Lazarus Centre News: Easter 2016
Lazarus Centre Coordinator, the Reverend Louise Lang, Ordained to the Diaconate
Congratulations from all at the Lazarus Centre to the Reverend Louise Lang on the occasion her ordination to the diaconate on 6th February at St Paul’s Cathedral. Louise coordinates the Breakfast program at St Peter’s as well as homelessness services at St Mark’s Community Centre Fitzroy.
Louise’s ordination is a milestone in a long journey searching to fulfill her strong sense of vocation to serve God. She feels her vocation is to the distinctive diaconate. The office of deacon is specifically an Order of service. In the Anglican Church of Australia women have been admitted to the diaconate since 1986.
Deacons have special roles in worship including reading the gospel, leading the prayers and preaching. Louise will serve as deacon in worship at St Peter’s and is pictured here following her first Mass at St Peter’s in her new role.
The vestments she is wearing are distinctive to the diaconate and include the outer festive garment called a dalmatic and the stole of office draped over the left shoulder and joined on the right side symbolising preparedness to serve
Now that I am a Deacon
People have asked me ‘so what will happen when you’re ordained and become a Deacon? What will change?’ My response has been ‘Everything and nothing!’ I am still the same person doing the same job, but now as a deacon I have entered Holy Orders. I am now a member of clergy in the Anglican Church of Australia. In the Diocese of Melbourne I have the support of the church and am also accountable to the Archbishop and have promised to be canonically obedient to that office and the church.
That all sounds a bit heavy but it demonstrates something of the relationship that is entered into through ordination. As a deacon I am to be an ambassador of Christ and to serve God as I serve others in Jesus’ name. To proclaim the good news of God’s love so that some may be moved to faith and repentance, and hearts open to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. These are all things that, as a deacon, I am called to do and there is so much more including proclamation, teaching, encouraging, preaching, prayer and study. So on the surface it may all look the same but there is a whole lot more to it! It is a joy and a challenge to be able to take this next step and serve the community in this way. I look forward to building stronger bonds in the relationships with staff, clients and parishioners - The Reverend Louise Lang
Friday Homilies: Bishop Sells Church Property to Feed the Poor
One of the arguments I have heard recently for reducing Sunday penalty rates is that less people are going to Church. Depending on who we listen to it can seem the Church is in
her death throes with the last of her member biding their time until the last one leaves and turns out the light! It is times like this I give thanks for the Church’s calendar of saints.
Almost every day of the year we are reminded of a holy person whose witness to Christ has been both a challenge and an encouragement not just to the people of their time but also others through the ages down to our time.
On the 18th March we remembered Cyril of Jerusalem born 315. His story rivals any modern tale of political intrigue. When he was appointed to the important position of Bishop of Jerusalem
one of his fellow bishops, Acacius of Caesarea, expected Cyril would support him in the crucial theological arguments of the day.
When that support was not forthcoming from Cyril his fellow bishop had him summoned to a council and accused him of heresy and selling church property. There had been a devastating famine in Jerusalem and Cyril had sold some items belonging to the church to keep his people from starvation. Church historians of the time record: “Cyril secretly sold sacramental ornaments of the church and a valuable holy robe, fashioned with gold thread that the emperor Constantine had once donated for the bishop to wear when he performed the rite of Baptism”. Cyril resisted the charges for two years but was eventually deposed and exiled.
Half of his time as bishop was spent in exile.
Some time later his accuser fell out of favour and Cyril was reinstated. However, when he returned to Jerusalem he found the church in turmoil and the city wracked with crime. He was thrown out of Jerusalem three more times by successive emperors but each time he returned until finally he was left in peace until his death in 386.
In his life is the encouragement to stand firm no matter what the opposition and disappointments. And his response to the threat to his people will always stand to help us set our priorities right if ever we must choose between people and property. Hopefully we can always have something of both for our property exists for all, non- the-less if such choices must be made I hope we will stand with Cyril rather than Acacius of Caesarea.
Coffee Cart Social Enterprise Moves Into Next Phase
St Peter’s social enterprise coffee cart project will soon be moving to the next phase of development. After Easter barista Adolf Mora and team leader Alex Gamser, with four trainees will expand the coffee cart presence beyond Sunday to include two other mornings to Breakfast Program participants. The coffee will be complimentary as the trainees develop their skills both in coffee making and customer service. Trainees will be paid for their work through Anglicare Victoria.
The project continues to be guided by the Social Enterprise Committee. The committee has worked on the Coffee cart Project for two years. One member of the committee is also moving onto the next phase of his life. Peter Thompson, general Manager of Parish Partnerships for for Anglicare Victoria is leaving that position to begin his own business in woodwork and home repairs.
The committee thanks Peter for his valuable contribution over the past two years Alex Gamser says the project offers those who have been out of the work force for some time a pathway through which they can develop the skills necessary to gain employment. Purpose and dignity will be key facets of the coffee cart project.
Through the program participants will also have the opportunity to gain confidence in their abilities through working with Adolf who has worked his way up from washing dishes in a large coffee shop to owning his own coffee cart.
The Coffee Cart Project has been made possible by the generous donations of those who gave to the St Peter’s Charitable Foundation appeal last year.