Trinity Times Winter 2016

TRINITY TIMES Winter 2016

Parish Church of Holy Trinity Kew Cnr. High Street & Pakington Street, Kew 3101

The Vicar’s Letter Dear Parishioners, I would like to ask you something about your prayer life. If you want to address God in your prayer conversation, are you more likely to address God as “Father” or as “Jesus” or as “Spirit”? In the sample prayer that Jesus gave us, he started with “Our Father….” It would certainly be appropriate to address God this way in prayer.

Praying to Jesus is a long-standing tradition in the Christian faith. In his letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul writes that God gave Jesus “the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend…and every tongue should confess… that Jesus Christ is Lord” (2:9-11). The power of using Jesus’ name in prayer is best exemplified in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition of the “Jesus Prayer.” In order to open up their hearts to God and follow Saint Paul’s command to pray unceasingly, penitents pray the following line over and over: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

So, there are precedents for addressing our prayers to the Father or the Son. What about dedicating them to the Spirit? Just before departing from this world, in one of my favourite Bible passages, (John 14:26) Jesus himself told his disciples that he would send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who would help us in our prayers, who would intercede for us “with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26). The Spirit does this because we “do not know how to pray as we ought.” (again Romans 8:26).

We have Saint Paul telling us to pray in the name of Jesus, and Jesus suggesting we pray to the Father through the Holy Spirit.

The word, “Trinity” appears nowhere in the Bible. The first recorded use of the Greek word Trias (Τριάς) (set of three) in Christian theology came from Theophilus of Antioch in about 170 AD. To this Greek scholar, the Trinity consisted of God, God’s word (logos), and God’s wisdom (Sophia). You see remnants of this viewpoint in the beginning of John, when Jesus is called the “Word of God” (In the beginning was the Word…). and in Proverbs 8:1-4 when Wisdom says that she was present before the creation of the world.

Is Wisdom the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit female? Are women wiser than men? After years of watching men falling from bicycles and ladders on the TV show Australia’s Funniest Home Videos, one might be tempted to think so! In any case, even though the Son, the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove, and the Father’s voice were all present at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, it wasn’t until the writings of the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed 300 years later that the concept of the Trinity really got fleshed out.

Winston Churchill once famously said that “Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” (1) Maybe we should revise the Trinitarian formula and baptise in the name of the riddle, the mystery, and the enigma?!

Let’s agree, then, that the Trinity is a mystery. We are called to engage the mystery, but we will never fully unravel it. A created being could never fully understand its creator. We don’t fully understand our own minds, our own being; how could we ever fully grasp the mind and being of God? On the other hand, the concept of the Trinity gives us our best chance to begin to understand.

How do I know that this is the best approach to understanding God? Because it is the one recommended by Jesus when he said, “Go therefore and make disciples, baptising them in name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:16-20) So, let’s break down the three parts of the Trinity, and see that they are, in fact, one.

Let’s start with the Father. When we pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” we aren’t just praying to one third of the Trinity. We are praying to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in very personal terms. The word Jesus uses in this prayer is abba, which means “papa” or “daddy,” as compared to the Latin pater, which is the more formal “father.” We are to pray to the triune (three-person) God, then, in very familiar terms. Since there are many images of God in the Bible which are feminine, we are not to think of the triune God in solely masculine or feminine terms. We are children praying to the One who creates, redeems, and protects us.

Part of the confusion surrounding God the Father results from a distorted partial notion that the God of the Old Testament (who is generally connected with God the Father) is a cruel, unforgiving tyrant who is finally overcome by the loving Son, Jesus.

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Continued on Page 2

Continued from Page 1 However the full picture presents a God of the Old Testament who creates the world as something good and loves it accordingly: especially beloved are men and women, for they are made in the very image of their creator. The Old Testament God is constantly redeeming the children of Israel, forgiving them and bringing them back into relationship. Finally, the God of Abraham and Moses is a faithful God who keeps promises and is always present when needed.

