PEW SHEET 28th May 2017

MAY - a MONTH of PRAYER

True contemplation is not a psychological trick but a theological grace

Thomas Merton
In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he will rest satisfied. Psychiatrist Carl Jung one remarked, Hurry is not of the Devil, it is the Devil.’If we hope to move beyond the superficialities of our culture, including our religious culture, we must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation Richard Foster: Celebration of Discipline, 1989.

During this month of prayer
the phone app. Pray as You Go is recommended

Please note there are Pocket Prayer Books of  A Prayer Book for Australia available for sale $25.00. See Rev Jo if you would like to purchase a copy.

As we continue to adopt new ways to work of the healing of the planet you are invited to assist in the preparation of Boomerang Bags Saturday 3^rd June 2.00pm – 4.00pm at Yarram Secondary College.

See www.iview.abc.net.au to watch War on Waste episode 2 which addresses the problem of plastic bags in Victoria and Australia. This program is highly recommended, it airs on ABC Tuesday nights at 8.30pm.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

a place for fellowship around the Bible;

a place for prayer;

a place to ask questions

In Yarram – Coffee Connect, Mondays 3.45pm at the Coffee Palace,  studying The Gospel of Luke

In Port Albert – 3.30pm at St John’s Raglan Street, led by Rev. Jo currently studying The Gospel of John; Wednesday 31^st May. We meet at 3.30pm for about one hour.

In Won Wron – next meeting 27^th June more details to follow

You are welcome to join a group at any time or if you would like to start a group please talk to Rev. Jo.

Please note there are copies of the Bible Study – John; The Way to True Life by Douglas Connelly available for $10.00 you may purchase for private study or join the Port Albert Bible Study Group or start a new group.

No More Spiders in the church

No More Mice in the hall

Thank you to Derek Rothwell; member of our parish and a licenced pest controller who has just started his own business – South East Gippsland Pest Control

If you are having trouble with mice at present why not give Derek a call 0422 153 440

Pentecost Sunday, 4th June - 9.00am St John’s, Port Albert and 10.30am Holy Trinity, Yarram – please wear red.

A fellowship meal will be held at Holy Trinity Hall 12 noon. You are invited to bring simple finger food to share.

FIVE WAYS TO BE HUMBLE

1. Avoid taking credit                      
2. Praise and help others                  
3. Admit one’s mistakes
4. Go last
5. Learn from others

PEW SHEET 21st May 2017

MAY a MONTH of PRAYER

The Parish Council have set aside the Month of May for a special focus on prayer in the parish.

Christian Meditation - the second of our introductory sessions will held 27^th May, 4.30 – 5.30pm at The Rectory led by David Miller

What is Meditation?

Meditation is a universal spiritual wisdom and a practice found at the core of all the great religious traditions, leading from the mind to the heart. It is a way of simplicity, silence and stillness. It can be practised by anyone, wherever you are on your life’s journey. It is only necessary to be clear about the practice and then to begin – and to keep on beginning.

Christian Meditation is based on the writings of one of the Desert Fathers, John Cassian. He described a method of prayer that flowed out of the Gospel, which stills the heart and mind and allows the prayer to simply ‘be’ with God.

How to Meditate -

  Sit down. Sit still with your back straight. Close your eyes lightly. Then interiorly, silently begin to recite a single word – a prayer word or mantra. We recommend the ancient Christian prayer-word "Maranatha". Say it as four equal syllables. Breathe normally and give your full attention to the word as you say it, silently, gently, faithfully and - above all - simply. The essence of meditation is simplicity. Stay with the same word during the whole meditation and in each meditation day to day. Don't visualise but listen to the word, as you say it. Let go of all thoughts, images and other words. Don’t fight your distractions: let them go by saying your word faithfully, gently and attentively and returning to it as soon as you realise you have stopped saying it or when your attention wanders. It may take a time to develop a habit of meditation so we suggest you begin with as little as 5 minutes and work up gradually to 20 or 30 minutes. Rev. Jo notes that Maranatha is an Aramean word meaning; Our Lord is coming or Come Lord Jesus.

[extract from the Worldwide Community for Christian Meditation website ]

The Anam Cara website is highly recommended where you will find many resources to enhance your prayer life.

Please note there are Pocket Prayer Books of A Prayer Book for Australia available for sale $25.00 see Rev Jo if you would like to purchase a copy.

* a place for fellowship around the Bible

* a place for prayer

* a place to ask questions

In Yarram – Coffee Connect, Mondays 3.45pm at the Coffee Palace, led by Linda Bowden currently studying The Gospel of Luke

In Port Albert – 3.30pm at St John’s Raglan Street, led by Rev. Jo currently studying The Gospel of John; Wednesday 24^th We are now meeting at 3.30pm for about one hour.

In Won Wron – Recommences this month please contact Rev Jo for details

You are welcome to join a group at any time or if you would like to start a group please talk to Rev. Jo

Please note there are copies of the Bible Study – John; The Way to True Life by Douglas Connelly available for $10.00 you may purchase for private study or join the Port Albert Bible Study Group or start a new group

Pentecost group at Holy Trinity

NEWS FROM PARISH COUNCIL …

Pentecost Sunday 4^th June; 9.00am St John’s, Port Albert and 10.30am Holy Trinity, Yarram – please wear red. A fellowship meal will be held at Holy Trinity Hall 12 noon. You are invited to bring simple finger food to share.

PEW SHEET 14th May 2017

We pray for and give thanks for all mothers and those who act as mothers.

MAY a MONTH of PRAYER

The Parish Council have set aside the Month of May for a special focus on prayer in the parish.

Christian Meditation - the second of our introductory sessions will held 27^th May, 4.30pm at The Rectory led by David Miller see www.wccm.org

Please note there are Pocket Prayer Books of A Prayer Book for Australia available for sale $25.00 see Rev Jo if you would like to purchase a copy.

During this month of prayer try the phone app.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Grace before meals – Ken and I have recently returned from annual leave. While in Melbourne we often ate in restaurants or at the home of friends. It is our habit to say grace before meals no matter where that is. When we are in the home of friends we naturally respect their wishes but if we are dining in a restaurant or at home we give thanks for God’s blessings and for the food we are about to enjoy. Sometimes, when we do so in restaurants we feel a little bit embarrassed but we go ahead anyway even if it is in a low voice that only those at the table can hear. May I encourage you, in this month of prayer, to say grace at meal times even when in public. If it has not been your habit to say grace I offer the following to help get you started.

Suggested graces:

Bless those that sit at this table, the food that is on it, and those who prepared it. Amen.

May God bless this food to our use and ourselves in God’s service. Amen.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS -

a place for fellowship around the Bible;

a place for prayer; a place to ask questions

In Yarram – Coffee Connect, Mondays 3.45pm at the Coffee Palace, led by Linda Bowden currently studying The Gospel of Luke

In Port Albert – 3.30pm at St John’s Raglan Street, led by Rev. Jo currently studying The Gospel of John; current dates - Thursday 18^th May, Wednesday 24^th We are now meeting at 3.30pm for about one hour.
In Won Wron - resumes 21st May please contact Rev Jo for details

You are welcome to join a group at any time or if you would like to start a group please talk to Rev. Jo

Please note there are copies of the Bible Study – John; The Way to True Life by Douglas Connelly available for $10.00 you may purchase for private study or join the Port Albert Bible Study Group or start a new group

PARISH COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday 17^th May 4.00pm at The Rectory