NEWS STORY

Have a Coffee on Us: All Souls, St Peters launches community outreach project

To put a smile on the faces of coffee drinkers in need of a fillip, All Souls’ parish in St Peters has launched an initiative to offer free take-away coffees to those who need them.

Recognising that many people are experiencing tough economic times, All Souls’ community members are paying for free take-away coffees at the Drunkn Coffee shop in The Avenues shopping centre on Payneham Road.

All Souls’ Parish Priest, the Rev’d Julia Denny-Dimitriou, said that the initiative had been publicised in local churches and it was the hope of All Souls that others in the local community would also contribute. “This happened at the launch, which is heartening. When people sitting at the café heard about the initiative, some of them got up immediately to go and buy a coffee and put a card on the board for someone who needs it. This exactly the kind of community spirit we want to encourage,” she said.

Long established overseas, the idea is said to have started in Naples where it is called “caffè sospeso“, or suspended coffee. It reportedly began after World War II when many people could not afford the “black hot liquid pleasure not considered a treat, but rather a basic human right in the life of any Neapolitan”. Café patrons who could afford it, began to pay for a coffee for a less-well-off person*. In the USA and UK it is often called “Pay it forward” coffee. The practice can include food as well as a beverage.

The Have a Coffee on Us board with cards representing a free coffee donated by members of the parish and wider community.

Coffee Club Drunkn Coffee

The All Souls’ Coffee Club and visitors launch the Have a Coffee on Us project at the Drunkn Coffee shop in The Avenues shopping centre, Stepney.

 

 

 

Pay it forward Coffee

All smiles from members of the All Souls’ Coffee Club with the magnetic notice board of the Have a Coffee on Us project launched recently.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

*www.snopes.com: Suspended coffee

Issued by: All Souls Anglican Church, St Peters

Date: 17 November 2023

Contact: Julia Denny 0476 126 694

All Souls church in St Peters has marked 140 years of ministry at its Patronal Festival on Sunday 5 November with the regular congregation joined by many members of the wider community to celebrate the long community history. The parish was founded when the Church of England was offered two plots, now 49-51 Sixth Avenue, and a small wooden church was licensed for divine worship on All Souls’ Day,  Friday 2nd November 1883.Bishop Denise seated in the Bishop’s Chair in All Souls’ newly renovated Chancel (below) which has been roped off for some years. “Make-safe” work has been done to remove cracked plaster. It is believed to be the first time a woman bishop has sat in the Bishop’s Chair and presided at the Eucharist from behind the high altar at the church. Photos by: Kirk Robinson

Bishop Denise Ferguson, who preached the sermon at Sunday’s service noted the report by Rev’d Dean Rowney who wrote  “The name of the church was apparently influenced by the  churchmanship of the first Priest in Charge: Canon Arthur Dendy: Few Anglican churches observed All Souls’ Day in the early 1900s, considering it to be ‘Romish’ practice.”

The land on which the current church stands on the corner of Third Avenue and Stephen Terrace was purchased in 1907 but construction on the 450-seat Byzantine style church only began in 1915 with the building dedicated in May 1916. It was not consecrated until 1926, however, due to regulatory and financial constraints. The old church on Sixth Avenue was used for Sunday School and as a hall.

In 1936 Kay Hall was built in memory of the Kay sisters, Florence and Mary by their sisters Margaret, Christina and Sarah and then in 1955 the original land and church on Sixth Avenue was sold as seed money for a new hall That was completed in 1957 named the Coles Memorial Hall after Canon Coles.

The congregation gathered to celebrate the ministry of 140 years at
All Souls’ Parish, St Peters. Photos by: Kirk Robinson

In her sermon, Bishop Denise noted the origins of the Feast of All Souls which was instituted in the 11th century by Odilo, Abbot of Cluny Monastery in France.  “The day was set aside to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. In the Roman Catholic tradition, hence the earlier reference to a Romish practice, it was believed that humanity was born into original sin, and therefore the souls of the faithful departed required further purification before they reached their final and eternal resting place in heaven. During this time of purification, the soul resided in Purgatory,” she said. “I don’t know about you, but as a child when I heard talk of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory it was certainly distressing.”

“Personally, I prefer to claim the Celtic approach, which affirms that what is deepest within us is the image of God, obscured by sin but not erased. The Celtic approach believes that all of God’s creation is good, a blessing, and in essence is an expression of God; and that the essential goodness of God in humanity is fully restored through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Regardless of its history,” Bishop Denise said “the commemoration of All Souls, and remembering and honouring the lives of those who have gone before us is important, and I am glad that this aspect of the tradition of All Souls remains in the Anglican Church”.

