Church Missionary Society (CMS) On-line Dinner 24 July 2024
Eighteen parishioners, including hosts Viv and Martin Bleby, attended the CMS 2024 on-line dinner with the theme, Tell a Better Story. Our event was held in the parish hall, and we enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Viv. During the evening we heard from CMS missionaries about their work in several locations in Asia, South America, Middle East, South Africa and northern Australia. CMS Director of Training and Development David Williams was the speaker for the evening. David spoke about the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, illustrating how the power in a story can reach across cultures and into hearts to bring the message of Jesus to others.
Our parish supports CMS as part of our quarterly giving. For more information, to connect or partner with CMS, visit cms.org.au
Photos below by Martin Bleby and Rachel Westcott
Triple celebration on 21 July 2024
Sunday 21 July 2024 was a special day for Coro Valley Anglican for three reasons: (1) Archbishop Geoff Smith visited and took services and preached in both churches (2) Woody celebrated his 60th birthday (3) Mary celebrated her 101st birthday! An excellent morning tea followed both services. At St John’s, Woody was presented with a very nice Shiraz and four of his favourite treats – sausage rolls from the National-best-sausage roll award-winning Banana Boogie bakery at Belair. A fabulous birthday cake took centre stage at All Hallows’ morning tea to mark 161 years for Woody and Mary.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOODY and MARY!
And thankyou Archbishop Geoff – his sermon can be found on the sermons page or here.
(Photos: Ray Pittman and Martin Bleby)
Woody’s birthday celebrations
In anticipation of Woody’s 60th birthday on Sunday 21 July, the Thursday morning service this week had a ‘pre birthday’ morning tea after the 10.00 service . A delicious spread was provided by Wendy Newson and others, and a good time was had by us all!
Easter Day 2024
Happy Easter! The parish of Coromandel Valley began Easter morning celebrations at 6.00 am, gathering outdoors next to the parish hall, in the warm (17 degrees) pre-dawn darkness. The joyous morning Eucharist was accompanied by warbling magpies, laughing kookaurras, screeching lapwings and a ringtail possum scrunching the drying glory vine leaves as it scampered along the fenceline between the church and the school next door. Parched dry ground and leaves meant no real fire this year, but Woody and parishioner Craig devised a fabulous substitute with “pretend” fire in the fire pit, and flickering electronic candles, which were very effective. The candles in their timber holder spelt the word LOVE. The service concluded with the assembly spontaneously singing Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia, give praise to His name. Breakfast followed in the hall, with a welcome hot drink as the air had chilled a little as sunrise approached.
A similarly vibrant occasion was enjoyed at the 10.00 am service at All Hallows’, with the church very well filled with parishioners, guests and visitors.
Woody’s Easter sermon is from the 8.00 am service at St John’s. Photos below are by Wardens Vivien Bleby (6.00 am service) and Ray Pittman (10.00 am at All Hallows’), and Elizabeth Parker.
Good Friday 2024 – Seeing the Tree for the Woods
The horror and confusion of that first Good Friday is substantially eased by the fact that we know the end of the story! Nevertheless, our Good Friday service in All Hallows’ church expressed both the crushing dread of Jesus’ crucifixion, and the almost unfathomable concept of total forgiveness for all the mistakes and wrongs in our lives. The things we wish we had not done, the things we omitted to do and the inadvertent, unknowing things that have hurt others. The things that are hard to forget, the things of which we are ashamed. This was tangibly symbolised by individual small bottles of murky water, we received on arrival, and of clean water acquired later in the service. The murky water represented all our failings and wrong-doings. Approaching the cross in single file, we emptied our murky bottles into a larger container at the foot of the Cross, leaving the old bottle behind, exchanging it for a new clean bottle of clear water. We are all forgiven, made new – made clean – by the death of Jesus, and by his wounds we are healed. There is no need to hold on to the murky self – that’s been relinquished for ever.
The Seeing the Tree for the Woods theme in the church was eerily comforting and peaceful, but at the same time conveyed the unbearable cruelty leading up to, and of, the crucifixion, and the inexpressible grief of Jesus’ followers and family. Moving readings, poetry and music throughout the service completed the picture. We know the end of the story. Soon – on Sunday – we will rejoice as with Mary Magdalene when she cried, I have seen the Lord!
