St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 17 June 2018

As our means of heating buildings and bodies have improved, and become more electrified, the ways we think about keeping warm have changed too. In times past, heat was a commodity to be shared – something which was much easier to retain than attain, meaning people congregated, in homes and other places, not simply out of habit but out of neccessity. In churches, this has worked itself out in all kinds of different ways; like in Russia for instance, where communities have traditionally had a ‘summer’ church and a seperate ‘winter’ church, usually built above the animal stalls so that the community could borrow the heat generated by the cattle below during their worship.

In more recent times, advances in technology have also provided opportunities for churches to express hospitality in colder conditions. At St Giles’ in Wrexham, the largest church in Wales, 5% of the total parish budget is spent on heating the church 24/7, all year round, so that anyone struggling to keep warm in the community will have a place to seek refuge and to be amongst others, out of the cold.

Such examples are a reminder to us in the winter season that warmth, like love, is expressed in relationship with one another. This is wisdom which we find in scripture, where Solomon tells us “if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:11). Our being together, helping one another, sharing our lives together, these are all ways through which we express the love that we have been given in faith. So as we come together this Sunday, despite the chill in the air and the cool weather, we’re reminded that our being together is important, not least because it warms our bodies, but also because it draws us closer to our awesome God.

Every blessing for the week to come,

Mark

This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Thursday 14 June 2018 – if you would like to join the Weekly Bulletin email list, please call the church office on 02 4927 5399 and we will happily arrange this.

It may appear that we have not proceeded with this work, however our Heritage Architect in conjunction with hydraulic engineers and land surveyors have been preparing documents that will be submitted to the Heritage Department in the form of a Section 60 application, when this is approved a development application will be submitted to Newcastle City Council, quotes can then be called to start this work.

With the end of the financial year approaching, tax exemption donations can still be made to assist the parish in this important work of maintaining our heritage buildings.

An online donation can be made to:

National Trust of Australia, St Johns Church (Newcastle) Restoration Account.

BSB 032 044

Account number 898 154

The deadline for this is Wednesday 27th June

Please put your surname as the reference as receipts can not be given to donations marked anonymous.

Alternatively give me, Howard Benson a cheque made out to St Johns National Trust Account. Email me at howardbenson@bigpond.com or phone me on 4952 6279 and I will arrange to collect the cheque.

If a cheque is given to Howard the deadline is Sunday 24th June as the cheque needs to be banked prior to Friday 29th June.

BSB: 705-077
A/C: 00040401
Name: St John’s Anglican Church Newcastle

Thank you to all members of our parish who are able to support ministry in this way.

praying people representing Churches of all Christian denominations. The APN will be running a Foundation Level course on prayer at St John’s on the 24th and 25th of August, presented by Pastor Mathew Bolte (www.ausprayernet.org.au). The school commences at 7:00pm on Friday night and continues from 9.00am till 4.00pm on Saturday. The School will run as follows:

Fri 24th August 2018 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Session 1 How prayer works

Session 2 Intercession: A lifestyle

Sat 25th August 2018 9:00am – 4:00pm

Session 3 Understanding the DNA of your

community

Session 4 Spiritual authority the key to breakthrough

Lunch: BYO Lunch, tea & coffee provided

Session 5 How to lead a Spirit lead prayer meeting

Session 6 How to hear God’s voice

Should you have any questions or wish to register please contact Fr. Ken on ken.youman@gmail.com/0438 281 379 or Mark on markthornton@saintjohns.com.au/0403901348.