TheAnglican Gippsland Volume 114, Number 11, December 2017 Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904 “As the star shone as a guiding light to the wise men and the shepherds, so we are to be guiding lights to tell the story of the birth of Jesus JENNY KOCH for generations to come.” From the Bishop TGA Index Waiting and watching From the Bishop 2 urning our calendars over people made up of communities centres. We Anglicans can speak to December signals the of that love and grace. about welcome and grace and Parish to parish 2 Advent season of hope We have been waiting and make our voices heard to speak T as we look to Christmas and watching as the Victorian up as Jesus did. Dedicated, blessed and 3 beyond. Turning to December is government after long, long We have been waiting and more than the flipping of another debates passed assisted dying watching for the final report open for business page and a quick look at the legislation. We Anglicans of the Royal Commission into landscape picture for the month. will need to work out how our child sexual abuse due on 15 Around the parishes 4 – 7 It’s more than a cursory glance pastoral ministry extends to this December. We Anglicans have at the numbers 1-31. new reality, caring for those who been shamed by our part in the Bishop Kay Goldsworthy December is the month in in faith and hope may make stories told to and through the Kids’ Min: 8 which we watch. Time set decisions which challenge us. Commission. And we have the in this world for us, with us, Messy Church, Bairnsdale aside to wait. Time for keeping We will need to be as steadily opportunity to act with care for alongside us. Jesus the one for vigil. Time to allow waiting, alongside those who walk step those whose voices have been whom we wait and watch with Unlocking compassion 9 watching, hoping, expecting that by step with their very dear ones heard. Who have spoken truth eager longing. the love which lies deep in the as they discern and decide and and let the light in. James Oakley heart of God will arrive for us seek our prayer and our love. This December these things This is my final Page Two in Jesus and his wonderful love We have been waiting and are seeking our response, the article for The Gippsland Reflection: 10 will be present to overflowing. watching with those hundreds birthing of God’s love for this Anglican. It has taken a while to Waiting with all creation December is the month during of men on Manus Island, many day and time. We can respond put on paper. I thank the editor – Edie Ashley which hope stands fast in the keeping vigil and protest at in love, even in those things Jan Down for her patience and face of everything that rises up Australia’s treatment of refugees which we find hard to come to care of this paper and I thank all against its power. and asylum seekers kept for terms with. Why? Because of of you who read it, for the care Editorial 10 In recent weeks we have all years in off-shore detention the love which has made a home and consideration you give to been waiting and watching for all that we writers offer. the community’s response to the This morning as I walked Advent: Learning 11 question of marriage equality around the lake in Sale the anew to be human in the postal survey and the mist was such an image of the Jasmine and Samuel Dow advent of new law allowing waiting and watching we are same sex couples to marry. doing in December. As you wait Holiday Reading Guide 12 This Christmas many families and watch for the 13th Bishop David Head will be planning weddings, of Gippsland may the grace of and while they won’t be taking our Lord Jesus Christ be with place in Anglican Churches, you all. Diocesan calendar 12 we Anglicans have to work out It has been a great blessing how it is that we can be part of to have been with you welcoming families that may be over these last few shaped differently from our own years. Love into the Church. The Church and peace The Gippsland which is welcoming of others, a Mist on Lake Guthridge Anglican sign of the love of Christ for all Member of Australasian Religious Press Association as many members age they Member of Community Newspapers Parish to Parish: praying for each other will still feel valued in their Association of Victoria membership and know the “...That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith...” (ROMANS 1:12) Registered by Australia Post value of their prayers and Print Post Number 34352/00018 support of the many projects This diocesan prayer diary and a new activity we are link together to provide prayer, The Gippsland Anglican is the official MU undertakes in other calling Advent for All where active support and leadership newspaper of