DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 FREE
The
Spirit of
Christmas 1
Hands BISHOP GREG THOMPSON bishopgreg@newcastleanglican.org.au
Whose unseen and sometimes unremembered hands hold our lives?
The late Old Bill Neidjie, one of the traditional Aboriginal owners of Kakadu, took me to the site of his ancestors where generations of his community have painted their life and dreaming on rock walls. There he showed me a small hand print next to an adult print. His father had placed his hand and splattered ochre across it and some 50 years later continued to visit this site. The hand print was an enduring reminder that his life is woven from others and in relationship with his law and heritage.
The Christmas story is a story of Jesus whose life is touched by different hands. At the birth of Jesus we have the rough and earthed hands of the shepherds, the faithful poor, who honoured him as the promised Messiah. Then there are the hands of Mary, tired from the journey and birthing, but blessed through her openness to the Spirit of God. Joseph whose working hands were that of a carpenter is caught up in events beyond his custom, his religious sensibilities or planning, yet he offers callused hands for the care of Mary. Some years ago I attended a World Aids Day service in Darlinghurst hospice chapel. A story was presented of a young man in the last stages of HIV AIDS. He reflected on his life
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through the impression of hands. His grandfather's old and gentle hands on his head, his father's handshake as a young man, his father's grip on the bed railing of his hospice bed, his small nephew's hands holding his trembling hand. His life was carried by the touch and memory of hands. Their hands reminded him of the deep connections and values in his life and their imprints were upon his heart.
"The Christmas story is a story of Jesus whose life is touched by different hands." The Christmas story is shaped by the hands of people who had no interest in Jesus or any other Jewish baby born under Roman rule apart from counting for tax and control. Are such hands any different today? Hands operating from an ethos detached from the values of human dignity, fair justice and mercy, and fulfilling an agenda all too distant from the circumstances of the stateless, or disabled and or traumatised.
Michael Leunig captured a contemporary twist on the hands of bureaucratic leadership to a world in crisis. He drew an angel bringing a message to a shepherd, saying, "and you will find a lowly stable and a baby lying in a manger… and you will take control of the situation and impose security measures... and you will sanitise and disinfect everything and get rid of the animals which are a health risk… and you will gather statistical data and connect the electricity and install central heating…and you will introduce democracy and teach the parents to better themselves in a new global economy.. and you will show the child how to invest and be a winner and positive attitudes and good contacts and good advice... and if they resist... if they resist, call this number…report the situation… and wait until a team of experts arrive. So long as lowly stables exist there can be no peace on earth."
Luke's Gospel also records the song of Zechariah which needs to be heard in a world where mob hands have been used to punish outsiders or cross off the list of benefits for the disabled. God's song to people who have forgotten the poor is that each child matters, not because they can be counted, managed, controlled or what they might contribute to the economy but because they are loved and held by the Creator. God demonstrates such a concern by allowing the Son to become
IN THIS EDITION 2
Bishop Greg: Hands
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Reflections
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Thinking About Faith
6 Topics 8 Sharing the Spirit of Christmas 14 Q&A 16 Samaritans 17
Life of a Chaplain
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Ordinations 2016
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Looking Back at 2016
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Around the Diocese
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Christmas Service Times
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Christmas Puzzle Special
Cover Photo: The Carey Family at The Salt Ash Markets Christmas Photobooth
one with us - Emmanuel. His birth is a message that the dignity, justice and mercy of each person in the hands of government and global leaders matters to God. It is a salutary reminder that the Child in the manger 30 years later had the religious and Roman authorities wash their hands and give him up for execution. Today, the message of Jesus needs hands that will do what those with power will not do. God's purpose in the Child born in poverty however, is the invitation for us to be transformed and to touch the face of Christ. Dorothy Day, who spent 40 years working with the poor on the streets of New York wrote in the Catholic Weekly:
"I do not think I could have carried on with a loving heart all these years without Dostoyevsky's understanding of 'poverty, suffering and drunkenness'. The Great Russian novelist penetrated these three awful realities of human experience into the vision of the sacred hidden in them. It was his insight into Christ that gave him this light. God is hidden in our world but can be found
in these three 'distressing disguises'; poverty, suffering and addictions which drunkenness is one of, are a kind of night that points to the dawn, which may open us to light."
The Saviour in the manger allows hands to hold him and for his hands to hold humanity. This gives us a signpost to what it means to truly help. The sign of a child in a manger is the sign of vulnerable love - a love that chooses to be open, to receive as well as give. The sign of the manger is not a handout but an invitation to participate in genuine loving relationship.
Our Christmas story says that God chooses to bring the kingdom of mercy and justice through human hands, the hands of love that touched the side of a manger and that were pinned to a cross, hands that offer reconciliation and peace to all of humanity. This is the source of our faith and action. May the love of the Saviour help us to offer hands of compassion and hope this Christmas. +Gregory
"May the love of the Saviour help us to offer hands of compassion and hope this Christmas."
The Anglican Encounter, the magazine of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, is published bi-monthly from February to December. The Anglican Encounter is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. CONTACT DETAILS PO Box 817 Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4926 3733 F: 02 4926 1968 E: editor@newcastleanglican.org.au www.newcastleanglican.org.au PRODUCTION TEAM Editor/Designer: Louise Mackay Publisher: The Rev'd Murray Woolnough Editorial Committee: Robyn Ashley-Brown, Kath Dockrill Proofreaders: Kath Dockrill, Pat Dring, Barbara Sweet, Judith Weaver, Pamela Lusty PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION Printer: BlueStar Web Distribution: House With No Steps, Newcastle SUBSCRIPTIONS Local $30 per year; Overseas $40 AUD per year. To subscribe send your name, address and a cheque made out to the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, to The Editor, PO Box 817, Newcastle NSW 2300. ADVERTISING Advertise with us - great rates. Contact the editor for a rate card and bookings. The Editor is not responsible for opinions expressed by contributors, nor do their views necessarily reflect the policy of this paper or of the Diocese. Acceptance of advertisements does not necessarily mean endorsement of product or service. CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME The Editor and Editorial Committee welcome contributions of stories and photographs for consideration for publication. The Editor and Editorial Committee reserve the right to edit or cut all submitted material. Submissions can be emailed to the Editor (please send images as high res JPEG or TIFF attachments). Articles should be a maximum of 250 words and are not guaranteed publication. Please supply your contact details. NEXT DEADLINE: JANUARY 6, 2017
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REFLECTIONS
Believing what you see BISHOP PETER STUART bishoppeter@newcastleanglican.org.au
Would it be possible to have been in Bethlehem and not seen the events unfold? Would it have been possible not to see the star in the sky, the angels sing, or the shepherds walk through town?
The answer is obviously "yes". If you weren't looking or in the right place, then these amazing events may have bypassed you. But, the answer is also "yes" because even if you were standing nearby you may not have had eyes to see the events unfold.
As an analogy, if I were to hear a conversation in French, I might understand a few words. If I were to hear one in Vietnamese, I wouldn't understand any words. To comprehend what I've heard I need some prior knowledge. The same is true for the activity of grace. We may not see or understand the amazing action of grace that is going on around us. We live in an era with perhaps the most diminished openness to the supernatural or existential. For thousands of years human being have asked questions, as individuals and communities, which have philosophical, spiritual and religious dimensions. These dimensions have provided a language to navigate the world.
On that day in Bethlehem, many people had already acquired words to speak about God, worship, and mystery. They were ready to see and hear God at work.
Another way of exploring this is to recognise that during the course of our life we will have "ah ha" moments. These are occasions where our previous understandings change or where an insight finally dawns on us. There are times in our life when we are able to learn new things and times when we less able.
For some reason, there were people in Bethlehem through their preparation and from, whatever was going on for them, that enabled them to see God at work. There were others who were not. Part of our vocation as Church is to keep speaking the language of Christ so that people will hear it. Even if the world is less receptive we still proclaim the heart of our faith. Our vocation as disciples stirs us up to find ways of using technology, creating conversations and being together in which we give one another the vocabulary of grace.
We do this with the assurance that God who came into this world in love and as love continues to bear love. God yearns to be known by us. God makes himself known in so many ways.
May this Christmas be a time in which the joyful songs, the family gatherings and acts of wonderful care draw you closer to God. May his love envelop you and those whose lives are bound with yours. With every blessing +Peter
"Part of our vocation as Church is to keep speaking the language of Christ so that people will hear it."
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THINKING ABOUT FAITH
Epiphany at Lakes Grammar MATT SHORTEN CHAPLAIN, LAKES GRAMMAR – AN ANGLICAN SCHOOL The very week I typed this short article our chapels in the senior school were focused on the Magi and their visit to the newborn king. Each Magi brought a gift, but left seemingly empty-handed. As we thought about this together in our chapel times we reflected on what we could bring to the one who has offered us his very life. Perhaps our greatest gift is our own lives and in simply offering them we experience an epiphany that is an ongoing transformative process. We asked ourselves, too, "Are we prepared to take big risks like the Magi?" In the school environment everyone who enters the gates brings something of value that can be shared for the benefit of all. Whether you are a teacher, a student, a librarian, in IT or admin, whether you run the canteen or maintain the property, all people are engaged in offering gifts. For those of us in Anglican schools we are also wanting people to walk away with something of greater value than they brought. We are into the value-adding business. Each person in a sense is taking a risk by offering their gift of expertise to the school community and this is tied so closely to people's sense of worth and value. Is what I offer of value and from this, am I of value? I think the Magi may have something to teach our school communities on this matter as they left the manger with more than they brought.
