Cross and Keys Newsle/erSaint Peter’s Church, Anglican Parish of East Maitland Aug>st 2017 - Feast of the Transfig>ration

Church Family NewsFirst Great Grandchild for Margaret Dunn Proud Great Grandmother Margaret Dunn is pictured here with her first Great Grandchild, little Miller Zinnia Herron who was born on Easter Sunday, 16th April 2017 to Margaret’s Granddaughter Brittany and husband Zachary who live at Cardiff Heights.

Brittany is a teacher at our Anglican school, Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College.

Congratulations to Margaret and her family! Margaret with Miller

Community ConnectionsThe Secret Gardens Sessions On a chilly winter’s evening in early July, we were pleased to welcome The Secret Garden Sessions for a night of incredible music and entertainment. The organiser of the event, Dan Burrows, was struck by the awe-inspiring beauty and acoustics of our beautiful Church building and decided that it would be the perfect place to film a concert live on location.

Videographer Temara Heta, and visual media designer Toby from Double T Media, along with Howie, Nick and Blue Violet created a beautiful atmosphere to experience the music offered on the evening. We were pleased to welcome Ahlia Rain, a talented singer songwriter from the Newcastle area, and Lennie Tranter and The Bagism Revelation who describe themselves as being ‘a bit like Ziggy Stardust meets the Beatles’.

Drummer Sam Smith said, “this is an incredible experience, we normally play in pubs and clubs so to be able to play music and be filmed performing in such a beautiful space is a great opportunity.” We were pleased to welcome a group of people who would not normally think about coming in to our church building. We hope that the videos from the evening will be available on our website in due course.

Lennie Tranter and The Bagism Revelation

Ahlia Rain

The Anglican Parish of East MaitlandSaint Peter’s Church

47 William Street East Maitland Serving the Communities of Ashtonfield,

East Maitland, Four Mile Creek, Louth Park, Metford, Pitnacree, Tenambit and the Hunter Region

Parish Office & Parish Information The Parish Office is normally open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and is the first point of contact for all parish enquiries and bookings. If the office is unattended please leave a message. Contact details and information about our regular activities can be found in our Welcome Guide available at the back of church, on the parish website, or through the Parish Office.

Pastoral Care Please advise the Parish Office of any pastoral needs and especially if someone is in hospital. If you need the assistance of a priest at any time please contact the Parish Office. After hours the office telephone will automatically re-direct you (without charge to you) to a member of staff who can assist you.

Baptisms and Weddings Information about baptisms (christenings) is available on our parish website. Information about holding a wedding at Saint Peter’s is available in our Wedding Guide and on our wedding website. The best way to make an enquiry about baptisms or weddings is through our websites.

Site Hire The church and hall buildings are available for hire for one-off or regular community and commercial events.

School & Retirement Living We commend to you our Anglican College at Fletcher and our Retirement Village in Tenambit. Please contact them directly (see below) for further information.

Parish Office Telephone: (02) 4934 5303 E-mail: office@eastmaitlandanglican.orgParish: www.eastmaitlandanglican.org

Weddings: www.huntervalleyweddings.infoMailing: P. O. Box 662 East Maitland NSW 2323

Parish Diar) 1st Aug 10 am: Craft Time (and on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month)

2nd Aug 6 pm: Baptism Information Evening (and on 1st Wednesday of each month)

2nd Aug 10 am: Music Time (and every Wednesday in school term time)

2nd Aug 4.30 pm: Talitha Community (and every Wednesday in school term time)

4th Aug 10 am: Play Time (and every Friday in school term time)

4th Aug 4.30 pm: Junior Choir Practice (and every Friday in school term time)

4th Aug 10.30 am: First Friday Healing Mass (and on 1st Friday of each month)

4th Aug 6 pm: Stations of the Cross (and on 1st Friday of each month)

5th Aug 6pm: Episcopal Visit with Sacraments at Vigil Mass followed by Supper

6th Aug 12 noon: Parish Pub Lunch

7th Aug 7 pm: Esther Community (and every Monday)

8th Aug 3 pm: Pastoral Care Team Meeting (and on 2nd Tuesday of each month)

8th Aug 7 pm: Choir Practice (and on 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month)

9th Aug 7pm: Compline Night Prayer (and on the 2nd Wednesday of each month)

13th Aug 5 pm: Petrus Community Church (and on 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month)

15th Aug 12.30 pm: Saint Egwin’s Fellowship

18th Aug 5.30 pm: Fun Time (and on 3rd Friday of each month)

20th Aug 3.30 pm: Quartet - Mark Your Diary!

