Category: newsletter (Page 1 of 13)

Arthur Anderton

**This is an interview with fictional congregation member Arthur Anderton as a part of a series to commemorate 175 years of St. Mark’s Anglican Church.**

The foundation stone of St. Marks was laid in 1850 by Reverend E. Rogers.

The church was completed in 1856 but was at first just a tiny building, receiving extensions over subsequent years. A little over 100 years later, I began attending services at St. Marks with my family after moving to Picton from northern NSW. St Mark’s had its centenary celebration in 1958, and I had the pleasure of unveiling the new communion table which served as a memorial to the Larkins, a founding family  of St. Marks. Ms Jane Eva Larkin was the beloved Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years until she passed away in 1944. Some former attendees of the Sunday School were present during the unveiling of the communion table, now adults with children of their own. It felt a very special occasion to be a part of. 

At the celebration, I was introduced to some of the most faithful long-standing members of St. Mark’s, including a very expressive one: the organ. Did you know that before electricity, the organ was operated by a manual blower? Yes, the church employed a person whose job it was to stand near the back of the organ and work the handle of the pump so that it delivered air to the organ. That’s something we can’t quite picture happening at today’s services! The organ continues to be a part of the worship music ensemble at St. Mark’s. Although its absence in the future would in no way take away from the legitimacy of worship on Sundays, it is still a nice little nod to the past. 

In the two decades after the foundation stone of St. Marks was laid, Picton’s population almost tripled, and with that came a growing need for more worship meetings, not only at St. Mark’s but in other areas making up what we know as the Wollondilly. In the 1920’s, the parish Reverend Powys wrote of travelling 4,000 miles in one year by motor car and horse to attend various services within the expansive Picton parish! Fortunately, we don’t have to cross rough tracks for miles or flooded rivers to attend services. I like to think of this as a reminder of how earnest and faithful people were about meeting together as Christians in worship of God.

The building and grounds at St. Marks carries with it an abundance of priceless history about its pioneering members, architecture and purpose. Brick-by-brick the church was built, and underwent multiple changes in structure over time – several new roofs, for instance. The people of St. Mark’s have also been built up, have changed, have been reinforced and renewed by our good God, the best architect and planner of our lives. A lot changed in Picton over 100 years, and more still over the 75 years that followed on. You can imagine how bustling Picton town is today in comparison to when the site for St. Mark’s was first considered by Major Henry Antill. I take comfort in what will never change – what is eternal, regardless of how a building might weather; how faces will change and populations will grow. God will always remain with his people. 

Written by Rachel Winn

Titus

As we conclude* our 7 week series looking at the book of Titus: what have you learned? What have you been encouraged by? What have you been challenged by?

Paul concludes his book with this challenge in chapter 3 verse 14:

‘Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.’

Our Bible study group was surprised to read about productivity in the Bible. It follows on from a description of what is excellent and profitable for everyone in verse 8. Productivity and profit are good aims – but our productivity and profit is not for ourselves, but for the benefit of others.

One way to think about this is that we each seek to be a contributor to others. We aim to be givers, not takers. We want to be in community, not just individuals. Please take a moment to read over the book of Titus and think about what you’ve learned. Come prepared to share something at Church, or come prepared with a question to ask.

Yours in Christ,

Ben

*We conclude Titus on 13 July at Picton and 20 July at Wilton.

Donate to Anglicare

When you’re living week-to-week, it doesn’t take much to start pushing you into debt. Even a small expense can force you to make impossible choices… especially when they come out of the blue.

The car that you drive to get to work every day breaks down… do you pay for repairs or your rent? Your child is outgrowing their uniform… do you send them to school embarrassed or pay your power bill? You need to see a specialist… but how can you afford to take care of your health as well as feeding your family this week?

And bigger setbacks like job loss or rent increases can have even more dire consequences for families who are already struggling to make ends meet. That’s where your kindness comes in!

Today your compassionate gift through Anglicare means urgently needed practical help for families who are doing it tough. So they can stop making impossible choices!

Click here to find out more and to give to the work of Anglicare: https://www.anglicare.org.au/ways-to-give/

Yours in Christ,
Ben

All donations over $2 to Anglicare are tax deductible

Planning

It’s time to do some planning.

Back in 2021 we made the big decision to employ Scott Williams as an assistant minister, doubling our Church budget, enabling us to plant a second Wilton congregation aswell as continue to develop our Youth and Young Adults ministry. We had the intention of running down our bank balance for a few years as we grew ourselves into a sustainable two minister Church. Next year we’ll have achieved those goals and more!

So its time to do some planning.

We’re currently working on a Strategic Plan to help the growing populations of Wilton and Picton find Life in Christ and to grow our Churches for the glory of God. Part of this process involves applying to get help from the diocese* in developing our Wilton Church site to serve the growing population.

We hope to reveal some of these plans at a PWAC Vision Sunday Combined service at 10am on 31st August at the Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre, followed by opportunities for feedback and consultation during September. In the meantime, we really appreciate your prayers and are happy to hear your ideas and dreams for the future.

