Newsletter

Sunday 6th March, 2011 - Transfiguration
Ninth Sunday after Epiphany
Our Celebrant and preacher 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 is held at the 10 am service during School Term times.

COLLECT FOR EPIPHANY IX, Transfiguration
O God, in the transfiguration of Your Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah, and in the voice from the cloud You foreshadowed our adoption as your children: make us, with Christ, heirs of Your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever Amen. TODAY’S READINGS Exodus 24:12—8 and 2 Peter 1:16—21 read by Clare
Gospel Matthew 17: 1—19
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE led by Wendy M
We pray for those in need: Ron Teague, Phyllis Morecroft, Peter Little, the Swaby family, Chris Contro, Yvonne Myers and Sid Sweet
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Andrew Jennings, Jill Hilbig, Barbara Almond, Stacey Hargreaves, Marilyn Little
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY –
YEAR’S MIND—Bessie Barrett (2005) Basil Marston (2003) Doris Kelly (2003)

PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUNDAY Lent I
Readings Genesis 2: 15—17 & 3: 1—7 and Romans 5: 12—21
GOSPEL Matthew 4: 1—11
Fr Ron’s Notes available at http://www.anglican-belair.blogspot.com/

POWERPOINT ROSTER
Today Barb Capon or Jill Hilbig
Next Sunday Craig Deane or Trevor Tregenza

READER- AND INTERCESSOR ROSTER
Next Sunday Reader David C Intercessor Sue D-T
Sunday after Reader Vanessa D Intercessor Marg P

SANCTUARY ROSTER
Next week Flowers Sue D-T (no flowers) Brass Joan Durdin
Cleaning Susan Lee

REGULAR GROUPS AND BOOKINGS
PRAYER CIRCLE—starts again soon
BIBLE STUDY 10am every Wednesday at 378 Main Road Coromandal Valley
ASH WEDNESDAY 9.30 am Eucharist 7.30pm Eucharist
Lenten Studies
These will be held on Tuesdays Mar 15 to April 5 at the Rectory from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, and Thursdays at 10.45am, on March 10, 24, 31 and April 7
THURSDAY 9.30am Eucharist

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
Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday— this week 8th March so please enter your name on the list in the foyer and indicate which filling for pancakes you will bring

Passover Meal on 21st April, Maundy Thursday, depending on number of participants. A list for this is also in the Porch

From the Ron Blog—from today’s Gospel
In my usual somewhat naughty way, I offer you some serious thought about this strange (for some) event of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This was often used to present as some reassurance for Jesus as He faced the real issues of His ministry. I tend to see something quite different.
What would you do if you were worried that your followers were somewhat on autopilot, neither caring nor aware of the significance of the ministry you were facing? In the week before, you remember, Jesus asked the Twelve what people were saying of Him. No ego trip that; it was an attempt to stir the rather unthinking lot. Peter’s confession (‘You are the Christ!’) was a start but dear old Peter still did not wake up very much at all.
Hence this separation of the ‘leadership group’ to stick something of a bomb under their backsides. DO not be confused by the story—it was a very Jewish way of getting the three (Peter James and John) to see that this One with Whom they lived was none other than the fulfillment of the whole Old Testament, Law and Prophets. Here was no lovey-dovey guy who managed to say the right thing at the right time, or even do rather remarkable things. Here, as John would later write, is the Logos, the Reason for existence, the world-changer.
Small wonder Peter wanted to hang onto this staggering moment! Forget the real world, let’s live in the afterglow. But our Lord was far too much the realist for that—so down they had to go to the disaster that waited them at the foot of the mountain.
There is small time for ‘mountain-top experiences, unless they empower one’s ministry in the real world. If you read on in this passage, you will not be surprised at Jesus’ outburst at the slow-witted disciples.
Rather too often, modern disciples tend to be just as slow or even slower. The Faith is not there to make you feel good! It is there to offer this world of people a far more satisfying, practical and caring way to live. Are you game to head in such a challenging direction?

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AND THEN THERE IS ………………. The Annual Vestry Meeting will be held on 27th March after Church—people providing reports need to have them at least two weeks before that date
With Lent approaching, the ABM Appeal is coming into attention please. March 13 is set as ABM Sunday with envelopes available. Palm Sunday (April 17) will see the distribution of Palm Crosses (is anyone available again to make these for our Church?) and Easter Day will see the return of those ABM envelopes.
For further info or offers of help please contact Joan Durdin (8178 0704)

Do not forget THE TREASURE MART to be held on 26th March— 9am-1pm Please call Wendy 0417 806 943 and encourage her with donations of your time and/or goods. And a special note from Clare: The Bruce family request that you start transplanting/propagating and dividing in preparation for the mega plant stall at our Parish Treasure Mart and bring your offerings on the day or the day before.

Progressive Dinner
The recent Parish Progressive Dinner on 12 February resulted in a net profit of $377.67. A wonderful evening -thanks to all who contributed both time and food.

And last Sunday's QUESTION TIME was remarkable—Stephen expected about 15 and there were more than 70, including a large contingent of young people.

From Inter Church Council
Beacon, the Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council outreach scheme to those in need in the Mitcham Hills area, needs to re-stock its shelves with a variety of long life and tinned foods and laundry and kitchen detergents You can either donate suitable items to the Blackwood Church of Christ during office hours or place a monetary donation in an envelope addressed 'Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council - Beacon' in the collection plate. AND the idea of Coffee and Cake is that by giving what you might spend on coffee and cake you can support Mitcham Hills area School Chaplains. Please place your donations in an envelope addressed 'Mitcham Hills Interchurch Council - Coffee and Cake - CPSWs' in the collection plate on a regular basis.

PARISH CAMP Friday 14 – Sunday 16 October
Normanville Jetty Caravan Park—8 cabins and 8 sites have been pre-booked by Wendy – please contact her on 0417 806 943 or awsc@internode.on.net regarding a booking. Also. Saturday night dinner 6pm in the Normanville Beach Cafe (next to jetty) $20/adult $10/child with fun and games in the Surf Life Saving club afterwards.
Sunday service on the beach at 11am (a bit later than usual to allow time for day trippers to arrive).
For information, powered site $27.00 unpowered site $21.50 En-suite site $33.00
Deluxe Cabins with en-suite (sleeps up to 5) $88.00 Executive Cabins with en-suite (2 bedroom) $102.00 (includes linen on main bed) Extra persons over the age of 5 $9.00 Bunk House no en-suite $55.00 for 4 people

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