Author: Jason Veitch

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are going well this week. You may be aware there are two important pieces of news for our church this week:

First, it’s Synod Election week and approximately 800 delegates from across all the Sydney Anglican Churches have met to determine the next Archbishop. There has been good debate in order to determine which of the 4 nominees would be most appropriate, under God, to lead our Diocese into the future. It seems likely that we should know who that man is by the end of today but please pray for the wisdom of the Synod as the election week comes to an end.

Second, sadly COVID-19 is back in our wider community and therefore the NSW Government has specified a number of measures that will come into effect by 5pm today and remain at least until Monday. 

What will this mean for church? 
– Church is on! And there is no need to register to come.
– All adults (and youth in the church service) should please bring a mask to wear this Sunday.
– Sadly, we won’t be able to sing this Sunday (even with masks). However, our musicians are now well equipped to lead the music in this way as they have done so well before!
– We don’t need to return to separated seating at this time but where possible we should manage where we sit to maintain appropriate social distancing
– We are planning that Kids Church will run as normal (though kids church leaders may need to mask – this is still to be determined)

Please pray  that these current restrictions will be managed well and that community cases soon disappear and infected people heal quickly. Also, please pray that no cases impact our Synod as it concludes the election process for a new Archbishop.

In Christ,

Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

Pray as we look forward!

Hi Everyone,

One of the things I’ve done this week is to refresh myself about the book of Ezra as I preach through parts of it for the staff devotions in our schools. In chapter 3 the Israelite exiles returned to Jerusalem and laid a foundation for the new temple and they rejoiced as they sang a song. We’ve lost the tune but the words remain:       
 “The LORD is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” (Ezra 3:11)

The Israelites certainly had reason to sing and rejoice back in those days 2500 hundred years ago. However, I was also struck that we have much more reason to rejoice in today. Now that the Lord Jesus has come to us and we await his return we can see even more clearly that the LORD’s love for us does endure forever. 

Whilst this is by far the greatest reason to rejoice, we also have reason to rejoice that God has given us the chance to meet again at church and to join in song again week by week. This is certainly something for us to praise God for.

Prayer
Now, speaking of prayer and praise, the main focus of my letter today is in regards to prayer.

Can I ask you to commit to praying for a number of things in the coming months? 

Please pray:
– to give thanks to God that we can meet together and sing!- that we will increasingly see church life return to normal and that those who haven’t been able to return to church yet can soon join us
– for our care of those who are in high-risk COVID categories who are not able to enjoy in-person fellowship- to give thanks to God for the ‘Jesus Is’ night that went so well on Wednesday evening and for anyone who wants to know more about Jesus because of it
– for our link missionary family, the French’s in Spain, who I spoke with this week and who are continuing to push on with their MOCLAM work despite COVID restrictions in Spain
– for the new Wardens and Parish Council for wisdom as we plan for ministry into the future
– for generous hearts amongst us all as we plan financially for our ministries ahead and currently find ourselves behind budget for the year
– to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into our harvest fields here in the Campbelltown area and that as a church we would be ready to help see people saved and to grow up in their faith in Jesus

That’s plenty to start praying for!

Later this term we will set aside some specific time to pray together for these things and more but it would be wonderful if we would all commit to being individually prayerful as we look forward this year.

Visit the Veitch’s
Lastly, the time for the first phase of “Visit the Veitch’s” is coming to an end. There are still places for the 2nd of May (visit hub.campbelltown.church online or call our office to book) and there will be a general invite for a Wednesday lunch time meeting soon. 

Thanks to everyone who has come along. It has been both encouraging and enlightening to meet with you over the past 3 months. We are looking forward to compiling all your feedback as we think about next steps for us to focus on as a church. We are also looking to now being able to invite people in smaller groups around to our place so as to get to know each other more personally!

See you Sunday – I’m looking forward to thinking through the 2nd commandment with you.

In Christ,

Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

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Hello Everyone,

I have been reading through the book of Ezekiel lately and have been finding myself very thankful to be a Christian. As I read of the betrayal of the ancient Israelite people against their God it has reminded me of how patient God is with us all. Not only did he allow a remnant to survive their unfaithfulness but he raised up his only Son through them in order to save us. 

The Prophet Ezekiel was quite astounding in the things he did and the incredible visions that he shared and yet he was no Jesus. Where Ezekiel prophesied judgment to a rebellious people, the Lord Jesus came proclaiming repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). What the faithful remnant in Israel could only have dreamed of we now have through faith in Jesus!

There’s nothing like reading through the Old Testament to remind us of the great things we have in Christ is there? What have you been reading in the Bible lately?

Please read on for the latest news in the life of our church:

COVID restrictions easing again
From this Sunday we are taking two more steps as the COVID conditions ease in our society.

