Margaret Holt – Strathalbyn Anglicans

13/05/2016

Diocesan House of Hospitality Newsletter 6 May 2016

HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY – 7 EAST TERRACE, STRATHALBYN

DIOCESE OF THE MURRAY

Website: https://strathalbynanglicans.org.au/category/community-house/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrathalbynAnglicanParish/

Email: hospitalityhouse@murray.anglican.org

Our first House of Hospitality in the Diocese:
7 East Terrace, Strathalbyn:
“What I dream of secretly is something very simple and very small, something like the very simple first communities of the early days of the church… ” (Charles de Foucauld)

Let us pray for our first house of hospitality – that our doors may always be open to all without judgement, our hands open to help the needy and our hearts open with the love of God.

Dear friends from around the Diocese,

Thank you for your prayers over this House of Hospitality and those who have been coming here these last couple of months. There is a lot happening and a lot being planned so I would ask you gratefully to continue to hold us all in prayer before the Father.

There is a continual cycle of prayer at the Rectory House of Hospitality and anyone is welcome to join with us in one of the daily prayer times. Morning prayer is 8am and Evening Prayer 5pm. There are a couple of regular people who come to say Evening prayer 2 or 3 times a week and it is always a great blessing to pray together even if there is only two of us! I have a great sense of joy and Jesus’ presence with us as we pray together and intercede daily for the Diocese, our community and the needs of those around us.

If you would like us to pray regularly for anyone or anything happening in your church, in your community or your own life then please send your prayer requests through to us. Names are not necessary unless you are happy to give them to us. We now have an email account attached to the House: hospitalityhouse@murray.anglican.org

There has already been a couple of people come to stay here at the House for retreat and be part of the daily office of prayer. Please pray for those who come to retreat and spend quiet time with the Lord here that he will draw them close to his heart and bless them as they seek his face.

Anyone is welcome to come and spend quiet time either for a day or for a few days. There is also a house in Milang which can be used for retreats. Please contact us for more information or to book.

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated by Bishop John or Fr Peter Carlsson at the House on the 4^th Tuesday of each month at 11am:

The next Eucharist is 24^th May 11am. You are welcome to join us for soup and toast afterwards especially during the cold months ahead!

The Southern Area of the Third Order of St Francis (TSSF South Australian Region) is also gathered around the Rectory House in Strath so anyone who is interested in Franciscan Spirituality or indeed anything Franciscan is welcome to come to those meetings! Our first meeting as the southern group is this Saturday 14^th May at 10am in the House. We will have the Eucharist together and then discuss how we would like to proceed in the months ahead. The meetings generally will be bimonthly.

A provisional timetable is:

May: Saturday 14^th May at 10am – meeting of the TSSF SA Southern region.

Tuesday 24^th May at 11am – Eucharist with Fr Peter and lunch afterwards.

June: 6^th June – 5 July is Ramadan, the fasting month of the Muslim World. Please keep the Muslim people and our Christian brothers and sisters in your prayers at this time.

Saturday 11^th June – from 10am; Quiet Day in the Hospitality House for the local community and any others who would like to come of course! Poster and details to follow.

Sunday 19^th June – 5pm. There will be a Taize service in one of the local churches which we are planning at the moment. It is Ramadan at this time and also the beginning of Refugee Week so we will especially keep the Muslim World, persecuted Christians and refugees in our hearts and prayers during this service. Poster and details to follow.

Tuesday 28^th June, 11am – Eucharist with Bishop John and lunch afterwards.

July: TSSF SA Southern Franciscans meeting – date to be fixed.

Tuesday 26^th July, 11am – Eucharist with Bishop John and lunch afterwards.

During July or August we are planning a Diocesan Quiet Day at the House for which we will give you dates and information when we have them locked in!

May the Lord show us the way in all we undertake, and please pray for us to listen and follow with humility, love and joy…

Pax et bonum (peace and good),

Marg (Margo) TSSF

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5)

We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer… (St Francis)

09/04/201609/04/2016

House of Hospitality

Bishop John will be coming to share the Eucharist with the community in the Rectory House of Hospitality on Tuesday 19th April at 11am.
All are welcome.

17/03/201615/02/2017

Rectory House of Hospitality

HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY – 7 EAST TERRACE, STRATHALBYN.

DIOCESE OF THE MURRAY.

Website: strathalbynanglicans.org.au/Rectory house community

Facebook: Diocesan House of Hospitality; Pastoral District of Strathalbyn/Rectory house community.

