MINISTERS Together // 1 April

Meeting Notes
by Jude Hennessy Director, Office of Renewal and Evangelisation, Catholic Diocese of Wollongong
25+ Christian Leaders of the Illawarra
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Opening Addresses from 5 Key Leaders (summary)
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Ps. Scott Hanzy – (Awaken Church)
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We’ve been forced into a fast!
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Taking us back to basics – Us and God. Scripture.
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Warning: Lets not try to fill peoples lives – if God is tyring to lead us into a fast.
Ps. Ian Barnett: (Figtree Anglican Church)
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Back to basics
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Realise who is in control
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This will lead to a new normal / people who are unchurched are open all of a sudden- searching for answers.
Bishop Peter Hayward (Anglican)
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The majority of St Pauls minsityr life – was while he was in prison – confined – but how much was accomplished
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Secular, individualsism / materialism -ar ebeing stripped away – exposing how fragile we are –not in control.
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it has caused a re assessment of priorities / connecting with people eg: via facebook
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finances – how we can access various aspects of Govt support to support our work
Ps Paul Bartlett (Lighthouse)
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Church not a building it is people / Presence of God is not just Sunday Gatherings
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Our community is hurting – prayer is the new evangelism / Offer to pray for people – it is the language of God / speaks to people of hope / evangelises
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Our words matter – bring hope. Maybe this is a time to not just put online / what we do on Sundays – reach out to the disconnected
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Good news re coming together to recording – just released by Govt – we can do our worship – as long as our Churches are closed.
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Like the oxygen mask dropping from the ceiling in your plane – fit your own first – then you can help those who are hurting.
Bishop Brian Mascord (Catholic Bishop)
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Quoted Romans 8:28. And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose
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Recognised the Holy Spirit is calling us to be Church in new ways
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Our guys are coming to a new place in a new way-delving into new methods – bringing unity.
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The Gospel doesn’t isolate, the Church doesn’t stop, prayer doesn’t stop, service and care for others doesn’t stop.
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Great opportunity for unity of purpose across the churches
To do’s simple reach out tools / conversations / always have an answer as to the reasons for your hope
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Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. 1 Peter 3:15.
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Pray – for each other and the world / phone people and offer to pray for them
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An opportunity for evangelism / many people are reaching out who don’t come to Church to make meaning in this uncertainty.
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Good messages from Lord Mayor Wollongong and Shellharbour, encouraging Churches to do what they do so well in the community – serving – praying – bringing hope.
The address by 5 Christian Leaders was followed by small group prayer (10 minutes) then Q and A, finishing with prayer and a resolution to reconnect Coming together for another meeting Wed 15 April 4.30-5.30
(End of Meeting notes)
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Q:What churches can do to help the city
Below is the answer from Mayor Saliba of the Shellharbour City Council.
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Continue to PRAY for our city and people in the community.
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FIND out what our COMMUNITY NEEDS are and how we can help.
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REACH OUT to our neighbours eg check in with them
and whether they need assistance.
Ask are you ok? -
Put out POSITIVE MESSAGES.
We hear so much negativity.
Let’s focus on the things we can do.
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About Together for the Illawarra

Together for the Illawarra is a collaboration of Christians in the Illawarra. It is inspired by and through a relationship built among churches and Christian leaders through many years and also Illawarra Prayer Breakfast. Together for the Illawarra is a consultation & collaborative process exploring areas of common interest, focusing on Community Engagement, Evangelism & Prayer.
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To learn more about Together for the Illawarra, click here.
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