Sunday 16th October - Community BBQ

Community BBQ

Sausages, salads, deepening our community, meeting new people, making friends, sports equipment and outdoor toys for kids.

 The space is quite peaceful and a lovely hang-out spot in the late afternoon also, so feel free to bring a book/friend/coffee and enjoy this time. All welcome!

 Time: 12:15pm onwards


Note: Beer tasting will not be held this Sunday.

Sunday 9th October - Ultimate frisbee (2:30-4pm)

Join us for a game of ultimate frisbee at Princes Park. All welcome, even if you have not played before. We will have a few frisbees so people can practice throwing and catching before the game starts.

If you are interested in playing, please let Adele Perry know so she has an idea of numbers.

It's a lovely park, so even if you're not interested in playing, feel free to bring a rug, book and enjoy hanging out.

The game won't happen if there's wet weather - check this blog for updates if it's a wet morning.

Time: 2:30pm - 4pm 
Location: Princes Park (near blue A-frame swings opposite Bowen Cres/Pigdon St)

Sunday 2nd October - Brunswick exploration (2-4pm)

Apologies - this event has been cancelled.

An opportunity to explore Brunswick together. We'll meet in a cafe, then head out in small groups to look at Brunswick with fresh eyes - seeing what is there and trying to understand the culture. We'll de-brief at the cafe afterwards and think together about what it means to be God's people in this area.

Time: 2-4pm - we'll get moving fairly quickly
Meeting place: Free speech monument, outside the Mechanics Institute (corner Sydney Rd and Glenlyon Rd, http://g.co/maps/jsdn)

RSVP to Cat Patrick (catrionapatrick -at- gmail.com) very much appreciated, especially if the venue changes!

Apologies - this event has been cancelled.


Sunday 25th September - Coffee tasting

Stay tuned for more details about this coffee tasting session with Joel Kettleton.

Time: 3-4pm 
(don't worry - you'll only be ingesting small amounts of caffeine at this time in the afternoon!)

Sunday 18th September - Community BBQ (12:15 onwards)

August Community BBQ
Our first ever community BBQ in Spring! Come and enjoy the warmer weather in the courtyard.

Sausages, salads, deepening our community, meeting new people, making friends, sports equipment and outdoor toys for kids.

The space is quite peaceful and a lovely hang-out spot in the late afternoon also, so feel free to bring a book/friend/coffee and enjoy this time.

All welcome!

Time: 12:30pm onwards

Sunday 11th September - Spring picnic

Celebrate the start of spring at our community picnic!

Our space works really well for communal eating together - lots of space and toys for kids to run around, plenty of tables to sit, eat and chat. Bring your own bread, sandwich fillings, fruit, cake, etc, to share as we enjoy the warmer weather together.

All welcome. Indoor space available in case of cold/rain.

Time: 12ish onwards

Sunday 4th September - Urban gospel (Cat Patrick)

The message of Christianity and of Jesus is often thought to be irrelevant and uninteresting. Christians frequently talk as though the good news only addresses the issue of sin and how to avoid punishment.

On the contrary, however, the message of Jesus is a radical one that speaks volumes to our urban culture. Jesus taught and passed on a holistic message that speaks into our lives about forgiveness, community, our thinking about the environment, poverty, restored relationships, hope for the future and more.

In this seminar, we'll explore the gospel in an urban setting - what the unchangable message of the gospel is, how it speaks to the issues that people face everyday and how we can creatively present it to a generation of people who think it has nothing to say.

3-4:30pm

Cat Patrick is part of the ministry team at St Jude's in Parkville, and is deeply committed to helping people understand how much Jesus has to say to our inner city culture and to every part of our lives.

Sunday 21st August - BBQ (12:15pm) and Disability and missions (2:45pm)


Community BBQ
12:15pm onwards
Our monthly community BBQ is open to all and we love to have new people along! Think sausages, salads, great space - with indoor areas for cold days, welcoming community.



We have lots of outside toys and equipment for kids, and it's been great to see them enjoying the large but enclosed space.