So, it isn’t only the Son who’ll save you, and it isn’t just the Holy Spirit who will protect and guide you. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in their love for you and concern for your well-being. When Jesus prays to the Father, this is very different from us praying, “Our Father” because while we are clearly children of our creator, the Son is not made but is eternally begotten (he has no beginning or end). He is, as the Nicene Creed says, of one being with the one who made all things.

The human Jesus may have been born to suffer all the ills that flesh is heir to, but the resurrected Son of God was present at creation and will be present beyond the end times. In trying to understand the Son, we are caught in a delicate balancing act: Jesus is truly human and truly divine. Make him anything less than truly human, and you run the risk of rendering the sacrifice of the cross meaningless. If the figure on the cross isn’t human, there’s no pain, no suffering, no doubt, no fear, and no loss of life. If you, on the other hand, make Jesus anything less than truly divine, you run the risk of rendering the gospel meaningless. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Because of this, you cannot hold that he was merely a good and wise teacher.

Either he was who he claimed to be, or he was a liar or a lunatic. Further, if Jesus is not the true Son of God, he cannot come again, and the good news of the gospel is null and void.

As C.S. Lewis pointed out in Mere Christianity there are no half measures with Jesus: you must believe his claims completely or not at all. (2) As I said, there is no separation between the Son and Father: Jesus says that when you have seen him, you have seen the Father.

Finally, we come to the Holy Spirit. The danger inherent in the Holy Spirit is that we often try to see the Spirit as something separate from the Father and the Son. The Spirit is simply God’s way of working in the world since Jesus’ ascension to the Father. The Spirit is an advocate who will defend us, teach us, renew us, and unite us.

The third person of the Trinity works through our minds as well as through our emotions. The Spirit is certainly present in enthusiastic prayers and anointing, but is also evident in thoughtful Bible study, in all forms of devout worship, and in the practice of loving-kindness and charity. Again, none of this sets the Spirit apart from the Father and the Son. The Spirit is merely God’s way of being in the world in the present age. Any appeal to the Spirit is also an appeal to God, God works through the Spirit.

We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as inseparable as the flame of three candles held together. Can you distinguish which part of the flame created by three candles belongs to each? In the same way, the Son and the Spirit are inseparable from the Father. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God: there’s no way to distinguish between them.

So, why bother to speak of the Trinity at all? We speak of it because it has a past, a present, and a future. God the Father created the earth and cared for it like a mother hen watching over her chicks. God the Son took on earthly flesh with all its inherent weaknesses and endured unimaginable suffering and even death to redeem the earth and all the creatures on it. God the Holy Spirit was sent to help us hang on in the years between Jesus’ death and the second coming of the Son. God is one, but we miss the vast richness of being and depth of love present in this one God if we lose sight of God’s threefold nature: the glorious Trinity. (3) Yours In Christ, Fr Robert Newton Vicar Holy Trinity Kew 1) BBC Broadcast 1st October 1939 Winston Churchill.

2) Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis 1952.

3) Much of this text was incorporated into a sermon preached on Holy Trinity Sunday on the 22nd May 2016 at HTK

Letter of Thanks by Irene Shorthouse I was not able to get in touch with the family who sent the letter to ask their permission to quote from it, so I am not using their name. I think, however, it is good to publish what they said. All too often we parishioners do not hear how we, and our church, appear to others.

“Dear Parishioners of Holy Trinity Kew, [Early this year a family funeral] “was held in your church.

“We would like to thank the parish for all their efforts on our behalf ...

“Thank you to your Locum Rev’d Canon Graeme Winterton for conducting a beautiful service with an address that ‘got through’ to many of us.

“Thank you to the Verger, Robert Frood whose wit and wisdom were of great benefit to us.

“Thank you to the organist who made an impression with beautiful music.

“Thank you to whoever cleaned the church and did the flowers. The place looked magnificent.

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‘Finally thank you to all those people who make your parish what it is, lay and ordained alike.

“We have enclosed a donation for the parish. Please use it however you like but we would love you to spend it on something that will bring joy & happiness to the parish.

“With best regards and thanks from” [the ….. Family].

