Giving Thanks to the Lord

Gary Nelson Bishop of the North West

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

  his love endures forever.  [NIV: Psalm 1071]

In the first half of 2021 we experienced the goodness of God in many, many ways.  Join us in giving God thanks for his enduring love towards us. 

In the Midwest region of the diocese, we felt the effects of Cyclone Seroja.  It’s rare to experience the full force of a cyclone this far down the coast, yet we did.  Though many of our church buildings received damage, we are thankful that no loss of life occurred. 

In Kalbarri, some 70% of properties suffered damaged. So, the community greatly valued the use of our church building as a temporary school, and then playtime facility for parents and young children.  For Christine and I, we’re very thankful that our backyard tree missed the house, but many others were not so fortunate.  Our farmers have sustained losses of infrastructure and machinery, while some have had significant damage to their homes. 

We are encouraged and thankful for the support of people who have given to our cyclone appeal, especially through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund.  Please pray for wisdom in the distribution of these funds across our region.

Friends, thanksgiving is a mark of genuine Christian faith. For throughout the Bible’s pages, we can’t miss the call to thank God.  In Psalm 107 the restored Jewish exiles are urged to thank the God who has saved them.  And the psalmist repeatedly gives this reminder [see vs.15,21,31 NIV]:

              Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love,  

and his wonderful deeds for mankind!

The missionary apostle Paul also echoes this same call.  So, he encourages the newly established church in the Greek city of Thessalonica to [1 Thess 518 NIV]:

... give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

While he urges the Colossian Christians in a similar manner [Col 317 NIV]:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name                    

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   

The diocese of North West Australia seeks to make disciples of all nations as we centre our church life in the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  As you pray, share your resources and visit, please remember to give God thanks for his unfailing, steadfast love to us.  Thank you for your support.

Bishop Gary

Responding to Cyclone Seroja

Jenny helps Judy move home after Cyclone Seroja

Our church communities are showing care and support for struggling residents and farmers in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Seroja which slammed into North West Australia.

We praise God that there was no loss of life nor serious injury despite widespread damage to homes, businesses, farms and essential infrastructure through parts of the Mid West and Wheatbelt regions.

The coastal town of Kalbarri bore the brunt of the Cyclone, with most properties damaged and one in four uninhabitable. However, God preserved our church and ministry couple David and Jenny Day opened it as a haven for locals.

“The local school was unusable and so we offered them the church to hold classes,” David Said.

Fifty-three primary school students from kindy to Year 6 children spent their school days in the Anglican church for a month while school repairs were completed.

The principal commented that there wouldn’t have been a school without the Anglican church ministry.   

The locals are resilient and determined to get back up on their feet.

“We keep on trying to be Christ in our community,” David said.

“We are putting our energies into endeavours which help make the gospel known in Kalbarri.”

When the local playgroup became homeless, Jenny started a playtime at the church to replace the venue that has been demolished along with toys and equipment. They have helped source generators for people and encouraged others with words of comfort.

Further inland, Rev Eldred Royce hit the back tracks to visit and encourage farmers picking up the pieces after Seroja’s fury, with infrastructure and livelihoods destroyed.

A mission team from Geraldton visited to clean up the church grounds and disposed of 30 cubic metres of rubbish.

Bishop Gary thanked supporters, including the appeal by the Anglican Development and Aid Fund, which contributed generous gifts to help restore damaged communities and churches.

“We thank and praise God that we are not alone in our troubles. The Lord is our rock and our redeemer and the prayers of the saints throughout Australia and the world are a terrific encouragement."

Men’s ministry meeting one-to-one

Kununurra minister Daniel Faricy and Colin meet up each week to read the Bible.

In Kununurra, meeting one-to-one to read the Bible together is helping men grow in their love and knowledge of God, according to Minister-in-Charge Daniel Faricy.

Daniel meets with four men individually to catch up, read the Bible, encourage and pray for each other.

“Meeting one to one is something that someone did with me when I was growing up and I valued it.”

“Reading the Bible is one of the key ways of growing in Christ and I want to continue investing in others in this way.”

Generally the men read through the gospel of Mark together before moving to follow the preaching program. This helps Daniel prepare the sermon - especially in thinking through how to apply the passage to daily living – and helps the men to engage more deeply on Sunday. They form a deeper bond which helps them stay accountable as they seek to serve God during the week.

Colin Lee and Daniel have been meeting for four years.

“I’ve appreciated getting to know more about the Bible and being able to discuss what I am learning with someone else to make sure my views are correct,” Colin said.

“It’s also about getting to know each other more to make sure that when I say ‘RU OK?’ I am really asking are you OK.”

Daniel’s prayer is for the ministry to multiply and the men to move beyond their comfort zone and shyness and invite friends to meet with them one to one.   

“Even though it’s time consuming, it’s worth it. There’s a different level of engagement possible than with a Bible study group. You can share God’s word in other ways and I’ve made it one of my priorities.” 

“It’s helpful to have that accountability meeting once a week - an opportunity to talk about life and share God’s truth in an encouraging way.”

Blessings flow from Bluff Point church

Sixteen young mums have joined a Bluff Point Bible study to learn how to read, understand and apply God’s Word in their lives

God is using the Bluff Point Anglican Church to bless the women of Geraldton through a Bible study that equips women to read and understand Scripture for themselves.  

