Easter Day 20 April 2025
Christ is risen, Alleluia! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! The joy of Easter morning was palpable at the Sunrise service on Easter Day. This year, Daylight Saving had ended, so the service began in daylight, without the early possums and birds who joined us last year, but with a background of the autumn leaves on the vines at the rear of the hall. A few magpies were nearby, foraging in the damp leaf litter after some welcome rain overnight. Woody’s sermon can be found on the Sermons page – he used a boxed Easter egg to demonstrate and speak about the Trinity. Thanks to Sarah for her Easter garden setting, Craig for managing the (faux) fire and Daphne for providing the shared breakfast in the parish hall.
Good Friday 18 April 2025
Good Friday was as usual a moving and memorable service in our parish. Woody’s and Tracy’s talent and ability to blend the contemporary with the emotions of the first Good Friday created a service of readings and music that melded the foreboding of the approaching crucifixion of Jesus with the confidence of God’s love and forgiveness. With the church dimly lit with red lighting, the service began with music that was somewhat disturbing, with building dread of what was to come, and then transitioned to bring a message of unstoppable love. Then our Moment at the Cross – we took a tiny thin paper packet, placed it in a sand tray, and lit the paper as we contemplated the Cross and our lives. The burned paper, symbolising our forgiven sins, disintegrated into the sand tray, sometimes ascending in the air in a small flame, then disappeared. Look carefully on the photos below for the tiny flame!
We can only imagine the horror and dismay of Jesus’ followers on that first Good Friday, with no awareness of what would happen on Easter Day.
(Photos: Ray Pittman & Rachel Westcott).
Trust God and Do Good – Woody’s sermon from 23 February 2025
Web editor’s note: I’m leaving this sermon of 23 February up a little longer than usual, and including it here as a News item. This sermon based on Psalm 37 is a must-listen, given the state of the world and the alarming rise of the extreme right, and all the ugliness that goes with it. The take-home message of Psalm 37: Trust God and do good (Psalm 37 v3).
Palm Sunday 13 April 2025
With the church at St John’s adorned with palms, everyone processed around the church, carrying palm branches and singing a cappella, “All glory laud and honour to thee redeemer King” – some confidently, and others la-la-ing most effectively. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, and the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to begin the last days of his human life. It’s a day filled with some trepidation, as we know what is coming next. But we also know what comes after that!
Peace be with you during the high emotions of Holy Week.
Photos: John Bone
Parish Tea 4 March 2025 – Shrove Tuesday
Another good, fun evening enjoyed by the parish family and friends and once again entertained between courses by our priest Woody with an extensive and diverse range of books he is either reading or planning to read soon. Yummy food and great conversations!
Parish Tea 23 February 2025
The first parish tea for 2025 was enjoyed by many from both churches, plus friends and extended family members. With plenty of delicious food to share, Woody spoke between courses with a “show and tell” of his current wide-ranging reading list, which is no longer focused on his Master’s thesis (as he’s graduated – see below). Woody has more books than bookshelves, and his book bag from the SA Museum told the story: I am not a hoarder, I am the curator of my own personal museum! Watch the Coming Events page for the date of the next parish tea – a fab evening guaranteed!
Woody’s Masters Graduation – University of Divinity, 13 February 2025
Woody’s Master of Theology graduation was held on Thursday 13 February at St Peter’s Cathedral. The University of Divinity graduated 108 students, with Woody being one of only 14 at Masters level. There are a number of University colleges – Woody’s postgraduate studies were with the Uniting College for Leadership and Theology.
Academic graduations are very formal affairs. The academic procession was very grand, accompanied by music from the Cathedral organ. Bishop Chris McLeod gave the Acknowledgement of Country, and the Welcome by the university Chancellor, Dr Graeme Blackman. Hymns, prayers and readings followed before the presentation of graduates, with Intercessions by our own Ben Renfrey. Ben was awarded his Graduate Certificate in Theology from St Barnabas College, and the St Barnabas College Prize for Academic Excellence (Postgraduate). Archbishop Geoff Smith gave the Blessing, and stirring organ music accompanied the academic procession leaving the Cathedral.
Woody’s thesis was titled, The Practical and Supernatural Experiences that Support Paul’s Perseverance, or more simply, So You Didn’t Quit.
Congratulations, Woody and Ben!
(Right click on images to save or view in new tab).
Waffle Church – first Sunday of the month at 5 pm
A relaxed service with Holy Communion and discussion. Ideal for families with children involved in sport.
Woody’s Newsletter to the parish – 2025, no. 2
Woody’s latest newsletter to the parish is here – please read!
Woody’s Newsletter to the parish – 2025, no. 1
Woody’s first newsletter to the parish for 2025 is here – please read!