In Memoriam

One Act Play in Seven Scenes

Doreen Ashley-Brown

by Deirdre Kathleen Baker—Copyright

17:8:1913 ~ 26:5:2016

Doreen Ashley Brown (neé Buchan), who died just short of her 103rd birthday was, until very recently, a regular attender at the 8.00am service, often only through sheer dogged determination and with the help of Brian, her main Sunday carer.

The daughter of Ronald and Ethel Buchan, she had a strong family connection to Holy Trinity being distantly related to Canon George Oakley Vance, and a descendant of John Innerarity Buchan, who donated the stained glass window over the high altar, installed in 1888.

Doreen was born in Melbourne and attended four schools, being expelled from three of them! She ended up at Ruyton and was that school’s oldest surviving student.

Doreen’s husband Guy, a Naval Officer, and her three sons, Anthony, Nicholas, and Julian all pre-deceased her. The fresco in the chapel is in memory of her son Julian and there is a small memorial to her husband under the Prince Albert window in the Narthex.

As a result of her son Nicholas being disabled Doreen became associated with what is now ASHcare - an association for the handicapped and for family relief. Doreen was on the Foundation Board and was a great fundraiser in the 1970s & 80s. She knew her strengths and weaknesses and preferred fundraising to administration.

Curled in the fleshly womb lay this drama’s lead actor Folded in babyhood he drank the warm milk of love Through village street and hills the small child ran rejoicingly Nazareth and home could not contain the urgent boy Jerusalem - the temple court - staged the next scene Now throughout all Palestine the Man taught and brought healing life and hope But then the climax came— with stark cross and darkened sky, thorny crown and wounded hands outspread and words of pain and love Some applauded, others wept— but when the last scene came, the curtain was not drawn but opened wide, from heaven to earth, so all could see that Light— pouring forth from His great act to illuminate the world.

Margaret Young of ASHcare spoke of Doreen as an “amazingly energetic woman” and referred to her positive attitude to life.

She was loved and respected by all within ASHcare.

Doreen was also an actress and appeared, among others, in Skyways (1979) and Homicide (1964).

Pam Hughes, our Parish Chaplain, anointed Doreen in hospital and asked, “Do you think God might be calling you?” To this Doreen replied, “I’m not ready yet”. She was determined to die at home, and did so, not long afterwards.

Doreen had an indomitable spirit and will be greatly missed by her family and friends, many of them at Holy Trinity.

New Anglicare supporters’ network by Marg Kelly Support for Anglicare through auxiliary groups has fallen from 72 to three over the last 20 years.

As President of the Central Council of Auxiliaries I was asked to be part of a steering committee to find new ways to reinvigorate support, so necessary in the current time of great need in the community, and falling government assistance. The Anglicare Victoria Partnership Group was started from July 1st, with the official launch to be held at St. Johns Camberwell, 552 Burke Road, at 10am on July 21st 2016 Information Packs and Registration forms will be available. If you would like to attend please RSVP to partnershipgroup@anglicarevic.org.au or ring Peter -Anglicare Victoria on 9412 6197 or ring me on 9813 4592.

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The article on page 6 of the July TMA has much more detail.

The idea is that small groups (minimum of three people) could get together and register as a Parish Partnership Group, and under their own name, raise funds and spread awareness of the work of Anglicare Victoria. It is hoped that lots of small groups, raising money in whatever way they can, would increase financial support for Anglicare’s great work.

If you are interested in this exciting new venture, please do not hesitate to phone me on 9813 4592 or contact me at margric5@bigpond.com Perhaps we can have our own Holy Trinity Partnership Group.

Conversation with the Archbishop by Leonie Bird On 22nd June 2016 Archbishop Freier conducted a mediated conversation with Hugh Mackay a well-known Australian social researcher. The early morning session was one of a series of “Archbishop’s Conversations” during which prominent specialists join with Archbishop Freier to examine current issues and matters of controversy. This particular discussion was chaired by John Cleary who is a veteran ABC broadcaster and one of Australia’s leading religious commentators.

