September 07th, 2018

Our Mission

Dear Friends,

My mind has been on mission beyond the parish this week.  On Wednesday we hosted a lunch for the Bush Church Aid Society, which was attended by about 33 people, with a number coming from other parishes. Many of our people contributed by making soup, which was followed by a wild array of sandwiches and then cakes and slice with tea and coffee.  Thanks to everybody who supported the occasion.

The speaker was Topher Hallyburton who works in Darwin teaching religious education in schools and building a team of volunteers to support the work. Topher is supported by Buch Church Aid (and us via our support), Scripture Union and the Anglican Church in the Northern Territory. He quickly won us over with one person offering to go there for a short time to support his ministry.

Moving to another mission agency now, the Church Missionary Society, we must remember to pray for Andrew and Dominique Gifford and their family as they relocate back to Melbourne next month following ten years in Barcelona, Spain. When Andrew finishes his deputation for CMS he will be seeking a parish in the Diocese of Melbourne in which to settle and minister. Pray also for those they have ministered amongst as they grief the loss of their minister and ponder their future.

And whilst writing about CMS let me tell you that Margie and I have registered to attend the CMS summer school known as Summer Under the Son.  This will be held in January at Syndal Baptist Church and will feature the Giffords.  It is a great programme and I would encourage you to attend with us.

Over the weekend I attended some of the Anglican Future Conference at Southbank. The theme was Grace and Truth in Uncertain Times. I was particularly keen to hear Rev’d Frog Orr-Ewing whose church (All Saints) Margie and I visited in Peckham, South London, a few years ago. A couple from our times in Tanzania are now members of the congregation there.

And whilst we look beyond the parish, next Sunday our speaker will be Karyn Doyle who is the CEO of BayCISS [Bayside Community Information and Support Service], an agency to which we send groceries and which is heavily supported by our Op Shop.  Come and hear the message she has for us.

All of these agencies need our support – financial, prayerful and commitment to be involved.

Blessings,

Philip