DIOCESE NEWS
Diocese Evangelism and Mission Commission (DEMC)
In 2019 His Holiness Pope Tawadros II put into place a committee headed by V Rev Fr Mark Attalla to oversee all the missionary activities of the Diocese. The Diocese Management Committee (DMC) has now formalised these arrangements and created the Diocese Evangelism and Mission Commission (DEMC) to plan, coordinate and manage all evangelism and mission activities for the Diocese. In so doing, the DEMC will enhance and further the Diocese’s vision of taking our Lord Jesus Christ to all people.
The DEMC will soon launch a dedicated website, missionary training programs and catechism material. Please be on the lookout for these.
Parishes in the Diocese are asked to contact the DEMC at demc@melbcopts.org.au before planning any evangelism or missionary activities so all activities can be coordinated and all missions from the Diocese are probably equipped. All parishioners in the Diocese are also asked to contact the DEMC before inviting other missionary organisations into the Diocese to avoid any miscommunication. The aim is not to prevent the good work of other organisation, but to coordinate and provide one point of contact for such activities. Parishes are encouraged to continue on with their local missionary work which will now be supported by the material and training the DEMC will provide.
Individuals interested in joining missionary activities are also encouraged to contact the DEMC to assist in training and placement. Individuals who have joined missions outside of the Diocese are also asked to contact the DEMC for assistance with debriefing and support on their return, as sometimes missionary activities can be confronting.
Thecooperationofallparishesandparishionerswith thisinitiativeisgreatlyappreciatedandabsolutelynecessary as evangelism and missionary activities of the Diocese grow.
May the word of the Lord grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed in the holy Church of God. Amen.
V Rev Fr Daniel Ghabrial
Vivar General
Diocese of Melbourne & Affiliated Regions
On behalf of the diocese Management Committee
This year’s competition is about St Stephen the martyr (Book of Acts: chapters 6,7). He is a great biblical martyr remembered by our Coptic Church in the commemoration of saints in the St Basil’s Liturgy, just after Saint Mary the mother of God and St John the Baptist You will find here, every week, a hint of his character besides few questions. You will also find the competition in the Facebook and in St Athanasius’s Church, Melbourne Website (stathanasius.org.au). Asking for his blessing and intercession for all, especially as we are continuing to complete the construction of the church in his name at St Athanasius Church, Donvale. (The answer can be sent weekly or at the end of the competition by email to: <frantonious@gmail.com> or by post to 100 Park Rd, Donvale, VIC 3111
FIFTH WEEK
Saint John Chrysostom says, "Consider that among the seven deacons there was one who is supreme, and he received the first reward." St. Stephen led the first movement against the deadly letter and the narrow Jewish concepts to the glorious liberty of God's children of the New Testament and he opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, so that they would not abide by the yoke of the law, which the Fathers and the Apostoles could not bear (Acts 15:10).
The glorious defence of St. Stephen in front of the Sanhedrin Synagogue can be divided into 3 sections. Section I:
+ He did not blaspheme God. Rather, he gives Him all the glory. Write the verse
+He did not blaspheme Moses but honoured him. )Write 5 verses( ......................................................................................,
+ He did not blaspheme the law. ) Write two verses)
+ He did not blaspheme the temple. (Write the verse) ...................................................................................................................
Section Two:
+ Moses has not had the final word in salvation. He followed previous announcements. (write the verse)
He himself promised the coming of the awaited Messiah. (Write the verse) .........................................................................
+ Nor was the temple and its sacrifices final either. It came after the Tabernacle and is not the final house of God, Who is the Lord of the whole universe. (Write three verses that he quoted)
St. Macarius the Great 27 Baramhat – 5 April