Mackay suggests that the universe is a place full of mystery that raises all sorts of questions and for which there are no clear answers. He refers to the terms “SBNR” (Spiritual But Not Religious) and “CBNR” (Christian But Not Religious). Both terms reflect the change in how Australians may distinguish the difference between traditional denominational faith and yet still retain a sense of spirituality. Mackay’s discussion on “faith” is particularly intriguing. He suggests that “faith is about weighing the balance of probabilities and then The main focus of the Archbishop’s deciding to lean in one direction or the June conversation was Hugh Mackay’s other…. Faith is a creative act; a tentabook “ Beyond Belief”. The book is tive hopeful encounter with the numerabout Australian’s quest for meaning in ous: a reaching out from certainties a society that has “lost its appetite” for that keep eluding us. We don’t place conventional religion. Mackay’s book our faith in visible, tangible certainties is written from a Christian perspective but in ideas, prospects, promises, probbecause he argues “our Australian cul- abilities… Belief and unbelief mingle in ture has been so heavily influenced by all of us. Mackay writes “ it is doubt Christianity, through churches serving that saves us from arrogance; doubt as places of worship and community that maintains our humility; doubt that hubs. Through the influence of church actually bolsters faith by forcing us to schools and the broad cultural influexamine it, test it, possibly to reshape ence of Biblical stories and references”. or refocus it and in the process make it (Mackay, Hugh. “Beyond Belief” New more resilient” (Mackay. H. 2016. p. 131) South Wales: Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd. 2016. p. 1) Much of the book These were just some of the ideas and sets out personal interview responses opinions that were canvassed during the with a wide range of Australians repre- Archbishop’s conversation with Hugh senting many different points of view.

Mackay. It was inspiring to hear Archbishop Freier's responses to these ideas Mackay observes that during the last 25 as he presented his ideas about faith and years, there has been a growing yearnbelief. The Archbishop referred to the ing within Australian society for Christian Creeds that set out our beliefs “something to believe in”. Notwithand how those beliefs form the backstanding a discernible retreat from ground of Christian faith. This was a traditional religious faith and practice, fascinating discussion about the differtowards a more secularised society this ence between the idea of “Belief” and yearning for some kind of belief has “Faith” and provided the Conversation” evolved. There is a discernible moveaudience with much to reflect upon and ment towards “spirituality” especially prayerfully consider as does the book amongst young people, who may deny “Beyond Belief”. These discussion any interest in formal religion, but still sessions known as “Archbishop’s Conshow an earnest desire to explore non versations” have become increasingly material values and concepts, and in popular attracting people from a wide general attempt to make sense of relivariety of beliefs and backgrounds. gious ideas without the conventional They are highly recommended for those framework of formal church doctrines of us who seek to faithfully reach out and beliefs. beyond our immediate faith community and reflect on the issues that confront One point of discussion during the us in contemporary Australian society.

Archbishop’s conversation was the issue of “faith” as opposed to “belief”.

Irene’s joke

A man, his wife and his mother-in-law went on holiday to the Holy Land.

While they were there the mother-inlaw died.

The undertaker told them, “You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $150”.

The man thought about it and told him he would have her shipped home.

Australian Anglicans protest aid budget cuts Anglican Communion News Service June 16, 2016

Australia’s Anglican Overseas Aid and the Australian Board of Mission have teamed up with more than 50 aid and development agencies to campaign against significant cuts to the country’s aid budget.

The Lowy Institute for International Policy reports that Australia’s aid programme has been “the disproportionate victim of the coalition government budget savings measures”; saying that the aid budget accounts for only one per cent of government expenditure; but is bearing the brunt of 25 per cent of the total budget savings. The institute says that the cuts leaves Australia at an all-time low when it comes to its aid generosity.

In response, a coalition of agencies has come together under the umbrella Campaign for Anglican Aid to protest against the cuts and to persuade Australians of the difference aid can make to people in the poorest parts of the world.

In addition to Anglican Overseas Aid and the ABM, the coalition includes a number of other Christian agencies, including Caritas, Micah, World Vision, Baptist World Aid and the Australian Lutheran World Service.

The cuts to Australia’s aid budget will see expenditure fall from 0.37 per cent of Gross National Income last year to 0.22 per cent this year – the lowest level of Australia Aid since records began and considerably below the UN’s target of 0.7 per cent.

