"Come and see," said Philip
Welcome to St Philip's O'Connor!

Sunday 22 November 2009

Christ the King (Last Sunday after Pentecost)

Readings: Daniel 7. 9-10, 13-14; Psalm 93 - page 321; Revelation 1.4-8; John 18.33-37

Dear Friends,

A very warm welcome to you as we come to worship at St Philip's to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King and mark the last Sunday of the church's year.
Many will be recovering from the tremendous effort made yesterday for the Twilight Fair. On behalf of the rest of us, a big ?thank you' to Helen Palethorpe and all who did so much to make the Fair such an enjoyable and successful event.
The theme that runs through the readings for today is power?the nature of power and of powerlessness. The reading from Daniel pictures the power of God being given to "one like a human being?, literally ?one like a son of man' using the Hebrew word for a weak man, enosh, rather than the usual word for man, adam. The contrast with the beastly power of human empires in the passage immediately before today's reading, challenges us to think critically about the use and abuse of power in our world. The titles given to God and to Jesus in the reading from Revelation reinforce this understanding of God's power. It belongs to Jesus who loved and suffered and gave to bring us to fullness of life. The reading from John's gospel highlights the confrontation between the world's understanding of power and Jesus' understanding. Pilate thinks he has power, but in fact has little. Jesus who appears utterly powerless, knows what real power is and from where it comes. It is the power that turns crucifixion into resurrection.
Next Saturday, as well as there being the Dinner here in the evening, there will be the Ordination Service in the Cathedral in Goulburn. Robin Moore is to be ordained Deacon, and I know that several people will be going to support her on this very special occasion. The Service begins at 11.00am, and the word is "get there early" if you want to be seated in the Cathedral.
If you are not able to go to Goulburn, you may like to support the Kankinya Nursing Home by going along to the Summer Fair, 10am - 2pm.
Next Sunday we begin a new church year with the First Sunday of Advent. But it will be my final Sunday with you, and so I hope you will be able to worship with us.
Every blessing to you for today, and for the week ahead, Ray


Key Points from November Parish Council meeting
1. The last remaining priority work at the Rectory is the installation of a security alarm and additional security lights in line with Diocesan guidelines.
2. The lock and security door on the Parish Office have been replaced ? the former having been inadequate for some time.
3. The Council has expressed its appreciation for the decision by Pandora's to fund the new security doors and locks for the Rectory and Office, the outside painting of the Rectory and a new ceiling fan. Pandora's has also provided the Northbourne Community Centre with $500 for its Christmas party.
4. Arrangements for the Bishop's visit and Rebecca's Induction Service on 1 December are well advanced.
5. The Council has decided to enter into a three-year leasing arrangement through the Diocese for a small Parish car for Rebecca.
6. The Council has decided to submit an expression of interest via the SEE-Change Group in the possibility of solar generation panels. The arrangement is also available to individual householders. The expression of interest will keep us informed of developments, and has to be submitted by 29 November. No commitment is involved at this stage and no decision would be needed one way or the other until mid-2010. Information has been emailed to parishioners and a copy will also be placed on the noticeboard. Inquiries to be directed to Fred Anchell.
7. The council has noted that regular giving so far this year is down approximately $6000 on the budget projection.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 14 December.

WHAT'S ON @ ST PHILIP'S

Robin Moore's Ordination Saturday 28 November, 11am (St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn)

Advent Dinner in the Courtyard & Ray's Farewell /  Saturday 28 November, 6.30pm / Please bring a Salad or Dessert to share. Meat & Fruit Punch provided, BYO Wine. Please RSVP on the list in the Foyer.

Rev'd Rebecca Newland's Induction as Rector of St Philip's /  Tuesday 1 December, 6.30 pm / Please bring a plate of finger food for Supper.

Diocesan Farewell Service for Bishop Allan Ewing & Tricia Ewing / (St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn) Saturday 5 December 2009, 2.00pm

Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday 20 December / Service of Lessons and Carols 7.30pm

Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December / Family Christmas Pageant 7pm
Sung Eucharist 11.30pm

Christmas Day Friday 25 December / Eucharist (with incense) 9am

Weekly Offering/income needed to operate our Parish $2090 per week,
excludes rental income. Offerings received 11 & 15 Nov $782.95+ EFT $508 = $1290.95. Shortfall $799.05. Pandora's income 13 & 14 Nov $349.45. Twilight Fair (Hamper raffle) $20, Camra (photocopying) $180.00.

Recently some representatives of St Philip's attended an information session run by SEE-Change: Society, Environment, Economy Change. The purpose of the session was to provide information regarding the proposed discount buying of solar (photovoltaic) panels for the generation of electricity to householders and organisations within the ACT.

Faith Communities and congregations were targeted as the thought was that people in these groups had already demonstrated that they were most likely to already have a strong awareness about the plight of the planet and the desire to do something practical to work together on climate change.

