The Lent study will begin on Ash Wednesday. Everyone is welcome to join the study group after the Wednesday 9.15 services during Lent, study at home on your own, or in groups. Please let Alex know if you would like a copy of the study printed for you, otherwise we can send you a pdf copy via email.
We have had some kind volunteers offer do the teaching/storytelling at Sunday School. This means we are half way to reinstating regular Sunday School: we still need one parishioner each week to sit in as support adult (two adults is a ChurchSafe requirement). You are not required to prepare anything at all, do set-up or even participate if you don’t want to; just sit on a chair and share the children’s joy as they learn, wonder and discover. You would be back in the service in time for Holy Communion. If each of you could do it just once a year, we’d be able to hold Sunday School regularly. Please put your name down for a date or two on the noticeboard – our youth are vital to the parish. * They need this and we need them *
Sign-up sheet at back of the church for helping with: – Ash Wed Service 7pm 22nd Feb – screen, sound, welcomer, sidesperson – World Day of Prayer – Friday 3rd March at 10am. Our parish is hosting it this year and we need volunteers for sound, screen and playing piano.
Grahame, who was a student in the parish in 2022, God willing, will be ordained a Deacon at a service to be held at St Georges Cathedral, 7pm, on Thursday 23rd February.
Chris Albany has sourced some free Covid RAT tests to share with the church. If you need some, please help yourself at the back of the church.
Don’t forget to sign up for Shrove Tuesday pancakes – Tuesday 6.30pm – it will be a fun evening.
As you may have heard, Nance Jones died recently and her funeral will be at St Nics on Tuesday, 10 January at 2pm. Nance was a regular worshipper at St Nics for over 20 years, however in the last few years was unable to attend due to health issues. All are welcome at attend her funeral, and take the opportunity to remember Nance and give thanks for her life and her contribution to our Parish.
Pastoral Care
A few people from the Parish are either in hospital at the moment or recovering at home from illness or other health issues. If you are not well at the moment, or you know of someone who is struggling, please contact the office by either leaving a message (9448 1421) or email office@stnicolasanglican.org and we can arrange someone to visit, Home Communion, or just a phone call to keep in touch. Alternatively, you can email or call me (0403 026 717).
Recycling Hub
Attached is the new and expanded list of recyclables that we will be accepting in 2023. The Hub is growing in size and the word is spreading about what we are doing. As a result, the workload has increased and so it will no longer be possible to have the mini-Hub on the Sunday.
If you have recyclables, please bring them on the designated Saturdays between 9 & 11am (next one is 21 January). Most people save them up and come every few months so it doesn’t eat into their weekends very often. Please do not leave bags of recyclables in the hall or the mail centre. There are many groups that hire the hall during the week and it is not fair on them to have to work around the bags left there.
January Services
As per usual, Wednesday services are in recess in January. Sunday services for the next few weeks will be taken by either Chris Albany or Liz Flanagan and we are blessed to have them in the Parish!
Prayer for a New Incumbent
Please continue to pray for the Nominators and the new Priest that God is preparing for us.
Bountiful God,
give to this parish a faithful pastor
who will faithfully speak your word
and minister your sacraments;
an encourager who will equip your people for ministry
I’m a bit late with my email to you this week- it’s been busy!
On Monday I was invited to celebrate the Eucharist with Mothers’ Union Ladies at St Gregory’s, Quinns-Butler, where we sang carols and enjoyed a lovely lunch. On Tuesday I went to Opal Parkside Carine Nursing Home to take my final service there; yesterday the Advent Study groups met for the final time; and shortly I’m off to Lady McCusker Amana Living nursing home for the last time. So many goodbyes…. But a lot of joy, too.
Today is the last Toddler Jam for the year, and I thank everyone who has been involved. It takes a team- a small team, but nevertheless- to run Toddler Jam, and I know those who take part enjoy it very much. It is pure delight to see the little ones dancing and playing- maybe you might consider taking part next year?
On Sunday we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent and light the four candles in the Advent Wreath. Those of (ahem) a certain vintage who remember Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett might understand why this can be called Two Ronnies Sunday…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUNVFrRy-cE
While you’re looking at You Tube, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFoFOZmSIfY It is ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’ performed in Jerusalem, sung in English and Hebrew, and it’s wonderful.
