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Our Diocese Ministry Conference last week really was inspirational. I came home feeling very much encouraged by the collaborative process they are undertaking by listening and discerning together with local parishes. If you gave feedback during the listening in lent campaign, know that each and every word was read, prayed over and considered, together with the thousands of other responses. If you're interested in reading a summary of those responses, you can do so here.
I was also deeply encouraged by the fellowship, the shared mission, the stories of renewal, the music and the chance to feed into key components of our shared vision and strategy together. To give you a little taste, click on the following links:
I hope you are just as encouraged as I am by the openness, transparency and willingness to engage with all parishes at all levels of leadership being displayed in this way. I am filled with hope as I consider the future of our Dicoese. As we begin a new series in Daniel this week, I pray that each of us are encouraged to stand firm in our faith and step out in hope that Jesus is very much at work in our world, even when the world is hostile towards him. If you're interested in viewing an overview of Daniel ahead of Sunday, click here. Amy Rev'd Amy Brown
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 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  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 |
