On the fourth and last Sunday of Advent, our series of guest preachers on Hot Topics in Church and Society came to a moving close.
The preacher was Ms Meriel Wilson, a long-time activist for the LGBTIQ+ community, and a licensed Lay Preacher at St Chad’s Fullarton. Meriel told of having been born “under an Irish sky” and coming to this “wide brown country” where she felt able to express her sense of self. All the same, longing for “home”, like most migrants, has been an enduring experience for her. She spoke movingly of her dream of an inclusive and welcoming church, reminding listeners of St Paul’s words, that “nothing can separate us from the love of God”, although, unfortunately, sectors of the church do just that.
Meriel is pictured here with Lay Assistant Elizabeth lighting the candles of the Advent wreath and reading the Advent prayer at the 8.00am service
and talking with Sara and Lorraine at tea after the 9.30am service.
Dr Rachel Westcott, founder of SAVEM veterinary emergency management, explained how the One Health concept links human, animal and environmental health. (Click on SAVEM, above, to link to their website.)
Rachel’s power point presentation can be viewed HERE or on the Sermons page.
Dr Westcott, seen here with lay assistant Allison, was presented with flowers at the 9.30am service as a token of appreciation for her talk.
The Rev’d Cameron Burr spoke candidly of his personal and family history as a Booandik man from the south east of South Australia. He responded to questions from the congregations with respect for all points of view.
Julia presented Rev’d Burr with a gift from the Parish in appreciation for giving his time and sharing his knowledge of First Nations history.
The Rev’d Joan Riley, Principal of St Barnabas College and a founder of the Diocesan Family and Domestic Violence Response Project, was our first special guest speaker in the Advent Hot Topics series.
Joan spoke of the number of women and children who are victims of domestic violence and the necessity for protection of vulnerable people in our community. Her sermon can be found on our Sermons page.
Joan was presented with flowers by Julia and Assistant Elizabeth
Photo above: Volunteers at the start of the day.
Main picture shows the end result of the day’s work.
Generous support for All Souls’ Winter food collection Despite economic hardship and the rising cost of living people donated generously to the recent annual food drive at All Souls’ Parish, St Peters.
Co-ordinator of the project, Ann Peisley, said: “The quantity of food donated this year is evidence of people’s great generosity as across-the-board cost increases affect everyone, both those able to give, and those who need food assistance.”
The Winter Food Collection in aid of the AnglicareSA Magdalene Centre in Gilbert Street, is an annual tradition. Residents of St Peters, College Park, Joslin, Royston Park and Marden donate goods to the collection, as well as parishioners’ friends and families who live outside those areas. Most donations are non-perishable food and hygiene products, with some infant supplies, “treats” and pet food.
The project started in 2007 when a parishioner reported that the food distribution shelves at the Magdalene Centre were empty. An emergency collection of non-perishable foods was quickly planned. A team of helpers dropped advertising flyers into local letterboxes and businesses throughout surrounding suburbs.
The food collection has grown from a quantity that could be transported in two large vehicles in the early days, to now requiring to be transported by truck.
“The success of this outreach activity would not be possible without volunteers who scrounge and save many cardboard boxes, walk the district putting flyers into letterboxes, accept donations at the church on the day and then sort, pack and stack the food ready for collection,” Mrs Peisley concluded.
Issued by: All Souls Anglican Church, St Peters
Date: 29 July 2022
Contact: Ann Peisley, 0417 810 549
Sunday 29th May threatened to be a cold and wet day, but this didn’t deter the dedicated fans of baroque music from attending the inaugural performance of new ensemble Musique Vivante at All Souls’ Church.
The dexterity of the musicians and iconic harmonies of the baroque period were rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the appreciative audience.
Ensemble members Agnes Weinstein (baroque violin), Andrew Gardiner (baroque flute), Graham Strahle (viola da gamba) and Anne Whelan (harpsicord) tuned up around the elaborately painted harpsicord prior to the opening of the concert.
The theme of the concert was William Morris’s love of art and crafts from the middle ages.
A feast for the eyes as well as for the ears was provided by the beautifully created Morris-inspired quilts by Michele Hill that were on display around the church.
Front-of-house welcomers Fiona, Mary and Owen sold the winning raffle ticket to quilter Michele Hill. Michele won a bottle of Clare Valley wine and a set of William Morris drink coasters.
The audience was surrounded by the spectacular Morris stained-glass windows, and received a brief talk about their history in All Souls’ Church.
Viola da gamba specialist, Graham Strahle, spoke about the period instruments and books on display that were an additional link with William Morris’ Arts and Crafts movement of the 19th century.
Afternoon tea in Coles Hall followed the concert and provided an opportunity for audience members to speak with the performers and relax after a most enjoyable performance.
Once again, Coles Hall was used as a polling station for the Federal Election. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to connect with the community and to also raise funds for the Parish, a band of workers spent most of Friday morning setting up tables for the plant sale and preparing the barbecue for a busy day of Democracy Sausage Sizzling.
Saturday 21st May dawned a clear and cool autumn morning – perfect sausage sizzle weather – and although crowds were smaller than in past years because of increased early voting, there was great interest in the plant stall and barbecue.
Ted, Jill, Judith and Fiona Presided over a Plethora of Plants that Proved Popular with the Post-Polling Population!!
Over $600 was raised from sales of plants.
Carolyn, Pauline, Colin and Emma produced the siren-smell of sausages and onion that was irresistible to voters, and to many who came just for the sausages.
Over $1,000 worth of sausages was sold.
Meanwhile, the church remained open for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the windows and to step away from political activity and into the tranquillity that is All Souls’ Church. Coffee was dispensed to polling workers, stall workers and visitors and conversations were enjoyed with local residents who took the time to look inside the church for the first time.
Deb, a first-time visitor to All Souls’ Church, was chatting with long-time Parishioner Carol who admired a “Fairy Garden” that Deb had purchased at the plant stall. Hearing that Carol now lives in care, Deb insisted that Carol take the garden home with her. Carol is pictured with her new garden. Thank you Deb. The kindness of strangers is a wonderful reminder that we are surrounded by caring people.
After 2 years of restricted travel, we welcomed two inter-state groups during April. Australians Studying Abroad travelled across the border from Victoria on 1st April and Renaissance Tours returned on 29th April with visitors from all states to study and enjoy the many William Morris treasures that can be found in Adelaide.
The Renaissance Tour leader, Michele Hill, brought along some of her beautiful William Morris-inspired quilts to display and add to the enjoyment of the tour.
As usual, Parishioners were there to welcome visitors and provide morning tea and delicious home-made treats.
