Brothers, Sisters and beloved Children in the Lord,
Update on the Memorial Garden Project
On Friday 2nd July, Keith Jones (representing the working party) Nick Stretch (representing the Wardens), Paul Laycock (Landscape Designer) and I were invited to the Anglican Centre for a meeting of the Diocesan Building Committee to make a presentation regarding the project. Having had no feedback from the Building Committee by Wednesday 14th July I asked the chair of the committee, The Venerable Ray McInnes, what was the status of the faculty application for the memorial garden project. He informed me that the matter has been referred by the Diocesan Building Committee to the Archbishop. The Archbishop returns from overseas on 2nd August so I, with many of you, look forward to his positive support for this project.
For those who may require information regarding the project, you are welcome to view the plans in the Pioneer Chapel, (which has been on public display since the public parish meeting on Sunday 16th May) which will allay fears that what is proposed is a “Springvale crematorium” in our grounds. It was incredible at the public parish meeting that no concerns or objections were expressed.
My own personal view is that the proposed plan greatly enhances the garden area which is, at present, not used as a place to sit. But with the present design this garden area can increasingly become a place of sanctuary, peace and stillness in which to sit and reflect. It will also enhance and extend the area of the present Garden of Remembrance which is frequented by many people.
The slightly angled and tapered walls provide a warm, embracing and private dimension to the area and due to the small number and low height of most of the walls the beautiful vistas across the garden area are not impeded.
The combination of low walls and pathways means that this design has enabled the preferences to be met of the majority of parishioners who completed the survey 2 years ago. Early in the design process it was realised that a pathway only option could not accommodate the number of plaques that the present wall/pathway option does.
The present design also blends well with the mixture of historic and modern gravestones in the historic graveyard.
Covenant Churches
As part of our commitment to the Covenant of the Brighton Churches we pray for other churches in the covenant on this first Sunday of the month.
Anglican Parish of St. Andrew’s
The Rev’d Kenyon McKie
The Rev’d Sam Goodes
Anglican Parish of St. Peter’s, Brighton Beach
The Rev’d Russell Joyce
The Rev’d John Leaver
The Rev’d Russell Braddon
Anglican Parish of St. Stephen’s, Gardenvale
The Rev’d Roger Prowd
Catholic Parish of St. Joan of Arc
Father Martin Dixon
Catholic Parish of St. James, Gardenvale Father Gerard Johnson
Brighton Baptist Church
Brighton Christian Church
Pastor Rob Morris (Interim)
Brighton Church of Christ
Mr. Danny Parkinson
Uniting Church Congregation of St. Leonard’s
The Rev Kim Cain
Uniting Church Congregation of Trinity
The Rev Ian Cayzer
Anglican Outback Fund
Recently the Bishop of Willochra (South Australia) spoke at a function at St. George’s Malvern about ministry in the outback. The Diocese of Willochra covers all that part of South Australia north of Gawler and the Murray River area. The other borders are the SA borders with the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. The area of the Diocese is close to 1,00,000 square kilometres. As you look at the map to the right it is all the area of South Australia except the far south-east corner!
The Anglican Outback Fund seeks to generate an increased awareness and financial support for Anglicans ministering to people in remote areas.
Richard Hoy, the Chair of the Melbourne Committee of the Fund, is seeking to establish a structure within Melbourne Diocese which will assist the work of the Fund. He seeks our help “in finding a ‘committee’ of two people” within our parish.
If you feel you would like to assist with this important supportive work then please speak to me.
If you have internet access you may obtain more information about the Fund from
http://www.anglicanoutbackfund.org
May John Baptiste Vianney, Oswald and all the saints nurture you in your journey of faith this week.