Please join us to eat, hang out, make new friends and as we continue to deepen our friendships and community!


Disability and missions
Mission to the disabled, and the disabled to the mission
2:45-4:00pm

God calls us to respond lovingly to the needs of those with disability so that they (and we) may experience life in all its fullness. Not only should we respond lovingly, but we need to appreciate that God works through us all whatever our disability or differing ability. Each of us is disabled in some area but that doesn’t prevent us working in mission ... and indeed it is often in and through that weakness that God uses us!  After all His power is made perfect in weakness!  

Recently the Grills’ have been working in disability in India and they are currently hosting three Indian disability co-workers (Robert, Jubin and Pratima) in Melbourne. This group has thought a lot about theology and disability and they will share their insights and personal experiences with us. Robert and Pratima both have powerful stories of how their own experience of severe disability has been used for the glory of God. Sadly, Nathan and Claire are also working through what it means to have a disabled child and be in overseas ministry. 

During this time exploring the theology of disability, Nathan and Claire will give an update on Abby, Robert will talk about his personal experience and how God has used disability for His work and glory, Jubin will lead us in thinking about what is a Christian response to disability.  The Hope in the Himalayas team will also give a brief update... and we will end in prayer that despite our disabilities God in His sovereignty will use us in India and missions for His glory. 


Sunday 14th August - Mentoring


Tim Dyer defines mentoring as 'an intentional interpersonal process in which one person equips and empowers another toward more effective ministry through sharing God-given encouragement, instruction and resources.'

Mentoring variously includes praying, reading the Bible, listening, talking, and hopefully having fun!!

In this session, we will look at what the Bible says about mentoring, then unpack how to mentor. This will be a very practical session.

Time: 3-4pm

Deb Sugars, our facilitator for the seminar, works on the leadership team at St Jude's in Parkville as our Discipleship Minister and loves encouraging people to keep growing themselves and others.

Sunday 7th August - Ancient Near Eastern Law Codes (Michael Theophilos)

This seminar will explore Ancient Near Eastern law codes - particularly how
the Code of Hammurabi both illuminates and challenges our reading of
the Mosaic law of the Old Testament (Exodus 20-23; Leviticus 1-7;
11-25; Deuteronomy 5-26). This will provide fascinating insight into
the Mosaic law in the context of surrounding cultures. All are welcome
- no prior knowledge necessary!

Our speaker Michael Theophilos will address questions such as:
  1. The Code of Hammurabi: What is it? Who discovered it? When and where did they discover it? Why is it important for biblical Studies? How is it to be used to inform our reading of the Bible?
  2. What does the sculptured bas relief depict?
  3. How many laws are there and how are they grouped?
  4. Does the Code of Hammurabi display inequality of punishment to the offending party based on social standing? If so, provide examples.
  5. Are there examples of this in the Law of Moses?
  6. How do the law codes of Hammurabi and Moses compare on the following topics: i. False Accusations; ii. Stealing; iii. Kidnapping; iv. Robbery; v. Restitution of death; vi. Agricultural Laws; vi. Dishonest weights; viii. Release of Slaves; ix. Safekeeping; x. Adultery; xi. Incest; xii. Parents; xiii. Restitution; xiv. Renting Animals; xv. Wild Oxen.
  7. To what extent are the biblical laws in the Pentateuch unique to Israel amid the ANE?
  8. What are the implications of this for the history of Judeo-Christian ethics?
Michael is a council member of the Australian Institute of Archeology and will also bring along some relevant artefacts for participants to examine.

Time: 3-4:30pm

Sunday 31st July - Letter writing campaign

In Australia, writing letters is a great way of informing our elected representatives about the things we care about. We have the opportunity to let decision-makers know that we care about overseas aid, climate change, food production, treatment of refugees, live exports and heaps of other issues we feel strongly about.

This Sunday afternoon is set aside for letter writing. It's often hard to find the time or to know where to start, but we'll have letter writing guides, information about current issues, possibly a couple of stories from people about what they are writing about - so if you've never written to politicians or other police makers before, there should be plenty of help around!

