 We're trialing a new youth group we're in collaboration with some other local churches - St Peter's Anglican, Mornington, and St Mark's Anglican, Dromana.
We're calling it 'Beachside Youth' and it will occur once a month on the second Sunday of the month until the end of the year as we try this out and see if it works for everyone. The Details: Our first one is this Sunday, 12th July from 4-6pm followed by family BBQ dinner (donation). (Parents are welcome to stay and hang out / meet other parents during youth group time). This one will be at Mount Eliza Anglican Church, 105 Koetong Parade, Mount Eliza. What we'll do at youth group: (Similar vibes but different topics) Our topic for the evening is 'Screen Time' - we'll watch an Alpha Life Essentials video that raises some things to think about re screen time, identity & belonging, and then have some chats in small groups after and explore what we think and discuss how God values us. We'll be rolling with the Screen Time theme and playing some Mario Kart racing as we get to know each other, AND do a fun live-action game version. At the end of the night (6pm), families are welcome to join us for a BBQ dinner (donation) (feel free to bring a salad or something to share). Invitation: If you're interested in this - we'd love to have you come along and join us! Let us know if your youth are keen to come along & if you'll come for dinner (for catering numbers). This idea started from some other local parents who wanted something for their teenagers but also wanted to balance that with all their other weekly commitments. We're not really sure yet if this will fit the bill - but we've been working with the youth, parents, and churches to hopefully make a go of this together and see where it goes. If you'd like to feed into this process, meet the others and get involved, we'd love to hear from you! Amy
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 As many of you know, last October I went part-time with church work to take on a new 'Schools Engagement' position working for the Melbourne Anglican Foundation. Many of you have asked Tanya & myself, 'so what exactly do you do in your other work with schools?' Thanks for asking! If you picture a Venn Diagram, where one circle represents Schools, and the other circle represents the Anglican Church in Melbourne, the crossover in the middle is where my work occurs using Social Justice issues to bridge the gap and share our faith in Jesus with students. This Sunday I'm going to give you a taster of some of the talks I have given this year in different lessons, chapel services or workshops at different Schools (Anglican and Other) around Melbourne. I'll show you some of the projects students are doing and share the collaborative events the Melbourne Anglican Foundation are working on to engage students with their local church and the needs of their community. We'll finish with some ways you can pray for this work and for young people to come to know Christ. I hope you can join us. Amy  How passionate are you about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ?
The call to share the good news is not just a task for a select few - it’s the heartbeat of the Church. From the earliest days of the apostles to the present, believers have been entrusted with a mission that transcends cultures, borders, and generations. In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus gives what we now call the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is not a suggestion - it’s a command rooted in love, obedience, and the urgency of eternity. The Church, as the body of Christ, exists not only to worship and grow in faith but also to be a light to the world, carrying the message of salvation to those who have yet to hear it. Our Church has a role in this Mission. We are a launchpad for gospel work. We equip people through teaching, discipleship, and prayer, and send you (and our partnering missionaries) into our local communities and beyond. Our mission doesn’t stop at the church doors—it extends to the ends of the earth. One of our Mission Partner organisations ‘Samaritan's Purse’ will be visiting this Sunday. They set a great example of living out the Great Commission. They are known for their humanitarian aid and disaster relief, they combine practical help with the hope of the gospel. Whether it’s delivering food to disaster zones, providing medical care in crisis areas, or distributing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes filled with gifts and Scripture, their mission is clear: to meet physical needs while pointing people to Jesus. Their work reflects the truth that the gospel is not only spoken - it’s demonstrated through acts of compassion. Just as Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry while proclaiming the Kingdom, Samaritan’s Purse embodies a holistic approach to mission. We too ought to take the same approach as we each share the Gospel with others. Remember, spreading the gospel is not limited to missionaries overseas - it’s a calling for every believer, every day. For each of us it might look like:
The gospel is the most precious message we can carry, and we are called to be bold, compassionate, and faithful in sharing it - whether across the street or across the globe. And we must do so prayerfully, wisely, and graciously. Paul writes: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message… Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2-6) So, prayer needs to fuel our mission, wisdom shape our witness, and grace season our words. The Great Commission is a lifelong journey, for every single one of us, and God has promised His presence every step of the way. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." — Matthew 28:20. So be encouraged to obey Christ’s command and share the good news of Jesus with someone today. In Christ, Rev Tanya When we think about God, joy might not always be the first attribute that comes to mind. Many imagine Him as solemn, serious, and distant. Yet, Scripture paints a far more vibrant picture — one of a God who delights in His creation, rejoices over His people, and invites us into a celebration beyond our imagination.
Two passages we will read this Sunday Revelation 21:1–7 and Matthew 22:2–14, give us a glimpse of this joy-filled heart of God. Together, they reveal a God who not only restores all things but also throws open the doors to His eternal banquet. In Revelation 21, John describes a breathtaking vision: a new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with His people. Every tear is wiped away, death is no more, and sorrow is replaced with unending joy. This is not the image of a reluctant ruler tolerating His subjects — it’s the picture of a joyful Creator making all things new. The language is deeply personal: “They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” This is the joy of reunion, restoration, and relationship. God’s joy is not abstract; it’s relational. He delights in being with His people, and His ultimate plan is to remove every barrier that keeps us from Him. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells the parable of a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. The feast is lavish, the invitation is generous, and the joy is overflowing. Yet, surprisingly, many refuse to come. This parable reveals another facet of God’s joy — He is a God who invites. The banquet is a symbol of His kingdom, a place of abundance, celebration, and love. But the joy of the feast is not complete without guests. God’s heart is to see His table full, His people gathered, and His joy shared. The sobering twist is that some reject the invitation, and others try to enter on their own terms. The joy of God’s kingdom is freely offered, but it must be received with humility and readiness. When we hold these two passages together, we see a God whose joy is both restorative and invitational. He is not content with a broken world — He is making all things new. He is not satisfied with an empty table — He calls everyone to come and feast. For us, this means joy is not just something we experience in God’s presence; it’s something we are called to reflect. We live now as people who have tasted the first fruits of that coming feast, inviting others to join in and pointing toward the day when God’s joy will fill all creation. The joyful God is not a distant deity but a loving King preparing a wedding feast and a faithful Creator renewing His world. His joy is not just for Himself — it’s for us, with us, and through us. The question is: will we accept His invitation and live in the light of His coming joy Yours in Christ, Rev Tanya What, if you lost it, would make you feel that life wasn't worth living?
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