The Magi observers of the natural world were prepared to have vision into the spiritual world. They saw beyond the visible and into the invisible. This is a way of being that we can encourage our students to embrace. As we reflect on the Magi's journey, following their spiritual instinct
L-R Chelsea, Georgia, Caitlin, Elise and Evie
to a faraway place over an unknown period of time whilst encountering who knows what dangers (think Herod), we "You can see a little spark that illuminates what once was dull. Or sometimes it is like a fuzzy picture that suddenly becomes more focused."
can see how life may well mirror their experiences. What experiences have our students had where God is calling their name and they simply haven't realised it? How can we open their hearts to see, to hear and to know the love of our saviour king?
have numerous opportunities for epiphany moments in our schools. I've seen it first hand in chapels, in classrooms and more often than not, in those surprise conversations with one other or a few. You can see a little spark that illuminates what once was dull. Or sometimes it is like a fuzzy picture that suddenly becomes more focused. Those spiritual "A-ha" moments are precious gems that help crystallise the thinking of not just the person who has that particular revelation, but also those around them who are prepared to engage and take a risk. It is one of the greatest privileges of being a chaplain in sharing those moments of wonder, grace, delight and indeed, just like those wise guys of old, epiphany! Please keep praying that our schools may be places where God can be encountered, gifts be brought, added to, multiplied and sent into the world in young wise lives. May we be bearers of that same Magi courage.
Well, I believe that our students will
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Topics Christ Church Cathedral Choir 2016 UK Tour
PETER GUY DIRECTOR OF MUSIC CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, NEWCASTLE In July, 27 choristers from Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, travelled to the UK for their first ever international tour. Supported by partners, friends, husbands and wives, and our "groupies", a travelling party of well over 40 people immersed themselves in the daily life of Southwark and Norwich Cathedrals.
1997 for the sesquicentenary of our Diocese. The choir also presented a lunchtime concert at Trinity College, Cambridge, which seemed oddly fitting, as their choir was in Australia at the time! Although somewhat exhausting for all of us, the challenge of presenting music at the highest possible standard every day for concert and worship was its own reward.
The tour was the result of over 18 months of intense planning, ensuring repertoire was in check, psalms and hymns were prepared, accommodation and transport investigated and arranged, and most importantly, music learnt! We are thankful to the Cathedral and Newcastle community also, who helped us reach a fundraising total in excess of $40,000 in a little over 8 months!
Certainly a highlight for the choir was the opportunity to work with a number of professional musicians. The choir was directed by Katherine Dienes-Williams (Director of Music at Guildford Cathedral) on one occasion, and by Andrew Reid (Director of the RSCM UK) on another. It was a fantastic opportunity for the choir to be directed by these amazing musicians and to learn from their immense knowledge and talent. We were certainly grateful for their enthusiasm and generosity in working with us, and will not forget that any time soon.
In addition to singing Evensong (and the Sunday Eucharist) at Southwark and Norwich, the choir was fortunate to make two "day trips". The first saw us perform in Beaulieu Abbey. In a stunningly beautiful secluded rural setting, the former Abbey, Beaulieu, (on the estate of Lord Montagu next door to his famous Motor Museum) is the place from where the first Bishop of Newcastle, William Tyrrell, was appointed. To engage in our history was a very special moment for us, especially being able to sing under the plaque gifted to the Abbey Church from our Diocese in
I am grateful for the support and encouragement received from many quarters for the choir's tour, and would like to say thank you to all those who assisted in one way or another in helping the choir successfully complete their first international tour. If you use social media, you can always follow the choir's adventures on Facebook: www.facebook. com/newcastlecathedralchoirs or follow our blog: https:// newcastlecathedralchoir.wordpress.com
This was the first tour for most of our choristers of this nature, and a fantastic opportunity to establish ourselves in the tradition from which our church has grown. To be singing the same psalms and canticles that have been sung in these places for hundreds of years reminded us of the links that the church, and music, present. It allowed us to realise the link our prayers and worship offered in Newcastle, Australia, has with the worldwide catholic church.
Repertoire from the tour was a selection of what one might expect on a tour such as this: Howells, Stanford, Noble and Dyson among the Evensong canticles, with anthems from Mendelssohn, Byrd, FaurĂŠ, Elgar and Brahms. Particularly important for us was the showcasing of Australian repertoire, so we were very glad to include David Drury's Ave Verum and Evensong Canticles, a setting of the Mag and Nunc by Fr Glen Hughes, arrangements of indigenous melodies, and anthems by former Newcastle Cathedral Organists/Choir Masters Keith Noake and Philip Matthias.
www.facebook.com/AnglicanDioceseOfNewcastleAustralia
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www.newcastleanglican.org.au/encounter-magazine
Michael Elliott recognised as a finalist in the Newcastle Business Club Awards
In Brief
Following a tumultuous year, Michael Elliott, the Director of Professional Standards, was nominated for a Newcastle Business Club Annual Award by colleague Cathy Rose, Professional Standards Officer, to recognise his ongoing commitment to the professional standards of the diocese. He was chosen as a finalist in the awards, recognised amongst a prestigious list of business individuals from the Newcastle region. Michael's nomination honours his "sensitivity, compassion and courage" while strengthening child protection within various Church organisations despite ongoing harassment and intimidation. His ability to combine the investigative and justice skills, as well as a background in social welfare, has been essential to
Ms Cheryl Sorensen was appointed Debtors Officer for Lakes in the Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation on September 19.
Appointments/Movements
The Rev'd Chris Yates has accepted the position as Vicar of St Saviour and St Peter's, Eastbourne in the Diocese of Chichester effective from 20 November 2016.
Memoriam supporting and assisting hundreds of victims in their pursuit of justice, healing and culture change. The Newcastle Business Club Annual Awards recognises an individual each year who has made a significant contribution toward the improvement of industry, culture, education, sport or the overall wellbeing of the citizens of Newcastle.
Purchase your Samaritans Charity Christmas Cards!
Mrs Jenny Johnston, wife of The Rev'd Lance Johnston died on September 24.
The Rev'd John Speers, a former priest of this Diocese who served as Rector of Weston, Lambton and Branxton died on October 11.
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
Beachside holiday units at Caloundra on Queensland's popular Sunshine Coast from $400/week accommodating up to 7 people. For more details contact Ray on 0427 990 161 or email rayandjean@hotmail.com
CHOIR ACCOMPANIST NEEDED
Newcastle City Choir needs an accompanist to begin in 2017! An honorarium is paid. Rehearsal is Wednesday evenings and there is a performing schedule. Enquiries to Callum Close, Musical Director, at newcastlecitychoir@gmail.com
This Christmas you can treat your loved ones to a beautifully designed, thoughtful Christmas card without the big expense! For just $9.50 you will receive six cards of three original designs (as shown). Why not make a real difference to locals in need and purchase Samaritans Charity Christmas Cards, with all proceeds going towards our Christmas Appeal. The Cards feature a heart-warming message from people we support and volunteers about "what Christmas means to me".
"At Christmas I look forward to going on holidays and spending time with
my family" ~ Rodney, supported by Samaritans Disability Services. "I like decorating the Christmas tree with Samaritans. I had never done this before" ~ young person supported by Samaritans Student Accommodation.
"For me it's about giving back. It gives me great joy to be able to help people and see their happy faces" ~ June, Christmas volunteer.
ROBES FREE TO A GOOD HOME
Various sizes. Please contact Belinda Clancy 0427 008 742.
To order your Christmas Cards please phone 1300 656 336 or order online at www.samaritans.org.au/ christmas-cards
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St Matthew's Georgetown Christmas Photobooth. Photo: Tiago Fisher (Angel), Annabella Goodchild (Mary), and Samson Fisher (Joseph)
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Sharing the Spirit of
Christmas
Christmas is a special time across the Diocese as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is a time for the churches to not only share the spirit of Christmas, but also help the community understand the true meaning of Christmas. For some parishes and agencies, it is a time for the community to come together to give to people in need. Read the stories of joy, comfort and love from across the Diocese of Newcastle.
Sharing the
Christmas Story BY LOUISE MACKAY When we think of the Christmas nativity we think of Mary and Joseph, with baby Jesus, accompanied by the angel, the shepherd and the sheep. But did you know that Batman and Spiderman also celebrated the birth of Jesus? Well in 2015 they did… and in 2016 they can again.
Rev'd Kesh Govan and his wife Catherine of All Saints' Nelson Bay are once again inviting the diocesan and wider community to celebrate the story of Christmas at their annual Fancy Dress Christmas Party on Christmas Eve. This year will be third celebration, with 170 people coming to the church last year. "It's a great way for the church to reach out to the community at Christmas. It's still the Christmas story," the Rev'd Kesh said. "Everyone gets to dress up in what they want. It's not a case of just dressing up as Joseph or Mary; people come dressed as
them anyway… we need that, we need the main characters." A variety of costumes are seen in the church on Christmas Eve, everything from Batman to fat Santa, and even the Christmas turkey. "We tell the Christmas story as it is, and then we add the extra characters," the Rev'd Kesh added.
The hope is that this year is even bigger than previous years, with the message being shared across the community through word-ofmouth, the church noticeboard and Facebook. The aim of the event is to enable the church to engage with the people of the community.
Catherine Govan and the Rev'd Kesh Govan
"We get people mostly from the community coming to the Fancy Dress Party and they absolutely love it. They always come back and end up bringing their friends with them," the Rev'd Kesh said.
"It's a great way for the church to reach out to the community at Christmas."
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Warm up
your voices! BY THE REV'D MURRAY WOOLNOUGH RECTOR, ST JOHN'S COOKS HILL Many families have Christmas traditions to make the season special for them. One of the traditions in the churches of around central Newcastle and Merewether is to join together for a community carol service on the lawns of St John's Anglican Church in Cooks Hill. The history of this service dates back to the 1970s and the forming of the Merewether Inter-Church Council. The Council was formed by clergy and lay-people to support the work of connecting disciples of Jesus Christ across the borders of our denominations.
