Soul Survivor Conference : 18-22 April 2006

The Soul Survivor Conference is happening from April 18th-22nd '06 for all Youth & 20 somethings

Come along and spend 5 Nights & 4 Days in Worship, Equipping, Community and Refreshing fellowship!

Where? St Ives Showgound, Mona Vale Rd, St Ives

Who? Friends Mike Pilavachi, Ali MacInnes, Andrew Palmer, Ben Cantelon will bring inspiring and encouraging messages

When? Main Sessions at 11am and 7pm.

What? Seminars, Food Court, Sports, Cafes, Camping and Fun galore!

Don't miss it !!!

For more information on registration, costs, transport and more ... check out the website: www.soulsurvivor.org.au

Bathurst Camp ...



Tamworth Night ...



And ... Stump ...

Vote : 4.00pm - Sunday, 2 April 2006

At 4.00pm on Sunday, 2 April 2006, a special meeting will be held at St Matts.

All congregations of St Matts will be meeting to participate in a re-vote to elect nominees who will be responsible for choosing our new Senior Minister when Richard Harvey retires in 2008. All members of St Matts are invited to attend to cast their vote.

For more information, please contact the church office on (02) 9977 6249

Job Vacancy : Admin Assistant - Youthworks TAFE Ministries (P/T or F/T)

Jean Gurusamy has found this position advertised ... if you are looking for P/T or F/T work, this job could be for you ?!!

Administrative Assistant with Youthworks TAFE Ministries (Part Time or Full Time)

We are looking for a person who sees their primary gifting in the support & administrative ministries. You would be part of a team that is at the cutting edge of developing & implementing a new student ministry model for TAFE across the Sydney Diocese & Australia.

TAFE is a national training institution and is twice as large as University in terms of its student enrolment. For recent articles visit on our ministry visit http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/sydneystories/tafe_ministry_the_cutting_edge/ & http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/indepth/1480a/. For TAFENSW site go to www.tafensw.edu.au

Job Role: You would be an administrative assitant to the Youthworks TAFE Advisor Rev. Craig Blacket. You would need to be IT & software literate, have good personal skills & be able to cope with the 'organised chaos' of a pioneering and expanding ministry. If you have been to TAFE that would be distinct advantage but not essential.

MTS Training: You would be part of our TAFE, UWS Team and be part our MTS training program to enable you to help us raise and train more adminstrative assistants as our ministry expands across the Diocese & the nation.

Theological Training. If you already have theological training whether certificate, diploma, degree that would be a great advantage. If not at the core of our training is Moore College's Preliminary Theological Certificate. We do two subjects per year.

Location: Whilst we are based in the 'mighty' west of sydney (at Quakers Hill) you could work out of Youthworks office at St Andrews house in Town Hall.

Current Funding: The position is approximately 50% funded (assuming MTS stipend $16-19K per year) and could be part time to begin with. Or it could become fulltime if you could raise the other half through your personal support network. This is open to review as our support base grows with your help.

Contact: Please contact Rev. Craig Blacket on 0409 607 088 or email craigb@youthworks.net

BOW-ing for Easter ... Saturday, 1st & 8th April !!!

It's time to go "Beyond Our Walls" again to spread the wonderful message of Easter when we celebrate the resurrection of our Risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Come along and make a difference in someone's life by singing God's Praises and sharing fellowship with the residents of the following Nursing Homes...

Date: Saturday, 1st April
Time: 10:15am
Place: War Vets Home, Collaroy Plateau in the New Facility off of Lantana Pde.

Date: Saturday, 8th April
Time: 1.00pm
Place: Wesley Heights Hostel, Birkley Road, Manly

We will be singing the following Hymns:

** How Deep the Father's Love ** When I Survey ** In Christ Alone ** Amazing Grace **

Katie will also sing a few solo items and her choir will be along to help with some harmonies! People are needed to read a few Bible passages especially from sections about our risen Lord.

Following the singing, we will be spending time in fellowship with the residents over a cup of tea which is a very special time for them. We would love you to join us at either or both sessions!!!!!!

Your presence alone will make a world of difference!

Please contact KATIE GERBER via email at: heidi33@hotmail.com

Or call Katie on 0409 829 049 to confirm with her which session you will be able to attend.

Accommodation Wanted ... Can you help?

Rob Mitchell, a soon to be new member of St Matts is coming up from Melbourne to live in Sydney and he's looking for share/board accommodation to move into.

