ST JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH DEE WHY

CHRISTMAS 2013

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Wednesday 18 December, 10.00am

Early Christmas Eucharist

Each year we invite those who may not be able to manage to get to Church

on Christmas Day to come to our Service on the Wednesday before

Christmas at 10.00am. It is especially suitable for the elderly or those who

will be away on Christmas Day. We will be singing Christmas Carols and

having a special Morning Tea afterwards in the Parish Centre.

Transport is available – please contact the Parish Office on 9971 8694.

Saturday 21 December, 6.00pm

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Join with St John’s Choir in this beautiful traditional Service. Afterwards

come over to the Parish Centre for Fellowship and Supper.

Tuesday 24 December, 5.00pm

Children’s Christmas Eve Service

This is a very popular Service which includes Carols and a dramatic telling of

the Christmas Story, written especially for all the family.

Tuesday 24 December, 11.45pm

Midnight Mass

11.15pm Carol Singing - 11.45pm Midnight Mass with Blessing of the Crib

and Procession.

Join us afterwards for Fellowship and Supper.

Wednesday 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES

6.30am Holy Communion Liturgy 8.00am Holy Eucharist

10.00am Family Eucharist and Children’s Ministry

NOON CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY LUNCH Bookings Essential

We are especially encouraging people who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day and would appreciate pleasant company, good food and warm fellowship. Also, we will need helpers, including guests who will act as table hosts. Donations of money, food, nibbles and other assistance are welcome.

For information and offers to help, please speak with Lynette Johnson.

Dear Friends,

After five decades of service our church pipe organ is finally to receive an upgrade—and what an upgrade it is getting!

Having decided to take the route of a new Hybrid Organ (a comparatively new technology that augments an existing physical pipe organ with digital sounds) we will

be getting an organ which is over ten times the size of the existing organ at less than a tenth of the cost that a new pipe organ, only slightly larger than our present one, would cost. We will also have a beautiful new hand-built organ console that will adorn the church for many decades.

This exciting new project will ensure that St John’s remains at the forefront of Church Music in Sydney, with possibly the best organ on the Northern Beaches. Those who attended the information meeting held on 9 November will realise that this venture will at last enable St John’s to expand its musical tradition with new initiatives such as a Junior Choir, Choral and Organ Scholarships, concerts and recitals for outreach, and many opportunities for enhancing our worship. As part of a wider strategy, it will play its role in the mission of St John’s in bringing people to Christ and proclaiming the gospel.

Many of you have expressed a desire to contribute to the Organ Appeal when it is launched next year, and several parishioners have requested that memorials be accepted towards elements of the new organ. This is a testimony to the value already being placed on this project, and I thank all those who are intending to support the parish in this way.

It is expected that the new organ will be installed before April 2014, in time for Easter, when we expect several adults to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. A series of celebrations and events is being planned to inaugurate the new organ. In the meantime, the preaching, teaching and pastoral mission of St John’s continues unabated.

As we prepare to celebrate the joy of our Saviour’s birth at Christmas, please pray for renewal in your faith and for our parish. We need to seek and rely on God’s help and guidance as we seek to love and serve him, for it is for his glory and for the sake of his kingdom that we undertake all our ventures, and have been given the opportunity to be part of his faithful community at St John’s.

From Sandra, Christopher and me, may God bless you and keep you, and help you to celebrate the Birth of Christ with joy and love.

With every blessing, Fr Steven

NEW ORGANIST AND NEW VISION FOR ST JOHN’S

St John’s was delighted to welcome Tom Edwards as

our new Organist and Director of Music in September

2013 following the retirement of Tim Swales after

eleven years of dedicated service to the choir and to

the church.

Tom was born in England, and was educated at

Bishop’s Stortford College in Hertfordshire, the

Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and the University of

Edinburgh. Following his Master’s degree at Edinburgh, Tom qualified as a

teacher at the University of Worcester, and was successively Acting Head of

Music at the Edinburgh Rudolph Steiner School and Director of Music at

Lucton School in Herefordshire. In addition to teaching, Tom has held

various church posts, the most recent being that of Organist and Master of

the Music at the Abbey Church of St Peter and Paul, Shrewsbury, where he

launched the million-pound Renaissance campaign to renovate the organ,

provide funds for the re-introduction of choristers and the establishment of a

choral scholarship scheme. In England, Tom developed an excellent

reputation as a choir trainer and choral conductor: at Lucton the choir

numbered over one hundred and regularly performed in churches and

cathedrals in the surrounding area. He is currently living in Manly, with his

partner, Merrilyn (who is Australian) and he is completing his PhD in

historical musicology.

