PARISH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 14 September 2014

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1 PARISH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 14 September 2014 Bishop Stuart has released his latest Stutube for viewing & sharing with others. Access via Diocesan Website: heart. Something only God can do on our behalf. We'll cross each bridge as it comes and trust the Lord to provide and guide, our focus is on the students, was the resounding response from the chaplains who met this week to pray regarding the uncertainty of our role here in ACT. FINAL DAYS FOR ACT GOVERNMENT DECISION RE SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY ACT Hi there, Thank you for your faithful prayers and support in these past weeks and for those who have contacted/ ed/written to local politicians on the behalf of our school chaplains. We are still holding hope to the possibility of a change of mind and 1 Facebook Campaign: Join in the fun with our Crazy Sock Facebook Campaign: yact to share and put our posts on your pages to encourage more people to pray, contact Joy Burch and support us. Media Support: Lyle Sheldon from ACL has published two media releases this week urging both the SA and ACT Governments to re-consider their position to reject the Federal funding for to

2 continue the Chaplaincy Program in all schools... Lyle recommends that people contact their local radio stations, write letters to the editors of local newspapers and continue to our local politicians. Tuesday saw our most balanced article yet in the Canberra Times along with a photo of Steve Lindner who was interviewed and quoted. Prayer Points God to impact the hearts and minds of our SA and ACT politicians An increase in the number of school chaplains in 2015 come what may - we ask God for increase in opportunities with or without Federal funding Strength, joy and peace for our chaplains in their current situation Peace and support for the families of our chaplains Encouragement and hope for the students, parents and staff who are concerned about the potential loss of their much loved school chaplain/welfare worker Andrea de Vaal Horciu (Black Mountain School) - for health issues to resolve Ted Leask (Wanniassa Hills Primary) - His daughter to be able to obtain a visa to visit her USA husband on compassionate grounds due to his poor health 2 Michael Richards (Hawker College) - Juggling study, teaching practicum, chaplaincy and ministry work Mary Apikotoa (Lake Ginniderra College, Theodore Primary) - Caring for her mum, recovering from her accident and waiting for more suitable accommodation without stairs Steve Lindner (Campbell High School) - Strength and wisdom as he balances needs of family, school and ministry Lydia Ashford (Stromlo High, Richardson Primary) - Rest and recovery from a tough few weeks Deb Horscroft, Bronwyn Jennings (Amaroo, Ngunnawal) and team - Planning and preparation is full on for the upcoming Gungahlin Community Craft Fair to be held on 20th September. Hope to see you all there on the day. We are hoping to raise funds to continue the chaplaincy service in our Gungahlin Schools and invite you to come to the Craft Fair on the 20th September and join in the fun. The Salvation Army Hall in Gungahlin will be abuzz with stalls, quilt exhibition, workshops, food, jumping castle and so forth. Come along anytime between 10:00-4:00pm. Will keep you posted re news in the days ahead. Thanks for standing with us at this time as we wait on God. "Be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be

3 rewarded." 2 Chron 15.7 Sincerely, Di Dianne Priest Director Chaplaincy Services School Chaplaincy ACT mobile direct JUST IN! HOT OFF THE PRESS - NEWS RE JOY BURCH DECISION RE SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY I just read the transcript of the ABC interview in which the ACT minister was quoted: JOY BURCH: Well, what various states have been asked to do is actually to reply to the Federal Government by this Friday, expressing an interest to participate in this program, so I will reply and we will say yes, we have an interest in participating in this program, but it is the view of our community broadly that it should have a secular choice. Shona, Joy Birch and Minister Rankine in ABC Radio interview with Natalie Whiting Click on the link for the full transcript: htm She said, Yes! Thanks for praying, writing, ing and calling your local politicians. Thanks for standing with us at this time. We have a door that is remaining open for chaplaincy and a process of negotiation ahead. We are hopeful of more opportunities, more effective partnerships with local churches and more chaplains, not less, in our ACT schools. Please pray for: Jo Dodds and myself who will be meeting with Joy Burch this coming Monday at 12:30pm. Pray for God's wisdom and favour in our conversations with Joy... 1 Way FM will be interviewing Joy Burch and myself on Monday morning at 9:05am so tune in and again, please be praying for wisdom as we listen, learn and dialogue around possibilities for school chaplaincy to continue to make a difference in ACT. Sincere thanks for your on-going and sustaining support. Di, on behalf of our school chaplains Dianne Priest Director Chaplaincy Services CMS CANBERRA REGIONAL PRAYER MEETINGS- Monday 15 September Dear Friends, Join other Canberra CMS supporters at an evening of focused and informed prayer for CMS, for Canberra-supported CMS missionaries and for world mission. Expect a great evening of news, prayer, fellowship and supper! Please see below for the locations and contact people for the Southside and 3