On Monday at 7pm we have our ‘Blue Christmas’ service, which is for everyone- particularly if you find this time of year difficult, are sick of the hype surrounding Christmas, are mourning someone who has died, or for any reason would just like a quiet, reflective time. You can bring a photo of a loved one if you like.
Our annual Nativity Play will be at 3pm on Christmas Eve and is followed by an (optional) short communion service; then Midnight Mass begins at 11pm. Christmas morning there is one service at 9:30am. There are still a few gaps in the roster so please check on Sunday to see if there is a place you can fill. It seems that unfortunately nobody is available to live-stream the Christmas morning service, so we will do the Midnight Mass; and you can watch it when you choose.
My final service will be on New Year’s Day at 9:30am (no 7:30 that day): 2023 brings new beginnings as well as endings. I hope you might be able to come and celebrate with Allan and me.
Here is the Collect Prayer for this week:
Almighty God,
you have made us and all things to serve you:
come quickly to save us,
so that wars and violence shall end
and your children may live in peace,
honouring one another with justice and love;
through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord,
who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
I was so sad to miss last Sunday with Bishop Jeremy, but you wouldn’t have wanted me there, coughing and wheezing; it turns out I don’t have Covid but do have bronchitis, and I hope (and ask you to pray) that I will be well enough for Sunday. Chris Albany has once again stepped into the breach and will take tomorrow morning’s service and the Advent Study Groups- I am deeply grateful to him.
Covid is once again spreading rapidly through the community, so I urge you to take care. I hope the fear of contagion won’t stop too many people from attending church over the Christmas Season; we can always wear a mask, hand sanitiser is available, and the air-conditioning in the church brings in fresh air, so it is as safe as it can be- and probably safer than the crowded shopping centres!
This Sunday evening at 7pm is our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, and we are still in need of readers. Please contact the office if you would like to do a reading office@stnicolasanglican.org
This is a lovely service of listening to the Christmas story and singing our favourite Christmas Carols; it isn’t a communion service, so it’s an easy service to invite family and friends to come with you. I hope lots of people come along and make a joyful noise.
Today is St Nicolas (Nicholas) of Myrna’s Day, and is also the 18th anniversary of my ordination as a deacon. Here is the Collect Prayer for him:
Nicholas of Myra, bishop and philanthropist (d. c. 342)
O God, our heavenly Father, who raised up your faithful servant Nicholas to be a bishop in your Church and to feed your flock: give abundantly to all bishops and other pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, so that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your holy mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This morning 12 of us gathered for the first of our Advent studies; I hope others might come along tonight. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t done any preparation- come along, as we ponder about Advent and all that it means.
Our Warden Marian, continuing her passion for recycling, has made about 6kg of old, used Advent candles from church into 20 recycled new candles! All the candles will be at church on Sunday after both services and can be purchased: – $10 – Single Wick candles – $15 – Double Wick candles
All profits go back to the Parish.
The Stirling Community Sustainable Fair is on Saturday 3 December. Marian has been invited to run a workshop on Recycling at the Fair, and there will also be lots of other interesting things happening.
Looks like a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and maybe buy some Christmas presents too!
Tomorrow, God willing, I’ll be taking a service at Lady McCusker aged care centre; and in the evening Diocesan Council meets. I was elected to continue as a member of Diocesan Council for the next 3 years. We will be discussing the motions that were accepted at Synod, and what actions may need to be taken.
I wanted to let you know that our former Formation Student, Grahame, has just been informed that he will be ordained Deacon on February 23rd next year at the cathedral. Praise the Lord! His placement for next year hasn’t been finalised so he doesn’t know yet which parish he will be at, but I’m sure you agree that he will be a blessing to them.
Here is a prayer from the Ordinal:
Almighty God, giver of all that is good, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in your church. Bless Grahame now called to the order of deacons. So fill him with your truth, and clothe him with holiness, that he may faithfully serve to the glory of your name and the benefit of your Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
More good news: ten beautiful bags packed to the brim with toiletries, sanitary products, treats and love from the parish have been delivered to ‘Share the Dignity’: well done, everyone who donated!
