From the Rector

Dear friends

as this edition goes to print, we are still journeying through Lent, but Easter is approaching at a fast rate. There never seems enough time between Christmas and Easter celebrations to fully restore energy and inspiration, I guess that’s why Lent is such a good thing, to slow us up and help us focus on our spiritual journeys and our relationship with God. I am personally finding Lent this year an encouragement despite the busyness that surrounds me day by day. I have a real sense that God is walking with me, and even carrying me at times (like in the “Footprints” poem).

I am delighted at the number of people engaged in small group Lenten studies around the Parish. Several different studies are being used, but people seem to be finding them all of benefit.

This Logos is filled with news of much that has happened over the past few months in the Parish as well as notice of new initiatives that are being planned.

I am very excited about our new Outreach programme, “Introducing God” which will take place during the months of June and July. This will be a series of small group gatherings over 8 weeks, in people’s homes, specifically designed for those coming from ‘no faith’ or ‘little faith’ backgrounds. We are extending invitations via a variety of methods, however I am hoping that people will be able to pray about particular family members, friends and neighbours, and also perhaps workmates that they may like to invite along, and then companion along the way.

I attended the Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at City Hall this week, which was a great morning with an excellent address from Rev Tim Costello. The room was filled with leaders from many different churches across the city. The “Yes We Care” campaign was launched, which will take place on the first weekend in June. It will involve small groups of people providing assistance to needy families by way of undertaking tasks to help them in their homes, such as mowing, cleaning, shopping etc. This will be happening across the city of Brisbane, involving many churches, with families identified by the City Council as in need of assistance. I am really hopeful that we can get a few groups of people together to be involved in this project.

In August this year, we will again be conducting our Stewardship campaign, and letters will be sent to everyone in sufficient time. We hope to have a range of speakers again at each church.

I hope people will be able to come to our two Patronal Festivals; Pentecost on 27^th May, for Holy Spirit Kenmore, and Good Shepherd Sunday on 29^th April for Good Shepherd Brookfield. These will be great uplifting worship services and celebrations, so please take note of the dates and come along.

I am very pleased that we have an energetic and enthusiastic fund raising committee with lots of events planned for this year. Our first event of the year, the “Barefoot Bowls” afternoon last week was a resounding success and a great deal of fun (despite it being on one of the hottest days of the year). Please do check the website regularly for the next events. It is terrific to be able to have fun together as a Godly family and still be able to raise funds to enable our significant maintenance and property issues to be addressed.

New things to look for in the coming months include a new playgroup for littlies at Holy Spirit Kenmore, as well as a new programme for the post teenage group. Thanks are due to Rev Lorraine for her excellent work in developing these new initiatives. At Good Shepherd Brookfield look out also for the new sign outside, as well as air conditioning inside the church and at Holy Spirit Kenmore for new water tanks behind the hall and, although it might take a little longer, a newly paved courtyard.

In my own family we are very excitedly looking forward to a new grandchild. Our daughter Judy in Perth is expecting what we believe will be our first granddaughter after our four delightful grandsons. What joy!

As we approach the Easter Season, I have a very strong sense of Resurrection. There have been and still are difficult times day by day, but I focus on the Resurrection. God brings light into darkness, new life into things that are dying and dark and painful, and I truly believe that to be so. May God bring new life into your lives this Easter time, and may you find the Spirit leading you to come and worship Him through all the beautiful and moving Services that make up our Easter Season.

Here is a prayer to pray for Easter Day from the Lenten Study Booklet “Our Life and Death is with our Neighbour”.

Lord God, we celebrate the dying
And rising of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Help us to look at life through
His Resurrection, to welcome your love,
To receive your life, to ask forgiveness
And to be willing to forgive,
To undermine the foundations of despair.
Amen.

Rev Bev