ANGLICANNEWS a Magazine for the Anglican Community of Canberra & Goulburn Vol
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ANGLICANNEWS a magazine for the Anglican Community of Canberra & Goulburn Vol. 35 No. 1 February 2018 FROM THE BISHOP CHRISTMAS AT MANUKA NEW SCHOOL PRINCIPAL HISTORY BYTES The last piece from Manuka shares the Meet the new Father Robert Bishop Stuart, shar- Christmas mes- Principal for The Willson shares his ing highlights of his sage with many Anglican School recollections of Sir ministry people Googong Marcus Loane page 2 page 3 page 3 page 4 Embracing Ministries Te program is extraordinary portant step that ensures their abil- for many reasons. We know that ity to engage and enjoy themselves. families with special needs chil- Tere was also a careful match- dren adore their children but are ing of children with a carer. And dehydrated on so many levels. First, during the program, I saw endless there is emotional dehydration – smiles and laughter from everyone most marriages fail, friends and involved. No child was ever lef un- families can distance themselves attended. Christ’s love for all was and the stress levels parents feel is brought to life for the children with akin to the post traumatic stress of interactive stories, play and joy. So veterans. Second, there is spiritual many wonderful activities were dehydration – where they can feel provided, from animal petting to forsaken. Tird, there is the fnan- circus acts. Te happiness on the cial dehydration – funds are very parent’s faces when they picked up tight as many are single parents their children almost brought me to and there are those that are unable tears – they knew with every fbre of to work full time or at all given their being that their children had the high and intense needs of their enjoyed a fantastic day provided by children. Many would like to place people who truly cherished them. their children into school holiday And while their children were in programs but are unable to fnd the program, the parents also had something that they can aford and the opportunity to relax and re- in particular, that will truly cater to charge their batteries – such a rare the needs of their children. experience for many. Tis was truly And so when I heard about An- faith in action and I pray that we can From ever so humble beginnings, and their siblings, plus retreats for drea’s free holiday program tailored continue to be human bill boards Embracing Ministries continues to men, to the already busy calendar of to meet the needs of these families, that walk and talk the need to love expand in an efort to meet the very women’s retreats, the Spring Chris- I wanted to get on board. And what and support others, especially the great and special needs of families tian Holiday program, the mentor I experienced and witnessed at the families and children with special who are afected by disability. program, inclusion training with holiday programs took my breath needs. With one-in-four people In 2015 Te Reverend Andrea CBM’s Luke 14 resources, disability away. I saw vibrant Christian high now experiencing a disability, I also de Vaal Horciu was trying to fol- chaplaincy and pastoral care. 2018 schoolers who were willing to un- pray that we can continue to bless low the Apostle Paul’s example and will also bring two more sessions of dergo carer training, in their own more families and children through be ‘all things to all people’ but was the popular Minnows Music pro- time, on how to best meet the needs the Inclusion Ministries programs. fnding it increasingly hard to ft in gram, where children with special of the families and children with God bless you Andrea and the Em- her pastoral work with special fami- needs and their parents or carers special needs. A BBQ lunch was bracing Ministries Team! lies around her other demanding move to music and practice com- organised to enable a meet-and- by Penny and Nikki Watts roles. As others caught her vision munication using Auslan signs and greet between carers, children and of inclusion, Andrea organised the pictures. families so frst Christian holiday program for Te work of Embracing Ministries that a rapport children with disabilities, and the is only possible with the support and under- Mentor program for training young of its volunteers, who embrace the standing was people in inclusive ministry. With concept of inclusion and recognise d e v e l o p e d funding from Anglicare and a pri- the face of Jesus in every person. well before vate charitable trust, a paid position Penny and Nikki are two such vol- the program as Director has given Andrea time unteers, and this is their story. My even started. to dedicate herself more fully to this daughter Nikki