4 Northside meetings. Southside St Matthew s Wanniassa (corner Laurens Street and McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa) pm Monday 15 September Contact: Guy Matthews or guy.matthews7@gmail.com Northside Christ Church Hawker Rectory (192 Hawker Place, behind Christ Church Hawker, corner Beetaloo Street and Belconnen Way, Hawker) pm Monday 15 September Contact: Patrick Cole or pandncole@bigpond.com In Christ, Graham Simpson and Mark Fairhurst Mission Facilitators CMS NSW & ACT (p) 'FREEDOM: John Newton's Amazing Grace' is coming to Goulburn for a charity screening on Wednesday, 8th October at 6:30pm at the Lilac Cinema. A prequel to 'Amazing Grace', the film focuses on John Newton, the slave trade and the faith journey of abolitionists and slaves alike. We are reminded that slavery still exists and that we can also embrace the abolitionists' spirit by raising awareness about modern-day slavery. THIS IS A CHARITY EVENT. PROCEEDS AND DONATIONS WILL SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SLAVERY AND TRAFFICKING IN KOLKATA. Included: 10 min presentation on modernday slavery at the conclusion of the movie + fair-trade nibbles, tea and coffee. Book via eventbrite: OR Phone: All tickets: $8.00 FEBC NEWS FEBC Australia is a non-profit organisation publicising and promoting global Christian radio broadcasting. Dear Friend I would like to share with you two points for prayer that are immediate. FEBC Ukraine: Valentin Burlaka, a dedicated co-worker was involved in a serious car accident which happened on 4 September in the Ukraine. Valentin and the wife of his nephew went to be with the Lord soon after. There were other people in the car who are now making a good recovery. Please pray for Svetlana, Valentin s wife, their four sons who have families, their extended families and friends. Valentin had been overseeing the broadcast ministry in Chernovtsy, West Ukraine as well as the broadcast to thousands of Slavic people in Sacramento, California. A memorial service will be held on Thursday evening in Sacramento for Valentin. Pray for this service, that His name will be glorified even in this tragedy. 4 FEBC Australia: This Sunday afternoon the

5 first six members of the workparty will arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan at 4.20pm. Pray that they will clear customs without any difficulties. This is the second trip for Graeme, James, Malcolm and David. The two new team members are Jared and Nathan. Steve (also on his second trip) arrived earlier this week and has been sourcing materials and equipment so as to be ready for the team when they arrive. The second team, Joy, David, Paul and Andrew will arrive in Almaty on 27 September. Pray that together they will all work well as a team and accomplish many of the scheduled tasks. May God be honoured in all they do. Thank you for praying with us. Yours in Mission Jenny Porter Office Manager, FEBC Australia PO Box 183 Caringbah NSW 1495 P or The DIOCESAN CENTRE FOR LAY MINISTRY & MISSION now has new contact details. These are noted below. Would you be so kind as to update your records. Phone Number: Address: laycentre@anglicancg.org.au Postal Address: PO Box 1025 Goulburn NSW 2580 John Barnes & Margaret Wheelwright You may or may not be aware that ANTI POVERTY WEEK is occurring during the week of October The issue of poverty in Australia is largely a hidden one. The majority of Australians think we live in The Lucky Country. The sad fact for the 2 million Australians living below the poverty line this is simply not true! The aim of Anti-Poverty Week is to raise awareness of poverty In Australia ; and the many different forms it takes. RESIDENTS GROUP: AN UPDATE ON CANBERRA S ACTION BUS NETWORK Hullo Everyone, I am sure you will have heard by now that the REVISED ACTION bus routes have been promulgated, and here is one comment about the Minister's letter below. "You would think that Network 14 has been a great step forward. This flies in the face of the feedback we've been getting with many public transport users unhappy because they can no longer use the system because of the changes." So, this is directed at commuters-those who work for a living. All feedback will be kept anonymous, so please-spend a few minutes on a few simple questions and reply back to me. 1. for commuting, do you: a. use ACTION buses at all for commuting, 5

