Sunday 12 November 2023

Hi Everyone and Welcome to This Week at St. Peter’s.

We have been advised by Unitywater that they are laying water pipes over the next week or so along Banya Street.  This may result in some disruption in accessing the church carpark from Banya Street on weekdays.  It is therefore recommended that entry and exit from the church carpark be via Toorbul Lane.  Please note access will not be restricted on Sunday.

This Sunday we welcome Fr. James Oulds as our celebrant at both services.

Here are the Notices for this Week

Health and Safety Notice – If you feel you may be contagious with cold and flu symptoms, please refrain from attending church activities. All parishioners are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices and respect others personal space.

Scams – A reminder to be wary of scams which have been happening again.  No one connected with leadership in the parish will ever contact you and ask you to share your financial details or ask you to buy something on our behalf like a gift card.

Invitation – St. Clement’s on the Hill, Stafford Parish extends an invitation to all St. Peter’s parishioners to attend the Commissioning of The Rev’d Steven Schwarzrock as their new Rector on Sunday 26th November at 5.00pm at 2 Eudunda Street Stafford.  Refreshments will be served in the parish hall after the service.  There is a name list in the narthex if you would like to attend.  Attendees will need to make their transport arrangements.

Parish Christmas Lunch – Sunday 3rd December at 12.00pm in Cooinda.  Lunch will include two courses, beverages and tea and coffee. A raffle will also be held. Cost is $25 per person.  Please place names on the list in the narthex and either place correct money in an envelope with your name in the giving box, hand correct money in an envelope with your name to a churchwarden or pay by card to Debbie after the 7.30am services or in the office.

 Empty Christmas Tree – Sunday 19th November we will once again begin collecting gifts for the Empty Christmas Tree.  The idea is to purchase a gift to be given to a child in foster care in our area.  Anglicare for Children & Families Caboolture has asked if we could again concentrate on gifts for children aged from 8 years up to 17 years. Gifts may be wrapped with the appropriate age on a tag.  Please, no pre-loved toys as this may be the only gift the child receives.  A box will be left in the Narthex for the collection.  Anglicare for Children & Families Caboolture are very grateful for our ongoing support.

 Meals on Wheels’ Delivery Survey – Parish Council wuld like to commence the ministry of helping with Meals on Wheels deliveries beginning in 2024.  A survey form is available from the sidesperson.

Uniting Church Festive Fair – Saturday 25th November from 8.00am to 12 noon at Bribie Island Uniting Church, Webster Street, Bongaree.  Craft, cakes, plants, Christmas gifts, chutneys & jams.  All are welcome.

 Carols in the Park – Saturday 2nd December in Brennan Park from 4pm to 7.30pm.  Enjoy food vendors, petting zoo, face painting and from 6.30pm a Carol Concert by local churches concluding with fireworks.

 Christmas Cards – AMUA have Christmas cards available to purchase from a box in the Narthex.  Cost is $5.00 for packet of 10 or 50 cents each. A money tin is provided in the box.  Brenda Allardyce.

Celebration – Fr. Stephen Redhead is celebrating his 50 years as a priest at a thanksgiving service on Saturday 25th November at 10.30am at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Brooke Street, Fortitude Valley with light refreshments to follow.  All are welcome.  RSVP Wendy at mrs.wendyred@bigpond.com or 0499 913 349.

Containers for Change - Glass wine and spirit bottles (150ml up to 3L) are now eligible for 10 cent refund in Queensland.  The Queensland Government has given wine and spirit manufacturers until January 2027 to display the 10-cent refund marking on their labels.  During this grace period eligible glass wine and spirit bottles can be returned for a refund without the 10-cent mark.  Please bring in your empty wine and spirit bottles as well as your usual donations.

Parish Contacts – If you need any assistance with matters relating to St Peter’s please contact the Churchwardens whose contact details are on the front of the Beacon and at the end of these notices. Until the appointment of a Locum the Parish phone will be diverted through to Debbie, our Volunteer Parish Administrator.

Appointment of a New Priest for St Peter’s - At the AGM each year the Parish elects 3 nominators to work with the Diocese to seek the appointment of a Parish Priest. Our Parish Nominators are Di Thatcher, Margaret Peterson, Greg Rollason. All Parishioners are invited to submit names of clergy they feel would be suitable to be our next Parish Priest. Please support your Parish Nominators by assuring them of your prayers and by not asking them for updates. The process will take as long as it takes, and it is critical that all deliberations of the Presentation Board remain completely confidential.

Installation of New Archbishop - Archbishop-elect Jeremy Greaves will be installed as Archbishop of Brisbane at St John’s Cathedral on Saturday 16th December 2023 at 10.30am.

Donations - There is a box of envelopes in the narthex (with a pen) for use by anyone wishing to give money in the giving box for specific reasons e.g. Retiring Collections, payment for attending a function, purchase of items such as calendars, etc.  Please, please write on the envelope what the money is for, your name and the amount.  This will greatly assist the counters to distribute the funds to the correct account.

Parish Newsletter - The Beacon is a monthly publication released towards the beginning of each month.  If you have a notice you wish published in next month’s Beacon, please email it to the office by Sunday 26th November. 

Here are the Readings and Prayer Points for this week.

Readings for this Sunday – (Ordinary Sunday 32) Joshua 24.1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78.1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4.9-18; Matthew 25.1-13.

Collect for this Sunday – Eternal God, you have taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand:  keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, so that when Christ, the bridegroom, comes we may go out joyfully to meet him, and with him enter into the marriage feast that you have prepared for all who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Prayer for a New Parish Priest - Bountiful God, give to this parish a faithful pastor who will faithfully speak your word and minister your sacraments; an encourager who will equip your people for ministry and enable us to fulfil our calling. Give to those who will choose, wisdom, discernment, and patience, and to us give warm and generous hearts, for Jesus Christ's sake.  Amen.

Birthdays this Week – Sylvia Baker (13th), Joan Fisher (13th), Tim Dufton (15th), Helen Lower (15th), Rosalind Thomson (16th), June Sturges (17th).

Special Birthday – Congratulations to Roz Thomson who celebrates her 80th birthday on Thursday 16th November.

Prayer Requests – Vicki Crofton, Greg Bean, Vivienne Bourne, Vicki, Linda Peterson.

Continuing Prayer List Elva Woods, Kaye Bush, Phillipa Booth, Krista-Liisa Pulkkinen, Elizabeth, Nicholas & Blake Kubler.

We continue to pray for Anne Dowd and Bill as they relocate to Brisbane.

Online Sunday Worship – If you would like to watch a full Eucharist, visit YouTube and search for St John’s Cathedral Brisbane.

Churchwardens’ Contacts -

Greg Rollason – 0431 598 560  Email – greg.rollo@bigpond.com

Margaret Peterson – 5497 6978  Email – jeff.marg.peterson@bigpond.com

Di Thatcher – 0409 846 471 Email – di@thatcher.com.au