Greig Brooks, and Helen Robarts. St Lukes Mosman: Shane Leddin. Christ Church St Laurence: Greg Loveday. St John’s Gordon: Angela Peverell. THE SEASON OF LENT THE COCK CROWS NEWS FROM ST PETER’S CREMORNE January / February 2015 RECTOR’S CORNER TRINITY CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY Over the last four years a small group of parishioners from St Peter’s and various neighboring parishes have been studying the Trinity Certificate in Theology and Ministry. The subjects covered were Faith, Old and New Testament, the Creeds, Anglican Tradition and Mission. Each unit has taken 8 weeks and the students are required to write assignments. Alternatively the course can be audited requiring no assignment. Fr Neil congratulates the graduates for completing the course and has presented them with a certificate from Trinity Theological College, Melbourne. Graduating students: St Peters Cremorne: Esme Parker, 1| On Wednesday 18 February the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40 days of Christian preparation for Easter and has been part of Church tradition when it became more regularised after the legalisation of Christianity in A.D. 313. By the end of the fourth century, the 40-day period of Lent existed, and that prayer and fasting constituted its primary spiritual exercises. The number "40" has always had special spiritual significance regarding preparation. On Mount Sinai, preparing to receive the Ten Commandments, "Moses stayed there with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, without eating any food or drinking any water" (Ex 34:28). Elijah walked "40 days and 40 nights" to the mountain of the Lord, Mount Horeb (another name for Sinai) (I Kgs 19:8). Most importantly, Jesus fasted and prayed for "40 days and 40 nights" in the desert before he began his public ministry (Mt 4:2). Over many years the Lenten fasting has been wide and varied. In Jerusalem people fasted for 40 days, Monday to Friday, but not on Saturday or Sunday, making Lent last for eight weeks. In Rome and in the West, people fasted for six days, Monday to Saturday, making Lent last for six weeks. Eventually, the practice of fasting for six days a week over the course of six weeks became the tradition. Over the years, modifications have been made to the Lenten observances, making our practices not only simple but also easy. Ash Wednesday still marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays which became a feast day allowing participants to break the Lenten fast. The present fasting and abstinence laws are very simple: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, the faithful fast and abstain from meat; on the other Fridays of Lent, the faithful abstain from meat. People are still encouraged "to give up something" for Lent as a sacrifice. Alternatively, it is also appropriate “to take on an extra discipline”, for example; read a spiritual book, attend a week day Eucharist, write a journal. The liturgical colour for Lent is purple. Reference - fr. William Saunders - Copyright © 2002 Arlington Catholic Herald OUR NEW FURNISHING On Sunday 15 February, we dedicated a new sidespersons’ table. It was commissioned by parish council, designed and made by Tim Garside*. Tim made the altar in the Chapel, and later the chapel seats, the candle tray and table. Funds for this new table were taken from the John Thorne Bequest, made by Fr John Thorne a former rector [1979-87] who died in 1990. Some 25 years later, after paying for this piece, there remains a balance of $9,559 which can only be used for special purposes in the church itself. Fr John gave several artworks to the parish during his lifetime, and then left a bequest. We offer thanks to this generous benefactor. *Established in the United Kingdom, Tim Garside is a Cabinet Maker, trained in older techniques as well as new. Registered with the Museum and Galleries commission and Bonhams Register in London, Tim has been restoring antiques for some of the most prominent Antique dealers in England. Tim has resided in Sydney since 2000. WORSHIPPING IN BERLIN "During the dying days of the East German regime leading up to the opening of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, Gethsemanekirche in the Prenzlauer Berg area of Berlin was apparently a centre and 2| at times a refuge for those opposed to the regime. In January, we were staying close to this beautiful old Lutheran church and so I took myself along to the main service there on Sunday morning. The service was in German, which I neither speak nor understand, and so I was an observer of rather than a participant in the service. I was pleased nonetheless to recognise all the main elements of the our Eucharist in the Lutheran liturgy - not surprising perhaps because I understand that the Lutherans and the Anglicans are very close theologically. One delightful feature of the service was that all those taking communion (most of the congregation) formed