parish newsletter – jan

Greig Brooks, and Helen Robarts. St Lukes
Mosman: Shane Leddin. Christ Church St
Laurence: Greg Loveday. St John’s Gordon:
Angela Peverell.
THE SEASON OF LENT
THE COCK
CROWS
NEWS FROM ST PETER’S
CREMORNE
January / February 2015
RECTOR’S CORNER
TRINITY CERTIFICATE IN
THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
Over the last four years a small group of
parishioners from St Peter’s and various
neighboring parishes have been studying
the Trinity Certificate in Theology and
Ministry. The subjects covered were Faith,
Old and New Testament, the Creeds,
Anglican Tradition and Mission. Each unit
has taken 8 weeks and the students are
required to write assignments. Alternatively
the course can be audited requiring no
assignment. Fr Neil congratulates the
graduates for completing the course and has
presented them with a certificate from Trinity
Theological College, Melbourne. Graduating
students: St Peters Cremorne: Esme Parker,
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On Wednesday 18
February the season
of Lent began with Ash
Wednesday. Lent is
the 40 days of
Christian preparation
for Easter and has
been part of Church tradition when it
became more regularised after the
legalisation of Christianity in A.D. 313. By
the end of the fourth century, the 40-day
period of Lent existed, and that prayer and
fasting constituted its primary spiritual
exercises.
The number "40" has always had special
spiritual significance regarding preparation.
On Mount Sinai, preparing to receive the
Ten Commandments, "Moses stayed there
with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights,
without eating any food or drinking any
water" (Ex 34:28). Elijah walked "40 days
and 40 nights" to the mountain of the Lord,
Mount Horeb (another name for Sinai) (I Kgs
19:8). Most importantly, Jesus fasted and
prayed for "40 days and 40 nights" in the
desert before he began his public ministry
(Mt 4:2).
Over many years the Lenten fasting has
been wide and varied. In Jerusalem people
fasted for 40 days, Monday to Friday, but
not on Saturday or Sunday, making Lent last
for eight weeks. In Rome and in the West,
people fasted for six days, Monday to
Saturday, making Lent last for six weeks.
Eventually, the practice of fasting for six
days a week over the course of six weeks
became the tradition.
Over the years, modifications have been
made to the Lenten observances, making
our practices not only simple but also easy.
Ash Wednesday still marks the beginning of
Lent, which lasts for 40 days, not including
Sundays which became a feast day
allowing participants to break the Lenten
fast.
The present fasting and abstinence laws
are very simple: On Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday, the faithful fast and abstain
from meat; on the other Fridays of Lent, the
faithful abstain from meat. People are still
encouraged "to give up something" for Lent
as a sacrifice. Alternatively, it is also
appropriate “to take on an extra discipline”,
for example; read a spiritual book, attend a
week day Eucharist, write a journal. The
liturgical colour for Lent is purple.
Reference - fr. William Saunders - Copyright © 2002
Arlington Catholic Herald
OUR NEW FURNISHING
On Sunday 15 February, we dedicated a
new sidespersons’ table. It was
commissioned by parish council, designed
and made by Tim Garside*. Tim made the
altar in the Chapel, and later the chapel
seats, the candle tray and table. Funds for
this new table were taken from the John
Thorne Bequest, made by Fr John Thorne a
former rector [1979-87] who died in 1990.
Some 25 years later, after paying for this
piece, there remains a balance of $9,559
which can only be used for special purposes
in the church itself. Fr John gave several
artworks to the parish during his lifetime,
and then left a bequest. We offer thanks to
this generous benefactor.
*Established in the United Kingdom, Tim Garside is a
Cabinet Maker, trained in older techniques as well as
new. Registered with the Museum and Galleries
commission and Bonhams Register in London, Tim has
been restoring antiques for some of the most prominent
Antique dealers in England. Tim has resided in Sydney
since 2000.
WORSHIPPING IN BERLIN
"During the dying days of the East
German regime leading up to the opening
of the Berlin Wall in November 1989,
Gethsemanekirche in the Prenzlauer Berg
area of Berlin was apparently a centre and
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at times a refuge for those opposed to the
regime. In January, we were staying close
to this beautiful old Lutheran church and so I
took myself along to the main service there
on Sunday morning. The service was in
German, which I neither speak nor
understand, and so I was an observer of
rather than a participant in the service. I
was pleased nonetheless to recognise all
the main elements of the our Eucharist in
the Lutheran liturgy - not surprising perhaps
because I understand that the Lutherans
and the Anglicans are very close
theologically.
