PARISH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 1 2016 ETHICAL COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE In December Exalted reported that St Mary in the Valley had made a commitment to make the most ethical purchases as possible, taking into consideration endexploitation and environmental issues. Since then we have purchased Fair Trade and Ethical Purchasing products wherever possible. In December we reported the difficulties encountered attempting to obtain fair trade chocolates and coffee. But we are pleased to report that since then all of our major retailers offer a range of products. products offered had one of the following labels on their packaging: These labels indicate that an independent organisation has certified that the product is fairly traded and sourced using ethical practices. It is the most credible assurance against the use of forced, child and trafficked labour. On Saturday the Parish was invited to a taste testing morning tea. All of the 1
News from your group or ministry at St Mary in the Valley would be a welcome addition to Exalted! Please send your contribution to smiv@smiv.org thank you. SCHOOL PRAYER NETWORKS 6 Canberra's church gathers to PRAY for their local communities and schools. YOU are invited to join with church leaders, members, chaplains and volunteers as we unite in prayer each term. Prayers will focus on: praising GOD for all that is happening, particularly in schools building connections between churches, schools and families seeking GOD'S guidance for the next steps Tuggeranong Friday 9.30-10.30am Salvation Army Anketell St TUGGERANONG T2: May 6 T3: July 29 T4: October 21 Yours in Christ Karen Baron, Coordinator - Christian Education in Schools Di Priest, Manager - School Chaplaincy ACT Ana Davy, Director - Scripture Union ACT 2016 LAY MINISTRY CONVENTION 6-7 The 2016 Lay Ministry Convention with Mike and Sally Breen is called, Listening to Jesus. Mike and Sally are world class leaders who will teach and train us to live out the life of the Kingdom of God practically every day. 2 Because the Kingdom is so important to all Christians this convention is open to anyone, whether lay or ordained, who is interested in exercising their call in God s world, the marketplace, family or congregational life more effectively. To register online visit the www.trybooking.comjppu PRAYING WITH THE EARTH A QUIET DAY 7 Saturday 7 May 2016, 9am to 3.30pm, at The Chapel, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. Bring your own lunch, journal, hat and art materials. Morning and afternoon tea provided. Donation $30. Registration: Rev d Susanna Pain, 0418637469 susanna.pain@gmail.com OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL CHARITY EVENT 9 Wesley Uniting Church 22 National Circuit, Forrest Monday, 9 May 2016 at 7.30pm How can you help people in developing countries escape poverty and help themselves? Opportunity International provides a way through providing small loans to families in developing countries to help them start a business, earn an income
and leave poverty behind. For example, by helping a mother buy a sewing machine to start a tailoring business, this transform her life, her children s futures and her community. With 98% of loans recycled, the impact continues year after year. Find out more at www.opportunity.org.au. Hear Opportunity International ACT/NSW state manager Daniel Belzer speak at a wine and cheese event at Wesley Uniting Church at Forrest, 22 National Circuit, Forrest. It will be at 7.30pm on Monday, 9 May 2016 in the foyer of the church centre. For catering please email Bruce Stevens bstevens@csu.edu.au or leave a message on 0403 529 773 (come at no cost to you). HEARING GOD S WHISPERS WORKSHOP 14 Are you thirsting for a more intimate walk with the Lord? Do you want to experience God s whispers for yourself? Saturday 14th May, 10:00am 4:00pm Canberra Chinese Christian Church 56 Dryandra St O Connor Cost $20 to cover Lunch and refreshments Please bring a Bible, note pad and pen plus a donation on the day for the presenters The presenters, Peter and Kathryn Yaxley, have designed this workshop to help you grow in confidence to hear God. Peter and Kathryn Yaxley are gifted prophetic intercessors deeply grounded in God's Word and ways and have spent many years mentoring, ministering and writing materials to assist God's people connect deeply with God. The workshop will explore: the ways God speaks and why He speaks The key role of listening and waiting Tuning in to the ministry of the Holy Spirit Discerning God's voice RSVP by 4th May Di Priest 0408 585 845 or diannepriest@gmail.com SEMINAR THE PARADOX AND PROMISE OF LATER LIFE: FINDING MEANING IN THE JOURNEY 18 JUN Saturday 18th June, 9.30am- 3.30pm at St John s Reid. This follows a very successful day in Batemans Bay on the same topic and will also be presented by the Rev d Professor Dr Elizabeth MacKinlay. Please note that this seminar is open to all people across the church and community. Further details to follow. 