New Organ

Shortly before Tom’s appointment the Parish Council began to investigate

the possibility of upgrading the current organ. The present organ was

installed in 1968 by Roger Pogson. At the opening of the church in 1958 the

then Rector, Neville Chynoweth, had the intention of installing a large two

manual instrument, which could support the flourishing music foundation at

St John’s, but unfortunately the funds at the time were unavailable and it

was during the tenure of his successor, the Revd W.E. Weston, that a

significantly smaller two manual extension organ with six ranks was installed

in the church by Pogson at a cost of $6,788.00. The organ was dedicated in

the presence of Sir Roden Cutler, Governor of New South Wales, on 7th July

1968. The organ has given splendid and excellent service for the last forty-

five years, but it always remained limited and inadequate when one

considers the Revd Neville Chynoweth’s original intentions for the organ.

The Parish Council has commissioned a

new hybrid organ from Ian Sell of Virtual

Pipe Organs, Australia. The new hybrid

technology combines the intricacies of

complex organ building with the latest

digital and audio technology. The new

organ will retain the original six ranks of

the Pogson organ, but will be augmented

by sixty-five digital (electronic) stops over three manuals, making the St

John’s organ one of the largest and most impressive instruments on the

Northern Beaches. Such has been the advance in sound technology we defy

anyone to tell that it’s not a real organ! Work has already begun on the

instrument, and it is hoped that the organ will be installed and ready for

Easter Day 2014. An opening Recital and Dedicatory mass is planned for

the first weekend in May to celebrate the installation of an instrument which

finally fulfils Bishop Chynoweth’s original intentions for St John’s.

Developments in Choral Programme

Following Tom’s appointment, he was asked to complete a review of music-

making at St John’s with a view to establishing and supporting a music

foundation which will last for the next fifty years. At the Parish Council

meeting in October Tom presented his report which was accepted. Tom has

two plans for augmenting and supporting our hard working choir: one is the

foundation of a junior choir for boys and girls aged 7–13, who will sing

regularly with the adults; the second plan is the establishment of a choral

scholarship scheme for students aged 14-23. By Christmas you should see

evidence of the beginnings of both plans! It is hoped that under Tom’s

direction St John’s will continue to be noted for the excellent quality of music,

both in and out of worship, but also that St John’s can become a centre for

the training of the next generation of church musicians.

During 2013 we have continued our tradition of hosting classical

concerts performed by “Rising Stars” as well as seasoned musicians.

We intend to continue these programmes in 2014 as well as Organ

Recitals. Placing your name on our subscription list will enable you to

receive advance information of these concerts.

WELCOME DEACON JENNY

We are very happy to welcome a second honorary Deacon

for the Parish - Deacon Jennifer Barry.

Jenny was ordained in Grafton in 2009 and served in

ministry in the Kempsey parish and The Lower Macleay

parish. She also did two placements in Wauchope and Port

Macquarie parishes.

Her passion has always been to minister to the underprivileged, the elderly,

sick and lonely in the community, visiting folk in their homes, the aged care

facilities, and the Kempsey Community hospital.

Jenny saw that there was a deep need for women’s ministry in those

parishes, and formed bible study groups and prayer groups. It was a time of

women coming together, being uplifted and encouraging each other in their

daily walk. She also helped lead two Alpha courses, and found that it was

such a wonderful vehicle for bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to many

who struggled, and were often without hope.

Jenny studied Theology as a distance student with The School of Christian

Studies at Macquarie University, has also completed a CPE course (Clinical

Pastoral Education) and is looking to do more study in the near future. She

also did six months training in the Mid North Coast Corrective Service

Facility, spending time with both men and women inmates.

Jenny and her husband, John, moved back to the Northern Beaches in

2012, to be near their four children and nine grandchildren, and in July 2013

became a parishioner at St John’s.

