Pastor's Perspective

Halloween and the Church

The word Halloween comes from a contraction of the words All Hallows Eve. All Hallows Eve or All Souls Eve is an important religious celebration held on 31^st October. Hallow is a Latin word meaning holy. You might be wondering what holy means? Holy refers to anything or any person who has been blessed, we might say favoured by God. So it is that on Halloween/All Hallows Eve we prepare to remember our friends and family who have passed away and on whom God has bestowed his favour and love.

In Mexico Halloween is a very popular family event. Everyone goes to the cemetery to visit the graves of their friends and relatives. They take a picnic and have a kind of party. It’s a way of remembering their family members and sharing a festive atmosphere with members of the community. The name given to this celebration is The Day of the Dead. It’s not meant to be spooky or scary it’s a time to remember friends and family members.

The church values and remembers those who have died. We often pray for those who have died in our church services. We particularly pray for and remember the dear departed on All Souls Day; this year being celebrated Sunday 2^nd November.

We read out the names of people who have died. We say a prayer and we light a candle. These things are done to honour and remember the people we love who have passed away. This is a time for us to celebrate what God has done through these people and to affirm our belief in the power of the resurrection to eternal life.

Pew Sheet 2nd November

A.G.M. 2014

Pick up your copy of the Parish Annual Report TODAY

Available from Holy Trinity Yarram or St John’s Port Albert

The Annual General Meeting of the Parish of Yarram will be held Next Sunday

9^th November following 9.00am service at Holy Trinity.

·         The meeting will be an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, affirm those who take office and explore the future. Election of new Parish Councillors, and Deanery Representatives will also take place.

·         If you are currently not on the parish roll please add your details to forms available in the foyer.

·         You are also asked to prayerfully consider how you might contribute to the life of the parish.

A Congregational Meeting for Holy Trinity following the AGM to discuss matters of particular relevance including the possible reinstatement of rosters.

A Congregational Meeting for St John’s will be held 16^th November following 10.30 Service of Holy Communion.

Only 53  days until Christmas

The Combined Churches Christmas Carols in the Regent Theatre – Sunday 14^th December 7.30pm

Rehearsals begin 30^th November 11.30am Holy Trinity Hall

We almost have a full cast for our Nativity Play. If you would like to join in we have a few non speaking parts left as shepherds or magi.

Can you sew? We need someone or more than one to prepare some costumes for us. See Reverend Jo if you can help.

 
 

World Day of Prayer 2015 Workshop – St Peter’s Anglican Church 2 Bruce St Leongatha Friday 7th November 10.00am until noon

Bible Study Groups – You can join a group anytime

Coffee Connect Group meets weekly Mondays 3.45pm at P.K. Cafe

Won Wron Group meets monthly second Tuesday of the month 7pm

St John’s Port Albert meeting fortnightly Wednesday 4pm

Mission Giving this month the parish has given $137.50 to both ACCESS Ministries and The Diocesan Aboriginal Ministry Fund

Prayer for The Appointments Board -

Continue to pray for those charged with discerning the candidate for the position of Bishop in our Diocese: 

Lay people: David Chambers; John Delzoppo; Marian Dewar; Robert Fordham; Val Jones; and Jo Sestokis. 

Clergy:     Graeme Knott; Greg McGee; Barb Logan; Philip Muston; Lyn Williams.

Eternal God, shepherd and guide,

in your mercy give your Church in this diocese of Gippsland

a shepherd after your own heart

who will walk in your ways, and with loving care watch over your people.

Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth.

So may your Church be built up and your name glorified;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

YARRAM AGRICULTURAL SHOW

We will again mount a bookstall at the show Saturday 22^nd November

Volunteers are needed

A Marquee or similar is also needed

Please see Olive Lang, Mission Secretary if you can help in anyway

halloween - all hallows eve - ALL SOULS

SUNDAY 2^nd NOV. 

SPECIAL SERVICE

FOR

ALL SOULS

Holy Trinity, Yarram 9.00am

St John's, Port Albert 10.30am

Celebrate and honour those who have died

At this service we read out the names of the dear departed and light a candle in their memory.

Have you been wondering about Halloween or

The Day of the Dead?

Reverend Jo will preach about the origins of Halloween and its significance in the life of the church.

 

Parish News

26th October

Parish Council will meet at the rectory tomorrow Monday 27^th October 4.00pm.

Nominations for Parish Council NOW OPEN

A number of current councillors are not standing for re-election. Nomination forms are available at Holy Trinity and St John’s. Nominees must be on the Parish Roll. Forms must be signed by a proposer and a seconder who are also parish members. Please return nominations to Miriam Stackhouse (Parish Secretary) by 1^st November.

All Souls Service Next Sunday 2^nd November

9.00am Holy Trinity Yarram & 10.30am St John's Port Albert

As part of our usual Service of Holy Communion the names of those who have died in the past year will be read and a candle lit. If you wish to include the names of other loved ones to be remembered on this day please give their names to Reverend Jo or a warden.

‘Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.’

 

 

Only 53  days until Christmas and even less until The Combined Churches Christmas Carols in the Regent Theatre – Sunday 14^th December 7.30pm

We almost have a full cast for our Nativity Play. If you would like to join in we have a few non speaking parts left as shepherds or magi.

Can you sew? We need someone or more than one to prepare some costumes for us. See Reverend Jo if you can help.

