St Cath's

Thanks to all those who attended or were involved in our big day yesterday: Breakfast. All Age Service and Commissioning of Leaders and particularly Joshua, Ella, Ben, Amy, Victoria and Thalia who led our teaching together with Anna and Jonno who prepared them - an awesome effort! If you missed it, you can listen to the audio here.

This week's headlines may be found below:

Soul Survivor Melbourne is a volunteer run organisation dedicated to encouraging and equipping young people to know Jesus Christ, and live radically as his disciples.

In April Soul Survivor Melbourne puts on a festival for young people. Whilst each year has a different theme, our overall aim is to come together as different people from different walks of life and to meet with God.

We seek His Holy Spirit in our lives so that we can go out and put into action what we believe.

We are passionate about worshiping God, being refreshed through His Spirit, learning from His word and having fun!

St Catharine’s is proud to partner with Soul Survivor and will be taking a group of our teens to the festival this year.

Please speak to Adam if you’re interested in attending.

Prayer Ministry Training
continues this Tuesday Evening

Our training commenced last Tuesday. It’s not too late to jump on board if you’re keen to learn more. This is open to all interested. More details here: https://goo.gl/b73VUB. 7-9pm at St Cath's (over 8 Tuesdays).

Invitation - Shelford Easter Service

You are warmly invited to join Shelford students on Tuesday 28 March at 11.45 am for their annual Easter Service entitled “She Speaks”. This is a creative service that will involve several of our St Cath’s young people. The Service will be held in the Shelford Hall (sign in at Reception).

Interment of Ashes of Hazel Da Costa

Hazel Da Costa was a long-time member of St Catharine’s, having been baptised and married at St Cath’s. She passed away last September and her service of thanksgiving was celebrated at St Catharine’s. Her family will join us next Sunday morning at our 9.30 am service. Immediately following the service we will move into the Memorial Garden where we will have a brief service of interment and commit her ashes to the ground.

The Catharine's Pastoral Team

As Coptic Christians continue to flee for their lives from the threat of ISIS in Egypt, the head of the Coptic Church in the UK has called out the ‘horrific attacks’ that have claimed 40 Christians in the last three months.

‘Incitement by terrorist groups that calls for the killing of Christians in Egypt has spiralled over the past weeks to the extent that lists of churches and individuals have now been released as desirable targets.’

Attacks have also escalated in recent weeks following the release of an ISIS video which incited fellow jihadists to target the ‘infidel’ Christian community. Hundreds have now fled from El-Arish in Sinai, Northern Egypt, and as His Grace told Christian Today yesterday, specific lists of Christian targets have been circulated among militants.

‘These horrific attacks have gone largely unnoticed by the international community, but Copts continue to suffer tragic violations daily. The attacks against them are anti-Christian and religiously-motivated, demonstrated in many cases by the circulation of flyers within villages urging Christians to ‘leave or die’.

The bishop highlighted the resilience of the community that has remained steadfast, and forgiving to its persecutors, despite constant opposition. He said: ‘After the destruction of over 100 places of Christian ministry and worship in August of 2013, the bombing of various churches across the country in the last decade, and the targeted killing of clergy, families, women and children, purely for their Faith, the community and individuals within it remain non-violent and resilient.’

Coptic Christians represent about 10 per cent of Egypt’s majority Muslim population.

Pray for the families of those who have been killed. The comfort and peace of Christ to fill their hearts and homes in their times of grief.
Pray for Egyptian Christians to receive the encouragement and boldness they need to stand firm before their oppressors.
Pray for Egyptian Christians to rise up in faith and witness and they have boldness to share Christ’s love with their families, neighbours and communities.
Pray for those perpetrators who seek to harm the Christian community, that they will have life changing encounters with Jesus Christ, so that they will experience the love of the living God and they will become conscious of the true value of every life that appears to be dispensable in their eyes.

St Cath's News: 20 March 2017