FAREWELL FOR TIM

On Saturday October 26, many parishioners gathered to

show their appreciation for the 11 years’ dedication Tim

has given to the parish as Director of Music. He has

enhanced the Liturgy with his music. We wish him well

in his retirement.

ST JOHN’S SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROGRAMME

We are very pleased that so many parishioners are continuing to

enthusiastically use the “Recycling Boxes” for candles, corks, batteries,

stamps and ink cartridges. This is a simple way in which we can help the

environment.

Our SOLAR POWER panels are working well and you can see, on the

screen near the office, how much electricity is being generated. So far our

panels have produced over 6699 kWh of electricity, saving about 5,045

tonnes of CO2. Since the introduction in NSW of the gross feed-in tariff of

60c per kWh, we have been able to sell all our sun-powered electricity to

Energy Australia, giving our parish a rebate so far of $5,571 towards our

electric power consumption.

THE FRIENDLY OP SHOP

The Op Shop has continued to thrive with an average of over $2,000 being

raised each month. It is a wonderful outreach to the Community as well as

raising necessary funds for the parish to be able to fulfil its mission.

Our wonderful Storeroom Manager, Ken Eltham, puts in many, many hours

sorting, re-packing and discarding unsaleable items. This way we have far

better quality goods to put out to sell.

We have many wonderful volunteers who put out tables, sort the goods, sell

them and also pack away. However, we can always use more volunteers,

particularly younger people who can do the heavy work.

JUST FOR FUN

Sums up Christmas Three phrases that sum up Christmas are: Peace

on Earth; Goodwill to Men; and Batteries not included.

Christmas in my heart Christmas is in my heart twelve months a year

and, thanks to credit cards, it's on my Visa card statement twelve months a year, also.

Father Christmas You know you are getting old when Father Christmas

starts looking younger.

PINS ‘N’ NEEDLES

Commencing in 2014 our Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each

month (except December and January), from 9.30am to 12.30pm, in the

Parish Centre Hall.

We knit, crochet, pin, stitch and have fun. New members are always

welcome. A flyer is available in the church foyer, giving more information.

Many thanks to our very generous members, Op Shop donors, ladies of the

parish and friends, whose gifts of love during 2013 have supported – Stewart

House, Dee Why Womens’ Refuge, Newtown Mission, Anglicare Central

West New South Wales and Mothers’ Union Sydney Shop.

Heather Andrews and Pam Fisher.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED WITH

THE SMOOTH, EFFECTIVE RUNNING OF THE PARISH IN 2013

Thanks go to Father Steven and Deacon Sandra for their leadership and

guidance, the Wardens and Parish Councillors, the leaders and helpers of

all our ministries, the volunteers who worked in the office and café, and

those who agreed to be rostered on all those activities maintaining the

fabric of the church, parish centre and grounds. Our worship has been

enhanced by the assistance of all those serving, reading, intercessing,

greeting, preparing for the services, and not forgetting our organists and

choir members. This is the true nature of the family of St John’s.

SCRIPTURE IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

St John’s provides SRE (Scripture) teachers for Dee Why Public, North Curl

Curl Public and Manly Selective Campus. Thanks to all the teachers who

have done so much training and continue to do so to maintain their

accreditation. We often have comments from schools as to how good our

teachers are, both in their professionalism and the great way they relate to

the children and young people. Thanks to Sally Garman, Deacon Sandra,

Valda Ashover, Father Steven, Katherine Ward and our helper Roz Peterson.

GODLY PLAY

We have had another wonderful year with our Sunday morning children’s

ministry where we get to explore the Scriptures with children from the ages of

three to twelve years. Thanks to Lesley Flood, Katherine Ward, Valda

Ashover and Deacon Sandra for being such great storytellers and our

fantastic “door people” (helpers) Robyn Couch, Bev Bingham, Neridah Byrne,

Gwen Zmijewski and Alma Ondevilla.

YOUTH GROUP

Next year our Youth Group will change from one group to two, catering for

different age groups. The new younger group will focus on young people in

primary school years five, six and seven and will meet on the second and

fourth Fridays of the month. The intention is to continue with the group as

they enter High School years.

An older group, some of whom have been part of our Youth Group for six

years already, will meet once a month and will assist in ministering to these

young people.

