Wednesday Weekly
Bush fires: prayer and support for those affected
 Archbishop’s messageArchbishop Phillip Aspinall has issued a message calling us to pray for those affected by the bushfires, for those still at risk and for our emergency services personnel. He also invites us to consider donating to the Archbishop’s Emergency Relief Appeal to help provide pastoral and practical assistance. Please share the Archbishop’s message via social media and other communication channels.
 Support for local communitiesThis year’s bushfire season has started early and people’s homes and livelihoods have been tragically lost in Queensland. We know that our regional parishes are doing everything they can to support their local communities in this difficult time. If you would like to share how your church is serving to provide pastoral and practical support, please email the anglican focus Editor, Michelle McDonald: focus@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Announcements and vacancies
 Resource Churches announced for Pilot ProjectInspired by a similar project in the Church of England, the ACSQ has launched a three-year ‘Resource Churches Pilot Project’ as part of its strategic framework to enable parish health and growth. The following eight churches have been selected following a self-assessment and an open expression of interest process: The Parish of Caboolture (led by The Rev’d Avriel Green); The Parish of Ipswich (led by The Rev’d Stephen McMahon); The Parish of Kangaroo Point (led by The Rev’d Canon Gary Harch); The Parish of Robina (led by The Rev’d Stewart Perry); The Parish of Springfield (led by The Rev’d Charlie Lacey); The Parish of St Bart’s, Toowoomba (led by The Rev’d Adam Lowe); St John’s Cathedral (led by The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt); and, The Parish of Waterloo Bay (led by The Rev’d Scott Gunthorpe).
 Ordination of deacons and priestsCongratulations to Julianna Bate, Michael Calder, Ann Maree Edwards, Richard James, Jonathan Kemp and Kathrin Koning who will be ordained as deacons, and to The Rev’d Susan Barker, The Rev’d Danielle Clark, The Rev’d Richard Gummow, The Rev’d Kate Ross, The Rev’d Erika Williams and The Rev’d Scott Windred who will be ordained as priests on Saturday 7 December at 10.00 am in St John’s Cathedral. Please keep these candidates and their families in your prayers as they prepare for ordination.
 ‘Save the date’ Diocesan theme 2020 launchGather with members from across the Diocese as Archbishop Phillip Aspinall launches the 2020 Diocesan theme, ‘Being Together: Practising Peacemaking‘, on Thursday 13 February 2020, 5.30 pm at St John’s Cathedral.
 AnnouncementsFind out the latest people movements, including appointments, anniversaries, commissionings and retirements.
 Jobs, clergy vacancies and volunteer rolesView current opportunities for clergy and lay people, including Assistant Chaplain roles at Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology and a Property and Finance Manager role at St Francis College.
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Christmas and end-of-year reminders
 Christmas service timesChristmas provides a wonderful opportunity to welcome visitors to your church. One of the simplest ways to help attract and welcome visitors at Christmas is to ensure that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service times are advertised on the church website, in an easy-to-find place such as the homepage.
 Preparation for Parish Financial Audit 2019With the end of year approaching, parishes are reminded to please ensure that a financial auditor has been appointed for the 2019 audit and the audit dates have been set. As per previous years, the Diocesan Finance team will circulate an Audit Checklist at the beginning of December to assist parish treasurers to prepare for the end-of-year audit. Parishes are required to submit their Audited Parish Financial Report for 2019 by 15 March 2020, as part of their annual return. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jason Cheung, Diocesan Accountant: phone (07) 3835 2312 or email Jason.Cheung@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Ministry resources
 Wellbeing program for clergy and staffThe Anglican Church Southern Queensland offers its clergy and staff (and members of their household) free access to Flourish – a wellbeing program provided by an external consultant (LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell). The program includes up to six, one-hour counselling sessions per year, per person, as well as an advice hotline for leaders on topics including bullying, harassment, handling conflicts/disputes and performance improvement discussions.
