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Beechworth Anglican Parish

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25.01.2022 Today we give thanks for all those mothers, fathers, grandparents, caregivers, foster-parents, step-parents, and others: all those who, in a whole variety of ways, and for various reasons, have taken on the life-long challenge of parenting.

24.01.2022 Today is IDAHOBIT: the International Day Against HOmophobia, BIphobia, and Transphopia. To our LGBTIQA+ friends and neighbours: Beechworth Anglicans will stand strong beside you.

23.01.2022 "There is a really deep well inside me. And in it dwells God. Sometimes I am there, too And that is all we can manage these days and also all that really matters: that we safeguard that little piece of You, God, in ourselves." Etty Hillesum (15 January 1914 30 November 1943) the Jewish Dutch author of confessional letters and diaries which describe both her religious awakening and the persecutions of Jewish people in Amsterdam during the German occupation. In 1943 she was deported and killed, aged 29, in Auschwitz concentration camp.

23.01.2022 Our bells will sound a little different this coming Sunday: Sunday 19th July marks seven years of Australias indefinite detention policy. The indefinite detention of refugees and asylum seekers continues to cause untold misery and detrimental impacts on the mental health of vulnerable people already suffering distress after unimaginable experiences. The recent lockdowns, and the emotional stress of the pandemic give us just a glimpse of what it would be like, locked into ...a facility, with no certainty about ones future. Marking this sad anniversary, and in keeping with previous parish action raising awareness of refugee status, the bell at Christ Church will be tolled seven times every 15mins on Sunday between 10am and 11am. During this time 10 members of the local RAR (Rural Australians for Refugees) will be holding a silent vigil in Ford Street, wearing yellow. Please join them safely wherever you are with your own prayers and hopes for a better and fairer future for all. The Christian message on refugees is unequivocal: Jesus said, What you have done to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done to me (Matthew 25:45).

23.01.2022 This mornings Gospel Reading, and Reflection, as posted out to our regulars (worshipping safely at home) Matthew 14.22-33: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in...Continue reading

21.01.2022 Tomorrow: Sunday 29th March, you may hear Christ Churchs bell ring at 9am, but it will be a different call to prayer. The doors will be closed, and we do not want you to come and join the clergy, as they pray in the Church. We want you stay safe at home. But, the bell will ring as a reminder that you are being prayed for - all of you - by our clergy, and by members of our congregation in their homes. And, we invite you to join us, in whatever way you choose, and from whatever spiritual tradition (or none) you draw your strength: tomorrow at 9am, as the bell rings, take a moment to stop, pray, and hope, that together we can get through these difficult times.

20.01.2022 Dear Parishioners and Friends, Following the latest directives of the Government and of our Bishop, all public services of worship, meetings, and other Parish gatherings are now suspended until further notice. On Sundays, Morning Prayer will be offered privately in each of our churches by our clergy, and you will be held in our hearts and minds as we do so. We encourage you to offer your own Sunday or daily prayers as well, from the safety of your own homes.... To help you with this, and to keep you connected with worship, a number of Anglican Churches are offering livestreamed worship online. On Sundays, we encourage you to pour yourself a cup of tea, log on, sit in the comfort of your own home and join the Church universal in worship, either at: St Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne: https://cathedral.org.au/covid19/webcasts-livestream/ Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney: https://youtu.be/J2XVy7j_E54 St Andrews Brighton: https://youtu.be/_ZYX-vmxHq8 We value you and your health and safety as paramount. As a result, we have initiated a system of telephone pastoral connecting for our regular members. We will also work towards finding ways to distribute pew bulletins and other communications as regularly as we can. Please take care of yourselves over the next few months; phone each other regularly to check that they are OK; wash your hands; and; above all, pray and keep calm. Remember: we never walk alone in this world, for, in the Spirit, God is always with us, speaking soft words of wisdom and of hope, and perhaps in the beauty of a sunset, or in the call of birdsong at dawn, reminding us that, whilst there are times of darkness in this world, Gods pattern for all creation is always to work towards bringing forth light, and life anew. Blessings and prayers for the journey ahead. Fr Thomas The Revd Canon Thomas Leslie, Parish Priest Anglican Parochial District of Beechworth and Eldorado

20.01.2022 You havent heard from us much for a while. Thats because we have been busy running small safely-distanced services in the church building on Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 9am and 11am, following all the safety guidelines. Its nice to be back in our own space, if only in a limited way. The multiple services mean that you will hear our bell ring out more times over the weekend, and we remind you: if you hear the bell, take a moment to offer up a prayer for your communitys safety, drawing from whatever spiritual or philosophical tradition is yours. We are praying and hoping with you, and for you.