(1) From this weekend it is no longer necessary to book online for a seat in our church services or for kids church and creche. This is great news to make it just a little easier to be at church. Simply turn up and do your NSW Government check-in on site. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

(2) Also, the restrictions around strict 1.5m spacing have been eased and so we will be able to make better use of our seating across sites and buildings from this weekend.

Please also keep an eye out in coming weeks on the ‘Check-in’ form on the hub for a request for volunteers to help us plan the next phases of easing COVID restrictions at church.

ANZAC Day – 8am and 10am Parking
This Sunday is ANZAC day and whilst church will continue as normal there are a couple of parking issues to be aware of at St Peter’s for the 8am and 10am congregations.

The Cordeaux St roundabout will be blocked off from early Sunday morning until after the 9am service so access for both services should be made through the school parking lot. You should be able to still park up beside the church but will need to access it via the school parking lot.

For those arriving for the 8am service there will be barricades up to prevent general public parking at the school but someone from church will be there to open the way for people going to church. You may need to allow for extra time for parking to account for increases in traffic this Sunday.

The Ten Commandments
This Sunday will be the first of the Ten Commandments in our Ten Commandments series. Mick Bullen will be leading us from God’s Word at St Peter’s and Jason Moss at St Andrew’s. It should be both encouraging and challenging as we think about what it means that there is only one God!

See you Sunday,
In Christ,

Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

Hello Everyone,

The Lord is Risen! It was wonderful last Sunday to celebrate the truth that Jesus is alive and that our hope in him is sure. 

I hope you enjoyed the change of pace over Easter. I’m enjoying taking a few moments to reflect on my first 3 months here and to pray for God’s work amongst us in the next quarter of the year.

Annual General Meeting – 2021 Appointments
It may seem a long time ago but less than two weeks ago we had our Campbelltown Anglican Churches AGM. I’d like to thank everyone for their involvement and particularly all those who were willing to be nominated. 

Please join me in congratulating the following people and committing to praying for them as they serve us in the coming 12 months:

St Peter’s and Parish Wardens: Barrie Atkins, Kevin Hines and Jason Manning
St Andrew’s Wardens: Kristine Avila, Ian Bannerman and Zimran Javed

Parish Council: John Brackenbury, Rebekah Culbert, Arya Darmaputra, Robert Hazell, Brian Holgate, Michael Pullin, Sharon Richards and Lindsay Schroder

Parish Nominators:  Cameron Jansen, Zimran Javed, Sarah Manning, Nicole Schroder and Ben Stelzer   

Visit the Veitch’s
Heather and I have been enjoying having people visit our place to meet and think about where we are heading as a church.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to come along could you please book in on the hub? (Visit hub.campbelltown.church and click on Visit the Veitch’s)

If you haven’t come because there have been no times suitable for you then please contact the office with your suggested times and we will see whether we can make a few alternate times available.

As we gather information and feedback at each session I’m hoping to be able to draw it all together in May and move towards some focussed prayer for the future in late May and June.

The Risen Jesus
Lastly, I thought I’d include a little bit of scripture for you from Luke 24:36-49 to contemplate today in the light of Easter Sunday:

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

In Christ,

Jason 
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

Hi Everyone,

The rains have come this week but I hope it hasn’t dampened your week in any significant way. Just a couple of reminders this week heading into the weekend.

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will be at St Peter’s at 2pm on the 28th of March. Registration information will be available soon. 
Nominations are open for positions of Warden (St Peter’s and St Andrew’s), Parish Council Member and Nominator. 
You can send your nominations via email to me or the church office (please CC the nominated person and a seconder for the nomination). You can also provide your nominations as a hand-written letter to the office (signed by yourself and seconder). 

I’m thankful to God that many of the existing elected representatives have agreed to stand again for their roles (if nominated and elected). This will ensure a great continuity as we start fresh together. I’m also thankful to God for the service of those who need to step down after a period of faithful service. Praise God for all who willingly serve us in these elected positions!

Working Bee

Despite the rain, we plan to go ahead tomorrow to do some cleaning up and clearing around the site. Please keep an eye out for any last minute changes on Facebook. You can still register on the hub.campbelltown.church

Easter plans

Easter is just around the corner. For you diaries please note:
– Good Friday, 2nd April: 8am and 10am services
– Easter Sunday, 4th April: 8am, 10am and 6pm services

On Good Friday there will also be a picnic at the St Peter’s site from 11:30am. It will be ‘bring your own everything’ except some fun and games which will be organised for you (like an Easter egg hunt for the kids!)

Check out the Church hub (hub.campbelltown.church): 

If you haven’t already discovered our online Church Hub then can I encourage you to check out some of the latest updates? For example:

• We’d love for you to join us for our March 20th Working Bee: register to help out here
• With the AGM coming up you can find all things financial here
• And, you can register for to visit Heather and I at a “Visit the Veitch’s” session here

See you Sunday,

In Christ,

Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the onset of Autumn like I am!

