‘Coo-ee’, described as a prolonged, shrill, clear call or cry, was used as a signal by our indigenous people from the Dharuo language and adopted by early settlers. Who has not yelled ‘coo-ee’ to produce a clear echo in the bush?
In 1915, during World War One, when Australian soldiers were fighting in Gallipoli and casualties were high, a group of 35 from the NSW mid-western farming town of Gilgandra answered the call to serve God, King, and mother-England. They set off to march to Sydney to join the army. ‘Coo-ee’, was their ‘rallying cry’, summoning volunteers to join them and enlist. By the time they reached Sydney, the group had grown to 277. Their effort is now known as the ‘Coo-ee March’.
Responding to the ‘coo-ee’ call of Christ is central to the Christian faith. In the gospels, Jesus summons people to “follow Me”. It is a call to ‘join the ranks’ as a disciple in every dimension and facet of life. This call of Jesus permits no compromise, no hesitation, no ambivalence. As a follower, everything we do should be guided and directed by the love and lordship of Christ.
Jesus does not call us just to be saved. He calls us into a deep, intimate rela- tionship with Him. He summons us to a way of living and working that reflects the reality of His presence in every dimension of our lives. Jesus first calls us to Himself and then calls us back into the world so that we might live and work to fulfil His purposes.
(Reverend Gordon)