2017 no 3

TRINITY TIMES Advent/Christmas 2017

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

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Sunday 17th December

Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December

Sunday 25th December

7.30pm

Traditional service of 9 Carols and Lessons

10.00 am 5.00pm 11.00pm 11.30pm

Combined Sung Eucharist Children’s Nativity Play Carol Singing Midnight Mass

8.00am 10.00am

Communion Service with Carols

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Sung Eucharist

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE VICAR Dear Parishioners, During the last years of the Roman Empire, in the city of Myra , ( modern Southern Turkey) the bishop died. A local man, Nicholas, who was know by all to be a very holy person and a devoted follower of Christ, was elected as the new bishop with little or no opposition. Nicholas’ first act was bishop was to give away all his wealth, for he was a very rich man. He started by giving all his possessions and money away, but before he was able to give it all away he had a dream one night. An angel appeared to him. “Save some of it” Nicholas protested. “ But the poor they have need of money.” The angel interrupted him. “ Save three bags of gold until I tell you what to do with it.” Nicholas did what the angel commanded and hit three bags of gold under his bed. Every night he waited for a message as to what to do with the money.

Bishop Nicholas waited and then one night the angel returned in a dream. The angel said, “Nicholas tonight you must take one of your bags of gold and go to the pawnbroker who has three daughters. He is very poor and his daughters will not be able to marry without a dowry Otherwise they will go into slavery..” Nicholas woke from his dream, got dressed and took one bag of gold from under his bed. He went to the pawnbroker’s home and was ready to knock on the door when he stopped. He decided he would leave the bag at the door. Before leaving however, he peaked through the window and saw that the pawnbroker, and his daughters were weeping and obviously dejected.

Then he quietly pushed open the window, dropped the bag of gold inside and quickly fled. In the bag was sufficient gold for a dowry for the eldest daughter allowing her to wed. She was full of joy and her father was well; but not the two younger daughters.

The next evening, the angel returned to Nicholas in a dream and said, “ Nicholas, take another bag of gold and go to the pawnbroker’s house for his younger two daughters are in jeopardy of being sold into slavery.” Nicholas immediately woke and went to the home. He did not try to knock on the door, but immediately went to the window, but it was locked. Thus, he went to another window, slowly and quietly opened it dropped the bag of gold inside and again left hastily. Now two sisters were happy but not the youngest.

The next evening, Nicholas had another dream, as he knew he would, for all good things come in threes. The angel came, and repeated the story of the previous two evenings. Thus, Nicholas, got up and went to the pawn-broker’s home. Like Nicholas, he knew good things come in threes, and thus he locked the door and all the windows forcing, he hoped, the generous benefactor to go to the back of the house, where he could be discovered. The youngest daughter, asked her father to keep the windows open, but he would not hear of it. Bishop Nicholas arrived and tried a window, then another and another but all were locked. But instead of going to the back of the house, he climbed up the side and reached the roof. From there he dropped the gold down the chimney. The bag broke open as it dropped and all the coins fell into the fire.

He pawnbroker raked them from the fire, allowed them to cool and found there was sufficient money for a dowry for his youngest daughter. The pawnbroker never know the bishop’s kindness , but others did and later told the story of Nicholas. Over time, the story of Nicholas’ goodness reached central Europe. To this day, people remember the man who became known in the legend as Saint Nicholas ( Santa Claus) as a man who gave gifts imitating God’s gift of himself to the world.

Christians may wonder why a story about a precursor of Santa Claus is related on Christmas when we celebrate Jesus’ birth and the religious significance of this holy season. Obviously, the story of Jesus birth, as related by Matthew and Luke is vitally important, but the story of Bishop Nicholas and Jesus are integrally related. made and a gift given. The idea certainly lies at the heart of the Christian message.