I’ve been reflecting upon the next section of Colossians this week where Paul takes an amazing theological truth and turns it into an action for us believers. He says:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1).

I’m not sure if you’ve thought before about the truth that as a Christian you have already been raised with Christ. You may well look at yourself and wonder if it is true! This Sunday we will think through what it means “to set our hearts on things above” and the very practical implications of that for how we live. I look forward to thinking about it with you.

There a couple of things to be aware of this week as we partner together in the Gospel here at Campbelltown Anglican Churches.

Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will be at St Peter’s at 2pm on the 28th of March. Registration information will be available soon. 

Nominations are open for positions of Warden (St Peter’s and St Andrew’s), Parish Council Member and Nominator. 

You can send your nominations via email to me or the church office (please CC the nominated person and a seconder for the nomination). You can also provide your nominations as a hand-written letter to the office (signed by yourself and seconder). 

I’m thankful to God that many of the existing elected representatives have agreed to stand again for their roles (if nominated and elected). This will ensure a great continuity as we start fresh together. I’m also thankful to God for the service of those who need to step down after a period of faithful service. Praise God for all who willingly serve us in these elected positions!

BCA March Box Opening
Monika Gwan would like to thank all BCA giving box holders for your ongoing support of Bush Church Aid. Please hand your boxes in at the Church office or to Monika (phone 0439 437 011) by the end of the month.

Check out the Church hub (hub.campbelltown.church): 
If you haven’t already discovered our online Church Hub then can I encourage you to check out some of the latest updates? For example:

• We’d love for you to join us for our March 20th Working Bee: register to help out here
• With the AGM coming up you can find all things financial here
• And, you can register for to visit Heather and I at a “Visit the Veitch’s” session here

See you Sunday,
In Christ,

Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

Hello Everyone,

I hope you’ve been encouraged as we’ve looked at Colossians this past week and particularly by one of my favourite verses in 1:28:

Jesus is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

What a great model of ministry for us all – to proclaim our Lord to everyone and anyone including ourselves! With the goal of presenting all fully mature in Christ!

Welcome Lunch
If you’ve joined us at church in the last 3 months then I’d love for you to join us for a welcome lunch on Sunday. We’ll have members of the staff team and representatives from across the whole church to welcome you amongst us. In addition to sharing a meal there will be an opportunity to hear more about our church and for you to ask any questions you may have about church life.

Lunch will be from 12:30pm. Please send me an email or text message so we can cater for lunch.

Working Bee
I’m not sure if I should admit this or not but one of my joys in church life is a good old fashioned working bee! 

We’re planning a working bee on Saturday the 20th March from 8am to 1pm at the St Peter’s site.

The more the merrier and the faster the work will be done. It would be good if you could let us know you can come by registering here: https://campbelltownanglican.org/hub/working-bee/

Visit the Veitch’s
It’s been lots of fun to have members of church to our place over the past couple of weeks. We’ve met around 100 people in our home so far and we are keen to meet more and hear from you about church now and what we might pray for together into the future.

We’ve set out some more dates on the hub here: https://campbelltownanglican.org/hub/visit-the-veitchs/

Have a great week,

In Christ


Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches

Hi Everyone,

In Philippians 4 we find these wonderful words of encouragement:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Although we live in anxious times we must never forget these words and the truth of what we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. We have much to be thankful for as we wait for Jesus to return and as we navigate the many complexities and difficulties of our day in history.

COVID update
You will have heard the good news of further relaxations of restrictions for churches and that a pathway to singing together has been opened up. Whilst this is great news in general, it is not something we can immediately adopt at church but we will be considering in coming weeks. At my time of writing to you we are still waiting for clarification of the public health order from the NSW Government. As it stands the new rules conflict with the great gains we have seen in recent weeks of having more people able to meet together ‘unmasked’. 

Be assured that I too would love to be back to singing together but not at the expense of having more members able to join with us back at church. 

For the time being, can I encourage everyone to rejoice that this Sunday:
– we have wonderful musicians and singers making joyful song on our behalf,
– that the 8am St Peter’s congregation will more fully join back together now that we’ve had time to communicate this good news to all
– that, like last week, the 10am and 6pm congregations have greater capacity and we hope the great vibe of last week continues to grow as we join in fellowship together
– and, that the St Andrews 9:30am congregation is getting close to pre-COVID meeting sizes. I experienced the joy of that with the congregation last week and pray for more of it!

Visit the Veitch’s
We’ve been having a great time meeting and hearing from members of our churches at our place. I just want to remind you, if you haven’t booked in, to find a time to visit us in coming weeks. The current options are:

– 28 February, 2021 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
– 2 March, 2021 7:45 PM – 9:15 PM
– 16 March, 2021 7:45 PM – 9:15 PM

Further dates will be set as these options fill up.

And, again I say rejoice!

In Christ,

Jason
Senior Minister,
Campbelltown Anglican Churches