21 January 2007 Third Sunday after Epiphany

EPIPHANY THREE

21 January 2007

Graphics and cartoons appear only in the printed version

SLUGGISH AND THUGGISH

A sloth was strolling through the jungle, very slowly, as sloths are won’t to do, when a gang of sluggish, thuggish snails mugged him, and beat him up badly. They left him at the bottom of a tree with cuts and abrasions. It took hours for him to gather enough strength slothfully to reach the local police station. “What happened to you?” asked the sergeant. “A gang of sluggish, thuggish snails beat me up,” he replied. “Can you give me a description of what they looked like?” “I don’t know,” said the sloth, “it all happened so fast.”

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES & SUCKLINGS

A Sunday School teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with the youngest group. She dealt with the commandment to “Honour thy father and thy mother” and then asked the children, “Is there a Commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” In an instant, one little boy answered, “Thou shalt not kill”.

FRED NILE AGREES WITH THE POPE

The Reverend Fred Nile was musing one day,

In his usual, emphatic and Protestant way,

About sexual perversion and sin and the Pope,

Predictably finding small reason for hope.

Yet his musing, this time, did reveal the emergence

Of a single, unusual line of convergence:

“The Pope,” he reflected, “though no friend of mine,

With his crazy, deluded, infallible line,

Perhaps, after all, on the pill is quite right,

What a curse it has proved, what a terrible blight,

Deflecting the whole of Australian society

Away from restraint, self-control and propriety,

So that few go to church, or look after their soul,

For everyone’s right up the phallic pole,

And Australian society’s a pornicatorium,

A frantic, fanatical fornicatorium!

Andrew Neaum

CHARITY

St Malo would not move his cloak, because a wren had nested in it: and the other day a professional in a golf championship forfeited his chance of it, because he would not play his ball out of a thrush’s nest.

THE POOR

And Korah the rich asked Moses: “Moses, our master, it is written in thy Torah: “Take not from the poor, for he is poor”. Who can take from the poor, since he hath nothing?” And Moses answered him: “That which thou shouldst give to the poor belongeth unto him; that which thou givest him not, that thou takes from him.”

Edmung Fleg (from a Midrash)

CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA DAY

Over innumerable cups ofgood coffee at Lutfiyes Shish Kebab joint, opposite the Post Office, in fine company and motivated by the boundless enthusiasm and optimism of Azem Elmas, I have been a part of mobilising our local community’s disparate faith communities to do two important things:

1 To celebrate our oneness in celebrating Australia Day together.

2. To raise money for local drought relief.

This we are doing by gathering at the Queens Gardens on Australia Day, this Friday the 26^th of January. Once the official proceedings have concluded we will open up a variety of tasty and exotic food and produce stalls, children’s entertainments and musical entertainment, as well as African dancing from members of our new Shepparton Congolese community.

All this is very much a part of what Australia Day ought to be about, and we hope to do the same thing next year, perhaps on a bigger scale, the proceeds then, hopefully, to go towards flood rather than drought relief!

The Anglican faith community is very much a part of this in the person of your Rector, but please back him up either by making some traditional fare or bringing along some produce to sell on a stall Certainly be present to enjoy the happy occasion.

The official Australia Day proceedings begin at the Queens Gardens at 10.00am. Our celebrations begin once they have concluded, around midday.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

The Goulburn Valley Primary Care Partnership - Healthy Aging/Falls Prevention (what a mouthful!) Is planning to set up a Community Kitchen, or several, locally.

A Community Kitchen is a group of like-minded people meeting together to cook and socialize. They could be set up for:

1. People who have lost a partner and live alone.

2.People with special dietary requirements, such as diabetics or coeliacs or heart patients.

3.People who access food banks and need facilities to learn to prepare food.

4.Young Mums or single men who live alone.

5.New immigrants, especially those who have grown up in refugee camps with very limited opportunities.

