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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Perfect time |
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There are many baptisms each year at St James' & St Andrew's New Town-Lenah Valley but most often the time spent with families is very short. To change this aspect of ministry in the parish a small group met to discuss and plan a different approach. An invitation was sent to all families who had brought their babies for baptism over the last two years to attend a 'Baptism Celebration' service and afternoon tea. From 30 invitations sent out eight families responded and joined members of the parish in a service at St James' on Sunday 27th October. The service was short and involved candles, water, singing and prayer. Each family was asked to bring a memento of their child's baptism and these were used as a discussion topic when the congregation split into small groups in place of a sermon. Following the service the Mothers' Union organised afternoon tea in the Fellowship Room where the next hour and a half was spent making new connections and friends. A bookstall was also available with a selection of children's Christian books. Can we do this again?The aims of the gathering were to make connections with young families and find ways to be the church with them in their busy lifestyles. To assist them to make new relationships with others who have shared a spiritual moment in the life of the parish; and to explore further ways to build relationships with them. Some of the comments that followed the service were: Perfect time for a service (2.00 p.m.), Can we do this again? The bookstall was great idea. The future focus will be to have a bimonthly service that will offer a time of worship, fellowship and the opportunity to make connections with God in the midst of a busy life. |
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