Braveheart!: The 5pm Highland Games

Click here to view some pics from the 5pm Highland Games

Postcard from Mexico: A Chapman update

Mexico has been in all of our minds since Swine Flu first hit. Our thoughts immediately turned to Rob and Shelley Chapman, our Mission Partners there. They were very prompt in emailing us to say that thus far all was well. We continue to pray for them that they will keep well and that this virus will continue to abate.

In the few months since Rob and Shelley returned to Mexico City with Tom and Luis, they have expanded their ministry to students through coffee shopping. Playa Coyote will reopen in July but in the meantime they have supported two Christian friends , Ivan and Susi, to start a similar enterprise in the form of a mobile bus, affectionately called "The Cow" but officially registered as Coffee and Milk Mobile Shop. This has now successfully run for six months and with the combined profits of it and Playa Coyote, Rob is helping Ivan and his friend Robert, to fix up yet another bus. These mobile stands are proving a rich source of contacts for their student ministry.

To follow up on these contacts, Rob and Shelley are holding meeting on most Friday nights to nurture Christian student leaders as they study the scriptures together. This group is a strategic group for us to pray for. From that group can come future leaders of the Christian student movement.

Shelley is teaching English three nights and week and as well takes a Teacher Training class on writing. Two of the girls in her English class are meeting with her each week to study the Bible.

Tom and Luis have recently been off to a Kids' Church camp and came back enthusiastic about loving Jesus. Theirs is a full and strategic ministry and deserves our prayer support.

B T

PS this note just came in

We had an earthquake here yesterday (Saturday 23rd) (the second in less than a month) and while we didn't feel it at all, others that were in the centre of the city said it was very strong and quite alarming. I have only just received the news that one of my fellow teachers from the CELE, a lovely young woman, had a heart attack as a result of the earthquake and died yesterday. Pray for her family, and pray that from this terrible news that someone will look to God and call on his name.

Autumn Session #6: Issues about dying

Australia has a death denying culture. Have you thought about how you would like to die? Have you thought about how you would cope if someone close to you dies? Perhaps you have experienced the loss of a loved one. Dr Doug Bridge wants to help us face up to the issues of dying. He is head of palliative care at Royal Perth Hospital. As a doctor of palliative care he helps people die well, and he helps families cope with the death of their loved ones.

Autumn Session 6 is helping us think through the issues of dying.

Here is a seminar to think through issues of dying well! Facing death and grief. It will be an interactive session and time for asking questions about this most sensitive issue.

Autumn Session 6: Weds 27th May 7:45pm

At St. Matthew's Church
RSVP: office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au or 9381 2640

GP

New Women's Bible Study

A new Monday morning Women’s Bible study is starting. They would love women to join them, please come to a launch morning tea on Monday 25th May. Bible Study starts on Mon June 8th.

For more info contact:
Sue Parsons 9388 1914
or Kylie van der Kooy 9361 2231

Mission Concert

Missions Concert

Saturday 13th June, 7pm

Fund raising concert
for our short term mission trips to China and Indonesia in July.

$20.00 per ticket (+ other
donations gratefully received)

Concert - A wonderful mix of musical style and culture; Chinese, African, Indian & Aussie. People will sing with swing & without, a story will be told, bells will ring & Bach will be heard. From sweet violin to classical guitar & some Jazz for pizzazz.

RSVP church office

93812640 or office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au

and tickets will be on sale at all services.

Missions Working Group

Autumn Session 5: Living together, Black and White

Self determination, reconciliation, treaty, Intervention, even "sorry" are words thrown around in recent discussions of indigenous issues. But what about the people? What is it like to be an indigenous person living in Perth? What are the issues of strattling two cultures in the same city? How can we live together in Perth city as black and white?
Autumn session 5 Living Together, Black and White

David Michie is chairing a panel of local indigenous people so they can share their story about what it is like to be indigenous Australian in Perth. David has a long history as a family councillor amongst indigenous communities, he continues to help indigenous families relate in healthy ways and make the most of life.
St. Matthew's supports AEF at Balga as one of our mission Partners. Harley Hayward is the pastor of Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship (AEF) I strongly encourage you to come to this session to be informed about what are some of the issues for indigenous people living in our city.
As we take the opportunity to love our indigenous neigbours in Perth, here is a chance for us to be informed through the stories of indigenous people from our city.

Autumn Session 5: 21st May 7:45pm At St. Matthew's Church

office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au
RSVP 9381 2640

GP

Autumn Session 7: Daughters and Dads

Here is some more information About Session 7:

Fathers and father-figures have a powerful impact on girls, for good or bad (or often a mixture of both). This affects the girl’s sense of her attractiveness, her confidence and they way she relates to men throughout her life. So it is vital that men understand what it is that their daughters need from them as distinct from their sons.

