Author Archives: Jan Harper

Footy Fever is over for many now, and spring weather is here to be enjoyed in the big outdoors.  The BBQ will be on tomorrow outside the Anglican Function Centre during the monthly Boot and Cottage Crafts Sale.  Set up is from 2.00 pm today, and pack up after midday Saturday, new helpers always much appreciated and bring your friends along to find a bargain on Saturday.

During September there is the “Go for Gold “ mission project, where people are invited to place gold coins on the gold ribbons along the front pews to raise money for Anglican Board of Mission. There is still also “Elijah’s Jar” inside the front door for small change donations for a project in India. Our prayers have been requested by John Steele for God’s desired result from the elections in India in 2019.

Our new Rector Peter will on Sunday baptise a child into the kingdom of the Family of God at the 9.30 am service.

Later, at 5:00pm in the Function Centre, Jeannette will be bringing some new and exciting songs to Café Church.  Everyone is welcome.

Next Wednesday after the 11.00 am service the Mothers ’ Union will meet in the function centre for a cuppa and meeting.

Later it will be BYO lunch to “WAGS”, the Wednesday activity for anyone interested in having a laugh and a chat, playing cards or board games, knitting or reading magazines. All is provided, including tea and coffee, for a $2.00 coin in the tin. Everyone welcome.

Please note on September 30 our main service will be at the Pioneer Settlement Chapel at 11:00am

Last Sunday we welcomed visitors from Mildura to the 9.30am service.  It was good to hear the singing from the congregation in the absence of three of our four in the music group.  Great to have Jeannette giving a strong lead from the “Front Stalls “, much appreciated.  New musicians and singers are always welcome to join for practice at 4.00pm each Thursday.

Our Rector Peter began his six week study on the epistle of James, and encouraged us to read this short ( four chapter) letter during the coming weeks.

Tonight there will be the Ultima Evening Fellowship at 7.30 pm at Wayne and Lois Pryor’s home.

Tomorrow the fortnightly Anglican service at Alcheringa is at 10.30 am and residents’ visitors are always welcome to join them there.

On Sunday there will be a 9.30 am service at Nyah West in addition to the usual 9.30 am Eucharist in Swan Hill.  From 9.20 am come and sing the pre-service ‘warm-ups’ to prepare for worship.

On Sunday 16^th at 5.00pm join the regulars at Café Church in the Function Centre, all welcome.

In May 2019  the Bush Church Aid ministry will celebrate 100 years of service in rural and isolated communities.  Plans are underway to make special recognition of this centenary and its wonderful servants of the Lord.

Orders are being taken for the lovely church calendars for 2019, the list is in the porch.

For this month, having five Sundays, we will have the one service for the Parish on Sunday 30^th at the Pioneer Settlement church.  Add it to the diary, also ahead on Sunday 28^th October there will be the charity concert and music scholarship awards

Lovely to see the children at work making Fathers’ Day cards.  Do the kids also learn about Jesus teaching his followers to talk to their Father in heaven, i.e. pray?  Thanks to all Chaplains and teachers of Christian Education in our schools who bring his words of unselfish love and care.

There’s a handy saying for someone distracted by outside things causing worry.  It’s to say to the peace –breakers,  “ Go away and don’t interrupt me just now, I’m talking to my Father.”  A good prayer this weekend would be for all those who have lost a father, especially young children, or are experiencing separation  from parents of either gender.

As we begin the new month, our Rector Peter will be teaching from the letter of James, whose note to the followers was definite in his statement that Faith without Works is empty.

Not enough to eat? Don’t say “Poor things.”  Ensure that they will have food, with your practical help and prayers.  The Good Samaritan was the perfect illustration of good works when people of “Faith” walked on.  Australians in the main are generous, but there is much to be addressed by the incoming Government.

Our new Rector Peter Blundell and his wife Jeannette have hit the ground running since Peter’s Induction last Friday evening into the Anglican Parish of Christ Church. A large attendance of visiting clergy included local representatives from the Roman Catholic and Uniting Church, and Swan Hill’s Mayor, Councillor Les Mc Phee, all extending a warm welcome together with the church family.

Peter celebrated the Eucharist at Alcheringa on Saturday , taking time afterwards to greet each resident.

On Sunday he thanked Denis and Helen for their interim ministry before they left for a well -deserved holiday.

Tuesday brought Wardens’ and Parish Council meetings, and planning with the music group.

Wednesday brought him to the 10 am service and an opportunity to meet at lunch with the WAG weekly activities group.

Tomorrow he will witness the monthly Craft and Boot Sale, and hopefully enjoy some rest before Sunday 9.30am and 5.00pm, when Don and Declan will host Café Church in the Foyer.

At 7.30pm tonight the Parish family will be rejoicing as Bishop Matt inducts Rev’d  Peter Blundell as our new Rector.  Parishioners will present Peter with the emblems of his calling, and pray for him and Jeanette to have a fruitful ministry among God’s people in Swan Hill.  People will have opportunity to meet and greet them in the Function Centre after the service, and are asked to bring a plate of food to share.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30 am Denis will introduce Peter to the residents at Alcheringa for their worship service, and at 9.30 am on Sunday 12^th August  everyone will again be able to meet and greet after the Eucharist for morning tea.

Last Sunday Bishop Andrew was our final “supply” priest to Swan Hill and promised future visits from him and his wife Jan.  He gently reminded us that the Greeting of Peace was not an opportunity to stop for a chat, but for an exchange of God’s peace to each other.  He quickly had us back ready to sing the offertory with great enthusiasm. The chats were deferred until morning tea in the foyer !

During this past week, the “ Wednesday Activities Group “ ( WAGS ) had another great time between 11.30 am and 3.00 pm.  People played Chess, Euchre, Checkers, etc while some knitted and crocheted or read magazines.  Open every Wednesday. Men and women all welcome, BYO lunch, $2.00 for tea and coffee.

On Thursday some members of Mothers’ Union celebrated Mary Sumner Day in honour of MU founder.  Appropriately they had morning tea in the 19^th century environment at the Pioneer Settlement, albeit in the 20^th century “Paragon Café”.  Next Wednesday the  MU meeting will follow the 10 am morning service before welcoming the WAGS to the foyer with their lunch.