A L L S A I N T S P E T E R S H A M

Find us online: allsaintspetersham.org.au! 1

All Saints started as a church plant of Canterbury church in 1870. You may possibly know that after the turn of the last century All Saints herself planted churches in Leichhardt, Summer Hill, Marrickville, Stanmore and Enmore. It was a time of furious church growth driven by a theology that placed a big emphasis on the needs of outsiders to hear the gospel over and above the needs of the congregation to be pampered. We gain an insight into the theology of our forerunners simply by looking at what they did.

However, looking carefully around the church also tells us a lot about the theological comings and goings over the last 140 years?

You’ve probably noticed that the floor of church slopes to the front. This is a tell tale sign that the church was designed for preaching – a concern of evangelicals for whom the relationship between God and man is understood to be mediated by the Word of God. Next, compared to the obstructive stone columns of many churches the cast iron columns provide for greater ease of viewing. Combine this with the fact that the church is relatively wide for its depth – we have again design features indicating evangelical priorities. The pulpit (now off to the side), like in many older churches, raises the preacher so that he may be easily seen and heard by all. Each of these architectural features betrays a theological concern by the architect and founders for the Word of God to have central place in the life of the congregation. No wonder this kind of church ended up planting as many local churches as they did!

Comparing the colour of the wood in the church betrays a shift in theology priority. The pulpit and pews are original and made of a dark wood, but the wood at the very front of the church (the reredos) is oak. This ornate wall feature was installed in the 1932 as a result of a world-wide theological movement within Anglicanism called the Oxford movement. This movement was a deliberate re-Catholicization of the Anglican Church which placed more emphasis on the sacraments and liturgy than on the Word. The impact at All Saints in clear. The

beautification of the front of the church was completed in this era. The reredos (even the organ was painted to imitate the oak reredos), combined with the previously installed marble elevated steps provided the impression of leading up to a holier space. The large communion table replaced a smaller original, imposes itself within this setting as the central feature one sees from the pews. At the same time, the now redundant side chapel was

installed to provide small space for mid-week and private sacramental services (these types of spaces are also found in Roman Catholic cathedrals for private ceremonies). The sacraments were now central to the theology and practice of the church.

The ensuing history of All Saints is a matter for another occasion, but sadly there was decline after WWII and a dabble with charismatic theology. Our present story is one of rebuilding - both physical and spiritual. In 2006 the Federal Government completed the sound

proofing of the church under is Sydney Aircraft Noise Insulation Program (SANIP). We took advantage of the occasion to reconfigure the building in a way that reflected its original design priorities and suited the needs of 21st century ministry. The unused choir pews were removed as with the foot high barrier at the leading edge of the marble area. This opens up the space for multipurpose use and invites all into the space. Preaching now takes place from a lectern at the centre of the marble area.

More importantly the spiritual rebuilding of the church is also taking place. Thankfully, under God, the congregation is growing, the word is preached

and has central place in the life of the congregation. We can thank God for those who spend incredible sums to build a building we can use today for the ministry of the gospel. Let’s hope and pray that we might soon return to an era of church planting where the needs of the lost to Christ trump our own concerns.Antony Barraclough

SOC

A (Sometimes) Quarterly Newsletter! Volume III, Issue No 7: October 2010

Meet the Family

Salt October Camp.Each year the Salt youth group goes away for the Salt October Camp, so what did they get up to this year?Page 3

Blast from the Past!The recent removal of the church fence, and the much anticipated rebuilding has prompted our very own Noel Cragg to dig out some historical records about the building & consecration of the original fence.Page 3

Meet the Family!Well meet some of them anyway… We had 60 second interviews with 7 All Saints members, some are new-comers and others (let’s say) have been around a while...Page 2

Buildings & Beliefs

A theology of Church Architecture

Bricks & Mortar

T H E C H R O N I C L E

2" Find us online: allsaintspetersham.org.au

Some of>Meet the Family

I've been at All Saints for... Nearly 10 years (Bazz followed us from St. Clements Mosman, such is our influence :)Once upon a time... I wanted to be a vet. But in Year 10 work experience the only thing I saw was cats being desexed or put down, & I realised I didn't have the stomach for it.I find a lot of joy in... hanging out with my boys: Michael, Henry (8) and Tom (6). Snatching time with Michael either having coffee at Campos or eating beef noodle soup on King st., Yoga & running for my sanity. It's not fashionable but... I love wearing ugg boots. They were never meant to leave the house but one day I wore them to yoga and have never looked back.You need a bit of bogan in the inner west. That's why there's a "west" in it!

