You will be pleased to know that, in line with the recent roadmap issued by the state government, St Paul’s Cathedral plans to reopen for public worship and private prayer from Sunday 7 November.
As we prepare to open our doors, we are working hard to ensure we fully comply with the government guidelines in place for staff, volunteers, congregation members and visitors.
From 7 November, all those attending St Paul’s Cathedral as a volunteer, or attending Sunday services, will need to be fully vaccinated. You will need to have received 2 doses of an ATAGI approved vaccine and be able to show proof of vaccination (see below for more information on how to do this). Sunday services will be capped at 150 people and bookings will be required for the 10.00am service only.
I strongly encourage you to get vaccinated. It’s now easier than ever. Getting vaccinated has been proven to save the lives of the most vulnerable in our community and will significantly reduce the strain on our healthcare workers. I myself have received two doses of the Astra-Zeneca vaccination, and almost all of my colleagues on the Cathedral team have now received their second dose of one of the many vaccines available.
I understand that not everyone may be able to be vaccinated, for any number of reasons. The Cathedral will be available each Wednesday for all people, regardless of vaccination status, including the opportunity to worship at the 12.15pm Eucharist on that day. The state government mandates a significantly reduced number of attenders, along with stricter social distancing requirements and so only 20 people will be permitted in the Cathedral at any one time.
I hope that these measures will be temporary. But we assume that they may well be in place for some months. We are working hard to getting the doors of the Cathedral open again as soon as possible, and to ensure the safety and comfort of our whole community and staff. I believe opening the Sunday to 150 vaccinated worshippers and Wednesday Eucharists to everyone enables that.
Our Covid safe team will need to sight your vaccination status if you are joining us on any day other than Wednesday. The Service Victoria App we use to check into venues through the QR code scheme is now able to display the vaccination status of a person, and we encourage you to setup prior to coming to the Cathedral.
If you don’t have a smartphone and do not use the Service Victoria app, you can contact the Australian Immunisation Register and ask them to send your vaccination statement to you. We are advised that this can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post. For the time being, you’ll need either the statement or the app in order to attend Sunday worship and/or return to volunteering with us.
We expect more detailed guidelines regarding attending Cathedral to be issued in early November, and we will let you know about any changes that may apply.
With all good wishes,
Dean Andreas
Important: Accessing your COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate:
9:15am ZoomMorning Tea
Bring your tea & coffee and join others via Zoom for a social catch-up. You will need a Zoom account to access this - there are instructions here for making one: Zoom Beginners Guide
Once you have your account setup, you can join the Coffee Morning via this link:
We are using the 'waiting room' function on Zoom for added security, the host will let you into the meeting from there. Make sure you have your cup of tea or coffee ready too!
11:15am Creation-tide Bible Study
Join our Creation-tide Bible Study. You will need a Zoom account to access this - there are instructions here for making one: Zoom Beginners Guide
Once you have your account setup, you can join the Group via this link:
Be ready to go 10 minutes before the service is starting with your computer, iPad or TV set up and connected and volume turned up. The livestream will appear a few minutes before the service is scheduled to begin.
If you have a printer, you may want to print the Order of Service in advance and have it ready for Sunday Morning, otherwise you can follow along on another device. Do join in the responses and hymns as you normally would.
If there is problem with the Livestream technology, don't worry! We will record all our services and make them available as soon as possible after.
Friday
11.00am HMAS Australia Service
2.00pm Webinar: “Mental Health Month – Post pandemic recovery, challenges and resilience” presented by Prof. Bruce Tonge.
Next Sunday
8am Holy Communion (BCP)
9.15am Coffee Hour via Zoom
10am Sung Eucharist & Annual Commemoration of Seafearers
11.15am Creation-tide Bible Study via Zoom
1pm Mandarin Worship 華語崇拜
All services are available via live stream on
Youtube, Facebook or our Website unless indicated otherwise.
Notices & Events
TODAY: Mental Health Month Webinar
Join Professor Emeritus Bruce Tonge, patron of Mental Health Foundation Australia and congregation member, for a special Mental Health Month Webinar next Friday 22 October at 2.00pm via Zoom. This webinar will be held as part of the October Cathedral Seniors Group Meeting.
“Mental Health Month – Post pandemic recovery, challenges and resilience”
Speaker: Prof. Emeritus Bruce Tonge
Fri 22 Oct 2012, beginning 2pm.
Creation-tide Sermon Series 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 encourage you to join our Bible studies each Sunday at 11.15am and to engage with the reflections, devotions and other resources on our website. Access the materials and reflections here ⟶
All Saints / All Souls Memorial List You are welcome to add the names of any you would like remembered in our All Saints’ Day services next Sunday October 31st. Please email names to parishprayer@stpaulscathedral.org.au by midday Thursday 28th October.