Church Bloopers

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

Elsie Jones remains in hospital and is having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

The Pastor will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: ‘Break forth into joy’.

The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.

During the absence of our pastor, we The undertaker asked, “Why would you enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied spend $5,000 to ship your mother-inlaw home, when it would be wonderful our pulpit. to have her buried here and spend only Please place your donation in the envelope $150?” along with the deceased person you want remembered.

The man replied, “2,000 years ago a man died here, was buried here, and The school drama group will be presentthree days later he rose from the dead. I ing Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church just can't take that chance.” hall on Friday at 7pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

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Everyone stays mum on future of quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral Christchurch Press 22 June 2016

Blake Shorthouse said, “I visited Christchurch earlier this year.

The Transitional (‘cardboard’) Cathedral is actually quite impressive.”

Weeds grow up through the pavement, grass grows long and pigeons roost in the Anglican cathedral in the middle of Christchurch.

Government ministers, campaigners and Anglican leaders are staying silent on the future of Christ Church Cathedral, months after an announcement on the quake-damaged building was expected.

The cathedral has been sitting damaged in Christchurch’s city centre for more than five years, with no clear decision on its possible fate.

Anglican leaders had decided to demolish

the cathedral and replace it with a modern building, but those plans were caught up in legal challenges.

Church leaders and the Government announced in December that reinstating the cathedral was being considered. An announcement on how the deadlock would be resolved was expected by campaigners in April, but still nothing has been decided.

Kenyan Proverb Treat the earth well…

It was not given to us by our parents…

It was lent to us by our children A Prayer I do not know what lies ahead The way I cannot see Yet one stands near to be my guide He’ll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future And I know her holds my hand With God things don’t just happen Everything by Him is planned So as I face tomorrow With its problems large and small I’ll trust the God of miracles Give to Him my all.

I do not know how many days of life Are mine to spend But one who knows and cares for me Will keep me to the end.

I do not know the course ahead What joys and griefs are there But one is near who fully knows I’ll trust His loving care.

Given to me by a parishioner who noted it, ‘A Prayer I find helpful as age advances’. IES

Update on Parish Centre Development and Master Plan

by Alan Wilson

At the moment the ball is very much in our architect’s court. Atelier Wagner is busy with detail design work, and also co-ordinating input from consultants such as services, acoustic and geotechnical engineers, landscape design, and building and quantity surveyors. The structural engineers are also at work. As detail design progresses on the areas of most importance to the Parish on a ‘dayto-day use’ basis (for example, the kitchen and children’s area) we will meet with the architects to ensure that the design fully meets our requirements.

Once the next phase of structural engineering is complete the documentation will go to the quantity surveyor for a pricing update. Hopefully (!) this will not result in a nasty surprise, although it is over two years since the last estimates were done. Atelier Wagner expects to be ready to start the tendering process midAugust, which meets our timeline. So,

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we are on track, and the day the bulldozer knocks down the Op Shop draws nearer!

Development at 16 Peel Street We have received a copy of a Notice of Application for 16 Peel Street from Council—our old car park block. The application covers construction of six dwellings on the lot, two of two floors along Peel Street and four of three floors across the rear of the property (our boundary). There is basement car parking and a central garden area. We have had our architect look at the application and there seems to be no grounds for objection. If you are interested in having a look at the documentation the reference number is PP16/00078 and the application can be looked at online www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/planningregister or at the Council office in Camberwell.

Leading Women: A Day for Anglican Women Leaders by Leonie Bird On 18 June 2016 a specialist seminar entitled ‘Leading Women: A Day for Anglican Women Leaders’ was held at the Trinity College Theological School in Parkville. Leonie Bird and Andrea Sherko attended as lay ministers of Holy Trinity Kew and as theological students.