Thanks to Father Steven, Deacon Sandra, Adam Roberts, Jess Rynd, Valda

and Mark Ashover for their leadership of the Youth Group over many years

and we ask God to bless them as they begin planning for next year.

Christmas presents

Catching her in the act, I confronted our 3-year-old granddaughter. "Are you opening your little sister’s presents?” I demanded. "No," she innocently replied, "I'm just helping her share."

PLAYTIME

Playtime this year continues to be enjoyed by approximately 45 families of all

different ages from 0-5 years old. It's a place where parents can bring their

children and enjoy a chat

with their friends in a safe

environment while learning

about the Christian Faith

in a loving and supportive

atmosphere. Many come

to catch up and have

some adult conversation,

while others come and

play with their children

because they have to work many other days. For whatever reason they come,

we are happy to provide that opportunity. We have had a few parents who

through coming to Playtime have decided to have their children baptised. We

are grateful for many volunteers who support this ministry in the parish. We

are also grateful for the Playtime parents who support the group and get

involved in the parish. For example,

we had a wonderful combined

Playtime and Caritas evening earlier

in the year and a couple of the mums

decorated and organised our Mad

Hatters Tea Party. They also, as in

many other years, have helped with

the children's stall at the fete. We had

a disco in November and many

children and parents enjoyed this

activity. We may do more in the New

Year. At our Christmas party after our

nativity service we will enjoy a Kindi

Farm as it was a great success last

year. From out of Playtime we have a

group called Singing Mums who get

together every Friday morning to sing.

This December we have three

engagements to sing in the community to which we are looking forward.

If anyone is interested

in joining either group,

please call Lynette on

0408 264 125

CARITAS

Caritas has continued

throughout the year with

various interesting activities.

We started the year with

Pancake Night which was

enjoyed by all who attended; the following month we made palm crosses and

doves for use in the church. We have also enjoyed a recipe night, a film night

and a craft night. Probably the highlight of our year was our Mad Hatters Tea

Party where we joined up with the Playgroup Mums for an entertaining

evening. We will be winding up for the year with a short devotional service

followed by supper. New members are always welcome.

Barbara Emmett

MOTHERS’ UNION

Some of the highlights of this year have been attending the Mothers’ Union

Festival Service at St Andrew’s Cathedral, an outing to North Fort Café, a

great day with Wendy Mayer (now the new Diocesan president) as our guest

speaker, a musical afternoon with Rhonda Speer and watching a fascinating

documentary about C.S. Lewis (The Narnia Code). We also have continued

our close relationship with the MU group at St Faith’s, Narrabeen in which

we support one another’s functions.

Thank you to all our wonderful knitters and sewers (many from St John’s

Pins and Needles group) who have made many garments this year to

support the work of MU through its shop in the city or for the work of the

hospital chaplains and visitors. A special thank you to Joan Bate, whose

beautiful work has raised hundreds of dollars to support MU projects.

Sandra Salmon (President) Margaret Winters (Secretary)

FROM THE TREASURER – DON STEPHENS

We have been blessed as a parish over many years. Owing to past

benefactors, we have been able to establish and maintain some reserve

funds which have been earmarked for the replacement of our second

property which was sold to help finance the building of the Parish Centre.

We have had to borrow from our reserve funds to purchase our new organ

but it is our intention to replenish this use of our reserve funds by an Organ

appeal in early 2014.

The budget for 2014 shows a loss of at least $31,000, after providing for the

running expenses for that year, even if we allow for some increase in

offertories. It is important that our reserves are not used to cover our day-to-

day running expenses. Our offertories have been stagnant for the past three

to four years. After this year, there will be no funds available from the Public

Fund, which provided $60,000 a year since 2007, and covered many small

to medium sized one-off capital expense items, together with maintaining

and cleaning the Parish Centre.

Parish Council was shown a statistical analysis of our giving patterns, both

through direct giving and the envelope system, showing that 80% of our

income was given by only 20% of the congregation. Of course, we are

exceptionally grateful to all those, who by giving their financial support, have

maintained the very existence, by the grace of God, of St John’s operation

and outreach. Could I ask that all of us look at our giving prayerfully, and see

if we can increase our offertories in 2014. We all sometimes forget that as

the cost of living increases, so does the church’s expenses and the amount

you gave 3 years ago does not have the same impact now. Remember, our

expenses are ongoing every week, whether you are at church or not, so we

do need a regular commitment from you, whether through envelopes or

direct debit.

