Cathedral-Anglicare Christmas Giving tree has been erected and the appeal was launched Friday 3rd December by Dean Phillip and Toni Reay from Anglicare. Communities are now invited from across the Diocese to bring in NEW, UNWRAPPED gifts for families, lay beneath the tree. Anglicare will collect the gifts two days prior to Christmas and distribute to families in need in our region.
The Cathedral began face-to-face services again on Sunday 7 November. We are very fortunate that we have a large and beautiful cathedral space to worship in and our community are able to spread out, making COVID requirements easier to comply with.
When we gathered last, in between lock downs, we were only allowed five singers in the choir, but now we are allowed a full choir, who sang for us on the first Sunday. On Sunday 14 November, because of a relaxation in the NSW government requirements, we were able to all sing – using masks – and this was a great joy. One thing that the lock downs have shown us is how essential it is to sing God’s praises together in worship.
The life of the worshipping community is returning. On 14 November I commissioned five new bellringers and they rang for us on that day.
We also began our baptism programme on 21 November. Some of the parents have waited almost a year and have been postponed several times, so that was a doubly joyful occasion. Over the last year we have celebrated four adult baptisms. These have come about in part from people reflecting on the challenges of the pandemic.
We are also aware of those who are hesitant to return to live church and attend to them though a number of different forms of pastoral outreach including contacting them by phone and personal delivery of weekly pew sheets.
This is the first time for some while that we are able to celebrate by Dean Phillip Saunders the church’s year. It was great to mark the new beginning of Advent with the new beginning in the life of our worshipping community.
Come Lord Jesus, Come!
