Reflection from the Reverend Rob Sutherland CSC  26 October 2025


Dear Friends,

I’ve had a very warm but also a veterans’ and families’ focused week. I spent Monday morning with Archbishop Jeremy recording a YouTube video for Remembrance Day. Our Archbishop’s focus is healing after war and our church’s role in that healing. Archbishop Jeremy reminds all Christians and churches and schools that our Defence Force personnel serve and go to war and are prepared to lay down their lives because they love us. Going to war hurts, everyone comes home with ‘Dents in the Soul.’ The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide said that there are simple but meaningful things we can all do to help those coming home; we can all remember; we can all say, “Thank you!” I intend to take up our Archbishop’s call to try to welcome and thank our veterans and

their families.

I was also asked to contribute a short article for Anglican Focus, on a courageous person who inspires me. As an Australian Army Chaplain, I have encountered many inspirational, courageous people so choosing just one was hard. If you wish to look at the article - (What courageous person inspires you and why?) - its available on our web page or Anglican Focus on this link below.

https://anglicanfocus.org.au/2025/10/22/what-courageous-person-inspires-you-and-whythe-revd-rob-sutherland-csc/

 

The Archbishop’s YouTube video is still ‘in production’. I think that means they are trying to edit out the noise of low flying aircraft and school bells. I will pass on details as soon as I can. This Sunday brings us into the final month of our church year; we have a busy time of special Sundays ahead, commencing with All Saints next week. As we see the American themed ‘anti-life’ symbols of Halloween springing up it’s important to note that Halloween – officially the Eve or day before All Hallows or All Saints Day – is a celebration of all that Jesus does not bring. St John writes of Jesus, ‘in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.’ Halloween is a celebration of the darkness. I’m always happy to eat chocolate but never to celebrate satanic darkness.

 

This Sunday we have one of my favourite Gospel passages; hope to see you in church.

Grace and peace and hope and life,

ROB

 

Pentecost XX

The Sentence

Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop

them; for to such as these the kingdom of heaven belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever

does not receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16,17

 

The Collect

Almighty God, who through your Son our Saviour and Shepherd Jesus Christ, calls

each of us to give up, sell, give away all that we in this world selfishly cling to, and

then like beloved children to follow Jesus to eternal life’s rewards in heaven; grant to

us we pray, the love of you above all else, and the faithfulness to follow our Lord

Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the kingdom and the power and the glory are

yours, now and for ever. Amen

 

Readings

OT Jeremiah 31:27-34 (A New Covenant)

Psalm 65

NT 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5

Gospel Luke 18:15-30 (Jesus blesses children + Rich Ruler)

 

Hymns

 

1 491 Father welcomes all his children

2 643 I want to walk as a child of the light,

3 589 Jesus calls us! O’er the tumult

4 626 Lord of creation, to you be all praise!

 

Prayers for the people and issues within our Parish Family and Community.

In their times of sickness or surgery:

Colin, Allison, Andrew, Anne & Paul, James, Geoff, Pam, Debbie, Elissa, , David, Lesley,

Howard, Rob.

For school children, particularly those facing exams.

For all who are bullied, oppressed or threatened.

Please speak to Reverend Rob or Reverend Angela if you would like someone’s name added to or removed from the prayer list.

 

NOTICES

 

Coming Events

Saturday 25 Oct Ladies’ and Men’s Breakfasts

(Ladies – The Reserve, Anstead; Men – Mocca Bella Café, Bellbowrie)

Sunday 26 Oct Holy Communion Service – 8.30am

Wednesday 29 Oct Morning Prayer and Bible Discussion – 8.30am

(Coffee afterwards)

Sunday 2 Nov All Saints Holy Communion Service – 8.30am

 

 

Art and Craft Exhibition - Planning Highlights and Updates

The focus of our fundraising is to maintain the historic Church building – the original Moggill

School which will be 160 years old in 2026.

We have now moved to the point of advertising and calling for entries. Information flyers and Entry Forms are now available from the church.

Please take a flyer and feel free to invite people to participate. As usual any queries should be addressed with Lainie (0407 777 882). There are numerous categories and children and young people are very much included.

 

Diary Date!

Dr Christian Rowan has agreed to officially open the exhibition on Friday 28th November at

6pm - We have secured the Moggill Singers for that celebration.

Our church cake stall will be held on Saturday 29th November. Jill Aveyard and Dell Ponsonby have offered to organise that.

Please let us know of any ideas you might have to make this a successful fundraiser.

 

Careforce, Inala Pantry

Thank you to all who have supported Inala Pantry financially and with food and other items this past year! Those involved now include parishioners from St Catherine’s Church (across the road). Donated items are collected at church and delivered at regular intervals to St. Hugh’s Inala. Items oflong-life milk (full cream), tea, coffee, sugar, flour (the smaller 1kg size because that is the easiest to carry for those who walk home), cereal, tinned fruit and vegetables, in addition to the usual dried foods like rice, pasta, lentils they also suggested cooking oil (olive, canola etc) tinned fish, tinned soup and other tinned food, biscuits, spreads, washing liquid and powder, disinfectant, toilet paper and tissues as well as bathroom items like deodorant, shampoo and toothpaste, and finally snacks for

kids lunch boxes like muesli bars and cheese and crackers are appreciated. Please check the ‘use by dates’ as out of date items are not allowed to be given away.

 

Next Sunday All Saints 2 Nov 25

OT Daniel 7:1-3, 9-10, 13-14 (Daniel’s vision)

Psalm 146

NT Ephesians 1:3-23

Gospel Luke 6:20-31 (Beatitudes)

Hymns

1 455 For all the saints (verses 1-3)

2 448 Blest are the pure in heart

3 233 I will sing the wondrous story

4 455 For all the saints (verses 4-8)

 

CHURCH CONTACTS

Our Church Email moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

Follow Anglican News on our Website: www.mmcanglican.org.au

 

Clergy:

The Reverend Rob Sutherland, CSC - Priest-in-Charge (part-time)

Mobile 0406 767 757 – Email Rob.Sutherland@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

The Reverend Angela McNeill (Honorary Assistant Priest)

Mobile 0439 877 057 - Email ajmcneil@bigpond.net.au

 

Church Wardens:

Bronwen Thomas Mobile 0448 120 218 - Email bronwen.thomas@sap.com

Sam Towers Phone - 3202 5196 - Email samantha.towers01@gmail.com

Rob Law Mobile 0403 842 329 – Email roblaw1512@gmail.com

 

Treasurer (and also Hall Hire contact): Richard Ponsonby

Mobile 0448 899 801 - Email moggillmtcrosby.treasurer@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

 

Children’s Ministry Coordinator: Helen Donovan Mobile 0417 789 433

 

Maintenance Coordinator: Anne Greenwood Mobile 0438 201 900

Email annejeanette1949@outlook.com



For comprehensive information about our parish activities and recent sermons see our official Website www.mmcanglican.org.au