Wangaratta West and the Warbys Community. Christmas / Summer edition 2017

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1 Wangaratta West and the Warbys Community Christmas / Summer edition 2017 Editorial Comment. Pal Collet It is human nature to "count the days" until some anticipated event. It may be the approaching birth of a new baby, children waiting for the last day of school, or a special birthday. People of all ages can hardly wait for Christmas. In our Parish we are now preparing for Advent and Christmas. All year we have been working on our strategic plan and some people have been training for a team ministry. We have raised money at our very successful fete, visited the elderly in the Nursing Homes and reached out to all through our Fellowship Groups and Glenrowan Contact. Now with all our Annual Reports written and presented we are drawing near to the time of Advent and Christmas - our time of waiting. We are "counting the days" until the birth of our Lord Jesus. What will our preparations involve? Social and family expectations require us to provide the usual Christmas fare for the occasion, but will we be overrun by the secularism of our commercially driven society? Or can we keep Christ in Christmas and make our celebrations reflect the true Christmas message of pure love, peace, salvation and hope? Prayers for Advent and Christmas: - Pal Collet Jesus Please forgive me for being so grumpy as I trudge through the never-ending tasks set before me as the holiday season approaches. My to-do list seems to keep growing with shopping, commitments and social gatherings - and I am running short of time! Lord Jesus restore the joy of Christmas to my heart and help me to relax each day and make time for reflection, time for family and time for YOU - my one Source of Joy Amen Inside this issue: 1. Editorial & prayer 2. Parish fete & for the young at heart 3. Rectors message from the parish AGM 4. Parish Pump 5. Parish Pump 6. Recipe a Lay member s reflection 7. Lay members reflection continues and Cup day 8. What s on in the parish & Christmas events and services, parish fete photos Editorial contacts ~ Suzie Don Leonard: Phone: suziedl@westnet.com.au ~ Margaret Gibson Phone: or margret.a.g@bigpond.com ~ Pal Collet Phone: pamelacollet@bigpond.com Reporters are needed from centres and committees. Please send documents in word and photos in.jpg format to Suzie, or if you need help Margaret, Marie or Pal can assist with typing. Give them your written articles & it will be typed for you. Deadline for contributions to Lent/Autumn Edition 1 February 2017 Published 1 March 2016 Dec 2017 Feb 2018

2 Parish Fete - Margaret Gibson We were blessed with another magnificent day for our Fete, rain a few days prior settled the dust, a cold start followed by a sunny morning. We had plenty of help again this year, family members providing some muscle to erect gazebos, set up tables, layout our goods for sale. We had some of the usual stalls, plus some new ones a toy and pop-a-balloon stall, bacon and egg rolls from the BBQ as well as the sausage in bread, a money tree raffle (instant scratchies on a tree), the usual lovely morning tea provided by the ladies of the Catering Guild, a great array of books on the book stall, and of course the best cake stall in the district! A great collection of plants potted up and given by parishioners, as well as some lovely plants donated by Linga-A- While nursery. Lively music provided by Cathedral College students, as well as some students taking tea and coffee orders from the stall holders, and bringing it around to them, great service! We were certainly very grateful to them for their help. So many contributed to make it a very worthwhile day, the fellowship and fun, and the financial result all added up to a great parish effort net result about $6, Well done everyone. Christmas colouring in. Page 2

3 My dear people of Wangaratta West & The Warbys One year since my Induction as Rector, what an exciting time in the life, mission and ministry of our local Parish. There is no doubt that there are challenges ahead of us but these challenges present us with great opportunities for ministry. I am delighted that we have strategic directions for our ministry that will enable us to realise our vision of building and strengthening a community of faith. Below, a few paragraphs from my report and envisioning process for the Parish presented at our AGM at the end of October. MINISTRY IN ACTION: Ministry is at the heart of the Churches activity! It is through the weekly Eucharistic and other related Services, Ministry to the sick and housebound and the formation of people of faith that we are enriched spiritually as we exercise a ministry of presence, availability and visibility. Priestly ministry though often seen as the nucleus is only but a grain in