Maitland Parish Celebrates 180 Years
A wonderful celebration was held at Maitland on Sunday 23 September to recognise 180 Years for Maitland Anglican Parish. The anniversary was celebrated with a special thanksgiving service and a high tea held on the site of the original St Mary’s church.
Spring into Shirley’s Garden Party a success at Merriwa
The music was enchanting, the food magnificent and the garden flowers were bursting with colour, as hordes of visitors descended upon a local Merriwa home garden for the “Spring into Shirley’s Garden Party” at the weekend. Organised by the Anglican Garden Party Group of Merriwa, visitors were full of respect for Shirley Hayes’ home horticultural skills as the crowd admired her manicured lawns and expertly trimmed plants and trees. Ms Hayes chose to share her love of gardening with all those attending to help raise money for the Merriwa Anglican Church.
Merriwa Anglican Parish treasurer Allen Reed explained that almost $100,000 was required each year to help the church maintain a presence in Merriwa. “We have a paid, part-time Minister, Reverend Pam Fraser, as well as Reverend Pat Kirkby who is unpaid and also works part-time,” he said. “However, besides helping to pay for our Reverend’s presence, there are also other costs involved like all the different insurances, as well as repairs and maintenance on our old church and hall. So, we try to raise funds through the community to keep the church going in Merriwa.”
Fellow Anglican Parishioner Deidre Peebles explained further: “A lot of people don’t realise that the Merriwa Anglican Church is a rallying point where people can meet and perform unpaid community work”. Mrs Jenny Finney agreed. “Without our church, some of the work currently performed by our volunteers in the community would stop,” she said. “The community benefits by having religious education in schools, a Reverend able to assist with funerals and other services, aged care visits to homes and to the hostel and provision of food parcels to people doing it tough. Yes, we are raising funds to help keep our church doors open,” Ms Peebles also reiterated. “But, it’s primarily because we need a community focal point where like-minded people can meet to help work for others in our community.”
Bulahdelah/Tea Gardens Support Bush Church Aid
The Bulahdelah/Tea Gardens Parish are excited about sending a mission team to minister at Broken Hill from October 5th-13th. The team will work with Bush Church Aid Society Aboriginal field staff Jack and Lil Harradine who are stationed there. Amongst other things, the team will be leading a church service, a children’s mission, a family games night, a women’s dinner and an outreach Barbecue at Wilcannia. Gwen Adkins will be leading the team with backup from the parish who will be gathering to pray for the Broken Hill community each day leading up to and during each day of the mission.
Singleton Gets Messy
Great photos from the latest Messy Church gathering at All Saints, Singleton.
Wotato Children’s Choir from Uganda Perform at St James’ Wyong
Last week St James’, Wyong hosted the Wotato Children’s Choir from Uganda. A wonderful performance by the 18 children backed by an 11 strong team of musicians, roadies and house mothers. The choir is on a six-month tour of Australia with the Children maintaining studies and sitting exams for the Ugandan Board of Education. Attendance was 240 people that included many visitors from the community and over $2000 was raised to support orphans and single mothers in Uganda. One of the primary school girls told the audience that she was found as a baby abandoned on a golf course in Kampala but she now thanks God that she has so much and belongs. There was a strong gospel message and thanks for God’s generosity.
Mainly Music Father’s Picnic Day
Recently the Parish of Belmont North Redhead gathered at Webb Park in Redhead to celebrate with the fathers of the Mainly Music children. The dads often miss out as they work all week. They played games and sang songs and enjoyed a bbq picnic in the park. It was also an opportunity for parishioners to meet and engage with the Mainly Music families. A great day, if slightly sunburny! Plus the parish shared this sign for Give Us A Sign.
Celebrating Spring in Dungog
The Parish of Dungog held their Spring Market Day over the weekend – “Enormous thanks to everyone who was involved in today’s Spring Market Day. A wonderful day made even better by the happy involvement of a great team!” View a collage of photos below.
