The Official Publication of
THE ANGLICAN MEN'S SOCIETY
in the Province of Victoria.
Our first year as AMS at Mitcham has drawn to a close and although no major events were undertaken we had a successful and interesting time together. We opened the year by joining with MU for the Shrove Tuesday BBQ and pancakes.
The traditional vicar’s night was held during Lent with an interesting activity of constructing a cross being included.
Stan B, Ivan H and I attended the National Conference in Hobart during May, along with a good contingent from Victoria (including wives).,br>
Our June parish breakfast was cancelled due to NUCA running “your very good health sir” a grand hot breakfast followed by local GP’s talking on men’s health issues, which attracted 70 men from surrounding churches, including a good number from All Saints Mitcham.
We met with St Edwards Blackburn South on three occasions, two games nights at which we retained ‘The Cup’ and the third a fun night ten pin bowling.
Our members assisted with the book fair, fete, roundtable luncheons, the sausage sizzle at Bunnings raising $1,504, working bees and sponsoring and supporting monthly services at St James’ Old Cathedral.
Unfortunately, the BBQ intended for the ordinands of Ridley & Trinity Colleges had to be cancelled as only three students showed any interest (very disappointing).
We still have three branch members on the state executive together with the auditor.
Sickness struck the branch during the year, with Stan, Kevin, Wally and John being sidelined for sometime. However things are on the improvement in that regard.
John S has joined our ranks and along with some others will be inducted shortly.
I wish to thank Dot & Dick S for once again making their home available in April, when we invited some members of the Parish to join us and view Dick’s train layout, which received very favourable comments.
May I also thank the office bearers, members and wives who have assisted to keep us running during the past 12 months and I trust will continue this
support in the future as we move forward and grow in the church and wider
community.
Yours in WFS
Warren C
Branch Chairman
Meetings:
Christmas break-up at the Dingley International Hotel.
Lenten Study with Archdeacon Philip – our Locum.
Cheltenham Police speaker – Senior Sergeant Gerry H.
DVD’S – Andre Rieu etc.
Benetas Advisory Service – Rosemary A and Rebecca.
Members Working Life – Don A, Derek P and Jeff L.
The History of Bathing Baths by Local historian Graham W.
Southern Indoor Bowling Competition – Congratulations to the Winners All Souls’ Sandringham.
The Retirement Village Association.
Our Branch Supports:
Garden Maintenance under member Don A.
Parish Breakfasts on the 5th Sundays in conjunction with the Mission Group.
Rostered for morning tea duty after 10 am Service on the 1st Sunday.
Rostered duty for “Matt’s Place” - Sidesmen Duties.
Other Activities:
Visiting Kingston Center and wheeling patients to the “Sacred Space” (Chapel).
Maundy Thursday – Clergy Breakfast for the “Southern Region”.
Monthly Crazy Whist.
Diocesan Events:
Monthly Breakfast with the Lay President at “Holy Trinity’ Oakleigh.
Monthly Executive and quarterly Bill Brady Welfare Organisation meetings at the Seafarers Mission.
Three Council Meetings and monthly basket teas plus service of Evensong at St James’ Old Cathedral. Bi–Monthly Collating A.M.S. Bulletin.
Annual Book Fair – Holy Trinity. Oakleigh.
St Oswald’s Day Dinner at St Matthew’s Cheltenham – Speaker Rev’d Peter Swane – volunteer at Melbourne Zoo.
Lunch for ordinands Trinity College.
Anzac Day Breakfast and service at St Alban’s West Coburg.
Annual Fund Raising – Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings, Box Hill South.
National Council Meeting held in Hobart. Tasmania.
Many thanks to our hard working Secretary Len E. Treasurer Ern Q. Vice Chairman Jeff L and the ladies and members who help to keep our branch alive.
Thanks to Archdeacon Philip N for organising our Lenten Study and attending all of our meetings.
Don’t forget we collect books, CD’S & DVD’s throughout the year for the Annual Book Fair, we also collect used postage stamps.
We welcome to our parish The Rev’d Ronald W, wife Gay, daughter Penny and son Chris.
Please make an effort to attend our meetings, if you are unable please let us know.
We still have vacancies for new Members. Can you help.
Yours in WFS - Derek P – Branch Chairman.
The year is slipping by and the Christmas Period is upon us.
It is hard to believe that I have served my first year as Lay President as so much has happened in that time. There are some exciting times ahead of us as we try to renew interest in the Anglican Men’s Society.
Four Executive Members will travel to Sale on
22 November to meet with Bishop John McIntyre, the Bishop of Gippsland, who has agreed to issue a copy or our “Book of Witness” to all his clergy.
Terry Heath and I are to meet with Bishop Philip Huggins the Bishop of the Northern and Western Regions on 6 December with the view of addressing the Regional Conference early next year.
We have also sent some promotional material to the Rev’d Mark Soynerring the Rector of Buningyong who is interested in establishing a “Mens Group” in that area, so I will keep you informed of the outcome of these ventures in promoting AMS.
The AGM date was changed from 28 October to 9 December and the Investiture of the Lay President and Associated Lay Presidents will be conducted that
evening by Archbishop Philip, as this was the only ‘free’ time on his calendar for sometime.
May I take this opportunity to wish all members and friends of AMS a Happy and Holy Christmas and Prosperous New Year as we continue to advance the image and aims of AMS in the Anglican Church and the wider community.
As Lay President I am pleased to
present the 2007 Annual Report.
After our elections in October 2006 the Associate Lay Presidents and I were finally invested on 25 February 2007 and a busy year was underway.
St James’ Old Cathedral Services,
proceeded by the Basket Tea have continued and have been well
supported as have the Breakfasts with the Lay President at Oakleigh.
The Anzac Day Service and Breakfast at West Coburg was very well conducted and I thank Rev’d Bill and his team for continuing this important tradition.
The Book Fair and sausage sizzle were great occasions with very good financial results at both.
Victoria was well represented at the National Council Meeting in Hobart in May by both members and wives and fine time was had with our interstate friends.
Seventy plus people attended the St Oswald’s Day Dinner and the
Rev’d Peter Swane gave us a very passionate talk on his activities as a guide at the Royal Melbourne Zoo.
The executive and some branch members dined in fine style at the Victoria Hotel and officially welcomed our guest Archbishop Philip as President of the AMS.
Many exciting things are before us, as I have mentioned in this issue of “Greetings from the Lay President’, so hopefully AMS will, as in the past, play a more significant role in the Anglican Church and further our aim of Witness, Fellowship and Service in the wider community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Executive as well as Branch and Diocesan Members for the support and
encouragement they have given me over the past twelve months, with a special thanks to Len, Eric and Ken, together with Tom, Blair and John S for their involvement in the Old Cathedral Services.