SEE-Change's offer is not limited to members of these groups but will be available to as many households and organisations as express a desire to know more. The groups were seen as being conduits to as many like-minded people as possible.
SEE-Change's offer is:
- To form a co-operative group which would have much better negotiating and purchasing power than any individual;
- To research and co-ordinate all the necessary information to 1. ensure the best deal and 2. make easier all the bureaucracy involved with claiming all available rebates, in other words, to do all the ?stuff';
- Open to all members of the Parish and their family and friends. For those members who cannot avail themselves of the offer personally, the suggestion was made that they could contribute towards the cost of a panel or panels for the Church buildings. This would include renters, apartment dwellers, etc;
- Not requiring a decision at this time; an expression of interest is the only thing called for at the present time. All expressions of interest would be co-ordinated by the end of February 2010, when negotiating with potential vendors would begin. It is envisaged that, for those parties who wish to proceed, the final decision would need to be taken about mid-year 2010 with contracts signed before September when the ACT Government has indicated it will be reviewing the current rebate/feed-in tariff;
- To show that there is a possibility of generating earnings in the mid to long term and to highlight the Parish's stand on environmental matters with an offer of a practical suggestion.

What to do:
If you are interested in including your household in the expression of interest for solar (photovoltaic) panels submitted by St Philip's please forwarded your name, number of installations, size of installations and contact details (telephone number and email address) to Mr Fred Anchell at fred1@live.com.au. Please note there is absolutely no obligation at this point. This is an expression of interest only.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Ecumenical Cycle: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger
Give thanks for those who plant trees to counter the spread of the desert.
Anglican Communion: Wau - (Sudan) The Rt Rev'd Henry Cuir Riak
The Diocesan Cycle: The Anglican Church of Australia: Diocese of Sydney: Archbishop Peter Jensen, Bishops Robert Forsyth, Peter Tasker, Glenn Davies, Ivan Lee, Alan Stewart, Clergy and People
Parishes of St John's, Wagga Wagga: Acting Rector: Karen Kime (Lee), Judy Begent, Leonie White, Norman Fellowes, Jim Waddell, Colin Rush, Daphne May, Ian Forsyth; Wagga Wagga Base Hospital: Leonie White; St Martin's College; The Riverina Anglican College; Juvenile Justice Centre, Wagga Wagga.
Pray for: Workplace chaplains.
Special Prayers this week are asked for those to be ordained on Saturday; especially Robin Moore.
Give thanks for the Twilight Fair and all those who helped.
Pray for Ray and for Rebecca and for the parish as we approach the induction of our new rector.
Those in need: Shirley Barrett, Stewart Barrett, David Marsden, Mervyn McInnes, Helen Gorrell, Paul & Elissa, Melissa & Samuel, Joyce Braithwaite, Myrle Bovis.
Give Thanks: for the prayers & continued healing of Catherine
The Departed: Stanley Roy Vincent d.16/11/02, Constance Morton d.25/11/2001
The Saints: Clement of Rome, bishop and martyr (d.c.100); James Noble Aboriginal deacon (d.1941)

A prayer from the Ecumenical Cycle
God, our Father, we bless you for the gift of life that you grant us,
that strength of faith, so fragile and so powerful,
which is nourished by the assurance of your love.
We pray to you, Lord, for the sustenance of life for the people of these five countries,
Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Stir up the strength and courage of all those who are engaged in lifting these countries out of poverty.

THIS WEEK
Wednesday 10am: Holy Communion
Friday 10am-1pm: Pandora's OPEN
Saturday 10am-1pm: Pandora's OPEN

NEXT SUNDAY 8am & 10am Eucharist
Readings: Jeremiah 33.14-16 Psalm 25.1-10 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13 Luke 21.25-38

Rosters: Cleaning: Ann Munro & Denise Manley
Flowers: Val Reeves
8am: Sidespeople: Volunteer
Reader: Eloise Wright
10am: Sidespeople: Grace Barnes & Hardy Palethorpe
Bible Readers: 1st Brian McKinlay, 2nd Helen Palethorpe
Chalice Servers: Linda Anchell & helper
Morning Tea: Ann Munro & Helen Palethorpe

Items for the Pewsheet and names for the Prayer list (add or remove), please forward to Leighton by Thursday. leighton.ruth@grapevine.com.au or 61617133

www.stphilipsoconnor.org.au
Parish Office: P. 6161 7334 F. 6161 7322 E. stphil@grapevine.com.au
P.O. Box 6022 O'CONNOR, A.C.T. 2602
Acting Rector (Part time): Rev'd Dr Ray Williamson
Hon. Deacon: Rev'd Linda Anchell
Wardens: Ruth McGorman-Mann, Denise Manley J.P. & Roger Sharp