18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 27 SEPTEMBER 2026
The following is reproduced from the December 2017 issue of “The
Willochran”, the Diocesan magazine of the Diocese of Willochra, South Australia. The exact provenance of this letter is unknown, but it is believed to be authentic and written by some English churchwardens to the Bishop in their search for a new vicar in the 1920’s or 30’s.
‘Dear Sir,
In reply to what sort of man we require for the incumbency of this parish, we desire to have a person of first- rate ability and attainments; not too old, lest his faculties should be impaired, not too young, lest he should be inexperienced.
He should not be too ‘High Church’, as there are some very moderate people here, nor too low, as there are some of advanced opinions. He should be an eloquent preacher, who would appeal to the educated, and yet at the same time not be above the heads of the simple.
He must be of irreproachable manners and dress, as he will have to mix with members of the peerage, but he must also accommodate himself, without any condescension, to the illiterate.
He must have sound musical gifts, as our services are musical and he will have to teach the choir. A gift of kindly and sympathetic administration to the sick is imperative, as well as an intimate knowledge of the working of schools. It is also necessary that our incumbent be good with children, and be bright, cheery and a strong disciplinarian.
We desire to have one who is a good organiser, to deal with various groups in the parish and community and of good business ability in managing accounts. Literary qualifications are essential, as we wish our parish magazine to be interesting, informative and instructive.
He should be thoroughly competent to deal with women, especially elderly females with chronic complaints. He should be quite at home at gatherings, Mother’s meetings, Girls’Friendly Societies and the like, but at the same time, we desire a manly incumbent who will appeal to the men of the parish and take an interest in them, and their work, and share their sports. He will be expected to play football in winter, cricket in summer and billiards at the Men’s Club, while the young ladies will require him to play tennis and some residents will look for him on the golf course. To play a good hand of bridge is almost essential.
Should he have a wife, she must have all the spiritual gifts listed by St Paul and the qualities of the perfect woman described in the Book of Proverbs, plus the practical talents to fill all the skills gaps in the ministries of the church. Besides being an excellent cook and gracious host, psychic powers are essential, so that she always knows where her husband is and what is happening in the parish.
Lastly, he must be possessed of private means, as he/they will be unable to live on the income from the parish.
Trusting we have made our wishes clear, faithfully yours, etc.’
SENTENCE: Come, let us return to the Lord, that we may live before him. Hosea 6.1a, 2b
COLLECT: Grant, O merciful God, that your people may have that mind that was in Christ Jesus, who emptied himself, and took the form of a servant, and in humility became obedient even to death. For you have highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ, the Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in everlasting glory. Amen. ROSTER from the new roster, a number of changes so please check and confirm
WELCOME
June
MUSIC
Peter
PRAYERS
Richard
MORNING TEA
Dianne
READER
Wendy
LA
Jon H
WED PRAYER LEAD
CELEBRANT
Fr Michael
1ST READING
Exodus 17.1-7
PSALM
Psalm 78.1-4; 78.11-16
EPISTLE
Philippians 2
GOSPEL
Matthew 21.23-32
PROCESSION
204
Come let us Join
GOSPEL
96
Sing praise to the Lord
COMMUNION
127
Holy God
RECESSION
150
Ye watchers
For all we know and love, in times of sickness or surgery and for all who care for them, particularly:
Andrew Williams, Geoff, Andrew Pratt, David, James, Jim Macintyre, David Nickson, Shelly Higlett For all who are struggling with big issues in their lives. For young people who are looking for hope and direction for their lives. For those in Columbia, Nepal, and Tibet.
For Archbishop Jeremy and all who are trying in God’s power to lead God’s Anglican Church where God would have us go. That we as God’s church in Moggill, in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, may know and follow God’s plans for us.
Prayers for the People within our Parish Family. Please pray for (Brett, Briony , Riley & Issy Collins).
