Dear Friends,

It has just been announced that Victoria will be entering into a five-day ‘snap’ lockdown, commencing tonight and ending at midnight on Ash Wednesday, 17 February 2021. St Paul’s will be closed until next Thursday, and our programs during the coming week (including next Thursday’s Evensong) will be delivered online only.

I am sure that you will be joining me in praying for our Premier, Chief Health Officer and all those engaged in frontline work during these next few days, and for those who have been infected with Covid19 in our community. And I encourage you to draw on the spiritual riches of our tradition: the reading of scripture, the silence of reflection, and the knowledge that in our separation we are united in prayer, during the next five days.

The last day of lockdown will be Ash Wednesday, when we mark the beginning of Lent by taking on the sign of ashes as a symbol of our repentance and intention to amend our lives. Our worship that day will be led by the Archbishop, and will be live-streamed at 6pm, with the Cathedral team receiving the sign of the ashes on behalf of us all.

Lent means that from Sunday 21 February, our traditional Lent Study Group will meet. As in past years, the group will bring together members of the 8am and 10am congregation. If we are able to meet in person we will do so in the Barbara Darling Room. Should the lockdown be more extended, we will meet via zoom.

This year, all the colleagues on the ministry team will be sharing in delivering our Lent addresses in a series of sermons called ‘Words to Live by’. The sermon to be preached that Sunday will form the subject of our weekly discussions, with the preacher present. Sermon scripts will be published in advance on our website and through this newsletter, so that you can read them ahead of the group, and get your questions ready for the preacher!

As we re-enter into a – brief, we pray – season of lockdown, it is my prayer for you and for me that we will the days ahead will not be a time of tedium or fearfulness, but rather a time for spiritual refreshment as we prepare for Lent: use these days of lockdown to resource and refresh yourself, and to reach out to those for whom you have a special care.

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

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.

Prayer Points for the Week 

The World
For an end to the civil wars in Ethiopia, Yemen, South Sudan, Syria, for peace in Afghanistan, Myanmar; an end to tensions between China and Hong Kong, and Taiwan; for the victims of Cyclone Ana in Fiji; safety for those in Covid-19 hotspots around the world, for effective public health policy to protect populations, and swift and reliable supply of the vaccine; for the people of WA battling bushfires; for wise stewardship of the world’s resources and the environment.

Our City and State
Wisdom for our Premier, Dan Andrews, and CHO, Brett Sutton; strength protection for health care workers; parents and children working and schooling from home; those isolated from family, friends and support networks; continued provision for those who have lost their daily work; care of the vulnerable, the aged and the homeless.

The Anglican Communion
The Anglican Church of Canada (Abp Linda Nicholls, Primate).

The Australian Anglican Church
The Diocese of Tasmania (Bp Richard Condie, Missioner Bp Chris Jones, Dean Richard Humphries, Clergy & People).

The Diocese of Melbourne
Anglican Overseas Aid (Bob Mitchell, CEO); St Mark's, Emerald (Andrew Bowles, Jerome Dias, Vivianne Dias).

Those in Sickness or Need
Joan Woodhouse, Daniel Anneslay, Simon, Jean Antonia Infield, 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, Farah Le Dupont, Doug Baker, Jean Antonia Infield.

Year’s Minds
14      Constance Checcucci (Congregation, Guides, Benefactor) 2014
15      Betty Teed (Congregation) 2007
         Barbara Brinsley Darling (Bishop, Canon) 2015
16      Iain Charles Medgett (Choirman) 1989
18      Edna Grace Thomas (wife of Dean Tom Thomas) 1994
18      Marjorie Georgina Arthur (Anglican Historical Society) 2000
         Crawford Atchison Denman Pasco (Lay Canon) 1898
19      George Emery (Lay Canon) 1937
20      Francis Henry Joseph Archer (Lay Canon) 1958