Jesus

"Meet the Team" – Verity

by
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Verity Murray

This week we talk to Verity as part of our meet the team series.
 
Q1  What are your roles/ministry here at St Nicholas?
 
Currently I am one of the leaders of the children’s ministry at our 10.00 service and I help lead the Nourish women’s group.  I am looking forward to helping out at Little Lambs again this year.

Q2  What other ministry have you undertaken in the past?

 
I have been involved in leading small groups of all shapes and sizes over the years – for children, youth, women or both men and women.  I have also organised and led training and mentoring programmes for other small group leaders.  I have also led children’s groups of various ages, from 0-3s right up to teens.

Q3  Do you remember when you became a Christian? 

 
I was brought up in a Christian family and have attended church all my life.  I was fourteen years old when I made my own personal decision to become a Christian and ask Jesus to become my Lord and Saviour.

Q4  What helps you daily with your walk with Jesus?

 
I use a daily scripture reading called ‘Daily Light’, and I love prayer walking along the Estuary.  Being a member of a small group is also vital for me as it gives me the opportunity to talk and pray with others about my faith.

Q5  Favourite Hymn or worship song

 
I have too many to pick out a favourite.  Currently I love anything by the Northern Irish worship band Rend Collective.

Q6  Any last thoughts? (favourite scripture…what are you reading at the moment?…interesting fact about your self?)

 
I have been a Christian for 32 years (you can work out my age now!)  and God has proved himself faithful to me and my family time and again over the years.  I am very thankful to him for his love and care.  I am also very grateful for all the Christian friends and family I have had the privilege of walking alongside in my Christian journey.  These relationships are so precious to me.  Thank you to everyone at St Nick’s who have welcomed me and my family and made us part of your church family.

'Meet the Team' Series

by

Ian Craig

With the lead up to the Annual Meeting of Parishioners we thought it would be a good idea to meet the team that serves our Church.  Not only will it serve to put a name to a face for new people in our church family but also to recognise the work that these people do. Our first team member is Ian Craig.  Ian has been involved in establishing the Calvary Welfare and Calvary Industries for the homeless, he has been a Senior Lay Canon and treasurer at St Boniface Cathedral and supported the Children and Youth Team there. His answers to the following questions are below.

Q1.  What roles and ministry do you serve in at St Nicholas?

I’m the Priest’s Warden, treasurer, administration and Licensed Lay Minister

Q2.  Have you always been a Christian?

I have always been a church goer, however in 1983 on Christmas morning I dedicated my life to Christ.  We were at the Church which is now Grace (Dream Builders) and everything fell into place that morning.  Not only did I dedicate my life but so did Fran and her Mother.  God blessed us that day.

Q3.  What helps you daily with your walk with Jesus?

Prayer time in the Shower!  Being with others and knowing that they are praying for you also.

Q4.  Favourite Hymn or worship Song?

Trust and Obey

Q5.  What do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy all the roles I serve in at St Nicholas but to unwind I love cross word and mind puzzles to keep my brain active.

P.S. Ian wants all AMP reports in

 

Emmanuel – God is with us!

by

Sunday the 18th was a day of gathering and celebration.  81 of us met together in a joint service in the morning and over 150 of us gathered for our Carols and Cappuccino service in the evening.  This was a time of encountering Jesus, not only the first encounters by Mary, Joseph, Shepherds and Wise Men but also hearing from people encountering Jesus today.  The light of Gabriel blinded us (Paul with a builder’s lamp) as we remember that Emmanuel is what all Christians share and why we are celebrating Christmas. – God is with us!  Enjoy the 12 days of celebration.

You can download the newsletter from our Carols service below.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Button_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

A Celebration of 50 years ordained Ministry

by

This coming Wednesday we celebrate with Father Brian Newing and his wife Judith 50 years of ordained ministry.  Father Brian’s faith journey has seen him as a Parish Priest in country towns around WA from Ravensthorpe to Pinjarra, to Corrigin and Brunswick.  During this time in 1974 he was made Canon of St Boniface Cathedral.  From 1990 to 2000 he held the position of Residential Archdeacon and Administrator and then became the Dean of St Boniface for 3 years.  This amazing journey into ordained ministry began in 1966 on the 21st December when Fr Brian was ordained by Bishop Ralph Hawkins.  The past 13 years has seen Fr Brian undertaking Prison ministry in his ‘Semi Retirement’.