21st Aug 10 am: Mothers’ Union (and on 3rd Monday of each month)

Holy BaptismWe welcome all those who will be baptised into the Body of Christ at Saint Peter’s in the coming weeks, amongst them: Luke Michael Forward, Addison Maree Campbell, Luis Rylan Buck, Amelia Mae Hodder, Audrey Belle Farrugia, Emma Elizabeth Dennis, Brock Leslie Martin, Brody Bruce Martin, Parker Anthony Hemmingway, Nyah Joan Alma Walker, and Paisley Jane Garland.

Confirmed in the Power of the Holy SpiritLuke Michael Forward and Sarah Elizabeth Forward will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 5th August.

Received into the Anglican ChurchWe are delighted to welcome Yanni Mavroucas and Gabriella Rose Jacinta Mavroucas together with Mark David Slavin who will be received into the Anglican Church of Australia by Bishop Peter on Saturday 5th August.

Holy MatrimonyPlease pray for those who have been married recently or who will be married in the coming weeks, and amongst them for Callum McCarter and Xintong He who will minister the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to each other on 26th August.

Rest in Peace Please pray for the souls of all those who have died recently, and amongst them for Bob Lord whose funeral was held in church.

Throughout the year we pray for the souls of loved ones on the anniversary of their death. Each year families remember loved ones who have died by dedicating memorial flowers in the church on the weekend in which they are included in our prayers. In the coming weeks flowers will be placed in church in loving memory of: Doug Terry and Olivia Sharp. Please pray for their souls, and for all who continue to mourn.

Parish Registers

23rd Aug 6 pm: Men’s Fellowship Dinner (and on 4th Wednesday of each month)

26th Aug 9 am: Safe Ministry Training in the Parish Hall

Parishioner in ProfileWelcome to Br4ce Jones Bruce was in conversation with Jesse Poole

Born in Sydney to loving parents Phillip and Dorothy Jones, Bruce has led an interesting life, with many ups and downs, but is now in the process of learning to fly!

Bruce’s parents moved to Armidale very early in his life, when his father took up a position as a lecturer at the Teacher’s College. With a strong passion for comparative education theory, his father worked closely with the Wyndham Committee responsible for the development and reform of the secondary education system in New South Wales. Bruce’s mother was also a teacher with a love for education, so it was no surprise to them when Bruce finished school and began work in the Admissions and Enquiries Department at the University of Sydney. Whilst working at the University, Bruce undertook his Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Medieval History and Religious Studies. He describes his favourite areas of study as Late Republic to Early Imperial Roman Empire, and the Crusades. In 1988, he met Jodie Harrison, and they were married in 1991. Together Bruce and Jodie have two children, India and Phillip. India is currently studying for her Higher School Certificate and Phillip is in Year 9.

Bruce has worked closely with many politicians during his varied career, such as Peter Morris OAM, Bryce Gaudry, and Richard Face, through a number of roles from Electorate Officer to Ministerial Advisor for Hunter Development.

Bruce’s journey in the Christian faith has been an interesting road. Raised in the Anglo Catholic tradition, he attended Mass regularly with his parents and sisters until he was 13, where he said he began to question his belief and to be frustrated by the ‘Sunday School fairytale’ method of teaching, and issues reconciling the differences between the Old and New Testament. Bruce left the Church, and did not return again until after his daughter India was born, when he felt drawn to wonder at the beauty and origin of life. He decided to take a visit to Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle, and it was here that he said he was awe-struck by the magnificence of the building, the timelessness of the liturgy and the music, and the sweet smell of incense! Eventually, he began to attend the family Mass ‘Xalt’ at Saint Augustine’s Church in Merewether with Father Stephen Williams, who is now the Dean of the Cathedral.

