Current Notices
A Statement on the Resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury by the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia: Here
Here is a prayer for us to pray at this difficult time:
God of compassion, pour out your grace and healing, for victims and survivors of abuse in the church, all around the world, in the Church of England, and in our own communities. Give our leaders and members the courage and wisdom to make the changes that are needed so that your children may never again suffer such harm, either by our actions, or by our failure to act. Show us how to do our best for them today and every day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Advent Working Bee, THIS Saturday 30 November, 10am-12pm
Come and join in as we prepare the church for Advent, with a spruce up of the church and the setting up of the unadorned trees and wreaths. All help willingly received! Sign up here.
Morning Tea in the Vicarage and Gardens, December 1, 11.30am
Robyn and I invite everyone to morning tea in the Vicarage and Garden to mark the beginning of the new church year this coming Sunday, The First Sunday of Advent, at 11.30am. If weather is inclement, advice on location will be provided Sunday morning. The Vicar
Preparing for Advent: A Quiet Day, Saturday 7 December, 10am -4pm
The Revd Dr Wendy Crouch is holding an Advent focused Quiet Day in the picturesque surrounds of St Josephs by the Sea, Williamstown. A sign up sheet is in the narthex. Please register by SUNDAY. For further information please contact Wendy assistantpriest@saintjohnstoorak.org or the St John’s parish office on 9826 1765 or enquiries@saintjohnstoorak.org.
Lenten Study book for 2025: ‘Journeying through Lent with New Daylight’
The reading material for our Lenten studies in 2025 needs to be pre-ordered as it takes several weeks to arrive. St John’s will be ordering several copies that can be purchased for $10 each. If you would like to purchase through St. Johns please complete the form here or contact the parish office.
Thursday 5 December, 11.30am – 6pm, Beads & Bags Christmas Exhibition
Local artisans BeadEpic and Johnston & Green will be holding a ‘Short & Sweet’ Christmas Exhibition in St John’s Buxton Hall. It’s the perfect opportunity to do some Christmas shopping or just treat yourself! BeadEpic will have a range of one of a kind necklaces and other beaded treasures available for purchase and Johnston & Green will be selling handmade bags and leather accessories.
Food For Friends Update
Today was St John’s final major shop and delivery for this year. This went to St Mark’s Fitzroy. The Appeal for 2024 is now underway so everyone is encouraged to give a financial donation to be spent in 2025. See flyer for details. The shopping is done through the year and the agencies we support are: Richmond Churches, St Mark’s Fitzroy & Christ Church St Kilda.
During Advent, St John’s is also collecting extra food items for St Mark’s Fitzroy. When you are buying goods, keep in mind that St Mark’s caters to the marginalised in the community, i.e. the homeless, the mentally ill, LGBTIQA+, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. Make sure that tinned food items have ring pulls and dried items can be easily reconstituted with boiling water. Suggested items are small cans of tuna, tinned meals and long-life custard. I will collect from St John’s and deliver on 18th December. Please feel happy to speak to me if you have any queries or are willing to help. Brenda Mouritz
Process of Selection of our New Archbishop
Updates on the Selection process are available at www.boardofnominators.org
PRAYER FOR THE SELECTION OF OUR NEW ARCHBISHOP
Eternal God, shepherd and guide, in your mercy give your Church in this diocese 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 Prayer Book for Australia, p. 212.
