Category: Parish News

At the MU meeting on November 10th 2015 President Eileen Smith lead a Wave of Prayer service when members remembered the MU members in five Dioceses around the world that the MU in this Diocese is linked with. 

Nell Endersby told us about the Diocese of Lui in South Sudan which has 53,290 MU members; Jan Payne included thanks for the work the members in Embu in Kenya take part in;  Pat Mold asked for prayers for Orlu in Nigeria where there is still a threat from Boko Haram to Christians in the region;  Margaret Shoesmith told us about the tribe in Awori in Nigeria who are friendly and welcoming people;  Jeanne Merchant welcomed news from the women of Medak in India where members of MU are known as Women’s Fellowship of Christian Service;  and Beryl Merrick gave thanks for the Bishop and members of the MU in The Murray Diocese.

During the afternoon meeting congratulations were made to Phyll Schneider who celebrates her 90th birthday this month.  At afternoon tea she cut a birthday cake while members sang Happy Birthday.

This year Beryl Merrick has been a member of Mothers’ Union for fifty years and she was presented with a Certificate and fifty year badge by Diocesan President Eileen Smith during the MU service in Christchurch in October 2015.

We at Christ Church were delighted to welcome Kaye Gale to our Sunday morning service on the 8th November. She was able to tell us about her ministry as a Pastoral Care Worker at the R – 6 Campus of the Eastern Fleurieu School in Strathalbyn.

Although she is only at the school for about two days each week she is able to provide valuable support for students and their families as well as staff members.

It was also good to hear that she is helped by a number of members of our congregation.

Alex

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Candlelight Prayer Vigil

Sunday 18 October, 7.00 pm

Christ Church Anglican Church, 24 East Terrace, Strathalbyn

The International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is held each year on the 15th October and we would like to provide an opportunity for families who have had such a loss in their lives to remember their little one in this Service of Remembrance.

The Candlelight Prayer Vigil is a remembrance service for people who have lost a child at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether last week or 80-years ago.

The service is open to anyone of any faith or no faith.

The service is for women and men who have suffered loss, their children and their extended family and friends, whether the loss is recent or historic.

It should also be noted that all are welcome regardless of the type of loss they have experienced, so whether they have been through early or late miscarriage, an ectopic or molar pregnancy, still birth, early infant loss or any other type of baby or child loss.

If you need to say goodbye to a baby or to grief, or you want to come along with a friend who needs to say goodbye, you are welcome at the service.

Loss at any stage is traumatic. Early loss is often not acknowledged or discussed, with commemorative services seldom taking place, whilst services for babies who are stillborn or lost in early years, are usually conducted while parents are in a fog of grief and pain.

The service will give you the opportunity to stand with other people who understand the pain of losing a child.

Come and grieve, remember and formally say goodbye.

You are invited to bring a symbol of your loss eg photograph, flower, poem etc, to place upon the altar during the service.

For further information contact Jeannie Minnis

jminnis4@gmail.com Telephone 0427 478 069 8538 5514

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

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

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