Confirmation this year

This special service will be held on 18th August at both our Arvo (4pm) and Night Church (7pm) and classes for our younger confirmees will commence soon.  Please let Paul Brigden know if you or a family member are interested. Older members who wish to be confirmed or transfer membership should speak to me about this.

This year I’d like to encourage those who have come to faith in Christ as adults to take this opportunity to publicly affirm their faith in Christ and commitment to His people here.  This can be done by either Confirmation or Transfer of Membership service  – both will be held on 18th August with the assistance of Bishop Peter Hayward. Transfer of membership is a newer service which allows those who have been adult members of other denominations to publically transfer their membership to Gymea Anglican.

The Election of a New Archbishop for Sydney

In August, Dr Alan Watson, Barbara Archer and I will gather with approximately 800 other Parish reps from across the diocese to elect the 12th Archbishop of Sydney so far, Bishop Glenn Davies and Rev Rick Smith have been nominated.  It looks unlikely that there will be other candidates. Alan, Barbara and I would value both your prayers and your opinions in whom we should elect. Some have already let us know their views—thank you. Please pray that the process, as well as the outcome, will be God honouring and the media coverage fair!  Sites with info about the candidates are:
www.glenndavies.info/index.html    AND    www.whyrick.info

Our Preaching & LIFE groups

In our Preaching program, we seek to let God set our agenda by mostly working through books of the Bible, and occasionally studying topics which interest us.  In Term 3 we will be studying Matthew 8-11 following on from our series on the Sermon on the Mount. There is an excellent Matthias Media study guide available on Matthew 8-12 that individuals or groups may wish to study. Craig Thacker is starting a new LIFE group soon and would like to hear from any who are interested in joining him.

PS – A final word about the mysterious “nephilim” of  Genesis 6 whom some of you have been asking about.  They only get a mention in Genesis 6 and Numbers 13 so we need to be careful about making too much of them. The word for them could mean they are giants in stature like Goliath or in evil and corrupting effect on others.  Since they were around both before and after the Flood their origin is hard to determine.  Were they the progeny of angels and humans OR godly and ungodly people?  Needless to say I don’t think it’s a vital issue and I won’t be losing sleep over them.  I mention them only because some members were interested in them when we read of them in Genesis 6 and they were unfinished business for us.

The Election of a New Archbishop for Sydney

In August Dr Alan Watson, Barbara Archer and I will gather with approximately 800 other Parish reps from across the diocese to elect the 12th Archbishop of Sydney so far, Bishop Glenn Davies and Rev Rick Smith have been nominated.  It looks unlikely that there will be other candidates. Alan, Barbara and I would value both your prayers and your opinions in whom we should elect. Please pray that the process, as well as the outcome, will be God honouring and the media coverage fair!

The closing date for nominations is 24th June. We are truly blessed to have two such fine godly men available.  No doubt there’ll be increasing media coverage and information.  When I googled the election I found among others … blogs.abc.net.au/localradio/2013/05/election-synod.  Sites with info about the candidates are:
www.glenndavies.info/index.html   AND    www.whyrick.info

Bishop Isesomo of the Congo visiting Australia & the Shire

All our members & their friends are welcome to visit as many of the Bishop’s events as they would like .  Donations to cover Isesomo’s tour and support our Congolese brethren are welcomed.  Most of our LIFE Groups are hosting or combining to hear Bishop Isesomo as follows:

Tuesday 11^th June
6.30am:  Men’s Breakfast followed by brunch at the Crews.
9.30am:  Tuesday Church. Followed at 10.30am by a combined morning tea in the church.
7.30pm:  Paul & Vicki Brigden’s group at the Brigden’s home.

Wednesday 12^th June
Visit to Richard Johnson  School (10am to 2pm). 7.30pm: Graham & Jane Crew’s group at Crews.

Thursday 13^th June
9.15am: Bob Whitten & Jean Robinson’s groups at Church.
11am: Sutherland Shire Christian School.
1.30pm: Deanna King’s group at church.

