Post on 19-Mar-2016
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Published for the Kaniva & Serviceton Congregations of the Uniting Church & Church of Christ
December 2012- March 2013 Our Shared Ministry Objective:
To foster Christian fellowship and Spiritual growth within our congregations and Christian witness in the wider community
Website: kanivachurches.org.au
UCA CHURCH COUNCIL: CHURCH OF CHRIST BOARD:
Chairperson: Diane Eastwood Chairperson: Murray Williams
53922612 53931277 Secretary: Mary Grosser Secretary: Kerryn Dyer 53922207 Treasurer: Alwyn Dyer Minutes Sec: Harvey Champness 53922642 53922910 Ass.Treas: Kerryn Dyer
Treasurer: Ian Champness 53922642
53922253
Ass.Treas: Bevan Rogers 53922645
SERVICETON UCA CHURCH COUNCIL: SERVICETON CHURCH OF CHRIST
Judith Carter Secretary:
53931223 David Wallis
53931260 Published Quarterly at Baker St., Print Post Approved
Return Address: 12 Baker St., 335476/00002
KANIVA, 3419
Greetings to all,
he following article for your
reflection has been taken from the
Churches of Christ monthly
newsletter. The article is written by Stephen
Curkpatrick, who is a lecturer in Christian
Thought and History; New Testament
Studies and New Testament Greek with the
Churches of Christ Theological College.
As we finish one year and look to the new year, this article will give you a little
food for thought. May God Bless each one and may your Christmas be
meaningful as we celebrate our Lords birth among all the food, tinsel and glitter
and if you are missing someone special then may God’s peace surround you,
and may the memories of happy times spent in the past, bring a smile to your
face.
Kerryn Dyer.
“New Memories with generous possibilities” – Stephen Curkpatrick.
By memory we seek to retrieve our present possibilities, but is there life in
regret, creativity in nostalgia, forgiveness in guilt wrung from others or a future
in wistfulness?
In memory of the past, we naturally attempt to replicate what was good. If we
cannot reproduce the past, we yearn for what is no longer within nostalgia. In
seeking to reclaim the past, we invest it with tribal significance. If mistakes
have been made, we cajole for apologies, only to exhibit self-righteousness. If
we regret the past, we are also wistful for a future we desired but failed to
invoke.
If we could have our time again, we assert sentimentally that we would do
things differently. If we imagine doing the same again, aren’t we now aware of
other possibilities? If we think we would now respond differently to a previous
challenge, did we have real choices then or have we since forged new
alternatives only within hindsight?
Christians anticipate the future by remembering the word of God who calls to
be things that are not – without nostalgia, regret, recrimination or wistfulness –
as creative in giving us truly new memories with generous possibilities.
T
STUDENT ACCOMODATION-MELBOURNE.
Murrumbeena Baptist Church have a small campus of student accommodation particularly
aimed at catering for the needs of country students moving to the city to study for the first
time.
The units are located next to the church. Each unit consists of two bed-sit rooms with a
shared bathroom and kitchen and meals area. With four units, it can accommodate eight
students in total. They are leased on a yearly basis, and they are fully furnished, including
bed, tables, chairs, study desks, fridges and shared washing facilities for $165 per student per
week. Water, gas, electricity and ADSL@+ internet access are all included in the cost. Each
room has telephone sockets, but the service will be optional at students’ own expense. The
location is extremely close walking distance (less than 250 metres) to the Murrumbeena
Railway Station. It is very close to Caulfield and Clayton campuses of Monash University.
We are also well serviced by buses running just outside the units (Deakin University’s
Burwood campus can be accessed by bus). The Flats office can be contacted on: (03)
95687159 or via www.murrumbeena-baptist.org and follow the links to the Student
Accommodation Project. Or contact Drew Phillips (0438066425) Student Applications and
Administration Officer.
**********************************
Changes to Worship Times
Please take note of temporary changes to worship times on the Plan in January. Services in
Kaniva will commence at 10.30am (unless otherwise notified) and services at Serviceton will
commence at 9am.