In 2007, Bruce heard about the Newcastle School of Theology and Ministry and contacted Father David, who was the Director of the School at that time, to enrol in the Bishop’s Certificate programme. He then continued his studies in the Bishop’s Diploma. He also began serving in the sanctuary with his daughter at the Cathedral. Bruce says he loves the smell of incense, and attributes it to attending the Midnight Mass when he was 10 in a Parish in England, where he sat in the front pew and had the thurible burning very close by!

Jodie was elected as a Councillor of Lake Macquarie Council in 2008, Mayor in 2011, and in 2014 was elected as the Member for Charlestown. Bruce and Jodie subsequently separated and Father David invited Bruce to move to East Maitland, where he found a house opposite the church on Banks Street. Bruce is now one of our servers at the Sung Mass and assists at Saint Peter’s Emergency Relief.

Bruce is an avid historian, and loves model trains and planes. After many ups and downs, Bruce is learning to fly - quite literally! He takes flying lessons, and regularly flies over East Maitland. Learning to fly has been a life long passion of his, and he is excited to be fulfilling it! We are so grateful to have Bruce with us as a member of the Saint Peter’s family. Welcome!

Church SiteWardens’ Site Update We are very fortunate to have such a committed group of volunteers who look after the extensive lawns and gardens at Saint Peter’s Church, maintaining it in a pristine condition which is often commented on by visitors to the site. The South Eastern garden has recently been extended with many new plants now becoming established.

A number of drainage issues around the South West corner of the Parish Hall and Rectory are still causing problems and we are currently waiting for a report on how this issue can be addressed.

Maintenance across the site is an ongoing challenge, however a number of tasks have been completed in recent months including small jobs in the church and maintenance work in the hall. Many thanks go to Kevin Short with the assistance of John Sharp and Richard Fellows for the recent work undertaken. We must also acknowledge the generosity of a number of donors who have made so much of the recent work possible.

You will see that we are in the process of externally lighting the West End of the Church at the current time.

We are always looking for more assistance!

ChurchFlower Ar?angers Visitors to Saint Peter’s Church cannot fail to notice the beautiful flowers that are on display throughout the Church.

These arrangements are put together by a group of volunteers who are rostered on every 4 – 6 weeks for a couple of hours each Friday or Saturday.

Extra hands are always needed. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to set up the various flower displays and put them in place as part of a team.

If you or anyone you know would be interested please contact Anne Page on 0421 310 938 or contact the Parish Office.

FundraisingQuarBet

We are looking forward to our next afternoon of entertainment together on Sunday 20th August in the Parish Hall.

Starting at 3.30 for 4 pm, the Fundraising Group has organised a relaxing afternoon of delights including pizza, wine or soft drinks, ice creams and the highly acclaimed movie “The Quartet” starring Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly.

The cost is $20 per person. Please sign up at the back of church or let the Parish Office know that you are coming. For further information contact Judi Moore on 4930 0888.

FundraisingSaint Peter’s Trivia Night Please plan to join us on the evening of Friday 22nd September for a night of trivia! Seats are available for $10 a head, and there will be prizes and raffles throughout the night. Bring along drinks and a plate to share at your table as we join in the fun!

We meet at 6 pm for a 6.30 pm start - we look forward to seeing you there as we support the ministry of Saint Peter’s Church in our local community!

Parishioner in ProfileWelcome to Mark Slavin Mark was in conversation with Scott Mudd and Jesse Poole

A Maitland boy, born and bred, Mark Slavin, or ‘Slavs’ as he is affectionately known, is a larger than life character and regular at our 9.30 am Sung Mass. Born to parents Annette and David, Mark is the middle child, and grew up closely with his elder siblings Elise and Peter, and is big brother to Luke.

Growing up in the area, Mark attended Thornton Public School before continuing high school at All Saints College, Saint Peter’s Campus.

