Parish Council Update - October

Bible Reading

We read Luke 11:33-36 and discussed how we can be a light to our community, especially as we open our doors after COVID restrictions. Our Carols events at Eastwood and Ermington will be a great beginning for this!

Major Works

• Ermington: Rectory renovations are progressing well and work is expected to be completed by end of month. Kitchen bench-tops were installed today and painting is almost finished. Floors will be done in the final week. Volunteers are requested for assembling some wardrobes. Total cost of works: $169,000.
• Eastwood: Construction of an access ramp and toilet block is now anticipated to begin November 1. The total cost will be $243,000.
• Bells: Awaiting advice from Ryde Council.
• Solar panels: We continue to be on track for a grant to fully fund the installation of a 24kW solar panel system on the War Memorial Hall roof. We await outcomes. The grant amount applied for is $11,000.

Thanks Giving 2021

We are very thankful that through our Thanks Giving service this year we raised $104,191 - above our target of $100,000! We are delighted that every target has now been fully reached - for Missions, Evangelism and Training, Ministries and Staffing, and the current Building work.

After much discussion, it was eventually and thoughtfully decided that the amount raised over the target ($4,191) will be well served in going towards funding a new small project that has arisen due to COVID restrictions and immediate and future needs - the building of an outdoor stage area. This project includes aspects of Evangelism, Ministries, as well as Building work, and was considered an appropriate and helpful use of the funding that sat well with our existing priorities. It also seems possible for this to be done before our Carols event. The ongoing restrictions of COVID for large indoor services means that we will be pursuing many more outdoor functions and services over the coming 12 months and beyond. A permanent stage area will also cut our costs of stage hire considerably over the years.

We are thankful for the opportunity for such an immediate need to be able to be addressed quickly. The total cost of the stage area is around $7,500. Any further contributions are of course welcome, but we are in the position to be able to move ahead with this project now. For more information, please contact the wardens: wardens@stphils.org.au

We will also be aiming to hold a small onsite event to give people opportunity to further support the continuing missions work from our Parish leading up to Christmas. Our desire is to continue to provide opportunities for all members to give to gospel work in many ways throughout the year.

Again, we thank every member for their prayers and generosity in giving this year at Thanks Giving. In such a challenging year, this will provide many open doors in the year ahead.

COVID Update

We are preparing for a return to services on site.

October 31 - all services resume on site. No vaccination restrictions in place. Increased ventilation, services under 1 hour, QR code check in and hand sanitiser, and the usual restrictions of 1 person per 4 square metres and 1.5 metre social distancing where possible. No congregational singing.

December 1 - restrictions ease further with singing allowed and 1 person per 2 square metres.

More information and updates on our website here.

We look forward to being together again soon - but we continue to also pray for those still unable to join us for many possible reasons at this time.

Finances

Although we have been challenged this year under COVID and with no on-site giving opportunities, we are behind budget this year by only 3.9% ($22.058), which we hope we may still catch up by end of year. A tap and go system will also be set up in the main church building and War Memorial Hall to assist as an option for no-contact giving. More details to come.

Budget summary:

• Income required:
  Yearly: $559,983
  Weekly: $14,359
• Current offertory:
  Yearly: $537,925
  Weekly: $13,793
• Shortfall: $22,058
  Current Offertory is 96.1% of the budget