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!
Another enjoyable parish tea was held on 24 September. Two delicious courses were separated by Woody addressing the gathering, this time about the meanings and stories inherent in the things we have around us in our homes: that we have around us things which have meaning and value to us.
There will be one more parish tea before Christmas, so come along for a friendly and happy two hours.
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.