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Tasmanian Anglican

February 2005

 

When the people of God gather...

by Helen Chick

 

 

News from the Associated Anglican Parishes of Longford/Perth, Evandale/The Nile and Quamby

Liturgy Workshops, a Ministry Initiative of Longford Anglican Church and the Missionary Diocese of Tasmania, were held at the Longford Anglican Church 17-20 November, 2004 and facilitated by Jill McCoy, Lecturer for Christian Worship at Ridley Theological College, Melbourne. (Jill conducted workshops at Burnie the previous weekend.)

Thirty-seven people, both clergy and lay, attended from our Cluster of three parishes, from Oatlands (Southern Midlands) and from Riverside/Trevallyn (now Riverlinks). We received very positive feedback and requests for more; so we are continuing to explore opportunities for more equipping workshops so that we may grow and mature as the Body of Christ.

Workshop content was tailored to focus on the theology of worship, especially corporate worship and practical equipping for the reading aloud of God's Word and corporate prayer. Being an excellent facilitator, communicator and teacher, Jill met all these requirements and was received so positively.

We see these Liturgy Workshops as coming under the umbrella of Equipping Workshops, and want to hold such workshops once a year, intent on enabling people to better serve God and God's people. We also seek a wider and deeper representation from parishes in the North. So many ministry areas could be encompassed in such Equipping Workshops.

Connecting with our community

In the aftermath of the tsunami disaster three ecumenical services were held in our Cluster at Evandale, Westbury and Longford, to provide opportunity for the Cluster and their wider communities to come together in the name of Jesus to acknowledge, share and be strengthened amidst the ongoing suffering. This has been such a worthwhile and enriching ministry for all concerned, particularly in co-operating and ministering together across denominational areas.

There have also been other times of prayer, praise, reflection, teaching and connecting with our local communities. For example, Evandale parishioners were at the Evandale Market collecting on behalf of Red Cross. The Parish of Evandale/Nile will be visible at the National Penny Farthing Race at Evandale in February when they help with car-parking, refreshments and an Arts Floral Festival at the church; and the Parish of Longford/Perth will hold its Annual Fête at Christ Church, Longford on Saturday 26 February.

Contact the Cluster Ministry Team: Rector the Revd Geoff Bransgrove, the Rev. Helen Chick 6391 2307, the Rev. Sheila Holmes, the Rev. Peter Johnson, the Rev. Josephine Pyecroft.