Dear Friends,
We have all been shocked by the news of the devastation which has occurred in our diocese and in the State and beyond. The fires continue, and the true cost will not be known for a while.
I have contacted the Bishops of Bendigo, Wangarrata and Gippsland, to let them know of our support for all the people in their diocese, both spiritual and material as is needed.
Geoff Ryan, our Anglicare co-ordinator, is looking into the immediate needs in this diocese, and he also informs me that Anglicare will be supporting the RED CROSS Bushfire Appeal – details of this are set out below.
On Wednesday, the 11th, the Cathedral of Christ the King in Ballarat will hold an interdenominational service of prayer at 12.00 noon; everyone is welcome. During the week the Cathedral is open during the day for private prayer.
Let us pray for all of those affected; for those who have lost their lives; for those who mourn; for those who have lost their property. Let us pray for those who still live in fear, who worry about what this day will bring. And let us pray for the men and women of the emergency services, giving thanks for their commitment and courage, and praying that they be kept safe.
I would also ask your prayers for the safety of Bishop Michael, currently on annual leave, who has been deployed with the CFA to the major fires.
I know that we will all be offering these prayers this day; many will already have done so. I shall be, in consultation with others, be looking at ways that we as a diocese might be able to offer further support, as the needs are known. I know that the generous spirit of the people of this diocese will not be held back.
“Sovereign God,
the defence of those who trust in you
and the strength of those who suffer:
look with mercy on our affliction
and deliver us through our mighty Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.”
Yours in Christ,
The Venerable Peter Yeats,
Vicar-General
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Red Cross Bushfire Appeal
In response to the devastating bushfires, Anglicare Victoria and the Diocese of Ballarat are supporting the 2009 Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and will be accepting donations to assist individuals and communities affected by this tragedy.
Donations can be made on-line at www.redcross.org.au or by phoning 1800 811 700.
Donations can also be made directly to Anglicare Victoria at www.anglicarevic.org.au or by phoning 03 9412 6133. We will ensure funds go directly towards the bushfire emergency relief efforts.
Anglicare Victoria has Emergency Relief centres operating in Melbourne, Lilydale and Wangaratta to assist individuals and families affected by the bushfires. To make an Emergency Relief donation please phone Anglicare Victoria on 03 9412 6133.
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Statement on the Bush Fires Tragedy by Dr Philip Freier
Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne
On behalf of all Anglicans in Victoria I wish to express our deepest sympathy to all those who have lost loved ones and properties in the devastating bush fires of this weekend.
Your terrible loss weighs heavily on our hearts, and you will be very much in our prayers and thoughts at this time, and in the coming days and weeks.
Anglican clergy and parishes have been mobilized across the state as part of the disaster response and reports are coming through about the loss of churches in Kinglake and Marysville.
I am sure that all Australians will want to give generously to the disaster relief fund, and offer any practical support that is required.
I also extend our profound gratitude to all the firefighters, volunteers, emergency service workers, paramedics, medical staff and chaplains who give so courageously and self-sacrificially. The love and bravery of these remarkable men and women is a great example to us all, and a wonderful example of love in action.
These fires have been a cruel blow to the communities already affected by drought – and it will call upon all of our faith and resilience to see each other through these times.
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National Home Mission Fund Bushfire Appeal
The Primate writes: “… Funds raised from the appeal will be used to provide pastoral care and pastoral ministry in areas of Victoria worst affected. It is vital that provision be made for adequate care of people in those areas in the medium and the long terms, say the next twelve to eighteen months, as they come to terms with their loss and begin the process of rebuilding …”
You can read more about how to assist with this appeal here!
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Ecumenical Liturgy for the Victims of the Bush Fires from Victorian Council of Churches
This file contains an ecumenical liturgy designed by the Victorian Council of Churches for the victims of the Bush Fires.
Liturgy for the Victims of the Bush Fires (.doc) + (.pdf)
"For those who have lost loved ones, grant your peace; for those who have lost homes, property, livelihood and livestock, grant your resilience; for those who seek shelter and food, grant your comfort; for those suffering terrible burns, grant your healing; for those whose lives have been shattered, grant your strength; for those who have lost everything, grant that we may be their hope."
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Service on the National Day of Mourning
VCC on behalf of the Premiers Department
Dear friends, it is hoped that the sound of bells tolling across the country at 11.00 will signify not only the beginning of the Service on the National Day of Mourning but the participation of communities in the act of mourning on this National Day.
This email is to ask if you can get the most appropriate part of this message to the churches of your tradition in Victoria, and through your national relationships to the churches across Australia.
I am very aware that many will be gathering for worship at that time and the peeling of the bells is part of the `Call to Worship’ – so maybe they can be asked to continue to toll for an extra two minutes (11.00 – 11.02).
For those for whom the tolling of bells is not a regular activity, I believe that many have a recording of bells that is played over a PA at weddings. If you have that facility, could you find a less joyous peel of bells to play during that two minutes. Another alternative would be the ringing of a medium-sized handbell.
I undertook to request this of the churches for the Premiers Department, so I do hope you can assist. In peace
Maureen
Maureen Postma,
General Secretary, Victorian Council of Churches,
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St Peter's Ballarat Bush Fire Fund Raiser
An English Garden Party
Date: Saturday 14 March, 1pm to 5pm
Venue: 11 Crocker Street, Ballarat.
Donation of $10 per head includes afternoon tea and music from Ballarat and Queen's Anglican Grammar School Students.
(In the event of bad weather the venue will be at St Peter's Church, 1307 Sturt Street)
From more details call Fr Gerald Loos on 03 5332 3929