The purpose is to provide groups with social interaction and the opportunity to participate in preparing healthy meals to share as well as to take home. These “kitchens” are in fact driven by the participants, but need a facilitator to assist and guide as necessary.

Our Social Responsibilities Group is looking for people who will come along and find out more about Community Kitchens and perhaps be prepared to learn to help facilitate a group.

There is an Information Session on February 19^th from 2.00pm - 4.00pm in the St Augustine’s Hall Supper Room, Orr Street. This is a worthwhile and most interesting project and a worthy use of our Hall Kitchen. Do support the Information Session please.

CONGRATULATIONS

Birthdays

Elvie McInnes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22^nd Jan

Michelle Bye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23^rd Jan

Joyce Cavill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25^th Jan

Anniversaries

Ros & Garry Dunlop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26^th Jan

HALL COMMITTEE

A Hall Committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 30th January at 5.00pm in the Den.

VESTRY MEETING

We hope this year to hold Vestry Meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 4.00pm. This means that the first for this year is on Wednesday 14th of February.

GRIEF SUPPORT

The Next Grief Support meeting is on Tuesday 13th of February at 7.30pm. The very moving ABC Video "Losing Layla" will be shown. Do come along to see, it discuss it and to share in good fellowship. Bring along a friend or anyone who might benefit from attending.

RENEWED LIST FOR THE SICK

Next week we will be starting the list of the sick again from scratch. If you wish to have someone publicly listed and prayed for then put their name (legibly) on the list in the Narthex. Please sign your name as being responsible for any names that you do put on the list.

SIMPLY SOOTHING

This peaceful service of reflection in the Lady Chapel, followed by lunch in the Narthex, takes place on Tues. at 12.15pm.

A GREAT TRIP

Barbara Whyte on behalf of the Church Gardening Group has organised for us all a Day trip to the beautiful Cloud Hill & Range View Gardens in Olinda. The date is 8^th Feb 2007, leaving the car park behind the church at 8.30am and returning about 6.30pm. The cost is $30 travel & admittance. Contact Barbara Whyte 58212738 or the Church office 58217630

ARISE 255

On Friday 2^nd of February, beginning at 6.00pm there will be a BBQ for young people which will include a short and interesting video, games and discussion. We will be contacting all the recently confirmed, but any young folk will be welcome and are encouraged to attend. Sausages, bread, tomato sauce and cordial will be provided.

KATANDRA GUILD

The Katandra Guild Eucharist which marks the beginning of another year's worth of good work, fellowship and fun is at 11.00 am on Wednesday 14th of February.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The St Augustine's Annual General Meeting take place this year, as usual on Ash Wednesday which is the 21st of February. Nomination Forms for Parish Councillors and Wardens are, I hope, available on the Narthex table.

ANNUAL REPORTS AND AUDITED ACCOUNTS

Reports for the Annual Meeting need to be handed in to the Parish Office by the 8^th of February. We prefer them to be submitted either on a disk or by email, to save typing, but otherwise in a legible form for copy typing. Audited accounts should be submitted to the Treasurer, Norm Mitchelmore by the same date.

COUNCILLORS AND WARDENS

Available in the Narthex are forms for the nomination of Councillors and Wardens. These are responsible, honourable and, I like to think, enjoyable positions. If you are asked to nominate, seriously consider doing so, but only if you are likely to be able to attend Parish Council meetings regularly (on the third Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm) and also have the time and commitment to keep St Augustine’s a vibrant, growing, inclusive, faithful and altogether scintillating community of God!