Also, adult women continue to be impacted by the way they related to their fathers, even when become adults. It is helpful for adult daughters to understand those impacts so that they can begin to live free of any negative impacts.

This is a seminar for fathers, father figures, and adult daughters.

"That was the best talk I have ever heard on any subject. Thank you. My wife enjoyed it too and said she was glad I was there to listen to it". John Alvarez. Surgeon. Perth.

The Speaker: Dr Bruce Robinson has been lecturing on subjects such as parenting, boys and girls needs, busy lifestyles and work-life balance 19 years in Australia, Britain, the USA, Canada and New Zealand. He is a busy doctor and knows what it is like to struggle with the balance of professional life, family life and time away from his 3 children.

His best selling book about busy dads (‘Fathering from the Fast Lane’), his DVD (‘What Kids Really Need from their Dads’), his booklet for school dads (“The Blue Book of Tips for Fathers and Father Figures’) are all popular. His recently released book for men and women is titled ‘Daughters and their Dads’ and is already in its second printing. He is the recipient of a Family Service Award, 3 Teacher of the Year awards and numerous scientific awards. “Bruce Robinson is Australia’s foremost author on fathering.” W Marsh, Fatherhood Foundation.

The Book: This seminar is based on the popular book ‘Daughters and their Dads’, released late in 2008.

“You'll love the stories from this book and they'll keep you reading, fathers and daughters alike”. Geraldine Doogue, ABC presenter, journalist and author

“Father and daughter relationships can be like gold if you take the time to foster them. I recommend this book for all dads”. Justin Langer, Test Cricketer

“This is a book that will help dads and families handle a potentially tricky divide”. Dennis Cometti, AFL Commentator

“In relation to the book, one word describes how I feel about it – Outstanding!”
Glenn A Williams, Focus on the Family, USA

Session 7 Thursday 28th May, 2008 7:45pm St. Matthew's Church

RSVP 9381 2640 or office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au

GP

Family Footy Match

We want you to sign up for the Rosalie Church Family Footy Match, (for Primary School aged kids and their parents) 14th June, straight after Rosalie Church at the Rosalie School Oval .

Proper rules, proper posts, proper umpires, proper coaches...
...and a family BBQ afterward.
Kevin Kendell's blokes group are hosting this.
Roly Edwardes is coordinationg the match.
Please register both parent and child
by emailing Roly at roly.edwardes@kbr.com

GP
(I am looking forward to hammering Year 6 boys...be warned Jack Parsons)

The Autumn Session and Stress

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

Each year the Cancer Council of Australia encourages individuals and community groups to particpate in The Biggest Morning Tea. Thurday morning Women's Bible study have hosted this for a few years now.
This year we are going to hear the story of those who have cared for cancer sufferers.

Men and women are welcome!
bring a friend along.....
When: Thursday 28th May, 9:30am-11:30am
Where: St Matthew's Anglican Church, Shenton Park
(corner Onslow Rd and Derby Rd)
RSVP: to the office and book your child/children into the crèche,
by calling 93812640 or emailing the office.

office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au
All donations to the Cancer Council.

Click, For more info from the Cancer Council Website

GP

Living with the Underworld

I mentioned this Book on Sunday, here is a promo I plundererd from Matthias Press:

Evil spirits. Demons. Ghosts. Magic. Satan.
Do these words speak of a frightening spiritual reality? Or are they the silly remnants of a more superstitious age? The modern world seems to lurch between these two attitudes. At one level, we have never been more sceptical about ghosts and demons and Satan. And yet there are many, even in Western societies, who are deeply fearful of evil spiritual forces. There are yet more still who find the topic fascinating and endlessly devour movies and TV shows that exploit these ideas and themes.
Christians also often swing between paying the devil far too much attention, and not enough. Some Christian groups become obsessed with notions of ‘spiritual warfare’ and ridding people of demons, whilst other Christians regard such talk—even though it is found in the Bible—as outdated and part of the superstitious misunderstanding of the world from less enlightened, less scientific times.

