Category: Parish News

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

It was a very happy morning at the early service on Sunday 5th July at St John’s when Kyra May’s family and friends brought her to be baptized and made a member of Christ, a child of God and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. We pray that as she grows up she will come to know for herself the Good News of the Kingdom.

Alex.

The following news item appeared in the pages of The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser on the 17th December 1897.

“The Governor and Lady Victoria Buxton being on a visit to Strathalbyn, the opportunity was taken of asking her ladyship to attend a meeting in the institute on Monday afternoon for the purpose of establishing a branch of the Mothers’ Union. Although only a few hours’ notice had been given a fair number of ladies attended the meeting, and the Rev. A. Wheeler, the incumbent of Christ Church, presided. Lady Victoria Buxton gave a touching address on the objects and work of the society, remarking that although the society was worked on church lines that was not a barrier to any mother joining the union.”

The Strathalbyn branch of the Mothers’ Union continues to meet regularly and the members celebrated their 117th birthday on Tuesday 12th May with a service of Holy Communion in Christ Church when new members Barbara Wilson and Patricia Mold were welcomed. They then enjoyed afternoon tea in Jocelyn Williamson’s garden at Meadows.

 

Bishop John was the celebrant at the Eucharist on Sunday 19 April at Christ Church, Strathalbyn at which we gave thanks for the successful renovation of the Church building. During the service the Bishop also licensed the Rev’d Adrian Stephens for ministry within the Diocese of The Murray. Adrian was previously Rector of Mount Barker and Rural Dean of Strathalbyn before spending twelve years in Sydney as Rector of Christ Church Saint Laurence.

 

It is great to see the transformation of the interior of the church which has been completely repainted and new carpet laid. I am sure that we are all looking forward to our return to the church to worship together next Sunday at 10.00 am. All those who have been involved in the work have done a wonderful job and deserve our heartfelt thanks.

Alex.

Since the interior of Christ Church, Strathalbyn is still being painted this Sunday’s service was held at St George’s, Meadows. The forecast was for a very hot day but the congregation included parishioners from all parts of the parish. Fr Chris was the celebrant and preacher and we are grateful to Des Schild for playing the organ.

During Lent our Bible Study following the Wednesday morning Eucharist at Christ Church, Strathalbyn will be focussed on the Gospel reading for the following Sunday.

The dates and passages are as follows:
Ash Wednesday, 18th February, Mark 1: 9-15
Wednesday, 25th February, Mark 8: 31-38
Wednesday, 4th March, John 2: 13-22
Wednesday, 11th March, John 3: 14-21
Wednesday, 18th March, John 12: 20-33
Wednesday, 25th March, Mark 15: 1-39
Wednesday, 1st April, Mark 16: 1-8

We invite all parishioners and other visitors to share in the Eucharist at 9.30 am and then join us for a cuppa and study which lasts for about an hour, finishing at about 11.15 am.

Alex.

The interior painting of Christ Church begins on Monday 16th February. The church will be unavailable for services on the following Sundays: February 15th and 22nd; March 1st.

The services on these Sundays will be as follows:
Sunday 15th February, 10.00 am, St Mary’s Milang.
Sunday 22nd February, 10.00 am, St George’s Meadows.
Sunday 1st March, 10.00 am, St John’s Langhorne Creek.

Wednesday Services will be held in the Hall at 9.30 am.

On Sunday 25th January we welcomed Bishop John to the 10.00 am Eucharist at Christ Church, Strathalbyn at which he was the celebrant and preacher. After the service he shared a cuppa with the members of the congregation and many of them took the opportunity to speak to him.

 

The Parish Church of Strathalbyn has embarked on a major refurbishment of the church’s interior recently, and at the time of writing a new sound system has been installed and is currently operative, with all wiring now concealed under new flooring laid throughout the Nave. The Sound Desk and Keyboard have been moved from the front of the Nave and re-positioned to the back of the Church. This major shift also included relaying the Nave flooring to not only hide all wiring, but importantly to bring the flooring onto one level for safety considerations for the congregation when entering the church and into pews. The new Sound System and wiring installation have been upgraded to prepare for any future enhancements such as video projector and screen.

Christchurch clergy and parishioners are indebted to the whole team, particularly Lyall Pfeiffer and Keven Clonan pictured above, whose expertise and labour have brought us this far. The next step, already well in hand, is a complete redecoration of the interior and new carpeting to be laid throughout. This refurbishment has included the positioning of a new Church Notice Board in a modern design, welcoming all to the worship of our Lord.

Rev. David Smith