St Paul's ChurchBurwood, Sydney
A warm welcome
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we would be delighted to welcome you as a parishioner or have you join us at one of our regular services or parish activities.
Acknowledgement of Country:
We acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we meet – (the Wangal people of the Eora Nation).
"Luck brushes some people unnoticed. Dozens of Governors and their ladies laid the foundation stones of scores of mediocre Australian churches, but it fell to the lot of the Countess of Belmore to lay the foundation stones of the two churches which can be considered the best buildings of Blacket's very best period. We saw that she laid the foundation stone of St Stephen Newtown in November 1871. This was only four months after she laid the stone of St Paul Burwood, …, for St Paul Burwood is the work of Blacket at his best period, …
The church is small, not particularly ornate, but the disposition of the parts, the proportions and scale are nearly perfect. The details are of the finest craftsmanship …" (The Blackets: An Era of Australian Architecture, Morton Herman, 1963. p.138)
Pentecost 15
Merciful and gracious God, you are slow to anger and abound in steadfast love for your people: hear the prayers your people offer.
We pray for the healing of your wounded world, for an end to North Korea's aggressive acts and we pray for a way to find a peaceful solution.
Where there is suspicion, bring trust:
Where there is hostility, bring peace;
Where there is injury bring justice.
Forgiving God help us to bring your reconciling love to the world, and, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray for the healing of your wounded church, For an end to division and for the progress of ecumenical conversation and co-operation:
Where there is error, bring truth;
Where there is hurt, bring forgiveness;
Where there is exclusion, bring welcome.
Forgiving God, help us to bring your reconciling love to the world,
And in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Read all (continued)...
We pray for our parish community and give thanks for yesterday's fair; for all who came and contributed in any way, whether by buying goods and spending money or by setting up stalls and spending the morning selling goods, welcoming people and then helping in all the packing up at the end of the day. For Pam and all her helpers we give you thanks.
And in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for the healing of the wounded in the wider community, for the well-being of all who are disregarded and forgotten:
Where there is neglect, bring concern
Where there is hardship, bring relief;
Where there is despair, bring hope.
Forgiving God, help us to bring your reconciling love to the world, And, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We prayer for those who are sick in body or mind at this time, remembering those known to each of us.
Merciful and gracious God, we remember your good and faithful people, who, throughout the ages, have brought your reconciling love to the world. Help us to follow in their footsteps, that when we stand before your judgement seat, we too shall be found acceptable in your eyes and enter your eternal presence. We remember those who have recently died, . May God grant them a place of refreshment light and peace. We pray too for those whose years mind occurs at this time. Rest eternal grant unto them O'Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Today's prayers are based on Janet Nelson's in Let Us Pray, 1999.
What's On
Weekly Newsletter
Information about current events and activities at St Paul's is available in our Weekly Pew Sheet:
Spring Edition Vol.3 - 24th September 2017Ministry Team
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Father James Collins 
Father Michael Deasey
Father Jim Pettigrew
Ms Rosemary King
Mrs Sheryl Southwood 
Mrs Judith Laurence
Mr Graham Norman
Sophie Sun
Rector
TC Dip Teach, Grad Dip RE, Grad Dip RE Stud, BEd, BTheol, CPE RPH, Post Grad Dip Arts(Rel Stud), MA(Rel Stud), PhD
Father James was born and raised in rural Western Australia. He obtained a degree in education from the WA College of Advanced Education and taught music at both primary and secondary school levels. In 1984 he began to study theology at Perth Theological Hall and later at Murdoch University. He was ordained in 1987. He holds a PhD from the University of Tasmania. Father James' interests outside ministry include reading, bush walking and music.
After ordination in 1987, James worked full-time in ministry, having parishes in Western Australia and, since 2001, in Tasmania. He has also had a university chaplaincy position. Prior to his induction as Rector of St Paul's on 9 February 2011, Fr James was Rector of the Parish of Moonah in Hobart where he had responsibility for two churches, St Mary's and St Anne's. In addition, Fr James was an Enabler in the parishes of New Norfolk, Break O'Day, Channel/Cygnet, Hamilton and Brighton. This role involved training parishioners to take responsibility for all aspects of parish life and to reach out to the local community with the Gospel message and with practical ministry.