Following this, he studied at Kurri Kurri TAFE as he learnt his trade as a Plant Mechanic. Mark is now 27 years old, and lives in Kurri Kurri, and works in his trade across the Hunter Region. Mark is passionate about the NRL, Cricket, and to use his own words, “listening to sick beats” (that’s music to the rest of us!).

Mark joined the Saint Peter’s community at the beginning of this year, when he and his best friend Sarah went looking for a Church community to discover a little more about his faith.

He said, “I love the feeling when you walk into Saint Peter’s Church, the feeling that you know you belong. I love the people at Saint Peter’s, and the loving, accepting atmosphere - the love and life coming from the community is euphoric.” Mark also enjoys joining us at the Parish Pub Lunches at the Bank Hotel each month to have a beer and play pool with the some of the Guild of Servers.

Mark was baptised and raised in the Catholic Church, and in August he will be received into Communicant Membership in the Anglican Church of Australia by Bishop Peter Stuart. Mark says that his relationship with God is one that is growing, and changing each day. He knows that he can turn to God, and to lean upon him in times that are both good and bad. “I see God in the little things of every day life, and I give thanks for that.” Welcome Mark! Thank you for being part of our Church community!

WelcomeSecond Episcopal Visit At the Vigil Mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration, Saturday 5th August, we will welcome Bishop Peter Stuart, Acting Bishop of Newcastle for the second time this year as he comes amongst us to preside at our worship, teach, administer the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and receive members into the Anglican Church of Australia.

Please join us at 6 pm as we celebrate with Luke and Sarah Forward (top right), Yanni and Gabriella Mavroucas (bottom right) and Mark Slavin (pictured in the article above).

If you are able to bring some food to share in a simple supper at the back of church afterwards this would be most appreciated.

Faith of our FathersTom Pritchard Church Organist 1890 - 1961 A summary by Kevin Short of an article appearing in The Sydney Organ Journal (Spring 2016)

Tom Isaac Pritchard, better known as Tom or ‘Taffy’ was born at Merythr Tydfil in Wales in July 1890. His father, Thomas Snr was a Colliery ‘Weigher’, his brother Isaac David, also a coal miner.

Pritchard’s early life is recorded in a newspaper article in 1945: “.… at the age of 11 years and ten months I went to work in the coal mines as a door boy, wages 5/- (50c) per week, working up to an experienced coal miner. In those days miners worked 12 hours a day and in winter-time saw daylight only once a week, and that was on Sundays…”

Pritchard attended night classes and was only one examination away from obtaining his underground manager’s certificate when he ‘tossed it all in’ to join an uncle who had mining interests in Western Australia.

Music was always part of Pritchard’s life, his father was reputed to have been a member of the original Royal Welsh Male Choir who sang annually for Queen Victoria. As a 12 year old he got the job in his parish church of ‘blowing’ the organ, inspiring his ambition to become a church organist. By the time he left for Australia he was competent enough to play for services having learnt under the tutelage of Dr Lawrence. For ‘blowing’ the organ, Pritchard was paid the princely sum of 6d (5c) per week, allowing him to save and purchase a violin which he taught himself to play.

Arriving at Fremantle in 1913, Pritchard worked initially as a fettler on the Midland (railway) Line, then as a miner along the Golden Mile at Kalgoorlie. Nobody could accuse Thomas of being a bigot; he played for the Roman Catholics at 10 am, the Methodists at 11 am and the Anglicans at 7.30 pm! At the time of his enlistment for the First World War he was organist at Saint John’s Cathedral, Kalgoorlie and the Methodist Church at Midland Junction where he lived with his uncle.

Pritchard was wounded in 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux and repatriated to England where he was able to spend time with his family in Wales before returning to Kalgoorlie for a short time from where he accepted the posting of organist and choirmaster at Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton in October 1921.

During the next few years Pritchard conducted recitals and choral performances including Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ and ‘Daughter of Jarius’ and Maunder’s ‘Olivet to Calvary’, performances that pleased the Cathedral audience but displeased Pritchard himself to the point that he returned to England, studying at the Royal College of Organists, London under Dr Stanley Marchant. he returned to Australia in 1930, first to the mining fields of Western Australia and then once again to Grafton Cathedral in 1931.