Paper, envelopes, stamps and addresses provided.

This event is happening in parallel with Micah Challenge's 'Offering of letters', so if you'd like to write to Wayne Swan encouraging the Australian Government to keep its commitment concerning the Millenium Development Goals, we'll forward your letters to Micah Challenge so that they can be delivered in person. Read more here: Millenium Development Goals, Micah Challenge's Offering of Letters.

"Learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1:17)


Time: 3-4:30pm

Sunday 24th July - Ultimate frisbee

Join us for a game of ultimate frisbee at Princes Park. All welcome, even if you have not played before. We will have a few frisbee's so people can practice throwing and catching before the game starts.

If you are interested in playing, please let Adele Perry know so she has an idea of numbers: adele.perry1@gmail.com.

It's a lovely park, so even if you're not interested in playing, feel free to bring a rug, book and enjoy hanging out.

Time: 2:30pm - 4pm
Location: Princes Park (meet at the blue A-frame swings opposite Bowen Cres and Pigdon Street).


Wet weather plan: Adele will confirm whether the game is on or off by 11am on Sunday 24th. If you want to confirm by phone, text 0430 198 334. If the game is cancelled, we'll meet for a more inside-friendly board game afternoon at St Jude's in Parkville.

Sunday 17th July - Community BBQ (12:15pm)


Our monthly community BBQ is open to all and we love to have new people along! Think sausages, salads, great space - with indoor areas for cold days, welcoming community.

If you're here for our 10am service, please stick around afterwards for lunch. We have lots of outside toys and equipment for kids, and it's been great to see them enjoying the large but enclosed space.

It's also a peaceful environment later in the afternoon - it's been great to see people bringing books and just hanging out in this communal space on Sunday afternoons.

Please join us to eat, hang out, make new friends and as we continue to deepen our friendships and community!

Sunday 10th July - Growing disciples


A practical seminar exploring what the New Testament says about Jesus' love for us, and our love for each other. Deb will guide us in practical skills for loving each other, such as encouraging, listening, praying, dealing with messy situations and challenging each other. This seminar is great for people who have never thought about how caring for others is an expression of spiritual maturity, and for those who have been practicing these things for years.

Deb Sugars works on the leadership team at St Jude's in Parkville as our Discipleship Minister and loves encouraging people to keep growing themselves and others.

Time: 3-4pm

Sunday 3rd July - What does my God require of me? Reflections on Timor-Leste

Jacob Sarkodee writes:

In January, I visited a place an hour's flight from our shores.  A place of contradictions: hope and sadness, faith and despair, love and loneliness. It is a place bound to Australia in history, but little - if at all - understood.  It is our neighbour: Timor-Leste (or East Timor).

How well do you know your neighbour next door? Come and hear stories of families fighting for survival, persevering under extreme circumstances, and by God's grace, seeing hope on the horizon. Hear reflections on how Christians are responding to this complicated context where chronic hunger, faith, and development intersect.


Time: 3:00 - 4:15pm

Jacob is a member of our 5pm congregation. He has completed studies in how Christians respond to human rights issues and currently works for World Vision in Melbourne.

Sunday 26th June - Craft afternoon (2:30-4:30pm)

© Yury Shirokov | Dreamstime.com
A relaxed Sunday arvo of craft, chatting and afternoon tea. We'll meet in Stanway Alpha which has stacks of space, tables and powerpoints - so feel free to bring big craft (and even sewing machines!) as well as more detailed options. All crafty and non-crafty people welcome.

This is a kid-friendly craft event - we'll set aside a corner of the room for kids to sit with each other and bring craft (or get distracted and make cubby-houses, etc!).

Let Cat know (or add a comment) if you'd be willing to teach others some new skills on the afternoon.

Time: 2:30-4:30pm.

Sunday 19th June - Community BBQ (12:15pm)

An opportunity to connect with people in the local area and from St Jude's in Parkville. This month we've invited people who live in the streets surrounding our meeting space for a community BBQ, and hope that it will create a greater sense of community in the area.