If you wish to commence giving by Direct Debit then all you need to do is to

contact your bank and ask them to direct your monthly giving to “St John’s

Anglican Church, BSB No 032-094, Account number 81-0026”. We can

certainly look forward to a very exciting and blessed year in 2014 with our

updated organ assisting in our worship and our mission outreach

successfully continuing.

Don has announced his retirement from his Treasurer’s role at the end

of this year after nearly two decades of dedication and service. We

thank him sincerely and wish him well.

GOD IN THE ARTS

“Adoration of the Shepherds”, by Georges de la Tour.

Currently housed in The Louvre, in Paris.

Have you ever considered the place of light in

worship? Think about the glory of the sun,

streaming through stained glass windows. Or

the soft warm glow of the Advent candles as

Christmas approaches.

The birth of the Christ-Child is the subject of this

painting. Georges de la Tour lived from 1593 to

1652 in Lorraine, and much of his art shows his fascination with the effects

of candlelight on people’s faces and clothes. After his death his work was

neglected as art lovers preferred the classical refinements of Poussin and

Lorrain, rather than the peasant life portrayed by de la Tour. He is now

regarded as a great 17th century artist, and this painting shows why.

Certainly there is no elegance in his portrayal of the manger scene, but with

his use of light and shadow, he has captured the stillness and serenity of the

birth of Jesus.

We can see Mary, and Joseph who holds the candle. A lamb is nuzzling his

way into the scene, and there is a woman holding a bowl, with two

shepherds, one gazing in rapt attention; the other doffing his hat. The candle

lights up their faces, but more importantly, allows the holy babe, wrapped in

swaddling clothes and lying on a bed of straw, to somehow glow in the quiet

joy of new birth.

We can sense the coldness of the night around, but in the manger scene the

Holy Child is in the limelight for those gathered there. To be in the limelight is

to be at the centre of public attention–like the birth of the Christ-Child we

prepare to welcome this month.

Parish Pump UK 2012

A REFLECTION

Galatians Chapter 4, Verse 4 has the interesting phrase, “When the fullness

of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman ...”. What is “the

fullness of time” which today we mark as 1 AD, even if Jesus may actually

have been born a few years earlier?

During its 1100+ years (753 BC to 410 AD), Rome had gradually conquered

what today we know as Italy and Sicily, expanding also to Africa and

beyond. The real explosion into the whole Mediterranean area and western

and northern Europe only began in earnest in the 100 years or so before

Christ, under brilliant generals like Pompey, Crassus and Sulla, and then

consolidated and expanded further by Julius Caesar.

By the time Christ was born, the broad footprint of the Roman Empire was

fixed. Hence there was a degree of stability–the message of the new religion

was not impeded by massive social or political upheaval. Roman creative

technology had led to the making of quality roads (the foundations of routes

of some still being evident in Britain today), so communicating and spreading

the good news of a risen Christ was much easier than it would have been a

century before.

There was also order in the Empire. Though Roman rule was often hated,

there was firm political regulation and control, sufficient to allow a peace –

“Pax Romana” – in which new ideas (and a new religion) could flourish.

Though opposed by the Jews and several Roman emperors (who

persecuted the Church and created thousands of martyrs), news of

Christianity slowly spread.

There were also many trade routes at that time; overseas commercial links

were encouraged. Transport was available to enable movement of goods –

and people – fairly efficiently. The opportunity to meet in homes was readily

available. By the time of the conversion of Emperor Constantine in 313 AD,

Christianity had reached most, if not all, of the Roman world.

Rome began to fall apart in the 4th century (but the seeds were sown earlier).

The empire imploded into confusion and fighting as the barbarians moved

down from the north. So 1 AD was the perfect time, as is all God’s timing, to

launch the fulfilment of God’s promise to mankind. In the fullness of time,

God did indeed send His Son, and His timing will be no less perfect in the

coming again of His son in power and glory. From the Parish Pump UK December 2012

O COME,O COME ,EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear...

What wonderful words of hope and faith in the

coming of Jesus, our Messiah! You’ve heard

that Advent carol every Christmas-tide of your

entire life. But if it wasn’t for a quiet, High

Anglican English vicar, who was once warden

of an almshouse in East Grinstead, most likely

you would never have heard of it.