If my life was a book, the title would be… A journey: From a glass half empty to glass half full.I came to All Saints because… it was the

first church we went to when we moved from Cremorne to Stanmore in 2001 and never needed to look elsewhere.One thing I love about All Saints is… the plunger coffee and a robust discussion (yes I know that's 2 things).

I've been at All Saints for... 5 years. Once upon a time... I knew lots more than I know now.I find a lot of joy in... doing stuff with Lyn (my wife).It’s not fashionable but... I like vintage music (e.g. Queen).If my life was a book, the title would be... "I think its all starting to make sense".I came to All Saints because... Martin Pakula (next door neighbour at the time) told me it was the best in the west, and he was right!One thing I love about All Saints is... the excellence of the teaching.

I've been at All Saints

for... 1 year but I have

been going to the

Tuesday Women’s

bible study for about

8 years.Once upon a time I…

was a travel agent.

I find a lot of joy in…

relationshipsIt’s not fashionable but… I can’t get rid of my

hair “scrunchies”.If my life was a book, the title

would be... “The storm before

the calm, then sunshine with

patches of rain”.

I came to All Saints

because… Women’s Bible

study gave me a healthy

experience of Christian life.

One thing I love about All

Saints is… the people and

that the church is in touch

with local & world issues.

I've been at All Saints for... Going on 10 years.

Once upon a time I… didn’t know anything

(according to my kids!) but I learnt a lot in 10 years.

I find a lot of joy in… riding my motorcycle.It’s not fashionable but… I don’t drink lattes or frequent cafes.

If my life was a book, the title would be... “See! I told you I was ill”.

I came to All Saints because... I like evangelical theology and our

children were at the age where they needed more local friends rather

than our old church 15 minutes away.One thing I love about All Saints is… becoming friends and getting to

know people I would otherwise not have anything in common with.

I've been at All Saints

for... 6 years.Once upon a time I…

planned that I would

never drive on a road

that had three lanes of

traffic (and then I left

Camden!).I find a lot of joy in…

watching my daughter Emilia learn new things

each day.It’s not fashionable but… I'm too

uncoordinated to wear high heels.

If my life was a book, the title would be...

Tales of a Sociable Hermit.

I came to All Saints because... Matt and I

moved to the area after we got married, looked

up local churches in the street directory, found

ourselves at All Saints the following week and

never left because we felt so welcomed!

One thing I love about All Saints is... excellent

Bible teaching and the fantastic mix of people

from all walks of life (sorry, that's two things!).

I've been at All Saints for... 1.5

years.Once upon a time I… was never

concerned about correct grammar.

Now I wish people knew what

enormity really means.

I find a lot of joy in… Friday

breakfast with the family.

It’s not fashionable but… I really like

Urban Cookie Collective.

If my life was a book, the title would be... “It’s all fun and games

until someone loses an eye”.

I came to All Saints because... of the gospel based teaching.

One thing I love about All Saints is… the way the gospel has

changed the lives of the members of All Saints.

I've been at All Saints for... almost 15 years!Once upon a time I… had a piece of wood through my wrist!I find a lot of joy in… Meeting new people, music, being part of a christian community and being able to have the amazing privilege of using the church space for my musical practice.It’s not fashionable but… I like to eat toast upside down.If my life was a book, the title would be… You fool!!I came to All Saints because… originally because my family did, however a few years down the track I made my own decision to come here.One thing I love about All Saints is… the openness of all the various types of people at the church. I always know I can have a good conversation with any of its members about God matters and just general life.