Bishop John says: The idea of the development of a network of houses of hospitality across the Diocese of the Murray is with the expressed intention that if we are to allow God to bring growth to his Church in our Diocese, it is more likely to come from small beginnings, like the holy home at Nazareth, and that these small communities of faith should seek to grow in such a way that an intentional formational community takes root in which people can:
Encounter Christ
Be formed by Christ
Follow Christ
Be sent by Christ with the Good News of the Kingdom

Let us pray for our first house of hospitality – that our doors may always be open to all without judgement, our hands open to help the needy and our hearts open with the love of God.

Dear friends from around the Diocese,

We do ask that you pray with us for our House of Hospitality in Strathalbyn as we seek the guidance of God’s Spirit in the way ahead.

There is a continual cycle of prayer at the Rectory House of Hospitality and anyone is welcome to join with us in one of the daily prayer times.

Morning prayer is 8am and Evening Prayer 5pm. There will also be midday prayer and compline in the evening and anyone staying in the house at those times is welcome to join us.

Each Thursday morning there will be a time of meditation, reflection, silence after the Morning Prayer en france viagra.

Every second Thursday evening (starting on April 7^th) Evening Prayer will be at 6pm followed by a time of prayer and intercession for the community, parish and diocese.

Quiet days with meditation, intercession and Bible reflection will be offered regularly and if you are interested we can notify you of dates and times of these as they are organised.

Ministry in the community of Strathalbyn and surrounds – the House of Hospitality is a house where people can come to sit, chat, drink tea/coffee or have some breakfast, potter in the garden, do a jigsaw, play music, join in the prayers or not, talk about God or not…;

The Southern Area of the Third Order of St Francis (TSSF South Australian Region) is also gathered around the Rectory House in Strath so anyone who is interested in Franciscan Spirituality or indeed anything Franciscan is welcome to come to those meetings! This group in the south has only recently begun so we will have our first gathering in a month or so…

Please pray for us as there is much to do and prepare but we are very aware that without Jesus, we can do nothing…

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5)

May the Lord show us the way in all we undertake, and please pray for us to listen and follow with humility, love and joy…

Pax et bonum (peace and good),

Marg (Margo) TSSF

We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer… (St Francis)

16/11/2015

To spread the spirit of love and harmony

Franciscan prayers days 7,8 and 9

The Order sets out, in the name of Christ, to break down barriers between people and to seek equality for all. We accept as our second aim (the first aim being ‘To make our Lord known and loved everywhere’) the spreading of a spirit of love and harmony among all people. We are pledged to fight against the ignorance, pride, and prejudice that breed injustice or partiality of any kind.

Members of The Third Order fight against all injustice in the name of Christ, in whom there can be neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for in him all are one. Our chief object is to reflect that openness to all which was characteristic of Jesus. This can only be achieved in a spirit of chastity, which sees others as belonging to God and not as a means of self-fulfilment.

As Tertiaries, we are prepared not only to speak out for social justice and international peace, but to put these principles into practice in our own live, cheerfully facing any scorn or persecution to which this may lead.

05/10/201505/10/2015

Blessing of the Animals – Oct 4 St Francis Day

The blessing of the Animals – St Francis Day 4 October 2015 Matt 11: 25-30 Marg Holt TSSF
One day I was visiting with a friend who is terrified of spiders when she noticed a huntsman spider and was about to flatten it when I screamed ‘don’t kill it! I’ll take it outside’…and Di is not au fait really with saints of the church but she groaned ‘ok, ok, St Francis of Assisi!…’ It is not by coincidence that World Animal Day is Oct 4th – the feast day of St Francis of Assisi.

You can read the rest of Marg’s Sermon here.

05/10/2015

Blessing of the Animals – Franciscan intercessions

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

With confidence and trust let us pray to our Father God:

We thank you, Father, for all animals and creatures on the Earth who teach us how to rely on you with simplicity and humility. Thank you for how they teach us how to worship and praise you every day for all that we receive from you. Bless their habitats and environment, their health and well-being, that they may continue to teach us of Your wisdom, goodness and grace:

Father, our Creator, hear us.

We thank you, Father, for veterinarians and all those working in the world to protect endangered and suffering animals and creatures. We thank you for those who support and care for bird and animal sanctuaries. As we hold before you all people who are suffering in violent and war torn areas of the world we pray that we may honour all life and work to protect and rescue our animal brethren from the suffering of poaching, hunting and blood sports.

Father, our Creator, hear us.

Father, you gave us responsibility to care for and nurture all that you have made with humility and respect. We grieve for all the damage we have done to the homes and habitats of both people and our animal friends on the earth, in the oceans, forests and mountains. Help us to restore the environment for all of us to live together in joy, love and peace.

Father, our Creator, hear us.

