Bible Book Club: The Gospel of Luke
Nov
24
3:00 pm15:00

Bible Book Club: The Gospel of Luke

The inaugural Bible Book Club, focussing on the Gospel of Luke, will happen online via Zoom on Sunday 24 November from 3 pm to 5 pm.  Email melissa@stjames.org.au for the link code to join.

How Bible Book Club works: 

Each Book Club meeting will focus on a book or set of chapters from the Bible, coinciding with the lectionary cycle.  Participants are encouraged to read the book or chapters before the meeting, but it’s not essential.  The meeting will be live via Zoom and recorded to be accessed later by anyone who can’t attend in person. This recording will be publicly available. 

Our inaugural meeting will be on the Gospel of Luke, as we prepare to enter year C of the lectionary cycle, which is the year of Luke.  We’ll talk about the origins and structure of the book, key themes and passages, and highlights to look out for during the year. 

It is hoped that Bible Book Club will enhance participants’ and viewers’ understanding of the Sunday readings.  Meetings during 2025 will relate to the books and chapters that occur in a significant series in the lectionary.

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Blue Christmas Prayer Service
Dec
8
5:30 pm17:30

Blue Christmas Prayer Service

Why a Blue Christmas?

Cries of “Merry Christmas!” and non-stop carols contrast with the feelings of many people at this time of year. For those suffering from the recent or impending death of loved ones, for the lonely and for those whose families are in crisis, it can be a very isolated and dreary time. Every greeting and every song reminds the grief-stricken of how unhappy life is at this moment.  Many churches have begun to recognize that Festivals of Lessons and Carols, celebrations of Christmas, and children’s pageants do not meet everyone’s needs. To fill this gap we offer a Blue Christmas service, a Service of Solace for those who find this to be a painful time of the year. People who are not having a very merry Christmas and friends who support them are invited to come and sit with one another in a liturgy that speaks of the love of God for the grieving. Our service will include gentle music, Bible readings, prayers, private prayers and anointing. The service also includes ways to physically express our feelings by lighting a candle in prayer, and laying a cloth in the crib as a prayer offering. These prayers will then be gathered up again on Christmas Day.

5.30 pm, Sunday 8 December 2024

St James’, Toowoomba

St Anne’s, Highfields

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Service of Lessons and Carols
Dec
15
5:00 pm17:00

Service of Lessons and Carols

Service of Lessons and Carols

(featuring St James Choir and Ars Cantorum members)

at St James on

Sunday 15 December 2024 at 5pm

followed by parish party meal, two courses plus wine for $20 per person.

Funds raised from the meal will go towards mission projects supported by the parish.

All are welcome!

Please RSVP by email here.

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Christmas Eve Family Service
Dec
24
5:30 pm17:30

Christmas Eve Family Service

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 5.30 on Christmas Eve for a special telling of the Christmas story for families with young children, with lots of carols. Children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds, wise persons, royalty or farm animals.

We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Midnight Mass
Dec
24
to 25 Dec

Midnight Mass

  • St James Anglican Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve for a traditional Midnight Mass Service, with lots of carols.

After this service, we say Merry Christmas, with bubbly and cake!

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Christmas Day Service 7.30 am
Dec
25
7:30 am07:30

Christmas Day Service 7.30 am

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 7.30 am on Christmas Day for a traditional Christmas Service, with lots of carols.

Children and adults are always welcome at St James’. No prior experience is necessary! We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Christmas Day Service 10 am
Dec
25
10:00 am10:00

Christmas Day Service 10 am

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 10 am on Christmas Day for a traditional Christmas Service, with lots of carols.

Children and adults are always welcome at St James’. No prior experience is necessary! We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Christmas Day Service 1 pm Dinka Language
Dec
25
10:00 am10:00

Christmas Day Service 1 pm Dinka Language

Join our South Sudanese community at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 1 pm on Christmas Day for a Christmas Service in the Dinka language.

Children and adults are always welcome at St James’. No prior experience is necessary! We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Community and Faith Leaders Forum
Nov
15
5:30 pm17:30

Community and Faith Leaders Forum

Discussion Topic:

Forming and guiding young people and members of our community to know peace within themselves and to build peace in their communities.

Guest Speakers:

  • Rev’d Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.

  • Professor Dr Hoon Chang Yau, Director of Asian Studies, University of Brunei Darussalam.

