Following Jesus in Strathalbyn, Meadows, Langhorne Creek and Milang
The Ladies Guild have filled 45 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
The Guild have also raised over $400 to pay for delivery costs to needy children throughout the world, each one personally delivered.
Thanks to the Ladies Guild for this magnificent effort and for the joy that these boxes will give to many children.
Thank you.
Rev. David L Smith
On Sunday 4 October we celebrated St Francis’ Day and World Animal Day with an outdoor Eucharist at Christ Church, Strathalbyn at which special prayers were offered for our fellow creatures. The celebrant was Fr Adrian Stephens and the preacher was Marg Holt who is a member of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis.
Most of the extra members of the congregation were dogs of various kinds but there was also a bird and a snake together with an avian chorus in the trees around us.
This year’s AGM of the Chaplaincy Support Committee was held on 16th September in the Church of Christ Hall, and a goodly gathering from Strathalbyn Churches was in attendance with yours truly representing our Anglican Church..
Our Chaplains do a fantastic job throughout the year, and are supported through the ICC (Inter Church Council). Their individual Reports were presented to the AGM of the Chaplaincy Support Committee under the Chairmanship of retired Church of Christ Minister, Grahame Daniel. The Reports gave a detailed account of the work they do with the schoolchildren and staff at Callington School, Strathalbyn Yr 7-12 Campus, Strathalbyn R-6 Campus, Milang and Ashbourne Campuses.
There is a certain amount of Federal funding which is annually reviewed, and has in fact been reduced in recent years, and the Fundraising of all our Churches is vital to continue to finance this work, and is very much appreciated.
I have full copies of each Chaplains Report for anyone interested, and I have to say I was very impressed with the scope of work undertaken, and the obvious commitment that our Chaplains have on our behalf. I am more convinced than ever that although our PSWs are now not allowed to evangelise as such, our Lord is certainly working through them to reach our ‘Future Church’ with love.
I have to say that the contacts that all of the PSWs have made at all the schools are appreciated and without exception are well received from the feedback from the School Staff and others. Individual Pastoral support where appropriate, helping in some classroom activities, and many examples of Breakfast Clubs and Lunchtime help, as well as some extra-curricular all figure in their weekly workload.
Please continue to pray for Andrew, Jacqui, Kaye, Arthur and Kerry, and on behalf of Chairman Grahame, the Chaplains and the whole Support Committee, I pass on thanks to all in our Church Community who continue to give financial support.
I hope and pray that not only will this vital work continue, but perhaps we can, with God’s help, think of expanding and increasing the hours for our Chaplains.
Rev. David Smith
Eileen and Jeanne recently delivered several cartons of tinned and packet food to Christian Care and Share in Mt Barker. This wonderful collection had been gathered together by the Mothers’ Union members with the help of the wider congregation.
Christian Care and Share at their Centre in Hutchinson Street, Mt Barker supply food and financial assistance to people in need and are always grateful for help in support of their work and acknowledge that without such support “we would not be able to continue providing this help to those in our community who need it most”.
We have already started building up the pantry again and welcome your support in continuing to assist this important programme.
Alex
On Friday 7th August, about 100 Mothers Union Members from all over South Australia gathered at St Saviour’s Church Glen Osmond to celebrate Mary Sumner Day.
After a welcome coffee in the hall, we went into the church where Fr. Simon Bailey led the service. Reverend Dr Lesley McLean, MU Chaplain for Adelaide Diocese, preached the sermon, referring to the gospel reading from Luke 6, where Jesus came down and stood among the crowd, and healed many people and taught about God’s kingdom. She spoke about the healing, forgiveness, and hope that Jesus gives to all who trust Him.
Over lunch, we had the opportunity to chat with friends old and new.
State President, Mrs. Eileen Smith, welcomed and introduced our guest speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Appleby. Elizabeth is a Life Vice President of MU Australia, a former MU Australia President and a former member of the Trustee Board at Mary Sumner House, which is the governing and decision making body for Mothers Union.