In Living with the Underworld, the head of New Testament Studies at Moore Theological College, Peter Bolt, takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the spiritual underworld revealed in the pages of Scripture, and shows how Jesus came to reveal its true nature, neutralize its power, and liberate us to live without fear. Living with the Underworld does not dismiss the Scriptural evidence of the spiritual underworld, but nor does it go beyond what we can know about that realm. Peter Bolt explores what God reveals to us in the Bible, and very helpfully points us to the power and significance of the cross. In so doing, he reveals a little-understood framework for understanding the life, death and resurrection of Jesus—a framework that will enlarge and enlighten evangelical thinking. It is important to understand the underworld properly, because this will help us
understand the message of the Bible better, which will benefit everybody. If we understand the Bible better, we will better be able to understand the threat the underworld poses to us all, and this will help us to more compellingly hear the invitation that Jesus is extending to us all. (page 18) In Living with the Underworld, Peter Bolt brings his quirky and humorous style to his topic, and makes his book hard to put down because it is so fascinating and engaging 160 pages.

A recommendation from Don Carson:

"In a Hollywood-constrained vision of angels and devils, of monsters and the living dead, of alternative worlds with goblins and terrors and sorcerers, we need to recognize where the true horrors lie, where contemporary fantasies embody them, and where they entirely miss the mark. Peter Bolt is a good guide because his 'take' is firmly grounded in a careful reading of the Bible and in an equally sensitive grasp of twenty-first century Western culture. Besides, his book, far from being terrifyingly ponderous and gray, is a pleasure to read. It might even get you to go back and look at a recent film with fresh eyes."

Click to order or find it at a christian bookstore near you!

GP

Postcard from Bolivia

“Serving the orphaned and abandoned children of Bolivia”April, 2009

The Timmers…
A family with a mission
Cochabamba, Bolivia www.IOUBolivia.org
You can call us any time at our Michigan number 616-928-2210
Or email us at: timmermb@iteams.org

The Chapare rain forest is only about a three hour drive from where we live; however, it seems like a different country. As one of the biggest coca growing regions there has always been a struggle between the US DEA agents limiting the coca growth to legitimate purposes and the resident’s desire to plant more of this lucrative crop. Since Evo has asked the US to leave, coca production has hit an all time high. Our psychologist, Aldo, was remembering the 80’s when Bolivians would purchase cocain in the markets just like bananas and bread. He recalled the gross negligence of drying the coca leaves on the school playgrounds. In just a few short months we started to see an emboldened people push back. The local governments in the remote areas are called sindicatos and have been granted autonomy from the federal government. They can
have their own elections, set their own laws and carry them out as they see fit. For the first time in six years we’ve seen some persecution towards the church and the ministry as they questioned the use of our beautiful homes for only 10 children. We’ve managed to talk through our desire to help the most desperately poor in their community but it still caught me off guard. On a brighter note…we met a lovely couple who are interested in being house parents in the third home. Julian and Ruth have two children, Lizeth 2 and Jose new born. Ruth has been a member of our partner church since she was born and Julian is a member of the Pentecostal Church. Julian shared with tears in his eyes how he was orphaned when his father and mother passed away within two years of each other. He remembers not being able to afford the 75 cent
sandals that other children wore and how cold his feet were in the mountain city of Potosi. He said even today when he sees children in the street he gives them what ever food he has on him because he remembers what it’s like to be hungry. We’ve agreed to pray through this opportunity and move forward when God’s made it clear that this is where they belong. As Aldo and I left the jungle we saw coca leaves being dried on the school playground. Many missions are pulling out or holding back from working here; personally I think its time to double our efforts.

Please join us in praying for this unique area of Bolivia and a people who desperately need a relationship with Jesus.

The Timmers

Autumn Sessions have begun...

David Michie kicked off The Autumn Sessions for us with his seminar on Raising Resilient Kids.
A copy of his notes will be available on line in the next few days and an audio file of his talk a few days after that.
David is back on the 21st May with
Living together, Black & White
He will lead a Panel of indigenous people to help us understand the issues for indigenous people in Perth.


Next week
Session 2 13th May Surviving Work/Life Stress Dr. Daniel Morkell
Session 3 14th May Helping Families avoid addictions Dr. George O'Neil
See you at the next session....

GP

Grant for Fresh Start

Today's news report says:

The State Government will provide an additional $500,000 towards a heroin treatment clinic in Perth.

George O'Neil pioneered the Naltrexone implant and has been lobbying the Government for an extra $2 million to keep his Subiaco clinic running.

The Government already provides funding of more than $1 million a year.

The Naltrexone implant has never been fully registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The latest funding agreement is conditional on Dr O'Neil agreeing to the appointment of an independent researcher to examine his research material and determine what work is needed to achieve registration.

George is speaking at Autumn Session #3
George is the medical researcher for the Fresh Start recovery programme.
He is speaking on the topic Helping Families avoid addictions.

