Archbishop's November Appeal 2020

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4 November, 2020

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Coming of the Light - Mission and Ministry in North Queensland and the Torres Strait

2021 marks the 150th anniversary of Coming of the Light – Mission and Ministry in North Queensland and the Torres Strait. The London Missionary Society with Pacific Islander evangelists landed on the shores of Darnley Island and introduced the Bible to the people who lived there. This event, The Coming of The Light, is an integral part of culturalidentity to Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is marked as a public holiday within the region and there is much joy around its anniversary. It is also an important anniversary for the national Anglican church, hence it being in our lectionary.

The Coming of The Light invites us to reflect on our national history, on the good and the bad. It invites us to celebrate mission and ministry, particularly within the Torres Strait, and it invites us to listen to the church in the Torres Strait, which is made up of vibrant communities of hope.

This November members of the Melanesian Brotherhood will begin a new household in the Torres Strait. The Melanesian Brotherhood is the world’s largest Anglican religious order and is headquartered in the Solomon

Islands. The Brothers will live and minister at the Cathedral on Thursday Island, nurturing community and supporting clergy and lay ministers across the islands of the Torres Strait. They will also conduct outreach visits to Yarrabah and the communities of the Cape York Peninsula.

The Anglican Church of Australia faces many challenges, and in the words of the Revd Canon Victor Joseph, it is time for the church to be “missioned to” by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian leaders. The church in the Torres Strait has much to teach the church around Australia, much salt and light to bear. The Coming of the Light is not simply a historic event, it is an invitation for all of us to be changed by the work of God in First Nations peoples.

ABM invites you to celebrate and support the vibrant ministry and mission of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Church. Funds donated to this project will be used to: support the establishment of the Melanesian Brothers’ ministry in the Torres Strait, provide for the work of the Ministry Development Officer for the Cape York Peninsula, and assist with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministry formation in the Diocese of North Queensland.

More From 'News'

We are well placed - 22 November

Sometimes there is just no good way of sharing news. Last Sunday Bp John announced that I am to be appointed Rector of the parish of Mt Gravatt in 2021. At the end of what was a lovely service, this kind of news can land like a tonne of bricks. I am very grateful for the generous way people have responded to Catherine and me after this news even while expressing disappointment. I was aware that there was some confusion about how the Archbishop comes to such a decision. These decisions are not easy, but the prayerful process of discernment that has resulted in this new appointment makes me comfortable that it is right.

When a parish is looking for a new priest, a nomination committee is formed. The committee is comprised of three representatives from the parish, three from the diocese and the local Bishop. This committee will generally approach a clergy person for a conversation in which all parties seek to discern if they are the right person for the role. If there is an agreement between them, they make a recommendation to the Archbishop. It is then up to the Archbishop to accept that nomination if he wishes. If he does accept the nomination, a formal offer is made to the nominee. The nominee then will either accept or refuse this offer. This process is the same that will now be undertaken to appoint a new priest to St David's.

Registering for Worship

Even with the easing of restrictions, it is as important as ever to register to attend worship. You can do this through our parish website or by contacting the office during the week. It is possible to register up to 5 pm on the day before the service. You will receive a confirmation email, but you do not need to bring the ticket on the day. If you have not registered, you may still be able to attend, but we cannot guarantee that space will be available. If you have any difficulty registering, please contact the office for assistance.

It will be particularly important to register for the following dates, including Christmas.

November 22 - 9.30 am Admission to Communion

December 24 - 6.30 pm and 9 pm (extra service in 2020)

December 25 - 8.00 am

Annual Leave

I will be taking three weeks leave from Monday, November 23. During this time The Ven Rob Sutherland, The Rev'd Gillian Moses, and The Rev'd Owen Strong will assist in leading our Wednesday and Sunday services.

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Primary Ichthus Camp - Infinity Grades 4-7

Camp Infinity (Grades 4-7) held at Camp Maranatha, Yandina Wednesday 6 January to Saturday 9 January 2021. The total cost to attend Primary Ichthus is $199. This includes all food, accommodation, activities and transport while at camp. There may also be part and full subsidies available for those who need assistance. For more details please go to the Camp Ichthus [website](https://www.aycf.org.au/primary-ichthus).

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We are well place - 15 November

This Sunday we welcome Bp John Roundhill to St David's. He will participate in both the phone service at 8 am, and the gathered service at 9.30 am. As per usual, the 9.30 am service will be live-streamed for those who are unable to join us in person. It is always an excellent opportunity to celebrate our church and its connection to the broader mission of the Anglican Church.

Asking for Prayer

At St David's, there are several ways we offer specific prayers for those in need. This prayer might be included in the pattern of public worship in St David's. It might be given to the participants in our prayer chain and be kept among a small group of parishioners. Sometimes people will seek individual prayer from the clergy in the parish.

With the changes we have needed to make of late, it has made it a little more complex to have someone added to this prayer list. At the moment, we are asking people to contact the parish office to have someone's name added to the prayer list or passed on to the prayer chain. We are trying to follow the pattern of including these people for one month unless we are advised otherwise. We ask that if the person needs ongoing prayer that you again ask them to be added for another month.

It is a little harder at the moment to receive a prayer request for inclusion at the door on Sunday morning. If this need arises, we ask you to mention it to the COVID warden as you come in. We will always seek to do what we can on the day.

Registering for Worship

It has now become more important to register to attend worship through our parish website or by contacting the office during the week. It is possible to register up to 5 pm on the day before the service. You will receive a confirmation email, but you do not need to bring the ticket on the day. If you have not registered, you may still be able to attend, but we cannot guarantee that space will be available. If you have any difficulty registering, please contact the office for assistance.

It will be particularly important to register for the following dates, including Christmas.

November 15 - 9.30 am Visit from Bp John Roundhill

November 22 - 9.30 am Admission to Communion

December 24 - 6.30 pm and 9 pm (extra service in 2020)

December 25 - 8.00 am

Annual Leave

I will be taking my annual leave from November 23 for three weeks. During this time The Ven Rob Sutherland, The Rev'd Gillian Moses, and The Rev'd Owen Strong will assist in leading our Wednesday and Sunday services.

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