20.01.2022 Whats Happening at Christ Church Beechworth this weekend? Although our building is closed, due to COVID-19 regulations, it is still Palm Sunday tomorrow: 5th April 2020. Normally, the inside of the Church would be bedecked with palms, but - since our pews will be empty - this year we have taken most of our palm decorations outside: a reminder that some of lifes rich patterns (such as the cycle of the Church seasons) continue, even when so much is less-than-normal right now.... Remember: at 9am tomorrow the Church bell will ring: a symbolic prayer rising up over our whole community, calling for safety and hope for all. As the bell rings, we invite you to join our church community, praying in their homes around you, by offering up your own prayer, meditation, or moment of hope, from whatever spiritual, religious or philosophical tradition you draw your strength.

20.01.2022 The Government COVID-19 regulations have changed, and we are working towards some form of social-distanced worship in the church buildings on Sundays, starting May 31st (Pentecost Sunday). Since regulations allow for a maximum of 10 worshippers, this will involve multiple service times. Please contact the Parish if you would like to attend worship. We will also continue to provide resources for those who choose to stay safely worshipping at home in these uncertain times. Keep Calm, and Keep up the Social Distancing!

19.01.2022 Our Doors reopen for Worship this weekend! Service times are: Saturday 5pm, Sunday 9am and Wednesday 10am. Please note that the restrictions presently allow only a maximum of 20 attendance at each service. The Church building will only be open for worship services: but the Memorial Garden is a great spot to sit, reflect, or talk to God during the week...

18.01.2022 Tomorrow Ramadan begins, and so we say to all our Muslim brothers and sisters in the community, Ramadan Kareem : may you have a generous Ramadan.

18.01.2022 Since today is the Feast of Mary, Mother of our Lord; here is our Mary with the Christ Child, based upon the famous shrine image of Walsingham.

17.01.2022 It is now a month since COVID19 protective measures meant that we had to close our doors. But, as the bell rings out at 9am, we remind you- the buildings doors may be closed, but the church is hard at work, in houses and farm properties around you: offering comfort and support via telephone, reading and speaking words of hope, and above all praying. We are praying for you: for the safety of all in our community, and especially for those whose essential work places them at greatest risk. If you hear the bell this morning, why not join us in prayer in your own home, from whatever tradition (or none) you draw your strength.

17.01.2022 The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Lutheran pastor and author (and now podcaster - The Confessional) offered this reflection yesterday which our Deacon, the Rev. Martha... Goodwill, shares with us. I do not know when we can gather together again in worship, Lord. So, for now I just ask that: When I sing along in my kitchen to each song on Stevie Wonders Songs in The Key of Life Album, that it be counted as praise. (Happy 70thBirthday, SW!) And that when I read the news and my heart tightens in my chest, may it be counted as a Kyrie. And that when my eyes brighten in a smile behind my mask as I thank the cashier may it be counted as passing the peace. And that when I water my plants and wash my dishes and take a shower may it be counted as remembering my baptism. And that when the tears come and my shoulders shake and my breathing falters, may it be counted as prayer. And that when I stumble upon a Tabitha Brown video and hear her grace and love of you may it be counted as a hearing a homily. And that as I sit at that table in my apartment, and eat one more homemade meal, slowly, joyfully, with nothing else demanding my time or attention, may it be counted as communion. Amen. -Nadia Bolz-Weber

16.01.2022 Holy Saturday, 8am. " Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name" Ps 142.7. God of compassion, you regard the forsaken... and give hope to the crushed in spirit; hear those who cry to you in distress and bring your ransomed people to sing your glorious praise, now and for ever. Amen. See more

