Milligan died in Invercargill. There was nothing special about Harry apart for his concern for people. Harry had a strong Christian faith and was often referred to as a "man of prayer."
The story starts about 35 years ago when Harry, who was in his early 60's at the time, got along side a man in Invercargill who was an alcoholic. Harry encouraged him to go to alcoholic anonymous and spent time talking with him in a local Christian coffee shop. One of the things Harry did for this man was to give him a stone and say to him "when people start to criticise you, rather than reacting with aggression, take out the stone and offer it to the person saying I may be at fault in this matter, but would you like to throw the first stone" The man found this story very helpful during his life's journey.
20 Years later a young family moved to Invercargill. At this time Harry, now in his 80's, was a member of the Baptist Church in the City, where this family also attended. Harry made them feel very welcome. As the years went by and Harry grew older this family would take him meals on wheels as well as fresh fruit.
33 years after Harry first spoke to the alcoholic, a young girl in her last year at a Palmerston North High School developed a drug habit. This slowly got worse over a 2-year period. The end result was that at age 18 this girl tried unsuccessfully to end her life by taking an overdose of prescription pills. Drug Arm got involved and she ended up at their rehab farm at "Shiloh", which was just out of Feilding. After 4 months of residential support she "graduated" from Shiloh. A graduation ceremony was held and Lew Findlay who was responsible for the establishment of Drug Arm in Palmerston North and also a City Councillor, was the main speaker. Lew told his story. While he talked he pulled a stone from his pocket and told of a man in Invercargill called Harry Milligan who gave him this stone and saved his life by helping him to overcome his alcohol addiction.
The young girl who was graduating was "blown away" as it was her family that had been befriended by Harry when they had moved to Invercargill all those years before. A man who she knew when she was 7 or 8 had saved the life of another man before she was born and this man was responsible for the organisation she says saved her life.
Harry never knew what the significance of just "being a friend" would have on the family of an eight-year-old girl, but Ann & I, who are the parents of the girl, certainly do.CommunityWELCOME TO SEMESTER TWO @ CAREY!
Whether you're joining us for the first time or you are returning for further study and wherever you're based - welcome to Carey! We pray this next 6 months or so will be encouraging for you and you enjoy the study you start today. If you are studying by distance and are in Auckland at any stage, feel free to come by and say hi and join with us for lunch, Community Worship, spend some time in the library etc. We'd love to see you here. CAFÉ THEOS...
RENOVATION UPDATES
ACADEMICS FROM NEROLI...
A)
B) Fees for distance and onsite students are now due! Please ensure that these are paid as soon as possible.
C) The access card has your photo on it and is multi-purpose acting as your access, ID and library card. Please note: your fees need to be paid in full and a photo received before you will receive this card. These will be placed in your pigeon hole when ready. Most should be done by mid next week.
ART WEEK - 23-27 JULY
Next week is the second annual "Carey Art Week" (23-27 July).
So...what's happening?
a. We want your art and craft work displayed around the college - sculpture, painting, photography, etching, pottery, modelling , etc. Please have it to reception with your name and any title for the piece by the end of this week.
b. Christchurch based artist - Kees Bruin will be guest speaker at lunch on Tuesday
c. Public evening event with Kees on Tuesday night (Coffee and Dessert)
d. Children's colouring competition
e. Displays from various art and craft places in Auckland
f. Prizes donated by local businesses.
CONTACTING STAFF
If you need to see any of the lecturers regarding coursework, please make appointments with them. There is a whiteboard outside each of their offices; use this to communicate with them or contact reception (reception@carey.ac.nz or 09 525 4017).
PIGEON HOLES
Onsite students have a pigeon hole assigned to them. These are in alphabetical order by surname in the reception area. If you don't find your name please see Lidy. Please empty this each time you are at the college as it is used as means of communicating with you and returning assignments.
"WORSHIP MATTERS"
Tuesday 24 July; 1:00-1:45pm in the chapel
We are privileged to have with us next week, Donna Dinsmore from Canada. Donna is known as a music and worship facilitator and she will be taking us in our Community Worship that day. After lunch, she has offered to facilitate a conversation with anyone interested in the area of worship. Make the most of this special opportunity.
@ THE LIBRARY
Welcome to the Library for Semester Two 2007! Library orientations will take place this week for new students. Please check the whiteboard in the library for times of these.
The Library opens at 8.30am and closes at 6.30pm from Monday to Thursday. Fridays: open from 9am to 5pm. Saturdays: 10am to 2.30pm.
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP
If you are interested in being part of a team that facilitates Wednesday Community Worship from 12:40-1:00pm, please see Rachel after lunch this Wednesday at 1:30 pm in the chapel.
CALLING NEW STUDENTS TO CAREY!
Thursday 19 July; 5-6:30pm in the dining room
If you're new to Carey, this is an opportunity to gather for some orientation to the college over a light dinner. Please indicate if you'd like to come by putting your name on the sheet in the dining room.