 

All Souls’ Brass Ensemble is made up of volunteer musicians from several brass bands including Campbelltown City Brass Band. Photos by: Kirk Robinson

“Much has happened in this parish over the past 140 years. If you have had an opportunity to visit the parish website, you will see that All Souls’ Parish has alternated between flourishing and struggling throughout the 20th Century, and into the 21st Century, as have many Christian communities,” Bishop Denise said. “However, despite the challenges, All Souls strives to remain relevant in a world of distraction and demand and continues to offer faith-based community support, facilities, and friendship. All Souls continues to be a blessing to the community it has faithfully served for 140years.“

People’s Warden Emma Robinson with Stuart and Valerie Langshaw. “Mr Lang” was Chaplain at Woodlands Girls’ when Emma was at high school. Photo by Kirk Robinson

“It is heartwarming to have so many people from the wider community present this morning. Today, we give thanks for the journey so far, and for the faithful witness of the saints and souls who have been a part of that journey.”

Bishop Denise and All Souls’ Parish Priest the Revd Julia Denny-Dimitriou with the Mayor of Norwood, Payneham, St Peters, Robert Bria (above) and Federal Member for Sturt, James Stevens (below). Photos by: Kirk Robinson

Looking ahead, Bishop Denise acknowledged with sadness the current environment where most organised religion has been pushed to the fringe of society.

“Without a faith base and the sense of belonging we find in community, or as we Christians might say ‘loving God and our neighbour as ourselves, our moral compass becomes skewed,” she said. But she reminded the congregation that the future is not a solitary journey.

“As St Paul wrote to the people of Rome ‘nothing will ever separate us from the love of God’. The love that called all things into being and resides at the heart of all humanity. God is inherently with us every
step of the journey…

“Even though All Souls, St Peters faces many challenges, you are also abundantly blessed. However, sometimes the blessings become clouded by the weight of the challenges. I encourage you to look beyond the clouds and own those blessings.”

Wardens Emma Robinson and Pauline Parfitt precede Bishop Denise and Rev’d Julia at the conclusion of the service (above) and gather at the entrance to the church (below).   Photos by: Kirk Robinson

 

14th October 2023

A HUGE “THANK YOU” TO WORKERS AND SUPPORTERS

Once again Parishioners rallied to ‘Person’ the fund raising stalls at Coles Hall while locals exercised their democratic rights at the polling station.  This wonderful opportunity to take advantage of a greater than usual amount of foot traffic was well worth the effort of the workers who were on site before 7.30am and didn’t leave until well after 5pm. It was also a busy day on Friday setting up the plant stalls and preparing the barbecue. 

John, Sara, Dawn and Fiona provided encouragement to the many interested customers who happily took home beautiful and thriving plants.  The recent gardening blitz of the church’s south garden also supplied corms and bulbs of bearded iris and agapanthus. Quirky  ‘Fairy Gardens’ in jugs and teacups created by Helen and Elizabeth  were very popular.

Lovely lavender bags, also created by Helen, and the photographic cards and chocolate goodies by Fiona also sold well. 

The sausage sizzle, under the capable leadership of Emma, took a while to entice customers, but once that scintillating smell of sausage and onion was established, Peter, Pauline and Emma were kept on their toes.  

Calling on family and friends to assist, Emma enlisted the help of son Kirk and friend Nicole who provided friendly service to the growing crowd. 

Meanwhile, over in All Souls’ Church our resident art specialist Rehana offered distraction for children while parents voted.  Thank you Rehana for your talents and support.  The ever-helpful Pauline was there to assist. 

 

COFFEE CLUB

A small and chatty group of parishioners enjoyed coffee at ‘The Lab’ on Payneham Road for an irregular Coffee Club gathering.  This event is held at different venues within the Parish, and nearby suburbs, and provides an opportunity for people who attend the different services to catch up with the latest news.  Look out for the next date that will appear in the Parish Newsletter.

THE NEVER-ENDING STORY OF MAINTENANCE

The ongoing battle to stabilise the foundations of the church continues with repairs to the storm-water drainage around the building.  Thanks to funds from the Parish Trust, this also provided a good opportunity to repair the broken paving at the side of the church, next to the toilets.  It is good to have this potential tripping hazard repaired. 

