JANUARY 2026

YEAR A READINGS

LITURGY & WORSHIP
1 January - Naming and circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ
6 January - The Epiphany of the Lord
13 January - St Hilary of Poitiers
18 January - Confession of St Peter, Apostle
25 January - Conversion of St Paul, Apostle
30 January - Charles the Martyr

OTHER
1 January - Public Holiday New Year’s Day
5 January - Registry office reopens
26 January - Public Holiday Australia Day
27 January - School Term 1 starts

PARISH COUNCIL
Refer to Parochial Administration Ordinance for updated procedures
Set Annual Meeting date (formerly Vestry Meeting)
Prepare Annual Meeting reports (formerly Vestry Reports)
Books to be audited
Plan the Commissioning/blessing of new Parish Council members on a Sunday after the Annual Meeting.

MAINTENANCE
Store Christmas decorations, inspect any cords on lights for burns.

WEBSITE AND PRAYER DIARY
Please advise by email to office@murray.anglican.org any updates to the Diocesan website www.murray.anglican.org and the Prayer Diary for your parish.

A new Prayer Diary will be circulated at the end of January.

FEBRUARY 2026

YEAR A READINGS

MAINTENANCE
Nil

LITURGY & WORSHIP
2 February – The Presentation of the Lord
17 February – Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday
18 February – Ash Wednesday
22 February – First Sunday in Lent
24 February – St Matthias, Apostle and Martyr

PARISH COUNCIL
Reminders For Annual Meetings (Formerly Vestry Meetings)
See “Parochial Administration Ordinance 2021 Part IV: Meetings” (page 9 ff) for further details
Prepare for the Annual Meeting, where all Faith Communities of the Parish shall meet as one in March on or before the 20th of March.
Plan and advertise any Special Meetings of Faith Communities ahead of the Annual Meeting if necessary.
Annual Meetings and Special Meetings require a minimum of 14 days’ notice to parishioners and reading the notice at all services on the two Sundays prior to the meeting date (if practicable).
Schedule A attendance sheets must be completed for Annual Meetings and any Special Meeting (PAO page 23).
Faith Communities may submit items of business for the Annual Meeting, received by the Parish Secretary no later than the end of February
Financials to be audited and submitted to Annual Meeting.
Prepare Annual Meeting reports (Priest, Churchwardens, Synod Members, Cemetery Curator if applicable (including Finances),Others (if any)).
Receive Property report including Rectory inspection.

BAS Return

Reminder: Prepare and send Statistical Returns to the Registry, due 28th February 2026 – copy attached and available on the Diocesan website under Parish Tools, and previously emailed to parishes.