Friday 14^th June
10am Penrith Anglican College
5pm: Drop Zone
7.00pm: Youth Groups

Saturday 15^th June
8am: LIFE group leaders meeting.
11am: Lunch with the Thackers.
6.30pm: Young Adult Night, Session 1 (Commitments)  7.30pm: Dinner.  8.30pm:  Session 2.
Sunday  16^th June
7.45am, 9.30am, 4pm Churches.
5pm: BBQ dinner at Kirrawee Primary
7pm: Night Church.

Monday 17^th June
8.30am: Graham Crew & Isesomo at St Andrews Cathedral School.

Youth Ministry

It’s been an interesting year this year in our youth groups.  On the one hand, our numbers have fallen. Part of this is due to the fall out over the past 18 months, part of it is the standard falling off that occurs as the years go on, but since these events have combined, it has been difficult to watch and be a part of.

On the other hand, there has also been some very exciting times. The commitment and godliness of the leaders continues unabated. In addition to the 3½ hours spent in youth group each week,  many of our leaders are also involved in Brekkie Club, another 90 minute commitment on Sunday morning caring for the teenagers coming to the 9.30 service. They are also involved in multiple rosters at Night Church, attend monthly Youth Leader meetings and maintain their involvement in the Saturday Night ministry. All the while, they are servant hearted, encouraging, steadfast, loving and focused on the gospel. I thank God for this team and you should too. The wealth of a church is not found in its bank balance but in its people and on this front Gymea Anglican remains rich, especially among its young people.

The students have also been an encouragement this year; they have continued reading their Bibles, bringing friends, growing in godliness and grappling with important questions about Christ. Seeing people grow in their knowledge of the gospel, accept Christ and grow in Christian maturity are the key joys in this ministry and the signs remain encouraging.

Given the challenges we have ahead with falling numbers, it is natural that we look at changes in order to do what we can to turn from decline to growth. The leaders are grappling with these issues at the moment and we would appreciate your prayers for wisdom as we consider what we should do and boldness, perseverance and God’s blessing as we seek to bring the good news about Jesus Christ to everyone who has not accepted him.

Gymea High School

Gymea Anglican Church is a major contributor to the Sutherland Board of Christian Education (SBCE), which provides Special Religious Education (SRE or Scripture) teachers for Kirrawee High School and Gymea Technology High School. Barbara Cholson, Joan Riley and I are members of this board. Kirrawee’s ministry continues unabated and this remains excellent.

Unfortunately, Gymea High School informed us at the beginning of the year that they were not prepared to offer SRE this year. This decision breaches the NSW Education Act (1990) and consequently, we have been negotiating with the Principal, Peter Marsh, to reverse this decision. After our Chairman, Rod Harding, our Youthworks Representative, Jim French and I met with him on Thursday, we learned it is unlikely we will be able to resume SRE for 2013, but it is possible for 2014. There are three things we can all do to help support SRE in our schools. First, please pray that the Principal will reverse this decision. Secondly, write a letter to the Principal urging him to change this decision. He will care about what the community thinks. Finally, join the Parents and Citizens Association of the school. The Principal consults with the P&C on such matters and if voices are raised there, he will listen. Doing so, may also open up other mission opportunities in the school.

Bishop Isesomo of the Congo visiting Australia

Thank you to those who are hosting various speaking events for Bishop Isesomo. This is a great privilege to hear how God is working in DRC and to pray for Bishop Isesomo and the church of the DRC. I would also like to invite our members to contribute to the cost of bringing him to Oz.  Our part is $1000 which I have so far covered.  It would also be wonderful to be able to “send him home” with money to assist in caring for the orphans and refugees resulting from decades of war. DRC church members face ongoing extreme poverty as well as seeking to care for those decimated by AIDS & decades of civil war & militia invasion (4 million killed). All our members are welcome to visit as many of the Bishop’s events as they would like. LIFE Groups mostly are hosting him, but you don’t need to be in a LIFE Group group to attend.

Tuesday 11^th June

6.30am:  Men’s Breakfast followed by brunch at the Crews.
9.30am:  Tuesday Church & morning tea. 10.45am with Chris Leong’s group at the church.
7.30pm:  Paul & Vicki Brigden’s group at the Brigden’s.

