Outdoor outreach

A group of Aboriginal Christians in Broome is meeting for Bible study on the main oval so that they can be a visible Christian presence in the centre of town.

Assistant Minister Chris Webb – supported by CMS – helps pastor the People’s Church congregation of Broome Anglican Church. He said the men’s Bible study group had been meeting at the church premises. But one morning, after discussing the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the gospel of Luke, one of the members challenged the group to meet in a more public location. 

Just like the rich man in the gospel, the men meeting at the church had all the riches of God’s grace and salvation while in the centre of town there were many other men who were missing out on the blessing of knowing Jesus. 

The group decided they should meet under the big tree on the oval at the centre of town – a common meeting place for many Aboriginal people. So now on Monday mornings, a core group gathers with guitars, a thermos and a Bible to spend time having a cuppa, singing, discussing the gospel and praying. And every week a handful of extra men (and sometimes women) who are on the oval join them.

Chris said: “We now have an extra point of contact with these men, many of whom are struggling with alcoholism, and they have another opportunity to hear the gospel.

“It’s been great for the boldness of the Christian men too as they publicly identify themselves as followers of Jesus. 

100 not out

More than 100 residents, former church members and descendants of pioneers filled St Andrew’s Church in Mullewa to celebrate its Centenary.

The service was conducted by Rev Don Miller and Bishop Gary Nelson preached on Jesus Christ’s parable of the sower and the seed. The challenge for us is ‘What sort of listener are we? for it is only those who hear and understand the good news who’ll share in the fullness and glory of the Kingdom of God.

Bishop Gary drew attention to the new commemorative mural on the exterior wall of the church hall which reflects the parable using images of local wildflowers. The beautiful painting by renowned artist and church member Helen Ansell has been designed to be a lasting gift to the community and reminder of the gospel.  

The celebration event was the brainchild and superb effort of former resident and church member Judy Critch, with a committee of local and past members, along with some Diocesan representatives. The Service in the church was followed by a luncheon served at the Recreation Centre.

At the luncheon former St Andrew’s Minister, Ted Doncaster, presented a pictorial and written history of the church centenary to Don Miller for display and a copy to Jocelyn Ross, diocesan archivist.

The event capped off a wonderful festive weekend for the Midwest town of Mullewa.

Invitation to God’s great party

About 100 people attended the Holy Trinity Thanksgiving Service

Has God held a party in heaven for you yet?

This was the challenge from Bishop Gary during the Thanksgiving Service to mark the 125th anniversary of Holy Trinity Roebourne, the oldest church building in North West Australia.

Bishop Gary spoke of the rejoicing that occurs in heaven over each lost sinner who repents and turns to Christ, and he urged all to accept the precious offer of salvation from the Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Luke 15:1-7).

About 100 guests came from all over Western Australia and NSW for the service which followed a five -year painstaking restoration of the beloved church.

Minister-in-charge of West Pilbara, Frank Nicol, said it was a joy to celebrate with local residents, former church members and members of the Friends of Holy Trinity, a key support group. Members of the Pilbara Aboriginal Church came along, including elders who attended Sunday School at Holy Trinity 50 years ago!

A highlight was connecting with people linked to original pioneer families, including seven descendants of Emma and John Withnell, pioneers and faithful foundation members of the church.

The following service at Holy Trinity was a combined meeting of brothers and sisters from the Pilbara Aboriginal Church (PAC) and West Pilbara Anglican churches. PAC Pastor Marshall surname proposed the combined service followed by a community picnic, which was enthusiastically supported by North West Anglicans, to strengthen fellowship and unity and faithfully proclaim the good news of Jesus.

We thank God for gospel ministry that has occurred here over more than a century. We thank God for former Wickham minister Richard Goscombe, Ms Maureen Lissman and Ms Joy Brann AM from Friends of Holy Trinity and builder Dave Baessler, who all helped realise the restoration. We pray for new ministry to flourish so that the light of Christ may again shine brightly from the church on the hill, and gospel proclamation draw many people into God’s kingdom.  

Frank Nicol shares God’s good news with children at the combined service with Pilbara Aboriginal Church

Gospel comfort in tragedy

Mike Welham helped comfort staff and students after a crisis.

Geraldton Assistant Minister Mike Welham urges Christians to be assured that in tragedy we can bring people the most valuable thing of all - the gospel of Jesus.

Mike was recently called out urgently to help a local school respond to the tragic death of a young man by his own hand, although the student had no connection with the Anglican Church.

“The students were in shock because the young man had been well-loved and outwardly going well in life,” Mike said.

“The amazing thing was how open and appreciative the students and staff were to have us pray with them and offer comfort from the pages of Scripture.”

“I can say for sure, that even when we feel like we have nothing to give, as Christians we have the most valuable thing of all to bring – the loving gospel of the Lord Jesus.”

As the students focussed on processing the tragedy, visiting chaplains had a key role in patiently listening to the young people express their grief.

“It was so good to be able to pray with them and tell them that because of Jesus, pain like this is only temporary. There is a day coming when all things will be made right, and for those who love Jesus, this is our hope,” Mike said.

“I’m very encouraged to hear that this tragedy has prompted some of the Christian students to begin sharing with their school friends the hope that they have in Jesus.”