Alison Nutt

Ian Thornell

Jasper SarkodeeAntony Blake

Steve Crocker

Jo Roberts

Rebecca Barrett

T H E C H R O N I C L E

3" Find us online: allsaintspetersham.org.au

T H E C H R O N I C L E

The following items from the 1910 & 1915 Chronicles are about the building of the

front brick fence which we demolished recently.

The Chronicle May 1915

The Chronicle October 1910

Blast from the Past...

This year 32 teens, 8 leaders, 1 speaker and 3 infants went on the 4th annual Salt October Camp (SOC). Erin (17) fills us in on what went on and her reflections about camp...

After a speedy trip down to the campsite together by coach, we dumped our bags and started our first evening by making our own (stick-on) tattoos, which turned out to be a great way to get to know everyone in our cabins (we had to make a ‘cabin badge’ and create matching tattoos for everyone in our cabin). It was lots of fun and we trudged off to bed exhausted but eager for the next day.

That evening a lot of posters were stealthily hung around walls and doors as part of the secret ninja missions, and this year was by far the best effort by everyone to ensure that their chosen person had a great time on camp. All weekend there were posters, banners, decorated chairs, song dedications and thoughtful gifts.Friday morning we were greeted

with ice cold showers (the previous campers switched off the hot water system!) and after breakfast we headed off for Quiet Times - a half hour spent reading the bible on your own and praying to God. We did this three times over the weekend and it’s always a great way to make sure that the time spent on camp really is for God, and it gets us fired up for the talks later on.

Dan Webster was the speaker this year, and he did a fantastic job preaching to us from the gospel of John. We were very thankful to have him as our speaker. He used great illustrations in his talks, and was really good at connecting to us as

teenagers.Throughout the camp we did fun activities like

the raft challenge, master chef challenge, talent quest and scavenger hunt. We also had bible studies each day following the talks which was a good way to get to know each other and to talk about questions we had after the talks.

This was my fourth year at SOC and every time I learn a lot about God and have a great time away with my friends. I’ve met new people every year and enjoyed the time spent with leaders, building friendships and being encouraged by everyone’s fire for God and eagerness to reach out to everyone on camp. If you’re reading this and you’re in high school, I hope you join us next year at SOC, because it’s so worth it, thanks to the wonderful effort all the leaders put in to make sure camp is the best it can be.Erin Latimer

If you have an interest in things historical, then be sure to talk to Noel Cragg from

our 8:30am congregation.

T H E C H R O N I C L E

4" Find us online: allsaintspetersham.org.au

WHO ARE THE CHURCH STAFF?!

Carols in the Park

Christmas season is drawing closer (decorations are starting to appear in shopping centres everywhere!) and that means that the All Saints & Petersham Evening Church Carols in the Park are coming up too!So set aside Saturday December 18th to be down in Maundrell Park (across the road from All Saints) starting from 6:00pm.

Keep a look out for these

things...

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Philippians 1:6

C R O S S W O R D

Senior Minister Administrator ……… Student Ministers …….. Year 13 Youth MinisterAntony Chris David Al Charles Michael Barraclough Daniel Blowes Green Cleworth Dicker 0413 933 838 9569 4735 0425 262 060 0407 861 585 0430 392 434 0400 308 112

Across2. In John 15:1 Jesus says "I am the..."5. The name of the All Saints youth group is...8. In John 10:11 Jesus says "I am the..."9. In John 8:12 Jesus says "I am the..."10. the name of the All Saints kid's club is...11. What is the only All Saints church plant on the other side of Parramatta rd?

Down1. What is the name of the movement that tried to return the Anglican church to Catholicism around the 1930's?3. The original design of All Saints represents what type of theology?4. In John 10:9 Jesus says "I am the..."6. The Outreach poster for October is all about...7. The name of the decorative woodwork at the front of church is...

Outreach Poster - October 2010

Forgiveness… perhaps one of the hardest things to accept, and one of the hardest things to give...Find out more: www.thatposter.org

If you have ideas for the next issue of The Chronicle or feedback on this issue, email the editor, we’d love your feedback and comments!michael@allsaintspetersham.org.au