a large circle between the sanctuary and the nave and the celebrant and his assistants moved around the circle administering communion. The architecture of the church, which was wide for its length, was suited to this arrangement (which would not work in St Peters and most other churches). The following Sunday, I had a rather different experience. I went to the American Lutheran Church in Bulowstrasse, West Berlin, where the service was in English. The congregation was large and very mixed, certainly not all Americans or English-speaking visitors like myself. The people I was sitting next to and to whom I spoke were a Berlin family for whom this was simply their local church. The Pastor was from the United States and the church was in the evangelical tradition of the Lutherans. The service was not a Eucharist and, I have to say, was rather folksy. Visitors like myself were asked to stand up and introduce ourselves; and so I announced that I was David from St Peters Anglican Church, Cremorne in Sydney, Australia. That brought acclamation because I had clearly come further than anyone else. Anyway, they made be very welcome. I believe there is an Anglican Church in Berlin, St Georges, but it must hide its light under a bushel somewhere in the outer suburbs because I could not find it on my map. But Anglican or not, I always find visiting churches in foreign places one of the interesting aspects of overseas travel David Frecker KEY FIXTURES FOR 2015 Family Trivia Outreach Annual General Meeting Family Service Election Day Market Easter Good Friday Easter Sunday Anzac Centennial Service Patronal Festival 28 February 8 March 15 March 28 March 3 April 5 April 25 April 28 June ANZAC HISTORY PROJECT As a lead up to our special Anzac Centennial Service on 25 April at 11am, the Mosman Daily carried the following article highlighting the Anzac history research we have been undertaking. In response to an item in the SMH RSVP column, we have received several responses, including two from descendants of the 5 Oliver brothers, who are named on our Honour Boards. LAY ASSISTANT MINISTER It is with great excitement that we announce the appointment of Mr Richard Sercombe to the position of Lay Assistant Minister. Richard has many years of ministry experience with families and children in several parishes in the Anglican Church across the dioceses of Perth, Canberra Goulburn and Sydney. Richard is married to Dorothy and they have two adult children. Richard’s ministry at St Peter’s will be to young families and their children who have connections with the parish. The position is for 24 hours (three days) per week and will commence on Sunday 22 March. We look forward to this time. “tHE fORUM” conversation Since breaking my ankle, enforced inactivity has led to wonderful conversations with Fr Neil exploring issues and deepening my faith. To share these discussions, younger members (18 – 45ers) of the Parish and local community are invited to a monthly evening of hour-long conversation to discuss similar questions and/or ideas they may have. Perhaps you’ve noticed, the Boards are missing…they’ve gone to a specialist craftsman to be restored, to be bright and legible for our centenary service. Thanks to John Ashworth for organizing this. In the meantime, you can see the Garling plaque on the north wall, which has been buffed up after years of neglect. 3| First Meeting: Sunday 8 March 6:15pm for 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the David Armstrong Room. Light supper and refreshments will be offered at 6:15pm. Topic: Hope – What is it? Does it last? Does it help? Does it wax & wane? For more information, please call Antonia Waddy on 9908-5817 to RSVP and for catering purposes. MOVIES@STPETERS 12 MARCH 2.00pm – The World’s Fastest Indian In the Armstrong Room. Details on the Porch Notice Board Discussion follows with tea and coffee. Gold Coin Donation to Anglicare FAMILY SERVICE On Sunday 15 March the 9am service will have a focus for families and children. Our parish children will share in the readings and prayers. The regular sermon will be replaced by an all age talk. Following the service there will be refreshments including sandwiches and cupcakes. Please join us for this special time of worship and sharing with the parish family. We look forward to seeing you. CHECK OUT OUR WEB AND CONTACT US [email protected] www.stpeterscremorne.org.au Comments and ideas for items, contact Stefan Trofimovs [email protected] 4| EASTER SERVICES - 2015 HOLY WEEK Tuesday 31 March 10am Eucharist - Chapel 6.30pm Paschal Meal MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday 2 April 7.30pm Eucharist & Stripping of Altar GOOD FRIDAY Friday 3 April 10.00am Family Service Stations of the Cross 3.00pm Good Friday Liturgy St Peter’s Singers EASTER EVE Saturday 4 April 8.30am Matins 9.00am Working Bee 7.30pm Easter Vigil & Procession EASTER DAY Sunday 5 April 7.00am Eucharist 9.00am Sung Eucharist