Dear Friends,

If the vaccination numbers continue growing as they do, our opportunity to meet together again is not too far away now. Like me, you might have been disheartened by the spike in the case numbers announced on Thursday, but the increasing numbers of those first-time and fully vaccinated is what I am personally concentrating on.

Through an email from a friend this week I received encouragement to ensure my focus is on continuing to hope in God’s faithfulness to us and care for us, to trust in God. In the face of these complex and wearying times it is a time to just do the best we can, to take care of ourselves. What does that include? As we remain faithful and hopeful we will not be downcast, but in hope we lift up our eyes, heads, hands, hearts, and our minds to God. And most importantly, we should confidently lift up our prayers at this time. As always, you are welcome to get in touch and let us know how we can pray for you. The staff gather each morning to pray for our congregations and ministry, our world, and those charged with keeping us safe during this pandemic. Do feel free to email or phone if we can particularly help in lifting you up.

Grace and peace,
Heather.

This Sunday

English Conversation Classes Return

Other Notices

• Creation-tide Sermon Series beginning next Sunday As we all enjoy the beauty of creation at this time of year as plants burst into spring-time life, the days grow longer and the air warms up, we turn our attention to God’s glorious creation and our place in being stewards of both it and all the good gifts we enjoy from God. Along with our themed services and sermons, we will gather for Bible studies and have material on which to reflect during the week in our own personal devotional times. The Dean will give the first sermon next Sunday.

• Today is the National Day of Action for Australia’s 2030 Climate Target, and we’re adding our voice to call on the Government to match the USA & UK’s target to halve emissions by 2030, and to commit to net-zero by 2050. We're encouraging everyone to make their voice heard, by writing to their Local MP, Minister for Environment or the Prime Minister to call for greater action to prevent a Climate Emergency. Resources for writing a letter can be found on our Climate Action Campaign website: www.cathedral.org.au/climateaction

• New Organ Blower installed Works to replace the 90-year-old Organ Blower have now been completed and our Lewis Organ has been given a new lease on life. Thank you to everyone who has been involved and supported this project. Read more about the project here >
   
• Carols at Curfew Each night at curfew we invite you to unite with us in voice as we sing hymns of praise and hope to lighten the night! We’ll be sharing a hymn, blessing, and organ piece at 9pm every night of curfew to proclaim the light and hope we find in God’s unfailing love.
  Join us online here >
   
• How do you live out God's will in your daily life? Canon Robert continues his reflection's on the Lord's Prayer, focusing on how we can more faithfully live out God's will 'on earth as is in heaven'. Read it here >

Prayer & Worship at Home

Read the Bible With Us

• An order for Morning and Evening Prayer with Readings can be found here
• You can download the ePray app for your iPhone or Android device here.
• Access our 'Worship at Home' Resources online here

Pray with us

The World
Amid internationally fragile relationships with the Taliban, we continue to pray for the people of Afghanistan, for human rights to be upheld, for the Taliban leadership to be true to promises of security for citizens, and for the watching world to pray faithfully for future peace. We pray against Democratic Republic of Congo human rights abuses, highlighted by the UN, perpetrated by armed groups, originating in long-term ethnic friction. Tunisia’s president who seized power, has called on a woman to fill the role of Prime Minister to form a government. This appears to be a diplomatic and democratic move to combat corruption and chaos in the escalating political crisis, and so we give thanks. Nigeria’s military has accused Islamic State-aligned fighters and criminals of being behind the violent attacks on worshippers and civilians as we pray for calm and peace to ensue. In Malaysia, we pray for the movement of youth intent on political, economic and social reform as it seeks justice in the handling of the COVID pandemic in their country. North Korea has carried out its third missile test this month, and so we pray for an easing of tensions in the region, calm responses and a wise path forward as the perceived need for heightened international defence capabilities is addressed. We give thanks for the lifting of Japan’s COVID emergency after their six months of restrictions. In Myanmar, the presence of soldiers continues to instil fear, as military control has not been resolved. Flooding in Thailand is threatening Bangkok, and many thousands of homes are lost. People in China’s north-east are suffering hardships because no advance warning was given for unprecedented power cuts caused by coal shortages and tightening standards for emissions.

Our City and State
As we all live with the uncertainty and frustrations of lockdowns, curfews and travel restrictions, we pray that God will give us patience and positivity to act responsibly, resist self-interest, and find creative ways of seeing and sharing our good gifts.

The Anglican Communion
The Church in Wales; Archbishop Justin Welby welcomed the newest Anglican province, the Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola, formally established on 24 September. We accept his invitation to celebrate the life and growth of God’s church, and to pray for the new Province, its Bishop Carlos Matsinhe and Dean, Bishop Andre Soares; The Anglican Church of Ceylon is increasingly concerned by the deterioration of human rights in Sri Lanka. They have highlighted the polarisation of institutions and society, the politicisation of the vaccination efforts, the militarisation of politics and other institutions, and government crackdowns on peaceful protestors, giving us significant points for prayer.

The Australian Anglican Church
Mission Agencies of the Anglican Church of Australia.

The Diocese of Melbourne
Diocesan Property Committee; Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hastings (Timothy Anderson). Pray for those making arrangements for the first ever online Synod.

Our Cathedral
Pray for the Cathedral Chapter as they meet on Tuesday; We give grateful thanks the newly-installed organ blower, and the delight of all who have heard it during the past week. As music forms an integral part of Cathedral worship, we acknowledge how well we are served by Philip Nicholls our director of music, choristers and organists, as we all look forward to resuming attended services.

Those in Sickness or Need
Joan Woodhouse, John Zhong, Patsy King, Maureen Wilson, Sara, Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ishmael, Emilio, Chris, Robyn & David Forbes, Judy Clift, Andrew, Janet Marsden, John, Henri-Felix Vinson, Sum Vita, Martin, Rebecca, Eric Young, Madonna Doherty, Laurie Mahoney, Monique, Maureen Wilson.

Year’s Minds

Get in touch