and I (Penny) have Tis enabled a project. been involved with Inclusion Min- seamless tran- In 2018 Embracing Ministries istries for some time now. We both sition for the will be adding the Little Treas- volunteered for the very frst Holi- children into ures holiday program for primary day program for teens with special the program school children with special needs needs. – such an im- ANGLICANNEWS February 2018 Bishop Stuart writes ... Beloved in Christ, large, were perpetrated by lead- Tough we are retiring from ers within our own communities episcopal ministry we are (to Warmest greetings from myself of faith. A travesty. With my team quote the Reverend John Jenner) and Jane! of professional and godly leaders, ‘refring’ back into full-time par- Tis will be my last piece in I have met with individuals and ish ministry. I’ll be inducted as Anglican News as Bishop Tre- their families and have carefully Priest, St Michael’s, Vaucluse and vor will efectively be at the helm listened to their stories; generally Rose Bay, on Saturday May 5th at when the March edition arrives. in very great (and galling) detail. 4.30pm. And my formal farewell Te most frequent question(s) I can report that our redress and from this Diocese is Saturday we’ve been asked of late is, ‘why pastoral care programmes have March 31st at 11.00am. Tis is a are you retiring and what have brought much honour to Christ ‘Laying Up Of Te Pastoral Staf’ been the highlights?’. Let me at- and healing to some. Tat said, event. You are all very welcome. tempt a short answer: the sheer volume of cases and the Lent is fast approaching. In this I was aforded the very high deep pain associated with every lead up to Passiontide, I do en- privilege of being elected to lead story takes its toll on those who join you once again to be thank- this See in November 2008. We are seeking to bring wholeness ful to God for his remarkable moved to Canberra in the new and justice. I do hope that many Walk with Te Cross through grace in sending a Saviour, our year and began the process of en- of you will join me for a Service regional NSW and the ACT; the Lord Jesus. As the redeemed peo- gaging with God’s people across of Lament and Repentance in our fve Bishops Lay Ministry Con- ple of God we have been called to this vast and great diocese. Te Cathedral on Sunday February ventions (Canberra [1], Goul- be beacons and conduits of light, Bishop of Canberra and Goul- 11th at 3.00pm. burn [3], Wagga Wagga [1]); mercy and hope. May God, by burn has pastoral responsibility It is also true to say that Jane my annual open air evangelistic his Spirit, through you, continue for around 20,000 people. Tey and I feel that in our tenth year, service in Belmore Park, Goul- in bringing the transforming love are connected with our church- we’ve done that which the Lord burn, where people are invited to of Jesus to our homes, communi- es, schools, Anglicare and other called us to do: to serve along- publicly give their lives to Christ ties, schools, businesses and na- agencies. Te ‘cure’ of that many side remarkably gifed and able (and do); our Synods where we tion. Hallelujah! ‘souls’ carries with it a certain women and men who are com- gather for fellowship, grace-flled Much love in Christ, weight that is apt to become de- mitted to seeing the love of Jesus debate, prayer, worship and leg- pleting if not carefully managed. transform individuals and com- islation; inductions, parish visits +Stuart and Jane In this period, we also engaged munities. Tat in itself has been and ordinations (around 100 or February 2018 (quite rightly) with a great many a great highlight. so); serving as Priest for the con- victims of sexual and other Other memorable events and gregations of F5 and West Goul- abuses. Tese atrocities, by and ministries have been the 2013 burn. Clergy Moves Clergy Moves (Cont.) Bishop Stuart Robinson will complete his term as Rector, West Goul- Te Revd John Jenner will retire as Rector, Temora, with his last Sun- burn, on Ash Wednesday, 13 Feb; lay up his pastoral staf of the Dio- day in the Parish as Easter Day, 01.04.2018. cese on 31 Mar; and commence as Rector, Rose Bay and Vaucluse, Te Ven Dr Erica Mathieson has resigned as Rector of Hackett Parish Sydney on 6 May 2018. sometime afer 08.04.2018 afer a period of leave is complete. Erica Te Ven John Barnes has been licensed as Regional Archdeacon has resigned as Archdeacon North Canberra from 08.04.2018. Goulburn and Southern Tablelands and Team Leader (Part time/ Te Revd Canon Gillian Varcoe has been licensed as Missioner- Hon.) of exploratory and cooperating ministry units to be known as at-large; Senior Associate Priest, Combined Ministry District of the ‘Southern Tablelands Minster’.