Wednesday won’t be the first time the services of Fr Brian have been celebrated.  In 1999 he was awarded Bunbury’s Citizen of the Year and in 2008 he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia Medal for his work in the Anglican Church and the community. 

To give you an insight into Fr Brian here are his answers to the following questions.

What has been one of the most significant changes you have seen in the Church over the last 50 years?

Well the most obvious one is the ordination of women however there have been some other significant changes I’ve seen.  In the past you were sent to a parish at the discretion of the Bishop and you went. Now the priests have a say about where they are feeling called.  Another interesting change has been the advent of clergy wives having a profession they are the unsung heroes of many parishes.  The other thing I have noticed has been the change in the ‘loyalty’ of congregations.  What I mean is that there is more transition with people attending different churches when their needs change.

What helps you daily with your walk with Jesus?

Knowing that Jesus is an intimate friend.  He is involved in all my decision making he is the perfect role model I stride to but often fail to follow. Also knowing his perfect act of mercy and forgiveness.  I always say I have a Christian Faith not a Christian religion.

How about the future? What have you got planned next?

I think I will continue to do what I’m doing one day at a time!  I will continue my work with alcoholics anonymous and narcotic’s anonymous they are really important to me and I have been involved with them for the last 38 years.

Favourite hymn or worship song?

How Great Thou Art and Here I am Lord.

Any last thoughts?

I want to end by giving my undying gratitude to my wonderful wife Judith of 49 years.

Op Shop & Little Lambs an Expression of God's Love

by

In our Minster parish blessing one another and our community is the first part of our  framework for life together . One of the most obvious ways in which we do this is through our Op shop and Little Lambs ministries. I do not have the stats on numbers readily to hand however it is clear that each week we provide for several hundred people in one way or another. Talking with Judith Bryce I estimated that we shift close to a metric tonne of clothes to the seafarers and prison over a year! This does not include  all that is actually bought at our op shop.

These services to our community are  only possible through  dedicated teams of volunteers led by Judy Bletchynden ( Op shop)and Jennifer Monahan ( Little Lambs).  Through the Op shop and Little Lambs, we are seeking to first be good news to our community.

However, this is not the best we can offer our community. The best we can offer our community is an introduction to Jesus. Ultimately it is for each person to decide if they want to explore or pursue a relationship with Jesus. However, we are encouraged by Jesus himself to go and make the invitation and to show the kingdom of God in our lives, in our actions , and in signs, wonders, and words. We cannot do this if we ourselves are not engaged in that transformative relationship  secured increasingly in God’s love for us. Alpha has helped us with this. Serving in Op shop and Little Lambs is an expression of it.

So once again I want to record my thanks to all who are involved in these ministries.  May you be blessed as you have blessed others.

Shalom

Jamie

Have you encountered Jesus?

by

Many of us are involved with the Alpha course. Last week we had 54 adults and 14 youth go through Alpha. Thank you to each one of you taking part in the groups and our group hosts.  You are blessing one another. Thank you to Fran and Rob for enabling our hospitality and for our faithful children’s carers on Friday: Jan, John, Andrea and Anne.   

 One of the striking things in Alpha is the power of story. What we often call testimony. As I prepared today’s talk on Zacchaeus I was struck once again with the power of testimony. I wrote about this in our blog post, His-story in Me and newsletter (Aug 7th) and enjoyed Rob’s recent testimony on his Wescarpade and Camp Quality experiences. (Oct 4th)

 What happens when we encounter Jesus?  I have been talking with Karen about how we might release testimony in our community. Some of you have walked with Jesus for a considerable time and it would be wonderful to hear some of your insights. How did you first encounter Jesus? What have been some of the highlights of walking and talking with him? What have you found challenging? What has helped you most in your ongoing relationship with Jesus?

Please consider getting involved in this initiative and speak with me or Karen.  I am praying for video conversations that we could use in services and on our website. Zacchaeus’ story still speaks today. Your story may well encourage and help someone else.

