Barb Totterdell September 3rd 2017 ~ Stepping Out Together

This Sunday James moves to two days a week here at St Philip’s in order to continue to shift his focus more towards The Common, the church plant that the Duffs and the Murthas are leading in Palmyra.  What God is doing already in and through this missional community is so exciting and we look forward to what is to come.  As well as praying for James and Jared as they work out structural and financial avenues, let’s continue to join them in praying for those who have recently come to faith, for the Alpha course they are about to run and their presence at the local flats. As well, there’s lots of other fantastic work that people in our congregation are engaged with, often in community with others.  John and Clare Brans are connecting in simple and profound ways with those in their street and Sally Howe is leading a team (a community on mission) of people running a cooking camp for primary-aged kids in the upcoming school holidays.  Marney Easton and Susan Ewing have continued this year being present at North Cottesloe Primary School – and a number of others are planning on joining them.  Cathy Kiernan, Cheryl Potts, Elle Apopei and others continue to connect with a range of local kids and parents/grandparents through playgroup.Last week a number of us heard from Jenni Hinspeter about her work with refugees.  One of the things that she shared with us was the impact that Christians caring for Muslim refugees is having on them and the way in which they are being led to faith as a result - Christians, in community, having experienced Jesus’ love for them and loving others as a result.  Let’s continue to be praying for Jenni as she engages further in this work and let’s be praying for refugees throughout the world.  Jenni’s put together a helpful and beautiful digital prayer book to help us in praying for refugees.  Email the church office for a copy. For a number of years, Helen Manley, Susan Ewing and Amanda Simes have been involved with Beach Mission in Augusta during January.  They are part of a short-term missional community who camp in the Flinders Bay Caravan Park and aim to share the good news of Jesus with the other holiday-makers.  This happens through building relationships, showing love and care, running fun family activities (movie nights, sandcastle competitions, slippery slides, cricket, etc) and through a Bible Story time for kids.  Having visited them on a number of occasions in my previous role with Scripture Union, this year I’m leading that team and we’d love some others from St Philips to join us.  It’s a relaxed though focused time from 1st -10th January and the team would be particularly enhanced by a few families and some older teens/ young adults.  We are open to people joining us for part of the time and it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience life as part of a missional community.  We’d also value prayer as we begin to prepare for this time in January.There are so many other things I could name! It’s great to be part of a community who are seeking God and stepping out together. Blessings,Barb