One delightful feature of the service was that
all those taking communion (most of the
congregation) formed a large circle between
the sanctuary and the nave and the
celebrant and his assistants moved around
the circle administering communion. The
architecture of the church, which was wide
for its length, was suited to this arrangement
(which would not work in St Peters and most
other churches).
The following
Sunday, I had
a rather
different
experience. I
went to the
American
Lutheran
Church in
Bulowstrasse, West Berlin, where the
service was in English. The congregation
was large and very mixed, certainly not all
Americans or English-speaking visitors like
myself. The people I was sitting next to and
to whom I spoke were a Berlin family for
whom this was simply their local church.
The Pastor was from the United States and
the church was in the evangelical tradition of
the Lutherans. The service was not a
Eucharist and, I have to say, was rather
folksy. Visitors like myself were asked to
stand up and introduce ourselves; and so I
announced that I was David from St Peters
Anglican Church, Cremorne in Sydney,
Australia. That brought acclamation
because I had clearly come further than
anyone else. Anyway, they made be very
welcome.
I believe there is an Anglican Church in
Berlin, St Georges, but it must hide its light
under a bushel somewhere in the outer
suburbs because I could not find it on my
map. But Anglican or not, I always find
visiting churches in foreign places one of the
interesting aspects of overseas travel
David Frecker
KEY FIXTURES FOR 2015
Family Trivia Outreach
Annual General Meeting
Family Service
Election Day Market
Easter Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Anzac Centennial Service
Patronal Festival
28 February
8 March
15 March
28 March
3 April
5 April
25 April
28 June
ANZAC HISTORY PROJECT
As a lead up to our special Anzac
Centennial Service on 25 April at 11am, the
Mosman Daily carried the following article
highlighting the Anzac history research we
have been undertaking. In response to an
item in the SMH RSVP column, we have
received several responses, including two
from descendants of the 5 Oliver brothers,
who are named on our Honour Boards.
LAY ASSISTANT MINISTER
It is with great excitement that we announce
the appointment of Mr Richard Sercombe to
the position of Lay Assistant Minister.
Richard has many years of ministry
experience with families and children in
several parishes in the Anglican Church
across the dioceses of Perth, Canberra Goulburn and Sydney. Richard is married to
Dorothy and they have two adult children.
Richard’s ministry at St Peter’s will be to
young families and their children who have
connections with the parish. The position is
for 24 hours (three days) per week and will
commence on Sunday 22 March. We look
forward to this time.
“tHE fORUM” conversation
Since breaking my ankle,
enforced inactivity has led to
wonderful conversations with
Fr Neil exploring issues and
deepening my faith. To share
these discussions, younger
members (18 – 45ers) of the
Parish and local community
are invited to a monthly evening of hour-long
conversation to discuss similar questions
and/or ideas they may have.
Perhaps you’ve noticed, the Boards are
missing…they’ve gone to a specialist
craftsman to be restored, to be bright and
legible for our centenary service. Thanks to
John Ashworth for organizing this. In the
meantime, you can see the Garling plaque
on the north wall, which has been buffed up
after years of neglect.
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First Meeting: Sunday 8 March 6:15pm
for 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the David
Armstrong Room. Light supper and
refreshments will be offered at 6:15pm.
Topic:
Hope – What is it? Does it last?
Does it help? Does it wax & wane?
For more information, please call Antonia
Waddy on 9908-5817 to RSVP and for
catering purposes.
MOVIES@STPETERS
12 MARCH
2.00pm –
The World’s
Fastest Indian
In the Armstrong
Room.
Details on the Porch Notice Board
Discussion follows with tea and coffee.
Gold Coin Donation to Anglicare
FAMILY SERVICE
On Sunday 15 March
the 9am service will
have a focus for
families and children.
Our parish children will
share in the readings and prayers. The
regular sermon will be replaced by an all
age talk. Following the service there will be
refreshments including sandwiches and
cupcakes. Please join us for this special
time of worship and sharing with the parish
family. We look forward to seeing you.
CHECK OUT OUR WEB AND CONTACT US
[email protected]
www.stpeterscremorne.org.au
Comments and ideas for items, contact Stefan
Trofimovs [email protected]
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EASTER SERVICES - 2015
HOLY WEEK
Tuesday 31 March
10am Eucharist - Chapel
6.30pm Paschal Meal
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Thursday 2 April
7.30pm Eucharist & Stripping of Altar
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday 3 April
10.00am Family Service
Stations of the Cross
3.00pm Good Friday Liturgy
St Peter’s Singers
EASTER EVE
Saturday 4 April
8.30am Matins
9.00am Working Bee
7.30pm Easter Vigil & Procession
EASTER DAY
Sunday 5 April
7.00am Eucharist
9.00am Sung Eucharist