The combined carol service started by being rotated between the Anglican, Uniting and Roman Catholic churches in Merewether and was usually held inside one of their buildings. In the 1980s it was moved to the Junction Village shopping centre, near the post office in The Junction. Some years later they were moved to the school-yard of St Joseph's School in The Junction and then, since 2007, to the grounds of St John's, Newcastle.
The Merewether Newcastle InterChurch Council offers this service as part of their ministry of showing Christian unity. The Council takes seriously the words of Jesus Christ to his disciples, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13)
The carols give us an opportunity to share that "love for one another" with each other as followers of Jesus. But, more than that, we share that love by inviting members of our local communities to come to know that love through the story of Christ being born among us at Christmas-time. The
Combined Carols Service always has lots of kids and families present, so the carols are well-known and easy to sing along to. Usually we have some performance pieces as well; recently we have had a children's string group, school choirs and a women's choir group. We meet in the churchyard unless it rains and then we dash to the church building! Singing about God's great love for us together as churches and community is a wonderful tradition in Newcastle, and one that we hope to grow and celebrate for many years to come.
The Gift of Love BY NOELENE SCULLY & BEV BIRCH PARISH OF MEREWETHER In 2015, the children, staff and families from St Augustine's Sunday School, Merewether decided they wanted their offering to be used for a specific purpose. So we set a particular target to raise money for a Gift of Hope which was sent to Gospels for Asia to buy gifts (chosen by the children) of chickens,a water filter, blankets, and mosquito nets. This year we decided to allocate our offerings in the second half of the year
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as a Gift of Love to the Leprosy Mission. This came about from the story about the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:10-19) and as the children showed interest in what leprosy is, they wanted to know how they could help. If Jesus were here today, I'm sure he would say that people affected by leprosy still need to be reached and treated. This requires us to put love into action to show them that a "Gift of Love" says you are worthy of love and
care and there is hope. "Love is kind.... Love never dies"(1 Corinthians 13:4,8).
So we are aiming to use our offerings to buy practical gifts of love such as self-care packages of soap, chickens, protective gloves, a goat, protective shoes, a powered tricycle, for we know with God nothing is impossible. Christmas is a time for giving and we want to be able to give a Gift of Love.
The Wheadon Family at the Medowie Markets
Say "Cheese"... and Baby Jesus BY THE REV'D BRYCE AMNER PARISH OF GEORGETOWN As part of their Op Shop Market in November, St Matthew's Georgetown will be running a Christmas Photobooth. Adults and children will be able to dress up as Mary, Joseph, shepherds, magi, and even baby Jesus. Props and costumes will be provided, and a professional photographer will capture a unique and off-beat family portrait.
year we had a prayer tree and invited everyone who visited to write a prayer. This was the first time that Georgetown church had tried something "spiritual" at an event like that, and the response from the community was overwhelmingly positive." ď ľ
"We got the idea from a Melbourne Anglican Priest, Rev'd Howard Langmead, who did something similar at St Paul's Cathedral," said the Rev'd Bryce Amner. "My wife Sally and I have helped run nativity photos in previous churches, but this will be the first time at Georgetown."
Rev'd Bryce said that the reaction from people at previous Christmas events has usually been very affirming. "Some of the most enthusiastic participants have been young families who can supply a "real" baby Jesus. It gives them a great memento of their child's first Christmas as well as an alternative to a commercial Santa photo. But we've also had groups of teenagers and older couples getting into the spirit and having fun."
One of the key messages Rev'd Bryce wants to get across is that Christmas is about Jesus. "These days not everyone is familiar with the nativity story," he said. "When we were setting up our stable backdrop and props at one market, a stallholder suggested that 'we should have some reindeer so people will know it was about Christmas'. So it's important that we keep telling the story of Jesus in ways that people can connect to." Rev'd Bryce is hopeful that this project will translate well into the new setting of Georgetown. "At our Spring FĂŞte this
Sally Cloke poses with baby Jesus
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Have yourself a messy little Christmas THE REVEREND MARK COOPER RECTOR OF MICA Last year was my first Messy Christmas at MICA (Mayfield, Islington, Carrington Anglicans). In some ways, Messy Christmas is just an extension of Messy Church using the same format of craft, worship and food but at Christmas time you have the chance to engage with some of your families on the fringe who are planning on coming to church for Christmas but looking for something more family friendly. We send out a Christmas card to our Messy Church families, mainly music families, past baptism families and anyone else we can think of who might be interested with a personal invitation to Messy Christmas. The atmosphere is exciting as Christmas is a naturally exciting time for children, and for some adults. The craft activities this year are very Angel orientated. We will be making edible Angels out of Ice-cream cones, pictures of the Annunciation, puppets of Mary and Elizabeth and a large heavenly host of Angels. As Messy Christmas has a wide age range, often from toddlers to 12-year-olds, it is important to have a range of craft activities to suit the various ages. Since parents are expected to accompany their children they do help the younger ones with the harder crafts.
My favourite aspect of Messy Christmas is the worship. I love integrating YouTube clips, fun songs and a short message that reflects the craft that the children have been working on for the last 45 minutes. It is surprising how quickly they can make connections between what the craft and the Christmas message because the craft is more than just filling in time or a gimmick. The craft gives the leader on the table a chance to talk to the children about an aspect of the Christmas message. Then at worship we pull it all together to see the bigger picture. For all the reasons above Messy Christmas is a very important way to share the Christmas story. We have a chance to sit with the families in our community, do something creative, talk about the birth of Jesus, sing carols and finish with a community meal. While I lament that attendance of services on Christmas day itself are dwindling I to take heart that families are still coming to early Christmas Eve services and to Messy Christmas rather than just giving church a miss altogether.
Singing carols in the bush Nestled amongst the gums in a paddock in the village of Marlee (15 minutes west of Wingham) sits the church of St Mark's Marlee, built in 1874 and now 142 years old. The original weatherboard church is being lovingly restored by parishioners and members of the local community. St Mark's boasts a wonderful history in the life of the village of Marlee and has resisted "modernisation". No power and no water make Carols in the Bush a truly magical experience. Each year on the Sunday prior to Christmas (this year December 18) celebrations begin with a communion service at 5.00 pm. This is followed by a free sausage sizzle, activities for
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the children and as the sun begins to drop, Carols in the Bush, illuminated by LED candles – to protect our Aussie environment. In 2016 as a special treat the choir of Kantible from Taree (boasting the vocal talents of Rev'd Helen Holliday of St John's) will be a part of our Carols program. If you would like to experience something truly different and uniquely Australian this Christmas, please join us at St Mark's Marlee on Sunday December 18 from 5pm. Bring your own chair/blanket, Aerogard and best singing voice.
A gift of home As Christmas approaches, the Mission to Seafarers call on the Anglican community to donate products to help produce 400 care packages to give to seafarers on their ships and as they visit the centre in Wickham over Christmas.
The care packages project has been running for over seven years now and provides the seafarers comfort and care during this time. The aim is to increase the care packages from 300 in 2015 to 400 this year. The hardest thing for the seafarers is being away from home, and the Mission aims to connect them with their families. Many of the seafarers, like the Filipinos, are Christian, and will be celebrating Christmas away from their families. Christmas for Christians and nonChristians alike is a very special time
to be with family, enjoying the warmth and security of home. So, for the seafarers, isolated at sea and badly missing their families only makes this time harder.
The Mission to Seafarers are seeking gifts of men's toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, shampoo, deodorant), and business socks. Some parishes also make yummy Christmas puddings, which are certainly a favourite. Volunteers will help pack the packages in early December, and ship visitors will collect and take the packages on board the ships three to fours days before and after Christmas. Of course, there are many other opportunities for volunteers as Mission to Seafarers seek to care for the seafarers who enter the Port of Newcastle each year as workers on
the bulk carriers and container ships that visit our port. The team would love to have some more volunteers to transport seafarers in buses to and from their ships (especially in the evenings), to run the small shop in the Wickham centre (again, especially in the evenings), and to answer calls from seafarers who would like to come ashore. The Mission is also getting low on beanies and men's clothing, so donations of this kind are always welcome.
The Mission to Seafarers is open seven days a week, 9am-10pm, so drop in and say "Hi".
POSSIBLE ITEMS FOR A CHRISTMAS CARE PACK • • • • • • • • • • • •
Prayer cards Religious Icon Words of encouragement Bible Religious material Pictures of Australia Toothpaste Toothbrush Hair comb Razors Shaving cream Deodorant
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Soap Aftershave Lip balm Antiseptic cream Sunblock Socks Underwear Magnetic photo frame Fun toy, e.g. stress release ball Deck of playing cards Batteries Little torch
• • • • • • • • •
Beanie Sealed lollies – nothing that melts or attracts ants Nail clippers Phone card Small head phones Basketball Dart board and darts Puzzles Christmas cake
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Q&A:
What's your favourite Christmas memory?
