Well hullo everyone, I am delighted to be here in the Anglican Parish of Dungog ministering in the communities of Dungog, Bendolba and Clarence Town. I arrived just prior to Holy Week and Easter so it has been a very busy time and I am still unpacking boxes as I settle into my home. I have had a beautiful warm welcome into the parish and I can see the Holy Spirit of God at work in this beautiful place. The Anglican Parish is already serving the local communities in many ways including Op-shops in both Dungog and Clarence Town, with outreach ministries of Cuppa and Chat on Friday mornings in Dungog, where everyone is welcome. We host the monthly Community Markets at Dungog which are great fun. We also minister and visit at the Lara the local Nursing Home and support The Mission to Seafarers with donations of clothes, beanies and Christmas presents. Our Parishioners are hard at work supporting mission overseas, especially at Myanmar, and closer to home with exceptional Palliative Care Services. It is a very busy parish and I think I will be flat out trying to keep up with everything including all our usual Church services on Sundays and Fridays. On the first Sunday of the month we have a Country and Western Gospel themed service at 5pm at St Peter’s in the Paddock at Bendolba which is new to me and a lot of fun with a meal outside by the fire afterwards. There are many small ways we can help others in Christ’s name with care and thoughtfulness. These can be giving a small part of our time to visit someone in hospital, help someone with their shopping or just to have a cup of tea and a chat. Remembering to see the face of Christ in others and treat them accordingly with kindness and care can bring them joy, and it also brings joy and peace to us. These are the immediate rewards of giving something as small of a cup of water in Christ’s name. So never underestimate the power of the kind word or smile you give to someone God has placed in your path. The effect it has in their life at that particular time may be far more enormous than you could imagine, and it could make all the difference in their day and their life. No-one else may notice these small neighbourly acts of love, but God does, and Jesus set us the example of going about serving and doing good. I look forward to getting to know you all and ministering here with you. Of course everyone is welcome at church, including all ages, we would love to see you there. God bless us all, every one, Reverend Amanda Lea Brockwell
