Please pray for: International Community and Church in: China, Hong Kong, Macao The Anglican Communion: Hong Kong Churches in Australia: Greek Orthodox Church Anglican Church of Australia: Bishop to the Defence Force The Diocese: Cobargo, Bodalla-Narooma, Open Sanctuary @ Tilba; Moruya, Batemans Bay, Boomerang Meeting Place, St Peter's Anglican College; Aboriginal and Islander ministry: the Diocesan Koori Commission, Bimbadeen Training College, Cootamundra. St Margaret’s: Rev’d Kerry and Beth Bartlett; residents of Ross Walker Lodge Our Parish: Erica Mathieson and Ray Williamson; Wardens and Parish Council, the Tuckerbox, Children’s Ministry and Choir. From the Parish Directory: Margaret Pysden, Rosemary Radford, Nick and Lara, Judith Ramage, Mildred Rendell. People for Prayer: Michael Braund and Susan Reid, Grace Mya, Val Clarke, Gladys Sanderson, Ian Alves. Give thanks for the life of: John Mya (18.3.13), Richard Clarke (15.3.06), Ted Arblaster (16.3.94), Lachlan Brown (17.3.00), Raymond Schwinghammer (17.3.00), John Stevens (19.3.96), Dorothy Stevens (21.3.99) FOR NEXT SUNDAY LENT 4 30th March 2014 Minister of the Word David Campbell Readings and Readers John 9.1-41 Intercessor Children Chalice Jean Hambley Organist Susan Reid Door Children Welcomer Children Morning Tea Patricia Stoddart Tha Naw Counting David Campbell Tony Jordan Cleaning Patricia Stoddart Children Everyone Holy Cross Office: Lynda Dyer Thursday, 1.30pm - 3.00pm Phone: 6248 0282 Email: [email protected] Rector: Rev’d Dr Erica Mathieson. PO Box 164, Dickson ACT 2602 Phone: 6248 5327 Email: [email protected] All items for the pew sheet to Lynda by Wednesday , please. Holy Cross Anglican Parish Serving Hackett, Dickson, Downer, Watson Third Sunday in Lent 23rd March 2014 The Rector Writes Dear Friends I welcome you this morning to the Eucharist at Holy Cross, and I particularly extend a warm welcome to Aida Mary O’Keefe and her family. Aida is being baptised today and we are delighted that she is becoming a member with us of God’s people. As Aida begins her Christian journey, I pray that our worship will encourage us all in our following of Jesus. The image of water is strong in the readings this week. Moses provides water for the thirsty people of God in the wilderness – although their grumbling and hardness of hearts remains a problem throughout their wilderness journey. Jesus offers the living water that only he can give to the outcast Samaritan woman of dubious sexual history in the gospel reading. Water, as the gospel writer explains, is a symbol and metaphor for the Holy Spirit, God’s love poured into our hearts. And just as literal water is essential for life, as God’s people in the desert and the Samaritan woman knew, so the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual life, the ‘new birth’ about which Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in the gospel reading last week. Today’s two stories invite us to respond to Christ’s offer of life with trust and gratitude, and to become sources of life and refreshment ourselves. We enjoyed a wonderful Seniors’ Celebration last Wednesday. My thanks go to Chris Ledger for organising the lunch, and to everyone who helped on the day. It was a lovely time and gathered close to 50 people. A reminder of the simple prayer you may like to say as you wake each day in Lent, ‘Thank you, God, for this new day. Bless me throughout this day. And make of me a blessing.’ May God bless you richly this week. Erica This Week FUNERAL AND SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING The funeral for John Mya will be held at Holy Cross tomorrow at 1.30pm followed by a burial at Gungahlin Cemetery at 3.30pm. There will be refreshments afterwards at Forde Community Hall to which everyone is invited. We give God thanks for John , his love and friendship and the gifts of his music to this congregation which we enjoy week by week. Please pray for God’s comfort and strength for Grace, Monique, Joanna, Christina and their families. RALLY FOR REFUGEES—BREAK THE SILENCE 13th April 1pm Garema Place We are invited to add our voice as a church to community and political groups calling for justice and compassion for refugees. The rally is organised by the Refugee Action Committee Canberra and has Bishop Stuart’s endorsement. From St John’s Care. Last week I went to an Emergency Relief Conference in Sydney and people were amazed at how much SJC does on so little. Today I saw a woman who moved to Canberra early this year with her husband to be with their daughter and grandchildren. Unfortunately it has not worked out and the daughter has moved. I was pleased that a friend recommended she contact us. They are financially hard up and really sad about the family situation but they now love Canberra and want to stay, and in fact have to stay as they can’t afford to return to their previous home. I was able to put her in contact with people who will be able to help. A good day! We have seen a young man who has been retrenched. He was in the IT industry and had a good position in a Government Department. He has now been out of work for 3 months, has used his savings, so is now trying to live on the Newstart Allowance. He has applied for a lot of jobs, and has been for several interviews, but has not been successful. One of the problems with Newstart is that it is an allowance not a pension, so someone on Newstart is not eligible for any of the concessions that Pensioners are entitled to. This young man was after help with his car registration. For him the car is vital, to get to job interviews etc, but the registration for 3 months is $267, and if he had been on a pension it would be $165. He was a bit upset when all I could offer was some bus tickets. I think we are going to see a lot of people this year who have lost their jobs. My wish list for this week: powdered milk, dehydrated pasta meals, tinned vegetables and tinned fruit. Many thanks Sue In the Parish Eucharist Meditation Gardening Group Choir Tuckerbox 10.00 am 5.45 pm 9.00 am 6.45 pm 2.00 pm Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Saturday Parish directory. Please add: Anne and Scott Medling, 12/19 Aspinall St, Watson. [email protected]. 0422 918 751 (Anne) and 0422 918 761 (Scott). If you don't have a copy of the 2013 directory (the anniversary issue) or if you would like to change your entry, please contact Chris Ledger Holy Cross Walking Group Tuesday 25th March Ainslie walk, morning tea at a café. Contact Judith Ramage 6248 6853. Meet at the church at 9.15 am. Beyond the Parish Multi-faith Prayer Vigil Wednesday 26th March 1 – 2.15 pm Hosted by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) outside the Minerals Council of Australia, 44 Sydney Ave Forrest, for all religious traditions. The prayer will focus on greater climate responsibility and solidarity with victims of climate change. For details, contact Gill King on 0407 953 959 Welcoming the Babies. Saturday 29th March 10.30 to 12.30 Andrew Leigh will host this event at St Margaret’s in the hall and grounds. See notice board. Beyond this Week Beyond the Parish Safe Shelter calls for volunteers for Winter 2014 This is a combined Churches and Community Project, offering homeless men shelter at St Columba’s UC Braddon. Volunteers are needed 7.30pm—6am on 2 or 3 nights each week, between Anzac Day and early October. E-mail [email protected] The Ethics of Migration Saturday 5th April 1.30 – 5pm At the ACCC, Barton. $5 entry, afternoon tea provided. Speakers include Bishop George Browning. Further information: Jenny Goldie: 0401921453