English Conversation Classes Open to anyone over the age of 18 who are looking to improve their English speaking skills. Join us for a free, relaxed conversation group facilitated by one of our trained volunteers, each Monday at 2.30pm. Sessions cover a range of topics: everything from places of interest in Melbourne to finding a job. Groups are limited so bookings are essential, register via bit.ly/3tQYp3a ⟶
What does it mean to be a good steward of God’s creation? Dean Andreas reflects on our task to be good stewards and to strive for God’s kingdom that’s lasting and where all are welcome and freely share in God’s provision. Read or listen to the Dean's reflection here ⟶
National Mental Health Month
The effects of mental health problems are huge, and given the challenging times we are living in with coronavirus, it’s more important than ever that we take steps to support good mental health.
October is National Mental Health Month, an initiative of the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA), to advocate for and raise awareness of mental health - Prof. Bruce Tonge is Patron of the Mental Health Foundation.
Visit our website for resources to help support good mental health, including:
Links to MHFA Australia Webinars and other Events taking place throughout October.
Download a Wellbeing Calendar with simple daily tasks and reminders to help you prioritise your Mental Health.
A series of reflections written by Revd Professor Chris Cook, Project Director for Spirituality, Theology and Mental Health at Durham University (UK), and accompanied by “have a go” habits.
A webinar looking at Anxiety and PTSD through the lens of COVID, hosted by MHFA and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
In recognition of National Water Week, the State Library put together a brief video exploring the history of our state’s relationship with water. In particular, the influence of Bishop James Moorhouse, a former Anglican Bishop of Melbourne, who became notorious for instructing people to stop praying for rain and start conserving it instead. Bishop James’s comments began an important debate around water conservation in our state.
Take a look at the video below
Have you missed a service
or would like to listen to a sermon again?
The World
As North Korea successfully tests another missile, this time submarine-launched, we pray that calls for abandonment of provocative actions will be heeded. In Damascus, Syria violence has killed military personnel. Religious violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh has been condemned by the ruling Muslim-majority party with serious attempts to bring about peace. Gunmen in north-western Nigeria have again been actively violent, killing scores of people and kidnapping hundreds more for ransom over the past year in a security crisis. We pray for members of the government who are trying to respond through communications blackouts, military operations and stepping up policing. We continue to pray for the Tigray region of Ethiopia where the government’s attempted solutions appear counterproductive, and also for Afghanistan, as fears of the Taliban’s retaliation are realised. We pray for people in all these violent and unsafe areas to be released from living daily in fear. In Japan, an erupting volcano is causing concern. Floods and landslides in India and Nepal have killed many, these heavy rains have fallen beyond the monsoon period and found people challenged and unprepared. So we pray that COP26 preparations will be thoughtful, decisions will be definitive and measurable, and significant agreements will be reached, as the World Meteorological Organisation warns of above average rises in African temperatures will affect 100 million people.
Our City and State
As Covid infection numbers have dramatically increased, we ask that we will all be encouraged to adhere to restrictions and take personal responsibility for keeping each other safe, as we pray that decisions will be wise, and we will confidently place our ultimate trust in the sovereignty of God.
The Anglican Communion
The Extra Provincial Churches; British MPs and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have paid tribute to Sir David Amess MP who was stabbed to death in his constituency a week ago. We join with all who recognise and speak out against this senseless violence, and pray God’s peace for those whose lives are touched by this tragedy.
The Australian Anglican Church
The Diocese of Perth (Abp Kay Goldsworthy, Asst Bps Jeremy James, Kate Wilmot, Dean Chris Chataway, Clergy & People).
The Diocese of Melbourne
Girls' Friendly Society (Alison Benfield, Chair); Holy Trinity Melbourne East (Grant Edgcumbe); For our completed Synod, we give thanks for discussion and decisions enabled by technology for online engagement. A motion to condemn the genocide of Uighur Muslims by the Chinese Communist Party was debated and passed unanimously. A proposal for gender quotas and diversity of representation was one issue referred for further discussion. A call for meaningful dialogue on divisive issues which threaten to divide the Anglican church was passed with a 94% majority.
Our Cathedral
As our creation-tide series of sermons and studies is halfway through, we thank God for focussing our attention on the responsibility we have been given for the natural world, and ask for guidance and inspiration to repair its damage.
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.
Recently Died
Des Shinkfield (long-time organiser of the HMAS Australia Service)
Year’s Minds
24 George Harvard Cranswick (2nd Bishop of Gippsland) 1954
Arthur Reginald Mace (Archdeacon, Canon) 1965
25 Richard Hazell Brunton Williams (Archdeacon) 1971
28 Harry Robert Potter (Priest, Canon) 1958
29 Colin Jackman (Congregation) 2019
William Hancock (Archdeacon, Canon) 1955
William Cain (Lay Canon, Chair of the Building Committee 1880s) 1914
30 William Sinclair Feltham (Registrar) 2002
Get in touch
If you are having trouble accessing our Services, Zoom Gatherings or any other information, please do get in touch with us.
Phone 9653 4220 or Email welcome@stpaulscathedral.org.au
We will make sure your messages are passed on to the appropriate person
