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Vicar's Musings for Ordinary Sunday 2416 September, 2018 It has been a busy couple of weeks at The Hill, and I would like to particularly acknowledge the work of two of our full-time staff members who have been working so hard in their respective areas of parish ministry and outreach. Last weekend, as most of you will recall, the parish hall was full of books. The Bookroom Manager, Carol O'Connor, and her team of volunteers did an outstanding job of organising the donated books, selling literally thousands of volumes, and then packing away and clearing the hall this past week. It was a huge undertaking, which Carol and her team approached with such generosity and positivity. A few years ago Carol coined the phrase "fun-raising" and the 2018 Book Fair was without doubt another example of this. Elsewhere in this week's pew sheet Peter Wild, one of Carol's team of remarkably devoted volunteers, has written a beautiful reflection on his experience of helping with the Book Fair. This year we set a new record, raising a grand total of $5,800 in cash and eftpos sales; an impressive result, especially given that all books are sold for just $2 each. St Peter's Lay Minister and RMIT Chaplain, Alae Taule'alo, also organised a very significant outreach event that took place recently. To mark Pride Week at RMIT, Alae led a discussion on: "Faith, Gender and Sexuality!" Alae pulled together an inspiring panel: Imam Nur Warsame, founder of Marhaba Inc. an organization that focuses on the welfare of LGBTIQ+ Muslims; Katecia (Teash) Taylor, an emerging queer theologian and activist from a Baptist background; and our neighbour, Fr Stuart Soley, Vicar of St Mark's Fitzroy. A good number of students attended, as well as a strong St Peter's contingent. It was a very significant occasion, giving a clear alternative religious voice, and offering solid pastoral support through the Chaplaincy. Finally, my thanks also to everyone who contributed to the retiring collections, for the work of the Anglican Board of Mission in Papua New Guinea. We raised $573.80 which will go directly to an embroidery group, making liturgical vestments, which was suggested by Archbishop Allan Migi; a fitting new connection for our parish. Fr David Peake has also arranged for a couple of large boxes of theological books (from the Book Fair) to be shipped over to Newton Theological College, in Popondetta. I spoke with Fr John Deane, Executive Director of ABM, about ways in which St Peter's might renew its links with the ABM and the Church in PNG, and as a beginning we plan to make Martyrs Day a focus of our overseas mission outreach each year. The Rev'd Dr Hugh Kempster |
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