  • Mr Carl Maurer, Manager of Welfare and Self Reliance Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 

Speaker Panel: Rev’d Charissa Suli, Prof Dr Hoon Chang Yau, Mr Carl Maurer.

Panel Moderator and Host: Rev’d Melissa Conway

The forum will be followed by a meal in the adjacent Parish Centre hall. 

 This is a free event, but bookings are needed for Catering purposes. Please RSVP by Wednesday 13 October at this link:  https://events.humanitix.com/community-and-faith-leaders-forum

Thank you to Pure Land College for providing the meal and hospitality. Thanks to the Anglican Parish of Toowoomba – St James’ for the use of the venue.

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All Souls Day High Mass
Nov
3
5:30 pm17:30

All Souls Day High Mass

All Souls Day gives us the opportunity to remember those who have gone before us, forming the “great cloud of witnesses,” but who are not recognised as saints: family, friends, teachers, ancestors. In this traditional service we use prayer and symbol to remember, grieve and celebrate those who have gone before us.

This is a “high church” service, which includes a large sanctuary party wearing special robes, candles, incense and bells, as well as our wonderful choir.

Tap into the rich history of Anglican tradition.

Rev’d John Rolley Preaching, Rev’d Melissa Conway Presiding.

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Gossamer Wings: A Service for Bereaved Parents
Oct
13
4:00 pm16:00

Gossamer Wings: A Service for Bereaved Parents

October 15th is International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day, where bereaved parents from Australia and around the world pause to remember their babies who’ve died.

Around this day we offer a special, quiet remembrance service for those who have experienced the loss of a child, no matter how old or how long ago, but with special care for those who have experienced a stillbirth or infant loss in the past year.

Join us at St James’ Church, 145 Mort Street Toowoomba.

This service is sensitive to the needs of people of all faiths and those who have no faith. It will be held outdoors in our peaceful grounds, weather permitting.

More information about October 15 at: Oct 15 | SANDS - MISCARRIAGE STILLBIRTH NEWBORN DEATH SUPPORT

Photo by Alfred Schrock on Unsplash

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St James' 155th  Anniversary Service: Whole of Parish
Oct
13
8:30 am08:30

St James' 155th Anniversary Service: Whole of Parish

Join us to mark the 155th annivesary of the Dedication of St James’ Church in Toowoomba.

This will be a combined whole of parish service - there is no service at St Anne’s this weekend. Our Holy Communion Service will be followed by shared morning tea. You are invited to bring something special to share.

Our special guest presider and preacher will be Archbishop Jeremy Greaves.

“Almighty God, we give you thanks for the work you have done in this place. We give you thanks for your love and faithfulness. When we called on your name, you made your presence known to us. When we prayed, you heard us. When we preached your Word and administered your Sacraments, you were in our midst. You have accepted our humble sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. You have listened to our confessions and forgiven our sins. And you have sent your Holy Spirit to heal and comfort our hurts, our sorrows, our infirmities, and our losses.”

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Blessing of the Animals
Oct
6
10:00 am10:00

Blessing of the Animals

At St James’ Toowoomba, we treasure our pets and welcome yours.

You are invited to join us for the blessing of animals.

Come to our 10 am service to receive a blessing for your pet.

A sausage sizzle will be available for the humans.

All pets (and their owners) welcome! If you don’t feel comfortable bringing your pet, then please bring a photograph.

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Spring Smorgasbord Concert with Ars Cantorum
Sept
6
7:00 pm19:00

Spring Smorgasbord Concert with Ars Cantorum

CONCERT

Ars Cantorum presents Spring Smorgasbord on Friday 6 September @ 7pm at St James Anglican Church,

corner Russell and Mort Streets, Toowoomba.

The concert features choral music drawn from the 19th to 21st  centuries including works by current Sydney Town Hall organist, YouTuber @peporgan Australian young musician and composer Titus Grenyer, Irish composer the late Charles Villiers Stanford and contemporary English composer Sir John Rutter.

Tickets can be pre-purchased from St James Parish Office ( M - F 9am - 3pm ) or purchased at the door subject to availability

Tickets - $25.  Accompanied school aged children - no charge

The concert will be followed by light refreshments for the audience and performers in the adjacent Parish Centre.

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Youth Gathering: "Come Away and Rest a While"
July
20
4:00 pm16:00

Youth Gathering: "Come Away and Rest a While"

"Come Away and Rest a While" - Mark 6:30-34

The Youth Gathering @St James’ are invited to attend a workshop with Rev’d Catherine Masila from Kenya. Rev’d Catherine will lead the young people in reflecting on why prayer is important for us and for God. Their work will then be presented at the 6 pm eucharist service.