From February, a permanent change to service times will take place with services in Kaniva
commencing at 9.30am. Services at Serviceton will continue to commence at 11.15am. These
changes were recommended by the Minister’s Selection panel and endorsed by both Shared
Ministry and the UC Church Council. Much of the reasoning behind the decision relates to
those people taking services at both venues being able to have time to spend in fellowship
with the Kaniva congregation following the service and still have time to travel to Serviceton.
Oasis Returns
February 2013 will see the return of Sunday morning children’s ministry in Kaniva with
Oasis sessions. Sessions will be multi-aged beginning at 3 years. If you have not been
approached already, but would like to help out in some way, please contact Di Eastwood on
53922612 or eastwood@netconnect.com.au.
Can you
help us?
Kaniva Bible Study
In March 2013, a Kaniva Bible Study group will commence. The group will meet on the 2nd
and 4th
Wednesday evenings of each month in the UC Fellowship Centre and will begin with
a study called ‘Seeking Him’. Anyone is welcome to attend. More details will appear in the
notice sheets closer to the time or contact Di Eastwood.
UC Pastoral Care Team
Just a reminder to everyone of the people who are on the UC Pastoral Care Team and who
can be contacted about Church matters, personal concerns and prayer requests.
Karen Rabone Blanche Hill
Valma Merrett Robyn Jewell
Harvey & Barb Champness Gordon Williams
Graeme Grosser Di Eastwood
Graham & Judith Carter Heather Wallis
Jenny Merrett
Presbytery Report
The last Presbytery meeting for 2012 was held in Ballarat on 17 November, with a very
strong representation of churches from across the Presbytery of Western Victoria.
The day included a worship session, the receiving of reports, some farewells and the
conducting of some important items of business.
The opening worship was a very meaningful segment, which included singing, prayers, some
background on the groups and communities catered for by Ballarat Central, and a look into
the history and development of Ballarat Central Uniting Church. Rev Bill Lidgett was
welcomed into the supply position of Presbytery Minister Pastoral Care.
Other Features of the Day:
- Andrew Shearer-Cox gave an enlightening insight into the provision of chaplaincy services
to some of the health and aged care services within Ballarat.
- Presbytery made the decision to sell the Portland Bay UC Campsite
- Pastor Rob Morgan and Rev Samasoni Nafatali were farewelled and thanked for their
contributions to their own parishes and to the Presbytery as a whole.
- a service was held to recognise the closure of Rev Keith Kynoch’s ministry as Presbytery
Minister Pastoral Care, and in recognition of his retirement
Harvey Champness
Presbytery Representative
Resources Team Report
At our most recent Resources Team meeting the main item for discussion was a recent O.H.
and S. report indicating quite a few safety issues that need to be addressed in and around
buildings in both Kaniva and Serviceton. Some of these included fire extinguishers and
signs, exit signs, first aid kits and safety blankets and signs, emergency assembly signs,
painting of step edges and single action door handles, to name a few. Quite a number of these
things have now been attended to while others are still a work in progress.
The historical sign for the Church block has now been completed and installed, and looks
great.
Catering Report
Since our August report a number of members helped provide some food for the Ag Art
Exhibition which was held to raise funds for the School Chaplaincy program. The only
catering coming up is the Seniors Christmas party on 7th December at 12:00 noon. The
current catering balance is $4045.74.
Ladies’ Fellowship Report
In September, the Fellowship ladies enjoyed a mystery trip to Lake Hindmarsh and Jeparit,
finishing up in Horsham for lunch and a plant nursery visit. Our October syllabus item
involved feeding a busload of fifty senior people from Seeds Uniting Church in Adelaide
(known as the Keenagers) and this allowed for an enjoyable time of fellowship and sharing.
Their donation for our efforts helped boost our coffers significantly, and will help us to
continue supporting Ian and Betty Rowse in their mission work with Pioneers.