6 b. use the car, c. the car as a passenger or driver, d. walk or cycle or both, and e. use some other method. 2. regardless of the above, what is your destination suburb? (whereabouts is your workplace?) 3. what suburb do you live in? 4. If your commute is regular- that is, a minimum three days a week or more, can you do without the car during the day? 5. if you need the car during the day, can you briefly tell us why, and other destinations you need to get to, other than work? Pretty easy huh. Should take 30 seconds to complete and hit REPLY. Thank you for your time. Your feedback is important to us as it will help us gauge your views on this heavily subsidized public infrastructure. If public transport works for you, we are very happy. If it does not, then we will be more vocal about the service. If you have an issue with public transport, PLEASE RESPOND. We are undertaking a review of the Transport Plan for Canberra to 2031, so your feedback will be useful for this review also. If you have other matters to discuss, feel free to drop us a line. Russ Morison President South East Tuggeranong Residents Association (SETRA) dabblers2@hotmail.com FORTHCOMING EVENTS EARLY NOTICE FOR YOUR DIARY: Creation Sunday and Peace Day Sunday 21 September Social Justice Sunday 28 September Confirmation Service 19 October. Parish Walk and Picnic Saturday 8 November. Christ the King Services 23 November 2014and Parish Welcome Lunch. Annual Electoral Meeting 9 November Community Fair 15 Nov 2014 SMiV Parish Centre anniversary BBQ and Carols Service, 5pm BBQ and 7pm service, 14 December. Community Christmas Carols Friday 19 Dec pm Sunday Kids Klub annual graduation (Advent 4) 21 December 2014 Annual General Meeting TBA March 2015 Bishop s Dinner March. PARISH PICNIC AND WALK NOON SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014 Come along for a Spring Picnic at London Bridge, Burra. Salad Rolls, fruit and juice provided. After Lunch take the short hike to view the beautiful London Bridge (a stunning natural landmark that was first recorded in 1823 by explorer Captain Mark Currie), then relax and watch the children s games or stroll around the picnic area to see the historic Shearer s Shed and Quarters from the original London Bridge Estate. EVERYONE very welcome to join us for our Parish WELCOME LUNCH! 6

7 Following our special Christ the King Services on SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER An opportunity for newcomers and old hands to socialise and get to know each other. Join us for a delicious lunch followed by a short talk on part of our Parish History. St Mary in the Valley and St Edmunds Tharwa Prayer Notes September 2014 If you have any specific prayer requests or any event you would like to be included in the prayer diary please contact Graham Bartlett on or bartmgt@iinet.net.au. Thank you for your support in this prayer ministry for St Mary in the Valley. Give thanks that God has called us to be a part of SMIV, the Tuggeranong Valley Community, St Edmunds Tharwa and the ministry that we have to each other. Give thanks for all who are involved in parish ministry and pray: that more people will volunteer their time to assist in the various ministries, share their gifts of hospitality, Give thanks for those: gifted with their hands and maintain the building, grounds and gardens, care for us, facilitate worship, teach our young, lead or assist in groups, and the Parish Council and uphold the wardens and council praying for wisdom and guidance. Pray that through the Holy Spirit, God will continue to share His vision for this parish and that He will continue to provide all of the resources we need for the growth and administration of SMIV, including people and financial resources. You may also wish to select e.g. 10 families per week from the Parish Roll and pray for them. Sunday Pray and give thanks for: The community of SMIV for freedom to worship God openly and for the calling to be a beacon to others in the Valley. Sunday worship, for all who are involved in setting up for the services, the ushers, servers, lay reader. The ministry we have to each other. The ministry to the sick and dying. For those who are studying to improve their relationship with the community of faith. Those attending church today that all will be blessed, in a way that they will know can only be of God. Pray for companionship for the lonely, comfort for the sorrowing and relief for those in pain. Increase in us a spirit of compassion, that we may not add to the suffering of others, but comfort and befriend those who are in need. Monday Pray for: For the Diocese, Bishop Stuart and Assistant Bishops Trevor and Genieve. the people of St Edmunds Tharwa our confirmation class and for their families 7