Rob is 31 years old, a non-smoker and is looking specifically for accommodation on the Northern Beaches, close to Manly if possible.

If you have a room to rent, a flat to share or know of anyone who can help Rob out while he gets his bearings and settles into Sydney, please contact him on 0422 103 088.

Marriage Course Supper Party : Monday, 3 April 2006

Dear Friends,

We would like to invite you to the Marriage Course Supper Party on Monday, 3 April 2006 at St Matthews on the Corso @ Manly (1 Darley Road) at 7.00pm.

The Marriage Course is a fun relationship building exploration, eight ‘special date’ nights out a couple will enjoy together. A treasure chest of new ideas for any marriage of any age, at any stage.

The Supper Party is designed to give you a glimpse of the Marriage Course content.

While inspiring and entertaining it allows guests to find out whether they might further investigate such a seminar.

The Party is an opportunity to mix with couples who have just completed the Marriage Course – hear first hand why the course program is so attractive and being met with much enthusiasm by a fast growing number of people from all walks of life.

We will also screen a short video where several couples share their own experiences.

Snacks and drinks will be served.

Please RSVP to Cathy Collins at St Matts on Tel. 9977 6249

Email: cathy@stmattsmanly.org.au

Come be our guest.

Your hosts,

Chris Muller & Katherine Jones (married 18 years)

International Ministry Easter Outreach : Pray & Invite!

We would really appreciate your prayers for an upcoming Easter evangelistic outreach being organised by the International Ministry here at St Matts.



It's an Easter Party titled ... "Something more than Chocolate Eggs"!!

Please also invite any international students you may be in contact with or know of.

Date: Saturday, 15 April 2006
Time: 6.00pm
Place: St Matts Function Room.
Cost: $3.00

There will be games, a talk and dinner. For more information or to let us know of any friends coming, please give John a call on 0403 648 025

Men's Brekkie @ Bacino : 7.00am-7.45am : Every 2nd Friday

Did you know that a bunch of St Matty's guys will be meeting fortnightly at Bacino (cnr Darley & Whistler Streets) for brekkie and discussion of a book called 'Beyond Greed'?

It will happen every 2nd Friday 7.00 - 7.45am from 31st March.... probably discuss a chapter each time.

Beyond Greed is a confronting book .... how keen are you to grow as a Christian man?

'Greed' is not the most fashionable concept these days. It ranks with 'guilt' and 'sin' as words that many people have stopped using. According to Brian Rosner, greed is also a massive blind spot for Christians, which is surprising given how much the Bible has to say about it.

He writes: "The most disturbing thing about the fact that greed is idolatry is that hardly anyone owns up to being a worshipper. Imagine the response of unbelief in the local church if it were revealed that the vast majority of its members were secretly worshipping other gods. Yet if our analysis of the religion of money is right, the unthinkable may not be so far from the truth"

Beyond Greed helps open our eyes to the problems, and then proposes a liberating lifestyle that trades in greed and materialism for something of far greater worth and satisfaction.

So, come along for fellowship and get a dose of healthy discussion with some of the 9.45 church guys as well as 18.30'ers. Book can be purchased from Koorong at $16.95 ... it's a steal, .... errr, umm, I mean gift!

Cheers,
Michael

Koorong Web Address : http://orders.koorong.com.au/search/details.jhtml?code=187632676X

St Matt's BBQ : Sunday, 26 March 2006 : 11.30am

You are welcome and invited to join in a St Matts BBQ this Sunday, 26 March 2006 at 11.30am

All the congregations will be coming together to share in fellowship and getting to know one another better over a delicious BBQ feast!!

$$ = FREE !!!

All food and drinks will be supplied ...



Members of Home Groups ... please remember to bring specific items as appropriate and as requested.

Look forward to seeing you all there !!

Update : Accommodation Found !!!!

We are happy to announce that Jess has successfully found suitable accommodation in the Fairlight area ... we hope she will be very happy in her new home !!
_________________________________________________________________
Do you have a room for rent? Are you looking for a new flat mate? Do you know of anyone who can help?

Jess Crawford is looking to find share accommodation for rent in Manly.

If you know of anyone who has suitable accommodation available for Jess, please contact her ASAP on 0402 155 867.

