Dear All,
We are slowly getting settled into Adelaide and into a new working routine. We have been very fortunate to see two plays since we moved here – both were excellent in different ways. Now Christmas has crept up on us from nowhere. We have been to 3 Christmas parties (we love the City!!!).

Coober Pedy

We were recently back in Coober Pedy for the funeral of Vicki McCormack who died after a long illness. Her funeral was a great send-off for someone who had done so much for so many people in the name of the Lord. Peter did the service and kept her wishes that the last thing she did was for God.

They still have locums visiting. Mark and Sandy Evans (ex Kangaroo Island) will be staying until Easter which has been an encouragement for the parish.

They still have over 20 children coming to Sunday School. Pray these children will come to know God in a real way. Luke and Adele have not been able to run Adventurers after school for much of the year due to Adele’s ill health. They will be in Adelaide over the holidays for Adele to have their first baby.

Mine Work

Peter is now visiting two mines – Prominent Hill (copper, gold) owned by OZ Minerals near Coober Pedy and Honeymoon (uranium) owned by Uranium One near Broken Hill. In the new year he will also be visiting Carapateena (copper and gold) – another OZ Minerals venture – between Port Augusta and Roxby Downs. He still needs at least one more mine to make him full-time.

He is away 2 or 3 nights each week and then spends the rest of the week catching up with people who have seen him about problems or who are in hospital or who need pastoral care or marriage counselling, etc, etc. Joy accompanies him much of the time depending on whom and where he is visiting.

He has had the delight of performing two weddings for miners from Prominent Hill. On both occasions people were impressed by his relaxed attitude and the appropriateness of his sermon to each couple.

Another couple, who were at one of the weddings, came to him for marriage counselling. He was able to get them into Marriage Encounter due to a late withdrawal. They are both delighted with the difference it has made to their relationship. The man has told all his fellow workers about it and Peter now has another six couples who want to do some sort of ‘Marriage Enrichment’ course. We have found a suitable venue and are in the process of making arrangements in the new year. (The dates that suited us this year did not suit the miners, as they were working.) Praise God for these contacts and opportunities.
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St Barbara’s

The minister at St Barbara’s resigned due to her husband’s ill health and Peter has been helping out in the parish, in his ‘spare’ time. He takes the two Sunday services and does any pastoral care that the parish council cannot manage. Mary has started a Bible study group which Joy attends and another couple are interested in starting a prayer group.

The parishioners have been working on a vision and are meeting with the Archdeacon to discuss a permanent replacement for the new year. Peter will conclude his time as locum before Christmas.

In the meantime, this Sunday is St Barbara’s Day and Barbara is the patron saint of architects, miners and those who work with explosives. This day has always been a community event with many ex-servicemen attending. This year Peter has invited people from the two mines he is working at, as well, and he is hopeful that some will attend. The parish is hosting a large morning tea after the service.

It is very convenient to live so close to the church although some people are concerned about Joy walking home at night after Bible study by herself! At the moment it is still partially light due to daylight saving.

Joy continues to attend the Craft group on Thursday mornings. This is often a light-hearted occasion with not a lot of craft done. Other weeks are spent in prayer for people in the parish who are ill or whose spouses are ill.

The parish holds a monthly Market morning and Peter and Joy have both been able to help with these, backing up for people who cannot be there on that particular Saturday. Almost all our neighbours wander through at some time during the morning and it is good to have a chance to chat.

The Latest

Peter has just returned from Wyalla. He attended the SA Mining Conference which went for 2 days. He accompanied the manager of OZ Minerals Mr Brian Kilgariff and Mr Ross Sawyers. Brian had a 30 min spot to talk about OZ minerals. He gave Peter 10 min of this time to showcase Peter’s work for them. Much interest has been raised by that 10 minutes and many contacts have been made. Peter will be speaking to these people early next year.

Peter was also invited by the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy to sit with them and to field questions at the federal enquiry into FIFO / DIDO. Peter found this very interesting.
We pray you have a safe and holy 2012 and thank you for your prayers and support over the years.

With love from
Peter and Joy Palmer with Sarah and Joshua