14.01.2022 Australia doesnt make it easy for asylum seekers to find refuge here. Seven years ago on Sunday, Kevin Rudd stated asylum seekers who come here by boat withou...t a visa will never be settled in Australia. Today, Anglican and Catholic Churches in Warrnambool and Hamilton are ringing their bells to express their dissatisfaction at the treatment of those that have come to our country seeking asylum. Though the bells at St Pauls have been rung down during the pandemic and cannot ring, the Cathedral stands in solidarity with our refugee brothers and sisters, and we call on our political leaders to fully welcome refugees. The Christian message on refugees is unequivocal: What you have done to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done to me (Matthew 25:45)

14.01.2022 On the first Easter Dawn, while the disciples were still hiding behind locked doors signs of the Resurrection of Jesus nevertheless began to appear... Today, as many of us wait behind closed doors, the Church continues to tell the Jesus story, and to speak of the hope that after Death comes Life...

13.01.2022 And......keep it civil because when this all balances out youll be asking for their support again.

13.01.2022 Not sure where to turn to, or feeling stressed at this difficult time? Perhaps meditation and prayer might help. While we can still meet, we are celebrating services of Taize-style prayer at Christ Church, Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Safe personal self-distancing is possible within the space.... Why not join us tonight at 6.30pm, for 30 mins of stillness, music, prayer and reflection?

13.01.2022 Today is Maundy Thursday (the name comes from the Latin Mandatum - a command), the date of the commemoration of the Last Supper (in which Jesus commanded his disciples to Do this in Remembrance). After the supper, Jesus went to pray in a garden, where he was found and arrested. Each year, the end of the Maundy Thursday liturgy involves placing the Reserved Sacrament on a garden altar overnight... This year, Jesus will wait in the garden very much alone...But the prayers of the disciples will still be offered, at a distance...

12.01.2022 August 31st marks one year since the historic vote of the Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta to approve a rite of blessing for parish couples who have entered into a marriage under Civil law (most likely to occur where they are not presently able to ask for a marital liturgy within their own worshipping community). This decision remains under suspension, subject to an ongoing investigation by the Appellate Tribunal: the duly appointed national committee to ascertain potenti...al legislative breaches within the Anglican Church. At this time, we re-republish a statement made by the leadership of the Diocese of Wangaratta in late 2019, in response to very public criticism of the diocesan decision. The Anglican Church has from its earliest times been a place which accommodates respectful debate and disagreement and the present process is one which gives the Church the chance to have that debate. The Christian message is one of love and inclusion of all in Gods creation. It is not for any one branch of the church to claim that there is no space for other branches. Some used similar emotive language about schism before the Anglican Church ordained women as priests and consecrated women as bishops. The church has survived and flourished because of both inclusions. We believe we all belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, conservatives and liberals alike, and this is where we will stay as we continue the work of evangelism and outreach to all of Gods people. We affirm our belief in: a God who includes and does not exclude a God who reaches out to others and who does not chase them away a God who blesses and does not curse a God who welcomes all and who prepares a feast at their final homecoming.

11.01.2022 Im not sure of the source of this beautiful prayer, but it is being shared around the world. Whilst we are seeing plenty of selfish and bad behaviour splashed... across our screens at present, there are also many stories coming through of goodness, care, generosity and grace. May these continue to abound as we move into greater social isolation and restrictions in the days ahead. Let us pray for and with one another... PS Thanks to Naomi who let us know the author is Cameron Bellm.

11.01.2022 HTTPS://HEADTOHELP.ORG.AU HEAD TO HELP IS A NEW LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE LINE, RESPONDING TO THE REALITY THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS HAD AN IMPACT UPON MANY IN THE COMMUNITY HEAD TO HELP SUPPORTS VICTORIANS OF ALL AGES. TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TOWARDS FINDING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORT THAT’S BEST FOR YOU.... A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and if you need it, connect you to a free HeadtoHelp hub or help you find the support that suits your needs. 1800 595 212 (free call) 8.30am 5pm Monday Friday Please note, this is not a crisis line: FOR URGENT SUPPORT CONTACT LifeLine 13 11 14 MensLine 1300 789 978 Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support 1800 512 348 SuicideLine 1300 651 251

