Alpha is a place where you can ask your questions and say what you think about Christianity. Nothing is out.
3-5pm Sundays in May and June, Holy Cross will be hosting Alpha Youth for anyone in years 6-12.
Holy Cross adults are also welcome to join our friends at Holy Rosary who are hosting an Alpha course at Blackfriars Centre, timed to run at the same time.
A Kids’ Club will be held at the same time, offering fun and fellowship for younger kids of any parents or carers joining alpha courses.
This Easter season Holy Cross and St Margaret’s are engaging in deep discussions on bringing our carbon action project into the lives and homes of the families in our churches and wider community.
Discussion groups
Community members are invited to join our carbon action project in the home discussion groups–to learn from each other, hear from guest speakers, and share ideas, actions, inspirations and support.
7pm Tuesdays 4, 11 and 18 May;
7.30pm Thursdays 6, 13, 20 May.
Topics – with guest speakers –
will cover:
Transport
Home Energy and Solar (PV) Electricity
Food Chain in the Home
Whether you are taking your first tentative steps to reducing emissions, or are already a carbon-neutral household, all are welcome. Our discussion groups will provide a supportive environment to explore meaningful ways to make change, and to ask deeper questions about finding hope and caring for our sacred earth in the fact of climate change.
The discussion groups are part of a suite of activities in our two churches. The carbon action project in the home will be a focus during worship services and kids’ church throughout the Easter season, culminating in a joint worship service on Pentecost Sunday, 9.30am 23 May.
We will also be posting information, tips and guides. Keep an eye out for blog posts and check out our Carbon Action Project page for resources.
The Holy Cross stitching group has been making knitted blankets for homeless people. This was a collective effort of the seven ladies in the group. The stitchers knitted squares and then sewed them together with a crocheted border. There are between 96 to 108 squares in the blanket. Contact admin@holycrosshackett.org.au for more information about the blankets and the work of our stitching group.
Holy Cross walking group meetings regularly to walk together and experience the blessings of nature, the sites around Canberra and each others’ company.
The group meetings alternate Tuesday mornings at 9.15am at the Holy Cross Hackett car park, and travels together to the site of the walk.
Following on from the success of the Advent women’s retreat last year, we are planning another weekend with the same format for Lent.
Two events will be held to ‘top’ and ‘tail’ a weekend, one Saturday and one Sunday. Women from all walks of life are welcome to attend only one, or both.
Event One Morning Bushwalk – Saturday 20 March, Hackett
7.30 – 9am Bushwalk on Mt Majura reserve. Meet at the Hackett Gate on Grayson Street. Bring a thermos and drink tea with a view!
Event Two Evening Gathering – Sunday 21 March, Holy Cross Church 7pm Evening of contemplative prayer and fellowship, followed by
The North Canberra Nativity Festival is back for a second year running! Holy Cross is proud to co-host an exhibition of over 200 nativity displays and Community Carols by Candlelight with our friends at St Margaret’s and Holy Rosary.
Thursday 10th-Sunday 13th December Exhibition 10am-5pm every day
Sunday 13th December 6.30pm Community BBQ 7.30pm Carols by Candlelight
It’s been quite a year, and more than ever many of us are feeling the vital need – and the significant challenge – of carving out time for fellowship and quiet reflection.
This year, our women’s retreat will, like so many other things, be done a little differently. Join us in a welcoming atmosphere as we spend time together the weekend of 5-6 December:
Saturday 5 December 7.30-9am Bushwalk on Mt Majura reserve (meet at the Hackett Gate on Grayson Street)
Sunday 6 December 7pm Evening of contemplative prayer and fellowship, followed by 8pm Wine and cheese under the cherry tree.
In a spirit of community building and healing, the faith communities of Holy Cross Anglican and St Margaret’s Uniting in Hackett in Canberra’s inner north recently hosted a festival focussed on sustainability.
A stallholder from Canberra Seed Savers shares the fruits of their work
The ‘Sustaining Our Future’ Festival on the weekend of September 19-20 brought together local groups and speakers to offer information on climate change and inspiration on how to reduce one’s individual or household waste and carbon footprint.
“During these pandemic times, it’s even more important we find ways to get together safely and discuss common concerns, be inspired and make a difference,” said Reverend Chris Lockley of St Margaret’s.
People were able to test ride electric bikes and learn about composting. There was also a concert in the church featuring singer-songwriter Lucy Sugerman and local youth bands, a visual arts exhibition, and an ecumenical ‘Celebration of Creation’ worship service.
Dickson College students facilitate the ACT Candidates’ Forum
The program included an ACT election candidates forum moderated by Dickson College students.
“It was a great opportunity for our young people, who have a lot invested in a low-carbon future, to quiz local candidates about their sustainability policies ahead of the October poll,” said Reverend Tim Watson of Holy Cross.
This event, the first of its kind in Hackett, demonstrated the potential of the venue for more community events in the future where people can gather for spiritual and personal resourcing, community development, and to encourage each other in working for the Common Good.”
The Festival was organised as part of Holy Cross/St Margaret’s joint Carbon Action Project, launched earlier this year. Both churches have committed to make their operations carbon neutral within two years, and to help church members and the local community take climate change seriously through local action and engagement.
The once-fixed pews in the ecumenical Hackett church were recently removed to allow for more dynamic and mixed uses of the interior worship space.
Audiences enjoying the live music concert at the end of a great day
“The event was joyful and inclusive, and it put our mandate to evangelise as followers of Jesus into practice in so many different ways. It was a real celebration of beauty (art, music, God’s creation), truth (political debate, scientific and practical learning) and goodness (community, social and environmental action)”, said Reverend Watson.
“It also resonated with Bishop Mark’s encouraging comment about enabling people to return to church after lockdown: ‘re-integrating people to community through community, and helping us think about how we could implement similar steps with people who’ve never been part of our gathered worship’,” Rev. Watson added.
The two ministers also thanked volunteers who worked hard to make it happen.
“So many people made the event work. There were many hours served planning it and then during – to ensure it was safe and kept the festival moving along,” said Rev. Lockley.