Are you going to be alone on Christmas Day, or do you know someone who is- or someone who is struggling financially? This email came today:
The Joondalup Christmas Lunch provides a safe, welcoming and festive place to be on Christmas Day for those who are isolated or find themselves in financial stress. Set amongst beautiful Central Park, guests are treated to a delicious lunch with dessert, live entertainment and fellowship with local volunteers. The event is free and bookings encouraged, though walk ins on the day are welcome. The event is smoke and alcohol free, wheelchair accessible and guide dogs welcome. Information and Bookings – Joondalup Christmas Lunch or 0466 252 076 December 25 / Central Park – Corner Grand Boulevard & Collier Pass, Joondalup / 11.30am The Joondalup Christmas Lunch currently has a committee member volunteer role vacancy, please be in touch if you are interested. Please pass on this information to anyone who may be interested.
Anouck Van Dyck Chairperson Joondalup Christmas Lunch 2012 & 2022 Recipient, Australia Day Active Citizenship Award – Community Event
And isn’t it a beautiful sunny morning! We will be having a taste of summer today.
This evening at 7:30pm the Friendship Group will meet in the hall and everyone is invited. Sandra Boylan will have some of her paintings to show and will talk about them, so come along.
On Wednesday, after the 9:15am Eucharist, our first Advent Study will convene at 10:30 in the church; and again at 7pm in the hall. Everyone is welcome. I have attached a copy of the material we’ll be using; there are daily reflections so you can use it at home. If you’d like a printed copy just let me know.
In recent years we have collected money and goods for Christmas Hampers for both Balga Snr High School and Roseworth Primary School; both schools have students from disadvantaged families, and both have written to ask if we can help again. Following discussion at Parish Council last week we decided just to collect cash this year, so the schools can purchase what is most needed for the hampers. If you would like to give a donation, please put it in an envelope marked ‘Christmas Hampers’; if you wish to specify which school write that on the envelope too, otherwise we will divide the donated money between the two schools.
We also discussed the planned parish dinner / St Nic’s celebration at parish council. Very few people had signed up or expressed interest in attending, and we concluded that it would be better to cancel the dinner and look at planning one in the new year. It may be that people are hesitant because Covid infection numbers are rising again- I don’t know. It is disappointing but it really did not seem worthwhile for so few people.
Sunday 4th December is the closest Sunday to St Nicolas’ Day and Bishop Jeremy is coming to both services to celebrate and preach. Let’s bring lots of goodies for morning tea following each service and make that into our celebration! As you may know Bishop Jeremy is taking up the role of Bishop of Willochra in February; he has been a good friend to this parish so it will be lovely to wish him well.
I would like to put up the Christmas Tree in the church next week; anyone like to help me? Someone strong to get it out of the shed and maybe some small people to decorate it?
Here is the Collect Prayer for the week before Advent:
Stir up, we pray you, O Lord,
the wills of your faithful people,
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may by you be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have you ‘stirred up’ your Christmas cakes and puddings??
This morning I’m off to Opal Carine Aged Care, where hopefully I will see Mary Bannister and Rose (Cindy’s mum). It is a pleasure to bring worship to residents in aged care; and it is so important that we don’t forget those who have given so much to the church in their younger years.
Tomorrow is our usual 9:15am Eucharist, and on Thursday Toddler Jam is in the hall. Please consider whether you can help out occasionally; this is a lovely outreach to the community and a joy to be a part of, but people are needed to make it happen.
I have attached a notice about the Advent Study we’re offering; you can choose to attend on Wednesday mornings or evenings, or use the resource at home. There is a sign-up sheet in church or you can just let me know if you’d like to come.
Attached is a flyer for ourChristmas services so you can put them in your diary or tell your friends. My final service at St Nic’s will be at 9:30am on Sunday January 1st– a combined service to be followed by morning tea. If you are not away on holiday, tired and / or hungover from New Year’s Eve (!) Allan & I would love to see you.
We need to get planning for our St Nic’s Day Celebration; I have attached the flyer. I know some people have a long-standing booking to attend on that night so we would like to know if moving it to Sunday evening (4th December) would suit more people. PLEASE let me know your thoughts as soon as you can; it would be awful to have to cancel because of lack of interest.
On Thursday 17th November we have the opportunity to hear the whole of St Luke’s Gospel read aloud. This will be an experience not to be missed; if you would like to read a section on the night, there is a sign-up sheet or you can reply to this email.
St Nicolas Anglican Church 