We thank you, Father, for all the good things we receive from our animal friends – clothing, protection, transport and food. We thank you for our special companions who enrich our lives every day – for their love, friendship and devotion. May we see reflected in them the goodness and love of God.
Forgive us, Lord, when animals die or suffer needlessly at our hands. Forgive us, Father that we often see their lives as so very cheap compared to ours. Thank you for the example of Brother Francis of Assisi who showed us what living in community in God’s Kingdom of Love should be.

Father, our Creator, hear us.

Father, we hold before you all those who are in need in our families, among our friends and in our community. We ask for your blessing, provision and healing for our human and animal friends whom we bring before you now…

Father, our Creator, hear us.

05/08/201515/02/2017

Thursday night prayer group

A small group of folk have been meeting regularly on a Thursday night every fortnight to pray for the Parish, the local communities, the Diocese and those who minister to us especially praying for our Bishop John and those in authority viagra au naturel. We also pray for the whole Church community in Strathalbyn and the Inter Church Council, that all of the churches together might witness to God’s love, peace and unity in the wider community and make Christ known and loved in our towns. Thanks to Karl and Jenny Bouwman who have opened up their home for us to gather together and pray and provided such wonderful hospitality. It has been a great joy and blessing and strength for each of us as we gather together and seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit as we pray and support each other.

All are welcome to join us. The meetings are fortnightly on a Thursday night, the next one being due on the 13 August but always good to check with Karl or Margaret (0466 539 749).

05/08/201505/08/2015

Franciscan daily prayer day 2

In the example of his own sacrifice, Jesus reveals the secret of bearing fruit. In surrendering himself to death, he becomes the source of new life. Lifted from the earth on the cross, he draws all people to himself. Clinging to life causes life to decay: the life that is freely given is eternal. (Day 2 Franciscan daily prayers)

11/06/201515/02/2017

St Francis of Assisi– madman or hippy or something else?

St Francis of Assisi

Years before I became a Third Order Franciscan I was studying fulltime for a Bible and Ministry Diploma. I expressed one day that St Francis of Assisi was one of my heroes and one of the lecturers exclaimed: “what! Assisi? That madman?!” His contempt was rather obvious in the way he spat out the word ‘Assisi’ rather than use Francis’ name. He made it quite clear that for him Francis was just a crazy person, abusing his body in misguided penance who didn’t know the scriptures or preach the gospel in truth, and as for the stigmata… ( I do get the uncomfortable feeling sometimes that there are people who believe that there were no real Christians between 300 AD and the Reformation…)

Brother Sun Sister Moon Poster

Then I recorded the Zefferelli movie recently, ‘Brother Sun, Sister Moon’ which had some very beautiful moments but made me think again how, like the lecturer, they have missed the very essence of who Br Francis was and why he took the path he did. There are some lovely scenes in this movie of Francis and his ‘poor little brothers’ laughing together, even in their hunger and cold and deprivation, and it captured well their love for each other that bound them together. It seemed, uncomfortably to me however, to avoid any focus on the one person who was the very centre and the very reason for that love – Jesus Christ, whom Francis loved with a total abandonment and passion. This was also obvious in the changing of the words of the canticle Brother Sun, Sister Moon which is the theme song. While one can understand the commercial reasons for this I again thought how this image of Francis gives people the impression that Francis was a tree-hugging, dancing/singing nature lover who had a vague religious attachment along the way!

As I have read more and more about Br Francis I have been struck by his total Christ-centeredness and, although passionate, eccentric and determined in his individual following of the gospel, he was always ‘orthodox’ in his Christian faith and in his respect and support for the Church.

Francis did realise in later years that the abuse of his body in actual fact was counter-productive in his work for the Lord and yes, Francis was suspicious of books and too much learning but this was because he wanted to get out there and live the Gospel not spend his life reading and studying it. Francis longed for the contemplative life acheter viagra 10 pilules. He ultimately brought this to God and was told by our Lord that he must continue to actively preach the Gospel. He wandered the towns preaching Jesus and his passion was so great that both rich and poor encountered the living Christ and desired to follow Jesus in the example of Francis. One of the things that touched me deeply in my journey to becoming a Franciscan (while on retreat in a Syrian Monastery) was the encounter between Francis and the Sultan during one of the Crusades. In fearlessly preaching the gospel of Christ, with a love and respect that greatly impressed the Sultan, Francis witnessed to the love, grace and beauty of Christ amidst an atmosphere of war, desecration and hatred.

“Francis and the Sultan” by Fra Angelico

Francis was totally Christ centred, passionately in love with Jesus, living humbly and in poverty, without greed or desire for power or status. In this, of course, he imitated our Lord Jesus who, possessing the heart of God himself, was the ultimate example to us of walking the path of humility, love and joy.

Our Br. Francis desired above all in his life to make Christ known, loved and adored. In this he inspired all those around him.

He has inspired me and this is why I am a Franciscan…