James Duff September 18th 2016 ~ A Ministry Update

Hi all,You may have noticed that I was not at last week’s Sunday services, nor again today, nor will I be at the next three Sundays!  That is five Sundays in a row that I will not be at St Philips.  The following musing is really just a few ministry highlights and a few stories and it will inform you of why currently I just can't seem to make a Sunday service.Sunday 11th SeptemberLast Sunday was the once-a-month Sunday, when the Elvira oikos (missional community that I lead with Jane), gathers in a local park in Palmyra, with Olive Tree Baptist Church.  We had well over 10 families (30 - 40 people) attend, a mix of non-Christian and Christian people.  We cook and eat bacon-and-egg rolls, drink coffee and the children play with kites, kick a soccer ball and play in the playground.  The idea is for people to invite friends along who may never come to a church service.  There is always a prayer said and an update on what the two communities are up to.Recently Meirion and Sam Powell (9:30 service and Elvira Oikos) have been helping serve food with the Salvation Army and we are currently discerning how to have more families involved in a sustainable way.  The Elvira Oikos are taking donations of socks to be passed onto the Salvos as currently this is their biggest need (see notice in pew sheet). We have witnessed people being prayed for and many God conversations occur during our time as two God communities unite together.Sunday 18th SeptemberThis Sunday I have been invited to speak at St Albans Highgate's annual church camp.  The whole Duff clan is attending and both Jane and I are sharing about what it means to be a family-on-mission for Jesus with our whole lives.  We are far from perfect examples but because of Jesus we are examples!Sunday 25th September - 9th OctoberWe are on holidays!Two ministry updates and prayer points:

• This last few weeks the dad of a boy in Hugh's year (pre-primary) at school, died suddenly and unexpectedly at work. He was only 39 and left behind a son, daughter and a wife who was 38 weeks pregnant.  She has since given birth to a healthy boy.  Although the couple in their own words to me before the tragedy occurred were, "We aren't religious", I am now in the privileged position of being asked by his wife to take his funeral this Monday.  Please pray for them.  Their extended families are in the UK.  We have had many talks and want to be a comfort and help to them.
• In the last month, on Tuesday nights, the youth leadership team have been gathering at St Philips to do some ministry training. Chris Roberts, the fulltime youth minister at St Matthews Shenton Park, has led us in this process.  We learnt much and have grown as a team together.  Please pray for our youth and youth team.

See you in three weeks after Geelong are premiers!God blessJames