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Dear Friends,

(1) Pastors and people: There are always stages and phases in the work at St Thomas’ and we are at a new stage with 5pm moving and Simon and Tamara F— (soon) taking up new ministry at Northbridge. As the new wave of ministers are being interviewed for a replacement we will be looking for someone to take up the preaching role (and other roles) that Simon leaves behind. I would value your prayers as I interview people over the coming weeks.

Peter F— came for the specific task of working on systems within the 10am congregation for three years and this was gladly extended to four. Peter and Carol have done great things among us and been much loved but Peter’s role will finish this year and they will leave us to pursue a new ministry.

Needless to say these families will be properly thanked and farewelled when the time comes.

Jon P— is continuing in 2011 for the third year of his curacy. Richard J— continues to juggle and organise the new wedding ministry. Both Jon and Richard are greatly supported in their ministries by Lika and Judy respectively.

Please pray for the right people for the current needs — as gifts are required for the stage we are facing. It is always a wrench to have people train, serve and go on but we have many, many things to be thankful for.

(2) There are two ‘Hot Topic’ nights coming up this month and I wanted you to — at least — know the value of the subjects being considered and the competence of the persons presenting the information.

(i) Wednesday August 18:
“The Nature of Work” — Beng Y—
Beng is in an excellent position to help us think freshly and freely about the work we do. He is a member of the 10am congregation (with his wife Le Wan), a former CEO with up to 3,500 people responsible to him and now works with a Christian mission called ‘Leading the Way’.
Between corporate leadership and Christian mission Beng studied at Regent College Vancouver comparing Christian leadership styles — on the backdrop of the teaching of the apostle Paul. Beng is well aware of the place of Christians in every vocation and will bring a wise and valuable perspective.

(ii) Monday August 23:
“Mission and Social Justice” — David M—
David is an Anglican Minister who has served in places as diverse as Western Australia (Pilbara), Kiama and York Street, Sydney. He was also the Director of the Department of Evangelism in Sydney for 10 years.
Now he heads up the Archbishop’s ‘Anglican Aid’ which oversees relief, development and ministry projects. So there is no-one more aware of the need to be Kingdom/Word-thinking while having real compassion.
We will get a snapshot from David at the Prayer Meeting this Wednesday (8–9pm) and he is coming on his wife’s [major decade] birthday!

The two ‘Hot Topic’ nights will be key topics with key speakers. Come if you can!

Yours in fellowship,
Simon Manchester

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