Good afternoon friends,
Today, a week after the event, we were able to finally celebrate Margaret Smith’s special birthday with morning tea following the Wednesday Eucharist. Special thanks to those who prepared and served morning tea; it was a lovely occasion. (For those who don’t know Margaret, she’s the redhead sitting second on the left, looking terrific!)
As you may remember, at our Annual Meeting we were only able to elect a People’s Warden (Ed Scott) in the absence of any other nominations. I am delighted to announce that Marian Green has agreed to take on the role of Rector’s Warden for this year. As this left a vacancy on Parish Council I have appointed Lyn Potter as Parish Councillor; Lyn is also a Synod Alternate, meaning that if one of our two elected Lay Members of Synod is unable to attend, Lyn can take their place. Please join me in congratulating Marian and Lyn, and please pray for your parish council and their responsibilities. Ed will have particularly responsibility for and oversight of the fabric of the church- repairs and maintenance etc. of the building.
Also at our Annual Meeting it was agreed that the parish will employ a cleaner, to clean the church, hall, kitchen and bathrooms. If you know someone who would like to work for a couple of hours per week, please let them know that this job will be available soon; they will be employed by the Diocese.
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Holy Bible with the Apocrypha has been the default and preferred translation of the Scriptures in this Diocese since its publication almost 30 years ago and is the translation we always use in church. An updated version of the NRSV (NRSVue) with more than 20,000 edits has been released this year and will be available in bookstores (such as Koorong) from August. In the meantime, a free online version is available here https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-Revised-Standard-Version-Updated-Edition-NRSVue-Bible/ More information can be found in the attached document. The Archbishop is encouraging parishes to use the updated version; as we purchased a Lectern Bible, using a bequest, less than three years ago, we are not about to throw it away!
I will check and compare our Sunday readings with the existing NRSV and the new update and if there are significant differences we can print out that particular reading. If you are in the market for a new Bible it’s worth waiting until the NRSVue comes out; I will check prices and can order copies for anyone who would like one. If you are on the roster to read the scripture on Sundays it is useful to have your own copy so you can read ahead of time.
Here is the Collect Prayer for this week:
O God,
you alone can order our unruly wills and affections:
teach us to love what you command,
and to desire what you promise,
that, among the changes and chances of this world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God bless,
Lorna
The Reverend Lorna A M Green
St Nicolas Anglican Church 