We held our Christmas Dinner and Annual Meeting in November when we enjoyed dinner
together at KCR followed by the Annual and General meetings.
Our office-bearers for 2013 are as follows:
President: Kath Shurdington
Vice-President: Alison Moar
Secretary: Kath Rich
Treasurer: Barbara Champness
With our Christmas gift money this year, we have taken some money from our funds to add
to our gift money and supported Tear Australia’s overseas work in poor countries by buying
some chickens, clean water and a toilet.
All members have had an enjoyable year of fellowship together and after a break over
Christmas and New Year will be looking forward to another year of friendship and fellowship
together.
Serviceton News
ere we are again fast approaching Christmas, Harvest, Holidays – New adventures
etc. As always the year has gone fast. Some of us have had a great year and others
have had a horrible year. Whatever our situation, we have a God who loves us, cares
for us and gives us strength and hope for the future.
Our Serviceton Ladies Fellowship group have 19 ladies booked in to go to the Bordertown
Hotel for our annual Christmas/AGM meeting on November 28th
. This is encouraging to see
in times where in a lot of other groups, numbers are diminishing. We have recently had a
family visit to Wayne Rabone’s great collection of memorabilia and back in September we
held our annual Progressive tea out North. Thank you to all who have opened up their homes,
organised an activity, prepared food, prepared a devotion or helped our group in any way
during the year.
It was great to have Kaniva join us for our annual Outdoor Service/ Sunday School Picnic at
Moree Reserve on a very warm Sunday in early November. Coming up we have our Church
and Sunday School Anniversary. Darryl Patterson will be our guest speaker for that. Darryl
and his family have been in Fiji for many years sharing God’s love. Presently Darryl and his
family live in Bordertown and Darryl works for his brother doing farm work. Other special
services coming up are:
Serviceton Community Carol Service Sunday Dec 23rd
7.30pm
at the Serviceton Uniting Church.
Christmas Day Service 9.00am at the Serviceton Uniting
Church.
Sunday School Pool Party and Outdoor Service at Darren and
Allyson Merrett’s home Sunday Feb 3rd
11.15am Shared lunch
to follow.
Please note Church Services will be at 9.00am from Sunday
Dec 30th
to Sunday Jan 27th inclusive.
After the anniversary our Sunday School will continue to meet for Carol Service preparation
and Christmas activities. If your children would like to be involved please let Graham and
Judith Carter know 53931223.
The Serviceton Bible Study group continues to meet fortnightly on Tuesdays in various
homes. This group is open to all ages. It is really encouraging to meet, look at God’s word
and pray with others. We usually break for a few weeks over Christmas/ harvest but will start
again sometime in the New Year.
The Young Adults group continue to meet weekly at 8.00pm on a Monday night. Quite a
number of the young adults plus some extras from Adelaide had a great weekend at Robe in
October. They had lots of fun, fellowship and faith building. This group also organises Night
Church at Kaniva the first Sunday of every month. Night Church is for all ages, backgrounds
and denominations to worship our God in a relaxed and friendly environment.
The Kaniva Youth Group is now meeting fortnightly with a regular group of youth enjoying
good clean fun and nurturing in their faith. Over 30 attended the bowling/ laser tag night in
Horsham recently. Coming up on Dec 7th
is the pool party/ water skirmish breakup.
Rides will also be available to the Bands night in Nhill on Dec 14th
.
H
Prior to Youth Group meetings plus a few extra activities including a recent sleepover at
Millie’s is the Prov31 group. This group is aimed at High School aged girls. The name
“Prov31” comes from Proverbs Chapter 31 which talks about being a “woman of God “. It is
really exciting to see the growth in this group – not just in numbers but their enthusiasm to
look at God’s word, pray for each other and reach out to others. Feel free to contact Millie
Carter 0403844548 for more information on this group.
Let us all continue to pray for each other and to reach out to those around us. Praying that this
Christmas, you will all know the real joy and peace that only Jesus Christ can give. Also we
pray that any one facing big changes will know that God is with them and He never lets us
down.