Toasty sausages (on a cold day!); a warm space inside to eat; bikes, balls and other outdoor toys for kids to play with in the courtyard; relaxed time to be welcomed, make new friends and welcome others.

This month's BBQ is also part of Welcome to Australia:
"Between June 19 and 26, 2011, we'd like to say a big "Welcome to Australia" to asylum seekers, refugees, new arrivals and other migrants. We'd like you to throw a party in your home, street, office, sporting club or other community group to very publicly celebrate the beauty and depth that diversity adds to our nation. We'd like you to create opportunities for new and authentic friendships, for new and long-term Australians to share their stories and to be a part of cultivating a culture of welcome in this nation we now share as our common home."
Time: 12:15pm onwards.

Sunday 12th June - Bread-making workshop

Suzanne and Cat will share how they find time to make great-smelling, yum and low effort breads at home. We will have access to an oven on the day and will bake and eat some yummy bread.
© Lindamstyle | Dreamstime.com

Suzanne loves sour dough bread and makes baguettes throughout the year and pumpernickle bread in winter! 

Cat makes bread for weekends, and tries to always avoid kneading. Her favourite home-made breads are a crusty half wholemeal/half white loaf, a crusty sourdough and bagels.

Time: 3-4pm

Sunday 5th June - Resurrection, atheism and evidence (2:30pm)


The world’s leading atheist, Richard Dawkins, claims to live his life by evidence. He says: ‘you believe something, good, now is there evidence for it?’ Dawkins claims that there is no good ‘evidence’ for belief in God.  

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, presents some difficulties for Dawkins’ position. If a resurrection happened, could this provide some evidence for the existence of a god? What does Dawkins make of the resurrection of Jesus? How does Jesus’ resurrection fit into Dawkins’ assessment of the ‘God hypothesis’?  Is there good evidence for the resurrection of Jesus?  Come to a stimulating and thought-provoking seminar as we investigate the resurrection of Jesus and modern atheism.

Time: 2:30-4pm (note changed time)
  
Rob Martin is the director of the City Bible Forum in Melbourne, a group asking the bigger questions with Australia’s city workers. Rob did his Honours thesis at theological college on the ‘new atheism,’ delving into the works and thoughts of popular authors such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris and is well qualified to speak on this topic.

Sunday 29th May - Missional brainstorming (3pm)

Over the previous months, we've thought about being a contextualised church. We want to engage with the strengths, weaknesses, values and fears of the culture around us, and especially the particular culture of the Inner North of Melbourne and nearer suburbs such as Brunswick.

This afternoon will refresh our thinking about Brunswick/Inner North/urban culture, deepen our understanding of St Jude's' vision and brainstorm some creative, crazy ideas. We'll finish by choosing some ideas and working out what plans we need to make them reality.

Come along to be encouraged and enthused for engaging with our local community, suggest and hear fun ideas, contribute to discussions and pray.

Time: 3pm - 4:30pm

Cat Patrick is the Community and Mission Minister at St Jude's in Parkville - which means she tries to stimulate our thinking about the community around us and how we can engage with local cultures.


Sunday 22nd May - Mexican Spirituality (2:30pm)

© Cecilia Lim | Dreamstime.com

A fearsome feathered serpent. Human sacrifice. An all-embracing spirituality. Baptism by the sword. A mother goddess. Mary in Mexican skin. Colourful pageants. A black Jesus. Laughing at death. Worshipping the Grim Reaper. Christs in glass coffins. The patron saint of padlocks. Prayers to "Our Father Sun". Families and communities transformed. Teenagers praying the night away. Witchcraft markets. A spell to get rid of your husband's lover. Prosperity preachers. Christians as both persecutors and persecuted. Mexico's favourite pope. Conquest and subversion. Religion and freedom. Church and state.

Charlie and Kathryn Fletcher will speak to us about the different spiritual influences in Mexico. They will cover some of the history of indigenous religions, the arrival and dominance of Catholicism and their perspective on the state of Mexican spirituality today, including Protestant churches. Come and explore Mexican spirituality.