The apex of God’s plan of salvation is found in Jesus, the ultimate manifestation of God’s promise to his people. As when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary with a remarkable claim, that she, a virgin, would conceive and bear a son. In this season of Christmas the angel’s promise is fulfilled in Jesus birth in Bethlehem. The Son of God, sent by the Father, takes on the human condition, save sin, in an act of ultimate love for 2

VICAR’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE [Continued] The apex of God’s plan of salvation is found in Jesus, the ultimate manifestation of God’s promise to his people. As when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary with a remarkable claim that she, a virgin would conceive and bear a son. The Son of God, sent by the Father takes on human condition, to save sinners, in an act of ultimate love for all of us. The familiar Christmas story, like the familiar story of Saint Nicholas, presents both a promise fulfilled and a gift given. Nicholas sought to divest himself from all wealth and his wish was fulfilled but only by giving a gift to those most in need.

Jesus is the fulfilment of the promise of Isaiah and the prophets but the Lord’s presence is a great gift as well. It is through Jesus presence . Jesus is the greatest gift God ever gave to the world, but since we celebrate Jesus’ birthday should we not be contemplating what a gift we can give to the Newborn king of the Jews ? After all, in our society we celebrate one’s birthday by giving that person a gift.

Possibly the gift we can give is a greater and more fervent commitment to God in prayer.

Prayer, our communication with God, is absolutely essential to our lives, as vital as food and drink we consume and the air that we breathe, that somehow it often does not hold such a priority in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17, tells us that we must “pray without ceasing.” Too often we make excuses why we don’t pray. “ I’m too busy.” “Its not my style.” “ I feel awkward.” Maybe our gift to the Lord today, could be a commitment to pray and to stop making excuses for our failures.

Our gift to Jesus might be a renewal of a relationship gone sour. The complexity of contemporary life, often strains relationships, and often we are too proud or do not possess the strength or will to mend those that are frayed. What a wonderful gift for the baby Jesus to know we had made a significant effort to right a relationship; gone wrong. Renewing our attitudes and opinions that are Inconsistent with our Christian lives would be another gift to consider. All of us hold hurts and grudges that sour our relationships, with individuals and groups. Can we do our best to wipe the slate clean and begin anew ?

Maybe we can consider modifying or even eliminating habits that are troublesome to others or ourselves. Addictive behaviour of any mode is destructive and hurtful to all. Can we right our personal ship and get it sailing in safer waters ? If we are open to changing long held ways of doing things , ways that might not be the best this is a gift to the Lord, Possibly our gift to Jesus can be greater involvement in building his Kingdom though ministry in the church. Certainly God’s people have many needs. Can we use some of the time, talent, and treasure we have been given and return some for the betterment of others as did Bishop Nicholas and as did Jesus of Nazareth ? Certainly the Lord would be pleased with any of these gifts and many more besides.

The Christian tradition of Bishop Nicholas promised that he would divest himself of riches but he was able to do so in a way that brought gifts and great joy to others. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise initiated originally with Abraham, but Jesus is the greatest gift of all. What can we do for Jesus ? What can we provide to make his kingdom come into our world/ The challenged is great and our response is awaited.

Season’s greeting to you and your family.

Fr. Robert Newton Vicar

FROM THE REGISTERS Baptisms– Mason Arthur Spicer.

Marriages—None.

Funerals—Patricia Ann Findlay, James Alistair Cairnes Langman

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Saint Nicholas by Irene Shorthouse

The man who became Saint Nicholas was born in Patara a town on the southern coast of what is now Turkey, but at the time of his birth, around 270 C.E it was Greece.

His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," he used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering.

Nicholas made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to experience Jesus ‘ life Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. He prayed and the terrified sailors were amazed when sea calmed.

He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known for his generosity to those in need, for his love for children, and for his concern for

sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, he suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. Later Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E..

He died on December 6th, 343C. E. (December 19 on the Julian Calendar). In the West he is best known as the patron saint of children.

Many of his stories tell of children rescued and returned to the care and keeping of their families. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. That story is referred to in the vicars Christmas message.

One of the oldest stories showing Saint Nicholas as a protector of children took place long after his death.