Christmas Eve Crib Service 2024 – Mice in the Manger
The Christmas Eve Crib Service was a delightful affair, enjoyed by adults and children alike. The story of Jesus’ birth was re-imagined from the perspective of the mice living in the stable, and written by Tracy and Zach Woodsford. Woody read the story aloud in three parts, interspersed with traditional carols and prayers. The animals in the stable – mice, donkey, ox, sheep, lambs, and later, camels – were among the very first sentient beings to see Jesus, reminding us that all creation is important – not only the humans!
On arrival, we were all given hand-made mouse masks, again created by Tracy and Zach. We are some of the “mice”, privileged and overawed by being in the presence of Jesus. The manger was enormous and wonderfully made; and a Nativity scene was placed in front of the manger. As we left, each person received a booklet containing the story, and a series of outlined figures to colour in and make into a visual representation of the story. Lastly, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and shared birthday cake to celebrate.
Steve’s Baptism 22 December 2024
At the combined parish service on 22 December, Steve was baptised. Steve and Sarah have become part of our parish family for several months now. They were married at St John’s and have returned to the church with happy memories of that day. Woody guided Steve through the process leading to baptism and we were delighted to be part of Steve’s special service. Afterwards, a sumptuous morning tea was served; there were cards to sign and some beautifully made momentos enjoyed to mark the occasion, including a wooden boat representing the boat on the Sea of Gallilee, and wooden fish to place in the boat. And of course, another cake! Congratulations, Steve!
Animal Blessing service 29 September 2024
On September 29th in a lead up to St Francis of Assisi Day, Woody held a ‘Blessing of Animals Service’ for pets in the grounds of the parish hall behind St John’s church. Ten dogs of a variety of sizes and breeds and two Miniature Therapy Horses from Nolton Park Horses Healing Hearts, together with all their owners assembled on the lawns for a very meaningful service, followed by afternoon tea in the Parish Hall.
The significance of animals and pets in our lives and our responsibility to appreciate and care for them were emphasised throughout the readings and prayers, and at seemingly appropriate times, the barking of dogs indicated their agreement.
Blessing of the animals
Animals, may you be blessed in the Name of God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, and may you and your human companions enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you. Amen
Our thanks to Woody for offering us this delightful opportunity to enjoy each other’s pets and celebrate the role of animals as part of God’s wonderful creation.
Visit to St John’s Church by Coromandel Valley Primary School Year 1 Students
On Wednesday the 25th of September, three year 1 classes from Coromandel Valley Primary School visited St John’s Church for their Local History project. Each of the classes participated in a session of approximately 45 minutes.
Woody explained some history of church buildings and specifically St John’s. He also explained the use and meaning of objects and symbols in the church and answered questions from the students.
Two parishioners assisted by talking about details and stories of the beautiful stained glass windows, as well as giving information about the workings of the pipe organ.
In the afternoon class, a piano student agreed to play the organ. He amazed and entertained us with a very competent performance of a selection from Bach which he ended with a flourish of a ‘seamless slide’ across the keyboard! His fellow students had been dancing in the aisle and when he had finished, they rushed towards him, applauding and greeting him with high fives and hugs.
The students were very respectful, interested and enthusiastic in asking and answering questions. The manner in which they conducted themselves in their visit to our church was a credit to their teachers and their families.
We are very grateful for the students’ generous donations to our food collection for the Magdalene Centre and we continue to value opportunities to further develop our relationship with Coromandel Primary School.
If you, or someone you know, would like a home Communion, give Woody a call on
0423 019 340. There is a regular time slot for home Communion on Fridays after 3.00 pm, or if this time isn’t convenient, an alternative time can be arranged.
News from the Guardian
The archbishop said reconciliation is a Christian obligation.
What now for reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wake of the referendum to enshrine a voice to Parliament in the constitution?, Archbishop of Adelaide and Primate of Australia Geoff Smith asks in his address to the Adelaide Synod.
“Over the past two weeks we have seen political leaders both state and federal, quickly walking away from commitments they made prior to the referendum to pursue constitutional recognition for the first people of this nation in different ways if the referendum was lost, or introduce voices or treaties on a state basis,” Archbishop Smith notes.
The Adelaide synod in 2022 passed a resolution backing a Yes vote in the referendum. It also acknowledged the Uluru Statement, which encourages all Australians to walk alongside First Nations peoples in a movement for a better future.
Please visit the Guardian link below for the full article.
Equipping clergy and church workers to better understand the role everyone can play in preventing and responding to domestic violence is the aim of an upcoming event planned by the Domestic and Family Violence Working Group for the Diocese of Adelaide in partnership with White Ribbon Australia.
The ‘You Can Ask That’ panel event will raise awareness about gender-based violence and highlight ways to build safer communities this November during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Please visit the link to the Guardian below for the full article.