Charlie and Kathryn are originally from Melbourne. They have recently returned from ten years in Mexico, where they lived with their two boys and worked with a Christian university and high school student group. 


Sunday 15th May - Community BBQ (from 12:30pm)

Our monthly community BBQ is open to all and we love to have new people along! Think sausages, salads, great space, welcoming community.

If you're here for our 10am service, please stick around afterwards for lunch. We have lots of outside toys and equipment for kids, and it's been great to see them enjoying the large but enclosed space.

It's also a peaceful environment later in the afternoon - it's been great to see people bringing books and just hanging out in this communal space on Sunday afternoons.

Please join us to eat, hang out, make new friends and as we continue to deepen our friendships and community!

Sunday 8th May - Zoo Picnic

Entrance to the 'Trail of the Elephants'
Join us this Mother's Day for a community afternoon at the Melbourne Zoo - mothers, children, family and friends are all welcome!

After our 10am morning service, we'll head over to the Zoo together and set up camp near the carousel park (with playground nearby). Bring a picnic lunch to share - we'll eat together and then people can sit, wander, chat, play as you choose.

Starts around 12:30pm.

Directions and more info at http://www.zoo.org.au/MelbourneZoo.

Sunday 1st May - Six days? (Tim Patrick)

Some Christians hold a literal six-day creation as a fundamental doctrine of their faith. But is that really what the Bible teaches?




Our minister Tim Patrick, who has an honours degree in geology and used to work as an experimental scientist at the CSIRO, explores an alternative understanding of the opening chapter of the Bible which is at the centre of this controversy.

Sunday 24th April - Easter picnic (Gilpin Park, Brunswick)

© Photomorgana | Dreamstime.com
Join us for a relaxed Sunday afternoon at Gilpin Park. There's a playground, table tennis tables, bike tracks, tables, BBQs, a small amphitheatre and lots of space to play. We'll meet for a picnic lunch at 1pm. BYO food, picnic blankets, balls, frisbees, etc.

Later in the afternoon, there will be parachute games and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. All are most welcome!

Gilpin Park is off Albert Street, Brunswick (Melways 29 E7) or see map below.

From 1pm onwards.




View Larger Map

Sunday 17th April - Community BBQ (from 12:30pm)

Our monthly community BBQ is open to all and we love to have new people along! Think sausages, salads, great space, welcoming community.

If you're here for our 10am service, please stick around afterwards for lunch. We have lots of outside toys and equipment for kids, and it's been great to see them enjoying the large but enclosed space.

It's also a peaceful environment later in the afternoon - it's been great to see people bringing books and just hanging out in this communal space on Sunday afternoons.

Please join us to eat, hang out, make new friends and as we continue to deepen our friendships and community!

Sunday 10th April - Brunswick, the Gospel and Church (Cat Patrick, 2:30pm)

Due to popular demand, we've decided to run 'Brunswick, the Gospel and Church' again, instead of 'Missional imagination' on 10th April. (Although exercising our imagination is fantastic, and we'll come back to this again later in the year!)


Brunswick is a fascinating neighbourhood - hugely multi-cultural, diverse, self-expressive, edgy and undergoing gentrification. This seminar will begin to explore some of the loves, fears and ambitions of the Brunswick sub-culture - particularly seen in the key symbols and cultural narratives along Sydney Road. We'll think about how the Gospel is good news in this particular settings - recognising both the alignment and clash of Biblical values with this culture. We'll also discuss what it might look like to be a culturally engaged Christian community in this inner-city setting.

Even if you are not from Brunswick, come along to learn and see how these observations might apply in your own locality.

Speaker:
Cat Patrick is on the Ministry team at St Jude's in Parkville and has nearly completed a Masters of Divinity at Ridley Melbourne. She has lived in Brunswick for 9 years, and last year undertook a project exploring the sub-culture of Brunswick - particularly observing the key symbols, myths and narratives along Sydney Road.


Please note the later than usual start time, 2:30pm. 

