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The Voice
Thanks to all who contributed to our 2023 Winter Breakfast, on the topic of The Voice referendum:
*    The St Dominic's community for their hospitality
*    Dr Garry Deverell for an informative and engaging presentation on the referendum issues
*    All who attended for creating a positive ecumenical environment., 
For those who weren't able to attend there are some materials from Dr Deverell available on YouTube, including Understanding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
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A number of our member Churches have other events to explore more deeply The Voice proposal for Australia - see  flyers set out below.

2023 Mental Health Liturgy - 7.30pm on Sunday 29 October

Evening Prayer on Pentecost Sunday, 28 May 2023

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T​hanks to Fr Paul Rowse and the friars at St Dominic's Catholic Church for inviting participation in their Vespers on Pentecost Sunday.  It was an evening to experience Dominican spirituality during Vespers that was celebrated at the time the disciples received the Holy Spirit [John 20:  19 – 23]. The evening illustrated the text:  That they all may be one.    The reading from Ephesians 4:  3 – 6 was most appropriate for our witness to the world.

Commemorating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

On Sunday 21 May 2023 Highfield Road Uniting commemorated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in a service led by Rev. Rod Horsefield with the preacher Rev. Robert Gribben. The prayers of the people were led by Denis Fitzgerald from St Dominic’s Catholic church. Two icons from the Romanian Orthodox church were lent for this occasion as was a Solomon Islands crucifix from St Dominic’s.

Stations of the Cross in 2023 - undaunted by the rain!

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​Despite the threatening skies, our Stations of the Cross proceeded well on Good Friday. There was a crowd of about 120 people who walked around the oval praying, singing and listening to the Gospel at each of the 14 stations.   The rain started at the 13th station, but we managed to complete the liturgy! It was uplifting to see so many people from different denominations proclaiming the faith in such a public way.

World Day of Prayer, 3 March 2023
​Thanks to all who joined us to mark the World Day of Prayer, on Friday 3 March at St Dominic's Church, 816 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell.  As one participant noted: 
The service was meaningful and uplifting.   I felt that we could empathize in the life challenges of the women of Taiwan.    On any news broadcast, it is only the international politics of such countries which are described.    The buzz of conversation over morning tea was great, as guests met old friends and made new contacts.   In our discussions, we realized that we shared so many things in common as we all sought to serve our Lord.
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Carols in Maling Road, Saturday 17 December 2022, 11.30am

Carols are part of our celebration of the core of Christmas, Christ's birth.  Our Carols in Maling Road last year were enjoyed by singers and onlookers alike.  ​Click here for an enjoyable video rendition from 2021 of Joy to the World.
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Carols in Canterbury was celebrated on Sunday 11 December 2022

Now in its 20th year, carols moved indoors this year because of the weather, but that didn't dim the celebration, as the photos below indicate.  
​Follow these carols on Facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/carolsincanterburygardens

​Christmas blessings to all!
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Mental Health Liturgy
on Sunday 11 September 2022

Thanks to Sr Ros Cairns and to all who participated in our Mental Health Liturgy on 11 September. 

Sister Ros Cairns’ homily was meaningful as she was able to share her experiences in mental health social work /chaplaincy and link it to the Christian faith.  

The buzz of conversation over supper indicated that everyone was glad to meet others at the service and reflect on dimensions of the impact of mental illness in our communities.

Click here for a selection of prayers and reflections from the Liturgy, and see our blog for a further reflection on the event.
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Canterbury Council of Churches Winter Breakfast

Thanks to Fr Frank Brennan sj for his presentation on 'The Christian Churches and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine' at the Canterbury Council of Churches' winter breakfast on 30 July 2022.
Click here to listen to his presentation, and click here to read a summary.

As well as weekly services in our churches, we also run..

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Good Friday - Stations of the Cross
15 April 2022

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Each Good Friday we remember the key events of Easter at midday at Highfield Park, cnr of Highfield Rd and Riversdale Rd East Camberwell.  
We gathered again on 15 April 2022 to remember the sacrifice of the Cross.  The very gentle autumn breeze and the screech of corellas added to the occasion. Hot Cross Buns and an Easter egg hunt for younger participants rounded off the liturgy.
World Day of Prayer
On Friday 4 March 2022 we gathered at St Paul's Anglican Church, Canterbury to celebrate the world day of prayer.  The theme for the day was based on Jeremiah’s words of encouragement to the exiles in Babylon as found in Jeremiah 29: 11:    For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.   Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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Stable One:  caring for homeless people in winter months

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On 5 October 2021 Jenny Willetts, Managing Director and founder of Stable One, spoke at the Canterbury Council of Churches Zoom forum.  Jenny inspired listeners as she outlined how  Stable One has developed the ‘winter shelter’ model in Victoria, under which local churches in a particular area work together to offer accommodation and hospitality, making a practical difference at the coldest time of year.  Yarra Ranges, Mitcham, Whitehorse and Bendigo are among the centres now operating – www.stableone.org

Ecumenical Liturgy for Mental Health
On 10 March 2021 we gathered at St Dominic's Church for an ecumenical liturgy to give thanks for the gift of good health, and to open eyes and hearts to the challenges of mental health today. 

Carols in Maling Road

Carols are part of our celebration of the core of Christmas, Christ's birth.  Our Carols in Maling Road on Saturday 18 December went very well - on a beautiful summer's day singers and bystanders alike were transported to the season of the birth of Our Lord.  Click here for an enjoyable video rendition of Joy to the World.

We also shared our Christmas celebrations this year with a Canterbury Council of Churches production of a video of Christmas Blessings.   Many thanks to Rev. Stephen Field of the Canterbury Baptist church for an engaging video presentation.