CATHERINE GOVAN PARISH OF NELSON BAY new born. I was so blessed to be having my baby in a state How do you go about choosing your favourite Christmas of the art delivery suite, not a stable. But when we first hold memory? Is it one from childhood, remembering the our new born children, as new parents we are all the same. anticipation of a much longed for toy (I really wanted my Wherever we are in the world, whatever our status in life, we Sindy kitchen with working washing machine!) I could also have picked Christmas memories of all look at our tiny babies with a mixture of wonder and total fear. snow and carol singing in a freezing cold December in the UK. Or even the first Wherever we are in Madeline was a very considerate baby Christmas in Australia, melting from the who decided to arrive in the early hours heat whilst still insisting on eating a hot the world, whatever of December 10, so her Dad could lunch with brussel sprouts and turkey, attend the aged care carol service later the air conditioning blasting out. The our status in life, that evening. I also managed to attend difficulty wasn't choosing one, it was our own parish carol service a few days we all look at our choosing only one. later. I thought my heart would burst holding my little girl whilst the school The one I finally did think of was tiny babies with a Christmas 2008. We already had three choir sang Away in Manger. young children and now had number mixture of wonder I loved that Christmas so much, four (and final!) on the way. I have been Madeline lying in her Moses basket married to a clergyman for forever and and total fear. gazing at the lights on the Christmas so December has always a crazily busy tree, while our three other children month for us. It probably wasn't the best happily played with the goodies Father Christmas had time to be nine months pregnant. We had children's' nativity left them - before the chaos of looking for batteries, of services and numerous carol services all planned in the week making up Lego sets, and making sure they didn't eat all the our new baby was due. chocolate, set in (we are a normal family after all). However amidst all the chaos and frantic Christmas However out of all the presents we received that year, the shopping and a full calendar, it was also a time of great stand out gift for Madeline was a beautiful hand knitted hat, peace. This Christmas, more than any other, I completely shaped like a Christmas pudding! What a Christmas that connected with the Christmas story. I could identify with was. Mary, so heavily pregnant and full of hope and fear for her
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THE REV'D CANON SALLY GERO RECTOR WALLSEND Like many little girls, I was horse mad. I read horse books, drew them all over my school books, and rather than playing sport at weekends, had riding lessons instead. My family lived in a Sydney suburb, and with four children, me the eldest, our family was comfortable but certainly not well off. Although I dreamed of having my own pony, I knew it was not possible on one family income. The Christmas before I was going to High School, my mother explained that Santa would be visiting me for the last time this year (like all sensible children I still firmly believed in him, for obvious reasons!) Come Christmas morning, I woke early and crept to the end of the bed. The Santa sack was there, but not bulging with presents... just hanging limply from the "I reached in my hand, to the bottom of the sack... and pulled out a bag of ...carrots!"
rail. I reached in my hand, to the bottom of the sack... and pulled out a bag of ...carrots! In disbelief and disappointment, I saw there was a note attached in writing that looked suspiciously like my mother's. It said: "Dear Sally, find someone to share these with. Her name is Bonnie Lassie". Totally mystified, I went into my parents' room to ask for an explanation. "Look outside," they said. I will never ever forget the feeling of going out the back door, to see a shiny black pony grazing in our yard. I slid down the wall of the house in stunned disbelief. There she was! A beautiful pony, and all mine.
The reason this is my favourite Christmas memory is that it showed me that dreams CAN come true! And it also taught me a huge lesson about love. My mother went back to work as a nurse to pay for my pony's upkeep, despite our family living with the enormous worry (and expense) of one of my brothers being hospitalised for a very long time. This will always be my favourite Christmas memory.
CALLUM CLOSE ORGAN SCHOLAR, CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL As an excitable, and perhaps too precocious five-year-old (just ask my parents!), there was nothing I loved more than the excitement of Christmas. The prospect of knowing that by morning, Santa Claus will have left a collection of presents under the family Christmas tree was almost too much!
Christmas of 1996 was one of great excitement and disappointment, all at the same time - it was one of those days where, in hindsight, you learnt a lesson by the actions of others. I had desperately wanted a bike for almost a year, and had eagerly asked Santa as I sat for our annual photo with my younger sister (who was about one at the time). As I awoke on Christmas morning, I recall a sense of deflation and disappointment as I unwrapped presents of clothes and other gifts (I didn't realise how much I would come to appreciate socks and underwear as an adult!), and to my dismay, didn't see a bike anywhere. As the day progressed, and we prepared to visit my grandparents, I couldn't help but feel a bit upset that my Christmas wish hadn't come true.
Upon arrival at my grandparents' house, imagine my surprise as I walked in the door to a fully assembled bike (complete with training wheels), ready for me to spend the rest of Christmas Day learning to ride.
20 years later, I now realise that perhaps the excitement of Christmas stemmed from the presents and gifts, rather than the joy at being with family and those I loved. In one of my happiest Christmas memories, I learnt more about the real reason of Christmas than perhaps had been originally intended. Thanks, Mum and Dad, for making me realise what Christmas is truly about.
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CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AT SAMARITANS
The Spirit of Giving Christmas is a busy time of year for Samaritans. Each year we see thousands of people in need of assistance but with the kind support of the community and Parishes we are able to ease the burden on families at Christmas.
Rodney enjoys Christmas with Samaritans and especially "having a Christmas tree we help to decorate, setting up lights outside, going for a drive to see the Christmas lights on the houses," he said. Staff, people supported by Samaritans disability services, friends and family are invited to celebrate the festive season together with a special Christmas party.
On Christmas Day Samaritans will serve lunch to over 1500 people and distribute thousands of Christmas presents. Samaritans host three lunches in Wyong, Singleton and Newcastle for guests, who may otherwise have nowhere to celebrate Christmas. Families struggling to buy Christmas presents will be able to choose toys for their children through Samaritans Christmas Assistance with thanks to community donations at our Giving Trees.
Young people escaping homelessness will celebrate Christmas with joy rather than isolation. Many will celebrate Christmas for the first time, decorating their Christmas tree and enjoying the festivities.
Christmas at Samaritans would not be possible without the passion and dedication of our kind volunteers. This year over 500 volunteers will lend a helping hand to bring joy and happiness to thousands of people in need. Volunteers assist with Christmas lunches, the provision of emergency relief and toys at Samaritans Christmas Assistance Centre, donation collections and Wrapped with Love - our gift wrapping fundraiser at Stockland Glendale. Help us continue to bring joy and happiness to those in need at Christmas, please consider a donation to Samaritans Christmas Appeal. Your contribution will make a real difference to thousands of locals throughout the festive season. Together we can make Christmas a time of happiness and joy for everyone. To donate today please call 1300 656 336 or visit www. samaritans.org.au/donate For more information on Christmas at Samaritans and other ways you can assist please visit www.samaritans. org.au/christmas
"Help us continue to bring joy and happiness to those in need at Christmas."
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LIFE OF A CHAPLAIN
A life of wonder and wondering FR ROGER ZOHRAB CHAPLAIN JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL
Being a parish priest for a long time, then a school chaplain and now a hospital chaplain means that I have experienced the roundedness of life, the intensity of an educational setting and now the waiting that is daily life in the region's largest teaching hospital.
Much of chaplaincy in this context is listening to stories of hope, courage, love and loss. It is being a reminder that there is another perspective and reality that outshines that unwanted diagnosis or even the results and outcomes that free a person to resume a known pattern of living. Many times I am left, like the patients, families and staff, wondering. I wonder at the miracles of birth and death, of healing and God's apparent indifference to a situation. Of course the vocation to be a Christian is open to wonder and wondering. Patients wonder if their lifestyle choices have meant this is where they have ended up. Families question if they should have said something to someone. Staff may wonder at the treatments offered as well as the resilience and unanticipated outcomes for patients. We have all seen situations that cause us to think and rethink our faith, God's providence, the role of faith and the importance of love. There are times when I am acutely aware that I stand in a long tradition of not knowing and I simply wonder. I ask "What if‌", "How does this work?", and of course I wonder in those many times of deep
Fr Roger Zohrab, Mrs Robyn Bint (Baptist Chaplain) and The Rev'd Dr Peter Oliver (Uniting Church Chaplain)
silence. Perhaps this is one of the roles of a chaplain, to assist people to wonder, to imagine.
The death of a young girl many years ago in a hospital has always provided a touchstone for me. She lingered for some days before her parents made the decision to cease actively treating her due to being declared brain dead. The vast array of emotions, the complexity of thought and the voice that simply said "this is so unfair", has been a reference point for me. It made me put away a childish and naĂŻve view of life. It taught me that with every choice there are numerous consequences. I have learnt the importance of surrendering to a larger picture of life and God's world. I have felt completely inadequate praying with a patient and family as death has come quietly into the room. Yet also amazingly graced to believe and trust
in someone who is one with us and beyond us in Christ.
As we approach the holy season of Christmass we should give some time to wondering about who we are, events that surprise us, times when we could have acted differently for a better outcome. If it was all right for Mary and Joseph, creatures great and small and the wise men, why should we not wonder and find the truth of God born in us and His world? I am a happier person for allowing some wonder and wondering to be present in my life. Perhaps you might be too.
A holy Advent and Christmass to you. Fr. Roger
"We have all seen situations that cause us to think and rethink our faith, God's providence, the role of faith and the importance of love."
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How could abusers do it? THE VENERABLE LES FORESTER REGIONAL ARCHDEACON PATERSON AND THE MANNING
How could child sexual abusers do it? How could they be allowed to do it? How could our leaders have so obviously failed to respond to survivors? And of all places, how could it have happened in the church, which until recently sought to occupy the high moral ground? These are the heart-cries of church members as we try to come to terms with the confronting disclosures of child sexual abuse, and the subsequent corruptions involved in the suppression of the truth. We search for moral, psychological, sociological and even theological answers. People puzzle over how they have been deceived by apparently respectable clergy lives which cloaked very evil actions. We saw some of the good that abusers did in pastoral ministry. We thought we knew these people, but we didn't. The shock of abuse and cover up is so great for
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some folk that they can't believe the survivors' stories, and yet the evidence of abuse continues to mount up to heaven. Is there something critically diseased about our church culture? How are we going to cope with the fact that abuse and cover-up have multiple complex causes and solutions? How to accept that simple explanations and remedies will not do? We have a fair idea of what a healthy future looks like. But how do we get there? Especially when we know that our church culture of denial, suppression and discounting will easily defeat many of the remedial strategies we might try? Newcastle Anglicans now know that the lay and clerical child abusers in our midst included both married and very unmarried men. There is no simple answer for us in blaming it all on celibacy. It is a sad truth, that as in many organisations this Diocese has experienced a culture of control
and bullying, and we now know this includes threats of physical violence. The result of this culture has been that those who wanted to hide evil succeeded, while those who might have spoken up were dissuaded from speaking, and those who did speak up were dismissed. We needed the outside intervention of the Royal Commission, and the courage of whistle-blowers, to do for us what we were finding so difficult to do for ourselves. It remains to be seen if we will access the grace of God, if we will allow God to put a new heart within us, and if we will show the will and capacity for further reform. Maybe we still need continued outside help? We have been vexed with a culture of clericalism. Clergy and lay people have been complicit in allowing the hierarchs their view that they alone are blessed among men and full of grace. Clericalism holds that no one
except the chosen ones understands, measures up, or has the right to presume to comment or play a part in proceedings. Clericalism is a sneering, supercilious sin. We seem to have more than our fair share of clerical narcissists, a suave beast which studies show is overrepresented in the clergy population. Many clergy, especially the emotionally needy, know the deeply attractive but dangerously slippery slope of being treated like a little messiah, feeling like a messiah, then acting like a messiah. Thank God the Royal Commission, survivors and the media are disabusing us of our attempts to justify the unjustifiable, of discounting the demonic. The "few bad apples" theory may give comfort to some people, but it also directs our attention away from the cultural causes of abuse. It distracts us from noticing abusers' moral disengagement and our leaders' failure to take responsibility. We are familiar with the well-worn methods of sharing the blame, shifting the responsibility, or God help us, speaking weasel-word euphemisms and golden sentiments of remorse.
