Vicar's News - 4 May 2025

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St Philip and St James the Less

St. Philip and St. James the Less are commemorated together. St. Philip is mentioned among the first Apostles to be called, and it is he who brings along Nathanael (Bartholomew), telling him Jesus was the one to whom Moses and the prophets testified. Like Peter and Andrew, he came from Bethsaida.

St. James the Less is also known as James, Brother of our Lord. He was not an apostle, and is not to be confused with James the Great, brother of John and son of Zebedee. James the Less was the first bishop of Jerusalem. We also distinguish him from the apostle James, the brother of St. Jude Thaddeus, and a son of Alphaeus. Roman Catholics see James as a cousin of Jesus, claiming Mary was 'ever virgin' (virginitas in partu) even after giving birth and didn't have any other children. This seems an extraordinary and unnecessary belief to most protestants, who understand Mary as being a virgin only at the time of her immaculate conception by the Holy Spirit.

Music on Sunday

Prelude: Voluntary No. 2 in G major – William Walond (1719-1768)

Hymns: Processional Ye choirs of new Jerusalem

Gradual We have a gospel to proclaim

Thanksgiving Thank you for giving me the morning

Post Communion Thine be the Glory

Setting: St. Andrew’s Mass – Tim Mallis

Psalm: 19: 1-6 NPCW

Anthem: The strife is o’er – Henry G. Ley (1887-1962)

Motet: O for a closer walk with God – Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

Postlude: Toccata in d minor BWV 538 - J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Domestic Violence Sunday

Today is also Domestic `violence Sunday throughout the Anglican Church in Australia. Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is any abusive behavior used to control or harm someone in a family, intimate, or family-like relationship, endangering safety and well-being. It includes coercive control, emotional, verbal, financial, psychological, spiritual, physical, and sexual abuse. (UN, 2005; Safe and Equal, 2024)

Violence in relationships is unacceptable as Christian teachings call for just, loving, and

compassionate behaviour. (Micah 6:8; Galatians 5:13-26). Despite biblical and cultural condemnation, Domestic and family violence remains widespread in the community and in the church, and has long-lasting impacts on victims, families, and church communities.

How is the church responding?

The Anglican Church of Australia conducted research in 2021 to understand the prevalence and nature of domestic violence experienced by people in our church communities. The results found that domestic violence is experienced by people in our churches as much as it is by people in the broader community. We all have a job to do in ensuring we build a future that is free from violence and where everyone can flourish and is treated with respect and equality. A short video about this initiative can be seen here.

The church has made Ten Commitments to respond to and to prevent domestic and family violence and has been working with our 23 dioceses to resource this work. Today we highlight this issue, to give thanks to our God who sees and cares for those impacted by violence and to say that our church also sees and cares.

More information on these Ten Commitments can be viewed here.

Kids' Church

On Sunday at Kids' Church, we are learning the story of Noah's Ark and how all the animals were saved by Noah and his family.

Hope 25 is a powerful opportunity for us to proclaim the hope we have in Jesus. During this season—from Easter Day (20 April) to Pentecost Sunday (8 June)—the Anglican Church of Australia has invited each parish throughout the country to commit to initiatives that spread this hope to our communities.

At St Andrew’s we are embracing this mission with full passion and purpose. Situated in the heart of Brighton, surrounded by esteemed private schools, we felt a deep calling to reach beyond our congregation and into the hearts of parents. After all, children are the hope of the future, but without the guidance and support of their parents, they may struggle to reach their full potential.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

In light of this, we took Hope 25 out of the usual church box and a step further, by inviting renowned Chinese Traditional Medicine practitioner Dr. Sun Hua to give a free talk to parents on how to stay healthy mentally, physically and emotionally with Chinese traditional healing methods. Her presentation provided wisdom on health, well-being, and how parents can care for themselves and their families.

God moved powerfully through this gathering! More than 40 new people —many of whom had never entered our church before—came to listen, learn, and experience the warmth of Christian fellowship.

The outcome was truly astounding: hearts were opened, barriers were broken, and amidst this divine encounter, two parents made a life-changing decision. Right then and there, they surrendered their lives to Jesus and committed to being baptized next month!

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Hope 25 is more than an initiative—it is a movement of faith, a testament to God’s enduring love, and an opportunity to shine His light into the lives of those seeking truth.

here at St. Andrew’s Church, Fr Ian and Mthr Xeverie are committed to spread the Good News to the corners of Brighton, bringing hope to our community.