News and Views

Thanksgiving 2015

Here are some photos from Wednesday (photo credit Betty Matthews).

I’d like to thank all those who worked so hard, particularly those who worked behind the scenes in the days prior to get the church ready for the service. A special thank you to Arthur Evans who opened his home to us and refreshed us after a busy, but happy, morning. 

2 Corinthians 9: 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

This week we have been giving thanks for the ministry of Bishop Robert Forsyth, our FIFO bishop!

What a blessing it has been to have experienced his oversight and friendship. I have shared with you (below) some of the kind words that were said about Rob and Margie’s ministry at the Sydney Synod last month.

Synod Thanksgiving

Noting that this will be Bishop Robert Forsyth’s last Synod, Synod gives thanks to God for Bishop Forsyth’s nearly 40 years of ordained ministry both in the Diocese of Sydney and beyond. As a curate in the parishes of Glenbrook and Holy Trinity, Adelaide, as Rector of St Barnabas Broadway, and as Bishop of South Sydney, Robert has proclaimed Christ, warning and teaching with wisdom, so that people might be presented mature in Christ. As Chaplain to the University of Sydney, and for over 20 years the Chairman of The EU Graduates Fund, Robert pioneered a model of partnership with the Sydney University Evangelical Union which continues to bear fruit today. As Bishop of South Sydney, Robert has overseen a revitalisation of gospel ministry throughout the Region, with many churches turning around and a significant number of churches planted. Through his membership of the Standing Committee, the Archbishop’s liturgical panel, and the renewing structures taskforce, Robert has served the Synod with creativity and wisdom. As he moves into a new sphere of ministry, Synod thanks God for both Robert and Margaret, and prays that he will continue both to bless them, and to bless others through them, so that Jesus Christ will be honoured as Lord and Saviour.

The Rev Andrew Katay 19/10/2015

Combined Churches Lessons and Carols
Lessons and Carols @ All Saints
4.30pm, Sunday 20^th December 2015

Community Carols By Candlelight
All Saints’ Compound – bring a rug, snacks and refreshments.
6.00pm, Wednesday 23^rd December

Christmas Eve
Holy Communion @ St Barnabas Chapel
Thursday 11.30pm, 24^th December 2015

Christmas Day
Holy Communion @ All Saints (this is a family service and will include a children’s talk and kids activity packs)
10.00am, Friday 25^th December 2015

New Years’ Eve
Holy Communion @ St Barnabas Chapel
11.30pm, Thursday 31^st December 2015

One of the ways Bishop Robert Forsyth has endeavoured to support Crystal and I in our ministry on Norfolk Island, is to link us up with an organisation called BCA (or Bush Church Aid). In the bishops words “these people are the experts in remote ministry”. 

Accordingly, our next parish visitor will be The Revd David Rogers-Smith. David will be here Sunday week (December 6) which means we’ll be breaking our series in Genesis for David to preach a message on Jonah. David is the Regional Officer for Queensland / Northern New South Wales and started in this role in February 2015. This is probably the closest thing to a bishop in BCA. This means he prays and makes contact with me regularly, and along with his wife Julie, he will be here to refresh and encourage Crystal and I. Before being appointed as Regional Officer, David and his wife Julie served as BCA Field Staff for eight years in Tasmania, where David was the Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese of Tasmania and Ministry Enabler in the Parish of Riverlinks. He ran the Tasmanian Bible Forums for seven of those years and developed the Tasmanian Certificate in Theology and Ministry. 

It’s probably worth saying that although BCA is a “sending” organisation, Crystal and I are not being supported financially by BCA. Rather, they are providing us (and you) with prayer and pastoral support.

It’s a busy time of year, there’s no doubt about it!