The major seminar presentations were delivered by Rev’d Professor Dorothy Lee (Women Leaders in the New Testament), the Rev’d Bishop Genieve Blackwell, (Living into the Role), Dr Muriel Porter, (Women in the Councils of the Church), and Bishop Kay Goldsworthy (From Deaconess to Diocesan) There were two panel discussions, one lead by Canon Dr Colleen O’Reilly, Rev’d Dr Cecilia Francis and Professor Dorothy Lee. This panel conducted an informed interactive discussion about parish ministry, chaplaincy and theological academia. Another panel discussion was led by Professor Jane Fisher (Beyond Tokenism: Strategies for the Future) that dealt with gender inequality within academic circles and in particular the area of post graduate research activity.

Professor Fisher is an academic clinical psychologist and professor of Women’s Health at Monash University.

More than 90 women attended the seminar including 13 presenters and more than 80 women who were either Anglican

priests, lay ministers or lay leaders. Some had been amongst the first women ordained as deacons and priests in the Anglican Church of Australia. There were Anglican women from interstate (Queensland and New South Wales) and from all parts of Victoria.

According to the results of the participant evaluation survey 94% of attendees rated their satisfaction with the seminar as either very high or high in meeting their expectations. All speakers were enthusiastically received with expressions of appreciation and avid informed interest. The accounts of diverse experiences, the opportunity to network, and the honesty and openness of speakers created a lively, and deeply spiritual affirming event for all attendees. There were opportunities for wide ranging discussion during each seminar session and a wide range of candid opinions were expressed. This was a unique and inspiring gathering of Anglican women. At the end of the seminar there was an opportunity for attendees to join in future email communication with each other to build on a significant milestone event in the life of the Anglican Church in Australia. Anyone from the Holy Trinity Kew faith community would find participation in a similar seminar both informative and spiritually rewarding. The day marked a memorable milestone in our faith journey.

Please remember to bring a contribution towards the food collection for Anglicare to support the great work they do in the community.

From the Registers Baptisms Emily Jane Samalaulu Maria Nyah Darci Fox Sophie Pamela Rowe Evie Grace Parker Erin Grace Keleher William Francis Bishop Blake Christopher Spicer Trinity Marie Giordmaina Samuel Patrick Lanning

The world’s cheesiest Christmas nativity Anglicans online 10 December 2015:

Marriages Christopher Martin Flavelle-Smith and Janine Carolyn Lancaster Niall Scott Wilson and Katrina Jane Robinson Funerals Samuel Charles Chafe Daniel Rossouw Elizabeth Ann Nosworthy Margaret Davey Kelvin Emmett Betty Salter Doreen Rona Ashley-Brown Margaret Ann Royal Lewis Ernest Fiander Joanna Susan Bennett Adams Foods, who pack cheddar cheese [in UK], hired food artist Prudence Staite to carve a nativity scene, using forty kilograms of cheddar and having the Wise Men hold jars of Branston pickle. The British newspaper The Telegraph referred to it as 'baby cheesus'.

Although well out of season I thought it too good to ignore. IES

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Interment of Ashes Evelyn Canny Judith Saunders John & Felicity King Hilary Hardman

Reports from around the world compiled by Blake Shorthouse Academic research shows widespread Church growth in Britain Church of England Newspaper, 26 June

The church in Britain is growing. Despite TV and the newspapers routinely depicting churches as half-empty and populated by geriatrics, an international team of leading researchers, based at Cranmer Hall, Durham, have just published a study entitled Church Growth in Britain from 1980 to the Present. Here are just a few of the extraordinary statistics that have been unearthed:  There are 500,000 Christians in black majority churches in Britain. Sixty years ago there were hardly any  At least 5,000 new churches have been started in Britain since 1980 – and this is an undercount. The true figure is probably higher  There are one million Christians in Britain from black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities  The adult membership of the Anglican Diocese of London has risen by over 70 per cent since 1990.

Missouri bishop appoints deputy for gun violence prevention Episcopal News (USA) June 16, 2016

“People of faith must challenge the tragedy of gun violence and I lend my voice to that challenge,” said the Rt. Rev’d Wayne Smith, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, announcing the appointment of the Rev. Marc D. Smith, as deputy for gun violence prevention, less than a week after a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando claimed the lives of 49 people.

“The devastation and grief that follow mass shootings call for prayer, certainly, but they also require action from us. The gun violence in our region, happening nearly every day, calls for the same,” Marc Smith said. “The issue of gun violence is a public health issue.”

