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Vicar's Musings for Ordinary Sunday 54 February, 2018 This has been a big week for St Peter's Eastern Hill. On Monday our new Lay Minister and Chaplain, Alae Taule'alo, began work at the RMIT University Multi-faith Chaplaincy. Yesterday the St Peter's Parish Council (PC) met to reflect on the 2015-18 Mission Action Plan (MAP) and start the process of developing our 2018-2021 MAP. And today, across all three morning services, we will formally commission Alae to his new position; as well as the new PC: Nick Browne, Judith Chapman, Stephen Duckett (chair), Catherine McGovern, Jane Munro, Nick Lambarde-Scott, Kelly Shang, Lum Southey, Rwth Stuckey, Peter Wild, Sue Wuttke and Peter Yewers. We will also commission the 2018 Klingner Scholars, theological students training for ordained ministry: Colleen Clayton (returning) and Lynda Crossley; and two new Priest Associates: Fr Andrew Lang and Fr David Peake. After the 11am High Mass, my wife Ree and I warmly invite you all to the Vicarage Garden Party. I've had a few calls during the week: "Fr Hugh, I've not got a ticket, can I come?" Well, let me make it very clear: "Yes. Please come, one and all." We have been selling tickets ($15 for adults; children free) but this is simply to cover the cost of catering, so please feel very free to come; we won't be turning anyone away! There will be tickets on sale at the garden gate, but if you can't afford a ticket, or don't have the cash with you… please come anyway. All are welcome! On another matter, in your pew sheet you have a "Rough Sleeping at St Peter's" flier inserted. Be assured, we are not expecting you all to stay the night after the Garden Party! This is a draft flier, about which we'd like your feedback, that we have modeled on the Melbourne City Council's hand out "Rough Sleeping in City Parks." A fortnight ago I counted nineteen rough-sleepers one night on our church grounds. Rather than call the police and move people on, here at St Peter's we feel called to offer a compassionate gospel-response to this reality of City life, and to do what we can to help. The flier summarises our rough-sleeping policy, and points the homeless person towards services and people who may be able to assist. You feedback on the flier, as parishioners and friends of St Peter's, is very welcome (please phone 9662 2391 or e-mail: sphoffice@stpeters.org.au). Finally, Lent is fast approaching. Please note, for your diaries:
The Rev'd Dr Hugh Kempster |
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