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
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 FOR FEBRUARY 2012
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.
2. Continue to intercede and pray for those who live in our part of the city, especially for those who do not know the joy of sins forgiven.
3. Pray for Bishop Bill as he leads the diocese especially in the light of the Diocesan Future Direction (2010-2014) strategic plan. Pray for strength and wisdom, good health and safety.
4. Pray for Bishop Bill and the North Queensland Diocese as synod representatives meet at the Extraordinary Synod meeting to be held on 24/25 February. Pray for good will and prayerful participation for all who attend.
5. Pray for our Parish as we prepare for our Annual General Meeting on 26th February. Pray that willing people will be found to fill all positions, and for a good attendance.
6. Pray for Defence personnel, especially the chaplains in this city, and for all those who are serving overseas
7. Pray for the newly commissioned Pastoral Care givers as they take up the task of doing this important work
8. Pray for the Café Church Outreach held monthly, on the first Sunday of the month (beginning in March) at 6pm and for Ange, Trevor, Simon, Barbara and Rod as they lead this.
9. Pray for Chaplains and RE teachers as they continue their ministry in the schools, as the new school year gets under way. Pray that the seed sown will result in changed lives.
10. Pray for those who teach our children who participate in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Sunday School and the Little Fishes play group. Pray for all teachers and leaders as they begin a new year.
11. Pray for the 9am All Age Worship service every 4th Sunday of the month and for all who lead and participate in this service and that they will be inspiring occasions.
12. Pray for the opportunity to work with Church Army in the Western Suburbs in 2012,. Pray for the CEO of Church Army, Australia, the Reverend Martin Morgan and his proposed visit to Townsville. Pray that we may be able to spearhead a fresh outreach in the Upper Ross in 2012.
13. 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. Pray for Dr Ralph Bowles and his visit at the end of April.