Parish Council would like to host a social gathering for our parish community in October, before the busy end-of-year season begins. We are considering the following two options and would greatly appreciate your feedback on which you would prefer:
OPTION 1: Quiz Night
OPTION 2: Family BBQ following the Sunday service
Please let us know your preference by emailing the Parish Administrator at moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au or by completing the response form available at the front door of the church. Thank you for helping us plan an event that will bring our parish family together for fellowship, friendship, and fun. We look forward to hearing from you.
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Children’s Talk each Sunday during our service. This is an important part of our ministry to children and families. If you feel called to be involved, please speak with Angela, Helen, Richard, or Bronwen.
We have ‘low gluten’ wafers available every Sunday and are happy to ‘consecrate’ and give them to you but we need to know who would like them. We also have ‘gluten free’ wafers. Asking before the Service is helpful but you can also ask during the distribution of the bread and wine.
We are currently updating our Parish Roll to ensure our records are accurate and up to date. Every year, we are required to review this roll, and your assistance helps us keep our community connected.
As part of this year’s update, we are also giving parishioners the option to provide an emergency contact. If you would like to include the name and phone number of a family member, friend, or caregiver whom we can reach in the event of a pastoral or medical emergency while you are at church, please include those details along with your update.
If your details remain completely unchanged, no action is needed, though letting us know you are still with us is always appreciated. Thank you for your help in keeping our parish records current!
A separate email will be sent to all parishioners. If you have any updates to share, please simply send a return email to us at Parish Administrator. Alternatively, you can fill in a form that will be available at the church starting this Sunday.
Mark your calendars! Our Patronal Festival honouring St Michael and All Angels is coming up soon. While the official feast day falls on Tuesday, September 29, our parish will celebrate this special occasion on Sunday, September 27. Please plan to join us for our service and fellowship as we give thanks for the life and ministry of our community. More information to follow.
The volunteers from St Hugh’s Anglican Church at Inala greatly appreciate our support for their work. Food items for Inala Pantry can be left in the marked area in the church for delivery to Inala.
ROSTER from the new roster, a number of changes so please check and confirm
WELCOME
Jill
MUSIC
Catherine
PRAYERS
Richard P
MORNING TEA
Sam
READER
Portia
LA
Helen D
WED PRAYER LEAD
CELEBRANT
Fr Michael
1ST READING
Exodus 20.1-4; 20.7-9; 20.12-20
PSALM
Psalm 19
EPISTLE
Philippians 3
GOSPEL
Matthew 21.33-46
PROCESSION
TBC
GOSPEL
TBC
COMMUNION
TBC
RECESSION
TBC
CHURCH EMAIL moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Follow Anglican News on our Website www.mmcanglican.org.au
CLERGY
Mobile
The Reverend Angela McNeill (Honorary
Assistant Priest)
0439 877 057
ajmcneil@bigpond.net.au
The Venerable Michael Faragher (Locum Priest)
0424 344 273
michael.faragher@gmail.com
CHURCH WARDENS
Mobile
Bronwen Thomas
0448 120 218
bronwen.thomas@sap.com
Helen Donovan
0417 789 433
alheld@bigpond.net.au
Richard Ponsonby
0448 899 801
rbponsonby@gmail.com
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: Natalie Watkins | Mobile 0411 46 1502 | Email moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
(works from The Gap Tues and Thurs)
PARISH COUNCIL SECRETARY: Rob Law | Mobile 0403 842 329 | Email roblaw1512@gmail.com TREASURER AND 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
OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 17.1-7
1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 The people quarrelled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ 3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ 5 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’
Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’
EPISTLE Philippians 2
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy,
2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing,
15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.
16 It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labour in vain.
17 But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you—
18 and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you.
20 I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
21 All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22 But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
23 I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon.
25 Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and co-worker and fellow-soldier, your messenger and minister to my need;
26 for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
27 He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
29 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honour such people,
30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.
GOSPEL Matthew 21.23-32
23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ 24 Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” 26 But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ 27 So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 ‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” 29 He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.