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The Good Shepherd Church Hall was filled to capacity on Saturday evening, 7th October by folk from all of Strathalbyn’s churches who met together, not only in good fellowship, but for a good cause- the support of the Strathalbyn Churches Bookshop.

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the bookshop which began in 1977 trading half a day a week in a Church foyer on the main street. It moved to the current shop premises in 1991.

As well as stocking new and second hand religious books the shop keeps a collection of cards and gifts and its photo kiosks make digital photo printing available in our country town. Photocopying is also available.

BIBLE-SOCIETY-WEEKEND-overall

On Sunday 10th July we welcomed the Rev’d Martin Bleby to our 10.00 am Eucharist at Christ Church, together with his wife Vivien.

During the service he preached on the day’s Gospel reading from Luke chapter 10 which tells the story of the lawyer who came to test Jesus, asking “Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life.

Following the service, over a mug of soup, he spoke about the work of the Church Missionary Society and the importance of the Mission of the Church.

Martin is no stranger to Christ Church as he spent his first five years here when his father, The Rev’d John Bleby was Rector.

 

Many thanks to you all for your great support throughout the year. Together we have been able to touch many lives with God’s heart of love. Your generous spirit of giving has enabled me to support families with volunteering, meals, hampers, vouchers, furniture, a staff lunch, a Christian Option program and the list goes on.

The family we were helping with furniture now have beds and bedding, wardrobes, lounge, washing machine, kitchen table and chairs, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans – and even an offer of bikes for the children. It was great to receive so many phone calls offering help. The Mum, Judith, asked me to please pass on her very sincere thanks to all the churches.

Thank you for all your help with the catering day where we provided morning tea and lunch for all Eastern Fleurieu staff (120) at their recent Professional Development Day. This was such a beautiful way to bless the staff.

Our Christmas Christian Option Program was a great day with a very high percentage of children attending.
The meals we have provided have been such a great way to support a families in need. A text from one such mum to me said ” Thanks for your help to myself and my young family. We appreciated everything you do for us, you  are amazing with a beautiful heart.”

Folks I couldn’t do this work with out all you do standing along side of me. Praise God how love and grace touches lives.
May your Christmas be filled with God’s love, peace , hope and joy.
God bless,
Kaye Gale (Pastoral Care Worker).

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

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

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).

 

Sunday after Ascension to Pentecost (17th to 24th May 2015)

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was first observed in Australia in the early 1950s by the students of St Michael’s House at Crafers, S.A. and Ormond College in Melbourne, Vic.

This was the result of the enthusiasm of Fr Gabriel Hebert, S.S.M. and Professor Davis McCaughey who had shared in such prayer in Europe.

The observance of a Week of Prayer for Unity was originally proposed in 1908 and held in January each year. However its intention was the reunion of Christendom with the Roman Catholic Church.

A French Catholic priest, the Abbé Paul Couturier who had worked with large numbers of Russian refugees in the 1920s realized that they, as members of the Orthodox Church, could not share in prayers for that particular scheme of unity.

As a result he suggested that we should pray for the unity of all Christians according to the will of Christ and by the means which he chooses. This is a prayer in which all Christians are able to share.

He worked tirelessly to promote better understanding between Christians of different traditions and for the week of prayer for Christian Unity up till the time of his death in 1953.

This was the Week of Prayer which was brought to Australia, but since January was not a good month in which  to promote such an observance it was decided to hold it in the period between Ascension and Whitsunday.

This is a most appropriate time, especially as the Gospel for the Sunday after the Ascension includes Jesus’ prayer to the Father for his Church: “…that they may be one, as we are one.”

‘The walls of separation do not rise as far as heaven.’
—Metropolitan Platon Gorodetsky (1803-1891) of Kiev.

Daily Prayer of the Chemin Neuf (New Way) Community, based on Couturier:

Lord Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one,
we pray to You for the unity of Christians,
according to Your will, according to Your means.
May Your Spirit enable us to experience the suffering caused by division,
to see our sin,and to hope beyond all hope. Amen.

This year, for the first time for many years, a combined Service for all the Christian Churches in Strathalbyn was organized by the Inter Church Council and held in the Memorial Gardens. The start time for the Easter Day Dawn Service appropriately was set at 6.15 am and was attended by a large crowd of around 100.

Pastor Wayne Kerber of the Lutheran Church started proceedings and led the singing with his Guitar. Pastor Daryll Telfer of the Church of Christ spoke of the message of the day, and the Easter Gospel Story of the Resurrection of our Lord was read by Rev. David Smith. ICC Chairperson Sue Eckert. RC.,  led the Intercessions. The whole Service was very much enjoyed, and was considered to be most meaningful in reminding us all of this wonderful day when death was finally defeated.

A fish breakfast followed, cooked by members of the Lutheran Church, and all appreciated this coming together again of all Christians in our Town.

David.