As a body, our church is reaping the poisonous harvest of generations of a lack of accountability. It's hard to operate the keys of the kingdom, when the powers that be won't even give you the keys to the hall kitchen cupboard. Was it arrogance or naivety in the leaders of a past generation that made them think themselves such good judges of character, that they made only perfunctory inquiries into the character of would-be clergy? We called our failure to hold abusers to account "forgiveness", and so we forgot the victim. Thank God we are no longer relying solely on allegations of abuse to trigger questions and investigations. Until recently it was inconvenient to ask questions; a studied plausible deniability ("I couldn't have been expected to know. No one told me.") It seems some leaders were so busy not knowing, that they that didn't spare a thought for the victims. Or perhaps victims didn't matter as much as abusers who were stakeholders in the church. Jesus told a parable about weeds sown by the enemy. They grew amidst the wheat, indistinguishable from the wheat, but were bound at the harvest to be used as kindling. This parable now speaks to us with renewed power. It would be a strange Christian,
unaware of church history, who didn't expect to find sin, and even depravity in the church. Jesus warned us that outrages and abuse of little ones were bound to occur, and that those who caused little ones to stumble would be better off with a millstone hung around their necks and thrown into Lake Galilee. It's a better fate to face destruction in the depths of the sea than to be a destroyer of little ones.
It would pay us to ponder the example of the evangelist Mark who probably heard the gospel events from the apostle Peter's telling his story. Mark paints no whitewash of the disciples' shortcomings. He puts on display a terse and powerful public airing of the dirt on the disciples: their stupidity, misunderstanding, status seeking, little faith, petty ambition, denial, lies, lack of courage, and betrayal. The real wonder is not that some "gospels" and "letters" were left out of the New Testament canon. The real wonder is the brutal honesty of the picture of failure, division and stupidity of church leaders portrayed in writings included in the scriptures. If there is to be a horror of failed leadership, let's not add to it by covering it up. The New Testament doesn't.
When he wasn't formulating the Nicene Creed or running a soup kitchen, the truly great Bishop and Theologian of the 4th Century, Basil of Caesarea in Turkey wrote: "The cleric or monk who molests youths or boys or is caught kissing, committing some moral wickedness, let him be whipped in public, deprived of his crown [tonsure] and, after having his head shaved, let his face be covered with spittle; and [let him be] bound in iron chains, condemned to six months in prison, reduced to eating rye bread once a day in the evening three times per week. After these six months living in a separate cell under the custody of a wise elder with great spiritual experience, let him be subjected to prayers, vigils and manual work, always under the guard of two spiritual brothers, without being allowed to have any relationship ‌ with young people." Transparency, accountability, and protective processes are all evident in this quote from Basil. The father of modern historical method, Lord John Acton, is famous for his saying about power corrupting. But putting his quote in context adds to his wisdom: "I cannot accept‌ that we are to judge Pope and King
unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against the holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority, still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it." No doubt the Royal Commission Report on the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, due in a few months, will provide us with some answers that are based on evidence and current learning. It will also set before us the strategies needed to make Churches safer. That is when the ongoing work of shaping a healthy future needs to be done. The last thing we need is to heave a sigh of relief and say, "Thank heavens the Royal Commission is finished". However there will be questions left unanswered (in our hearts) by the Royal Commission. Even when scholars have finished their empirical studies and can point to all the contributing factors, we will still be asking "How could this have happened?" Excuses and explanations will not satisfy the cry of offended justice, nor heal wounded hearts. The intense sunshine of continued public truth-telling is the only hope we have to disinfect our culture, and heal the life of our corporate body.
Seeking Support Discussing child sexual abuse can be difficult. The Royal Commission has reminded us that is especially so for survivors telling their story for the first time, their families and professional staff supporting them.
The Royal Commission provides an extensive list of care and support services which can be found at Support Services. These services connect people with counsellors or special support groups. If you need immediate support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 For more, visit: www. newcastleanglicanhealthyfuture. com/seeking-support
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Ordinations 2016 The 2016 Synod Eucharist and Ordinations will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday December 9. The service will commence at 7.30pm. The Encounter has asked the ordinands to take some time off from their preparation to share their hopes and aspirations for the next phase of their journey. Stephen Shrubb, Priest CLM at Stockton, will also be priested.
CHRISTINE PLUMRIDGE DEACON CLM, SWANSEA
I trained to be a Secondary School Teacher at Newcastle University and taught in the State Public School system for many years. The last ten years of my teaching career I spent at St. Philip's Christian College at Waratah. I realise this was good for my growth and understanding as I was introduced to a different form of worship. I much preferred the mystery and tradition of the Anglo/Catholic approach, and I still experience a "high" after Holy Communion even now. It seems to be where I belong and what I believe God needs from me.
For me, anyone and everyone, wherever God has lead me has been a gift. Some of my most treasured spiritual moments have come from ex-pupils. I treasure their friendship and their steadfast faith. To know that I have helped in some small way to nurture them in this way is an absolute blessing. I also recognise that I have received more from them than I gave. My greatest leap of faith occurred when I met and married Bill. God sent a wonderful person into my life so that we could grow in faith together. Bill is such a good man from a wonderful, accepting
family. He was indeed blessed to be born into a Christian family, making his background markedly different from mine. I was looked after materially but didn't feel really loved; Bill had the opposite: not many luxuries but a closeness and a love which we have fostered within our own tribe. I did always have Jesus to turn to when things got on top of me. I prayed incessantly so I never really felt alone. I am a teacher, and know God is putting me into another "classroom" to teach perhaps a more reluctant group of students than I have previously encountered and I am looking forward to serving my Lord in this way. I would like to think that I can serve as his representative of faith, compassion and love. I love my Faith Family at Swansea and pray I will continue to be of service to them.
So, with my Bill and my Plumridge family, my grown-up babies, my Cursillo cronies, my faith family, my muchmellowed elderly mum, I travel through life, attempting to obey my Lord and forever thankful for all who have helped me along the way. Shalom.
"Some of my most treasured spiritual moments have come from ex-pupils. To know that I have helped in some small way to nurture them in this way is an absolute blessing."
The ASDF staff would like to wish its members a happy and safe Christmas and 2017 20 For more information call us today on 02 4926 3733 or visit our website www.asdf.org.au
To be honest I actually lack the words to express how I feel about the prospect of being ordained to the diaconate in December, and I do worry that in doing so, it will come across as a pious attempt to be the humble servant described in Matthew 20 & 23. However, I cannot help but express just how much more this Scripture means to me now, not because I am particularly humble or a particularly good servant, but because I do understand a little more as to the depth of meaning behind what Christ is talking about here (and I have only scratched the surface!).
MICHAEL MARKLEW DEACON, ANEW & NEW LAMBTON
With the above disclaimer in mind, I have spent the past year and a half
in a placement with ANeW and New Lambton, ministering with some extremely capable people, some paid and many not. Through this experience (and CPE) I have gained a real sense of what it means to quietly enable ministry in the Church and not through any particular skill I may have, but by simply loving, serving and supporting these great Christians in the work God has equally called them to do.
Next year, ministry with ANeW and New Lambton will continue, God willing, in the capacity of a Deacon and while I do wish to be more active in preaching and evangelism, I pray that my heart to serve God's people will only ever increase.
"I pray that my heart to serve God's people will only ever increase."
It is really hard to believe that something first discussed as a possibility just over ten years ago may be about to come to fruition, God willing. It has been a long, sometimes challenging, journey but God's loving, guiding presence has been present in all situations.
MARIANNE REYNOLDS PRIEST CLM, SINGLETON
I give thanks to God for his love and guidance, protection and care, for the support and encouragement of my family and parish family and for the wonderful colleagues in our parish Ministry Team and Parish Council. I hope to continue working in the Parish of Singleton, further developing the ministries in which I have been
involved as deacon over the last two years, including working with baptismal families, assisting in the Messy Church team, with the bereavement team and in nursing homes. Walking alongside others, and with them, finding that God is there in every, and all, circumstances, is a real blessing. Being able to preside at the Eucharist will be something really new – what a wonderful privilege that will be! To be able to serve God and his people in this special way is an awesome responsibility. Please pray for me as I embark on this next part of my journey.
"Walking alongside others, and with them, finding that God is there in every, and all, circumstances, is a real blessing."
