| To get to our online services, click here. You can always find them by going to our website: www.cranbourneanglican.org.au/online-service. If you’d like to join us for a virtual morning tea (video conferencing) 11am Sunday, click here at 11am Sunday. Meeting ID: 225 816 995 Password: 015727 |
We want to make sure you stay connected and are well supported.
One of the great blessings of church is that you have a community around you when things are hard. In more ‘normal’ times that can happen much more easily – we can turn up to church and be encouraged and engage in being a community together. But what happens when we can’t meet as usual? In these days it’s even more important that we’re connected with one another and looking out for each other. As much as I’m trying to be in touch with as many people as I can, I can’t be in touch with everyone, and we don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks. That’s why we’re developing a system of 10 Care Communities, each with it’s own leader. I’m very thankful for those who have agreed to step into this role at this time: 9am St John’s Congregation: Irene Johnson and Renice Giles 10:30am St John’s Congregation: Joseph Walliaveteel, Mitch Achetraritei, Lorraine Serpanchy, John and Sandi Steward, Toni Henderson and Caroline Symmonds. 9am Tooradin: Marie Ormandy. There may be one or two additions to this team in the next few days.
You can expect a call from one of them on behalf of the church some time in the next week or so just checking in to see if you are doing well in these difficult times and if there’s anything you need, or just for a chat! Of course, please do keep calling and supporting each other informally as well. At the moment we are getting our congregation lists as up to date as possible so as far as we can we don’t miss anyone, and we should be all set up by early next week.
Kids Ministry
We’re keen to keep ministering to the whole family in these times. In our first couple of weeks we were just pushing to get something online. This week we’re adding a kids talk (featuring Colin Buchanen – famed for his Christian Kids songs) and some downloadable kids activity books following our theme for the day. You’ll be able to find these at our online church page on our website from Sunday 9am.
Holy Week
Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, begins on Sunday with our celebration of Palm Sunday. Though we can’t meet together due to the current restrictions, you may have more time for personally marking the time and preparing for Easter Day. The diocese has made available a booklet with a bible reading, some reflections written by renowned theologian Rev. Dr. Peter Adam and opportunities for your own prayers. I highly recommend using them! You can download the booklet by clicking here.
Giving – Update
I’ve been so encouraged and heartened by the church’s response to the letter from the wardens regarding finances – many of you have already responded and switched to online giving – thank you! We’re also thankful for the way in which a number have dropped their envelopes in – you can do this between 2pm and 3pm on Sunday afternoons, though we do encourage giving online as we note the government advice to only leave the house if absolutely necessary.
We know that some of you have lost jobs or had hours reduced, and we understand entirely if you can not give in the same way as you have in the past. We don’t want to burden you, but instead want to be a blessing and support you in this time.
For others, if you haven’t yet swapped over to giving online, this can easily be set up using the bsb and account numbers below. If you have been giving directly into the Building Fund through envelopes, we just ask that you put either your name or your envelope number as a reference. Otherwise you may give anonymously or put your name as a reference, but please do also reference it as ‘giving’ to help our records.
| St John’s, Cranbourne |
| BSB: 083 214 |
| Account: 596 278 950 |
| Christ Church, Tooradin |
| BSB: 633 000 |
| Account: 138 728 704 |
Easter Services
All our services for Easter will be online this year:
MAUNDY THURSDAY: A short reflective service, available from 6pm Thursday the 9th of April.
GOOD FRIDAY: A Service remembering Christ upon the cross, available from 9am Friday the 10th of April
EASTER DAY: A celebration of the resurrection, available from 9am Sunday the 12th of April.
As always, our Easter services are great services to which to invite non-Christian friends and family. This year it’s never been easier to invite people to come! All you need to do is send an email with the link. Early next week I’ll send an email you can simply forward to those you’d like to invite. It’ll include the links to all the services.