When I last wrote a reflection, I was waiting for a friend to finish having the medical tests she needed rather impatiently because one of our number was dying, and all I wanted was to be with her. Sometimes we have to wait for things to happen, and sometimes life does the opposite and we are begging for everything to slow down. For most of us what we really want is stability and predictability and a clear view of what tomorrow will bring. That way we could be prepared and pace ourselves. We could be more certain of the dependability of God because we would see what He was doing in context of our daily, carefully curated, lives. But life is never like that, and God would not be God if we could predict his every movement. What God has done is revealed his nature in his Son, Jesus, and through the witness of scripture and the words of the prophets. The whole witness of the word of God shows us that God is very reliable and chooses to show us what is happening in the world when it is needed for us to know. So Haggai is able to speak to Zerubbabel in the city of Jerusalem in the province of Jehud to assure him that even though the building before him which was the new temple was not very impressive, one day it will be filled with splendour and greater than the temple that David and Solomon built. This word given at the right moment encouraged Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the priest to keep going – and the temple they built did indeed eventually become the amazing building which was Herod’s temple, known for its glowing gold and white marble which could be seen for miles around. In 2 Thessalonians Paul writes to his people of the coming man of lawlessness and the mess the world will be in at the last. He tempers that with a reminder that they are saved and safe as God’s people and in the strength of the Holy Spirit can stand firm even on the last of days because eternal life is already theirs. Has life got you down right now? Are you looking at tomorrow with fear or a sense that somehow you don’t matter anyway? Open the witness of the scriptures and read the truth about us. We are children of the living God – the best is yet to come!
Janice
This Week:
| SUNDAY: | Holy Communion, 8.45am |
| Family Service, 10.30am | |
| Youth Group, 4.00pm | |
| MONDAY: | Prayer for the Parish, St Mark’s, 4.00pm |
| Contact: Janice | |
| TUESDAY: | Cenotaph service for Remembrance Day, 10.30am |
| Corner Verdon St and Pt Nepean Rd | |
| Funeral service for Marlene Wallis, 2.30pm, At St Marks Dromana | |
| We are providing afternoon tea so please bring something if you can. | |
| Zoom Bible Study, 7.00pm | |
| Contact: Graeme (0490 664 843) | |
| WEDNESDAY: | Holy Communion Service – 10.00am |
| Bible Study Group St Mark’s, 11.00am : Contact: Janice | |
| Cuppa, Craft & Chat Group, St Mark’s,12.30pm | |
| Contact: Robyn (0409 425 044) | |
| Fete Planning Meeting, St Mark’s, 2.00pm | |
| (rescheduled from last week) | |
| THURSDAY: | Men’s Coffee & Chat, Blackthorn Café, 10.00am |
| Contact Steve (0437 984 679), Keith T (0413 319 327) | |
| Women’s Bible Study Group, St Mark’s, 9.30am | |
| Contact: Carol (0411 405 597) | |
| FRIDAY: | Janice’s Day Off |
| NEXT SUNDAY: | COMBINED HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE, 10.00am |
| ST MARK”S ANNUAL MEETING, 11.30am |
Regular Worship Times
| SUNDAY: | 8.45am | Holy Communion |
| 10.30am | Family Worship with Children’s Ministry | |
| (Holy Communion – 1st Sundays) | ||
| 6.00pm | Healing Service – 1st Sundays | |
| WEDNESDAY: | 10.00am | Holy Communion |
Parish Contact Details
| Monitored contact points | 0493 280 691 |
| contact@stmarksdromana.org.au | |
| Parish Web Addresses | www.stmarksdromana.org.au |
| Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/stmarksdromana |
| Pastoral Care Coordinators | Kevin and Anne (0438 234 457 Kevin) |
Notices:
Hearing Loop…
The hearing Loop is now working. The Loop was installed for the front seats of the church when they were facing the original Sanctuary which are now the back seats. This means to take advantage of the Loop you will need to sit in one of 18 seats in the 3 back rows, that is the 3 seats closest to both sides of the aisle in the 3 back rows. You will need to adjust your hearing aid to the relevant setting on your aid or your mobile device. Speak to Steve Parkinson if you need assistance with the Loop.
Nominations: Parish Council…
We are prayerfully seeking nominations for : Church Wardens (2) and Parish Councillors (6). Keith Thomas has nomination forms for your use. Nominations close on 12th November, 2025.
The Small Hall Project…
The concept design is now available for inspection in the Narthex until 2nd November, and will be discussed at the Annual Meeting to inform the next step in the Project. Keith Thomas will be available for comment and questions whilst our Vicar Janice is away on annual leave.
Parish Roll…
Please check if you are on the roll or if you need to be added. Only those on the roll can vote at the Annual Meeting Roll entries close on 1st November More details from Keith Thomas.
Church Fete Saturday 22nd of November 10:00am – 2:30 pm…
Morning Teas, Luncheon, Cakes, Plants, Art Show, Jams, Books, Craft, BBQ. Kids crafts and face-painting. Would you like to be involved?? We could use lots of help. Please contact Janice or Cheryl if you would like to be involved. Does anyone have a 3 x 3 marquee we could borrow on the day?
Christmas Hampers…
Once again we are wanting to make up Christmas Hampers for distribution to families in need through Dromana Primary School. Food items would be appreciated before the end of November. Anyone who would like to donate cash for us to purchase other items, please put it in an envelope marked “Christmas Hampers” & place it in the offering bag. Queries to Carol Parkinson or Cheryl King.
2025 Annual Meeting…
The Annual Meeting of St Mark’s will be held in the church on Sunday 16th November following a combined service at 10.00am. Contact Keith Thomas if you have any questions or an apology.
This Week’s Prayer Focus
In our country and the world:
- For all needing support following shooting of Police, and other violent attacks.
- For Government action to address the out of control protests in Melbourne.
- For the Government plans to address the rise of antisemitism in Australia.
- For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
- For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
- For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
- For those affected by natural disasters in around the world.
- For King Charles III, the UK and the Commonwealth.
- For peace and unity in countries around the World.
- For aid agencies such as “Save the Children”, Oxfam, CARE, UNICEF, World Vision.
In our community:
- For teachers and students.
- For doctors, nurses, paramedics, Coast Guard, the CFA & SES.
- For local community outreach groups such as the Dromana Community House and “Food for All”.
In our Diocese and beyond:
- For Melbourne Archbishop-elect Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe as he prepares to move from London to Melbourne.
- For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
- For Archbishop Philip Freier’s ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne.
- For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and Archdeacon Rev’d Sam Bleby, in the Frankston Archdeanery.
- In our Deanery, we pray for the parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage.
- For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
- For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary in Watamu, Kenya.
- For Christian churches around the world to be free to worship and be witnesses of the love of God as shown through the coming of His Son.
In our Parish:
- For our leadership and ministry teams.
- For Rev’d Janice O’Gorman.
- For the finances of our Parish.
- For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
- For the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
- For the Alpha program, the leaders and all who will attend.
- For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
- For all members of the Parish Council.
- For Hope25. That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
- For Wallis family, Cheryl K, Jeff Carter and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, Steve (not Parkinson) and family, David, Belinda, Joan R, Lynda & Ian, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Lorna & Peter, Keith S, Harry, Jen, Mike, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert, David.
