The Swan Parish Youth chalked up another great event on Friday 18th March with a Barbecue at Chris and Francis' house. The night was very capably planned and organised by Joel, Christian and Francis. It was great to see the level of maturity and development this wonderful group of young people are showing. They cooked their own meat, organised their own games and had formal and informal discussions between groups, or as a whole, all incorporating a range of age groups. It was very inspring to see how comfortably they could all mix, have fun, and get serious too.
It was decided on the night that some of the older kids would form their own Lent study group to explore the issue of refugees. If this is the quality of our future leadership the Church can look forward to good times ahead. Go SPY!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Parish Growth
The parish continues to grow with Kate and Tim Drown from All Saints expecting a baby in May. Check the photo on the right of Kate giving us a preview! Please keep them in your prayers.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Welcome to Aidan!
Tim and Rhonda Malkins' new baby Aidan is making a round of public appearances, including here on the parish blog. Aidan Timothy, born on February 7th, took time out of his busy schedule for a quick photo shoot. Congratulations to Rhonda and Tim, and to doting big brother and sister Blake and Isobella.
Feel free to leave a comment!
Feel free to leave a comment!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
New Blog Feature
Our Lent study Book Wondrous Encounters by Richard Rohr has been delayed and will not be available before next Monday (21st March). As a small compensation I am publishing the daily Bible readings and the Starter Prayer for each day on the Blog. You will see it at the top right - click on today's prayer and enjoy!
Back in Action (Wed 16th March)
St. Mary's Church is back in action! Our worship was back to normal on Sunday with a good crowd attending the 9.30 service in the church. The cleaners had done a good job and the church looked (and smelled) bright and shiny.
There is no real progress on the Churchyard. The tree loppers are due back tomorrow to have another go at clearing but, again, it will be a long time before we can make an action plan for restoration and, in the meantime, people are asked to stay out of the churchyard.
The Minchin Centre continues to be well used with Beryl's Saturday afternoon tea fundraiser being a huge success. Thanks to Beryl and all those who helped make that event such a success.
There is no real progress on the Churchyard. The tree loppers are due back tomorrow to have another go at clearing but, again, it will be a long time before we can make an action plan for restoration and, in the meantime, people are asked to stay out of the churchyard.
The Minchin Centre continues to be well used with Beryl's Saturday afternoon tea fundraiser being a huge success. Thanks to Beryl and all those who helped make that event such a success.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ya Can't Keep A Good Church Down (Thurs March 10th)
The cleaners have started inside St. Mary's today and the loose flashing has been removed from the roof so, all being well, we will be back in the church on Sunday!
Please note: The church grounds are still out of bounds and people are asked not to walk through the churchyard. The process of determining how to restore the graveyard is going to be a long one but discussions with the Heritage Council have already started.
In the meantime, thanks to all those who came to the services on Saturday (Taize), Sunday and yesterday (Ash Wednesday) and enjoyed worshipping in the air-conditioned comfort of the Minchin Centre! These services were good occasions to re-gather and rally the community.
Please note: The church grounds are still out of bounds and people are asked not to walk through the churchyard. The process of determining how to restore the graveyard is going to be a long one but discussions with the Heritage Council have already started.
In the meantime, thanks to all those who came to the services on Saturday (Taize), Sunday and yesterday (Ash Wednesday) and enjoyed worshipping in the air-conditioned comfort of the Minchin Centre! These services were good occasions to re-gather and rally the community.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Life Goes On (Posted Saturday 5th March, 8am)
With 6 tree-lopping crews hard at work the clearing continues around Swanleigh and St. Mary's but there is still a long way to go and the site remains closed at all times EXCEPT for our two worship services this weekend which will take place in the Minchin Centre.
Taize service at 6pm Saturday
Eucharist at 9.30am Sunday.
So far at the Minchin Centre the fridge and freezer have been cleaned out and the small branches and leaf matter that covered the lawns and surrounds have been cleared and mulched, the lawn raked and the verandahs swept.
Progress is happening but we are still not in a position to organise a busy-bee clean up. Stay tuned for news on this.
I look forward to seeing you all.
Taize service at 6pm Saturday
Eucharist at 9.30am Sunday.