John Mason Neale (1818-66) had always loved words. As a child of ten he

had edited his own handwritten family magazine. As a young man he

enjoyed long solitary walks in the English countryside, pausing only to do a

bit of brass-rubbing or to collect the architectural details of the country

churches he discovered.

Neale was something of a scholar: He was captivated by the Middle Ages

and the medieval church, the early church fathers and the lives of the saints.

As one small girl at his almshouse orphanage once observed, Mr Neale

(then in his 40s) “must be very old, to have talked to so many saints and

martyrs”.

John Mason Neale’s place in history was assured when he decided to

translate old hymns into English. He went on to become the greatest of all

translators of hymns from the old Latin, Greek, Russian and Syrian

churches. ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’ was just one of them; it began as

an old Latin hymn of doubtful date. Today it is loved around the world. The

English Hymnal (1906) contains sixty three of his translated hymns and six

original hymns by Neale. Some other well-known hymns he wrote are “All

Glory Laud and Honour”, “A Great and Mighty Wonder”, “Good Christian

Men Rejoice” and “Good King Wenceslas”.

FACT OR FICTION

“Was the Christmas Star real?”

The story of the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ is one of the most powerful and

enigmatic symbols of Christianity. For centuries, scientists, scholars and

historians have debated about the nature of this biblical light that heralded

an event. Was it purely a divine sign, created miraculously to mark a special

birth? Or was it an astronomical event in its own right?

David Reneke, News Editor of Australia’s Sky and Space Magazine,

believes astronomers may have found the answer, basing his research on

the Gospel according to Matthew. Believed to be one of the first written, the

Gospel places key players together in the same time period. “It’s generally

accepted by most researchers that Christ was born between 3 BC and 1

AD,” says David. With the aid of modern astronomy software programs

astronomers can reproduce the night sky exactly as it was, thousands of

years ago.

“We found out something startling.” said Reneke, “It looks like the ‘Christmas

star’ really did exist!”

Two thousand years ago, astronomy and astrology were considered one and

the same. The motions of the heavenly bodies were used to determine the

events of history, and the fate of people’s lives. Of the various groups of

priests and prophets of this period, those that commanded the most respect

were the Magi. Known as ‘wise men’, we can only assume they were

actually priests who relied on their knowledge of astronomy/astrology.

Assuming the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ was not just a localised event and could

be observed by sky-watchers elsewhere in the world, not just by the Magi,

historical records and modern-day computer simulations indicate a rare

series of planetary groupings, also known as conjunctions, during the years

3 BC and 2 BC. In fact, this was one of the most remarkable periods in terms

of celestial events in the last 3,000 years!

“Like the final pieces of a difficult jigsaw puzzle, our fabled biblical beacon is

starting to reveal itself,” David said. “On 12 August, 3 BC, Jupiter and Venus

appeared very close together just before sunrise, appearing as bright

morning ‘stars.’ It would have been visible in the eastern dawn sky of the

Middle East from about 3:45 to 5:20am.”

The crowning touch, however, came ten months later; on 17 June 2 BC

Venus and Jupiter joined up again in the constellation Leo. This time the two

planets were so close that, without the use of our modern optical aids, they

would have looked like one single, brilliant star. In history, Jupiter was known

as the “planet of Kings” and Saturn as the “Protector of the Jews”. This could

easily have been interpreted as a sign that the Jewish Messiah had been, or

was about to be born. Also, Leo was thought to denote royalty and power.

An interpretation? Perhaps. But do not forget the times in which this

occurred. Astronomy and astrology intermingled.

This whole sequence of events could have been enough for at least three

astrologers to see this as a sign in the heavens and make their way to

Jerusalem.

“Now, this doesn’t mean that

astrology works,” Reneke

said. “We haven’t ruled out

other possibilities for the Star

of Bethlehem, but it does

make our search more

rewarding to find a truly

interesting astronomical

event that happened during

the most likely time for the

Nativity.”

Whatever the Star of Bethlehem was, it has had more impact on humankind

than any star before or since. It is also possible that the mystery of the Star

will never be completely solved. For many of us though, it is the mystery

itself that drives us to find the solution.

Miscellaneous observations on life...