More than a dozen women from other churches have joined the weekly Bluff Point ladies group led by Laura Hurley, wife of Assistant Minister Brendan Hurley. They are growing in faith in Jesus through Bible study, fellowship and prayer.

Laura is passionate about giving women tools to understand the big picture of God’s plan that unfolds through the Bible, and to apply God’s word to their lives.

“In order to love God better we need to know God better, and the only way to know God better is through his Word,” she said.

One participant, a single mum said. “Growing up I’d been told that the bible was important to read but I’d never been shown how to read it.  

“I’ve never studied the Bible and I’ve never read the Bible book by book. I’m excited to learn how to read the Bible so I can make a Christian home for my kids to grow up in.”

Another participant said she was the first Christian in her family and the Bible study was her first experience of reading anything other than a gospel.

For the group, Laura chose a study of Hebrews over 20 weeks which applies a mix of homework, teaching and discussion.

“I wanted a resource that had women doing some hard work in the Word on their own during the week so that they make conclusions themselves.

“During the group discussion, the teaching is able to correct wrong understanding and grow our knowledge and love of God.”

Please pray that each lady will grow in love for God’s Word and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Cyclone Seroja Update

On the evening of April 11, Cyclone Seroja made landfall near Kalbarri, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. This rare event - a cyclone well south of the tropics - hit towns and farms that were never designed for weather this extreme.

This left communities reeling. Many homes and businesses suffered damage. Farmers lost sheds of fertilizer and other supplies necessary for seeding. It will take months, if not years, to recover and our communities will need much support.

If you wish to make a donation for cyclone relief, you can do so through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia.

Please join with us in praying for those communities that were hardest hit. Pray:

- for the church family as they serve one another and minister to their wider community.
- that those in need of assistance may find the people and services to help them
- for a coordinated effort to rebuild the community
- that people would turn to Jesus in times of hardship

Sharing Jesus in DNA

For the newest Minister in the North West, evangelism is part of his DNA.

Mike Welham, with his wife Emma and their three young children, began ministry at the Geraldton Cathedral in 2021 as Assistant Minister for Youth and Families.

Mike says he has a passion for seeing people come to know Jesus for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to working with young people and children, to help them see that there is nothing in this life that is of more value than living for Jesus.

“Partnering with families is also vital to help young Christians grow strong in their love for God.

“In a world that is opposed to God, I’m excited to help young people stand firm in their faith and defend it.”

Mike will support Bluff Point Assistant Minister Brendan Hurley to run the Friday night youth group which needs to be built up again. More than half the teens left at the end of 2020 when their families left town – a common challenge in North West churches which suffer from regular and persistent population change.

So, Youth Group in Term One will focus on Tough Questions to give visitors a chance to explore who Jesus is and – we pray – make a decision to put their trust in him.

As for Mike, in his spare time growing up in regional Western Australia and working in Perth, he developed a ministry to the Mormon and Jehovah’s Witnesses cults. He loves engaging with people at local parks, pools or anywhere else, and has trained fellow Christians to share the gospel in their own context.

Helping hand in Covid-19

The Port Hedland Seafarers Centre played a key role in Australia’s Covid-19 emergency response, thanks to its good reputation among seafarers.

Centre Operation Manager John Hague said Covid-19 had been very difficult for seafarers, with many confined to ship for months on end. Life was even more difficult if a Covid-19 outbreak was recorded.

When some crew were found to be infected on bulk carrier Patricia Olendorf anchored off Port Hedland, the Western Australian Emergency Response Management team sought help from the Centre.

“The Philippine Society in Port Hedland recommended the government get us involved,” John said.  

“We helped transport seafarers to medical services and quarantine, provided counselling and welfare services that were culturally sensitive. We continue to support seafarers with encouragement by phone and social media, reminding them that Jesus loves them. We also offer to pray with them, especially for their families back home. 

“Please pray for seafarers. One seafarer commented he felt the situation was worse than prison, because at least in prison you have a release date. They have no idea when they will be able to go home,” John said.

“We want Australians to remember that seafarers play a vital role in our nation’s wellbeing. They transport our exports that keep the economy going and bring in essential goods. Without them we’d be in trouble.”

Taking the gospel to Shark Bay

Eugenie Harris, Jocelyn and Bill Ross prepare for mission to Shark Bay

A mission trio recently took a nine-hour road trip to share the good news of Jesus’ birth with students at an isolated school in Shark Bay.

Rev Bill Ross, his wife Jocelyn and Diocesan worker Eugenie Harris were invited to Shark Bay School to share the true story of Christmas with about 50 students from Kindy to Year 10.

Bill led an interactive celebration of Bible readings, prayer, singing and question time. The event featured a drama skit which involved 27 girls and boys up on the stage.

“It was such a privilege to be able to visit and share the news of God’s plan for salvation with these young people,” Eugenie said. 

“The students asked great questions like, ‘Why did Jesus have to be born?’

“The highlight for me was when a teenage student came up afterwards and asked for a Bible. He said he wasn’t a Christian but he’d been wanting a Bible for a while, however, he didn’t know where to get a copy.

“I praise God that He had been working in this young man’s heart and that we were able to be the messengers bringing the Word to him.

Bill and Jocelyn retired from ministry at Shark Bay in 2020 and a positive relationship with the school was one of the fruits of their labour.

Please pray for these young people in Shark Bay to respond to the gospel.