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Vicar's Musings for Epiphany7 January, 2018 Every blessing for 2018 to all Parishioners and Friends of St Peter's, on this celebration of the Feast of Epiphany! The New Year looks like it will hold some very significant developments for us as a parish, God willing. Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support, prayers, ideas, and constructive critique along the way. CORNER PLAZA & COFFEE CART SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Just before Christmas our architects, Trethowen Architecture, put out a call for tenders to construct the Corner Plaza development and Wayside Cross of Sacrifice restoration. All going well, construction will commence soon after Easter 2018. The plans are on display in the Parish Hall, so please do have a good look at them over a cup of coffee after Mass. Once completed, the Coffee Cart social enterprise will be in a position to start trading 5 days a week, providing employment pathways for our homeless and disadvantaged friends. LEADERSHIP OF THE RMIT INTERFAITH CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM In 2018 St Peter's will be providing leadership for a new RMIT University Interfaith Chaplaincy program. RMIT has some 60,000 students and 10,000 staff across Melbourne, so this is a truly historic outreach opportunity for our parish. As Vicar of St Peter's, in the establishment phase at least, I will take up the role of RMIT Senior Chaplain (part-time). In order to release me for this new outreach mission of the parish, and to ensure the smooth running of the existing parochial ministries, the Wardens and Parish Council are working with me to establish two new paid positions: (1) Vicar's Assistant and Coordinator of the RMIT Chaplaincy Program (2) Assistant Priest, with a focus on Pastoral Care and Social Enterprise. These positions will be fully funded within the existing budget, through a three-year contract with RMIT, and in addition existing internal funding that previously paid for Fr Graeme's stipended ministry in the parish. Fr Philip Gill and Fr Greg Davies will continue to offer their much-valued ministry in the mission areas of Social Service and Christian Education. COMMISSIONING AND GARDEN PARTY — SUNDAY 28TH JANUARY On the last Sunday of January we will commission a number of people to new ministries: the newly elected Wardens and Parish Council, the Vicar's Assistant and Coordinator of the RMIT Chaplaincy Program, the new Assistant Priest, and the 2018 Klingner Scholars. We will say prayers of commissioning at all three morning services. After the High Mass, my wife Dr Ree Boddé and I invite everyone to the Vicarage for our annual Garden Party. To help with the costs, tickets will be on sale from the Welcome Table after Mass, or through the Parish Office. Do make this a firm date in your diary; a celebratory start to the year! The Rev'd Dr Hugh Kempster |
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