the sand. It is the collective and collaborative ministry that all of us are involved in, that will foster our growth through vibrant Christ-like action which will enable us to build and strengthen a community of faith. We have been blessed with gifted leaders and committed parishioners who unselfishly give of their time, treasure and talents for the edification of God s Church throughout the Parish. Ministry in action however calls us all to take responsibility for what we wish and hope to see. We should not only talk the talk, we should walk the walk. MINISTRY DEVELOPMENTS: Inasmuch as we have engaged in programmes, plans and activities to develop a collaborative ministry approach through our strategic plan of action, much work needs to be done for the implementation of our strategic directions. We will be guided by this plan and a small group of people who will take responsibility for the implementation of the Mission directions. This process development might seem to be very administrative and secular but it describes our desired outcomes for our Parish. In plain Church language we are engaging in a mission and ministry which follows the biblical direction of evangelism and outreach. OUTREACH: Mission and Ministry within any ecclesiastical context is not only focussed on the local Church or congregation but as within the biblical imperative and dominical command of Christ it has to do with the world, with others and especially with those in need and in unfortunate situations. Every year we are inundated with requests from various Mission Agencies for financial support and even with our own financial challenges, we do support as best we can. Our continuous financial support of Anglicare Loaves and Fishes and ABM (Anglican Board of Mission) will continue though we will still offer prayerful support to other agencies. Maybe we can have focussed events throughout the year Message from the Parish Rector FINANCIAL REFLECTION: Our Annual Receipts and Expenditure Accounts reflect a slight deficit though the actual income amount includes an amount that was transferred for the Rectory refurbishment. In these financial difficult times we need to understand the plight of many but the reality is that we need to tithe to stay alive! Any Church is dependent on the generosity of its congregants and I hope that we will be able to change the course of events as mentioned before. I personally believe in dedicated giving and in a stewardship programme that will awaken our sense of responsibility towards God, God s Church and God s people. We are short of 1/3 to be a full-time (3/3) Parish but I believe that this can be done through the generosity of all of us. FOCUS FOR 2018: I hold very dear to my heart the concept that we are the Keepers / Carers of our brothers and sisters. The latest statistics in relation to people who align themselves with the Anglican Church in our Community is indeed a challenge for us to be those carers and to lead others to Christ. The image of the Church seems to be distorted in the wider community but our care, nurture, love and acceptance of all God s people can just be the difference we need to restore the image of the Church. I hope that we can develop this focus in conjunction with our Parish Vision. We will arrange our 2018 programme in such a way that we can explore ways in which we can give flesh to this focus. Let us be excited about our ministry and the endless possibilities that God affords to us as a Parish but let us never forget to be bridge builders, gospel sharers and good news bearers as we share the mission and ministry of God within this world. WORDS OF APPRECIATION: My deepest appreciation to all parishioners of our Parish in their various leadership and supporting roles and for their active participation. Our Parish reflects an EMM (Every Member Ministry) pattern and I hope that we will strengthen this concept as our ministry unfolds. It is a great joy and privilege to serve all of God s people within the Parish of Wangaratta and the Warbys as Parish Priest and as Archdeacon for Ministry Development in the Diocese of Wangaratta. We are never sure where God will lead us in relation to our ministry but we pray that we will be ready to offer service wherever God calls and once again thank you for your prayers, concern, advice and support. Having read the above, I hope that we will work collaboratively to ensure that we will achieve some of the aims we have set out for ourselves. Every blessing, Clarence Page 3