Beach Volleyball - Saturday Mornings

Most Saturday mornings are just beautiful on Manly beach ... the surf is crystal clear, the sun is not too hot ... and there's Beach Volleyball to be played !!

All are welcome so bring your friends along ... contact Al & Rory Wheatley (18:30) for more information and to let them know you are keen to come along ...

The usual plan is to meet at the volleyball courts on Manly beach by 9.00am for a couple of hours of fun in the sun, followed by a brekkie at a local Manly eatery ...

Enjoy the sun, make the fun ... and come on down to Beach Volleyball ... Saturday mornings at 9.00am!!

Al & Ror

St Matts Cricket : 9:45 vs 18:30 - Sunday, 12 March 2006 : 12.00pm

If you've dreamed about it but never quite got there ... now's your chance ... to take the field and represent your team ...

Whether it be batting ...


Or Bowling ...


Fielding ... or just plain ol' spectating ... you're wanted there!!!

As they say ... it's on for young and old ... a friendly, mixed game of ye' good ol' cricket has been arranged by Jim ("Texas") Alexander and some crew from 9:45 to be held this Sunday, 12 March 2006 at 12.00pm on the fields opposite Mackellar Girls' High in Manly Vale (T-intersection of Quirk Road and Campbell Parade).

If you are available to play, please contact Texas as soon as possible to ensure the 18:30 team is confirmed for numbers of players. If you do not wish to show off your fantastic cricket talents but instead wish to spectate ... bring a picnic and the sunscreen with a hat and enjoy the day supporting your favourite team!

18:30 Rules ... go get em Tigers! We expect to see the first inter-service cup in 18:30 hands by the end of play!

No pressure!

Backpacker BBQ : Sunday, 12 March 2006 : 5.00pm

People from all over the world are attracted to Manly for many reasons ... it's beauty and it's beaches to name a few ... wouldn't be be great if they also came to Manly because they had heard about the Backpacker BBQ experience at St Matts ...

Come and join us to help out with the Backpacker BBQ on Friday night, Saturday night and for the actual event on Sunday ... even if you are only able to join us at 5.00pm on Sunday to sit and chat with backpackers who come along over a delicious BBQ bite !!!

For more information, please contact Emma Robinson or Luke Larrea at the following email: stmattsbackpackers@gmail.com


Times and Things to be Done
_____________________________

* 7.00pm Friday, 10 March - Meet at the church to go to hostels for information drop off - a team of 6 would be ideal

* 6.00pm Saturday, 11 March - Meet at the church to go to hostels for second information drop off - again 6 people

* 3.00pm Sunday, 12 March - Meet at St Matts to help prepare food/BBQ and small group to go around to hostels/beach again

* 5.00pm Sunday, 12 March - ALL HANDS ON DECK - If you are able just to come along and chat to some backpackers, help out with the serving of food and clean up

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm ... this is a great ministry outreach and we want to see it explode ... see you there!!

Searching for Accommodation : Outreach Opportunity

If anyone can help, Leila Nelson & Pete Gunning have a female Canadian friend who needs some suitable accommodation for a short period of time. She is very new to St Matts and will be staying in Manly for a few months working so she is looking for a room to rent or some type of housing situation. This could be a great opportunity for outreach as she is open to Christianity and turns 21 this week. So if you know anyone who might be able to take her in or rent a room to her, please contact either Leila and/or Pete.

Prayer for Bali Trip

Please be praying for the group that are currently in Bali assisting with the Community Project.

Pray for safety, guidance and productivity to be at a maximum so that a lot can be done in a little time.

Pray for resources and financial support for ongoing work and pray for the people that live in Bali that are working on this project.

Pray for wisdom and insight and that a strong bridge of faith, hope and love will be built between St Matts, Manly and the people in Bali through this project.

Vanoosh to Update 18:30 Community BLOG

Hi everyone, for those that don't know me, my name is Vanoosh - I will be updating the 18:30 Community BLOG on Michael's behalf so if you have any interesting ideas/events/adverts for various things etc. please send them to me at :

vanoosh@gmail.com

I will update the BLOG on a regular basis - I plan to look at it daily ... and don't forget to send photos if you want a photo to be posted too ... like the one below which I took in the Blue Mountains!



Look forward to hearing from you. Alternatively, if you don't have email, you can call the Church office on 9977 6249 and ask one of the St Matts staff to send me an email for the BLOG.

I look forward to serving you in this fun and creative way!

Vanoosh :o)