She spoke about Mothers Union Worldwide – who we are, our vision, aim & purpose, mission, and how we work. She spoke about our founder, Mary Sumner, her faith and vision of a group of mothers working to support marriage and train their children and families to follow Christ. Elizabeth wondered what Mary Sumner would think about us in MU Australia today, as we reach out to share Christ’s love with people who may have different views on issues such as divorce, abortion, ordination of women, human sexuality, gender equality.
Elizabeth encouraged us to remember our vision – to share Christ’s love through supporting marriage and family life, and to use Families Worldwide to pray for Mothers Union around the world, and to be enthusiastic.
After a short question time, Eileen thanked Elizabeth for her interesting talk, and announced that the offering in church raised $421.30, half of which will be given to our overseas project, Church and Community Mobilisation Process in Tanzania, and half towards the fund for the training of Indigenous Women.
Elizabeth also cut the birthday cake, which was to celebrate 120 years of Mothers Union in South Australia.
We thank Glen Osmond Parish and Mothers Union for hosting the day, and the leaders of MU in South Australia for organizing another gathering for the encouragement of all MU members.
Caroline Earl
Members of the congregation from the Wednesday morning Eucharist and Study Group at Christ Church, Strathalbyn were delighted to be able to share with two of their number who were celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary on Saturday 8 August.
After sharing in the Eucharist with Bishop John and Joyce Lewis and their friends at the Strathalbyn Aged Care Facility they shared in a light lunch which Joyce had arranged for the occasion.
Alex
On Thursday 30th July the Icon Writers’ Group welcomed Fr Adrian Stephens and other guests to bless their recently completed icons. Fr Adrian introduced the ceremony by commenting on the significance of icons in our devotion.
Alex
Twenty-nine members and friends of the Ladies Guild enjoyed the Mid-Winter Luncheon in Christchurch Hall on Tuesday 28th July, the theme being ‘Remembering the Anzacs’.
As usual there was a wonderful variety of food and drink for the three course meal. Community singing took place between the main and dessert courses.
Lucky number ticket prize was won by Doris Court and Margaret Holt, Val Ball, Nell Endersby and Fr. David won prizes in the Raffle.
Thanks to the committee for organising the day.
Eileen
In our journey on Earth, following in Christ’s path, we need to also remind ourselves of our responsibility to all living things, not just our fellow brothers, sisters and neighbours.
Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si, is worth reading. It is a comprehensive overview of the extent to which humanity has failed in its stewardship of this Earth. He described the Earth, our home, as “beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” He has been criticized by some as exceeding his authority. But the Bible does give him authority just as it instructs us to protect God’s Creation. Let us look at what the Bible says. In Genesis 1:21 we are told that:
God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
And in Genesis 1:28 He instructs us to “Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
We are reminded in Leviticus 25:23 “for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.”
This is repeated in Psalm 115:16 “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.”
And again in Psalm 24:1,2 “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”
Clearly the Earth belongs to God which He has entrusted to us for our benefit. We are only its stewards. We will be judged by how we manage it.
This point is made in Luke 16:2 in the parable about the good steward where Jesus instructs us in what it means to be a good steward. While he was referring to managing a master’s business, he did say “if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” This could also be seen as a warning that if we are not wise in caring for what God has given us (His Creation) then we will not be trusted with what God has promised us.
Failing to be good stewards and respecting God’s Creation will result in consequences as described in Revelation 11:18. It is a clear command and will be one matter for which we will be judged.
“The time has come for judging the dead and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great, and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
Let us therefore see what God has given us for our enjoyment and not misuse it. Psalm 119:18, 19 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.” The law referred to here includes the truth of God’s Creation in Genesis 1:21 and the commands in Genesis 1:28.
Gerald Thompson
On Wednesday 8 July the usual mid-week Eucharist at Christ Church was held at the later time of 10.00 am to allow some members of the congregation to attend who find it difficult to get to other services. They were then able to share a time of fellowship together over a cup of tea or coffee accompanied by a scone or piece of cake.
Alex