Order of events:

  • 4 pm - Youth Gathering for workshop in the Parish Hall at St James’ - young people from year 6 to university age are invited to attend. Snacks provided.

  • 6 pm - Everyone is welcome to join us for the eucharist in the church.

  • 7 pm - Everyone is welcome to gather again in the hall for a casual meal and fellowship.

RSVP: 17 July, Parish Office office@stjames.org.au or ph 07 46391858

Image by Mayur Gala on Unsplash

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Easter Day
Mar
31
7:30 am07:30

Easter Day

He is risen, Alleluia!

Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, after his sacrifice for everyone on the cross, to bring us back into relationship and eternal life with God.

Services are at the usual Sunday times of 7.30am, 10am and in Dinka at 1pm. Please join us!

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Good Friday Mass of the Pre-Sanctified, Veneration + Stations of the Cross
Mar
29
7:30 am07:30

Good Friday Mass of the Pre-Sanctified, Veneration + Stations of the Cross

Good Friday

Remembering the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us.

7:30am - Mass of the Pre-Sanctified

This service continues the service begun the night before… with communion that was consecrated then set aside and watched over, as representative of Christ’s body and blood.

We re-enter the church for this service in quiet and relative darkness…

10:00am - Veneration + Stations of the Cross

Again the service continues with readings and prayers echoing the journey of Jesus to his crucifixion.

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Maundy Thursday Foot Washing, Liturgy and Watch
Mar
28
7:00 pm19:00

Maundy Thursday Foot Washing, Liturgy and Watch

Join us for this moving liturgy, which includes the symbolic memorial of Jesus washing his followers’ feet on the night before he died.

Our service concludes in darkness, silent prayer and the opportunity to sit quietly in keeping vigil with Christ awhile.

The word Maundy comes from a middle English word meaning command, and we use that word today to remind us that Jesus commanded that we should love, serve and care for one another.

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Parish Passover Festive Meal for All Ages
Mar
28
5:15 pm17:15

Parish Passover Festive Meal for All Ages

Inviting children and young people, parents and parishioners. No cost.

In the evening, before he was betrayed, Jesus shared the Passover meal with his friends and this was the beginning of our Christian Holy Communion.

Celebrate through a Passover meal with readings and explanation of symbolism, through sensory combinations of sound, smell, and tastes, involved in following the age-old rituals of the Jewish people.

Our Thursday evening will begin in the hall at 5:15 for our meal continuing over to Church for Maundy Thursday service with the washing of the feet and clearing of the church.

Lynne Cain must have definite numbers please by 24 March - as we want to supply the exact amount of food. Lynne: 0437 465 623

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Palm Sunday with Palm Procession
Mar
24
7:30 am07:30

Palm Sunday with Palm Procession

Hosanna to the King!

Palm Sunday (sometimes also known as Passion Sunday in some Christian traditions) celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. Citizens waved palm fronds and laid them in front of him, as one would to pave the way for their king.

In celebration and remembrance, we make fresh palm crosses to give out today at our services.

Each year, our palm crosses are kept and brought back before the next Ash Wednesday. Then the old palm crosses are burnt, ground and mixed with Chrism oil, to become the ash used in signing of the cross on our foreheads at the Ash Wednesday ceremonies.

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Ars Cantorum : Easter Concert
Mar
22
7:00 pm19:00

Ars Cantorum : Easter Concert

Ars Cantorum

presents a concert in St James Church of

Eastertide Music

featuring an Easter cantata:

The Crucifixion by Sir John Stainer

with supporting items by the choir and Amity Singers

Friday 22 March 2024 at 7pm

followed by light refreshments in the Parish Centre

Conductor - Andrew Doecke
Accompanist - Pam Duane
Cantata soloists - Ian Kammholz | Robert Williams

Tickets can be pre-purchased
from St James Parish Office (4639 1858) or at the door prior to the concert

Tickets $25 | school aged children - no charge

Enquiries - 0439 355 089

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Ash Wednesday Service
Feb
14
10:00 am10:00

Ash Wednesday Service

On Ash Wednesday our special service of Holy Communion includes the imposition of ashes and the Lenten litany. All are welcome.

This service will be followed by our first session of our Lenten Bible Study: Living in Harmony.