The towns-people of Myra were celebrating on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came and stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty. As they were leaving they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a 4

slave. The emir selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer. For the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity. For her it was a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was serving the emir St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, whisked him up and set him down at his home back in Myra. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children.

Holy Trinity Anglicare Victoria Partnership Group.

During 2017, the Trinity Kew Anglicare Victoria Partnership Group was formed under the leadership of Margaret Kelly.

In May 2017, 12 interested parishioners met at the “Now and Then Café” in High Street Kew and agreed to form a Trinity Partnership Group with Anglicare. Victoria.

Since its inauguration the Group has conducted or met at three events to encourage and support the work of Anglicare Victoria.

In June a representative speaker from the Anglicare Broadmeadows Women’s Community Group described the activities of this community group, and as a result the Trinity Partnership Group decided to support the Broadmeadows group in its work assisting migrant and refugee women to settle into life in Australia.

In July a retiring collection of more than $400.00 was forwarded to the Women’s Community Group.

On 24 October 2017 Revd. Robert Newton and three Support Group members attended a thank you Morning Tea at All Saints Anglican Church East St. Kilda. On that occasion, a framed Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Trinity Partnership Group .

The November Anglicare Toy Appeal is underway to collect donated unwrapped donated toys for the Anglicare Christmas gift giving to children in need.

Currently Hazel Athey has volunteered to organise the sale of Anglicare Christmas Cards to parishioners.

Holy Trinity Kew has supported Anglicare Victoria for many years with weekly food basket items donated for the Fitzroy Anglicare Mission House. Currently Christmas food items would be most appreciated.

The new initiative of this Parish Support Group represents part of Holy Trinity’s work and mission to the world and in particular to the work of Anglicare Victoria. May its work prosper and flourish as a sign of God’s caring presence in our troubled world.

Margaret Kelly. Convenor Trinity Anglicare Partnership Group

Christmas began in the heart of God: it is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.

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BEING CHURCH IN THE WORLD We Need a Little Christmas Haul out the holly Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.

Fill up the stocking I may be rushing things but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas, Right this very minute Candles in the window Carols on the spinet Yes we need a little Christmas Right this very minute It hasn't snowed a single flurry But Santa dear we’re in a hurry For I’ve grown a little leaner Grown a little colder Grown a little older And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder. Need a little Christmas now.

ANGLICARE BROADMEADOWS WOMEN’S COMMUNITY HOUSE Margaret Kelly The Women’s House is a friendly safe place for women and children where they can meet new people, talk, listen and learn more life skills. The Community House offers many different supporting programs which encourage families to engage with the community, and address the social, cultural and geographic isolation of refugees and migrants.

It is staffed by qualified social workers and community development workers who speak Arabic, Assyrian- Chaldean and Turkish languages as well as English.

One Program is PARENTS BUILDING SOLUTIONS – Growing Great Kids. This is an interactive program which aims to help strengthen the relationship between parents and children by providing advice on parenting strategies that work. Aimed mainly at women who are home bound and may have suffered family violence, transport is provided free to enable them to attend the Centre, while their children play and learn in the Children’s Room. Importantly the children also unlearn certain behaviours in this safe environment designed to stimulate self discovery through play. The kids have an opportunity to explore what rules work, and what rules are important, especially those concerning safety. The children learn to deal with the consequences of not playing fairly, discover how to make friends, share, and find constructive ways to halt abusive behaviour directed at them. There are many other programs designed to support families.

Holy Trinity Kew supports the work of the Broadmeadows Community House.

There are many other programs designed to support families.

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Holy Trinity Building Project Report 2017— Alan Wilson November/December 2017 In the last exciting episode of the Trinity Parish Centre saga, the construction company, Devco, had arrived on site and had knocked down the old kitchen and generally cleared the site. The cessation of power to the Op.Shop. which in turn fed the two existing halls and the vicarage, took much longer than expected. This did not push us off the timeline too much as Devco did all of the preparation work on the car parks whilst they waited. Finally the Op. Shop came down.

