Well, this is one of those blogs where I have a series of important things to share so buckle up and let’s get into it.
First, this month, we are collecting hampers for our Mission Partner Chester Hill Anglican Church to give out to people at their church and connected to their ministry. They plan to use many of them as an outreach tool so they can go into the local public housing blocks and give out boxes of food to migrants, refugees, and low-income families. The idea is that you take a packing list from the table at the world map this Sunday and bring back everything on the list bundled up to be one hamper. I checked it out and the list will cost you less than $20 but make a world of difference to families in Chester Hill. Please check it out this Sunday and let’s be generous to our brothers and sisters in Chester Hill. The packing list is also linked here so you can grab the things and bring them to church this Sunday.
Second, Celebration Sunday is coming. God has been at work in our midst and there are lots of people who have become Christians, are committed to living all for Jesus and are ready to be baptised or make a public declaration on November 22. I will tell you more next week but for now, if you attend Mornings or Late Mornings please hear this - there will only be one morning service on November 22 and it will be at 9.45am. Tell a friend. Set a reminder. 9.45am. It’s going to be awesome.
Third, if you access church via Cowan Road you will know that there are two, big proposed developments along the road. Well, the one next door to us at 5-9 Cowan Road is about to get underway. They expect to begin demolition in the last week of November. This is just notice to take care around the site and during the week expect there to be more traffic for a few weeks as trucks come and go during the demolition.
Fourth, you might be wondering where we are up to with our rebuilding proposal and I will provide a full update in next week’s news but for now, we are seeking to make some changes to how we use some of our church property. Let me explain the background to this.
All the property that Anglican Churches in Sydney have is formally owned by the Anglican Church Property Trust. That same property is however the responsibility of each church to maintain and manage and each church can use and benefit from its property in accordance with various Anglican Church ordinances (legal provisions) and policies. So our Wardens and Parish Council manage our property in accordance with the St Ives Trust Ordinance 2004.
So today, I am giving notice that the wardens are seeking to change the usage of the house at 3B Cowan Road from being a residence to a commercial office. To speak formally, the Parish Council of the Parish of St Ives intend to apply to the Standing Committee of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney for an ordinance to update the St Ives Trust Ordinance 2004 to the latest standard provisions for parish trust ordinances including those that facilitate the distribution of rent to the wardens from a proposed lease of 3B Cowan Road for use as a site office in relation to the development of the adjoining property at 5-9 Cowan Road.
The situation is that rather than try to use 3B Cowan Road as a residence when the Bakers depart, we are seeking to allow the builders at 5-9 Cowan Road to use it as their site office. This is a far more financially and pastorally beneficial strategy for that land for the next 12-24 months.
Full copies of the documents involved will be posted in the church foyer this Sunday and are attached above. If you have any questions, please reach out to me, Rob Wicks or one of the Wardens.
Well, that’s all for now. See you Sunday!