 

Shalom

Jamie

[siteorigin_widget class=”Vantage_Headline_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Button_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Make a difference – be the Body of Christ

by

At St Nicholas we love and follow Jesus and so love and serve one another in kindness.  Kindness originally links to the notion of kindred, a family relationship.  This is expressed practically as the church body lives out its life together.  We are the Body of Christ 7 days a week, 24 hours a day serving in our homes at work and at play.  This calling is more than just gathering on a Sunday.  We express being kind to one another by offering lifts, sharing meals, praying for one another, shopping for those in need.  Alerting our pastoral team to more specific needs.  It can also mean serving in a more formal role with in the Church community.  As a community we want to celebrate and acknowledge those who serve in these roles. 

“Serve one another humbly in love” Galations 5:13

By listing them in our Opportunities in Church Brochure we can pray specifically for those areas in our church. 

Last Sunday after church I nipped across to Aldi where I got talking with the lady who was serving me.  She was obviously tired and couldn’t wait to get home to be with her family.  She said she had been there since 6am.  I felt an overwhelming need to give her some encouragement instead of politely agreeing that it was hard to be at work on a weekend.  I thanked her for coming out today to be here at work for me, which she was surprised at, but I left my thank you at that.  What impact would it have had if I had just told the Truth, the whole truth – that I was grateful she was serving today because I had at the last minute decided to buy some chocolate for my mother who I was going to visit before she starts her journey with Chemotherapy.  As I sat in the car I realised that each of us serve but the impact we have on others is not always revealed.  It is the Truth that sets us free, free from the idea that we make no difference in this world, free from the idea that we don’t matter.  Jesus served in love and humility and the difference He made was astounding, life changing.  So I ask you to tell the truth to those you meet, testify to those around you the difference they and Jesus makes in our lives and pray for those who serve in our church.  In doing this you too will be serving as the Body of Christ. 

 

Panoply of Prayer

by

panoply

Not long after my arrival here I had a strong sense that God was inviting us to ‘seek His face’. This phrase occurs several times in the bible. Perhaps most well known is from 2 Chronicles 7:14  ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land’ I believe this is an ongoing call to us as a Minster parish. Just over a year ago I gave three talks on this: You can access the sermons here:

The early Minsters were firstly communities of prayer. I believe becoming a community of prayer is crucial for our life and mission together as a minster parish. Last month I created a prayer sheet highlighting some of the areas our church and community need prayer for. Today there is one for September. I invite you to pick one up at church and pray with us around these things. This is one small part of the panoply of prayer. We meet weekly at 6 pm on Sunday evenings for prayer. Our small groups are praying together, we pray in and through our services. We are learning to pray through the day individually.  Most importantly ask the Holy Spirit to inspire our prayer that we would share God’s heart and mind and purposes for Australind and beyond. As we have prayed we have seen answers in provision, guidance, healings and wisdom. Do you have testimony of answered prayer you could share over hospitality or with Karen for the website? 

Shalom Jamie

Do you 'Belong' to your Church?

by

This week we are exploring what it means to Belong in our church.  The Good News is that through Jesus, God invites each person to be reconciled to Him and to be adopted into His family.  In His family we share new relationships with others.  We want to welcome all who are interested in exploring this Good News.  With exploration comes growth in Belonging.

How do we Belong together?  We experience this through small groups, Sunday gatherings and many social and service opportunities.  We want to invite people into our life together as they explore trust in Jesus.

We recognise this is a process for all of us.  We are not all the same but Paul reminds us in his Letter to the Corinthians that we are one body with many parts – Unity and Diversity in the Body.

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.                                 1 Corinthians 12:12

Do you yearn to Belong to Christ’s church?  Where do you find your sense of Belonging?

Running the Race

by

As the Olympics are on I am struck once again with the cost of success. Incredible discipline and perseverance over time in preparation for the opportunity to be medalled noted as the greatest in their field at this point in history. Unsurprisingly St Paul used athletic metaphors several times in his writings as he considered life as a missional disciple of Jesus.
Paul would have known of the Olympic Games, which took place every four years at the centre of Greece; but he would have been even more familiar with the Isthmian Games. This  took place every other year, and was second in importance only to the Olympics, and it happened near Corinth. So Paul would have recognised much of the feverish atmosphere that surrounds Rio: the preparations of the city, the training of the athletes, the political and economic implications for the hosting city; it’s even possible he made tents for the athlete’s village!
He wrote to the church in Corinth chapter 9

‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’

He was intentional about being a disciple and persevering in spiritual disciplines. We can learn from him in this.
Good training.
Shalom
Jamie