More recently, the Storm Water Permit from Boroondara City Council took three months to issue. An extended dialogue between the Council and the Consulting Civil Engineer explains part of the delay. Our Architects and Devco also needed to deal with underpinning of the bluestone fence, which the original geotechnical work had indicated would not be necessary.

Despite all of this, we are still (just) within our original timeline and are very close to being “out of the ground”. Water for the Parish Centre is connected to our site and the water and gas pipe runs will be bored under the oak trees on Tuesday 21 November. The electricity pillar is in place at the back of the church and the gas connections are approved and underway. If we are lucky with the weather, by Christmas, the street level slab will be down, and walls and columns should be in place. We should have the church level slab poured towards the end of January, and the building will really be starting to take shape.

Amazingly, we are now within 12 months of completion of the Parish Centre!

Detailed colour renderings have been produced by our Architects, Atelier Wagner, showing what the building will look like from High Street, the church forecourt, and the church green. These are now up on the back wall of the church and are well worth looking at. Hopefully you’ll agree that the results will be worth the wait.

Alan Wilson

“BUILDING” - A REFLECTION “Let me use— Disappointment as material for patience, Success as material for thankfulness, Danger as material for courage.

Reproach as material for long suffering.

Praise as material for temperance, And Pain as material for endurance.”

Jess Kenner from Wit and Wisdom—Braille Scrapbook. P Summer.

Contributed by Jan Todd.

Editor’s note. Perhaps it could be said that the Holy Trinity Building Project reflects patience, thankfulness, courage, long suffering, temperance and endurance for all those involved in the project from its inception to the current stage.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL

By Livia Tropea

The Sunday School is held in the transept and chapel every week during school term.

At the beginning of every service we go into the chapel to discuss the gospel. The leader will describe the activity and explain the meaning of the gospel. Then, we do an activity based upon the gospel reading.

We often re-enact the gospel and turn it into a play. The older children will write the script and the younger children perform it, during the “Show and Tell” to the congregation at the 10:00 am Sunday service. We did this for several parables, including the parable of the workers in the vineyard and the parable of the talents.

Often the activities combine brainstorming and drawing or colouring. For example, our activity for Treasure that lasts forever ( Matthew 13:44-58) was firstly looking at the difference between God’s gifts and material possessions, then writing some examples on either side of a treasure chest which we coloured in when we discussed the gospel. We also talked about the three Parables.

My favourite activity, was based on the question posed to Jesus about paying taxes. ( Matthew 22: 15-33) After talking about what Jesus answer meant we all drew ancient Roman coins, onto either paper plates or large pieces of paper. I found this activity interesting and lots of fun.

The Sunday School also does activities outside the church such as picnics and barbeques. My favourite outside church activity is when we went out to lunch and then went bowling.

We all enjoy discussing and learning and doing fun activities based on the gospel.

We hope you enjoy our “Show and Tell” to the congregations where we show our worth and perform.

Livia Tropea. ( Aged 13 on 3 December 2017)

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PALLIATIVE CARE by Beth Bailey OAM

During the recent euthanasia debate I joined the chorus calling for adequately funded and more effective palliative care.

Many people believe palliative care is mainly provided at the end stage of a terminal illness. What may be surprising is it can be of considerable benefit at the initial diagnosis as well as at various stages of the illness. Palliative care involves many health professionals who all bring a range of skills to help the person and their family manage the illness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines palliative care as “an approach that improves the quality of life of the person and family through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment, treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.�

Palliative care is provided in a location that best suits the person and their family. This may include home, hospital, hospice or residential aged care facility.

When I worked in a palliative care hospice, it wasn’t uncommon for patients on admission to ask to be put to sleep permanently. The palliative care team worked together to support the patient needs and assist the patient to identify fears and establish goals before dying. I witnessed this approach bring great relief.

