Inspired by God’s love, through worship, prayer and scriptural reflection, we seek to live our Christ-centred values by meeting the The needs of our communities through serving and accepting others. Issue: 101 A Newspaperdvocate of the Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta I www.wangaratta-anglican.org.au June/July 2021 ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’ with what seems almost impossible - a camel going through the eye of a PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS needle. The Right Rev’d Clarence E Bester Jesus’ response to the rich person Theme: The God of Possibilities thousands of kilometres over the - whom he invited to go and sell 3 months, enabling the privilege everything - and the man’s own Progress Report of continuing these conversations sadness in response - illustrated how Having only had Synod six months by ‘cross-pollination’ and ongoing difficult it is for people to change or ago, we have not done as much as interaction. face challenges. We know that, when it we hoped, however have begun a comes to change, people would prefer process of intentional conversations I sincerely hope that further discussions the ‘usual’, the known and the familiar in February-April with the Bishop during Synod will prioritise clear and anything resembling change can engaging with the Parish Leadership directions for a ministry strategy that be difficult. Teams of 22 Pastoral Charges. These will foster the growth and development meetings proved very informative, of all God’s people in the Diocese. As a Parish Priest for many years on fruitful and forward looking. It gave the three continents, I have experienced Teams the opportunity to share their The God of Possibilities this resistance to change and views and have robust discussions Knowing the difficulties and challenges challenge, especially if people want with the Bishop about the shape of we face as a Church, there is always to do things as they have for many ministry. this sense that things will work out. years. One could contextualise this Knowing much about the God of parable and say that it will be easier Also, we have been able to exercise Surprises as I tried to articulate last for a camel to go through the eye of a a ministry of visibility, availability and year, this year I have chosen as theme needle than for change to be affected presence, creating opportunities ‘The God of Possibilities’, believing within congregations, despite the for some re-organisation through that challenges create opportunities prospect of not being able to continue our four area-deaneries for ongoing and opportunities give way to all because of a lack of numbers, massive conversation about our Ministry Action kinds of possibilities. In the parable of generational gaps and genuine Plan. There will be opportunities for the rich person in Luke 18:18-29, we financial constraints. training and developing our Laity see a rather bizarre comparison of a for their ministries. I have covered rich person entering God’s kingdom Continued page 6 Inside the Advocate this month ....... PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 8 2 THE ADVOCATE June/July 2021 nine Bishops in attendance, with apologies from the others who Provincial Council were unable to attend. It is highly The Book of Psalms possible that this was the first time Kilmore had had so many Bishops meet at Kilmore in the town at the same time! BY CAROLINE BURGE Wangaratta, Melbourne, Bendigo, From a ‘catering’ perspective – it Ballarat and Gippsland; as well was a little like the Feeding of the On Tuesday April 13th, the as Lay Representatives of each 5000! Not that there were 5000 in Provincial Council held their Diocese including Registrars, attendance, but with the generosity biannual meeting at Christ Church Legal representatives and other of many parishioners, a plentiful Kilmore. This is the first time the elected Lay people. The Council supply of food for morning tea, meeting has been held in Kilmore meet as a support structure to all lunch and afternoon “magically” and the first time in many years the Dioceses in the Province with appeared. The Parish was since the Diocese of Wangaratta sharing of ideas, collaborating on honoured to be asked to host the has had the pleasure of hosting ministry issues and supporting meeting and Christ Church Kilmore the meeting. each other. The Archbishop was transformed into a large of Melbourne (the Right Rev’d meeting space in the main body What a joy for the Parish of Kilmore Dr Philip Freier), who is the of the church, as well as an eating to welcome nearly 30 members Metropolitan of the Province of area at the back of the church. of the Provincial Council to their Victoria, chaired the meeting, with What a joy to have such a large Parish Church. The Council is Bishop Andrew Curnow as the building to create a ‘living space’ made up of Bishops and Assistant Provincial Executive Officer and and the ability to spread out more Bishops from the five Dioceses’ Secretary of the Provincial Council. in keeping with COVID regulations. in the Province of Victoria – At the meeting in April there were BY REV’D CANON SCOTT JESSUP find a place, it is a dialogue that is not ‘sanitised’; God hears Whatever the human situation or what is in our heart and mind. In emotion, it finds its expression in expressing complaint openly to the Book of Psalms. The heights God the psalmist is set free from of great jubilation and the depths their darkness and is able to ‘re- of sorrow, every facet of human orientate’ their human experience emotion are all offered up to thus enabling a movement in their God in the form of poetry. St relationship with God. Suffering Athanasius the Great (4th century) shared is suffering that is easier described the psalms as a ‘garden’ to bear. Often we find it hard to containing all kinds of fruits. Some expose our deepest suffering are encouraging, comforting to other people. Our feelings and affirming, whilst others are of vulnerability hold us back. Lester & Son Do you have an challenging. Over the centuries Yet, often we are unable fully to Funeral Directors Like us on they have been the staple diet acknowledge to ourselves what Event that you of worship, both for the Jewish is going on without the help of A tradition of personal, professional care since 1907 community in which they originated someone to share it with us. God Facebook would like to and for the Christian church. They may well send us help through our advertise in the are full of praise. There are also family and friends, but it is also Advocate? many laments, expressions of possible to approach God directly grief or sorrow, arising from the and honestly, as the psalmist does Anglican experience of desolation and in the Psalms. Send it to suffering. Yet, even when the Diocese of registry@wangaratta- psalmist is at their lowest ebb they John Calvin said that the psalms anglican.org.au see their existence inextricably act like a ‘mirror’ to the soul. Wangaratta linked to the presence, goodness and faithfulness of God and can The expression of praise weaves express trust in God’s intervention. its way in and out of the psalms. Andrew Harbick & Darren Eddy This special covenant relationship The psalms provide direction as to between God and God’s people what is possible in our relationship Call now for immediate service or for an appointment to discuss your funeral needs. is important in understanding with God, providing guidance for 02 6056 1700 the psalms. It is because of prayer and a model to follow in 49 Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga this relationship that the psalms expressing the full range of human take the form of a conversation/ emotions including praise, lament www.lesterandson.com.au dialogue. A conversation/dialogue and complaint. All Hours • All Areas • Pre-planned Funerals Available where both complaint and praise WHAT’S INSIDE? CONTACT US DETAILS SAFE CHURCH The Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta The Advocate Newspaper is published by the Anglican Diocese of has zero tolerance for abuse. We are From the Bishop..........................3 GENERAL ENQUIRIES, Wangaratta and is distributed across the Diocese in the middle of every committed to providing a safe, respectful, DESIGN & PRODUCTION second month. welcoming and positive environment for Mothers’ Union............................4 Fiona van Bree children and adults from all backgrounds. 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