Sunday 3rd April - The Bloom Story

Hear the story of a middle class Australian mother who thought that all she could do was make cakes. She used this skill to start Bloom Asia, a school in Cambodia dedicated to empowering survivors of trafficking and women at risk through vocational training and education.

The afternoon will have the Bloom story, music and information about how to support this work.

Story and music by Pamela Joy - http://www.reverbnation.com/pamelajoymusic.

Sunday 27th March - The Gospel and all of Life’s Questions (Tim Patrick)

A Practical Introduction to Apologetics
People ask so many questions about our faith and often we can be stumped as to what the best answers are. In this session, Tim will talk about a couple of simple ideas that help us know how to continue a conversation with integrity and a focus on Jesus even when we aren’t experts on the topic under discussion. It’s all to do with knowing the big movements of the Bible story and how they intersect with the big questions of life.


Speaker:
Tim Patrick is the minister of St Jude's in Parkville. He became a Christian during his geology degree at Sydney Uni and worked for CSIRO as a research scientist for a number of years before training for full-time ministry. He's married to Cat and dad to Poppy.

Sunday 20th March - Community BBQ (12:30pm onwards)

A BBQ for our wider community. This will be a great chance to hang out, make new friends and spend more time together as a community.

It follows straight on from our 10am service, and we'll have all the sports equipment, outside toys and bikes out again for kids.

For those attending our evening service, enjoy some more relaxed time in the courtyard. Last month, a group of people headed up to the Vibe Hotel mid-afternoon for coffees before the 5pm service. Tea and coffee is served again on-site from 4:30pm.

Everyone is welcome!

Sunday 13th March - Brunswick, the Gospel and Church (Cat Patrick)

Brunswick is a fascinating neighbourhood - hugely multi-cultural, diverse, self-expressive, edgy and undergoing gentrification. This seminar will begin to explore some of the loves, fears and ambitions of the Brunswick sub-culture - particularly seen in the key symbols and cultural narratives along Sydney Road. We'll think about how the Gospel is good news in this particular settings - recognising both the alignment and clash of Biblical values with this culture. We'll also discuss what it might look like to be a culturally engaged Christian community in this inner-city setting.

Even if you are not from Brunswick, come along to learn and see how these observations might apply in your own locality.

Speaker:
Cat Patrick is on the Ministry team at St Jude's in Parkville and has nearly completed a Masters of Divinity at Ridley Melbourne. She has lived in Brunswick for 9 years, and last year undertook a project exploring the sub-culture of Brunswick - particularly observing the key symbols, myths and narratives along Sydney Road.

Sunday 6th March - Urban and suburban culture (Tim Foster)

Even within Melbourne, there are many subcultures - and huge cultural
differences between urban and suburban areas of our city. Churches often don't engage well with the culture around them - we want to listen and to think about what it looks like to be a community of God's people in the inner city.

Speaker:
Tim Foster is the Director of Theological Education & Formation at Ridley Melbourne Ministry and Mission College. He has served in a number of different cultural contexts in Australian cities and is particularly interested in helping churches to engage with their communities in the urban context. More information:
http://www.ridley.edu.au/about-ridley/faculty/tim-foster/

Sunday 27th Feb - Going deeper into the gospel (Tim Patrick)

The Gospel is so basic to Christianity - and yet there is so much richness to this good news. Explore the foundations, subtleties and richness of this fantastic, life-transforming story of Jesus Christ.

Speaker:
Tim Patrick is the minister of St Jude's in Parkville. He became a Christian during his geology degree at Sydney Uni and worked for CSIRO as a research scientist for a number of years before training for full-time ministry. He's married to Cat and dad to Poppy.

Sunday 20th Feb - Community BBQ

This first BBQ will be part of celebrating our new location at Ridley as St Jude's in Parkville. We kick off at 12:30pm but will keep going into the afternoon, so stick around after the morning service or come in early for the evening service.

We're really thrilled to have new people join us at the BBQ - so even if you can't make it to the services, we'd love for you to join us. Friends and visitors are most welcome.

BYO nothing - everything is provided!