WWW.THESENTINELNEWS.COM.AU From the Parson’s Pen Meeting Others (Chance or God’s will) In looking at this question I cannot come up with definite “yes” or “no” to either proposition. What I can do is attempt to REFLECT on the question and come up with some thoughts that emerge. As I go about my daily life I include large chunks of prayer in my routine. Part of this prayer routine involves maintaining a prayer diary. It goes as follows:- Before commencing Evening Prayer I have a number of spiritual exercises that I try to complete before moving on to the formal devotions. This ‘exercise’ involves using an A4 diary (one page per day) and going through the following reflections. • Giving thanks. I call to mind all of the things I have to be thankful for (people and situations). • Prayer for. This includes a range people and situations • Forgiveness. Those I need to forgive and anything I need forgiveness for. • Commend. This involves reflecting ahead to the night and the day to follow this one. In all of these processes I am trying to ‘line myself up with God’ so, in everything I do I am trying to discern God’s will for me in the situations I know about as well as the one’s I don’t yet know about. One of the tasks of a Christian is to learn to see the world ‘as Jesus would see it’; to deal with each person and situation as Jesus would do so. So, by keeping God in my awareness, I am opening myself up to whatever comes my way that I may respond to it not only in a human way but also in a God-like way. When I reflect on my day during this exercise I don’t (necessarily) feel that every encounter or happening was ‘engineered by God’ but, there are many times when I have to wonder if something (or some one) entered my life because I had opened myself up to what God wanted me to do. Rev.d Greg Clarke. St. John’s Anglican Church 36 Grey St, Clarence Town Pastor: Rev Kimbalee Hodges Service Times: Every Sunday, Holy Communion at 10am We had a lovely Pentecost Service on the 8th June, which was also the birthday of one of our muchloved parishioners, Russell. Great to spend that time with him. The church was decorated with Pentecost banners and also red balloons. It looked very festive, as a birthday should. Pentecost is referred to as the Church’s birthday, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus and they were empowered and sent out into the world to preach the Good News of Christ and the way to salvation and eternal life. We were finally able to get out lawns mown, thank you. It has just been too wet. They looked great for Pentecost. We are organizing more gravel for our car park too, so that we don’t sink when it is wet. A theft – someone has stolen the Glen William Cemetery sign, sadly. Can’t imagine what they would want it for. Although it looked like a council sign, our church did actually pay for the sign and it would be wonderful if it was returned. As Margaret has mentioned in her Christ Church report, we are sadly saying farewell to our Rev Kimbalee. All too soon for us, but her last service at Clarence Town will be on Sunday, 20th July, at 10am followed by lunch in our hall. Please note – there will not be a service at St. John’s on Sunday, 27th July as that will be the combined service at Christ Church, Dungog, and the Parish’s official farewell. The Rev.d Neville Schofield will be caring for our parish until a new priest is commissioned and we look forward to sharing fellowship with him and Jane. Our Op Shop/Treasure Centre is open each Wednesday from 8.30am to noon and our Sunday Services are at 10am each Sunday (with the exception of the 27th July). Sue Flannery Robyn Keller Religious Marriage Celebrant 02 4996 4061 0400 033 873 robynak@aapt.net.au It is your wedding DRESSMAKER
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