10.01.2022 According to the accounts, the death of Jesus of Nazareth occurred at 3pm on the Friday. For those who would like to mark this moment privately: we offer these very short, very contemporary Stations of the Cross, from Fr Rod Bower (Gosford Anglican: the church with the signboard)

09.01.2022 Thursday 10th September is RU OK Day... This year, with everything that has been going on, regularly checking in with your family, mates, neighbours, or community members is even more important. But, would you know what to do/say, if someone replied, no, Im not OK.?... https://youtu.be/erHLP29tzPE

09.01.2022 ANZAC Day commemorations this weekend will be very muted compared to other years. It is, nonetheless important that we take a moment to give thanks for those who fought, and those who fight, to defend the lives of others. This weekend, let us not forget also those whose sacrifice has been to send out those they love, never to be reunited in this life.

08.01.2022 So many so called religious people use their sacred texts to do harm.

08.01.2022 While our pews still remain behind locked doors, for hopefully only a little while longer, our Bell # 2 (named Henry) is still ringing out across the town each Sunday at 9am, giving thanks for our Healthcare and Medical workers, calling our community to pray for one another's safety, and reminding you that we are praying for you. When you hear the bell, feel free to join us in praying and hoping, in whatever spiritual tradition (or none) is yours.

06.01.2022 Perceptions of the Divine... How do you mentally picture God? Do you have an image which lingers in your subconscious whenever God is mentioned, or is your understanding of the Divine more of an abstract concept? Perhaps, thanks to the various Sunday School pictures which used to be so popular, you visualise a bearded man on a cloud. Such images spring from the prophetic visions of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1.26-8) Daniel (Daniel 7.9-14), Isaiah (Isaiah 6) and John the Divine (Revela...tion 4), where God is usually described as one of great majesty in human form, seated upon a throne, surrounded by heavenly beings and clouds and fire. Each of these writers is drawing upon along, and historic tradition of descriptions of the Divine in presenting such an image, drawing from the worldview and culture of the ancient Mesopotamian and Mediterranean: they use traditional images which are well established as signifiers of God (or a god). Yet, it is not always necessarily a good thing to have an embodied image of God (particularly since, if, as the Genesis myth narrative puts it, we - male and female - are made in the image and likeness of God, Gods image and likeness must be rather peculiar). There are many ways in which the Scriptures talk about God. But not all of them use physical descriptions to talk about the Divine. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God as being an entity of Mercy and Justice: one who brings comfort after desolation: who is working to bring life, and joy to Gods people, even though they now experience hardship (Is. 51.1-6). Psalm 138 speaks of God as a being of love eternal, who listens on the day we call, and answers: one who is high, but has the wellbeing of even the most insignificant to heart. St Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans (11.31-36), speaks of God as a being of inscrutable knowledge and wisdom: who dispenses from/out of the depths of this counsel, enlightening the minds of humanity. And, Jesus of Nazareth, throughout his teachings, speaks frequently of God as Father one who desires an intimate, personal relationship with humanity. Each of these images of God gives us a slightly different perspective on the nature of the divine, and today I encourage you to question yourself about how you perceive God, and how that influences your approach to God in prayer, and in Spirit. And, while you are pondering that thought, ask yourself also:- what would your response be if Jesus said to you : But you, who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16.13-17).

05.01.2022 A Prayer for all during the COVID-19 crisis God Almighty, Lord of Creation and Lover of our souls, the mystery of life is beyond our measure and yet you know ...the hearts and lives of all people. We pray for your presence and guidance as we face the current crisis with the Corona Virus. Calm our fearful hearts, protect us from harm and reassure us with your love. Grant the healing grace of your Holy Spirit to those infected and restore them to health according to your good will. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. See more

04.01.2022 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

03.01.2022 Our hearts go out to survivors of clerical child sexual abuse today. Good Friday has come early for you, and Easter seems a long way off. Take heart, this is n...ot the end of it for #Pell. the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.MLK

03.01.2022 The beautiful darkness we have here in the North East is worth protecting, for us humans and our precious fauna.

01.01.2022 Something to make you smile today. https://www.theguardian.com//seven-year-old-greek-piano-pr