and is published by features three parishes countries and within Australia. The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, each month, appearing in we hope to involve everyone within parishes for Children’s 453 Raymond Street, alphabetical order. Diocesan (especially the young) in and Youth Ministry. Please THE ABBEY Sale, Victoria, 3850. organizations will also be worship on the first Sunday in pray for: our five Gippsland www.gippsanglican.org.au included. Each parish sends in its Advent. representatives attending the The Abbey, a Centre Australian GFS KidsPlus+ for Spirituality and the Editor: Jan Down own profile and prayer needs. THE ANAM CARA Conference January 7 – 14; Environment on Raymond Tel: 0407 614 661 COMMUNITY Email: [email protected] YARRAM those preparing for our Island, offers hospitality for retreats, conferences, groups, Contributions are due by 15th of SOUTHERN REGION Anam Cara is a community of March Diocesan KidsPlus+ the month prior to publication families and individuals. Please people of prayer who seek to Camp at Coonawarra resort; The Parish of Yarram, on the pray for: January with large deepen their journey into God. all parishes as they plan for Layout by Devine Design border of the Southern and church groups; the Simply Printed by Fairfax Media, We offer quiet days throughout children’s Youth and adult Eastern regions, is home to Alive Retreat; travellers and 30-32 Grandlee Drive, the year where all are welcome ministries 2018; and current or the oldest wooden church holiday guests. Give thanks Wendouree, Victoria, 3355. and we can grow in the ability prospective participants of our in Victoria, Christ Church for February and March to be still in our busy world. Diocesan Leader Development The editor reserves the right of Tarraville. Our parish is also bookings; pray that God will final choice and format of material We provide a fortnightly Workshops. the birthplace of the diocese of bring others to The Abbey; included in each issue. The Gippsland newsletter for encouragement, Anglican and the editor cannot Gippsland. for the Abbey Program 2018, reflection and prayer. Pray for ANGLICAN MOTHERS necessarily verify any material used Next year 2018 will mark for Chapter, staff, supporters us as we plan our next year’s UNION in this publication. Views contained 150 years of the parish, and and volunteers, and for The in submitted material are those program and encourage others the centenary of Holy Trinity Anglican Mothers’ Union Abbey as we live into the of contributors. on the journey. Yarram, with many activities Australia is part of the Franciscan Way. Advertising Rates planned. We welcome your KIDS PLUS+ GIPPSLAND world-wide Mothers’ Union Please contact the editor for all prayers for this Advent and showing “Christian Care for Please also pray for the two advertising submissions, costing and enquiries, including about Christmas Season – our third Kidsplus+ Gippsland is an Families”. Gippsland has 10 Anglican schools of the inserts in the newspaper. A full annual Christmas Tree Trail; intergenerational network of branches from East Gippsland diocese: St Paul’s Anglican advertising schedule can be sent out Selfies at the Stable in the people within the Anglican to Phillip Island with 130 Grammar School and upon request. main street on Christmas Eve; Diocese of Gippsland who members. Please pray that Gippsland Grammar School. Page 2 The Gippsland Anglican December 2017 TGA Dedicated, blessed and open for business The Abbey: John McIntyre Centre Stage 1 Sue Fordham n Thursday October 19 stage 1 of the John OMcIntyre Centre was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Kay Goldsworthy in front of Michael Sadler, Archdeacon Edie Ashley, Kate Young, Jan McIntyre 70 ardent Abbey supporters, and Bishop Kay Goldsworthy staff, volunteers, tradespeople and benefactors. Stage one comprises the handsome new reception and The new reception and administration building administration building and forecourt linking it with the and the liturgy commenced Michael Sadler and daughter A frame, a new entrance, early with an acknowledgement Kate Young were present sealed car park, fencing and of land by the Rev’d and a conference room was garden works. Phyllis Andy. dedicated to the Sadler family It is the culmination of Robert Fordham, Abbey to recognise their tireless and several years of planning, fund Chapter member, spoke about generous work. raising and sheer hard work by this development in the context Robert also mentioned the the Abbey Chapter, supporters of the inspiration for the importance of the episcopal and staff and the tradespeople Abbey; the late Bishop John leadership of Bishop Kay who made it happen.