The new position of deputy for gun violence prevention is first and foremost as a convener and facilitator of people of faith and people with expertise in public health around the issue of gun violence prevention.

‘You wish’ Department : Church of England investment arm trebles capital in two decades Anglican Communion News S’vice June 17

The Church of England’s investment arm, the Church Commissioners, has almost trebled the value of its investment fund over a 20-year period. The value of the Commissioners’ fund grew from £2.4 billion early1995, to £7.00bn at the end of 2015; producing a return of 8.2 per cent last year.

Witchcraft concerns Uganda’s Anglican archbishop Religion News Service| June 24, 2016

Ugandan Anglican Archbishop Stanley Ntagali is raising concerns over the practice of witchcraft in his country amid reports of Christian politicians and citizens visiting witch doctors and shrines to their

ancestors.

Since the recently re-elected parliamentary speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, visited her ancestral shrine in eastern Uganda to allegedly thank her ancestors for her good luck, several politicians have been sighted at shrines, according to news reports.

Ntagali reacted sharply to what he called unacceptable syncretism in the majority Christian nation, and urged the leaders to be true to their Christian faith. “Choose this day whom you will serve. This is what I am saying to all Ugandans,” “We value our ancestors because we are connected to them by the relationship we have,” he said on May 25. “But, we must always trust only in God. We no longer need to go through the spirits of the dead because Jesus is our hope and protector.”

Latvian Lutheran Church rules that women cannot be ordained priests

The number of stipendiary women clergy has risen slightly every year, but has not offset the decline in numbers of men.

As of 31 December, there were 9000 people in active lay ministry, 51 per cent of whom were men.

Thomas Becket's elbow to return to site of his murder in Canterbury The Guardian (UK) 27 May 2016

For almost eight centuries, a tiny sliver of bone has been venerated by distant devotees of England’s famous ‘turbulent priest’. But this weekend, Thomas Becket's elbow will make a solemn, if fleeting, return from Esztergom, in Hungary, to Canterbury, the seat of his clerical authority – and the scene of his brutal murder.

At 3pm on Saturday, a group of pilgrims, Hungarian dignitaries and interested onlookers will assemble at St Michael’s church in Harbledown to follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims chronicled National Catholic Reporter (USA) | Jun. 10 in The Canterbury Tales.

The Latvian Lutheran Church has gone back on a 40-year-old decision by offcial- Becket Week – an initiative by the Hunly ruling that women cannot be ordained garian embassy – has generated a wave of public curiosity and a chance for the Anpriests. glican and Catholic churches to show that Two-thirds of the 337 synod members reconciliation has replaced historical divivoted in favour of changing the church constitution and only allowing men to be sion. Becket’s bone has toured Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Rochordained from now on, according to the ester Cathedral and other churches associLatvian daily Diena.

Women's priesthood was first introduced ated with the 12th-century archbishop of Canterbury. by the Latvian Lutheran Church in 1975 when Latvia was still a part of the Soviet NZ Anglican Church considers replacing Confirmation Union.

New Zealand’s sole Anglican Friary is Anglican Taonga (NZ) 25 May 2016 The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New about to close.

Zealand and Polynesia has decided to Anglican Taonga (NZ) 6 June 2016 The Friary of the Divine Compassion has broaden its conversation on confirmation after changes to the rites of baptism and been a spiritual anchor for Te Ara Hou, the Anglican social service community in confirmation were let lie on the table at General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui in Hillcrest, Hamilton. Late last year, Br Brian (90) died. Brother Damian Kenneth May. will soon move to a retirement village, The bill presented to synod proposed new while the Rev Phil Dyer, a Third Order formularies for the baptism of adults, bapFranciscan who lived at the Friary will tism of children, and a new rite that would also be moving on. replace confirmation, to be known as The Laying on of Hands for Affirmation, ReBr Christopher John, SSF, The Minister newal and Reception.