4 Parish Pump St John's Village - Dot Adams St George s Taminick - Marion Rak Because of the flu restrictions, access to St John's was for some months very limited, visiting residents was not permitted, residents were not permitted to leave the premises, to restrict both giving and receiving this virulent illness. There were no chapel services for some weeks, and it has been a very slow build up of numbers over the last couple of weeks. Saturday 14 October had a congregation of 25, the Oblates of CCK had a weekend conference at St John's, and it was a pleasure to have them worshipping at the Chapel at the Vigil Mass, Fr Malcolm Crawley, Chaplain to CCK, celebrated and preached, in my opinion a very good service. The choir in the paddock was in fine form (prior to going off to market) I have been kept busy getting permission to have garden pots, asking workmen to clean up after other people leave. I re-pot with whatever I can find for the fete, hope to have a dozen or so. Baptism at St Michael's Margaret Gibson Book Review Margaret Gibson There is nothing like a Baptism to bring a family together. My second eldest granddaughter, Mirrin Keefe, was baptised by Fr Clarence at St Michael's in late August. Mirrin is a professional dancer and teacher of dance, teaching at schools on the Peninsula, as well as performing professionally with a troupe. St Michael's parishioners were joined by half my children, and partners, 6 grand children, some with partners, and two great grandchildren for the occasion. Mirrin was presented with a card, a bouquet and framed icon to commemorate the occasion. And as family, we all thoroughly enjoyed the weekend together. Summer at Mount Hope by Rosalie Ham This is Rosalie Ham's second book, the first being the delightful, but sometime quite searing, The Dressmaker, which was subsequently made into a film. Like The Dressmaker, the book is set in rural Australia. It is the late 1800s, with a mix of characters not unlike Pride and Prejudice the land owners and the others! There are expectations of sons and daughters conforming to family ideals, doing the right thing! A camp of swaggies and itinerants, travelling workers and the unemployed, all looking for work from the landed gentry. It is the social and romantic social observations that deliver the real joy of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I hope this review will encourage you to borrow or buy it for yourself, or it would make an ideal gift for the readers in your family. Page 4

5 Parish Pump St Paul's Glenrowan Planting the social justice tree given out at Synod. Being planted at St Paul s Pastoral Care Team Toni Moore We had our last meeting on 31 August 2017 in the chapel at the hospital. Fr Clarence and Laurie Johnston from St. Michael s, Sophie Freischmidt and Shirley Steel from the Cathedral, and Pal Collet, Ken and Toni Moore from St Paul s were present. Apologies were received from Robyn and Warren Coles. We wish to thank Laurie for conducting the Service, and Pal for joining our team to visit St. Catherine s. Our last meeting for the year is to be held at 11.00am at the hospital on 30 November, to be followed by lunch at the Pinsent Hotel. Meetings for 2018 are to be held on 29 March, 31 May, 30 August and 29 November. Thank you to the members of our team for their dedication to those who are unwell or in our local nursing homes. Your visiting is very much appreciated. Our best wishes to all the parishioners of the Cathedral and Wangaratta West and the Warbys, and do please let us know if there is anybody in hospital or a nursing home that you think would benefit from a visit from one of our Group. A happy and safe Christmas to you all from the Pastoral Care members. Parish Annual General Meeting Margaret Gibson Congregations from all centres gathered at St Michael's for a one parish service, followed by the AGM. It was Fr Clarence's first AGM in the parish, and it followed AGMs in all the centres over the past few weeks. We were delighted to have Fr Andre Du Plooy, as our guest preacher, and as we were commemorating All Saints Day (a little early) Fr Andre told us all we are the Saints! A little discreet polishing of halos then followed! After a delicious morning tea, the AGM followed. At the AGM, it was again decided to have all wardens from each centre, plus 4 parish councillors to comprise the parish council. We are delighted to have some new faces this year, Suzie don Leonard (St Paul's) and Pam Lewis (St Michael's) are the new faces, Val Edwards having resigned to take up responsibility for Safe Church and Strategic Planning at a Diocesan level. Parish Council comprises Fr Clarence Bester, Chair Carol Furs, Trish Byrne, Margaret Gibson wardens St Michael's Robyn Coles, Bill Gent, Linton Briggs wardens St Paul's Marion Rak, Jenni Mitchell - wardens St George's John Ashton, Suzie Don Leonard, Laurie Johnston and Pam Lewis parish councillors Dot Adams continues to represent St John's Village Chapel on the Council. The first Parish Council of the New Year will be held late November, when office bearers will be elected, and the following year's diary of events planned. Wangaratta Inter Church Council - Laurie Johnston We still maintain an interest in what is going on in the community involving the various Christian Churches in the city of Wangaratta. Involvement in the Ecumenical prayer breakfasts, Christmas window display, Carols Service in the gardens and other activities enable continued fellowship with the wider community. At the Annual Meeting held on August 9th 2017 the following office-bearers were elected. President - Laurie Johnston Vice-President - Susan Fischer Secretary - Joan Cochrane Treasurer - Barbara Waterman We look forward to another positive year of faith and fellowship in the year Page 5

