Search Results

Gallery Gallery Did you take photos at a recent Parish event? Click on the button below for them to be featured in an album. Alternatively, send your photos to office@eppinganglicans.org.au Upload Max File Size 15MB

What We Believe St Alban’s is part of the world wide Christian church. For Christians our faith is not so much a religion but a relationship, a relationship with our creator God through Jesus Christ. We believe that at the very heart of God is community, reflected in the relationship between God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This community within God is why we gather together as his family. At the heart of community is communication and we believe that God speaks to us through the Bible. As we read the Bible for ourselves and hear it taught we grow in our faith and become more like Jesus, as we love God and love our neighbour. Christians around the world focus on Jesus because we recognise the perfect world God created was broken and distorted by human selfishness and sin. Jesus came into our world to heal that brokeness and restore our shattered relationship with God our heavenly Father. We believe that through the death and resurrection of Jesus we are given a fresh start in our relationship with God and our fellow human beings. When Jesus began his ministry he announced ‘The Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news.’ As followers of Jesus we are called to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God in this world as we look forward to eternal life in the next. One of the earliest summaries of the Christian faith is expressed in what is known as ‘The Apostles’ Creed’: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Ecumenical Activities Epping Covenant In 1999, members of Chester Street Uniting Church, Saint Alban's (Anglican) and Our Lady Help of Christians (Catholic) met together as local churches acting together for social justice. As a result, Together-in-Epping (T.I.E) was born; and it was decided to do something local, and something more general, every year. Our first venture was to march together in the 2000 March for Reconciliation across Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hornsby Council gave consent to TIE to plant a tree in Forest Park; a plaque at base of the tree included these words: “We acknowledge the WALLAMADAGAL PEOPLE, the traditional owners of this land.” The first spade was turned by the captain of Cheltenham Girls’ High School, who was of aboriginal heritage. The choice of issues tackled was made easier by the fact that Force Ten (the predecessor of National Council of Church’s Act for Peace) chose an annual focus which T.I.E adopted. A Saturday forum and/or an evening gathering was arranged, and relevant groups would be invited to participate, together with the local bookshop and local papers. In 2001, in conjunction with these events, the idea of holding brief lunchtime events called ‘Food for Thought’ was born, with the idea of attracting people from nearby offices as well as members of the congregations. In 2007, a Trivia Night was held in aid of the Christmas Bowl; for a number of years from then, annual collections for the Christmas Bowl took place in the Epping shopping area and railway station. Leaflets and bookmarks were also distributed. With the formation of T.I.E., and the clergy of the three churches interacting regularly the idea of worshipping together was instituted. Weekly mid-week services in different churches during Lent were arranged; the preacher being of a different denomination from that of the host church. A combined service around the time of Pentecost was also initiated. Occasional pulpit exchanges were also arranged. By 2007, Lenten services and other activities also involved West Epping Uniting Church and St Gerard’s Catholic Church, Carlingford. There are often invitations issued for representatives from each of the churches to attend Festival Services and activities at our churches. Monthly Taizé worship services had previously been held in Epping many years before. These were revived and held on the second Sunday evening each month, initially at each church in rotation. However, to provide continuity of location for non-regular participants, it was agreed after a few years to hold them always at Saint Alban’s. For the first few years, combined group studies were held during Lent, using available study material. However, these were soon discontinued due to the many other Lenten commitments of each church. Much later, in 2014, two groups were formed – one morning session and one evening – to study the booklet produced by the NSW Ecumenical Council: The Gift of Each Other: learning from other Christians. From 2002, the Parish Councils of the three churches met together annually to hear reports of the recent activities of each group and of T.I.E., and to consider further ways of working together. The meetings held in February in the churches in rotation and commenced with an informal dinner. An early decision was made to include, on each church’s letterhead, a statement indicating its covenant relationship with the others. Over subsequent years, other congregations joined the group, and some have not stayed. The current congregations are Anglican Parish of Epping (St Alban’s and St Aidan’s), the congregations of Epping Uniting Church (Chester St and Oxford St which had become one) and West Epping Uniting Church, and the Catholic Parish of Epping and Carlingford New South Wales (Our Lady Help of Christians and St. Gerard Majella). In 2007, the three Epping congregations celebrated together on Palm Sunday, at St Alban’s, a Blessing of the Palms followed by a procession around the nearby streets. In subsequent years the location alternated between Saint Alban’s and Our Lady Help of Christians. The Covenant: It was not until 2004 that the idea of a covenant was agreed. This declaration stated the things which had been done over the previous four years. Over the subsequent years, it is revised annually at the Parish Councils’ meeting and reaffirmed by signing at the Pentecost Ecumenical Service by both a minister and a lay person from each parish. Drawn together by a shared faith in Jesus Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit the congregations commit themselves in covenant to what has been agreed for the following year by way of combined services and activities. The Covenant Statement signed in 2023 is hung in the Church porch.