2016 CAPS CONFERENCE 30 SEP We will have a one-day conference in Canberra at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (15 Blackall Street, Barton ACT 2600). Dr Shane Clifton, Associate Professor in Systematic Theology at Alphacrucis College, Sydney will present the keynote address on a theology of disability and suffering. He is quadriplegic after an accident a few years ago and has published important papers in leading theological journals on disability. He will talk about disability in ageing and the meaning of suffering. We are thinking about how to make the conference more engaging with opportunity for dialogue and skill based workshops. Not to be missed. Save the date! Friday, 30 September 2016 3
MONKS AND MYSTICS DANCING IN THE DESERT RETREAT 30 SEP - 4 OCT A retreat for Body and Soul led by Betsy Beckman and Susanna Pain from 30 September to 4 October 2016 at the Campfire in the Heart Alice Springs. Betsey Beckman MM comes to us from the US bearing sacred body wisdom and soulful dances. With Christine Paintmer at Abbey of the Arts, she has produced a body of work exploring the ministry of Monks and Mystics, including books, CDs, and DVDs. Betsey holds a Masters in Ministry, a Certificate in Movement Therapy, and is regularly featured as artist presenter across the US. This is her first time down under and she is over the moon to create, play and pray in the beauty of the desert! Susanna Pain is a midwife of transformation, an Interplay facilitator, dancer, storyteller, and priest with extensive experience working with creative forms of spiritual and life formation. She was a founding director of Interplay Australia and particularly loves playing in our land s rich orange desert landscape. Dancing in the desert: For monks and mystics throughout time, the desert has been a place for encountering the divine presence. We invite you to come into the heart of our own magnificent central desert to rest, play, reflect, and create reflective (or raucous!) ritual in community. Beside ancient red rocks, under giant river gum trees, in the sand, and around open fires we will be silent, move, make art, sing and tell stories that connect us with ourselves, each other, the spirit of the land and the divine presence infusing all. $1200 all inclusive: tuition, materials, food and accommodation. $1000 early bird pay before 30 June 2016. 4 nights, 4 days. $200 deposit to secure a place. For more information or to register, contact Susanna Pain m. 0418 637 469, or email susanna.pain@gmail.com ST MARY IN THE VALLEY EVENTS RECENT UPDATES INCLUDED FOR YOUR DIARY: Cathedral Convention 6-7 May 2016 Ascension service TBA 5 or 8 May 2016 Bishop s Dinner. Friday 13 May 2016 Parish Council, 9am Saturday 14 May 2016 Pentecost services and Parish Welcome Lunch Sunday 15 May 2016 Trinity Sunday 22 May 2016 Clergy Conference 23-27 May 2016 Breakfast Saturday 28 May 2016 with speaker Rev d Susanna Pain (8.30am) Queen s Birthday Holiday 13 June 2016 Wine and Cheese Night a winter warmer Saturday 18 June 2016 Indigenous family place walk (celebrating NAIDOC Week) Sunday 3 July 2016 (Noon) School Holiday Film at Friday Morning Cuppa, 8 July 2016 (10.00am) Patronal Festival Sunday 14 August 2016 Dedication of the Centre for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation and Persian BBQ lunch Sunday 14 August 2016 Clergy Retreat 15-19 August 2016 High Tea and Vintage Fashion event, Saturday 3 September 2016 (3pm) SYNOD 9-11 September 2016 4
Breakfast Event with speaker Archdeacon Wayne Brighton, Saturday 17 September 2016 (8.30am) Social Justice Sunday, Connect2Church Sunday and special Parish Welcome Lunch 25 September 2016 Public Holiday 26 September 2016 St Michael s Day Service Thursday 29 September 2016 Public Holiday 3 October 2016 School Holiday Film at Friday Morning Cuppa, 7 October 2016 (10.00am) Church Picnic at Lanyon Homestead Sunday 23 October 2015 (12.30pm) All Saints Sunday and Defence Sunday 6 November 2016 Community Fair, Sat. 12 November 2016 Christ the King Sunday 20 November 2016 Christmas Decorating Friday 25 November 2016 (6.30pm) First Advent Sunday 27 November 2015 Volunteers Thankyou event Sunday 4 December 2016 Sunday Kid s Club presentations Sunday 11 December 2016 Calwell Community Carols Friday 16 December 2016 Parish Centre Anniversary BBQ and Christmas Carols Service Sunday 18 December 2016 ALSO CHECK REGULAR SCHEDULED EVENTS (SEE PEW SHEET) Would you like to book in an event? Please fill out an Event Risk Management Declaration Form (to be found under the health & safety notice board) & it will go to Parish Council for approval 5
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