Senior Assistant Priest, , CGS, OAM, HonFGCM, ARSCM
BD, BEd(Mus), FTCL, LRAM, ARCO,ARCM, DipAngOrd
Michael Deasey was ordained ten years ago for the diocese of Bathurst where he has been the Precentor and Associate Priest at All Saints' Cathedral, combining this role with Director of Music. Before ordination his career was in church music and music education and after extensive overseas experience in England and Canada became organist and master of choristers at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney for more than two decades. Apart from his music qualifications he has a bachelor of Divinity from the Melbourne College of Divinity and a Diploma in Anglican Orders from St Mark's Theological college, Canberra. In 2004 Michael was honoured in Salisbury Cathedral with the award of Associate of the Royal School of Church Music and a year later the Medal of the Order of Australia for Services to church music.
Michael is married to Antonia. They have three adult children spread across the world, and twin baby granddaughters.
Honorary Priest
MTC ThL(2 Cl Hons) Dip
Fr Jim has served faithfully in many parishes, including both rural and urban settings, and as well as assisting at St Paul's Fr Jim often helps in other parishes as a locum.
Lay Minister
Dip PE (Hons), B.A., M.Litt., B.D., CPE RNSH., Grad. Cert World Religions
Rosemary King is a retired high school teacher. Having trained as a Physical Education teacher Rosemary soon added History and Geography to her teaching subjects. Then after graduating from Melbourne College of Divinity with a Bachelor of Divinity she went on to teach Religion and Studies of Religion in both Catholic and Independent Schools. Alongside Studies of Religion she developed a passion for Service Learning.
With the three years spent at St John's Theological college in Morpeth and her teaching experiences she retired in 2013 to embrace the position of Lay Minister in the parish.
Director of Music
DSCM (Hons), L.Mus.A.
Sheryl Southwood has recemtly retired from the position of Director of Music, Trinity Grammar School Preparatory School Strathfield. She graduated as "Student of the Year" with First Class Honours from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A strong interest in choral music led to her involvement with the choirs of St James' Church, King Street, the Sydney University Graduate Choir, Christ Church St Laurence and St Paul's, Burwood. She has conducted the Sydney University Graduate Choir and been Acting Choirmaster of St James' King Street and the Cathedral Singers. Until recently, Sheryl was the director of the Mater Chorale.
Sheryl stands firm in the belief that liturgy is sustained and uplifted through music - choral, organ and other instrumental forces
Coordinator Playgroup, B.A., Dip Ed., T.C., FACE.
Judith was born in Newcastle NSW and trained as a mathematics teacher at Newcastle University before embarking on a career which saw her teaching mathematics, English and special education classes in both primary and secondary schools across the state and assuming senior leadership roles.
In retirement, Judith coordinates St Paul's Monday Playgroup and enjoys buying and arranging the flowers which beautify our church with the help of a small group of very dedicated parishioners. She is also a server at the 8am Sunday service. She enjoys creating the seasonal resource packs for our young people.
Sacristan
Graham Norman serves as Sacristan at St Paul's and has done so for many years. Our worship of God at St Paul's consists of classical Anglican liturgy of Word and Sacrament and Graham helps in many ways to ensure that our worship of God remains life-giving, meaningful, and beautiful.
Graham had a long career as an educator having held senior positions in New South Wales over a long and greatly appreciated career.
One of the wonderful aspects of the worship of God at St Paul's is that people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome especially families and children and Graham oversees the many people who contribute to leading our worship.
Graham serves with all of our Ministry Team to ensure that the two great commandments to love God and to love our neighbour are lived out in word and deed.
Student Minister
Sophie holds a Bachelor's degree in Economic Management and a Master's Degree in International Business. For some years Sophie was called by God to serve as a missionary in China. Since her return from China Sophie has completed the degree of Master of Divinity through Christ College and the Australian College of Theology and will now be undertaking research to fulfil the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy through Christ College and the Australian College of Theology. Sophie is intending to undertake research in the field of spirituality.
Whilst undertaking her PhD Sophie will serve as our Student Minister at St Paul's and will enter fully into our life as a community of faith.