Provincial of the ‘Province of Divine Compassion’ (the Anglican Society of The proposed formularies came in reSaint Francis in New Zealand, Australia sponse to local research that outlines how and Korea) says the brothers were reluc- confirmation has lost its pivotal role for tant to leave Te Ara Hou.” Unfortunately, many Anglican churches in Aotearoa we lack the brothers to sustain a commu- New Zealand.

Grassing up Holy Trinity nity life and engagement in ministry.”

Banbury Shire Info (UK) 19 May 2016 UK Ministry Statistics report clergy In the middle ages, the earthen floors of are older, and fewer are stipendiary some churches would have been covered Church Times (UK) : 03 Jun 2016 Falling numbers of stipendiary clergy in with rushes, which would have been the Church of England, show the urgent changed in the spring. Banburyshireinfo need for more ordinations, the Director of reports that the annual grass-stewing at Ministry for the Archbishops’ Council, he Holy Trinity Church, Shenington, is perVen. Julian Hubbard, has said. haps unique now. At Whitsun and the The statistics, released yesterday, reveal following two Sundays, Christopher Hawthat, while the total number of ordained tin lays grass on the aisles and around the ministers has remained at around 20,500 font. His family have been doing this from 2012 to the end of last year, the since the 1800s. Some couples ask to get number of stipendiary bishops, priests, married when the grass is laid, but laid, and deacons fell from 8006 in 2012 to but others ask for it to be removed be7661. cause they have hay fever.

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Holy Trinity Anglican Church Cnr High & Pakington Streets, Kew P.O. Box 37, Kew, Vic 3101 www.holytrinitykew.org.au email: office@holytrinitykew.org.au

Vicar The Reverend Robert Newton Ph: 9855 063 0408 012 165 email vicar@holytrinitykew.org.au

Associate Clergy The Reverend Rick Cheung The Reverend Helen Granowski The Reverend Robert Holland

Parish Chaplain Pam Hughes Ph: 0418 328 313

Theological Student Leonie Bird

Church Office Mrs Brenda Forman P.O. Box 37, Kew, 3101 Telephone: 9853 7158 Monday to Friday 9—12

Churchwardens David Harkin Ph: 0433 446 183 Barbara Thomson Ph: 9817 7184 Alan Wilson 0414 470 460

Treasurer Marcus Pandy

Director of Music & Organist Stephen Kerr Authorised Lay Ministers Leonie Bird Jane Sullivan Andrea Sherko Michael Wong

All the above persons can be contacted through the Parish Office.

If undeliverable, return to: Holy Trinity Anglican Church Cnr. High & Pakington Streets, Kew, 3101

POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA

MAY BE OPENED

Services at Holy Trinity WEDNESDAY 11.00am—Eucharist SATURDAY 6.00pm—Eucharist SUNDAY 8.00am—Eucharist SUNDAY 10.00am—Sung Eucharist 10.00am—Family Ministry In the hall, in church on 1st Sunday The Noon Hour: 12noon to 1.00pm Tuesday to Thursday.

Healing Service: 11.30am fourth Sunday At Trinity Grammar School Chapel: SUNDAY 10.30am Bilingual Service

EDITOR: Irene Shorthouse Ph: 9882 1692 Email: ireneshorthouse @iprimus.com.au It came to me at the Memorial Service for Doreen Ashley-Brown that we know so little about the people around us. It is sad that we only become aware of their manifold interests and achievements after they have died.

What a varied life Doreen had led, and what great historical events she lived through in her 102 years.

It is 3.00am as I finish this Winter edition. Off for proofreading tomorrow—thank you Nancy.

My thanks to Blake for his ‘Reports from around the World’ and for taking over at home.

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I had more items given to me than I could fit in to this edition, but thanks, and your items will appear in future editions.

Getting Trinity Times out is a collaborative effort and I thank all those who take part, including Charles Harkin for putting up (and clearing away) the tables for us to work at.

We will be meeting next Tuesday morning to prepare the distribution. It is an enjoyable time as we chat as we work. It is also a good chance for me to catch up with those who attend the later Sunday service.

To those attending the10.00am Service—why not come early on a Sunday and join the 8.00 o’clockers for breakfast? You would be made very welcome. Those who do attend find it time of good fellowship.