Above: an aerial view of Townsville port, the Strand, the CBD and the famous local landmark Castle Hill, looking westward to the ever expanding urban sprawl.
Above: the Anglican Church of the Ascension, cnr of Fulham Rd and Mill Drive, Heatley, Townsville.
We are an Anglican Church community that is 40 years young and is always looking for ways to connect with its local community and this part of 'cyber space' is one way in which we can do that. Please take your time to see what we are about and you are welcome to introduce yourself both on line and, if you are able, come and join us during one of our services/activities.
DIARY DATES for early 2012
January 29:One service in the parish @ the Upper Ross 9:30am with Bp Bill to include the commissioning of Pastoral Carers by the Bishop.
Ash Wednesday 22nd February: 7am service of Holy Communion
Friday 24th and Saturday the 25th of February: Extraordinary Synod at St James' Cathedral
February 26: First Sunday in Lent and AGM @ 3pm.
Anglican Parish of the Ascension, Heatley.
Mission Statement and Core values.
....that we offer ourselves to God
as a living sacrifice through Jesus Christ, Our Lord,
to be sent out
in the power of His Holy Spirit,
to live and work to His praise and glory.
Simon Hattrell, the Rector, proposes the following as a provisional statement of our core values, which can help our strategic direction. The Natural Church Developmentprocess must play a significant part in shaping our church in the years ahead ( http://ncd-australia.org.au/ncd/ ).
In the light of this statement, whenever we meet for worship, prayer and Bible study, in whatever context that may be, our principal aim and purpose as a local church will be to serve one another in love and all those who share in our common life. As a consequence we will seek to build up a strong, healthy local church, which will touch our community by communicating in both word and deed, the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who shared our humanity, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, ascending to the Father’s right hand where he lives forever to pray for us in heaven (Hebrews 7:25).
We will also commit ourselves to the values of Natural Church Development and will use the eight quality characteristics as the principal way in which we evaluate our effectiveness and as a template for the future development of our congregation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We seek not only to grow numerically but also to grow together as a healthy expression of the church of Jesus Christ in this community. We will also seek to intentionally make these core values a compass guiding the planning and evaluation of our church life.
1. Our leadership is dedicated to equipping church members for their ministries. (Empowering Leadership).
2. We want people to discover and use their gifts for ministry, so that all our church activities are carried out according to the appropriate set of gifts. (Gift-Based Ministry)
3. We want to foster a passionate love for God and for the mission of the church. (Passionate Spirituality).
4. We will organise our church activities so that we are structured for growth. (Effective Structures).
5. We want our church services to be inspiring experiences for all who attend them. (Inspiring Worship Services).
6. We will provide small groups for Christian fellowship that help people connect their faith to life. (Holistic Small Groups).
7. Our church will seek in many and varied ways to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the needs of people outside the faith. (Need-Oriented Evangelism).
8. We will develop and maintain a church where our relationships in Christ are shaped by God's merciful, gracious and truthful love. (Loving Relationships).
The Ascension by Chris Higham. Chris's website gives permission for anyone to use his art:
Above: a view of Townsville looking East from Mount Stuart.
PRAYER AND PRAISE POINTS
1. Pray for the Rector, all other clergy and their families and the Church Wardens: Barry, Pam and John, portfolio co-coordinators and Parish councillors, and everyone who contributes to the worship, smooth running of Parish affairs and the upkeep of the buildings. Pray for wisdom as they prioritise the refurbishment of our church property.
2. Pray for Defence personnel, especially the chaplains in this city, and for all those who are serving overseas. Pray for 3RAR and the 1500 people, including 750 soldiers, who will be relocating as part of the regiment’s move from Sydney’s Holsworthy Barracks to Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks into the new year. Pray especially for apprehensive families of those currently serving in Afghanistan.
3. Pray for the follow up to the Pastoral Care training we have held this year and for those who are committing to implement this vision and for the Commissioning Service of Pastoral Carers/Pastoral Assistants with Bishop Bill on Sunday January 29 next year at the Upper Ross at a Parish Combined Service at 9:30am.
4. Pray for the Café Church Outreach held monthly, on the first Sunday of the month at 6pm and for Ange, Trevor, Simon, Barbara and Rod as they continue to lead this next year. Pray for more helpers to assist with setting up and clearing away & other tasks.
5. Pray for the 9am All Age Worship service on every 4th Sunday of the month and for all who will continue to lead this next year.
6. Let us continue to hold before the Lord the opportunity to work with Church Army in the Western Suburbs in 2012, whatever shape that may take. Pray for the CEO of Church Army, Australia, the Reverend Martin Morgan and his proposed visit to Townsville next year in early March. Pray that we may be able to spearhead a fresh outreach in the Upper Ross in 2012.
7. Pray that we will focus as a parish on those areas of our ministry and life that need development and attention in the light of our NCD profile. Give thanks for the Rev Ralph Bowles’ good report following surgery and his visit next year at the end of April.
8. Pray for the Extraordinary Diocesan Synod that Bishop Bill Ray has convened for the 24th and 25th of February 2012. Pray for divine wisdom and guidance.
9. Pray that we will be able to respond to the challenge of a new year including changes to Sunday School and for the AGM scheduled for Sunday the 26th of February 2012.