The Parish Magazine Current Issue Feb 2026/Apr 2026 2025 Feb 2025/April 2025 May 2025/Jul 2025 Aug 2025/Oct 2025 Nov 2025/Jan 2026 2024 Feb 2024/Apr 2024 May 2024/Jul 2024 Aug 2024/Oct 2024 Nov 2024/Jan 2025 2023 Feb2023/Apr 2023 May 2023/Jul 2023 Aug 2023/Oct 2023 Nov 2023/Jan 2024 2022 Feb 2022/April 2022 May 2022/Jul 2022 Aug 2022/Oct 2022 Nov 2022/Jan2023 2021 Feb 2021/Apr 2021 May 2021/Jul 2021 Aug 2021/Oct 2021 Nov 2021/Jan 2022 2020 Feb 2020/Apr 2020 May 2020/Jul 2020 Aug 2020/Oct 2020 Nov 2020/Jan 2021 2019 Feb 2019/Apr 2019 May 2019/Jul 2019 Aug 2019/Oct 2019 Nov 2019/Jan 2020 2018 Feb 2018/Apr 2018 May 2018/Jul 2018 Aug 2018/Oct 2018 Nov 2018/Jan 2019 2017 Feb/March 2017 Apr/May 2017 June/July 2017 Aug/Sept 2017 Oct/Nov 2017 Dec 2017/Jan 2018 2016 Feb/March 2016 Apr/May 2016 June/July 2016 Aug/Sept 2016 Oct/Nov 2016 Dec 2016/Jan 2017 2015 Feb/March 2015 Apr/May 2015 June/July 2015 Aug/Sept 2015 Oct/Nov 2015 Dec 2015/Jan 2016 If you would like to access older issues of the Parish Magazine, please contact the Church Office .

Join us for Easter 2021 at St Alban's Epping as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Easter Holy Week and Easter Services Palm Sunday, 13 April 8.00 am Blessing of the Palms and Palm Sunday Eucharist 9.10 am Ecumenical Procession commencing outside Our Lady Help of Christians, 29 Oxford Street, Epping 10.00 am Palm Sunday Eucharist at St Alban's Monday, 14 April, 7.45 pm Holy Week Reflection with Doris Awad Tuesday, 15 April, 7.45 pm Holy Week Reflection with Laura Divine Wednesday, 16 April, 7.45 pm Holy Week Reflection with Amy Taylor Maundy Thursday, 17 April 10.30am Eucharist with Prayers for Healing 7.45pm Maundy Thursday Eucharist with Serving One Another Good Friday, 18 April, 9.30 am Eucharist with the Passion narrative in readings and music followed by Hot Cross buns and refreshments Easter Sunday, 20 April Dawn Eucharist, 5.30 am followed by the Easter party Easter Day Festival Choral Eucharist, 8.30 am We are planning to have all these services available on Zoom for those who cannot attend. Download the service sheet here Download the service sheet here Download the service sheet here Download the service sheet here

Mission of the Month Mission of the Month BANKSIA WOMEN AND ROUGH EDGES Saint John’s Darlinghurst Saint John’s Anglican Church, Darlinghurst is in a strategic location to reach out with innovative ministries to the people of East Sydney. Their grass-roots charity St John's Community Services (SJCS) offers Help, Home and Hope to those suffering from the trauma of homelessness, domestic violence and exclusion. Initially synonymous with the drop-in centre Rough Edges, SJCS also operates Banksia Women and an education program, Urban Insight. Refer to https://www.sjcs.org.au/ Banksia Women Banksia Women is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2019 by SJCS. It supports women who have experienced domestic and family violence or abuse, in their recovery by providing community, connection and long term support. The program provides evidence-based health and wellbeing programs, and legal services which support and empower women so they can rebuild their lives. Further details at www.banksiawomen.org.au Donate at https://www.banksiawomen.org.au/donate Rough Edges Rough Edges has been a community hub and drop-in centre since 1996. It offers a friendly welcome, a hearty meal and a safe place to unwind to those experiencing homelessness. Today Rough Edges is open Monday to Thursday 7.30pm – 9pm. Further details at https://www.roughedges.org.au/ Donate at https://www.roughedges.org.au/donations Roughtober 2025 Roughtober is a fundraising event, this year on Friday 24 October, where every dollar raised goes to supporting Rough Edges. People swap comfort for compassion and experience a small taste of what it's like to be homeless by choosing a comfort to give up. They may • Sleep rough around St John’s, 24 October • Sleep in their car at St John’s, 24 October • Sleep in their own location (could be a backyard, a car, or someone’s couch), any date in October • Wear the same shoes for the month of October • Choose another ‘comfort’ to give up throughout October. For further details and to register, go to https://www.roughtober.org/ There are a few ways you can make a general donation to Saint John’s Community Services. Either use the ‘Beyond the Parish’ side of your weekly offertory (please write ‘SJCS’ next to the stamped date) or use a plain envelope marked ‘SJCS’. Alternatively, transfer funds electronically to the St Alban’s account - please use tag ‘SJCS’, or donate funds directly at https://www.sjcs.org.au/donate Two ways you can donate 1 Direct Transfer St Alban’s Account: BSB No: 032 081, Account No: 000024 St Aidan’s Account: BSB No: 032 081, Account No: 810086 Please indicate which service you attend. If you wish some of your giving to go to the Mission of the Month or any other specific cause, please indicate it on your direct transfer. 2 In Person Leave your donation in the church office... Go to Give page

