Dapto Anglican Church

Recently the University of Newcastle prepared a research document estimating the likely impact of the economic downturn on Australian cities. In the report the Southern Suburbs of Wollongong (Dapto, Albion Park, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Berkeley and Warrawong) were identified as the “Red Alert Zones”. These are the areas most likely to be adversely affected by unemployment and financial pressures.

How should we prepare?

1) This week Stephen signed an agreement with Illawarra ITeC for Dapto Anglican to be a host organisation for the Work for the Dole Program. Church members can now fulfil their responsibilities and work for God at the same time.

2) Our church will need to increase the resources devoted to alleviating financial burdens and encourage our members who are suffering financially to allow their Christian brothers and sisters to help! Please speak confidentially to Stephen should you be facing a crisis.

3) Those who stay in employment will face lower costs of living (lower interest rates etc) and need to be inspired by the way, the early Macedonian Church provided for the Jerusalem Christians. We will need to constantly ask what God wants us to do with His provision.

4) As regards the new building program, we are pressing ahead for various reasons:

(a) the $1.1 million dollar grant from the Diocese is still available to Dapto, but only for the next 3 years.
(b) The actual building costs and repayments will likely be lower until the economy recovers.
(c) The people of the community are going to need the space and programs we will be providing more than ever.
(d) Our church will provide employment opportunities for the struggling building industry.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 29th March 2009 (PDF1.7mb)

April Prayer Focus

We live in a world where many people will step up to lead. In Australia our politicians offer themselves at elections every few years. They openly present their policy stances but are reluctant to share their personal lives. Usually we know very little about the character of those who influence us through the media. Coaches for our children’s sporting teams are often selected because they can play, not because they know how to live or shape young lives.

Paul in 1 Timothy 3 has a different view of leadership. He sees the personal qualities and life of a potential leader as foundational.

Elaine Lee once said;
“Making commitments generates hope.
Keeping commitments generates trust.”

The leaders of our church hold positions of trust. We need to pray that God will continually strengthen our leaders to honour their word and keep their promises to God, to their family and their community.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 22 March 2009 (Pdf 1.3mb)

This week another celebrity couple have separated and their family is broken. The lead line in one glossy magazine says; “the fairy tale is over!”

As I read fairy tales a different picture emerges. The “happily ever after” comes following a story of great crisis, danger, perseverance and heroism. Love grows under adversity and character is developed in the participants. The hero must overcome the adversity to win the prize.

In Romans 5:3-5, Paul reminds us …
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Our world seems to promote peace and prosperity as something that follows money, success and good fortune. No wonder a world financial crisis is such a CRISIS to many!

The peace God offers, transcends understanding and is forged by perseverance—not luck.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 15th March 2009 (Pdf 1.3mb)

It is with great excitement that we announce the appointment of Jim Mobbs as an Assistant Minister to start from early May this year. Jim is married to Vivienne and they are about to have their first child.

Jim has a Bachelor of Theology and a Certificate in Biblical Studies. Both attained through the Sydney Bible and Missionary College. He was converted through the ministry of Ray Galea and worked as Ray’s MTS Trainee for two years. He has recently been working as an Assistant Minister in the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Hobart, Tasmania under the Rev. David Jones. We are providing an important stepping stone as Jim seeks to “come home” to this Diocese and be established in fulltime ordained ministry in the Anglican Church.

His ministry will be focused in Dapto and he will work alongside Stephen. He will preach regularly throughout the parish, care for the 4.30pm Congregation, join the Men’s Ministry Team and seek to help lead our Connect Program and Outreach. Essentially Jim is taking up the position left vacant by Mike Greenwood.

We will continue to seek Peter Hutchinson’s replacement as we have now received a number of applications following the ad in the Southern Cross (including 2 from overseas).

Shane Dirks will continue to co-ordinate our Young Adults Ministry and the 7.15pm Dapto Congregation. He will now lead the Port Kembla/Warrawong Ministries on Sunday morning. (He will still preach in the morning at Dapto though less regularly).

John & Sarah Doughton will also be joining the team full time. Port Kembla have received a grant for John to be an MTS Trainee full time. He will assist Shane and therefore we will also see John helping at a number of Dapto Ministries. Sarah will be increasing her Children’s Ministry in our joint parish ventures.

Stephen Semenchuk

Bulletin 7th March 2009 (Pdf 1.5mb)

By request, here are the results of the Parish Nominator Election.
Elected persons:

• Cheryl
• Henry
• Ros
• Jeff
• Phil

For more information, please contact the church office.