Newsletter

Sunday 20th February, 2011 - Epiphany VII
Our Celebrant today is Warren Huffa

WELCOME to Holy Innocents—we hope you enjoy this time of prayer as we reflect on Scripture together and celebrate the Eucharist. We invite you to join us for breakfast after the 8am service, or morning tea after the 10am service. At 10 am everything in the service will be screened on the walls. Sunday School continues at the 10 am service

COLLECT FOR EPIPHANY VII
Hidden God, whose wisdom compels our love and unsettles all our values,: fill us with desire to search for her truth, that we may transform the world, becoming fools for her sake, through Jesus Christ, your Word and Wisdom made flesh, to whom be glory for ever Amen.
TODAY’S READINGS
Readings Leviticus 19: 1—2 & 9-18 and 1 Cor. 3: 10—17 read by Max A
GOSPEL Matthew 5: 38 - 48


PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Warren
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro, and Yvonne Myers operating under great difficulty
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Lilian Hardy, Liz Davies
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – David and Barbara Corbett, (50th Anniversary) Alan and Kate Jennings, Meg and Don Baker (60th!!!)
YEAR’S MIND—Arleen Charlick (2008), Anne Bills (2009) Walter Marston (2004) Jack Stauner

PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY - Epiphany VIII
Readings Isaiah 49: 8—16a and 1 Corinthians 3:18—4:5
GOSPEL Matthew 6:22—34
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/

POWERPOINT ROSTER –
Today Trevor Tregenza or Cynthia Macintosh
Next Sunday Araki family or Don Caddy

READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader Araki family Intercessor Ben L
Sunday after Reader Clare B Intercessor Wendy M
SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Noelene Carter Brass Rosemary Conlon
Cleaning Susan Lee

REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE—starts again soon
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist 7.00pm Meditation etc
HELPLINE
Part of being a Christian community is the support offered to each other in times of need. We offer short-term delivery of food where needed, local transport, phone calls, visits and other types of assistance. Call Marlene Dixon on 8278 8568 or Iris Downes on 8278 3260
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Mark your diaries, each and everyone, with particular reference to
Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday—8th March and possibly a Passover Meal on 21st April, Maundy Thursday, depending on number of participants. A list is in the Porch

The 2011 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER will be held at the Catholic Church, Laffers Road, Glenalta at 10.00am on Friday 4th March. All are welcome.
From the Ron Blog—from today’s readings
When apartheid was finally reversed in South Africa, shock waves tended to emanate when those in charge of the country opted not for some sort of witch-hunt to destroy the evildoers, but for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. What was sought was that perpetrators confess their ugliness, after which forgiveness was offered. It has to be said that there were still those perpetrators who failed or refused to open their pasts, but stop a moment and remember what came out of it.
I discovered many decades after the event, that one of my very prominent forebears, John Maynard Keynes, did his darnedest at the Versailles Conference after World War 1, to stop the vengeful response of the Allies on to Germany, in retribution for the enormous personal and national cost of the war. Keynes’ constant plea was not responded to, for most of the Allies were determined to take revenge. Keynes was painfully aware of the fact that while the Allies were determined to reduce Germany to shreds, he also knew that the only foreseeable outcome of such an action was exactly what happened under Hitler. That would be another war of even greater bitterness and destruction. No self-respecting nation would bow to such hideous demands, however well justified.

So how does the Judaic/Christian Faith approach this matter of human evil? The answer is interesting – and even may be seen by some as inadequate. Stop and ponder a while yourself if you will. For our Lord, evil is destroyed by being shown for what it is. Once again, the Cross is the example par excellence of that. Once it is clearly visible, evil is destroyed. And you then ask, how is that so? The answer is somewhat demanding, but leaves the responsibility right where it ought.

Once I can see evil uncovered, then I am freed to choose against it. Obviously, I am also free to ignore the evidence, but I am still in a position – however weakened – to take a stand against it. Like my Lord, such a stand may cost me my life, but evil has been disempowered.
One of the most depressing things that have been rattling away at me ever since I discovered that so many people on both side of conflicts have lost their faith is God is because He did nothing to stop the wars. Now who is really responsible for such ugliness? …. And it is not God. It is us. And who would appreciate the Divinity breaking in and stopping the wars? That would be to remove our humanity, our freedom of choice, and turn us into nothing more than robots, automatons, puppets-on- a-string. Would there not be yells of enormous noise if that approach was employed on us! It is noisy enough when Governments attempt to operate that way.

MORE ITEMS …….
A Special Vestry meeting is to be held on 28th February at 9.30am to decide about the proposal to open a wider doorway between the narthex and the Hall. Also please note that the Annual Vestry Meeting will be held on 27th March after Church—people with reports need to have them in well before that date

People at St. Mary Mag’s have expressed their thanks for the generosity and usefulness of the gifts of foodstuffs coming from Holy Innocents. Take a bow, donors—you meet the need well and truly..

Earth Hour 2011 begins at 8.30pm on 26th March. Many people turn off their lights for an hour to demonstrate their support for climate change and sustainability action. You can sign up on the website earthhour.com.au and obtain tools tips and fun ways to celebrate. ‘Together we can make a difference.’


Items for the Newsletter need to be sent to Fr. Ron at 8298 7160 or ronpkeynes@internode.on.net by Tuesday late afternoon please