Dear Friends,
In the gospels Jesus seems less concerned with theological niceties than with care and concern for others. He is constantly urging us to feed others, care for others and to reach out. We are so lucky as citizens of Australia, particularly Melbourne where we are surrounded by so much produce that is affordable and accessible. We know that even in this place of plenty there are an increasing number of people who go hungry on a daily basis or who have no access to the simplest things like a shower. The community centre in Fitzroy works so hard to help fill some of these gaps with increasing pressure on their resources. Sunday November 10 is our Harvest Festival when we pause and give thanks for all the wonderful things God has given us and I hope we can respond by bringing even more appropriate food items, on top of the generous response we make each and every week as a contribution towards feeding the hungry. Our weekly contribution is already marvellous so please see this as an ‘extra’ as we concentrate on our gratitude for all we have been given.
A prayer
O Almighty and Everlasting God, you have given us the fruits of the earth in their season: Grant us grace to use them to your glory, the relief of those in need, and our own comfort, through Jesus Christ, who is the living bread come down from heaven that gives life to the world; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
And a prayer for peace
Heavenly Father, God of both of righteousness and peace: Have mercy upon the nations now engaged in bitter war. Cleanse all of us from hatred and covetousness, break the power of evil and deliver all people into peace and harmony. This we ask in the name of the Prince of Peace, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you all for your great generosity and thoughtfulness,
G


The gospel calls us to be people of Hope even in the darkest hour. Maybe you can find time to say an extra prayer for all those in such desperate circumstances in Australia and the rest of the world?

Our prayer for days ahead is for balance, consideration and listening

God of Comfort,

send your Spirit to encompass all those whose lives

are torn apart by violence and death in Israel and Palestine and Lebanon.

You are the Advocate of the oppressed

and the One whose eye is on the sparrow.

Let arms reach out in healing, rather than aggression.

Let hearts mourn rather than militarize.

God of Justice,

give strength to those whose long work for a just peace

might seem fruitless now. Strengthen their resolve.

Do not let them feel alone. Show us how to support their work

and bolster their courage. Guide religious leaders to model

unity and reconciliation across lines of division.

Guide political leaders to listen with their hearts as they seek peace and pursue it.

Help all people choose the rigorous path of just peace and disavow violence.

God of Love,

we lift up Palestine and Israel — its people, its land, its creatures.

War is a monster that consumes everything in its path.

Peace is a gift shared at meals of memory with Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

Let us burn incense, not children. Let us break bread, not bodies.

Let us plant olive groves, not cemeteries.

We beg for love and compassion to prevail

on all your holy mountains.

God of Hope,

we lift up the cities of the region: Gaza City and Tel Aviv,

Ramallah and Ashkelon, Deir El Balah and Sderot,

so long divided, yet so filled with life and creativity.

Come again to breathe peace on your peoples

that all may recognize you.

God of Mercy,

even now work on the hearts of combatants

to choose life over death, reconciliation over retaliation,

restoration over destruction. Help us resist antisemitism in all its forms,

especially in our own churches. All people, Israelis and Palestinians,

deserve to live in peace and unafraid, with a right to determine

their future together.

God of the Nations,

let not one more child or elder be sacrificed on altars of political expediency.

Keep safe all people from unjust leaders who would exploit

vulnerability for their own distorted ends.

Give wise discernment to those making decisions to pursue peace.

Provide them insight into fostering well-being, freedom, and thriving for all.

Teach all of us to resolve injustices with righteousness, not rockets.

Guard our hearts against retaliation, and give us hearts for love alone.

Strengthen our faith in you, O God of All Flesh,

even when we don’t have clear answers,

so that we may still offer ourselves non-violently

for the cause of peace.

Amen.

© Rose Marie Berger Sojourners October 9, 2023

 

 

Maybe he can’t stand on his feet anymore and suffering has shaped his character but this speech by Pope Francis from a few days ago is simply AMAZING!

“You can have flaws, be anxious and even be angry, but don’t forget that your life is the greatest business in the world. Only you can stop it from failure. You are appreciated, admired and loved by many. Remember that being happy is not having a sky without storms, a road without accidents, a job without effort, relationships without disappointments.

“Being happy is to stop feeling a victim and become the author of your own destiny. It’s going through deserts, but being able to find an oasis deep in your soul. It’s to thank God every morning for the miracle of life. It’s kissing your children, cuddling your parents, having poetic moments with your friends, even when they hurt us.

“To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple. It’s having maturity to be able to say: “I made mistakes”. Having the courage to say “I’m sorry”. It’s having a sensitivity to say “I need you”. Is having the ability to say “I love you”. May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness… that in spring I can be a lover of joy and in winter a lover of wisdom.

“And when you make a mistake, start over. Because only then will you fall in love with life. You will find that being happy doesn’t mean having a perfect life. But she uses tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your defeats to train your patience.

“Use your mistakes with the serenity of the sculptor. Use pain to tune into pleasure. Use obstacles to open the windows of intelligence. Never give up … Above all, never give up on the people that love you. Never give up on happiness, because life is an amazing show. “.

POPE FRANCIS 

 

A PRAYER FOR GROWTH
God of mission,
Who alone brings growth to your Church,
Send your Holy Spirit to give
Vision to our planning,
Wisdom to our actions,
Joy to our worship,
And power to our witness.
Help our parish of Holy Trinity to grow in numbers,
In spiritual commitment to you,
And in service to this city and community,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


UPCOMING CONCERTS –

December 1st 3pm

 Join Cantabile Choir at the historic Holy Trinity Anglican Church in East Melbourne for a contemporary musical evocation of the beauties and grandeur of earth, sea, and the night sky. EARTH SEA & the NIGHT SKY With a distinctly Australian flavour the concert will feature works by Peter Sculthorpe, Stephen Leek, Margaret Sutherland, and Graeme Morton as well as local composer Stephen Sharpe. A selection of carols which may change the way you think about Christmas music will put a new sparkle on the tinsel as we plunge into the festive season. Tickets: $25 full / $20 concession card/student


Worship at Holy Trinity each week

Sunday: 8am Eucharist; 10am Sung Eucharist and Morning Tea

Wednesdays at 10am Eucharist followed by Morning Tea

Thursdays at 8.30am Morning Prayer and scripture readings followed by Meditation at 8.45am.

On the First Wednesday of the month the 10am Eucharist has an emphasis on healing with the opportunity of anointing.

Wednesdays Playgroup 9.30am – 11am (during school terms)

Parish Contacts

Vicar:  The Rev’d Grant Edgcumbe 193 Hotham Street East Melbourne

T: 9417 3341

Website: www.holytrinitymelbourne.org.au Email: office@holytrinitymelbourne.org.au

Vicar’s Warden: Laurie Moore T: 0484 792 134

People’s Wardens:  Lynne Mitchell T:0412592005;

Sue Moses-Critchley 9486 3598