HAPPINESS

“There may be Peace without Joy, and Joy without Peace, but the two combined make Happiness” John Buchan via Nola Brewer

BACK IN BUSINESS

The Evening Guild commences on the 15^th February and the Afternoon Guild on the 20^th February.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Jan 30^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hall Committee 5.00pm

Feb 2^nd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arise 255 /Youth B.B.Q. 6pm

Feb 8^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bus trip to Cloud Hill Olinda

Feb 10^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 3pm

Feb 13^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grief Support meeting

Feb 14^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Katandra Guild annual meeting

Feb 14^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vestry Meeting 4.00pm

Feb 14^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 4.00pm

Feb 15^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evening Guild

Feb 17^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 4pm

Feb 18^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pre Synod Consultation Euroa 3.00pm

Feb 19^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Community Kitchens Workshop 2-4pm

Feb 20^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Afternoon Guild

Feb 20^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party 6.00pm

Feb 21^st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ash Wednesday Eucharist then AGM 7.00pm

Mar 3^rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding 2.30pm

Mar 10^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Macedonian Wedding 1pm, Wedding 3.00pm

Mar 14^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A B M Missionaries at 10.00am Eucharist

Mar 14^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vestry Meeting 4.00pm

Mar 18^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mothering Sunday, Speaker and Lunch

Mar 21^st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Council Meeting

Mar 25^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Outreach Publication Date

Apr 8^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Easter Sunday

Apr 22^nd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sunday Wedding 2.00pm

May 19^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Cowdell Seminar

May 20^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St Augustine’s Day Celebrations & Lunch

May 25^th - 26^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Synod

May 27^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pentecost

May 24^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Fair meeting 4.30pm

June 18-21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clergy Retreat

Oct 15-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clergy Conference

Nov 10^th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Fair

Duties for 21^st January 2006

Celebrant 6.30pm Sat 20^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum

Celebrant 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum

Celebrant 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Bryce

Celebrant 8.45 Dookie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Bryce

Celebrant 10.45 Katandra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum

Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Harder, Margaret Neaum

Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Condon, Andrea Fisher

Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelle, Daniel, Ben

Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenny, Erin, Sally

Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celebrant, Joan McCann

Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson, Bev Condon

Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Bryce, Jenny Pleming

Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joyce Cavill, Eileen Quaife

Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Brewer, Roz Dunlop

Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Merv & Gwyn Cowland

Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlotte Brewer, Alan Akers

Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shirley Dean

Mowing 20^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adrian Evans, Lionel Waterson, Rick Coates

Duties for 28^th January 2006

Celebrant 6.30pm Sat 13^th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum

Celebrant 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum

Celebrant 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Bryce

Celebrant 8.45 Dookie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Bryce

Celebrant 10.45 Katandra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Neaum

Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norm Mitchelmore, Victoria Heenan

Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carole Henderson, Courtney Craven

Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth, Alex, Philippa

Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan, Bethany, Daniel

Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margaret Neaum, Jenny Pleming

Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Griffin, Heather Fitzgerald

Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson, Bev Condon

Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shirley Dean, Gwen Betson

Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Steen, Nola Brewer

Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Ralph, Bev Ralph

Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nola Brewer, John Pleming

Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pat Griffin

Mowing (27^th ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Grant, John Horder

REQUESTS FOR PRAYER

Hilary Akers, Liam Bognar, Arthur Balaburov, David Burrow, Nancy Cooke, Mark Cowan, Donna Dyson, Hamish Fisher, Melissa Galizia, Denise McKellar, Leon Myer, Marven Mould, Bill McIntosh, Margaret Noble, Margaret Osborough, Jan Riches, Peter & Eva Swindells, Buffy, Cheryl, David, Judith, Darren, Don, Glenda, Greg, Heather, Mary, Maurie, Peggy & Carers, Robert, Ross, Sherena, Shirley, Sue, Jim, Wayne & family.

Rest in Peace

Joyce Stewart

Anniversary of death

Gerald Rogers, Ron Hall 21^st, Clifford Grantham, Francis McKendry, Franka Petrovski 22^nd, Dorothy Blizzard 23^rd, Edie Alexander 27^th

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

Monday 22^nd January Rector’s Day Off

7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel

Aged Care Visitors Lunch/Galways