God’s Blessings
to you all
Judith Carter
Finding God
Where can we find the God who made
And wants us for his own?
How can we know the God by whom
All that is yet to be is known?
When shall we meet the God whose name
Each age has called on, cursed and blessed,
The God by whom both cosmic power
And new born baby are addressed?
God’s found where human life is prized,
And human worth affirmed and warmed;
Where hated hearts become forgiven
And untouched lives become transformed;
In lantern face of wisdom’s age,
In wide-eyed children’s fresh rapport,
In those with whom he bids us share
The things that heaven and earth are for.
God’s found where silence is not feared-
The silence which we seldom seek
In case our consciences rebel
Or God, in confidence, should speak;
The silence when our souls assess
Unfathomed sense conveyed by sound,
And that magnificence of love
Upon which heaven and earth are ground.
God’s found where he was set aside –
The last upset where faith went blind,
The fond, fake image still embraced
In the school playground of our mind;
Or in the test we set the Lord
To prove his interest, show his powers
To change the world to suit our will
As if both heaven and earth were ours.
God’s found in following Jesus Christ,
Who summons all to set aside
The mess and masks of daily life
Behind which things we often hide.
The finding comes through following close,
Inspired by trust, surprised by grace;
Both, contradicting common sense,
Make all of heaven and earth God’s place.
John Bell and Graham Maule
The Love of God
The love of God comes close
Where stands an open door
To let the stranger in,
To mingle rich and poor:
The love of God is here to stay
Embracing those who walk his way.
The peace of God comes close
To those caught in the storm,
Forgoing lives of ease
To ease the lives forlorn:
The peace of God is here to stay
Embracing those who walk his way.
The joy of God comes close
Where faith encounters fears,
Where heights and depths of life
Are found through smiles and tears:
The you of God is here to stay
Embracing those who walk his way.
The grace of God comes close
To those whose grace is spent,
When hearts are tired or sore
And hope is bruised or bent:
The grace of God is here to stay
Embracing those who walk his way.
The Son of God comes close
Where people praise his name,
Where bread and wine are blest
And shared, as when he came:
The Son of God is here to stay
Embracing those who walk his way.
John Bell and Graham Maule
A DEFINITION OF THE NEW YEAR
The new year is a door
By which we reach new fields
Of service for God and fellow man:
A door by which we can explore
Wide spheres of usefulness
Our world to bless,
And reap the sheaves God’s word of witness
yields
The new year is a task
Set by the master of our souls,
A little part of our life’s work below:
And so we ask holy wisdom which alone controls
Our Labour, teaching what and where to sow:
That the year, at its end
May show god’s glory and man’s profit blend.
The new year is a book
With many pages, and as yet all white
On which to write
The history of thought, and deed, and word
In this new group of days.
We pray thee, Lord,
As thou shalt look upon the book
When written over, may all be to Thy praise.
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
Serviceton Community Carol Service
Sunday Dec 23rd
7.30pm at the
Serviceton Uniting Church.
Christmas Day Service 9.00am at the Serviceton
Uniting Church.
Serviceton Church Services will be at 9.00am
from Sunday Dec 30th
to Sunday Jan 27th
inclusive.
February Services at Serviceton will continue to
commence at 11.15am.
Sunday School Pool Party and Outdoor Service
at Darren and Allyson Merrett’s home Sunday
Feb 3rd
, 11.15am
Shared lunch to follow.
Kaniva Community Carol Service
Sunday Dec 16th
7.30pm at the
Kaniva Shire Hall.
Kaniva Church Services for January only will
be at 10.30am (unless otherwise notified)
February Services at Kaniva commencing at
9.30am. permanently.
Kaniva Children’s Ministry returns in
February 2013. Sessions will be multi-aged
beginning at 3 years. If you are keen to help,
Contact Di Eastwood on 53922612 or
eastwood@netconnect.com.au.
Wishing each and everyone a safe and happy Christmas time
and New Year