Our blog of articles, thoughts and random stuff

2026 Budget

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Last Tuesday night, our Parish Council passed a budget for 2026. The discussion around the budget was marked by thoughtfulness, as we brought a variety of questions and concerns to the table, seeking to be both faithful and responsible.

Finances are a delicate issue for us to discuss, yet they are a significant part of our discipleship of Jesus. I chose to share a Bible reading from last Monday mornings prayer meeting as the devotion at the start of our meeting. It was from Matthew 6:19-34. I found it helpfully challenging. Here’;s a few of the things it reminded me:

1. Earthly treasures fade away, heavenly treasures last forever

2. We can’t serve God an money

3. We remember the extent of God’s care. He who provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field will provide much more for his people.

4. When we seek first his kingdom and righteousness, God will provide our needs

5. Don’t worry!

As he does, God used his word to calm me and refresh me as we approached the conversation about finances and budget. He is our good God, who will provide for our needs as we seek His kingdom and righteousness. 

I want to bring you into the discussion we had and share with you the outcome of the decision about the budget. I think its helpful to do this through small groups, so over the next few weeks I plan to visit each of our small groups to talk about the budget, the thinking behind it and the vision we seek to fulfil through it. 

What if I’m not part of a small group?

If you’re not part of a small group, I’d still love to meet with you. Please reach out to me, and I will arrange some meetings to cater for those not in groups. Alternatively, if you’d like to have a personal conversation about the budget, I’m happy to find a time to discuss it with you.

I look forward to seeing how God grows his church through our ministry next year, as supported by the budget Parish Council has set.

In Grace and Truth,

Ron

Question & Response

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In our services today we kick off Q&R. I thought I’d tak a moment to give you some information about the why, the how and the what of Q&R.

Why

There are two main reasons that I like doing Q&R (when I say like, I mean that I think it’s valuable, not necessarily that I enjoy it)

1. Learning Styles – we each have varying learning styles. Q&R gives opportunity for learning in a manner different to a straight sermon. Not only that, but it targets learning to our particular questions. We learn best when teaching engages with our needs.

2. Learning in Community – The Bible was written for communities. The New Testament letters were likely read aloud to the church, followed by a time of questioning the letter’s deliverer, and then further discussion ensued. Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Q&R provides an opportunity for that sharpening. We can take that even further – continuing to discuss questions raised (and responses) over the meal to enhance learning and sharpen each other up.

How

Q&R is facilitated through Slido. To access the place to ask questions, you can either go to slido.com and enter the code JAC9 or JAC 4, or you can use one of these QR codes.

9 am

4 pm

The preacher will be asked questions by a separate person, who may also provide responses as it’s fitting.

What

By what, I wanted to lay out some helpful ground rules for engaging in this space so that it is healthy and helpful for people.

1. We engage to ask genuine questions, not to try and “stump the preacher”. While stumping the preacher may be fun, if it’s not genuine, it takes away from the space we are creating. There will be enough genuine questions that are challenging for the preacher, and a valid response from the preacher may be to say – “I need to consider that further before I respond”

2. We use this platform for the good of our community, not for pursuing our own agendas

3. We use it for Q&R, not for giving the preacher direct feedback on the sermon itself. Such feedback is always welcome but is best done in a private conversation.

I’m really looking forward to learning with you each week as we come to God’s Word to learn from Him and from one another. May God make us more and more like Jesus as a result!

In Grace and Truth,

Ron

From The Pastor’s Desk

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Thank you for your warm and generous welcome of Julie and I into Jamberoo. We feel so very blessed to be among you and want you to know that we are here to serve you in the next phase of ministry at Jamberoo Anglican. We look forward to getting to know you and seeing how God works among us, and among the people of this village in Valley for years to come. May he be honoured and glorified in all.

As we have been living in Jamberoo for the last couple of weeks, I have begun to observe some things about Jamberoo. The first of these is how many sporting facilities are available for a village of 2000 people. I mean, where do I start and stop? Of course, you have a rugby league club and a cricket club, those things I expected. The tennis club makes sense, as does the bowling club. Then I started to see things that surprised me. A golf club and course. Amazing. A croquet club. Netball courts. A Skate park. Touch footy. And I think I may have spotted a pickleball court. I’m aware there’s walking groups – one for men and another for women. If that’s not enough, you have you’re very own action park – something that has put Jamberoo on the map for years, even before moving into the headlines recently.

I love sport and exercise. I can’t do all the things I once could, but there are a few things in the above list I plan to enjoy (watch out skatepark – 😂😂🤣) Physical activity is good for us… if you don’t believe me, ask your doctor… and if you don’t believe them check out what Paul the apostle writes in 1 Timothy 4:8; “For Physical training is of some value”. Case closed. But what Paul says next is what I have been reminded of as I’ve been observing Jamberoo culture. Here’s the whole verse:

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Let’s enjoy the opportunities for physical training and exercise, but let’s not lose ourselves in them, or forget the more important training in godliness. Training in godliness happens as we listen to Jesus and embody his instructions, growing as his lifelong disciples. It benefits us and our community now and holds value for all eternity.

In Grace and Truth,

Ron

The Lord’s Supper – Our Fellowship

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Bread & Wine were two common items that were used practically at every meal but Jesus gave them a new meaning at the last supper. He did not transform the bread & wine into anything different. When Jesus said “This is my body” & “This is my blood”, they were reminders & memorials of his death.

On the cross Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant & established the New Covenant. There was no longer a need for the blood from animal sacrifices, because the blood of Jesus takes away sin once & for all. He is the perfect sacrificial lamb of God.

When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper as Jesus mentioned “Do this in remembrance of me”, we remember what Jesus has done for us on the cross, but in a sense, we participate with Jesus in faith, because he is alive. We communion with Him. Our forgiveness, hope of heaven & the Holy Spirit indwelling us brings a very special spiritual experience that we share together in fellowship.

Our Fellowship is not built on convenience but on the conviction of what Jesus has one for us & what we should do for one another. It requires commitment recognizing we are His Church, the Body of Christ. When we are authentic with one another, encouraging & supporting one another, forgiving, loving & being honest with each other with a spirit of humility & respect we are in fellowship.

The benefits of sharing our life together in these ways far outweighs the cost of time & effort. Being less concerned for ourselves & more concerned for each other is the fellowship that we are reminded from the Lord’s Supper & it also prepares us for heaven.

Tony Galea

At Jamberoo, we think meals are a crucial part of our time together at church. Eating together is a sign of fellowship, of peace, and of mutual nourishment both physically and relationally.

There’s a number of great meals recorded in the Bible, but none as significant as the last supper we read of in Mark 14. It’s a meal full of remembrance, fulfilled promises, symbolism and drama!

We remember this meal as the Lord’s Supper, and celebrate that each month at church – because Jesus commanded us to remember what he has achieved for us by his body and blood being sacrificed on the cross for us. And once we put our trust in his blood to forgive our sins, we look forward to eternity with him. Funnily enough, Revelation describes heaven as a ‘great feast’ of complete unity and peace in Christ.

Now that’s a meal to look forward to!

Brad Vidilini