Image by Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash

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Christmas Day Service 10 am
Dec
25
10:00 am10:00

Christmas Day Service 10 am

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 10 am on Christmas Day for a traditional Christmas Service, with lots of carols.

Children and adults are always welcome at St James’. No prior experience is necessary! We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Christmas Day Service 7.30 am
Dec
25
7:30 am07:30

Christmas Day Service 7.30 am

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 7.30 am on Christmas Day for a traditional Christmas Service, with lots of carols.

Children and adults are always welcome at St James’. No prior experience is necessary! We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Midnight Mass
Dec
24
to 25 Dec

Midnight Mass

  • St James Anglican Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve for a traditional Midnight Mass Service, with lots of carols.

After this service, we say Merry Christmas, with bubbly and cake!

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Christmas Eve Family Service
Dec
24
5:30 pm17:30

Christmas Eve Family Service

Join us at St James’ in Toowoomba, at 5.30 on Christmas Eve for a special telling of the Christmas story for families with young children, with lots of carols. Children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds, wise persons, royalty or farm animals.

We understand that small children have needs, so it’s OK to bring snacks.

We humans are story-makers and story-tellers, but for Christians, the Christmas story is the most precious story, the story of when the one great God came to be with us, and to be exactly like one of us, in the form of the baby Jesus. That’s so important because it means that God, in Jesus, knows the joys and sorrows, the exciting times and the pain of being human.

We would love you to join us to celebrate that God is with us at Christmas and always.

This service includes Holy Communion.

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Blue Christmas Prayer Service
Dec
10
6:00 pm18:00

Blue Christmas Prayer Service

Why a Blue Christmas?

Cries of “Merry Christmas!” and non-stop carolling contrast with the feelings of many people at this time of year. For those suffering from the recent or impending death of loved ones, for the lonely and for those whose families are in crisis, it can be a very isolated and dreary time. Every greeting and every song reminds the grief-stricken of how unhappy life is at this moment.  Many churches have begun to recognize that Festivals of Lessons and Carols, celebrations of Christmas, and children’s pageants do not meet everyone’s needs. To fill this gap we offer a Blue Christmas service, a Service of Solace for those who find this to be a painful time of the year. People who are not having a very merry Christmas and friends who support them are invited to come and sit with one another in a liturgy that speaks of the love of God for the grieving.

6 pm, Sunday 10 December 2023

St James’, Toowoomba

St Anne’s, Highfields

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Prayers for Peace, Goodwill and Unity in Diversity
Oct
19
2:30 pm14:30

Prayers for Peace, Goodwill and Unity in Diversity

Please join us to pray for peace in Israel, Palestine and the Middle East. We join together in prayer, meditation, reflection and song across the diversity of religion and culture in our community.

This event is an initiative of the Toowoomba Inter-Faith Working Group, hosted by St James’ Anglican Church.

Please arrive at 2.30 pm for a 2.45 pm start. Afternoon tea will be served in the hall after the service.

Image by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash.

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Blessing of the Animals
Oct
1
10:00 am10:00

Blessing of the Animals

At St James’ Toowoomba, we treasure our pets and welcome yours.

You are invited to join us for the blessing of animals.

Come to our 10 am service to receive a blessing for your pet.

A sausage sizzle will be available for the humans.

All pets (and their owners) welcome! If you don’t feel comfortable bringing your pet, then please bring a photograph.

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Quiet Morning
Aug
19
9:30 am09:30

Quiet Morning

Waste time with God. Please join us for a quiet, contemplative morning away from our busy lives.

9.30 cuppa for 10am start - 12.30pm

St James Parish Centre Toowoomba

Registration by 16/8/23, by contacting our Parish Centre.

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Mental Health First Aid Course - online registration required
July
11
to 12 July

Mental Health First Aid Course - online registration required

  • St James Anglican Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Venue: St James’ Toowoomba Anglican Parish, 145 Mort St, Toowoomba City

 Dates:   12 & 13 July 2023 (Tues and Wed)

2-day course (attendance both days required to gain Mental Health First Aid Officer accreditation for 3yrs)

 

Time:    9am to 5pm each day

 Cost:     $150 per person

(Diocese contributing $100 per person to reduce full cost of $250 down to $150)

Price includes course delivery/materials, take-home manual, opportunity to become accredited for 3yrs as a MHFA Officer, morning/afternoon teas and lunch each day.

            

Register Your Interest  -  https://acsq.wufoo.com/forms/w1nxekvu0ynamy8/

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