Leave a gift in your will to the Church
Once you have made provision for your loved ones, you have the opportunity to make a lasting gift to God, by leaving a bequest to his church. A gift in your Will is one of the most valuable and lasting ways you can continue to support its mission and ministry within your community. Contact Linda Wilson at the Diocesan Office for more information on 4926 3733.
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Looking back at
2016
THE VENERABLE CANON SONIA ROULSTON ARCHDEACON OF NEWCASTLE
In 1981 our family spent Christmas with extended family in New Zealand. As it was the end of the year the television was filled with clips of "The Year in Review". The most frequently appearing clip that week, sad to say, was of an infamous bowling incident at the MCG. What a way to remember the year! As we come to the end of 2016 we, likewise, turn our thoughts to reviewing the year that has been. Fortunately there has been no underarm bowling incident. But it has been a year of both lows and highs, of challenges and celebrations, as we have sought to be faithful in our discipleship as a church through the year that is now drawing to a close. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Perhaps of the things we will most remember of this year are the Royal Commission hearings and the impact of those hearings on so many people – those who have been abused by church leaders, those whose stories have not been heard until now, and secondary victims who have heard,
often for the first time, the depth and horror of these accounts. On his 500th day as bishop of the diocese, Bishop Greg gave an apology to all who had been harmed by the church, and started us on a journey of "Facing Our Past and
"...it has been a
year of both lows and highs, of
challenges and celebrations."
Shaping a Healthy Future". The Royal Commission hearings have been an essential part of this facing our past, for without doing this we will not have a healthy future. During this time many, many people have been praying for the commission, the bishops and other diocesan leaders, and victims and survivors of abuse. This has been a very important
work, and one that will continue in for some time yet. Parish Healing Teams As a diocese we have also become aware of the impact of abusive clergy and leaders on Parish communities. In 2016 we have been blessed by the work of Tim Dyer (JohnMark Ministries), Gill Fletcher and their team in working with us as a Diocese and in Parish communities on the essential work of healing following disclosures of abuse by clergy in Parish communities. Parishes which have been engaged with these teams have all reflected on the helpfulness of this work in helping them to face their past and look towards a healthier future. Gill and Tim also worked with us at the Diocesan Convention and with the Diocesan Clergy Leaders at their annual conference. We are thankful to all of those engaged in this ministry. Other Aspects of Diocesan Life It will be easy to look back on this year in the same way that some view 1981 – "The Year of the Underarm Bowl". The Royal Commission hearings and
Interfaith Dialogue
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Mr Peter Gardiner, Samaritans CEO
Kilpatrick Court
Parish Healing work have without doubt been major aspects of our life as a Diocese this year. However much other work has been going on as part of the normal rhythm of Diocesan life. Together we have celebrated, shared burdens and sought to live faithfully each day.
This year at the Diocesan Convention and Leaders' Conference we welcomed English Priest and theologian Robin Greenwood, who addressed the theme of "The Church as Blessing". We were delighted to also offer the first training day for Clergy in Local Mission with our Convention and Leaders' Conference speaker. This day was enjoyed by all who attended, who spoke warmly of the opportunity to re-connect with each other.
During the year Anglican Care celebrated 60 years of ministry to the aged of our community. A new residence, Kilpatrick Court, was opened in Toronto – named for long term chair Mr John Kilpatrick OAM. And a new ministry of Pastoral Associate
Bishop Sarah Macneil, Garth Blake SC, Archbishop Philip Freier and Archdeacon Arthur Copeman at ACC in Zambia
Bishop Greg at the Installation of Primate of Melanesia
was begun in Taree, bringing unto being something that has been in planning.
Samaritans saw a change of leadership with the retirement of Mr Cec Shevels, CEO of Samaritans for 25 years! Cec had overseen much change and growth in Samaritans during his time as CEO. We thank him and we wish him well in retirement. Mr Peter Gardner was appointed as the new CEO. The work of Anglican Chaplains in Corrective Services was highlighted in Compass, and featured our own the Rev'd Di Langham, and the Rev'd Kim Miller.
As a diocese we shared in both Ecumenical and Interfaith dialogue, and congratulated Archdeacon Rod Bower on being presented with an Interfaith Dialogue award at DOHA this year. We also continued to celebrate the Tri-Diocesan Covenant, with a service at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara.
Tri-Diocesan Covenant
Mothers' Union celebrated 160 years of the ministry of Mothers' Union worldwide – Congratulations!
Finally, we were represented in the wider Anglican Communion by Archdeacon Arthur Copeman at the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Zambia, and by Bishop Greg who attended the enthronement and installation of the new Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, The Most Reverend George Takeli.
These are just some of the moments in a year that has been filled with many challenges and celebrations in our own parishes. They go to make up the diverse year that has been 2016. We wait now to see what is before us as we travel with God into the next part of our future.
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AROUND THE DIOCESE Wave of Light On Saturday October 15 the Parish of Muswellbrook held their inaugural "Wave of Light" Remembrance Service for International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
28 people gathered together to remember and reflect during the moving one hour service that was held at the Garden of Innocents in the Muswellbrook Lawn Cemetery. The "Wave of Light" is an international event to close Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. At 7pm in each time zone candles are lit for one hour creating a 'Wave of Light' across the world.
What does "walking the plank" have to do with church? The activities at Messy Church are meant to reflect on the theme for the day. So, how can "walking the plank" with and without a blindfold (courtesy of a kind international traveller) fit the bill? At Kotara South, our last Messy Church had the theme to explore "light and dark", especially thinking about the statement of Jesus who said, "I am the light of the world"'.
What soon becomes clear to the adventurous "walkers of the plank" was that is it very different walking the plank with the mask on, relying on touch, than with your eyes open.
Using this symbolism, we have an understanding that Jesus does take off our masks and helps us to see – the real world, our real self and the real love of God – to name just a few. While the young people might remember the challenge of the task, they will, when questioned, think beyond it.
At the prayers at the end of the day, when they were asked to use the idea of different lights (for example, a lighthouse,
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a set of traffic lights, etc..) to help them think of some aspect of God that they could be thankful for, and to pray in response to that, they showed that they were capable of a considerable depth of understanding. Walking the plank did indeed have a part to play in helping to think more deeply of what Jesus meant when he said "I am the light of the world".
Fashion on the Hill Attached are two photos from last Saturday's Fashion Parade at Lakes Anglican Church. The fashions paraded were from our "Boutique on the Hill" Op Shop and the models parading the fashions were our valued volunteers who work in the Op Shop as well as some members of the congregation. The Parade was organised and compèred by Faye Lougoon with assistance from Op shop Manager Elaine Clough. Elaine's husband, Rick, kindly provided musical accompaniment. It was a very successful and enjoyable afternoon with over 100 people being present.
CityServe 2016 - Toronto As a church on the western side of the lake we feel appreciative to CityServe for the privilege of working with the community with Fassifern Archery and this year Toronto Child Care Centre. Painting was the order of the day with some gardening for those green fingered. Talented people like Ron and Darren, Sally, Greg, Barb, Des, Mary, Delma, Ros, Dianne, Chelsea and Rev’d Julie who were part of a team to assist the child Care Centre and its staff to be better equipped to work alongside the young families of Toronto.
Bush Church Aid Celebration Concert 2016 The Bush Church Aid Celebration Concert was held at St Andrew's Anglican Church Tea Gardens and was performed at two Sunday matinees. 200 people attended, raising $2000 for The Bush Church Aid Society.
It started with an aboriginal version of Waltzing Matilda, complete with sheep! It was a hard act to follow, but Don Kirk of Birk's Backyard shared with us "How to grow Christians!" and as everyone knows, Christians come in all shapes, sizes and colours! Everyone agreed it was well done and worthwhile!
LAKES GRAMMAR Lakes Grammar is a K-12 co-educational Anglican school providing a quality education in an environment that is caring and nurturing as we believe education is about the whole person.
Features of Lakes Grammar include: Affordable fee structure Private School Bus Strong focus on student wellbeing Opportunity Class for Years 5 and 6 To arrange a School Tour, please contact our Registrar, Racquel Jolly on 4393 4111. LAKES GRAMMAR - An Anglican School Cnr Sparks Rd and Albert Warner Dr Warnervale 2259 T 02 4393 4111 | W www.lakes.nsw.edu.au
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AROUND THE DIOCESE Police Remembrance Day On September 29 the National Police Remembrance Day Service for the Central Coast was held at St James Wyong. It is a day to remember Australasian police officers who have died on duty. The Honour Roll included from New South Wales, Mr Curtis Cheng (October 2 2015) and Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson (March 5 2016).
Clergy officiating were the Rector of Wyong, The Rev'd Kevin Wares, Chaplain Mark Watt and Father Jim Boland. The occasional address was delivered by Superintendent David Swilks. 60 serving and retired officers and their wives and partners were present and were joined by Mr David Harris MP, the state member for Wyong.
All Saints Day Celebrations The parishes of New Lambton and ANeW Church had a wonderful morning and lunch with Bishop Peter after an uplifting service.
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Choral Evensong at Terrigal The Cathedral Singers from Sydney were the guest choir at Holy Trinity Terrigal on Sunday October 9. They sang Evensong from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer to the setting by Thomas Walmisley in D minor.
Many parishioners and visitors responded warmly to a service that is a prayerful and devotional way to conclude the day.
Myall River Festival St Andrew's Anglican Church (Bulahdelah/Tea Gardens parish) had a stall at the Tea Gardens Myall River Festival on October 29 selling many and varied goods including knickknacks, homemade jams, pickles, cakes, scones, etc. Lucky dips were a great favourite with the children. There were lots of other stalls with a large crowd throughout the day. It provided a great opportunity for us to interact with the people of Tea Gardens. All profits will be divided between local community groups.