Whilst Pritchard obviously possessed some formal qualifications, the ‘letters’ following his name seemed to vary from time to time, suffice it to say he was a very competent and qualified organist and conductor, his recitals including works from Handel, Stainer, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Ketelby and Bach.

Pritchard’s reputation was secured in Grafton following the opening of the road and rail-bridge and his conducting of a combined choir in a sacred concert in Grafton Town Hall. During 1938 popular half-hour organ recitals were played by Pritchard in the Cathedral and broadcast over the local ABC network.

Late in 1938 Pritchard took 12 months leave, returning to pre-war England. During his stay in England he conducted a large choir at Merthyr Tydfil and studied at the English School of Church Music at Chislehurst, Kent where he took lessons from the organist at Westminster Abbey, Sir Sydney Nicholson. He returned to Australia and Grafton in the immediate days before the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 1941 Pritchard accepted a post as organist and choirmaster at St Peter’s Cathedral Armidale, with a simultaneous appointment as ‘Music Master’ at the Armidale School. To raise money for choir music he gave recitals, often joined by accomplished soloists. In March 1942 Pritchard gave a recital over local radio from the Cathedral of Welsh music, especially for Saint David’s Day.

In March 1944 Pritchard resigned from the Cathedral, returning to Grafton where he occupied himself with teaching music. He accepted an invitation to Bathurst during Christmas 1944, the consequence being an appointment as organist and choir master at All Saint’s Cathedral in January 1945 and subsequently Music Master at All Saint’s College.

In October 1947 Pritchard gave a recital for the centenary of Mendelssohn’s death and shortly after departed Bathurst for another trip to the UK. In May, 1948 he was appointed organist and choirmaster at his old parish church in Merthyr Tydfil:

‘Taffy is now permanently at the manuals for which when he was a boy of 12 he provided the wind by working briskly at the end of the blower handle. He is thrilled not only by the fine singing of the choir in the church, but by the love of harmony at Merthyr Tydfil. At this centre there are four choral societies and parties, the largest having 240 members.’ (Daily Examiner Grafton 19 May, 1948)

On his return to Australia in December 1949 he was immediately appointed organist and choirmaster at St Peter’s Church, East Maitland and choirmaster at Newcastle Grammar School (Morpeth). Arriving back in East Maitland from another sabbatical to the UK in June 1955, Pritchard was welcomed back with a celebration in our parish hall. During his years in East Maitland Pritchard lived in the ‘headmaster’s’ residence above the hall. Following his death in 1961 he bequeathed £500 ($1,000) to Saint Peter’s.

Thomas Pritchard was a colourful and energetic character who rose from humble beginnings to serve as organist and choirmaster in three Australian provincial cathedrals. Despite a probable lack of formal qualifications he had a natural musical ability and was well-loved in the cities he served, East Maitland being one!

DiscipleshipMen’s Fellowship In June the Men’s Fellowship gathered for a great evening together where we enjoyed an excellent meal and heard a presentation from Scott Mudd on his life journey and how it has led him to seek ordination in the Anglican Church.

At the July meeting we were delighted to hear from John Butler who had us all laughing as he re-told various experiences from his life as a teacher and motorbike enthusiast.

Please plan to join us on Wednesday 23rd August at 6 pm for 6.15 when we will be having a partners’ night, a great opportunity to bring our wives and enjoy fellowship together. As always, please sign up for this event at the back of church and feel free to bring drinks to share.

Scott Mudd with Father Peter at Men’s Fellowship

Families MinistriesToy Exchange On the last Friday of the school holidays (14th July), parents, grandparents and caregivers from the various families programmes at Saint Peter’s gathered together to exchange books, clothes and toys at our first Toy Exchange.

