Dear Friends,

It was about eleven years ago that I was first taken to the MCG for an Australian rules footy game. I knew how to play soccer and rugby, but this quintessentially Victorian was new to me. Well, the experience of seeing footy live in the “G” was tremendous. Now that we live much closer to Jolimont, we’ve been able to hear the roar of the crowd and the quarter sirens from the Deanery.

While we won’t be able to hear the sirens all the way from the Gabba, I do wish the Tigers and Cats supporters among you all the best of luck for the great game (here’s thinking of you, Canon Stephen Ames - and emeritus Canon Campbell Bairstow!) Even though we don’t have the finals here in Victoria this year, we do have a public holiday, and that means that there is no Friday Eucharist this week.

On Sunday we will be thinking together in our preaching about how to build up community. It’s not easy building up community, Paul tells the Ephesian church. At St Paul’s we are incredibly blessed with our wonderfully diverse community. And how much harder it is to maintain that community when we can’t meet in person. Paul gives us some wonderful pointers as to what each one of us can do to help maintain and build up community – whether in person, or in lockdown: being humble, being respectful, being good listeners, giving of ourselves and our gifts, being welcoming and hospitable, are just some of the things he encourages the Ephesians to do.

On Sunday, our Premier will also be talking about further relaxations of our Covid19 lockdown measures. And that means that we have been making first tentative plans to think about how we can restart in-person worship at St Paul’s. Or rather: how we can hold open air worship next to St Paul’s in the 209 Flinders Lane Courtyard, since most of the eased restrictions apply to outdoor spaces. We hope that next week we will be able to let you have much clearer details of when we may gather in the Courtyard, and how you could be a part of our outdoor worship during the summer months.

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend, and are able to share in the benefits of some of the eased restrictions. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

With all good wishes,

Dean Andreas.

Tips for joining in Worship at home:

• 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.
• You can contribute as part of the offertory by giving online via www.cathedral.org.au/donate

Tips for joining our Zoom Gatherings

• To access the Zoom meetings/gatherings just click the links around the time the session is to begin (9.15 and 11.15am)
• Make sure your volume is turned up on your computer so you can hear everyone.

1. Dail 7018 2005 on your phone
2. You will be prompted to enter the meeting ID, which is:
   9.00am Sunday Morning Tea: 876 1470 2151
   11.15am Sunday Bible Study: 861 8486 5813
   7.00pm Thursday Gathering: 848 4600 1829
3. If the meeting has not already started, press # to wait.
4. You will be prompted to enter your unique participant ID. Press # to skip.

The following commands can be entered via using your phone's dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:

• * 6 - Toggle mute/unmute
• * 9 - Raise hand

Online Resources

Read the Bible With Us

The ministry team of St Paul’s Cathedral has been meeting electronically for morning prayer, during which they remember each member of our electoral roll and other parishioners by name over the course of the week. Know that we are holding each and every one of you in our prayers.

Share your prayer requests with us by emailing 
parishprayer@stpaulscathedral.org.au. Prayers submitted will be offered during our 12.15pm Lunchtime Eucharist on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Prayer Points for the Week

The World
People of Cambodia and Vietnam dealing with serious flooding, for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods, and generous support from other nations in assisting them; protection of protesters in Nigeria, Thailand and Hong Kong, and sound national political leadership; wisdom for world leaders and health officials in their response to surging Covid-19 case numbers in many nations; the people of the USA as they vote, for a fair election;  peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Belarus; for the ceasefire between Armenian and Azerbaijan to hold.

Melbourne in Lockdown
Wisdom for our Premier Dan Andrews and CHO Brett Sutton; strength, energy and protection for health care workers; protection of the health of children and teachers returned to school, and quick settling into routine; for VCE students approaching exams; for those still unable to be in contact with family and friends; provision of work for those now without employment; care of the aged, vulnerable and homeless. 

The Anglican Communion
Pray for the Church in Wales (Abp John Davies).

The Australian Anglican Church
Diocese of Brisbane (Abp Phillip Aspinall, Regional Bps Jeremy Greaves, Cameron Venables, John Roundhill, Clergy & People).

The Diocese of Melbourne
Ministries to Youth; Parish of St Peter's, Murrumbeena w. Holy Nativity, Hughesdale (Lawrence Anbalagan).

Those in Sickness or Need
Joan Woodhouse, Simon, Beryl Coombe, Robyn & David Forbes, Judy Clift, Andrew, Lucilia & Carlota Soares, Janet Marsden, Pam Sullivan, Patsy King, Martin Devine, John, Mark Rostoks, Henri-Felix Vinson, Sum Vita, Maria Vonn, Brian, Rose, Kathleen & Samuel Hodgson, Nancy Paterson, Paul Jeya Sorga Kumar, David Ormerod, Helen, Graeme Giles, Murray Seiffert, Jennie Carolane-Balks, Helena Pope, Dorothy Willshire, Farah Le Dupont, Christopher Carolane.

Year’s Minds
27         Richard Hazell Brunton Williams (Archdeacon) 1971
28         Harry Robert Potter (Canon) 1958
29         William Hancock (Canon, Archdeacon) 1955
            William Cain (Lay Canon, Builder) 1914