Each year in February the parishes of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand take up a collection to assist the work of Orthodox Action, a charitable organisation that operates in Sydney and Melbourne under the auspices of the Diocese and the heavenly protection of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.  Orthodox Action works to help needy persons, destitute children and orphanages in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union.  In 2017 our parish will take up this collection on Sunday 19 February.  Collection envelopes will be distributed by post beforehand and available in church aon the day.  Please give generously!