The morning was a great opportunity for everyone to update their toy boxes at home for their children, and provided a space for parents from across our programmes to get to know one another and to share ideas over refreshments. It was also great to meet other parents from our local community who came along for the event. Thank you to all the parents who brought along toys, books and clothes to exchange, to Jessie from Absolute Megatainment for bringing along the coffee van, and to the parishioners who assisted setting up for the morning. We will be having another Toy Exchange next school holidays on Friday 22nd September from 10 am to 12 pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

News from the ArchdeaconryFather Paul Moves to Maitland

Canon Paul West was commissioned as the Rector of our neighbouring Parish of Maitland on Tuesday 4th July.

Father Paul comes to the Archdeaconry from Christ Church Cathedral, where he has ministered as the Canon Residentiary and as Chaplain to Newcastle Grammar School.

Father Paul’s own father was a priest in the Diocese of Newcastle for many years (father John West), and served as Curate in the Parish of Maitland, so for Father Paul this is something of a homecoming.

We give thanks to God for the many years of ministry served by Father Chris Butterworth as Rector of Maitland, and offer him our love and prayers as he and his family continue the next chapter of their lives following his retirement from stipendiary ministry.

Please pray for Father Paul, his family, and the congregations of Saint Mary the Virgin Church Maitland as they begin this next phase of their life together. Canon Paul West is

commissioned by Bishop Peter

Church BuildingStained Glass Windows We are delighted that the second phase of the stained glass windows project is well underway, and we anticipate that the next two groups of windows will be installed in the church in time for them to be hallowed at the Sung Mass on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Sunday 17th September.

In this second phase we are commemorating the former churches at Tenambit and Eastville, and their patron saints. The designs have been approved and Jeff Hamilton our skilled stained glass artisan is in the process of crafting the windows at the current time.

The third phase of the project encompasses the design and installation of the final two groups of windows. We hope that it will be possible for this third phase to be completed in 2018.

If you would like further information about the possibility of donating one, or part of one, of these groups of windows please contact Kay Sharp AM on 0418 790 706 for more information.

Shaping a Healthy FutureSafe Minist?) Training Day at Saint Peter’s Safe Ministry Training is a mandatory requirement for all those holding a Bishop’s licence or who are involved in leading a Church activity or who volunteer on a regular basis.

The Safe Ministry Training is required to be completed every three years, with a half day Refresher Course option for those who have attended a Safe Ministry Training course within the previous three years. This training is available throughout the year at venues across the Diocese.

Saint Peter’s Church will be hosting a full day Safe Ministry Training course on Saturday 26th August from 9 am to 4 pm in the Parish Hall, presented by Father Peter Rothnie. There is a cost of $30 that is payable on the day. If you have not previously attended a Safe Ministry Training course and would like to do so, this is the ideal opportunity.

If you would like to attend please contact the Parish Office for a Registration Form. There is also a sign up sheet at the rear of the Church.

Book ReviewMere Christianit) Reviewed by Kimbalee Hodges

There are certain books that every Christian should read at least once to learn the basic tenets of our faith. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is one of these works. Lewis, who converted to Christianity from atheism, was one of the major apologists of the 20th century. Christian apologetics seeks to argue for a rational basis for the faith that we as Christians have.

Mere Christianity explains why we have the faith that we do, why Jesus is necessary for our relationship with God, and several chapters outlining what Christians believe. Lewis also tackles the tough subjects such as morality, sin and forgiveness.

Probably the thing that most spoke to me on one of my readings of this work was this quote: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” There is something within the world that does not satisfy longings of the soul, and Lewis contends that this common longing in the spirit of mankind is the desire for God.

Mere Christianity is a work that needs to be read and re-read, as Lewis’ explanations are so multi-layered and dense. However, the effort is well worth it to come to know God in a deeper way.

DiscipleshipAre Any Among You Sick? Scott Mudd reflects on our prayers for healing

Saint James in his Epistles writes, “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the Church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”

One of the most powerful gifts we have been given as Christians is prayer. We know that when we pray God hears us and answers us, and in his Epistle the Apostle James reminds us of that. Healing prayer is one of the most powerful forms of prayer we have available to the Church, so much so that the Church has labelled anointing of the sick one of the seven Sacraments of the Shurch. The significance and power of laying hands on someone, praying for them and anointing them with oil is a visible and physical sign of our belief that God is present and at work in their life. This experience is amazingly powerful and transformative. Christians believe that God answers our prayers and it is faith that makes the prayer and anointing so effective - faith in Jesus, faith in our brothers and sisters in Christ, faith in the priest who is offering anointing.