Priority needs to be given for professionals to have time to establish the relationship of trust as the basis for listening fully in a compassionate and nonjudgemental way to the person and family needs, fears and hopes. Dying can bring healing even when symptoms are overwhelming. Families may come together, forgiveness may be given, and peace may be found in caring.

It was my great privilege to work in palliative care for some years.

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Laughter is the Best Medicine The Three Wise Men In a small southern town in Texas there was a nativity scene that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it.

The Three Wise Men were wearing firemen’s helmets, Totally unable to come up with or explanation, a visitor decided to ask a local what it meant. At a shop on the edge of town he asked a lady behind the counter about the helmets. She exploded in a rage. People these days never read the Bible ! The Visitor assured her that he did, but simply could not recall anything about firemen in the Bible . She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled though some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage.

Sticking it in his face she said, “See it says right here, “ The three wise men came from afar.”

Irene’s Joke There will be a meeting of the Board immediately

after the Christmas service,' announced Reverend Morris.

After the close of the service, the group gathered at the back of church for the announced meeting. However, this Christmas there was a stranger in their midst. He was a visitor who had never attended their church before.

'My friend,' asked Reverend Morris, 'did you understand that this is a meeting of the Board?'

'Oh, yes,' came the rejoinder from the visitor, 'and after that sermon, I'm about as bored as you can get.'

Winston Churchill [contributed by Jan Todd] Take time to laugh It is the music of the soul

Recipe How to Preserve a Husband Be careful of your selection. Take only those that have been grown in a good moral atmosphere. Do not choose too young slightly matured. When selected do not keep them in a pickle or hot water, this tends to make them sour, hard and sometimes bitter. Most varieties can be made sweet One Sunday, C. H. Spurgeon declared that no and tender by garnishing thief would enter heaven to with patience, well sweetspend his time picking the ened with smiles. Then wrap in a mantle of angel’s pockets. When those who heard him after- charity. Keep warm with a wards enquired what steady fire of devotion and sought of clothes angels serve with peaches and wore he laughingly replied cream. Thus served they that the should have said, “ will keep for years. not picking angels’ pockets “ but “plucking angels’ feathers”. There is hope for the youthful enthusiasm who can laugh at his own extravagances

“ It is my belief you cannot deal with the most serious things in the world unless you understand the most amusing.

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Music making at Holy Trinity by Stephen K err, Director of M usic

December 2017 – The lead up to Christmas is a busy time for the musicians at Holy Trinity with much preparation going on towards our annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

2017 has been a great year of singing for the HTK choir and we have enjoyed a strong sound with the maturing voices of the younger choristers along with the support of some new choir members.

The Holy Trinity Choir has offered an uplifting contribution to weekly Sunday worship this year. The scholarship boys from Trinity Grammar school and our girl choristers are progressing well and we now have a good contingent from Trinity Grammar, providing an increasingly strong choral sound, with several choristers performing successfully as soloists this year. There has been strong interest from new choristers from Trinity Grammar for next year which is promising.

Throughout 2017 we have continued singing the psalms and added a sung Lord’s Prayer. Both of these elements seem to be working well now that they have been with us for a longer period. Feedback on any musical elements in the service is always welcome!

The new choir robes have arrived and were dedicated during the service on November 26. These have been possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of Sue Pitchford and extremely generous contributions from the congregation. The choir now has a good set of robes of high quality, enabling us to present a consistent and neat aesthetic.

Looking forward to the 2017 Carols service and an exciting 2018 musical year!

NEW PARISH CHILD SAFE AND VULNERABLE PERSONS SUB COMMITTEE Arising from recent changes to Victorian law, Royal Commission recommendations and changes to the Diocese Professional Standards Act, the Parish council has approved the formation of a Child Safe sub committee. The sub committee is authorised to investigate and recommend procedures to implement a parish child safe and vulnerable persons policy. In October, the Parish council approved a sub committee Charter that guarantees all its work is to be conducted under the direct control of the council. Sub– committee membership includes Jane Newton, Michael Tropea, Stephen Kerr, Revd. Robert Holland and Leonie Bird.

