Current Notices
Fr Ray McInnes Away
Please note that Associate Priest, The Venerable Ray McInnes will be away from 31 July to 31 August 2026.
Welcome to The Revd Kathryn Watt
A very warm welcome to The Revd Kathryn Watt on her first Sunday at St. John’s as Assistant Priest.
I’m delighted to be joining the parish as Assistant Priest and very much look forward to getting to know everyone over the coming months. I’ve been on sabbatical since February, following just over seven happy years as Vicar of Holy Trinity Balaclava and Elwood. It has been a wonderful opportunity for rest, reflection and renewal, and I’m excited to begin this next chapter of ministry. Before being ordained, I worked as a lawyer, primarily in financial services. My ministry has always been part-time, and I continue to serve on a number of boards and committees in that sector, which provides a rewarding balance between parish life and the wider community. Over the years I’ve also had the privilege of serving in a variety of governance roles within the Diocese, including as a member of Archbishop in Council and the Diocesan Corporation, and as Chair of the Diocesan Governance and Nominations Committee. I’m currently a member of the Bishopscourt Trust (ably chaired by Father Ray) and a board member of the Melbourne Anglican Foundation. My husband, Nicholas, and I have two grown-up daughters, Madeleine and Giselle, and we share our home with two much-loved dogs, who keep us thoroughly entertained. Kathryn
Thursday 30 July, 10.30am, Prayers for Christian Unity
Join us at St. John’s this coming Thursday as we gather with members of the Toorak Ecumenical Movement for our monthly service of prayer and fellowship. All are welcome and to morning tea to follow.
July Choir Break
The St. John’s Choir are on a mid-year break for the month of July, they will be back singing for us again on Sunday 2 August.
From the Vicar
Each year clergy in our diocese are required to take four weeks of annual leave and up to two weeks study leave, this latter as part of their continuing education. Because of the demands of our parish I do not always have chance to take study leave but three weeks ago I did and I used this opportunity to attend, in part, the International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) at the University of Adelaide. SBL is the premier organisation of biblical scholars across the world and I have previously given papers at both their annual conference in the USA and at their international meetings, wherever they may be. Whilst I didn’t do so at this meeting and only attended a small portion of the conference, it was a good opportunity to be with fellow clergy and to hear from cutting edge scholars. I also heard a fascinating lecture on contemporary indigenous art next door at the Art Gallery of South Australia; and, I took the time to read: in particular “Do We Have the Right to Die,” by Lady Hale and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, a book examining the ethical and legal issues of the right to die movement and the issue of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) which, at the time of publication, was being debated in Great Britain. I have met several people who have deeply considered, and in some instances, used VAD. I also read “The Godless Crusade: Religion, Populism and Right-Wing Identity Politics in the West,” by Tobias Cremer of Oxford University, a somewhat dense and academic analysis of these issues published by Cambridge University in 2023, highlighting the curious mix of religion and politics in contemporary German, USA and France, as windows into the broader impact across Western democracies, including Australia.
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Food for Friends
Each year, St. John’s joins with St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Toorak Uniting Church to raise funds for agencies who provide food and other essentials for the less fortunate. The agencies are extremely grateful for this support as demand increases by 10% weekly. There is a huge need out there and we encourage you to consider donating to this very needed
and worthwhile Appeal.
The Toorak Ecumenical Fund – CBA Toorak
BSB: 063177
Acc: 10026147
Toorak Op Shop
Toorak Op Shop in Carters Avenue has been running for over 40 years thanks to the dedication of volunteers from St. John’s, St. Peter’s and Toorak Uniting Church. Each year funds are carefully distributed to charitable and community organisations. If you would like to join this team of incredible volunteers and contribute to this worthwhile cause please contact Phillip Thomas opshop2019@outlook.com 0404 335 477.
Victorian Anglicans Together
– advocating an open, diverse and inclusive Church
Victorian Anglicans Together provides a strong voice speaking into the Diocese for generous, open and welcoming Anglicanism. Individual membership is $20 a year, and offers a community of like-minded Anglicans, meeting through a range of events, and sharing resources to support and encourage us. You can find out more on the website www.victoriananglicanstogether.org, where you can download the membership application form.
