CHURCH NEWS  

As he continues to prepare for returning to work, Ian will be visiting the church over the next few weeks, attending services and activities. Ian would welcome people taking time to be in conversation with him, but please do not raise parish matters with him as he is not at work.

We pray for all those affected by bushfires throughout the country. And in particular, we pray for those suffering on the east coast of Australia at this time. Today, we are taking a special collection for those who are suffering, with all funds going to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. If you would like to donate, there is a marked bucket at the back of the church. If you would prefer not to make a cash donation, you may either offer your donation using the direct debit facility or the Eftpos machine at the rear of the Church and mark the docket referred to as “Bushfire appeal”.

Bishop Ian will be joining us on Sunday, 25th January, to celebrate all of our services

On Saturday, 7th February, there will be an ordination service at the Cathedral in Bunbury, commencing at 11 am. Rev Carolyn Ball will be ordained as a priest alongside five other deacons, and Mrs Tracey Gray, Principal of Frederick Irwin Anglican School, will be ordained as a deacon. Due to the large number of ordination candidates, there will only be limited, ticketed seating in the Cathedral with an overflow in the Cathedral Hall. It is intended that the service also be live-streamed and we will be opening our church on that morning for this purpose. If you would like to attend the live-streaming at Christ's Church, could you please register your name on the list at the back of the church.

It is our intention apply for an LLM License for Isobelle Shortreed. Should anyone have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please speak to our Church wardens, Bronwyn Jones or Karen Reeves.

We are back this new year. Please come and join us for a cup of tea or coffee with cake. Each Thursday morning in our church, we host an open morning tea for members of the community to drop in and enjoy fellowship while being served a morning tea of a hot drink and either a scone with jam and cream or a slice of cake.

We will be holding our AGM on 8th March 2026. If you wish to have a vote at this meeting, you need to be on the voting parishioner roll for the Anglican Parish of Mandurah. Please check to see if you are on the roll, a copy of which is in the blue folder at the back of the church, and fill in a voting parishioner form if your name is not listed and you would like to be able to vote.

In accordance with Diocesan Statute,s the roll will close on Sunday, 8th February.

The Voting Parishioner Roll is separate from our church register of parishioners. If you are new or relatively new to worshipping with us, we invite you to complete a registration form, available at the back of the church. Your name will be entered on our church database, which will enable us to contact you if necessary and will ensure that you receive all regular email messages we send to our parishioners.

We invite you to bring in your 2025 Palm Crosses to place in the basket at the back of the church. These crosses will be burned to create the ash used to place the sign of the cross on those who wish it during our two Ash Wednesday services.

Tuesday 17th February, 6 pm. Come and join us for pancakes, both savoury and sweet. Are you able to make a savoury or sweet filling to contribute to our evening? If so, please speak to Wendy in the parish office. If you are coming on the night, you are welcome to make a small donation toward the cost of the pancakes you enjoy.

Services will be held in Christ’s Church on Wednesday, 18th February at 10 am and 6 pm for the Imposition of Ashes. Please join us as we begin our Lenten journey.

Jenny’s funeral will be held at our Church on Tuesday 1,3th January, at 10 am.

Canon Ian returned home from the hospital on Thursday and is now entering a phase of outpatient rehabilitation as a part of his return-to-work plans.

For several years now, the front of our Op-Shop has been a real mess. So, Earl from our 7.00 am service offered to establish a garden for us: please come by and have a look. The sunflower plants have turned on a really beautiful show, and we are getting so many positive reactions. Thanks, Earl, and we hope everyone has a great 2026. Fr Joe

Book Shop: Reopens 18th Jan 2026

Op-Shop: Reopens 12th Jan 2026

Knit and Natter: Resumes 14th January 2026

Soul Singers: Recommence 4th February 2026

Community Morning Tea:

Recommence 15th Jan 2026

Our mission giving for January will be directed to our diocesan support for the Diocese of Kapsabet in Kenya.

I am collecting used greeting cards, Christmas, Birthday, Easter cards etc. If you have any that you are ready to recycle, please leave them in the “C’ pigeon hole addressed to Robyn. These cards will be upcycled into new cards and re-gifted to charities. Robyn Chalk.

4th March, Ken Barrett Room,

1 pm—3 pm

Enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and making cards for charity. More details to follow.

Parish office: Reopens Tuesday, 6th January 2026

Morning Prayer: Broadcast restarts 7th January 2026

Book Shop: Reopens 18th Jan 2026

Op-Shop: Reopens 12th Jan 2026

Knit and Natter: Recommence on 14th January 2026

Soul Singers: Recommence on 4th February 2026

Community Morning Tea: Re-commence on 15th Jan 2026

Several of our older parishioners have indicated that they will be stepping down from their ministries of service in and around the church in the new year and we will shortly be seeking volunteers from our parish family to take up these ministries.

8TH MARCH 11:30 AM IN CHRIST’S CHURCH, MANDURAH

Please see notices below regarding enrolling to be a voting parishioner, parish council nominations, and the submission of reports for the annual report book. Kindly note that there might be a slight variation to the dates.

VOTING PARISHIONER ROLL

We will be holding our AGM on 8th March 2026. If you wish to have a vote at this meeting, you need to be on the voting parishioner roll for the Anglican Parish of Mandurah. If you were on this roll last year, then you will still be there this year. If howeve,r you are new to the parish or have not been on the roll befor,e you will need to enrol. Please check to see if you are on the roll, a copy of which is in the blue folder at the back of the church, and fill in a voting parishioner form if your name is not listed and you would like to be able to vote.

In accordance with Diocesan Statutes, the roll will close on Sunday, 8th February.

Nominations for the 2026 Parish Council will open on 25th January and close on 22nd February. To nominate, you must be a voting parishioner and meet all relevant Safe Church compliance requirements.

Please contact the parish office for more information about Safe Church Compliance requirements.

If you are the leader of a parish ministry, we would like to have a report from you for our 2025 Annual Report Booklet, which outlines the activities undertaken within your ministry for the 2025 year. The report book is due to be published on the weekend of 20—22 February 2026. All reports should be emailed, if possible, to the parish office by 11 February 2026.

Sunday 15th February 4 PM – 5.30 PM

The Wardens invite parishioners who have joined our parish in the past twelve months to a meet and greet at the church.

This is an opportunity to chat with parish clergy, wardens, and office staff and to have any questions you may have about our parish and its ministry answered.RSVP tochurchoffice@anglicanchurchmandurah.org.au

9535 6152 for catering purposes.

Could all the parishioners please regularly check our pigeon holes during the Advent season? Look in the letter that corresponds with the first letter of your surname.

We are in the season of Advent.

· Liturgy content and order will be different

· Will have the lighting of the candles of the Advent wreath at the beginning of the service

· Will not sing or say The Gloria and the 8.15 am service will have said responses. Other changes you may notice in our church:

· Will use the colour violet, or purple, to mark the season of waiting

· Will remove all floral arrangements, and these will return for Christmas