St John’s Weekly Bulletin – Sunday 10 June 2018

This year, over $14,000 was raised in benefit of Zara’s House – an organization committed to partnering with local citizens to provide social and vocational resources and care for displaced women and children who have recently become members of our community. Directed by Sister Diana Santleben O.P. and based in Jesmond, Zara’s house seeks to provide a safe and welcoming space in which refugee’s can connect with and share in the life of Newcastle. Nuatali Nelmes, Newcastle’s Lord Mayor, said of this years recipient:

“The City of Newcastle is honoured to be able to support such a wonderful cause. This year Zara’s House was selected as the beneficiary owing to the great support provided by Sister Di and the volunteers to women and their families acclimating to their new lives in Newcastle.”

Often, the work of finding your footing in a new and different place can be overwhelming, especially for those who are vulnerable. This is particularly true in our midst – the busy pace of Newcastle life, especially if your just learning the language! But the volunteers at Zara’s house, along with Sister Di, are committed to setting a space aside which offers welcome, kindness and practical skills which might make this transition less challenging. In Proverbs 31, we read of a woman who is incredibly dedicated and hardworking. Among the long and impressive list of attributes that describe her we find that she “opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy” and that “she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Prov. 31:20, 25). It is exciting that we are able to share our lives with such individuals who model the character of this woman in the last chapter of Proverbs. It is a wonderful example of how in small ways and large, our lives as followers of Jesus can have a BIG impact on the lives of others, especially those who are lonely and in need. I encourage you this week to wonder with me, at how we might all be like that woman of noble character, each in our own way.

Blessings for the week to come,

Mark

This bulletin was emailed to members of the parish on Friday 8 June 2018 – if you would like to join the Weekly Bulletin email list, please call the church office on 02 4927 5399 and we will happily arrange this.

It may appear that we have not proceeded with this work, however our Heritage Architect in conjunction with hydraulic engineers and land surveyors have been preparing documents that will be submitted to the Heritage Department in the form of a Section 60 application, when this is approved a development application will be submitted to Newcastle City Council, quotes can then be called to start this work.

With the end of the financial year approaching, tax exemption donations can still be made to assist the parish in this important work of maintaining our heritage buildings.

An online donation can be made to:

National Trust of Australia, St Johns Church (Newcastle) Restoration Account.

BSB 032 044

Account number 898 154

The deadline for this is Wednesday 27th June

Please put your surname as the reference as receipts can not be given to donations marked anonymous.

Alternatively give me, Howard Benson a cheque made out to St Johns National Trust Account. Email me at howardbenson@bigpond.com or phone me on 4952 6279 and I will arrange to collect the cheque.

If a cheque is given to Howard the deadline is Sunday 24th June as the cheque needs to be banked prior to Friday 29th June.

BSB: 705-077
A/C: 00040401
Name: St John’s Anglican Church Newcastle

Thank you to all members of our parish who are able to support ministry in this way.