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Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.

Since its start in May 2016 God has grown Thy Kingdom Come from a dream of possibility into a movement. Christians from 172 countries have taken part in praying ‘Come Holy Spirit’, so that friends and family, neighbours and colleagues might come to faith in Jesus Christ.

This praying together has been across our diversity and differences as every person, household and church are encouraged to pray in their own way. According to our annual survey findings an astonishing percentage of people said they were praying for family and friends to come to faith in Jesus, and a significant number of people join in for the first time, we recognise there is much more we can do together to help Thy Kingdom Come be fully in the lifeblood of the Church.

During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom Come, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will:

• Deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ
• Pray for 5 friends or family to come to faith in Jesus
• Pray for the empowerment of the Spirit that we would be effective in our witness

After the very first Ascension Day the disciples gathered with Mary, constantly devoting themselves to prayer while they waited for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like them, our reliance on the gift of the Holy Spirit is total – on our own we can do nothing.

Through the centuries Christians have gathered at that time to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ picks up this tradition. Over the years more and more worshipping communities have dedicated the days between Ascension and Pentecost to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’.

We are praying that the Spirit will inspire and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends and families, our communities and networks. It has been amazing how many varied ways there have been in which people from every tradition have taken up this challenge. The effects have been remarkable.

It is our prayer that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and his love for the world will hear it for themselves, and respond and follow Him. Specifically, we again invite each and every Christian across the globe to pray that God’s Spirit might work in the lives of 5 friends who have not responded with their ‘Yes’ to God’s call.

Whether you have joined in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ before or not, we invite you to take part – along with churches from over 80 different denominations & traditions in nearly 90% of countries (172) around the world.

“In praying ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ we all commit to playing our part in the renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities.”

                                                        -Archbishop Justin Welby

Contact The Rev’d Alex Stone for more information. Email: thestones@antmail.com.au

On Sunday 27 December 2020, St John the Evangelist’s Day, the church’s Patronal Festival, members from around the parish gathered for what will be the last regular service to be held in St John’s for the time being. The celebrant was Fr Thomas, assisted by Deacon Margo with Marlene Potts playing the organ.

Following the service we moved to the Community Hall for morning tea.

The Strathalbyn Branch of the Mothers’ Union celebrated 120 years at its meeting on Tuesday 8th May at St George’s Meadows.

The first Mothers’ Union was formed in 1876 by Mary Sumner in Old Arlesford, in the south England. By 1885 it was a diocesan organisation in Winchester and quickly spread across England and then internationally as women migrated. In 1896 a Central Council was formed and in 1925 central headquarters were established in London. The Union received a Royal Charter in 1926 – the first granted to a religious and a women’s organisation. Until the 1970s, divorced women were excluded from membership.

The first Australian Mothers’ Union was formed in Cullenswood, Tasmania, in 1892, closely followed in South Australian 1895 when introduced by Lady Victoria Buxton and Dorothy Harmer – the wives of the Governor and the Anglican Bishop. Within five years there were 49 branches with 1,350 members across the state.

By 1904, Unions had been established in all Australian states. In the early 1900s, the Union frequently co-operated with other Christian women’s organisations, and sometimes the National Councils of Women, in campaigns for political and social reforms. Early activities included, for example, campaigns for the provision of sex education for children, censorship of films and the Bush Nursing Service. Its national journal, Mothers in Australia (from 1945 Mianza and from 1960 Mia, Mia) was established in 1917. The Union’s literature includes reams of advice about child rearing. While promoting Christian women’s influence in the wider society, the Union did not support the idea of working women.

Source: The Australian Women’s Register

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.”

On Wednesday 24 January the Bishop commissioned the Reverend Daniel Irvine as an Assistant Priest in the Parish of Mount Barker, a ministry which will also extend to the churches in and around Strathalbyn. Jasamine will continue as Bishop’s Secretary and Registry Clerk. We are looking forward to welcoming them both to Strathalbyn.

On Sunday 21 January the Bishop visited Strathalbyn to confirm three young people during the usual Sunday morning Eucharist. This is quite a milestone as it is seventeen years since the last Confirmation was held in the Church. The confirmees were supported by their families and sponsors who joined the congregation for morning tea in the hall at the conclusion of the service.

There was a good roll up of parishioners for the combined fifth Sunday Eucharist at St Mary’s Milang. The celebrant was the Rev’d Alex Stone who was assisted by Deacon Margaret Holt. Organist was Marlene Potts and the readers were Kate Gibson and Brian Landseer.

We had hoped to share a barbecue lunch in the Soldiers Memorial Gardens but the strong north wind and total fire ban resulted in transferring the meal to the Institute Supper Room across the road.

While the meat was being cooked at a nearby parishioner’s home we were able to catch up on the latest news and share a drink, according to individual tastes. We were delighted at this time to find that an invitation to the local Uniting Congregation to join us for lunch had been accepted and our gathering took on an ecumenical flavour.

Of course there was plenty of food for everyone, whether sausages, patties, salads or sweets; and good conversation as well; so there was no hurry on anyone’s part to make an early departure.