Community Groups
Various community groups meet in our church hall, ‘Buxton Hall’, on a regular basis.
Happy Destiny
AA
Wednesday 6.30pm
Toorak Tuesday
NA
Tuesday 7.30pm
Kumon
Maths & English Learning Programme
Monday, Tuesday & Friday
3pm-6.30pm
Dance Cats
Queer dancing specialists
Monday 7pm-8pm
Saturday 10am-11am
Outreach
St. John’s Toorak supports various worthwhile community organisations.
Continue reading to find out more!
Richmond Churches Food Centre
The Richmond Churches Food Centre is an ecumenical, grass roots initiative that has been providing food security for hundreds of people each week for some 30 years. At Richmond Churches Food Centre people receive enough food and a warm welcome, regardless of their background, culture, beliefs or lifestyle.
Christ Church Mission Community Centre
St Kilda’s Little Mission
The Centre offers opportunities for social interaction and personal growth, particularly through free weekly meals, emergency support, volunteering opportunities, engagement in free or low-cost activities, and community outreach.
Saint Mark's Community Centre
St Mark’s Fitzroy, partnered with Anglicare Victoria, provides support to people in the community who are experiencing primary and secondary homelessness in the City of Yarra and the City of Melbourne. Including emergency relief, case management, facilities such as showers and laundry as well as hot meals.
Dixon House
Anglicare Victoria
Dixon House is a neighbourhood centre located in the heart of Clayton, in the City of Monash, Victoria, Australia. They have a range of programs and services that cater to the needs of those in the local community. Their hope is to provide a place where you can make friends, learn new skills, volunteer your time, and get support.
Connie Benn Centre
Brotherhood of St Laurence
BSL believes that all children have a right to quality and affordable early education and care regardless of cultural or social background. BSL runs a variety of programs, offering opportunities for both parents and children to make connections and learn in a safe and culturally caring environment.
Sunday Suppers
Anglican Parish of
St. Silas & St Anselm
The Parish of the Parks community offers meals to those in need every Sunday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm in the church hall.
For Port Phillip residents with a concession card, food parcels are given out on the first Sunday of each month from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
“Get Out for Good”
Anglican Criminal Justice Ministry – Anglicare Victoria
This program provides people who have been released from prison access to social and emotional support. Drop in Centres, phone calls and informal meetings provide safe spaces to talk about what they are going through and encouragement to reconnect with family, friends and community. The program acts to strengthen people’s ability to identify and develop their own resources and build capacity while making the adjustment from prison to the “outside”.
Refugee Child Outreach
Brotherhood of St Laurence
This program works with children and families who are newly arrived in Australia. Settling in a new country is challenging and navigating a complex system of services for children can be confusing. The program is open to families with young children of a refugee background, who are seeking asylum or arrived in Australia on community detention.
The Lazarus Centre
St Peter’s Eastern Hill,
East Melbourne
The Lazarus Centre operates onsite at St Peter’s in East Melbourne. The centre provides food, pastoral care and essential support to people experiencing homelessness; it provides people a warm and secure place to eat breakfast seven days a week, every day of the year. Breakfast is available daily between 7:30am and 9:00am. On Fridays at 11.00 am a BBQ is held in conjunction with Doutta Galla Community Health Services.
Order of St Lazarus Victorian Commandery Foundation
Charitable Trust
A foundation to help poor, disadvantaged and marginalised members of our community. OLJ aims to promote and assist education in hospital care and administration, nursing and first aid and to establish and promote aid and assistance to hospitals, medical centres and institutions for the treatment of human ills of every kind.
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria
(MTSV)
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria has operated from its heritage-listed building in Melbourne’s Docklands since 1917. Serving a special place in the life and community of those who live and work at sea, the dedicated team of staff and volunteers provide comfort, a friendly face, and a sense of community to the thousands of seafarers who visit the Port of Melbourne annually.
The Queen’s Fund
Since 1887, The Queen’s Fund has been dedicated to supporting single women & children in Victoria who are in distress, crisis, or emergency situations. They are committed to providing them with the necessary resources and assistance to help them overcome their challenges and lead a better life. The Queen’s Fund is one of Victoria’s oldest charities, run by women for women.
