Attached is Aunty Jean’s News Letter re her ministry.
17 Princeton Street
KENMORE 4069
11TH June 2018
Dear Christian Friends,
I do want to thank you all again for your continued faithful support – this is expressed in so many ways and how indebted I am to you all. My previous letter talked about the forthcoming Grasstree Gathering – that took place in Sydney on the North Shore and we had almost 90 people there. Some non-Aboriginal people came along to support us in a number of ways. The cost of the gathering was met and we thank God for those who faithfully gave in so many and varied ways. The folks came from all over Australia – the accommodation was very good – the sessions were not only fully attended but very interesting issues were discussed and I believe, have taken some of these young people on a further journey. We are so indebted to the different groups of people who gave financially, prayed for us and expressed a real interest. Not one cent came from the Government and again we proved God’s faithfulness. Pastor Ray Minnecon took one of the sessions and it was brilliant. One of the speakers also came from Canada. It is interesting what the Indigenous people of that country are achieving. We have so much to learn from people like them. I was able to hear something of their movement prior to the beginning of our Conference. If we are to move ahead in this nation we need to learn from other Indigenous peoples throughout the world, also the wider Christian Church in this country need to listen, learn and be open for change and see where God is taking us all.
After the Grasstree Gathering in which Brooke played such a big part in organising, some of us moved on to Melbourne to attend the annual Surrender Conference. Again, that was an interesting but very challenging gathering too. Not everyone came to Surrender as some of them had commitments in their areas. Surrender is always very encouraging and it was good to see so many Aboriginal people there. We were aware of God‘s faithfulness to us as we visited various places in the South.
Here in Brisbane we continue to be very busy with all the challenges that are continually before us. There have been lots of funerals and so many people with various illnesses. My annual Soup Night was held recently and it was very well attended. In fact a good number who attended came for the first time and it was encouraging to see so many different people. Amongst them were folk working in the areas of Aboriginal health.
Next month we are planning to have Dr Peter Adam come and speak in Brisbane. His message at Belgrave Heights Convention was very informative and, I understand, accepting. He will be speaking at many events but is very happy to meet with us all too – his message is so important and unique for the Aboriginal society. It’s also important for non-Aboriginal Christians to hear what he has to say from a biblical perspective about the History of this country. He has given us the evening of the 18th of July at St Stephens Anglican Church at Coorparoo. Please be praying for that evening that it may be well attended.
We will also be planning some services over Nadoc week which is in early July. We had some very encouraging services during Reconciliation Week too. It’s been good to have more people come on board and work with us at these various events.
There have been quite a lot of sicknesses around with some of our Church Leaders, both here and Interstate. Please be praying for them and that people will be raised up to support them. Continue to pray for the needs of our community as there is still a lot of hurt and issues out there that don’t help our cause. We need more of the Lord’s people to come on this journey with us.
Again I want to thank you for your faithful prayers and we will keep in touch
God richly bless,
AUNTIE JEAN PHILLIPS