Every Friday at Saint Peter’s we have a Healing Mass at 10.30 am. We pray there for the healing of the world, the Church and one another, in continuation of the ministry of Jesus and his Apostles. On the First Friday of the month the Mass includes a short homily and refreshments afterwards.

All are welcome.

Praying for healing

Parishioner in ProfileWelcome to Margot Miller Margot was in conversation with Deacon Wendy

Born in Ipswich, Queensland, Margot lived there until she was three years old, moving with her family to Sydney. It was here that Margot attended Meriden Church of England Girl’s Grammar School from Kindergarten to her Leaving Certificate, and was confirmed at Saint Anne’s Church in Strathfield. Margot then went on to study Law at the University of Sydney, a course she was never able to finally complete with the busyness of married life and children!

It was during this time that Margot fell in love with music. She first learnt to play the piano at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, taught by Jean Pollock, with theory lessons from Dulcie Holland. Her love of music offered for the worship of God took Margot to Christ Church Saint Lawrence, one of the famous Anglo Catholic parishes in Sydney. Here Margot learned to play the Pipe Organ under the tutelage of Colin Sapsford.

Margot taught music until she became a single mother and then she took up employment in the legal profession and in advertising. By now Margot’s two children had grown up and left home. Margot needed a new challenge. She decided to start an ‘in home child care centre’ and teach piano privately. When one of the children’s family moved to Japan, they invited Margot to join them to look after their son and to continue to teach him music. Through word of mouth Margot ended up teaching Japanese children the piano, which she did for the following twelve months.

When Margot returned to Australia, she moved to Mannering Park in Lake Macquarie, where she lived for the next ten years. It was during this time that Margot went to Tasmania for a holiday. While visiting Stanley, Margot saw Saint Paul’s Rectory. The house reminded Margot of the house her grandfather once owned. To Margot’s amazement the rectory was no longer used by the church and it was rented out, in fact it was available for rent at that very moment. Margot decided that she must live there and so for the next seven years this was Margot’s home!

During a visit from her cousins from Kyabram, Victoria, Margot was persuaded to come back to the mainland. It was here that she became very involved not only in the local Anglican Church by playing the organ, but with the community, taking an active role within the Church. Margot continued to work with the elderly for many years after her mother died in 1996.

The recent move to her unit at Ellimatta Village in East Maitland was at the suggestion of her daughter Debi who works for the United Protestant Association in Sydney, the organisation that operates the units. It also means that Margot is now closer to her family in Sydney and her friends at Mannering Park. As Margot says, “It is only a short walk down to the Victoria Street station and a train ride to anywhere.”

Margot has thrown herself into the life of our Church by joining the Mothers’ Union, the Craft Group and Cursillo. She is also leading a prayer group in her village. Margot loves playing her grand piano, knitting, walking and travelling. She has travelled all around Australia, to New Zealand, Japan and Fiji.

We are so blessed that Margot has joined us at Saint Peter’s. Welcome Margot!

Visit our Website: www.east[aitlandanglican.org Latest News and Events + Photo Gallery + Recent Sermons + Information about the Life of our Parish

Mission PartnershipsUpdate on our Mission Giving We are grateful to all those who contribute to our mission partnerships throughout the year.

In the first half of this year we have raised $6,358 towards our target of $12,000. Thank you.

We have been able to provide financial support to one of our neighbouring parishes, Maitland Christian Education Association, Scripture in Schools, Bush Church Aid, and our principal mission partner the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM).

Our ABM allocation for the first half of the year is supporting the Wontulp-Bi-Buya Theological College in Cairns with a donation of $3,750. Students at the college choose from certificate and diploma courses in Theology and Ministry as well as courses in Community Development, Alcohol Counselling and Indigenous Mental Health. Whilst the college is able to access some government funding to assist students with travel and accommodation, the college would not survive without the contribution of churches.