6 Christmas Recipes Margaret Gibson Slow Cooker Fudge 3 cups milk or dark chocolate, broken into pieces 1 tin sweetened condensed milk 1 teas butter 1 teas vanilla essence, mix well, stir every mins, cook two hours without lid. Pour into 8in greased and lined tin, chill at least two hours, turn out and cut into squares Choc Peppermint slice 500 grams plain biscuits crushed 250 gram bock peppermint choclotate 1 tin sweetened condensed milk 185 grams chopped butter gently melt chocolate, butter and condensed milk, stir in crushed biscuits press into lined slice tin melt 30 grams butter and 185 grams choc bits, and pour over slice Try not to eat all these quite delicious sweet treats at once A Sunday reflection by a Lay member The Gospel of Matthew - Helen Briggs Fr. Clarence invited me to give the address on Sunday 8 October. One small tentative step towards the development of a shared, collaborative ministry, throughout the Parish. The readings on that Sunday were: Isaiah 5: 1-7; Psalm 80; Philippians 4: 6-9; Gospel Matthew 21: The other day I was watching an episode of the Antique Road show program. A man arrived with an old battered bible and the antique expert groaned at the thought of yet again dealing with someone s family heirloom, cherished by them, but usually of little value. But to his amazement and delight it turned out to be Charlotte Bronte s childhood Sunday school bible. Charlotte had written her own notes on many of the pages. What were the thoughts and feelings of this young girl whose writing later was to become so famous? I still have my childhood bible given to me by my grandmother when I was seven. Many of you may still have yours, or a family bible, we grew up with them particularly the very familiar King James version. Old books that shaped our spiritual learning when we were very young. The stories from our King James Version formed a basis for our faith, enriched our growth and understanding of our church life. For the Jewish people of Jesus time the Torah featured in the synagogue worship, it was the portion of the law that was given to Moses on Mt Sinai. Jesus grew up with that teaching of the law and the prophets, probably from a small boy sitting at the feet of the scribes in the temple or attending synagogue with his parents. In the gospels we see how Jesus was to fulfil the law and prophets, especially in the book of Matthew. We have the old and the new and it is about the old and the new upon which I will expand my thoughts. The symbolism of today s first reading, the psalm and the gospel is the vineyard. God is the owner and the house of Israel is the vineyard. In Matthew s gospel Jesus picks up the story where Isaiah leaves off. Let s have a look at the gospel of Matthew. It was written about 80 years into the life of the fledgling church after the crucifixion of Jesus it was written after the gospel of Mark, and in fact Matthew expanded on the work of the author of Mark s gospel. It is thought that the author of Matthew s gospel may have been a scribe because he tones down the criticisms Mark makes against the scribes. He also fills in gaps and expands and revises on Mark s perceived inadequacies in writing about the Jewish lectionary year and major festivals. The long teaching section in Matthew, which has been our readings over the last few weeks, covers the time of Jesus journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. Given Matthew s knowledge and love of the law and prophets it is similar in style to the story of Moses giving his final instructions on many issues to his people prior to his departure from them as chronicled in the book of Deuteronomy. Many of the parables attributed to Jesus can also be related to Old Testament sources. In these readings from Matthew, Jesus has set out from Galilee on the road to Jerusalem. It is a pivotal decision, there would be no turning back. Jesus takes His disciples aside and tells them Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes and they will condemn Him to death. How much time would He have to get His followers and disciples to understand His true mission, to try and change the hearts, minds and prejudices of the scribes and Pharisees? Continued on page 7 Page 6

