FROM THE JANUARY 2009 CHURCH BULLETIN

 Induction of Rev. Canon Harvey Sloane and

Rev. Elizabeth Sloane

 It was a joyous occasion in the life of our parish when at  4pm on Saturday December 20th at All Saints Church, Bermagui, Rev. Canon Harvey Sloane was inducted as the new Rector of the Parish of Cobargo, and his lovely wife, Elizabeth, inducted as Deacon. Archdeacon Ian Palmer from Queanbeyan led the uplifting service, ably assisted by our Area Dean, Rev. Ian Lambert from Batemans Bay.
 
The welcoming of Harvey and Liz is an important event not only in the life of our Parish, but indeed in the entire communities of Bermagui, Cobargo and Quaama and as such it was wonderful to share the occasion with representatives from local community organisations such as the Rural Fire Service.

A number of clergy from the Cathedral and the Rural Deanery also attended, along with Anglican ministers from neighbouring parishes. It was lovely to catch up with Rev. Gail Tabor, a previous rector of our parish who is now retired and living in Bega.
 
Father Michael Mullen of the Roman Catholic Church, and Rev. Nick Potten (newly arrived in Bermagui himself!) of the Baptist Church, welcomed Harvey and Liz on behalf of their respective congregations. Two very important people who have helped us spiritually and physically during the past 12 months were also present; Rev. David Oliphant and Rev. Linda Chapman.
 
A huge THANK YOU is extended to everyone who attended the Induction to welcome Harvey and Liz into our midst, to all who took part in the service, to Robyn, Lance and Alan for their warm words of welcome, and to everyone who assisted with catering and cleaning up afterwards. On behalf of our entire Parish I would like to extend a very special Thank You to these people and organisations: to May Blacka, whom I have called upon frequently in the past couple of weeks to obtain flowers and who kindly donated the beautiful bouquet presented to Harvey and Liz, to Jane, Carmen and Paul at Fruit Ballad Winery in Quaama who generously donated the wine presented to Harvey and Liz at their Induction, and to Rev. David Oliphant the previous week, to Rocky Lagana and the Bermagui Fishermens' Co-op for donating the fish, and to Bega Cheese Co-op for their kind donation of a cheese basket.
 
Harvey and Lizs' Induction marks the beginning of a new and exciting era in the life of our Parish. Let us all remember to welcome, love and nurture them, not only now, but in the months and years to come.
 
Harvey and Liz, welcome to our Church Family!

 Report by Tracey 

Christmas Carols and Christ Child Markets at Bermagui

The Christ Child Markets and Christmas Carols on 13th December were well attended. 
There were many lovely items for sale at the markets, including cakes, puddings, Christmas decorations, and Christian books.  Thank you to all who helped to make these markets such a success.  Afternoon tea was available, as was the traditional BBQ.  At 6.30 p.m. the ecumenical carol service commenced in the grounds of the church, led by Chris Richard-Preston, who had organized a choir, together with her husband, Dave, and Ruth, who played for the choir; also Steve Maginnity and David Oliphant who played guitar.  Various traditional carols were sung, together with an Australian carol.  Children were invited to participate in the performance of two of the carols, and after a little reluctance they took part enthusiastically.  David Oliphant was thanked for the work that he did for the parish over the past 12 months in the absence of a rector.   It was altogether a most enjoyable afternoon and evening.

CHOLERA OUTBREAK CAUSES HAVOC IN ZIMBABWE

The devastating cholera outbreak continues to spread, affecting 44 out of the 61 districts in the country. The numbers of suspected cases and reported deaths have risen by 76.5% and 76.2% respectively since the previous week, and now stands at 16,403 cases and 783 deaths in total. The outbreak is affecting the Southern African region as well, with the Republic of South Africa reporting 751 cumulative cases and 11 deaths with the bulk of the cases in the Limpopo area. Cases have also been reported in Botswana and Mozambique, albeit in smaller numbers.   

Major causes for the current outbreak remain lack of clean drinking water and sanitation, weak health services, and health staff strike, mainly by nurses. Health staff is unable to obtain salaries from banks due to the acute shortage of banknotes, making it too burdensome and expensive to travel to work.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

FROM THE DECEMBER 2008 CHURCH BULLETIN

New Rector for our Parish

We are currently rejoicing in the news that our parish has a new full time minister!  He is Canon Harvey Sloane.  Harvey and his wife Liz, who is a deacon, will be arriving in mid-December.  A man of great passion and enthusiasm, Harvey has been an ordained Anglican minister for around 15 years and has served in parishes in Wagga, Berridale and most recently Tumut.  He is finely tuned to the needs of a rural parish and is experienced in being the rector of a country parish which has more than one centre of worship, such as our own.  Harvey is also a Police Chaplain.

Prior to joining the ministry Harvey and Liz were both school teachers.  They have 3 grown up children and a much-loved Maltese terrier, Teabag.
 
Harvey’s and Liz’s Induction will be held at All Saints Bermagui on Saturday December 20th at 4pm, an event to which all parishioners are invited to attend.

He will begin leading services the very next day, Sunday December 21st, and shall be here to celebrate Christmas with us.

Tracey

Thank You to Rev. David Oliphant and Rev. Linda Chapman

During the 12 months when our parish has been without a full time priest, we have been blessed to have had the services of Rev. David Oliphant and Rev. Linda Chapman.  David has led Holy Communion services at Christ Church Cobargo and All Saints Bermagui on 2 or 3 Sundays of nearly every month this year as well as conducting two baptisms.  Linda has celebrated Holy Communion with us twice and conducted a wedding at St Saviours Quaama.

On behalf of the entire Parish of Cobargo I would like to thank David and Linda for the care which they have extended towards us, for their moving and thought-provoking sermons and beautiful services.  We really appreciate everything they have done for us.  We look forward to continuing to see David and Angela, and Linda and Anthony at services in our parish.

Tracey

TELECARE

There is often someone out there in need of a friendly call, or a card.  If you know of anyone who will benefit from this contact, please call Judy or email this website through the Contact Us page, as often we do not know of this need.

Help Required

There is a shortfall at the Cobargo Church in the cleaning roster.  We need people to clean the church for the third week of February, May, August and November, and also for the 5th Sunday of any month.  If you can help, please contact Judith or email this website through the Contact Us page.  Also, if you can help for any other weeks, please let Judith know. 

The official website of the Anglican Church of Australia is :

http://www.anglican.org.au/