Author Archives: Jan Harper

Last Sunday the parish family was wonderfully fed, first with the 11.00 am Eucharist, then at the shared luncheon in the Parish Function Centre. As usual  there, an abundance of ‘hospitality food’ , then all settled back joined by many visitors for the afternoon highlight, the Fashion Parade. Garments from Nyah West Op Shop were displayed around the room while models paraded special selections which were  all available at bargain prices.  Afternoon tea followed for any who ( like Oliver) may still have wanted more  after the  lunchtime feast, also  those who had come later. Congratulations and thanks to all who enabled this happy and successful event.

Next Sunday Bishop Andrew Curnow returns as celebrant at 9.30 am, and the next Big Event will take place in the church next

Friday, 10^th August, when Bishop Matt will visit for the Induction of  Rev’d Peter Blundell as Rector of the Anglican Parish of Swan Hill, Peter’s first service will be on Sunday 12^th August.  We pray that all who have been associated with the  “ Church on the ( Swan ) Hill,” and all who may feel prompted to return, will rejoin the parish family as we begin a fresh journey in the closing weeks of winter, and refresh in the Spirit with spring.

For any who are looking for  mid week  company, please feel welcome to look in on the Wednesday Activity people.  BYO lunch from 11.30 am, $2.00 for tea and coffee. Board games, learn to play cards, scrabble, checkers etc, all available.  Some may like to read,( magazines and books are available,) or bring handcrafts. Both men and women are welcome.  Open every Wednesday between 11.30 am and 3.00 pm in the Anglican Function Centre on Splatt Street.

Alcheringa service is at 10.30 tomorrow, and on Sunday it will be the fifth Sunday of July, so a special event has been planned.

Please note there will be only one service in the Parish at Swan Hill.This will be at 11.00 am, followed by a bring and share lunch.  Then the big presentation of a special Fashion Parade will entertain us.  This is courtesy of the wonderful volunteers at the Nyah West Op Shop, who have chosen outfits from stock,  coordinated by Op Shop manager Marg Crilly, and  all of which are for sale at bargain prices. All welcome. The selection of garments has been  matched to fit the delightful models, male and female.

Often staged at the Nyah West Senior Citizens rooms, and a huge success, this year (as last year), it will be presented in the Anglican Function Centre, allowing room for luncheon tables and parade space.

The Centre has been busy over the last week especially with the Saturday night dinner for the 80  Vintage Car Club members, entertained on arrival by the Swan Hill  Ukulele Group and later by “Pipe and String.”

On Sunday a large and joyous  congregation celebrated a Baptism. Mothers’ Union Diocesan President Leone Tress presented a gift to his parents, and a special cake was cut to share at morning tea.

Café Church on Sunday evening was well attended despite the cold, as people shared soup and rolls and asked many questions of Charlotte, the Guest speaker telling of her Singapore visit awarded to students responding to the topic “Spirit of Anzac.”

When our new Rector is inducted to the Parish of Swan Hill on August 10^th he will certainly be impressed by the strength of the Spirit throughout the Parish.

Last weekend we were privileged to hear first hand from the charismatic Asit Samuel, currently visiting the Diocese of Bendigo.  Asit has for 32 years worked for, and is currently National Director, of East India Bible Literature.  He served in Kolkata for 14 years through Compassion India, catering for nearly 70,000 children in need.

The money from “Elijah’s Jar “  through the Diocese of Bendigo supports the Sarah Children’s Home in Guntur, Andhra  Pradesh, of which Asit is Administrator.  However the purpose of his visit was to speak about the plight of Christians in Northern India which in the 10 years since the beginning of the persecution in 2008 has been decimating the small farming villages . The Santals are the largest tribal group, over 10 million being the lowest in the caste system, and already 40,000 have been displaced with unknown numbers of families massacred.  India, holding within its 26 states one third of the world’s population, is the seventh most dangerous country now for Christians.  With elections in 2019 we are entreated to pray for India’s incoming Government to halt the genocide of all non- Hindu people.

On a happier note, the Café Church team is ready for Sunday night at 5.00 pm with a welcome cuppa and nibbles. A special treat will be a talk by Charlotte Baker, whose award winning essay on the significance of Anzac Day resulted in an experience she will  share prior to the meal at 6.00 pm.  First time visitors will be warmly welcomed by the regulars, so come and grab a table.

Last Sunday Bishop Jeremy Ashton was our celebrant and preacher, capturing everyone’s  attention by referring to the ‘sandwich’ miracles of Jesus.  The gospel reading from Mark 5 :  21-43 tells of the faith of two very different people.

Firstly, a leader of the synagogue begged Jesus to save his daughter, who was twelve years old and at the point of death.  At the same time, a woman who had suffered bleeding for twelve years was among the crowd following Jesus to the man’s home.  In Jesus ’ time, women were ritually unclean and isolated from society until purified, so this sad woman had been shunned for twelve years, despite spending all she had on physicians. She believed if she could just touch Jesus’  cloak she would be healed.

Despite the crowd pressing around him, Jesus felt power going forth from him and asked “ Who touched me ?”  The woman, falling down before him knew immediately she had been healed.  Jesus said  “ Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your disease.”

Finally another crowd of ritual mourners came to meet the official , telling him his daughter was dead, so not to trouble the “ Teacher.” Jesus was not put off by the commotion of loud wailing and weeping, instead took  three disciples,  Peter, James and John, and the girl’s parents, into the child’s room, took her hand and said “ Little girl,  get up.”  She immediately did so and began to walk about. He told the parents to give her something to eat.

We were reminded that Jesus ate fish with those same disciples after his own death and resurrection.

Six months of an intensive prayer request from the parish family of Swan Hill and District has been blessed with a letter from Bishop Matt in Bendigo, announcing his appointment of a new priest to be our ‘Shepherd into the future.’  Matt writes:

“ Dear Friends, I am very pleased to announce that the Rev’d Peter Blundell has accepted my offer to become the Rector of the Parish of Swan Hill. Peter and his wife Jeanette will be moving into Swan Hill early in August and I look forward to inducting Peter into this ministry on Friday 10^th August.”

The full text of the Bishop’s letter will be printed in the pew bulletin this week.

Last Sunday Café Church presented a great fun exercise crafted around the concept of how our eyes can deceive us.  In the first book of Samuel, 15: 34 – 16:13,  we read that a son of Jesse had been chosen by the Lord to be the next King of Israel.  The eldest looked the part, but was not the chosen. All seven sons of Jesse were brought before Samuel, and all were rejected.  Finally the youngest was brought in from tending his father’s sheep, and the Lord told Samuel to anoint this boy, David, as king.  What is perceived as least likely to human eyes can always be recognised by God through the truth within the heart.

On Sunday night nine photos were passed around for everyone to examine  in turn.  The hidden ‘message’ or image was not always apparent even after long scrutiny, and there were several surprise revelations.  People who profess to be Christian need to take note of this, appearances can be deceptive.