Bible Study Groups –

You can join a group anytime

Coffee Connect Group meets weekly Mondays 3.45pm at P.K. Cafe

Won Wron Group meets monthly second Tuesday of the month 7pm

St John’s Port Albert meeting fortnightly Wednesday 4pm

Starting a new study -The Gospel of Luke: New Hope, New Joy by Ada Lum.

Prayer for The Appointments Board -

Continue to pray for those charged with discerning the candidate for the position of Bishop in our Diocese: 

Lay people: David Chambers; John Delzoppo; Marian Dewar; Robert Fordham; Val Jones; and Jo Sestokis.

Clergy:     Graeme Knott; Greg McGee; Barb Logan; Philip Muston; Lyn Williams.

Eternal God, shepherd and guide,

in your mercy give your Church in this diocese of Gippsland a shepherd after your own heart

who will walk in your ways, and with loving care watch over your people.

Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth.

So may your Church be built up and your name glorified;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A.G.M. 2014

The Annual Report will be available from next Sunday 2^nd November

Please collect your copy from Holy Trinity Yarram or St John’s Port Albert

The Annual General Meeting of the Parish of Yarram will be held on Sunday 9^th November following 9.00am service at Holy Trinity.

·         The meeting will be an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, affirm those who take office and explore the future. Election of new Parish Councillors, and Deanery Representatives will also take place.

·         If you are currently not on the parish roll please add your details to forms available in the foyer.

·         You are also asked to prayerfully consider how you might contribute to the life of the parish.

A Congregational Meeting for Holy Trinity following the AGM to discuss matters of particular relevance including the possible reinstatement of rosters.

A Congregational Meeting for St John’s will be held 16^th November following 10.30 Service of Holy Communion.

 

12th October

Pit Stop at Holy Trinity Yarram

Bikies Welcome

 

Pull in for a coffee, snacks, toilets and a rest – we’ll look after you.

 

CHANGE OF DATE – Parish Council will meet at the rectory Monday 27^th October 4.00pm this month not 20^th as previously agreed.

Annual Diocesan Clergy Retreat at Pallotti College Millgrove Monday 13 – Thursday 16 October Reverend Jo will attend. Monday service at Crossley House as usual however there will be no Wednesday 10.30am mid-week service.

 

All Souls Service Sunday 2^nd November 9.00am – As part of our usual Service of Holy Communion the names of those who have died in the past year will be read and a candle lit. If you wish to include the names of other loved ones to be remembered on this day please give their names to Reverend Jo or a warden.

‘Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.’

 

 

 

 

BIG BIG THANK YOU to everyone who assisted at the working bee for Holy Trinity on Saturday 4th October we got a lot of jobs done including ridding the church and vestry of cobwebs, trimming the lawn edges, cleaning the windows and polishing the brass. Special thanks to Phil Tracey (Rector’s Warden) for organising the work and providing a lovely barbeque lunch.

New to Mission Table –

Tear Australia News October Issue including the launch of their 2014 Useful Gifts Catalogue.

Anglican Overseas Aid (formerly Anglicord) Spring/Summer newsletter – Bible Study on page 10 about Commitment in our postmodern world

CBM Christian Blind Mission – situation report on the world’s worse Ebloa epidemic

Only 77 days until Christmas and even less until The Combined Churches Christmas Carols in the Regent Theatre – Sunday 14^th December 7.30pm

We almost have a full cast for our Nativity Play. If you would like to join in we have a few non speaking parts left as shepherds or magi.

Can you sew? We need someone or more than one to prepare some costumes for us. See Reverend Jo if you can help.

Rehearsals for our Nativity Play

Sunday 30^th November 11.30am at Holy Trinity Yarram

Sunday 7^th December 11.30am at St John’s Port Albert

Saturday 13^th December 11.30am at Holy Trinity Yarram

Sunday 14^th December DRESS REHEARSAL 11.30am at Holy Trinity Yarram

The Gippsland Anglican out today – make sure you get your copy that includes a great article about our recent fundraiser in Port Albert. (see page 7 Whisky Degustation at Port Albert)

Yarram Combined Churches Christmas Hamper Committee Meeting – Wednesday 15^th October 4.30pm Holy Trinity Yarram in the foyer

 

Bible Study Groups –

You can join a group anytime

Coffee Connect Group meets weekly Mondays 3.45pm at P.K. Cafe

Won Wron Group meets monthly second Tuesday of the month 7pm

St John’s Port Albert meeting fortnightly Wednesday 4pm

 

Starting a new study -The Gospel of Luke: New Hope, New Joy by Ada Lum.

 

A.G.M. 2014

The Annual General Meeting of the Parish of Yarram will be held on Sunday 9^th November following 9.00am service at Holy Trinity.

Pop this date in your diary now. The meeting will be an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, affirm those who take office and explore the future. Election of new Parish Councillors, and Deanery Representatives will also take place.

If you are currently not on the parish roll please add your details to forms available in the foyer.

You are also asked to prayerfully consider how you might contribute to the life of the parish.

All organisations and groups belonging to the parish are asked to have their reports to the secretary by 20^th October. We would like to include photos in our reports so if you have some please include these with your report.

Reports can be sent via email jowhite.7@bigpond.com or to Miriam Stackhouse Parish Secretary

A Congregational Meeting for Holy Trinity following the AGM to discuss matters of particular relevance including the possible reinstatement of rosters.