Wednesday 12^th June

Visit to Richard Johnson  School (10am to 2pm).
7.30pm: Graham & Jane Crew’s group at Crews.

Thursday 13^th June

9.15am: Bob Whitten & Jean Robinson’s groups at Church.
11am: Sutherland Christian School.
1.30pm: Deanna King’s group at church. 8pm: group TBD

Friday 14^th June

5pm: Drop Zone    7.00pm: Youth Groups

Saturday 15^th June

8am: LIFE group leaders meeting.
1am: Lunch with the Thackers.
6.30pm: Young Adult Night Session 1 (Commitments)  7.30pm: dinner.   8.30pm:  Session 2.

Sunday  16^th June

7.45am, 9.30am, 4pm Churches.  6pm: Pizza Dinner with youth at 133 GBR   7pm: Night Church.

Monday 17^th June

8.30am: Graham Crew & Isesomo to St Andrews Cathedral School.

What a Strange world We Live in.

The Bible gives us clear teaching on the high value God puts on human life, all human life … from conception to death.  Life is just as precious in the womb as it is in the palliative care bed.  As our society moves away from God’s values, it becomes more and more confused about life issues.  Think of what our medical community & media have praised and condemned over the past weeks.

Abortion of babies (mostly female) solely because of their gender is widely condemned by Australians doctors.  And rightly so, but these are presumably the same doctors who support abortions of convenience with the argument that the embryos of whatever age are not people but just “part of a woman’s body”.  This week we’ve had the cloning of embryos from skin cells hailed as a major breakthrough.  Such cloning enables the production of embryos to match with needy recipients of “farmed” embryonic stem cells for expected cures or transplants.  It was only a few years ago that cloning for farming of human cells, was seen as both impossible and abhorrent.  Now that it’s possible … and economic, it seems not so abhorrent, and everyone seems to be saying “they’re just embryos … not people”.

Fortnightly Tuesday Men’s Breakfasts.

These have been running for more than a decade and we’re very grateful to Bob Whitten, George Milton and the team of men that run them. They were designed to provide mutual support for men in their work place, family life and church commitments. Our organising team is “aging” (but don’t tell them that) and are keen to welcome new blood onto their team.  If you haven’t been yet or haven’t been for a while, give it a go.  What better way than to start Tuesdays with a hearty breakfast and encouragement from God’s word and prayer with your mates.  6.30am to 7.15am. Up coming guest speakers include … 28th May: Mark Charleston (Sylvania Anglican);11^th June: Bishop Isesomo;  25^th June: Peter Moore (Sutherland Pres);

23^rd July: Rich Wenden (Cronulla Ang); 13^th Aug: Cameron Hyslop (Jannali Ang).

The Compassionate Country?

Christians lobbied hard both the Howard and Rudd governments for a more compassionate foreign aid budget.   Both agreed to raise our current level of aid from 0.35% to 0.5% on the way to the goal of 0.75%.  But the current government (and opposition?) seem locked into just 0.35% when Holland and some Scandinavian countries are already at 1% and even poor old England is at 0.5%.   All of this when we are told Australia’s economy is the envy of the world.  Any study of the Bible shows how much God calls for the special care of the refugee, the widow & orphans and the most vulnerable … and not simply those of our own race and then we learn that in this week’s budget, Australia is the 3rd highest recipient of our own foreign aid … of the 0.35%.    The compassionate country?

The Election of a New Archbishop for Sydney

In August Dr Alan Watson, Barbara Archer and I will gather with approximately 800 other Parish reps from across the diocese to elect the 12th Archbishop of Sydney. Bishop Davies and Rev Rick Smith have so far been nominated and there may also be other candidates. Alan, Barbara and I would value both your prayers and also your opinions in whom we should elect. Please pray that the process as well as the outcome will be God honouring, and the media cover fair!