So far at the Minchin Centre the fridge and freezer have been cleaned out and the small branches and leaf matter that covered the lawns and surrounds have been cleared and mulched, the lawn raked and the verandahs swept.
Progress is happening but we are still not in a position to organise a busy-bee clean up. Stay tuned for news on this.
I look forward to seeing you all.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Clean Up Begins (Posted Thursday 3rd March 4.30pm)
Power is back on at the church and Minchin Centre!
The tree-loppers started work on St. Mary's churchyard this morning and have removed a lot of material but by mid-afternoon they looked like they were less than half way through the job. It may still be a while before the damage in the churchyard can be properly assessed, and people are still requested to stay away from the site except for the two worship services arranged for this weekend.
I'm very much looking forward to inspiring and meaningful worship in the Minchin centre with the Taize service at 6pm Saturday (5.30 for a glass of wine beforehand) and the 9.30am service Sunday morning.
Please pray that all members of our parish will be encouraged by the positive aspects of the situation and that our community will be drawn closer together by this event.
The tree-loppers started work on St. Mary's churchyard this morning and have removed a lot of material but by mid-afternoon they looked like they were less than half way through the job. It may still be a while before the damage in the churchyard can be properly assessed, and people are still requested to stay away from the site except for the two worship services arranged for this weekend.
I'm very much looking forward to inspiring and meaningful worship in the Minchin centre with the Taize service at 6pm Saturday (5.30 for a glass of wine beforehand) and the 9.30am service Sunday morning.
Please pray that all members of our parish will be encouraged by the positive aspects of the situation and that our community will be drawn closer together by this event.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Storm Damage Update (Posted Wednesday 2nd March 4pm)
Crews have been working very hard throughout the Swanleigh/St. Mary's site today to clear trees and restore powerlines. The task is enormous. The tree-loppers will begin work on the churchyard tomorrow and have discussed with Ray Wright (churchwarden) and myself a plan for removing trees and debris that will minimise further damage. It may be some days before the damage in the churchyard can be realistically assessed. In the meantime, it is important that people do not attempt to visit the site as it is unsafe and access is restricted.
It is anticipated, however, that the Taize service at 6pm on Saturday, and Sunday morning service at 9.30am, will go ahead in the Minchin Centre. Worshippers will be directed to appropriate parking areas.
Please pray for all those who are working hard to clean-up the site, repair damage and restore essential services.
It is anticipated, however, that the Taize service at 6pm on Saturday, and Sunday morning service at 9.30am, will go ahead in the Minchin Centre. Worshippers will be directed to appropriate parking areas.
Please pray for all those who are working hard to clean-up the site, repair damage and restore essential services.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Storm Damage At St. Mary's
The storm of Monday 28th February has caused major devastation at Swanleigh. Fortunately, St. Mary's is not too bad and the Minchin Centre and Rectory are relatively undamaged.
St. Mary's has lost some metal flashing from the roof and there are a couple of cracked beams in the roof. The church yard is a real mess and several large trees have come down. Power is not expected to be restored before Wednesday night.
At this point the whole site is unsafe because of loose limbs and damaged trees so please do not attempt to visit as you will be turned away. If you are hoping to help clean up that would be fantastic but we can't do anything until the site is safe. Once it is, all offers of help will be welcomed! Please check this blog for updates.
In the meantime, please pray that the clean-up will be smooth and swift and that all members of our parish will be inspired with humility, generosity and gratitude in the face of this difficult situation.
Blessings,
Rev'd Stuart Fenner
St. Mary's has lost some metal flashing from the roof and there are a couple of cracked beams in the roof. The church yard is a real mess and several large trees have come down. Power is not expected to be restored before Wednesday night.
At this point the whole site is unsafe because of loose limbs and damaged trees so please do not attempt to visit as you will be turned away. If you are hoping to help clean up that would be fantastic but we can't do anything until the site is safe. Once it is, all offers of help will be welcomed! Please check this blog for updates.
In the meantime, please pray that the clean-up will be smooth and swift and that all members of our parish will be inspired with humility, generosity and gratitude in the face of this difficult situation.
Blessings,
Rev'd Stuart Fenner
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