The love of God is broader than the measures of man's mind.

Forget your mistakes but never what you learned from them.

I haven't lost my mind--it's backed up on disk somewhere.

If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Some days you are the bug - Some days you are the windshield.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTER

We welcome into our Parish Family those who were Baptised.

Kobi Noel BATE Emily Jane BEKIR

Henry Thomas BOULTON Tahlia Maree MAILE

Carys Lesley ENGLAND Matilda FOREMAN

Scarlet Kate GALE Ruby Caroline GREENIDGE

Finlay Thomas HALLCHURCH Shanti MALEK-LOBASSO

Mia Ruby MOSEDALE Billie Rose MORRISON

Kalani James SMITH Harper WILSON

Jessica WILSON and four others whose names are not included

Funerals taken by Father Steven and Deacon Sandra since the

last newsletter.

Daphne Beryl ARCHER Donald Graham CAMERON

Ursula Anna CRANSWICK Audrey Zena DOUGLAS

Charles David Gwyn EVANS Yvonne Mary GRAY

Lois Clare GREENWOOD Douglas HODGE

Kitty Elizabeth JOHN Fay Rosemary LANG

Debra Ann LAWSON Nina Eveline LODER

Gwendoline LUTHERBURROW Reginald Robert MOULDS

John (Jack) MUSGROVE Hannah (Ann) RITCHIE

Elizabeth Anne RODERICK Vernon Roy ROWLAND

Lynette Ann RUCKENDORFER Noelene Mary SCHULZ

May they rest in Peace, safe in your loving presence, O God

We welcome Josh and Mia PARK who will receive their first Holy

Communion on 29 December 2013.

People are like stained glass windows. We glow and sparkle when it’s

sunny and bright outside. But it is only when the sun goes down that

our true beauty is revealed and then only if there is a light deep within

us – the Light of God.

PARISH DIRECTORY

` Postal Address : PO Box 495

Dee Why 2099

www.stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

Parish Priest : Fr. Steven Salmon SSC

9971 8694 (Office and Rectory)

0417 359 792

: rector@stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

Parish Deacon (Hon) : The Reverend Sandra Salmon

9971 8694 (Office and Rectory)

0409 412 798

deacon@stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

Church Wardens : Robyn Couch 0414 645 338

Bev Bingham 9971 5529

Tony Johnson 0419 225 011

wardens@stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

Director of Music : Tom Edwards 0481 563 258

music@stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

Children’s Ministry : Lynette Johnson 0408 254 125

Dn. Sandra Salmon

pastoral@stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

(Baptism Preparation and Hospital Visits)

Administration : Graeme Couch

: 9971 8694 Fax 9971 8252

9:00am – 2:00pm (Mon-Fri)

office@stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

Parish Heather Andrews Valda Ashover Neridah Byrne

Council Don Fisher Pam Fisher Dudley Johnson

Lynette Johnson Antal Krepler Alma Ondevilla

Denise Soltau Roger Soltau

Have you looked at the new St John’s website? Keep up to date

weekly with what is happening at the Church. Thank you Heidi Tobin,

for all the hard work! www.stjohnsdeewhy.org.au

WEEKLY SERVICES AT ST JOHN’S

St John’s is a place of soul-stirring worship, challenging preaching, beautiful

stained glass and music, warm fellowship and outreach.

We are an Anglican Parish in the Catholic Tradition of Anglicanism which

welcomes everyone and seeks to live the life of Christ in community and to

reach out in love to others to share this life. If you are a baptised

communicant Christian from another Church, you are always welcome to

receive Holy Communion with us, or you may also choose to come forward

to receive a blessing.

The Church and Chapel are open for the whole day, every day, for personal

prayer. Morning and Evening Prayer is normally said each day (except

Tuesdays) at 8.15am and 5.15pm.

MONDAY 12.00noon Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

WEDNESDAY 10.00am Holy Eucharist

With Healing Prayers

THURSDAY 12.00noon Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

FRIDAY 9.00am Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

5.30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation A priest is normally available in the church for

Confessions from 5.30pm to 6.00pm or by

contacting Fr. Steven for other times.

SATURDAY 9.00am Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

SUNDAY 8.00am Holy Eucharist

10.00am Family Eucharist

6.00pm Evensong

(Taize Mass 1st Sunday)