Blessings,

Ben

*by participating in the Urban Renewal Pilot Program

Dancing Man

As we think about what makes a good leader from Titus 1:5-9 – join me in praying that God will raise up leaders of godly character and gospel convictions who can serve among us for God’s glory.  Also pray that we’d all be good followers of Jesus Christ, first and foremost.
At the Wollongong Regional Conference last week Tim Dyer shared with the Church workers from the Anglican Church about ‘followership’.  One of the things that struck me was the power and influence of the ‘first follower’.  A leader can be doing a great job of teaching and modelling the Christian life, but the first follower shows everybody that a normal person can do it and often is the most important step in everybody getting on board.  
Your commitment to Christ and participation in Church life is much more powerful and influencial than you may realise.  As you strive to live a godly life in obedience to Christ you are having an influence on everyone around you.  For more on this concept see the Dancing Man leadership video.
Blessings,
Ben

Lament

The most encouraging thing I received this week was permission to be sad.  
At the Wollongong Region Ministry Conference we heard (among many other things) Jay Behan from New Zealand share from Psalm 6 about the power of lament.  
Life is sometimes very very sad and hard.  Unfortunately, in this broken world marred by sin, we will face suffering, pain and injustice.  There are many Psalms which help us express sadness, frustration and even anger at God – the important thing they do is help us turn towards God in our pain, instead of away from him.
In Church we often sing songs of triumph, hope, joy and victory – and these are great and true songs to sing – but we also need to sing songs of grief and suffering, lament and pain.  Crying out to God for relief, for comfort, for respite.
Our God is not far off and distant, he wants to hear our prayers of sorrow and crying out in pain.  He understands and has suffered in His Son even more than we can imagine – and he did so at the cross so that we might look forward to an eternity free from pain and suffering when Jesus returns.
But for now we often cry with King David:
‘Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in deep anguish.  How long, LORD, how long?’ 
 – Psalm 6:2-3.

Blessings,
Ben

The Harvest is Plentiful

Scott and I sat down together yesterday to gather some thoughts and ideas about what we should focus on as a Church over the next 5-10 years. As we looked at the data something struck me. There are forecast to be nearly 70,000 people in our parish by 2060. In fact, our population is predicted to increase from 12,000 to 18,000 people over the next 5 years, and to increase to 37,000 in the 10 years following that.

These are all people who need to hear about Jesus. What a wonderful opportunity we have to share the good news with them.

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

– Matthew 9:37-38.

Will you join me in praying and planning to make the most of every opportunity our Lord brings before us to share the good news of Life in Christ?

Blessings,

Ben

175 Years: An Interview with Joan Brown

*This interview is a part of a series to commemorate 175 years of St. Mark’s Anglican Church.*

You have a very in-depth connection with St. Mark’s going back a number of years!

My first beautiful memories of St. Mark’s was as a small child visiting the resting places of my great-grandparents, who had arrived in Picton (from Ireland) after a long sea voyage as young children in 1848, and began farming in a wonderful valley North of Picton. The church was built in 1850, so they were here at the very beginning of the opening of the church and formed the foundation, along with other pioneer families, for St. Marks. 

The cemetery on the grounds of St. Mark’s is also a local historic landmark and has a special connection to your family. Can you tell us about that?

I recall listening quietly to my Grandmother and mother lovingly talking about these special people who I had never met – as incredibly strong, loving, and devout Christians who helped begin the early settlement of Picton. I adored bringing fresh flowers to their headstones and saying a special prayer of thanks for being part of a strong, caring and safe community under the special care of our loving God. 

What are some important moments throughout your life that were spent at St. Mark’s? 

In 1939, I was Christened by Rev. Fred Shaw at the church’s font that still remains today for our babies, and later in my high school years was confirmed by Rev. Barry Schofield. We had Sunday School here when we were children. In 1962, my husband, Garry Brown and I were married here with organist Mrs. Ingleton’s daughter, Joan playing for us, and in 1967 our dear baby Michael was also christened here. 

In your view, what impact has the church had on the lives of its congregation members?

The friendships and wonderfully kind community here has always been a caring atmosphere to visit; with family, friends and visitors always welcome with warmth and open arms. The people who have come to church here have become very, very close friends, which has been that way since my family first came here. Our congregation has been blessed to have our present Senior Minister, Ben, and assistant Greg, as well as an engaging team who are dedicated to PWAC. I never wake in the mornings without giving thanks to God for this outstandingly safe and friendly place, in the best country on Earth to grow up and rear a beautiful family. 

Interviewed by Rachel Winn.

Security Measures

I’m not sure whether I’m Boggis, Bunce, or Bean*, but the last few nights we’ve been engaged in a battle of wits with a Fox who is determined to eat our chickens.

The first night our daughter, Issy (first on the scene), saw the fox in the chicken run with a chicken in its mouth – but she and our dog scared it off and somehow all the chickens survived the ordeal (so far – they may yet die from injury). The next day I spent some time securing the chicken run so that last night, although the chickens alerted us to the foxes return, he couldn’t get into the chickens. It remains to be seen whether he makes a third attempt tonight and whether my security measures will be sufficient.

In Ephesians 6 we’re encouraged to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. He has equipped us with the full armour of God so that we can take our stand against the devils schemes.

Are your security measures in place against Satan’s schemes? – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Let’s put on the full armour of God – and live our lives secure and safe in God’s strength!

Blessings,

Ben

*Characters from Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’

4 May = Prayer Day

This Sunday 4 May, our Archbishop has declared to be a Day of Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel across our Sydney Anglican fellowship. There is a central prayer meeting at the Sydney Cathedral at 2:30pm which everyone is welcome to attend, but there will also be a focus on prayer for the spread of the gospel in all of our Anglican Churches on this day. It’s great to have an archbishop who leads us in prayer and its great to have a God who loves to answer our prayers – so let’s pray!

It was so wonderful to have full churches over the Easter weekend, with many visitors at all of our 5 services – both Christians who have moved into the area and are finding a new Church, and not-yet Christians wanting to participate in our Easter celebrations.

We’re following this up by inviting people to participate in the ‘Hope Explored’ course where they can get a foundational understanding of the Christian faith and the Hope, Peace and Purpose that Jesus offers. If you’re interested in participating in Hope Explored, please reply to this email to let me know – it starts this Sunday at Picton 10:30am and Wilton 4:30pm – and another weeknight option will start in a few weeks.

Yours in Christ,

Ben

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