Register you and your friend as soon as you can (for our seating and catering information ) By calling 93812640 or emailing the office
office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au Cost $5

GP

Thank God for your Mother

Mothers Day from Sydneyanglicans.net on Vimeo.

The Most 'Entertaining' Dinner Party in Town

The Shenton Christian Council is selling the Entertainment Book again this year as our major fundraiser for Chaplaincy.

The book is filled with hundreds of 25%-50% off and 2-for-1 offers on almost everything you can imagine - fine dining, casual dining, arts, leisure, attractions, accommodation, travel, and more.
These represent exceptional value at only $65 and will be valid to June 1st 2010. (For each book sold we receive $13)

Numbers are limited so don’t miss out!

(Order and make Payment to Shenton Christian Council ASAP)

Books will be available in late May 2009.

To order your copy, pay and then pick up,

contact Your local Shenton Christian Council Church Rep.

Laurel Collin P: 9381 8095 M: 0414 727515

Collin1@iinet.net.au

Senior Youth Group – 5pm Sundays @ Brian Snell’s Home

Senior Youth Group – 5pm Sundays @ Brian Snell’s Home
(Unit 11, cnr Roberts & Coghlan Rds, Subiaco)

2 Timothy…from Timothy

May 3 Welcome and Stand up for the Gospel
May 10 Battling for the Truth
May 17 No Pain, No Gain
May 24 Watch your Tongue
May 31 Living in the Last Days
June 17 Be Different
June 14 No Regrets
June 21 Stand Firm to the End
June 28 Party

Leaders
Senior Boys: Brian Snell and James Bennett
Senior Girls: Tiff Chin and Kate Souness


Senior Youth Group

Saturdays
May 9 The Great Escape
May 23 Go Karting
June 6 LAN Party / Secret Women’s Business
June 20 Indoor Rock Climbing

For more information about St Matt’s Senior Youth, call Jeremy Chappell 0430 351 807 or visit http://www.stmattsyouthteam.blogspot.com/

Junior Youth Group – 7pm Fridays @ St Matts Hall

Desiring Isaiah

May 1 Intro to Isaiah
May 8 Confessing our Need for God - Isaiah 64:1-9
May 15 Receiving Good News from God - Is 40:1-11
May 22 Enjoying God’s Blessing - Isaiah 61
May 29 *Celebrating a Baby’s Birth - Isaiah 9:1-7
June 5 *Crazy Games Night
June 12 *Trusting in God’s Promises - Isaiah 62
June 19 A Light to the Nations - Isaiah 42 - 50
June 26 Healed by His Wounds - Isaiah 53:1-12

Although everyone is welcome, the nights with the * are designed for newcomers and friends. For more information about St Matt’s Junior Youth, call Jeremy Chappell 0430 351 807, Matt Lydon 0431 917 225 or Ali Lydon 0422 362 225 or visit http://www.stmattsyouthteam.blogspot.com/

Junior Youth Bible Study – 10am Sundays

Christian Living

May 3 Joy and Contentment
May 10 Guidance and Wisdom
May 17 Sin and Repentance
May 24 Temptation
May 31 Relationships
June 7 Generosity and Compassion
June 14 Worship and Service
June 21 Faith, Hope and Love
June 28 Family Service

Leaders
Junior Boys: Matt Lydon, Sturt Ledger and Ben Jones
Junior Girls: Ali Lydon and Steph Ritchie

St Matt’s Junior Youth, call Jeremy Chappell 0430 351 807, Matt Lydon 0431 917 225 or Ali Lydon 0422 362 225 or visit www.stmattsyouthteam.blogspot.com

Kids’ Church – Term 2 10am Sundays

Snapshots of Samuel

May 3 1Sam 3 Calling all Samuels…
May 10 1 Sam 8 We Wanna King
May 17 1 Sam 9 Saul, Saul, He’s our man…
May 24 1 Sam 12 It’s Time to Go…Samuel
May 31 1 Sam 16 And the Winner is…David
June 7 1 Sam 17 Fight Night: David vs Goliath
Jun 14 1 Sam 18-31 The Good the Bad & The Ugly
June 21 2 Sam 5 Long Live the King
June 28 Family Service

Leaders

K – PP Sam Rae, Greg Collin and Nirel Crombie
Yr 1 Emily Reeve and Tom Kooy
Yr 2 Adrian Mikula and Taliah Crombie
Yr 3 Boyd Crook and Erin Hookey
Yr 4 Judson and Cath Williams
Yr 5 Jeremy Chappell
Yr 6 Caleb and Lauren Castlehow

For more information about St Matt’s Kid’s Church, please contact the Children’s and Youth Pastor, Jeremy Chappell, on 0430 351 807.