A draft Child Safe policy has been presented to Parish council for its final approval. Two events are planned for early 2018 . One event is a parish information session to explain the implementation of child safe policy, and another is a training session for everyone who has a position of authority within the parish regarding child safe procedures. Any enquiries may be directed to the chairman of the sub committee—Leonie Bird

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Meanderings Around the Anglican Communion– by Blake Shorthouse “Suffer the little children…”

One quarter of Church of England congregations have no children.

Anglicans On-line 23 October 2017: It is said that every church is one generation away from extinction. The BBC has reported that there are no children in the smallest 25% of the Church of England's congregations reported in this year's survey. But the Church says it is now reaching 1.2 million people online every month, which is more than those who make it to the pews. [Not like HTK’s thriving Sunday School!]

NZ Anglicans vote on Christchurch Cathedral rebuild

The Anglican Communion News Service 9 September 2017: The Diocesan Synod of Christchurch met earlier this week to discuss and vote on whether to rebuild the crumbling structure, damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Voices from around the diocese, community, and beyond were heard as part of the discussion. Of the 220-member body, 54 per cent voted to restore at a cost of $104 million (NZD). No work on the building will begin until all funds have been secured.

Reverse colonialism: Female NZ Bishop appointed in England Anglican Communion News Service, November 10, 2017 12:49 PM

The Bishop-Designate of Ripon, Helen-Ann Hartley, meets pupils at the Richard Taylor C of E Primary School in Harrogate, yesterday, as her appointment was announced.

The Bishop of Waikato in New Zealand is to return to her roots after being named as the new Bishop of Ripon in the Church of England’s Diocese of Leeds. In 2014, she became the first female priest from the Church of England to be consecrated as a bishop, when she was elected Bishop of Waikato in the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki.

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HOLY TRINITY KEW - A SOCIAL PROFILE—Robert Buckmaster

This demographic profile summarises key data from the 2016 census data of the Parish of Holy Trinity Kew and the metropolitan area of Melbourne.

The parish church of Holy Trinity Kew is situated on the north-west close to Kew Junction and about eight kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. The parish encompasses an area of approximately 12.6 square kilometres bounded by the Yarra River to its north and east and Barkers Road to the south. Approximately one third of people on the complete Holy Trinity Kew parish roll lived within the parish boundaries. A sizeable minority of parishioners (122 or 46%) reside within the suburb of Kew. The median distance from the church of those on the roll is 2.3 kilometres. Two thirds lived within five lineal kilometres of the church. One in ten lived more than 10 kilometres away. Fewer than half parish (46.5%) residents identified as Christian at the 2016 census, generally in line with the metropolitan mean (46.3%).

Of the 9 506 residents identifying as Christian, 1 685 identified as Anglican representing 8.2% of the population of Kew. This compares favourably with 7.6% of Melburnians who identify as Anglican.

The 88 persons on the parish roll resident within the parish represents 5.2% of resident nominal Anglicans. This latter proportion is comparatively consistent with observations for other parishes in the metropolitan area. The remaining 94.8% resident nominal Anglicans represent an opportunity for re-engagement and re-activation.

Anglicans rank behind Roman Catholics as the second largest locally represented Christian denomination. Roman Catholics accounted for 54% (slightly over one in every two) of all nominal Christians residing in the parish area. Catholics also experienced numeric and proportional decline between the last two censuses, but less marked than experienced by Anglicans, falling by 238 or 4.4%.

The number of parishioners identifying as Christian declined by 10% between the 2011 and 2016 censuses. The number of nominal Anglicans residing in the parish fell by 395 (19%) over the same period from 2 080 to 1 685. The fall in the number of nominal Christians and Anglicans between the 2011 and 2016 censuses is attributable in part to a concerted and quite effective ‘mark “No Religion”’ push by the Atheists and by a repositioning of ‘No Religion’ as the first option, up from the last option at previous censuses. The campaign hit the mark with a 40% increase in the number of parish residents professing ‘No Religion’ between the 2011 and 2016 censuses, rising to 37.8%. This is markedly above Melbourne’s 31%.