Please pray for God’s comfort for the family, students and staff, and pray also that the gospel will bear fruit in the lives of those who heard it that day.

Giving Thanks to the Lord

Gary Nelson Bishop of the North West

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

  his love endures forever.  [NIV: Psalm 1071]

In the first half of 2021 we experienced the goodness of God in many, many ways.  Join us in giving God thanks for his enduring love towards us. 

In the Midwest region of the diocese, we felt the effects of Cyclone Seroja.  It’s rare to experience the full force of a cyclone this far down the coast, yet we did.  Though many of our church buildings received damage, we are thankful that no loss of life occurred. 

In Kalbarri, some 70% of properties suffered damaged. So, the community greatly valued the use of our church building as a temporary school, and then playtime facility for parents and young children.  For Christine and I, we’re very thankful that our backyard tree missed the house, but many others were not so fortunate.  Our farmers have sustained losses of infrastructure and machinery, while some have had significant damage to their homes. 

We are encouraged and thankful for the support of people who have given to our cyclone appeal, especially through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund.  Please pray for wisdom in the distribution of these funds across our region.

Friends, thanksgiving is a mark of genuine Christian faith. For throughout the Bible’s pages, we can’t miss the call to thank God.  In Psalm 107 the restored Jewish exiles are urged to thank the God who has saved them.  And the psalmist repeatedly gives this reminder [see vs.15,21,31 NIV]:

              Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love,  

and his wonderful deeds for mankind!

The missionary apostle Paul also echoes this same call.  So, he encourages the newly established church in the Greek city of Thessalonica to [1 Thess 518 NIV]:

... give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

While he urges the Colossian Christians in a similar manner [Col 317 NIV]:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name                    

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   

The diocese of North West Australia seeks to make disciples of all nations as we centre our church life in the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  As you pray, share your resources and visit, please remember to give God thanks for his unfailing, steadfast love to us.  Thank you for your support.

Bishop Gary

Responding to Cyclone Seroja

Jenny helps Judy move home after Cyclone Seroja

Our church communities are showing care and support for struggling residents and farmers in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Seroja which slammed into North West Australia.

We praise God that there was no loss of life nor serious injury despite widespread damage to homes, businesses, farms and essential infrastructure through parts of the Mid West and Wheatbelt regions.

The coastal town of Kalbarri bore the brunt of the Cyclone, with most properties damaged and one in four uninhabitable. However, God preserved our church and ministry couple David and Jenny Day opened it as a haven for locals.

“The local school was unusable and so we offered them the church to hold classes,” David Said.

Fifty-three primary school students from kindy to Year 6 children spent their school days in the Anglican church for a month while school repairs were completed.

The principal commented that there wouldn’t have been a school without the Anglican church ministry.   

The locals are resilient and determined to get back up on their feet.

“We keep on trying to be Christ in our community,” David said.

“We are putting our energies into endeavours which help make the gospel known in Kalbarri.”

When the local playgroup became homeless, Jenny started a playtime at the church to replace the venue that has been demolished along with toys and equipment. They have helped source generators for people and encouraged others with words of comfort.

Further inland, Rev Eldred Royce hit the back tracks to visit and encourage farmers picking up the pieces after Seroja’s fury, with infrastructure and livelihoods destroyed.

A mission team from Geraldton visited to clean up the church grounds and disposed of 30 cubic metres of rubbish.

Bishop Gary thanked supporters, including the appeal by the Anglican Development and Aid Fund, which contributed generous gifts to help restore damaged communities and churches.

“We thank and praise God that we are not alone in our troubles. The Lord is our rock and our redeemer and the prayers of the saints throughout Australia and the world are a terrific encouragement."

Men’s ministry meeting one-to-one

Kununurra minister Daniel Faricy and Colin meet up each week to read the Bible.

In Kununurra, meeting one-to-one to read the Bible together is helping men grow in their love and knowledge of God, according to Minister-in-Charge Daniel Faricy.

Daniel meets with four men individually to catch up, read the Bible, encourage and pray for each other.

“Meeting one to one is something that someone did with me when I was growing up and I valued it.”

“Reading the Bible is one of the key ways of growing in Christ and I want to continue investing in others in this way.”

Generally the men read through the gospel of Mark together before moving to follow the preaching program. This helps Daniel prepare the sermon - especially in thinking through how to apply the passage to daily living – and helps the men to engage more deeply on Sunday. They form a deeper bond which helps them stay accountable as they seek to serve God during the week.

Colin Lee and Daniel have been meeting for four years.

“I’ve appreciated getting to know more about the Bible and being able to discuss what I am learning with someone else to make sure my views are correct,” Colin said.

“It’s also about getting to know each other more to make sure that when I say ‘RU OK?’ I am really asking are you OK.”

Daniel’s prayer is for the ministry to multiply and the men to move beyond their comfort zone and shyness and invite friends to meet with them one to one.   

“Even though it’s time consuming, it’s worth it. There’s a different level of engagement possible than with a Bible study group. You can share God’s word in other ways and I’ve made it one of my priorities.” 

“It’s helpful to have that accountability meeting once a week - an opportunity to talk about life and share God’s truth in an encouraging way.”