Parish Tea 17 March 2024
Tea in the parish hall on St Patrick’s Day was, as usual, a thoroughly enjoyable occasion. There was plenty of delicious food to share, with enough for “seconds” for some. During the interval between courses we were treated to a presentation from Rev Martin Bleby about his and Viv’s 2023 tour, In the Steps of the Apostles, in Turkiye and Greece. Thankyou Martin for sharing this fascinating story with us.
The next parish tea is yet to be announced, so watch the Coming Events page for dates. Take a night off preparing dinner and come along at 5.00 pm.
Photos below: (L) and centre: Rev Martin Bleby presents In the Steps of the Apostles; (R) John B dressed for St Patrick’s Day
Shrove Tuesday 2024
Shrove Tuesday pancake supper was a delicious success! Thankyou to everyone who contributed in so many ways. It was great to get together with our Holy Innocents friends to share good food, happy conversations and even birthday cake for Alex’s 16th!
Christmas 2023
Christmas 2023 was a vibrant time in our parish, following an Advent of expectation and anticipation leading to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Woody chose to use the lighting of the Advent candles to highlight the women in Jesus’ lineage: Mary, Elizabeth, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. Matthew’s Gospel uses this list to portray Jesus as the Saviour of all nations, by including Jewish and non-Jewish Christians.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day sermons can be found on the Sermons page, here.
Wreath making with Coromandel Valley Primary School
Another successful wreath making activity with the Coromandel Valley Primary School.
Sixty odd students once again enjoyed coming to the parish hall, hearing a little about Christmas, how to make a wreath, and then had the joy of creating their own Christmas wreath to take home. The students were ably assisted by the following fabulous helpers: Julie Carter, Jen Dickenson. Di Furness, Fran Harris, Anne Massey, Helen Miller, Elizabeth Parker, Jenni Poole, Joan Roper, Lyn Wells, Shirley Williams and Woody.
Thank you also to the contributions by the parish of the Christmas decorations. So, overall a great success, thanks to everyone!
From Cath Hall.
Corowood Choir
The Corowood Choir delighted all present with a repertoire of carols and Christmas songs in St John’s Church in Coromandel Valley on Sunday 3 December 2023. Jen Dickenson ably trained and conducted the choir with her usual enthusiasm and delight in encouraging members to sing for joy. This is a church and community choir and new members are always welcome, regardless of ability!
Parish tea 26 November 2023
Parish tea on 26 November 2023 was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Daphne, Jenni and all who assisted with set-up and clean-up, and to everyone who contributed delicious food.
As has become a tradition at our parish teas, Woody spoke between courses. This time he shared some images he likes and finds meaningful, beginning with a photo of a rock in the River Zarqa (a tributary of the River Jordan, and the Biblical River Jabbok, where Esau met Jacob) and finishing with the contemporary sculpture of The Angel of the North in Gateshead, UK.
Watch the Coming Events page for the first parish tea in 2024, and please join us then. All welcome!
Jen and Bill Dickenson offered a delightful duet to conclude worship at All Hallows on Sunday 8th October 2023 – concentrating hard!
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.
The 150th Anniversary of St John’s church on Sunday 2 July was a joyous celebration. The church was full with current and past parishioners and special guests.
Below is a short account of the afternoon, written by Jan and Rob Sidford.
St John’s was blessed with fine weather when its 150th anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, 2 July 2023. Around 100 were in attendance for the commemorative service held in the church. Attendees included former priests of St John’s and clergy from different denominations in Coromandel Valley and Blackwood, together with a sizeable number of former parishioners, many of whom had travelled a considerable distance to take part in the celebration. Local Federal Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie, also attended.
The service was led by Rev Martyn Woodsford and included reminiscences from Joan Roper and Cathy Chapman, a description of the church’s splendid windows from Jenni Poole, a scripture reading by Rachel Westcott, the history of music at St John’s by Warren Bourne, and prayers led by John Bone.
The Corowood Choir contributed two beautiful hymns, accompanied by Warren Bourne on the pipe organ. The stunning flower arrangements in the church were provided by Maureen Nicholls.
Following the service, a team of parishioners led by Daphne Bone supplied a lavish afternoon tea in the parish hall, and Hilary Thomas, wife of the late Rev Owen Thomas, cut a cake that was provided in honour of the occasion.
Comments in the visitors’ book indicate the event was enjoyed by all who attended, with many expressions of gratitude for the work of St John’s and fond wishes for the continued success of its mission in future.
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.