7 Continued from Page 6 A Sunday reflection by a Lay member The Gospel of Matthew - Helen Briggs Jesus was a radical preacher, a mover and shaker, a rebel. He knew there would be a confrontation a showdown with the powers that be. He wanted to move His people on. He had grown up in the Jewish tradition, its teachings and laws, but He could see a new way, a new order, a new inclusive relationship with God that would be worldwide, not just for the Jewish people, and would be based on love - love for God and love for your neighbour. Jesus saw the Pharisees and scribes as holding their people back and the parables Jesus uses in Matthew are pointed at them, particularly today s parable. There is a sense of desperation. The scribes and Pharisees held the power and had much to lose, they didn t want to hear the message or consider change, yet they were afraid to arrest this trouble maker because He had the following of the people. But what of the people, did they want to follow Jesus way of love and sacrifice, or did they want a strong leader and king who was going to become their Messiah who would take up arms against their oppressors the Romans. He could see that followers would desert Him, feeling let down and disappointed, even betray Him. Desperation! What a choice, but Jesus knew there was only one way He had to be true to the story of love, hope and a Kingdom for all people. And we know, it was only with the death and shedding of the physical body that the Spiritual body would be assumed, and that Spiritual body would be the beginning of the new order. Jesus was prepared to step into the abyss to bring the new order into being. Is that what we need to do today for our Church to grow and move forward? Isn t that what an evolving society does and has done? Laws and norms change, traditions are challenged we no longer have laws that will allow people to be executed, our divorce and family laws have changed to try and provide a better system of justice, and we now have women priests in our Churches. As a Church we do need to go forward and at least explore new ways of looking at old books, our faith and the tenets of our beliefs? A different interpretation and understanding? Not to lose what we have but to see it in a new light, the light of the 21 st century. A way that will reach out to people, young and old who we want to see come into our Churches, a way that will bring back those who left disenchanted with the perceived lack of meaning of the Church in their lives, a way that we might just happen to discover may enrich our own spirituality and Church life. Just knowing the stories, as we did when we were children, isn t enough anymore. We shouldn t just sit comfortably in our seats each Sunday and let the same readings be presented time and again and put the onus on the priest to provide something challenging. We should look at the readings, study them, read about them. Who wrote it? Who were they writing if for? What was their agenda? What were they basing their story on? Were they writing what people wanted to hear? We are being spoilt with the ministry of Fr Clarence, he writes and delivers such a fine sermon we can go away thinking and feeling satisfied that he has done all the hard work, so why would we want to expand on excellence? But there are many new, and not so new books available written by theological scholars who can challenge and enlighten our knowledge of the bible and our faith. We need to take more responsibility for our own growth no matter how proficient, how illuminating is the ministry of Fr Clarence. Approximately 30 people enjoyed the Parish cup day celebrations Page 7

8 What s on in the Parish Calendar Kids Christmas Service 10 December at 9.30 am November: Parish Council December: Parish Ladies Sunday 9.30 am - Kids Christmas Craft group Christmas break up 12 noon Glenrowan Contact Christmas break up lunch Christmas Services Christmas Eve 24 December 5.00 pm 8.00 pm pm St John's Village St Paul's Glenrowan St Michael's (Mid-night Mass) Christmas Day ~ 25 December 8.00 am 9.30 am St George's Taminick St Michael's Wangaratta January Craft Group resumes Carols and Readings 15 6:30 pm including the celebration of the 21st Anniversary of Ordination of the Rector as a Priest Followed by a supper Bring a friend and any children The Craft Group will close for Christmas. The Christmas break-up will be on 13 December Wednesday and the group will resume on Wednesday 10 January Glenrowan Community ConTact Wish to invite you to celebrate Christmas Lunch At The Glenrowan Hotel Gladstone St, Glenrowan on Wednesday 20 December, 12:30pm 2 course Lunch Drinks at Bar Prices Please RSVP by 13 December Lynn Robyn All Welcome Please read pew sheet for more details Parish Fete Contact meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from pm (not January) Page 8