special ministries within Christ Church
There are a variety of special ministries within Christ Church which focus on worship and on the support and nurturance of its parishioners, and the maintenance of the Church and its facilities - these include the Children's & Family Services (CAFS), Home Fellowship Groups, the Seniors Group, the Church Walking Group, the Church Choir, the Flower Guild, the Brass Cleaning group, the Prayer Chain, and the Church Maintenance teams.
In addition to the Parish Pastoral team, the Parish Vestry manages the business affairs of the Church and promotes its well being and life.
Children's and Family Services (CAFS)
In addition to the regular services held at Christ Church, special Children's and Family Service ('CAFS") are held each month, with a special emphasis on inclusion and involvement of children and families. these are held in the Church at 11.15am after regular morning services. CAFS includes foot-tapping songs, craft work, Bible stories in actions, and.... lots more! Everyone is welcome... bring your friends.
The remaining 2009 dates for CAFS are 11.15am on 3rd May, 14th June, 2nd August, 6th September, 11th October - a Pets Service, 1st November and 6th December.
The Ministry team are happy to talk with parents and their children about spiritual education and involvement in CAFS, and may be contacted via the Parish Office.
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These small gatherings of people meet in the home of a fellow parishioner. Those gathered enjoy each others' company, share their experiences and grow together in knowledge and faith. New members of the congregation can be allocated to these groups, if they wish.
The groups are led by members of our church who are themselves searching for understanding and a deeper faith. The leaders meet with the Vicar in the week of each session as a leaders Fellowship Group.
Groups meet throughout the year in school term time. In the first part of the year they are held weekly during the five weeks of Lent. In other terms they meet four or five times, on a fortnightly basis. Each term follows a theme and there is a discussion guide to help things along.
Ruth Christian links people to groups and coordinates the times, venues and leaders. Contact Ruth via the Parish Office. New groups and themes are announced in the Sunday Parish Press.
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Music is an integral part
of the Christ Church Community. It has its focus in worship. Christ Church has a splendid
and historic organ and has been well served by fine organists.
There has been a fine tradition of choral singing and the choirs have reflected
the prevailing strengths and abilities of our people.
The original organ at Christ Church was designed by Henry Bevington of London but proved to be too small for the church, which had been enlarged by 1859. In 1862, the new organ of 842 pipes and designed by John Courcelle of London, was installed by George Fincham, a former colleague of Courcelle. The organ is noted for its fine tonal quality for which Courcelle was justly famous. The organ has been extended and now has 1639 pipes, but six hundred of the present 732 Great Organ pipes are the originals by Courcelle. The tonal quality and character of the instrument have been retained. It is, indeed, an historic musical treasure.
If you have any queries regarding music at Christ Church you can speak with Fr Derek Jones or organist Gary Cowling after any Sunday Service. The choir starts up each February and you would be welcome to join.
The Senior Choir practices at 7.30pm each Thursday, and sings at the 9.30am service each Sunday and at other special occasions as arranged.
The Prayer Chain is a telephone prayer ministry that supports immediate needs through prayer. These requests are passed from person to person creating a prayer chain. This way many people are linked to prayer together. Should anyone require prayer please ring the Parish Office.
The aim of this group is to provide facilities for senior members and other interested parishioners to meet together on a friendly social atmosphere. The group was established in 1997 and has been a great success. The group meets once a month on the first Saturday evening and announcements about the programme are made in the Parish Press (the weekly pew bulletin available at Sunday services).
For catering purposes it is a help to respond, when advertised, by contacting the Parish Office before each meeting, or for information about the group.
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Brass is cleaned once a month on a roster system. Two people choose which day of the week the brass is cleaned. Special cleaning days are organized prior to special festivals or events. at Christ Church. Further information can be obtained from Jan McGowan via the Parish Office.
If you enjoy arranging flowers or simply enjoy helping to arrange them, then the flower guild can be an outlet for you.
The members of the Guild generally work in pairs or as a family group. Each team arranges the flowers four or five times a year. The roster is arranged so that people who are busy during school holidays can work during term time. Flowers may be arranged on Friday or Saturday.
Donations of flowers from gardens are always appreciated. For weddings and festivals flowers are purchased if necessary to supplement those donated from within the Parish.
More information about the Flower Guild can be obtained from Jan McGowan via the Parish Office.
Volunteer parishioners work as groups as and when required, as announced in the Parish Press. The normal practice is to work between 9am and 12 noon on nominated Thursday and Saturday mornings. Morning tea is always enjoyed by everyone in the maintenance groups! Days and dates etc are advertised in advance in our weekly Parish Press. The Thursday workers tend to concentrate on gardening-type projects and the Saturday people, whilst they also garden, become involved in handyman [handyperson] type activities. This may include painting, cleaning spouting, minor building repairs etc.
Projects are prioritized and the Coordinators of the working groups can be contacted via the Parish Office.
The Vestry manages the business affairs of the Church and promotes its well being and life. There are up to 15 members elected or appointed at the Annual General Meeting of parishioners, held in November each year. The Vicar or his designate is the chair person of Vestry.
In 2009 the Christ Church Vestry comprises Churchwardens Ruth Christian, David Peek and Phillip Swain, and Vestry members John Aldridge, Joy Bartlett, David Wetherell, Jan McGowan, Gai Scully (Secretary to Vestry), Margaret Tembo and Barry Cashmore.
The Vestry meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm, both to oversight the work of the Parish and to bring forward issues which parishioners may wish to raise. Information about church and Vestry matters is available from the Vicar.
The Walking group is an opportunity to walk, talk, socialise, keep fit and meet new friends. Walks are arranged around Geelong and cater for all levels of fitness - and usually include an opportunity for coffee at the end! If you'd like to join in contact Sue Wong at the Parish Office for details - you'd be very welcome!
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