News from Charleville - February 2022

News from Charleville

From Irene Frances (Lay Minister in Charleville Parish) edited with permission by The Rev'd Michael. Stalley

I have been very busy on several fronts this year. As Lay Minister at All Saints Anglican Church, I have conducted three more funerals in the past five weeks, the last two on Saturday in Charleville and Monday morning in Augathella, about 90km away. In addition, I organised the combined churches Church service held on Sunday (we have one when there is a fifth Sunday in the month). The Lutheran minister led the service, which had an Australia Day theme. It was well attended, and these services are being described as a blessing to those who attend. On Sunday afternoon, I also had a meeting with key people from the different churches to discuss future events for this year. This includes a combined Alpha course to begin after Easter and a community picnic lunch on Easter Sunday, as well as further combined church services. It’s going to be a full year again.

One of the challenges of rural living is the distances we have to travel for medical services. My doctor recently sent me for tests in Roma. A ten-minute appointment required 6 hrs driving. This was made more please by how green the country side currently is.

So, life here is challenging, enjoyable, rich in so many ways and seldom mundane. It would be wonderful to have a minister to lead us, but Lindy and I do enjoy managing to guide our little flock. We have about 8 to 10 people each week and we are all learning to care for one another in practical ways.

I have begun visiting people in our aged care facility again and will begin our monthly services there tomorrow. These will primarily be song services as this seems to be what residents prefer. I’ll be using YouTube and Bluetooth to play older hymns, which they may recall from their younger days.

I am blessed to have contact with Rev’d Mark Vincent, St Paul’s Anglican Church, East Brisbane, who often phones to see how I’m going and has become something of a mentor for me. He’s teaching me how to say “no” to those things I am expected to do but which I do not have time or energy to follow up on. It surprises me how much is expected of me in this role when I am not ordained and I am well over the age of priests to continue in this work. It can be quite lonely in this role, hence why I appreciate Mark’s input and of course, Lindy’s care and support.

Lindy never ceases to amaze me with how much she does for our church and the community. Lindy and her husband have a property about 100km out of town as well as their town house, and she works for Anglicare as well as being a music teacher and very involved in organising the annual Charleville Performing Arts Festival, as well as being involved in the Charleville Show. Lindy has a rich Anglican heritage and her understanding of the Anglican scene is very helpful; she puts me straight when I get a bit lost in it. I think we are a good team – she is also the church Treasurer, and is preparing for the AGM to be held on Sunday.

That’s about it for now.

Many blessings to you and the St Bart’s family.

News for Sunday 20 February - 125th Anniversary Celebrations

Today we celebrate 125 years since the first Anglican service was held in a newly built church in Mt Gravatt. In reading the history of the first 100 years, I had a strong sense of the effort and sacrifice of clergy and laypeople to establish this faith community through difficult years. There are also stories of flourishing and growth, particularly in the second half of the 20th Century. It is great to remember and put together this church's story as it has sort to be the Anglican Church in Mt Gravatt.

I find it very helpful to reflect on the ways faithful people have partnered with God and each other to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The early years have stories of profound dedication to the provision of worship here and the surrounding districts. After the establishment of the Mt Gravatt parish in the late '60s there was a proliferation of active groups such as CEB's and GFS, Mother's Union, and activities for the retired and elderly. Many of you will have memories of other activities and events that have formed the character and life of this church. The parish has played a vital role in supporting community initiatives such as Mens' Shed and Nathaniel House in more recent times.

Today's celebrations are not as grand as 25 years ago, but they are no less important. Our community and lives are very different even after this short period. Much of what we fondly remember is no longer, and we can wonder why.

I think we can draw hope from the faithfulness of those who have come before us, particularly how they responded to God's calling for the church and community at that time. It is our turn to ask the same question, how is God calling us now? It is timely to remember that the Gospel of love we have to share is dynamic. Once again, it can speak hope and love into our lives and the community around us. I invite you to join with others in our church to ask once more how God calls us to know Christ and make Christ known.