Thanks also to the generosity of parishioners who contributed to the National Trust Building Fund.  This enabled the Parish to improve protection to the irreplaceable William Morris stained glass windows War and Peace, in the two chapels, by replacing the old metal security grids with modern poly carbonate sheeting. 

Economic hardship does not deter the generosity of Big-hearted Adelaide residents who donated to the recent annual food drive at All Souls’ Parish, St Peters, despite the rising cost of living.

First time co-ordinator of the project, Emma Robinson, said:
“From conversations with people bringing in donations, it was clear that they were aware of how much need there is, and how many people are ‘doing it tough’. This seemed to make them even more determined to be generous and help, despite economic hardships that affect everyone, like mortgage rate rises and increased food and energy costs.”

The Winter Food Collection in aid of the AnglicareSA Magdalene Centre in Gilbert Street, started in 2007 when an All Souls’ parishioner reported that the food distribution shelves at the Centre were empty. An emergency collection of non-perishable foods was quickly organised, and a team of helpers dropped advertising flyers into local letterboxes and businesses in surrounding suburbs.

It grew into an annual tradition that sees residents of St Peters, College Park, Joslin, Royston Park and Marden donate goods to the collection. Parishioners’ friends and families who live outside those areas also contribute. Donations are non-perishable food and hygiene products, infant supplies and “treats”. “This year there was also an emphasis on pet food, to try and help prevent people in hard times from having to surrender much-loved pets. People experiencing homelessness will often choose to feed their pet before themselves, ” Emma added.

“Many contributors said they kept an eye out for the flyer in their letterbox and looked forward to a chance to ‘do their bit’ to help others. This is evidence of the important place that the church plays in the local community. ”

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.

A very dusty Easter in All Souls’ Church

All Souls’ Church has been subject to continuous movement for many decades, as a result of the highly reactive clay soil of the district.  Cracks have been obvious in the Chancel and the Apse for some time and the choir stalls and Chancel have not been used to avoid the potential of having plaster dust, or possibly pieces of plaster, falling onto congregants. 

In more recent times, the plaster in the two chapel ceilings and walls has also started to separate from the brickwork and consequently these chapels have been roped off for safety reasons.

The Parish is committed to removing the plaster from the brickwork in these areas to enable the safer use of the entire church until such a time as the soil is stabilised sufficiently to repair the cracks in the brick work and to replaster the walls and ceilings.  Not only is time necessary for these actions, but significant financial resources must be found to complete the work. 

Contractors are currently working in very dusty conditions to complete this first stage of repair and unfortunately it is not possible to hold services in the church until they have completed their contract.  We are fortunate to have two halls that are now being used to hold services in the interim. 

Please continue to support the Parish during this period of upheaval with prayer, attendance and financial support. 

Tea and Table Talk
On January 22nd, instead of the usual Holy Communion service, Julia introduced a new concept that “aims to provide a fun way in which people can begin to have conversations about the important questions in life.”  The game provides a perfect opportunity to invoice someone to church that you felt might not be comfortable with a traditional service. 

The game designers – a UK Christian not-for-profit – desire to transform lives through the power of conversation. Download the game app to your phone from: https://www.theuglyducklingcompany.com/table-talk

The next Tea and Table Talk will be held on Sunday 26th March at 9.30am.

Monique Chilver and Anton Chapman-Smith were married in All Souls’ Church in January to the beautiful strains of live orchestral music.  Flower petals used to celebrate their departure from the church as a married couple were a reminder of the happy event for many days. 

The first Coffee Club for 2023 was held at Nathaniel’s on Payneham Road  in early February.  A good role up ensured plenty of gossip and fun fellowship. 
Keep watch for the date of the next Coffee Club event.

Shrove Tuesday is well known as Pancake Day as we prepare for the austerity of Lent.  The tradition of using up the ‘good things in life’ like eggs, sugar and other sweet toppings,  provided the perfect opportunity to enjoy pancakes in  Coles Hall. 

The Sanctuary Guild met for the first time in 2023 to plan for the year’s activities.  Fiona Hemstock, our hard working roster-master, led the discussion. 

The baptism of Harrison Coulon was celebrated by the Rev’d Tracey Gracey in late February. 

The Vestry Meeting on 28th February farewelled two members of Parish Council – Ted Davis  and Sue Crees – with Churchwarden Pauline Parfitt (left) presenting them with gifts of appreciation. 

All Souls’ Church is participating in the South Australian History Festival for the first time in 2023.  On four days in late May we will invite people to register for tours at 11am and 2pm  to hear about the history of the Parish, the church and the windows. 

More news to come!