Festival of Year 12
Scone Grammar School have been celebrating the week known as the “Festival of Year 12” this week, with each House group gathering to farewell their most senior year group as they celebrate their last few official days at school. Students received beautiful cards made by The Yellow Cottage, fond words said, and memories to hold on to. Congratulations Class of 2018!
Ponies and Pets visit Anglican Care
If you can’t get to the zoo – bring the zoo to you! Anglican Care had the most fabulous, fun morning at McIntosh Court recently when Penny’s Ponies & Pets visited. Not just ponies though, they also had an alpaca, baby pig (sooo cute), rabbits, a calf and chickens!
Belmont and Swansea Parishes visit Wollembi
Belmont and Swansea parishes combined for a delightful car drive to Wollembi – lovely scenery, a historic village to explore, lunch and time for fellowship! About 20 members of Belmont and Swansea parishes enjoyed a delightful drive to the historic village of Wollombi in the Hunter Valley on September 14. Following lunch at the Wollembi Tavern, we inspected the beautiful stone church designed by Edmund Blacket and consecrated by Bishop Tyrrell in 1849. Then a stroll up the street, past the old Courthouse, a browse through an old world store which also featured most attractive art works, jewelry and crafts — and icy Gelatos which were savoured on this rather hot Spring day.
Seafarers Visit Cathedral
These three seafaring friends from Myanmar were visiting Newcastle for the first time and wanted to look around during their short time ashore. Mission to Seafarers took them up to Christ Church Cathedral (which looks like a castle from their ship) where they enjoyed a small choir recital for a few minutes, and then onto the ANZAC Memorial Walk. They had a great time and felt (in their words) “very happy”.
Noah and the Ark Sail into New Lambton
Noah and the Ark were beautifully portrayed by the Parish of New Lambton recently. The children enjoyed riding in the Ark. Plus photos from birthday celebrations for September.
Singleton MU Celebrate 95 Years
The Singleton Branch of MU celebrated its 95th birthday on September 12. The Rev’d Ann Watson celebrated the Eucharist with an emphasis being “The Spirit empowers us for mission” (John 20:21 – 22). Various presentations were made and a delicious lunch followed. Betty Butler received her M60-year membership certificate from the Diocesan President, Denise Brown – what an achievement and a wonderful example!
Belmont MU Celebrates 76th Birthday
Mothers Union celebrated its 76th birthday at a special luncheon at Belmont on September 26.
HSC Performances Light Up Singleton
The Parish of Singleton hosted HSC Performances in the church last week.
Women’s Guild Gathering
The St John’s, Cooks Hill Women’s Guild had a wonderful time with The Reverend Jacqueline Drewe last week. Jacqueline is the Deacon at Christ Church Cathedral.
Give Us A Sign
St Luke’s Wallsend shared this sign for Give Us A Sign last week: “You shall not pollute the land in which you live.” (Num 35:33). #giveusasign #stewardshipofcreation
One Faith Trio
David Willersdorf and One Faith Trio played live at Lakes Anglican last week to raise food for the homeless. An awesome night was had by all!
High Tea, King Darius, Lions, Ducks and Gooses take over Cardiff
The Parish of Cardiff held a lovely afternoon of High Tea last week, plus King Darius and some lions visited Mass and Meal. Later, Fr Gary and Sue joined the kids playing Duck, Duck, Goose which gave everyone a good laugh.
Saint Peter’s Op Shop
Saint Peter’s Op Shop has become a success story since it opened in November 2017. Gaining a reputation for high-quality items, people are coming from near and far to get a bargain, be it in clothing, household goods, bric-a-brac, etc. Many of the people who access the Saint Peter’s Emergency Relief program are finding that the Op Shop is the perfect place to update their wardrobes or find essentials for the kitchen and home. Located at the rear of Saint Peter’s Parish Hall at 52 Banks Street, East Maitland, the Op Shop is open every Thursday and Friday from 9 am – 4 pm and on Saturday mornings from 9am–1pm. All funds raised go directly to Saint Peter’s Church, providing a welcome boost to funds that can then be used for the many programs at the church to help those in need.