Bishop Isesomo’s Week with us 11-16th June

A very wide program of speaking opportunities has been arranged for Isesomo. Gymea is one of the few parishes to host him while he visits Australia.  Isesomo is an outstanding leader with an amazing story of God’s incredible work with his people facing the daily “killing fields” of the Congo.  Copies of his draft itinerary are available on line and from our office.  To help our understanding of what life is really like for Isesomo and our Congo brethren, why not go to Youtube and view the French documentary called “Blood Coltan”.

Fortnightly Tuesday Men’s Breakfasts

These have been running for more than a decade and we’re very grateful to Bob Whitten, George Milton and the team of men that run them. They were designed to provide mutual support for men in their work place, family life and church commitments. Our organising team is “aging” (but don’t tell them that) and are keen to welcome new blood onto their team.  If you haven’t been yet or haven’t been for a while, give it a go.  What better way than to start Tuesdays with a hearty breakfast and encouragement from God’s word and prayer with your mates.  6.30am to 7.15am. Up coming guest speakers include … 28th May: Mark Charleston (Sylvania Anglican);11^th June: Bishop Isesomo;  25^th June: Peter Moore (Sutherland Pres);

23^rd July: Rich Wenden (Cronulla Ang); 13^th Aug: Cameron Hyslop (Jannali Ang).

Euthanasia Bill in NSW Parliament

Like many of you, I’m deeply concerned at attempts to legalise euthanasia. Though many of those promoting euthanasia are extremely sympathetic and well meaning, I believe euthanasia demeans our God given human value, underestimates the complexity of the motives and economics surrounding the treatment of the terminally ill and denies God’s authority over humanity. Life is ultimately His to create and to withdraw, not ours to “play God with”.

I have placed on our website the contact details of all Upper House members and Dr Megan Best’s excellent paper on the issue so you can make your views known to our legislators.  The “Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013” is already before the Legislative Council of NSW.  The Bill, if passed, will make it lawful for people with a terminal illness to receive assistance in certain circumstances if they wish to end their life. It will legalise a form of euthanasia in NSW.

Trinity Doctrine – A Synod Report (1999)

Work – A Synod Report (1999)

John Pipers book, “This Momentary Marriage” is available to purchase online, if you can’t get a copy please email us at gacbook@iprimus.com.au and we’ll track it down for you.

Introducing our new Parish Council

What’s the PC do?

This is set out in the Church Ordinance of the Diocese.  Parish Council is to assist the Wardens in the management and maintenance of property and finances.  The Council also provides advice and consultation with the Minister on pastoral and ministry matters.  The full details of the Ordinance and Parish Councils duties can be found at our Diocesan website.

Who’s serving on it this year?

Elected  -  James Archer, Paul Archer, Dean Eades, Peter Holden,  Phil Hamilton-Foster, Chris Leong,  Claire Riley, James Wallace, Alan Webb.

Appointed by Graham  – Gavin Cooper, Julia Harrison, Paul Hoffmans (Treasurer).

Wardens  -  Laurie Archer, Steve Leitch, Sean Buckley and we welcome Matthew Robson as our voluntary Parish Council Secretary this year.

What is the Council discussing & deciding at the moment?

* Creating new staff & Parish offices  -  see Sean Buckley.

* Redeveloping our Pastoral Care   -  see Chris Leong.

* Seeking Government Grants  -  see Phil Hamilton-Foster & James Archer.

* Developing a Communications Team  -  see James Wallace.

* Repairing the kitchen -  see the Wardens.

* Being part of the Diocesan Mission “Jesus brings …” in 2014 -  see our staff

* Concern over declining giving to our Building Development Fund (mortgage repayments)

* How to encouraging suitable members to pursue Bible College & ministry careers

* APM recommendations including the need for a Women’s Pastor, encouraging ministry to the aged and SRE and Playtime.

* The leasing of our double garage and hall for much needed income  – see Sean Buckley

* Replacement of our old photocopier (completed).

How can I let the Council know what I’m thinking or concerned about?

Any members can and should speak with PC members directly about any business which is a PC matter.  You can all also write to PC asking for an issue or initiative to be considered.  Such letters can be given to our Office or emailed to the PC Secretary Matthew Robson at Matthew.Robson@moore.edu.au .