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Christmas
Service Times
CENTRAL COAST BATEAU BAY Dec 24: 6pm Family Service; 9pm Holy Communion Dec 25: 8.30am Holy Communion GOSFORD Dec 24: 6pm Kids, Gosford; 6.30pm Carols, Mangrove Mountain; 11.30pm Mass, Gosford Dec 25: 8am, Traditional, Mangrove Mountain; 9am Mass, Gosford; 10am Mass, Point Clare KINCUMBER Dec 24: 6pm Family Service, St Bede's Saratoga; 6pm Family Service, St Paul's Kincumber Dec 25: 7.30am Holy Communion, St Paul's Kincumber; 8.30am Holy Communion, St Bede's Saratoga; 9am Holy Communion, St Paul's Kincumber LAKES ANGLICAN Dec 4: 4pm-8pm Christmas Festival including jumping castle, mini market, BBQ and family fun followed by Christmas Carols and song Dec 24: 6pm Family Christmas Eve service; 11pm Midnight Service Dec 25: 9am Family Christmas Day service ST ALBAN'S Dec 24: 6pm Service of readings and carols TERRIGAL Dec 18: 3.30pm Messy Church Christmas Dec 24: 5pm Family Eucharist; 11pm Midnight Mass Dec 25: 7.30am Sung Eucharist; 9.30am Holy Eucharist THE ENTRANCE Dec 24: 11pm Midnight mass Dec 25: 9am Holy Communion TOUKLEY/BUDGEWOI Dec 18: After 9am Sunday Service Dec 22: 6pm Blue Christmas Service for people for whom Christmas is not a happy or joyous time Dec 24: 6pm Crib Service - our children's Christmas Service; 11.30 Midnight Mass (Traditional Candlelit Service) Dec 25: 9am Christmas Service WOY WOY Dec 24: 4.30pm Family Crib Service with Traditional Carols, St Andrew's; 11.30pm Midnight Mass, St Luke's Dec 25: 8am Christmas Communion, St Andrew's; 10am Christmas Eucharist, St Luke's Jan 1: 10am Combined Parish Service, St Luke's
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WYOMING Dec 24: 6pm Christmas Pageant followed by Christmas Vigil Eucharist Dec 25: 8am Eucharist WYONG Nov 27: 9.30am Advent Season fun activities for children & opening of Christmas boxes Dec 18: 7.30pm Nine Lessons & Carols Dec 24: 5pm A Children's Christmas - great for families and grandparents; 11pm Traditional Holy Communion Dec 25: 9am Family Communion
LAKE MACQUARIE BELMONT Dec 18: 7pm Service of Scripture and Song Dec 24: 6pm Family Friendly - Holy Communion; 11.30pm 'Christ-mass' - Holy Communion Dec 25: 8am Holy Communion BELMONT NORTH, CHARLESTOWN & WINDALE Dec 10: 6pm Messy Carols, Redhead Dec 24: 6pm Family Services, Windale Charlestown Belmont; 11.30pm Christmas Eve services, Charlestown & Belmont North Dec 25: 9am Christmas Day services, Windale Charlestown & Redhead CARDIFF Dec 24: 6pm Family Mass; 11pm Music for Christmas; 11.30pm Midnight Mass Dec 25: 9am Mass COCKLE BAY Dec 21: 7.30pm Carol Service, All Saints Boolaroo Dec 24: 5pm Family Service, All Saints Boolaroo; 11pm Eucharist, St David's Teralba Dec 25: 7.45am, All Saints Boolaroo; 9.30am, St David's Teralba SOUTHLAKES (MORISSET) Dec 24: 7pm Family Service; 11.30pm Midnight Mass Dec 25: 8am Holy Communion SWANSEA Nov 27: 9am Combined service with Swansea Uniting Church, St Peter's Dec 24: Family friendly - Holy Communion; 5pm St Peter's Dec 25: 8am Holy Communion; 10am Holy Communion, Gwandalan Community Hall TORONTO Dec 15: 6.30pm Blue Christmass Dec 24: 5.30pm Messy Christmass; 6.30pm Family Christmass Eucharist; 11.30pm Candle-light Eucharist Dec 25: 8.30am Sung Christmass Eucharist
MAITLAND BERESFIELD/THORNTON Dec 4: 6.30pm Blue Christmas, St Paul's Dec 24: 5.30pm Children's Pageant Mass, St Michael's; 11.30pm Midnight Mass, St Paul's Dec 25: 8am Traditional Eucharist, St Michael's; 9.30am Family Eucharist, St Paul's; 12pm Free Sunday Lunch, St Paul's Hall Dec 26: 9.45am St Stephen's Mass, site of St Stephen's Tarro BRANXTON/GRETA/LOCHINVAR Dec 24: 5pm Interactive Family Nativity Service, St John the Divine Branxton; 11.30pm Midnight Mass, St John the Divine Branxton Dec 25: 9am Christmas Day Eucharist, Holy Trinity Lochinvar CESSNOCK Dec 16: 6.30pm Millfield Community Carols, St Luke's Millfield Dec 18: 6.30pm St John's Carol Service Dec 22: Blue Christmas Service Dec 24: 6pm "All Age Worship"; 11.30pm Midnight Mass Dec 25: 7.30am The Birth of Our Lord; 8am, St Luke's Millfield; 9am, St John's Cessnock EAST MAITLAND Dec 4: 6pm "Emmanuel, God with Us" Advent Carol Service with Music led by the Parish Choir Dec 16: 6pm Carols on the Hill Community Carols in the Church Grounds with Maitland City Choir, Maitland Brass Band, Maitland Pipes and Drums and other guests Dec 24: 4pm & 6pm Family Christmas Eve Eucharist with Carols led by the Parish Junior Choir; 8.30pm Early Sung Mass of Christmas with Blessing of the Crib and Music led by the Parish Choir; 11.30pm First Sung Mass of Christmas with Blessing of the Crib and Music led by the Parish Choir Dec 25: 8.30am: Holy Eucharist with Carols
MAITLAND Dec 24: 7pm Especially for families and children with candles and carols around the crib, St Mary's Maitland Park; 11.30pm Sung Eucharist Dec 25: 9am Eucharist MORPETH Nov 27: 5pm Advent Procession Dec 24: 4pm Family Service; 11.30pm Midnight Mass Dec 25: 9am Christmas Mass MOUNT VINCENT & WESTON Dec 24: 5pm Family service and Blessing of the Crib, St Paul's Kurri Kurri; 11pm Solemn High
Mass (Midnight Mass), St Paul's Kurri Kurri Dec 25: 8.30am Eucharist, St Mary's Weston; 10am Eucharist, Christ Church Mount Vincent TELARAH RUTHERFORD Dec 24: 6pm A messy ChristMass for children, St Luke's parish hall Telarah; 11.30pm Traditional Midnight Mass, St Christopher's Rutherford; Dec 25: 9am Sung Mass, St Luke's Telarah WOLLOMBI Dec 25: 9am Christmas Service
MANNING BULAHDELAH/TEA GARDENS Dec 18: 7pm Christmas Carols, St Andrew's Tea Gardens Dec 24: 8.30pm Christmas Service, St John's Bulahdelah; 6pm Holy Communion, St Andrew's Tea Gardens Dec 25: 6am Holy Communion (please bring a chair), Bennett's Beach Hawks Nest; 8am Holy Communion, St Andrew's Tea Gardens HARRINGTON/COOPERNOOK Dec 1: 5pm The Combined Churches of Harrington invite you to a Carol Service in the Harrington Anglican Church, Harrington. All are welcome to come and join in singing a selection of carols. Refreshments will be provided before the service in the Dulcie Ford Ministry Centre from 4pm. Dec 17: 4pm Fun, Food & Faith, St Luke's Coopernook; 5pm Christmas Eucharist, St Luke's Coopernook; 6pm for 6:30pm Coopernook Carols in the Park Dec 20: 10am Blue Christmas Service, St Peter's Harrington Dec 21: 12noon Christmas Eucharist, Church of the Epiphany Lansdowne Dec 22: 10am Christmas Eucharist, St Mark's Storm Village Chatham Dec 23: 10am Christmas Eucharist, Cundletown Dec 24: 5pm Children & Families' Service by the Crib with Eucharist, St Peter's Harrington; 7:30pm Christmas Eucharist, St Barnabas Upper Lansdowne; 11pm Christmas Eucharist, St Peter's Harrington Dec 25: 8am Christmas Eucharist, St Peter's Harrington; 10am Christmas Eucharist, St Mark's Mitchells Island; NB: There will be NO 4pm "Anglican" Community Church Service on Christmas Day FORSTER TUNCURRY Dec 18: 6pm St John's Children's Service, Dyer's Crossing Dec 20: 6pm Wallamba Minister's Combined Service,
Forster Dec 24: 5.30pm BBQ at St Alban's followed by 6.30pm Contemporary Carol service, Forster; 7pm Anglican/Uniting Combined service, Nabiac; 11pm Holy Communion, Forster Dec 25: 6am Holy Communion, St James' Bungwahl; 8am Holy Communion, St Alban's; 9.30am Informal Contemporary Communion, Forster; 9.30am Holy Communion, St Nicholas Tuncurry THE CAMDEN HAVEN Dec 24: 6pm Free Sausage sizzle, jumping castles, slushies for all the family; 7pm Kids Christmas service; 11.15pm Holy communion service Dec 25: 8am Holy Communion; 10am Family Service WINGHAM Dec 18: 5pm Marlee Bush Carols including sausage sizzle, St Mark's Marlee Dec 24: 5pm Children's Service, St Matthew's Wingham; 10.15pm Drinks & nibbles, St Matthew's Wingham; 11pm Holy Communion Service, St Matthew's Wingham Dec 25: 7.45am Holy Communion, St Luke's Tinonee; 9.45am Holy Communion, St Matthew's Wingham