8 the Diocesan Synod and our Synod reps and for safe travel Sunday Club activities, upholding and giving thanks for the teachers and assistants and for the children and the blessing they are to us. Pray for that God will raise up new people during the year to offer their gifts and talents in this important for Stephen as Chaplain to Caroline Chisholm High school Youth Group Praying for increased membership and for the leaders of the group, for safety in all that they undertake and pray for those attending Camp pelican over the holidays, for their safety and for a deeper relationship with the Father through the Son. We pray for peace in Gaza, for an end to the violence and bloodshed. for the Palestinian people, who suffer from injustice and the difficulty of everyday life; do not lose hope in your justice and mercy. We pray that they do not give in to despair and continue to place their hope for a better future in the strength of your hope. Those involved in pastoral care and ministry to the sick, pray that God will raise up others who want to share in this ministry. Tuesday Members of the parish with surnames beginning with A - F Pray for the world situation particularly for the Australian servicemen and women serving overseas and for their families. Ask God to raise up leaders who will seek peace. Give thanks for and pray that God will strengthen and protect those who work for peace, for those who care for the widows and the orphans, 8 for those who seek to eliminate poverty and those who work to reduce the suffering in the world. Pray for the world that needless destruction of our rainforests will cease. Continue to pray for rain in those areas that have had little. Pray for those who support and minister to the farmers and their families as they recover from this period of drought. Pray for outreach programs such as Alpha, and for new ways of sharing our faith for the organisers and for their safety, pray that God will raise up those necessary for the task. The Christians of in all areas of conflict will know the close presence of Jesus, the guidance of the Spirit and the protection of the Father. Humanitarian assistance would reach all who are in need. Wednesday Pray for: Members of the parish with surnames beginning with G - K Give thanks for and uphold the: Music Group as they meet and prepare to lead us in music during our Sunday Services. Pray for other musicians particularly that others who have a heart for music will continue to offer their services. Worship, praying that we will continue to be open to the touch of the Spirit especially as they prepare the services for Lent and Easter. Give thanks for the newcomers and pray that they will find warmth and refreshment with SMIV. For the leaders of all the nations, looking for ways to work together beyond fear

9 and suspicion, For people of goodwill, responding generously to the needs of suffering communities, For the Australians who have friends and family involved in areas of conflict and disaster, For communities that are terrified by missiles, snipers, vigilantes or death squads, For the vulnerable and defenceless in conflict zones, for the children, the elderly, the disabled, the sick: Thursday Pray and give thanks for: that our parish will be encouraged and strengthened through the vision of the Mission Plan. Pray for all either returning or coming to SMIV for the first time that they will want to press-in and seek the heart of God. Pray for those who will be confirmed, for fellowship and gentleness in their classes and a deeper understanding as they draw closer to Jesus. For the West Africans affected by the Ebola virus and for an international response, and For the easing of tensions in the Ukraine, Crimea for peace and stability in these communities. Members of the parish with surnames beginning with L - Q Pray for those with depression and eating disorders, especially our children. Pray for doctors and specialists who treat them, that they will be able find effective solutions and reverse the damage. Pray also for individuals who suffer may they also come to understand the damage and gain the will to want to change. Friday Members of the parish with surnames beginning with R - Z Give thanks to the Lord for all he has provided to us, praying that we will be responsible stewards of those gifts and also pray that He will continue lead us and provide those resources we need to fulfil His will. Uphold those of our Parish family who will be travelling over the Christmas period, for their safe journey.. Pray for those returning to school and for those attending for the first time, may they all be blessed and kept safe. Pray for an effective solution to bullying in our schools; for the victims and the bullies. May the bullies have their hearts changed and come to know the hurt this causes. Give thanks for Roberta, praying that her day off will be one of refreshment and enjoyment. Saturday Pray and give thanks for: Roberta, as she prepares for Sunday. Our Sunday worship and for all involved in the worship. Pray that all who attend church tomorrow will be blessed in a special way by God. Uphold the Wednesday services and for blessing of all attending. Uphold the parish prayer ministry, praying that more people will seek to be involved. For the Sick Continue to pray for those we know are sick, giving thanks for healing. 9

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12 Have you registered for the Breakfast? Wednesday 17th September 2014 with Darren Laudenbach CFP Milestone Financial Services Speaking on balancing business and faith, and providing advice on personal finance as it relates to Christians. JOIN US Wednesday 17th September 7.15am for 7:30 start (expected finish 8:30) The Waldorf Chatham House Room 2 Akuna St, Canberra just off London Circuit on London Suggested contribution $20 Darren is highly experienced financial planner in areas of self-managed superannuation (SMSF), estate planning, business structuring and asset protection and specialises in wealth accumulation and pre-retirement planning. He has been a director and board member of several private companies. Darren is also an active member of the Christian community and the Treasure of a number of Christian community organisations. Yours, Raphael Wood Raphael Wood BusinessLife Canberra Convenor Please call to register. 12

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14 Calwell High School Car Boot Sale Saturday 20 September 9am 1pm Our May event had over 90 stalls booked. Please contact Tracy for further details or Please note the day is Saturday and the time is earlier this year. 14

15 Rev d Roberta Hamilton will be attending these events: 15

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19 Canberra Hymnfest Bible Society invites you to join with us for an afternoon of singing favourite hymns. Free Admission. Featuring: Major General The Honourable Michael Jeffery Dr Greg Clarke (CEO Bible Society) Date: Sunday 28 th September 2014 Time: 2pm Place: St Pauls Anglican Church, Cnr Captain Cook Crescent and Canberra Ave Manuka For further information please call 1300 BIBLES ( ) or A collection will be taken for Bible Society to help persecuted Christians in the Middle East 19

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