Join us for Easter 2021 at St Alban's Epping as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christmas Services At St Alban's 17 December 7.45 Festival of Lessons & Carols Christmas Eve 6.00pm Family Christmas Service 9.30 0pm Festival Eucharist Christmas Day 8.30am Festival Choral Eucharist Sunday Services 31 December: 8 am and 10 am In January 2022: 8am and 10am St Aidan's - No services are currently taking place

Anglican Worship & The Liturgy Coming soon

To find out about Team Kids Outside School Hours Care program at St Alban's: Service Email: StAlbansAnglicanChurch@teamkids.com.au Office Email: info@teamkids.com.au Office Phone: 1300 035 000 Service Mobile: 0401 269 736 Website: https://www.teamkids.com.au/

Centenary Celebrations June 2023 sees the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of the current church building o f St Alban's. Come and join us at the following events marking this significant milestone in our church's history 16th June 2023 at 6.30pm: Choral Evensong followed by a Champagne Supper Visiting Preacher – The Reverend Dr Daniel Dries Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney, NSW 18th June 2023 at 9.30am: St Alban’s Day Choral Eucharist, followed by Lunch, BYO Drinks Visiting Preacher – The Reverend Canon Dr Ben Edwards St Paul’s Manuka, ACT RSVP: Wednesday 31st May 2023 Tickets: Champagne Supper @ $35.00 pp Lunch @ $70.00 pp Family tickets available for those with children u12y - Price on request Tickets for The Champagne Supper and the Lunch may be purchased via trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CHIRI Please note: No tickets are necessary to attend either of the services. Download the flyer here . All enqui ries to Denise Pigot E: office@eppinginganglicans.org.au Ph: 02 9876 3362 Website: www.eppinganglicans.org.au

Choir The ministry of the choir at St Alban’s is to lead God’s people in worship through the richness of traditional Anglican choral music and liturgy. The choir is an SATB, non-auditioned amateur choir, with typically around fifteen members, who are capable of reading music. Most members of the choir are highly experienced choristers with a wide knowledge and deep appreciation of the Anglican choral repertoire. The choir is one of the most active, committed and close-knit groups within our church community. The Music Director is Mr Chris Czerwinski. The choir sings at the 10 am service on the first and third Sundays of the month and on major festival days throughout the year. If you are interested in joining the St Alban’s Choir, please fill in the form below, and we'll be in touch. Find out more Please confirm that you really are a human! Thanks for submitting! Submit

Baptisms Baptism is administered within the Eucharist on a Sunday at 10:00am. This enables a large part of the congregation to witness the admission of the newly baptised into Christ’s Church and to welcome them. It also serves to remind the rest of the community of the profession of faith made in their own baptism. The font is the birthplace of the church. Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptised persons. It is suitable that at least one of the sponsors should be an Anglican. The others can be of any other “mainline” denomination. The Parents, Sponsor(s) or Godparent(s) are joined by a sponsor from the congregation. If you have somebody in the congregation who you would like to be the Parish Sponsor, please inform the clergy, otherwise we will allocate one to you. Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called Godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates, especially to see that they are encouraged to be Confirmed. It is fitting that parents are included among the godparents of their own children. Parents meet with the clergy for preparation and instruction in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christian grown in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of God’s Church. There will be a short rehearsal at which all those taking place should be in attendance. BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION Baptism is a complete sacramental initiation, leading to participation in the Eucharist. Confirmation and other rites of affirmation have a continuing pastoral role in the renewal of faith among the baptised. Laying-on-of-hands in confirmation is not a completion of baptism nor is it necessary for the admission to communion. Approximately one month’s notice is needed for a Baptism to take place. For more information or an application form, please contact Parish Staff at either office@eppinganglicans.org.au or (02) 9876 3362 . There is no fee for a Baptism, but a special donation to the church is appropriate.