The parish is home to 7 261 households of which seven in ten comprised families. The average household size (2.6 persons) was marginally smaller than the metropolitan mean 2.7 persons. Childless couples accounted for a quarter of households, while couple families with children accounted for slightly over a third.

Single parent families are comparatively under-represented, lagging their metropolitan representation by 22%. The parish has a comparatively mature age profile: its median age of 39.1 years is 3 years older than metropolitan Melbourne’s 36 years.

This reflects a comparative under-representation within the parish area of children aged under 11 years and young to early middle-aged adults (aged 18-44 years). Meanwhile Teenagers (aged between 12 and 17 years) and adults aged 45 years and over are comparatively over-represented relative to the wider metropolitan area consistent with a comparatively higher representation of families with teens.

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WHAT IS AN ICON ? By Yvonne Panagacos - Icon Writer

Our world is full of symbols and signs that we instantly recognise and understand. They do not require language or explanation. Similarly the icons most commonly found in Orthodox Christian churches are easily recognised and do not require explanation.

The Orthodox Church is inconceivable without icons, lit candles and burning incense. The Church is a Church of tradition, and the presence and use of icons in the Orthodox Church is a reflection of this tradition. The word icon comes from the Greek word eikona, meaning image. In its broadest sense an icon is any representation of a sacred personage, or biblical event, and is produced in many media and sizes. In the narrower sense it refers to a devotional painted wooden panel.

Historically, the icon is the result of the synthesis of three different cultures: Greek, Roman and Christian. The technique of Byzantine art has travelled beyond the frontiers of the Empire, having a profound influence on the development of art especially in the Slavic nations.

In all ages and in all cultures the icon is not merely a piece of art, but an aid to worship, and an instrument for the transmission of Christian tradition and faith.

The Holy Spirit speaks to men through icons. Anywhere an icon is placed (except in a museum) a place of worship and prayer is set, because the icon is not an end in itself, but a window through which we look with our physical eyes at the Kingdom of Heaven and the realm of spirituality. It is important to remember that the icon is concerned only with the sacred; the icon is theology in images and colour.

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JUNIOR TRINITY TIMES

A page dedicated to the children who come to Holy Trinity Kew. Try colouring in the pictures and cutting them out for decorations or Christmas cards for your own use.

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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 email vicar@holytrinitykew.org.au

Associate Clergy The Reverend Rick Cheung The Reverend Robert Holland, 0423 568 048

Parish Chaplain Pam Hughes Ph: 0418 328 313

Theological Student Leonie Bird

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

Churchwardens Napier Thomson Ph. 0408 576 737.

Robert Buckmaster Ph. 0437 014 090 Marcus Pandy Ph: 9817 2163

Treasurer Dinesh Warnakulasuriya Contact through church office

Director of Music & Organist Stephen Kerr

Authorised Lay Ministers Leonie Bird Jane Sullivan 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 SUNDAY 8.00am—Eucharist SUNDAY 10.00am—Sung Eucharist 10.00am—Sunday School

At Trinity Grammar School Chapel: SUNDAY 10.30am Bilingual Service

EDITOR: 2017 marks a milestone in the history of Holy Trinity Kew. The commencement of the Building Project is the first major parish construction for many decades. It represents an immense change for the parish, and allows us to reflect upon the past generosity and vision of the original founders of Holy Trinity during the mid 19th century.

Holy Trinity has been part of the city of Kew for many decades, and the new buildings will provide the foundation for a renewal of the parish and its future viability.

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Thank you to everyone who contributed the ideas and articles for this 2017 Advent edition of Trinity Times.

May Christmas be a time of prayerful reflection. May you and all those you love enjoy a peaceful Christmas and a healthy, and prosperous New Year. Leonie Bird