NEWCASTLE ADAMSTOWN Dec 24: 7pm Kids' Mass; 11.30pm Solemn Mass & Blessing of the Crib Dec 25: 9am Sung Mass Dec 26: 9am Sung Mass & Breakfast Dec 28: 10.30am Holy Innocents Sung Mass ANEW Combining with New Lambton for Christmas Services Dec 15: 7.30pm Carols by Candlelight Dec 24: 5.30pm Christingle & Carols - All Age Celebration, All Saints New Lambton Dec 25: 8.30am Carols and Communion BIRMINGHAM GARDENS Dec 24: 7pm Holy Communion CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Dec 24: 5pm Service for Children and Families with Carols; 7.30pm 'Nine lessons and carols' a service with traditional and contemporary carols for choir and congregation; 11pm Midnight Mass with procession and blessing of the crib Dec 25: 7am Eucharist, 8.30am Choral Eucharist with procession; 10.30am Eucharist for Families (Children bring a favourite present to be blessed) GEORGETOWN Dec 4: 4:30pm Christmas Carols Service with photobooth Dec 25: 9am Christmas service HAMILTON Dec 24: 7pm Vigil Mass with carols and Blessing of the Crib Dec 25: 8am Mass with Carols
KOTARA Dec 11: 4pm Messy Christmas Dec 24: 5pm All-Age Mass; 11pm Midnight Mass and Blessing of Crib
Dec 25: 8am Sung Mass Dec 26: 10am St Stephen's Mass Dec 27: 10am St John the Evangelist Mass Dec 28: 10am Holy Innocents Mass LAMBTON Dec 21: 6pm Blue Christmas - a service of thanksgiving, remembrance for the year that has been Dec 24: 7pm Family and friends service with nativity and supper with St Nicholas Dec 25: 9am One service for the parish
MEREWETHER Nov 27: 6.30pm Blue Christmas Service Dec 11: 7pm A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Dec 24: 6pm Children's Service with Sausage sizzle from 5pm; 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist Dec 25: 8am Christmas Eucharist MICA MINISTRIES Dec 11: 3pm Messy Christmas (Messy Church), St Andrew's Church Hall Mayfield Dec 24: 7pm Family Service with Eucharist, St Mark's Islington; 11pm Midnight Mass, St Andrew's Mayfield Dec 25: 8.30am Eucharist, St Andrew's Mayfield NEWCASTLE ST JOHN'S Dec 24: 5.30pm Interactive Family Carol Service with Nativity Play; 7pm Informal Christmas Service; 11pm Midnight Mass Dec 25: 9am Traditional Christmas Celebration NEW LAMBTON Dec 24: 5.30pm Christmas Eve Dec 25: 8.30am Christmas Day WALLSEND Nov 27: 5pm Advent Evensong Dec 10: 9.30am Advent Quiet Morning Dec 11: 5.30pm Carols on the Lawn Dec 14: 6pm Blue Christmas Dec 24: 6pm Children's Christmas Service; 11pm Adult Christmas Mass Dec 25: 8am Christmas Day for everyone
PATERSON CLARENCE TOWN Dec 21: 7pm Christmas Carols, St Andrew's Seaham Dec 24: 6pm Christmas Eve, St John's Glen William; 8pm Christmas Eve, St Barnabas' Booral Dec 25: 7.45am Christmas Day, St Columba's Karuah; 9.30am Christmas Day, St Andrew's Seaham DUNGOG Dec 21: 6.30pm Blue Christmas service, Christ Church Dungog Dec 24: 6pm Children's Crib service, Christ Church Dungog; 8pm Christmas Eucharist, St Peter's, Bendolba; 11pm Midnight Mass, Christ Church Dungog Dec 25: 9am Family Christmas Eucharist, Christ Church Dungog
GRESFORD/PATERSON
Dec 24: 7.30pm Holy Eucharist, St Mary's on Allyn Allynbrook; 11.30pm Midnight mass, St Paul's Paterson Dec 25: 8.30am Holy Eucharist, St Paul's Paterson, 10.30am Holy Eucharist, St Anne's Gresford
NELSON BAY Dec 7: 10am Early Christmas Holy Communion especially for residents of the local aged care facilities and those who might not have the opportunity to come to church at Christmas Dec 19: 7.07pm Christmas Carol Service - traditional service with all your favourite carols Dec 24: 6pm Fancy Dress Christmas Birthday Party - Adults and children are invited to attend in their favourite fancy dress costume; 11.30pm Christmas Midnight Communion Dec 25: 8am Family service; 10am a great way to start the celebrations RAYMOND TERRACE Dec 18: 6pm Carols in Word and Music Dec 24: 6pm Family Service; 11.30 Midnight Mass and blessing of the crib Dec 25: 9am Sung High Christmass STOCKTON Dec 24: 11.30pm Christmas eve Dec 25: 8.30am Christmas morning STROUD Dec 18: 5pm From Advent to Christmass - Family Service Lessons and Carols, Supper to follow Dec 24: 10pm Carols; 10.30pm Christmass Night Mass Dec 25: 9am Eucharist and Carols WILLIAMTOWN/MEDOWIE/ MALLABULA Dec 25: 8am St Saviour's Williamtown
Dec 24: 6pm Family Christmas Celebration, St Alban's Muswellbrook; 11.15pm Carols Singing, St Alban's Muswellbrook; 11.30pm Midnight Mass, St Alban's Muswellbrook Dec 25: 7am Holy Communion, St Mark's Aberdeen; 8.30am Holy Communion, St Alban's Muswellbrook; 10.30am Holy Communion, St Paul's Spring Creek SCONE Dec 3: 7pm Blue Christmas for those who find Christmas hard, St Luke's Scone Dec 11: 11.15am Christmas Communion, St Jude's Bunnan Dec 18: 11.15am Christmas Communion, St Matthew's Gundy Dec 24: 5.30pm Families together at Christmas - short child focused service with drinks and biscuits afterwards, St Luke's; 7.30pm Family Communion, St Luke's; 11pm Midnight communion, St Luke's Dec 25: 8am Christmas Communion, St Luke's SINGLETON Dec 2: 7.30pm Carol Service – combined Warkworth & Jerry's Plains, St Philip's Warkworth Dec 5: 7pm Carol Service, Church of the Good Shepherd Belford Dec 11: 4pm Carol Service, St John the Baptist Reedy Creek; 7pm Carol Service, St Andrew's Broke Dec 15: 6pm Rotary Carol Service, All Saints' Church Singleton Dec 20: 7pm Carol Service, St Columba Goorangoola Dec 24: 5.30pm Family Service, All Saints' Singleton; 10.30pm Church Carols, All Saints' Singleton; 11pm Midnight Mass, All Saints' Singleton Dec 25: 8am All Saints' Singleton; 9.30am All Saints' Singleton; 11am Samaritans Christmas Lunch, Singleton Senior Citizens' Centre Bathurst Street
UPPER HUNTER DENMAN Dec 18: 2pm St Martin's Martindale Dec 24: 6pm St Mark's Wybong; 11:15pm with carol singing, St Matthias Denman; 11:30pm service, St Matthias Denman Dec 25: 8:30am St Matthias Denman; 10:30am St Matthew's Mt Dangar; TBA St Luke's Widden Valley Christmas service MURRURUNDI Dec 17: 5.30pm Blue Christmas Service Dec 24: 7.30pm Family Eucharist Dec 25: 9am Holy Eucharist; Parish lunch with the community (open to all who will be alone) MUSWELLBROOK Dec 18: 8.30am Holy Communion, St Alban's Muswellbrook; 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mark's Aberdeen; 4pm Messy Church, St Alban's Parish Hall
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Christmas
Puzzle Special
BY THE REV'D JUDY WALSH ANGLICAN PARISH OF CESSNOCK
Christmas Singing
ACROSS 2 The stable was his… 4 He stayed with Mary 6 He came to bring 8 On Christmas night all of them sing 10 The little town 12 …ago the prophets knew 15 Mine eyes have seen the...
16 Hark they sing 18 They are lowing 19 The night was quiet DOWN 1 Born in the night (5,5) 2 They ring, ring, ring. 3 He came to dispel this
5 The ... followed it 7 O come all ye ones 8 we see them burning in a ring 9 They watched their flocks 11 The child was there 13 We three kings are from there 14 The angel did sing 17 ...us for heaven to live with You there
ANSWER TO LAST MONTH'S PUZZLE: HEBREW AND CHRISTIAN WOMEN 30
As We Prepare for Christmas
1. Who was the mother of Jesus? 2. One of the gifts the wise men from the East brought to the baby Jesus? 3. In the hometown of which early King was Jesus born?
4. Where did the angel appear from? 5. Where did Mary lay the baby Jesus? 6. Jesus came to bring peace to where
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Heralding New Life 2016 CHRISTMAS APPEAL
The impending birth of a new child fills many new parents with a mixture of terror and awe. A fragile new life enters the world, heralded by cries and wails as fresh air fills lungs for the first time. Every birth offers a sense of uncertainty and hope, as new life struggles to gain a foothold in the world away from the womb. In many developing countries the hope of new birth is mingled with fear; fear that the baby or mother won’t survive, fear of some complications for the mother and child. For many this fear is part of everyday life, especially in countries with high maternal and infant mortality rates. This Christmas, please consider the work of our partner in north Kenya, the Anglican Church of Kenya, as they work with remote Maasai communities. Your support will help them to create safe, practical, dignified and clean environments for giving birth that enable women and babies in remote communities more access to life-saving care. We invite you to support us as we herald new life and prepare a clean and safe birth for Maasai children.
Anglican Overseas Aid is a member of
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HOW TO DONATE 1 Online: www.anglicanoverseasaid.org.au
2 By phone: 1800 249 880
3 By post: Christmas Appeal 2015 Anglican Overseas Aid PO Box 389, Abbotsford Vic 3067 Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible Anglicord: ABN 39 116 072 050