News

Lyn and Lindsay Whybrow

To our friends and supporters,

In July we were able to make a deputation visit to all services at Christ Church Inner West, where we were given much encouragement at Fivedock, Haberfield and Ashfield. They are BCA supporters.

This weekend in July also saw us having to make arrangements for Lyn's mother and father. They were in acute medical need, and the situation is still being resolved. Lyn has done as much as she can at this stage, and we await further developments.

A visit to Ivanhoe was finally achieved. A group of four of us headed out on the 2 hour drive on gravel road. It was a great encouragement to have others assisting us. When we arrived we had a service with three locals.  Discussion followed, and they would like us to arrange a Christmas service, which we will do on November 29th. I would love to see a few husbands joining us, and maybe even some children.

From August 28 to 31 I was asked to attend a conference called Living Stones at Kurri Kurri. It is an Australia wide Anglican conference which is committed to developing the model of Ministering Communities in Mission. Each diocese which attends is invited to bring one lay person, one Ministry Development Officer, one priest, and the bishop. It was quite inspirational, although I struggle to see how it can be applied with such a small congregation and to ageing church people. Still, it is a kind of democratisation of the church, trying to keep churches alive and in touch, by adopting Local Lay Ministries in situations where there is no priest, and no likelihood of one coming.

Lyn travelled with me and we arrived home just in time to attend our diocesan Lay Conference at Hay.

This is the one people have been praying for. We believe it went very well. David and Robyn Claydon were inspirational, and people were blessed in the main talks and in the workshops. May there be a continuing movement of God among these people.

Our visit from St Matthews West Pennant Hills is programmed for Sept 30 - 4 Oct. We pray for them to have an impact on the High School scripture as they present a seminar for them. And then they will have a youth night.

The visit will co-inside with the Jesus, All about life campaign, which all four churches are supporting. We will have a dinner and dialogue meeting at the local club, and invitations are being sent, as well as being publicized in the local paper. Folk from St Matthews will take charge of that evening.

The end of the year seems charging upon us. For us, this will mean Christmas Carols services, a Family Christmas service, and planning for next year. We are thankful for your continuing interest and faithful prayers.

We hope to catch up with some of you over Christmas and as the year ahead opens up — perhaps by sharing time or even an e-mail.

May God's own blessing be with you all.

Lindsay and Carolyn

(21 Sept, 2009)