 EFTPOS facility for hireA reminder that a roaming EFTPOS terminal is available for use at parish events where money is collected. The terminal can provide your event attendees with an alternative and convenient way to make payments and can also alleviate the need for cash floats and receipt books. The terminal can be posted directly to your parish or collected in person from the ANFIN office at St Martin’s House on Ann St. To make a booking or enquiry: email askus@anfin.com.au or phone (07) 3835 2355.
 Pray Daily: DecemberJoin the Diocesan community in praying for our parishes, schools and other ministries, as well as other Anglican Dioceses internationally, with daily prayer points throughout December.
 Sunday DevotionWritten by clergy and lay people across our Diocese, Sunday Devotions are short reflections based on the lectionary readings of the day, suitable for small group discussion or personal use. Check out this week’s Sunday Devotion, written by The Rev’d Chris Boyce from St John’s, Wishart. Please share this devotion on social media channels and in parish newsletters/ bulletins.
Advent resources
 Wake Up to Advent!‘Wake up! Clean up! Feed up! Grow up!’ Walk alongside Archbishop Sentamu (the Archbishop of York) this Advent, as he discusses the meaning and influence of these four gospel imperatives in this lively and invigorating book. Borrow a copy from the Roscoe Library today.
 Free Advent bookletsDownload or order free printed copies of the Anglican Overseas Aid Advent reflection booklet, ‘Radical Advent’. The booklet can be used for personal reflection, small group study or as a resource for the whole congregation. A Mandarin Chinese version is also available.
Events
 Clergy Summer SchoolJoin clergy from around the Diocese for a time of fellowship and learning at Clergy Summer School, to be held at The Southport School from 13-15 January. Themed ‘Across the Divides: there’s only us’, Summer School 2020 will feature keynote speakers Bishop Chris McLeod and The Rev’d William Loader.
 Primary Ichthus — January 2020Primary Ichthus is the Diocesan youth camp for those starting in Grades 4-7 in 2020. Held over four days, the camp provides opportunities for kids to explore their faith, make friends and have heaps of fun.
 Advertise with usReach a wider audience by advertising your community Christmas events on anglican focus.
anglican focus one-year anniversary competition
 Last chance to promote the competition and enter the drawEntries close Friday 6 December 4.00 pm. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of anglican focus going online, we are giving away two iPads — one to an anglican focus reader and one to the winning reader’s nominated priest or chaplain. Please promote this competition in your parishes, ministries, or schools, by sharing this story on social media, downloading and inserting pew sheet text or e-newsletter text, posting Facebook and Instagram infographics (downloadable from this page), or using slides (widescreen and standard) for your announcements. *Terms and Conditions apply.
Appeals
 Bishop Jeremy: donations requestedIn December, Bishop Jeremy and his teenage children, Kate, Hannah and Thomas will be going to Melanesia. They are taking donated items with them for the small village school at Taroaniara. The school particularly needs soccer balls, net balls and frisbees in good condition, and brand-new toys for preschool-aged children. If you are able to assist, please bring donated items to St Martin’s House on Ann St by Friday 6 December or email:
 ABM Myanmar Water ChallengeTony Naake, a long-time supporter of the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM), has taken up a personal challenge to raise $50,000 for the ABM Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project in Myanmar. Support this cause and hear Tony speak at a fundraising breakfast on Saturday 14 December, hosted by the Parish of Chelmer-Graceville.
Grants
 GFS grants: applications openGFS (an Anglican Ministry) is offering financial grants to Anglican parishes to support children and youth ministry initiatives. Grants up to $500 are available to parishes providing an "ongoing" Christian ministry (apply by this Saturday 30 November 2019). In addition, grants up to $1500 are available to support one-off/ special events (apply any time of the year).
 Heritage grants now openApplications are now open for the Queensland Government’s Heritage Conservation grant program, which provides funding to projects that facilitate the conservation of access to, and community engagement with, places entered in the Queensland Heritage Register. Applications are accepted from owners of places entered in the Queensland Heritage Register or not-for-profit organisations that have the responsibility to manage such places. Parishes applying for grants are reminded of the need to email a copy of their draft application to the General Manager’s Office two weeks prior to the application closing date: jvorster@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
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