Author Archives: Jan Harper

Around the Churches (The Guardian, Swan Hill)

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Art Show display at the Swan Hill Information CentreThanks to the crew who rallied around Les to run  the Boot Sale in Ron’s absence.
Next week brings the big task of preparing the church and function centre for our 39th Anglican Art Exhibition.
Please add names to rosters in the porch for people offering assistance on the door, in the kitchen  etc. until closing on June 1st.
 Last Sunday we had the great joy of seeing our three clergy in the sanctuary for  the Eucharist,
and were moved by Jan’s presentation on  “Stones” as a reflection on the stoning of Stephen,
and his echoing of Christ’s words of forgiveness from the cross.
 
At 2.00 pm many drove to Moonah Crt for the Blessing of the Rectory.
Each room was dedicated to its purpose by Denis and Robyn.
Later on, parishioners and friends shared afternoon tea with Jan in the courtyard of the lovely garden,
established by Jan’s predecessor, Rev’d Graham Snell and wife Robyn.
 
Photos of the Ordination service and the Blessing of the Rectory have been posted on the church website for all to enjoy.
http://www.anglicanswanhill.com.au/?p=360
 
Our pew bulletin features a special prayer for the protection and safe return of the Nigerian schoolgirls.
We farewelled Nina Kaylock at a special memorial service here last Friday.
The funeral of another former parishioner, Betty Bone, was held in Colac on May 21st.
 The ABM rally took place at St Arnaud the following day.
Mission boxes are now due to be emptied and handed in to Joan B. or the office, also used stamps.
Remember to feed Elijah’s Jar with spare change for John Steel’s school in  Myanmar.
 
From Joan Mellahn for the Anglican Parish, Swan Hill.

House Blessing

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Rev’d Denis and Rev’d Robyn blessed the rectory beautifully this afternoon.  Some visitors circled the Tower Hill development for some time before finally spotting Moonah Court.  It is a bit like a rabbit warren and the entrance is easy to miss.  We had just the right sized crowd.  Here is the service used for the blessing.
H Bless1
 
Today we seek God’s blessing as we gather with thankfulness to bless and dedicate this dwelling of the Rectory of the Parish of Swan Hill
Peace be to this house and all who enter here.
 
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.  (Proverbs 24: 3-4)
 
A candle is lighted.
 
You are a light for the whole world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on a lamp stand, where it gives light for everyone in the house.  In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5.14-16)
 
O God as this candle gives light to this home and banishes dark shadows, so enable those who dwell here to be your light in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
 
Water is poured into the bowl.
 
The water I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life. (John 4.14)
 
H Bless2Let the water sprinkled today O God, remind us of your living water that fills us, and satisfies us and flows on out to many: through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
 
At the Entrance
The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth and forevermore.  (Psalm 121.8)
 
Oh God, protect and guide those who live here, their going out and their coming in; and let them share the hospitality of this home with all who visit, that those who enter here may know your love and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
H Bless3
In the Study
Give instruction to the wise and they will be still wiser; teach the righteous and they will increase in learning. (Proverbs 9.9)
 
O God you are the teacher who leads us to all truth.  Grant that those who study and learn may use knowledge in accordance with your will, to bring peace and healing to all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
H Bless5
In the Living Area
I give you a new commandment: love one another, as I have loved you, so you are to love one another.  If there is this love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples. (John 13.34-45)
 
O God, be present with those who come here for fellowship and recreation, that they may be renewed and refreshed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
H Bless4 
At the Stove
I will send you corn and new wine, and oil, and you shall have your fill.  Rejoice and be glad in the Lord your God. (Joel.19, 23)
 
O God, you fill the hungry with good things.  Send your blessings upon those who work in this kitchen, and make us all ever thankful for our daily bread; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
At the DiH Bless6ning Table
The eyes of all wait upon you O Lord, and you give them their food in due season.  (Psalm 1.45.16)
 
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and drink to sustain us in our lives and make our hearts glad.  Help us to be grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
 H Bless7
At the bedroom
I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; for only you Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4.8)
 
Guide us in waking, O Lord and guard us in sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
 
At the Bathroom
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1.9)
 
As the soap and the water cleanse and restore us at the end of a busy day let us be reminded that your spiritual cleansing and healing O God, are available, for us and for all, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
In the Courtyard
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of H Bless9water, whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58.11)
 
Oh God your son Jesus prayed in the garden, and was inspired to use its wisdom to teach us, in the pruning and the grafting and the sowing, in the vine and the fig, and in the mustard seed.  May we also take time to receive your inspiration in the garden; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 H Bless10
Conclusion (at the back door)
The effect of righteousness will be peace and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.  My people will abide in peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32.17-18)
 
I bless this house and those who live here with your gracious presence, that your love may be their inspiration, your wisdom their guide, your truth their light and your peace their benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 H Bless12
Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.  Amen
 
O Lord, watch over our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and forever more.  Amen
 
Thank you to everone who contributed or joined in the fun.
Jan

Ordination

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???????????????????????????????There was standing room only last Saturday when Denis and Robyn were ordained into the priesthood by Bishop Andrew, on the Saints day of St Philip and St James. All the beauty of praise and worship began with the procession of white robed visiting clergy, many of them women, and  three Bishops.

Many clerical collars were also noted among the congregation. The “Welcome to Country” was  extended, then the haunting notes of the didgeridoo.It was special also to hear the choir of voices singing the “Venite Spiritus “, Come Holy Spirit, to the solo voice of the oboe.???????????????????????????????

???????????????????????????????The procession exited in reverse order, finally with the Bishop leading the hand clapping chorus of celebration and thanksgiving. At the luncheon following, it was wonderful to catch up with so many former clergy and parishioners, many of whom were able to attend the Sunday service as well.

There were several from interstate, but the most distant travellers were from the U.K,. being Denis and Helen’s daughter Megan with baby Edward . Some famous faces in the crowd were Rev’ds Wendy Pullin, Heather Blackman, Gary Fordham, Ron White, and Mike Vercoe. Among the former parishioners were Alan and Maree Pegg, Jenny and Jim Mitchell and Neil Buller. ???????????????????????????????Many of the visiting clergy had been wonderful men and women serving our parish as locums over the two years of  vacancy until we were blessed with our new Rector, Jan Harper.

On Sunday Denis presided over his first Eucharist, a great moment after a journey of forty years, but not in the wilderness by any means!     Joan Mellahn

Ordination Gallery

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Ord Clergy6

A friend sews additions to Robyn's stole

A friend sews additions to Robyn’s stole

Ord Welcome4??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Ordination??????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Ordination

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St PhilipAt 11am on Saturday 3rd of May, the feast day of Philip and James, Apostles & Martyrs, Rev’d Robyn Davis and Rev’d Denis Gell will be ordained priests by Rt Rev’d Andrew Curnow, Bishop of Bendigo.

Open invitation to all to attend service & following luncheon.

The ordination will take place at Christ Church Swan Hill, corner of Splatt and McCallum streets.

We hold them in our prayer as they prepare for this new phase of their ministry.  We give thanks for their faith and gifts and the gentle and unique people they are.  We pray for their families and loved ones, and safe travelling for all who will be attending the great occasion. Their retreat begins Thursday evening.