Supporting our mission partners is made possible through your generous contributions through congregational giving and activities such as the two mission lunches held at Saint Peter’s each year that are always well supported. Our next mission lunch will be held on Sunday 15th October.

Saint Peter’s Emergency ReliefWinter has Come Saint Peter’s Emergency Relief has had a busy few weeks with winter having well and truly taken root in the Hunter Region. We are incredibly grateful to all those who have donated to the Winter Appeal from our own parish community, and also for the donations we have received from many other local groups. In July we received a great deal of food collected by our brothers and sisters in the Parish of Gresford and Paterson, and many baskets collected by the students and families from Maitland Grossman High School. We are especially grateful to our friends at Saint James’ Church, Morpeth for their contributions of blankets, rugs, and warm winter clothing that was collected at their ‘Ugs and Rugs’ service. We give thanks to God for the spirit of generosity, and continue to pray for these communities in our local area as they seek to serve those in need in God’s kingdom.

Towards the end of the month, Jesse was invited by the coordinator of the Emergency Relief programme at the Samaritans Foundation to sit on the panel of interviewers as the Samaritans seek to employ an Intensive Support Worker to be based on our parish site. After over 20 applicants were interviewed across the region, a person with the necessary skills was found. We are excited to welcome Harmony Wilson to this role. Harmony will be working from the site to work closely with clients who access the services offered here, and we look forward to introducing her to Cross and Keys readers in due course.We continue to be thankful for the donations received. This month, as part of our own almsgiving, we are asking the parish community to consider donations of school snacks such as muesli bars, small packets of chips, and of cleaning supplies such as bottles of spray and wipe, and laundry detergent. We are grateful for your prayers and practical support for this ministry.

Teacher Eddie Turpin with Wontulp-Bi-Buya students

Religious LifeBrotherhood of Saint GregorJ Father David introduces his journey with the Brotherhood

Recently I was asked whether

the ‘BSG’ after my name was

an abbreviation for ‘Bachelor’s

Degree in Studying God’, which

I thought was quite a creative

guess!

‘BSG’ indicates that I am a Gregorian Friar,

a member of the Brotherhood of Saint

Gregory. This small Anglican community of

men is made up of brothers around the

world working in various church ministries,

including parish priests and deacons,

hospital chaplains, musicians, teachers

and a range of social work ministries.

The Brotherhood was founded nearly fifty

years ago by Br Richard Thomas Biernacki

BSG, who remains its Minister General. It

was unique when it was founded, because

it was the only Anglican religious

community at that time that allowed its

brothers to be married.

I became a Postulant in the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory in 2005 and over the years that followed I was formed by the community through a programme of study as a novice before making the Brotherhood’s vows of religious life. Within the community I am known as Brother David John BSG, distinguishing me from other brothers with the same first name, including Brother David Luke Henton BSG who some will remember from his visit to the parish a few years ago. In 2015 I made my life profession within the community. This means that I have promised to live by the rule of the community for the rest of my life. The community’s rule provides me with a framework for my own discipleship of Jesus and for serving as your parish priest.

Each year the brothers gather for General Chapter and Annual Convocation in New York, and we all fly in from our homes to be together for a week. This provides the opportunity for worship, spiritual growth and retreat, attending to the business of our community and fellowship and encouragement together. Each year new men join us to test their vocation within our community.

Our life is summarised in one section of our rule which reads as follows, “It shall be the objective of a brother to live deliberately and actively, corporately and singly, in such a manner that his every living moment may be an exemplification of the motto of the Brotherhood: ‘Soli Deo Gloria — To God alone the glory,’ that those persons who may come to know him may by his example be brought the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A brother must endeavour to witness to our Redeemer’s love with quietness, patience, humility, charity, courage and prayer, knowing that it is not he who shall finally bring the light, but only that he shall become a messenger for the One who is the light.”

Brothers gathering for General Chapter in New York in July 2017

Father David with the Community’s Episcopal Visitor (centre) and the Minister General (right) in New York in July 2017

Father David presides at the Mass during the Annual Convocation of the

Brotherhood of Saint Gregory see inside back cover