Author Archives: Jan Harper

“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.

Originally from Melbourne, Peter and Jeanette have ministered in a variety of settings and come to Swan Hill with a wealth of experience. I have known them both for almost a decade and love their focus on Jesus, their desire to see all the people of God take part in ministry and their willingness to serve rural, regional and remote Australia. They will both be a great addition to our Diocesan family.

I want to thank the Rev’d Denis Gell for his selfless and dedicated ministry as locum during the interregnum. I have been impressed at Denis’ care for you and his wise work. I know that Peter and Denis look forward to working together.

Your servant in Christ,

+Matt”

All hands on deck for the July boot Sale and Cottage Crafts tomorrow, set up at 2.00 pm today, pack up at 12.00 pm tomorrow. Sausage sizzle and morning tea available, “Scones for  Missions” on sale also.

Last Sunday Fr Gary Fordham returned for his monthly ‘supply ministry’ service, and as usual introduced some variety into the regular prayers with the singing of the Creed to the tune of  “Ode to Joy” and the Lord’s prayer to “ Auld Lang Syne.”

Several members of the congregation were presented with Certificates from their day of training for  Safe Churches which took place last Saturday, and was well attended with representatives from various churches and hosted by the Church of Christ at the Grain Shed.

This Sunday at 5.00 pm there will be the monthly ‘Happy Hour” from 5.00 pm at Café Church in the Function Centre. Families are encouraged to come along for a meal together and share activities planned by the Youth Ministry leaders.

Parish Council has asked for ideas for forward planning in the parish program, and several recommendations came from the planning meeting chaired by Bishop Andrew. A list will  be drawn up for further ‘fine tuning’ to be considered.

As always a visit from Bishop Andrew Curnow gives us plenty of matters to chew on, with many parishes combining services due to fewer available clergy, and no Rector for Swan Hill as yet.  Hopefully everyone is petitioning for this in the daily prayers ?

We are fortunate to have Rev. Denis’s ministry, and Lay Readers who support him.

Several from Swan Hill attended the workshop hosted at the Grain Shed last Saturday for the “Safe Churches” accreditation.

Bp  Andrew was pleased to see a good turnout for the Planning Meeting which followed the 9.30 am Sunday  service.  Lots of ideas were put forward to be considered, and will later be drawn up into an agreed timetable.  All who offer suggestions should be prepared to run the event with a few assistants so no one has too big a task.

This Sunday we will have Fr Gary Fordham as our celebrant,  so visitors and locals should be on notice to  be prepared to  sing the Apostles’ Creed ( T.  Ode to Joy )  and the Lord’s Prayer ( T.  Auld Lang Syne ) for variety in the service!

There will be a 10.30 am service at Alcheringa tomorrow, and on Sunday Nyah West will have Morning Prayer at 9.30 am.

Thanks to all who brought along supplies for Pantry Day last week, which can still be left at the office any week morning.  Thanks too for those who took their scissors to the “Cut Up Day” last Friday, and items for the OP Shop at Nyah West.

The first day of winter has arrived, and a planning session for the next six months’ activities will take place in the function centre after the 9.30 am service this Sunday.  Bishop Andrew makes another return visit to the parish to celebrate the Eucharist and participate in the meeting following.  People are asked to come with ideas to share, or if unable to attend, to leave notes at the office today for inclusion in the discussion.

Perhaps some of the new people in the congregation may consider forming a committee to re- introduce community functions such as the Art Show. Bishop Andrew is still liaising with Bishop Matt over the supply of relieving clergy, and it would help in reinforcing our parish prayers for a new Rector if he could report that Swan Hill has the enthusiasm for extended outreach into the community.

For those who haven’t been back to the church for a while, do come in any morning and get a feel for the friendly atmosphere.

Perhaps go into the Chapel for a quiet time, or the Memorial garden courtyard. Trace the history of the names and dates of all the serving priests  at our Anglican Christ Church, which are embroidered on the tapestry cushion kneelers, along with those showing the first few notes of favourite hymns chosen by the former children’s choir, and other Christian symbols

All last weekend’s events went off as successfully as did the Royal Wedding, due to good weather.

The Boot Sale maintained its usual great result, Café Church at Lake Boga was a well- received new experience, and the  Variety Concert in the Church resulted in donations of $365.00 for Chaplaincy in schools.

Don, John and Joan received birthday blessings and sweets at the 9.30 service, and at least thirty people stayed after the 2.00 pm concert to enjoy afternoon tea in the warmth of the function centre . The church seating was decorated with red ribbons, and lights sparkled in a clever representation of “Holy Fire” as we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, marking the actual “Birthday of the Christian Church”, when after Jesus’ ascension the Holy Spirit was sent as the promised Baptism of Fire, to empower the disciples of the Messiah to bring his message of love throughout the known world.

Those who watched the Royal Wedding may have wondered why it took Bishop Michael Curry 13 minutes to say “All you need is Love”,  the gospel message from 2000 years ago, repeated through the ages,( also famously by the Beatles.)  Shout if you must, Bishop Michael, but until deaf ears are prepared to listen to the ‘still, small voice of God”, evil will reign.

Tomorrow there will be a service at 10.30 am at “Alcheringa.”

On Sunday the mystery of the Trinity will puzzle us again, in the simplicity of the Creator Spirit (AKA God), his human manifestation,  (AKA Jesus the Messiah) and his empowering essence ,( AKA the Holy Spirit of God.) These are the three aspects of the one Being.  Jesus said  “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” But he also said “Blessed are those who believe, yet have not seen.”