Our Vision
A Community Transforming Lives
Our Values Grace, Inclusion, Dignity,
Faith and Hope
Our News
23rd August 2015
Uniting Church
in Australia
Parramatta Mission:
Congregational life@ Westmead & Parramatta
& Hospitality, Community and Mental Health Services across Greater Sydney
and beyond
Leigh CONGREGATION
THANK YOU - PARRAMATTA PARK SERVICE
Many thanks to everyone who helped to make last Sunday's service in the park so special. We had amazingly warm and sunny weather, a wonderful response from all congregations and it was great to share our time together so meaningfully - worshipping God in the open air & embracing our mutual past, present & future. The tour of the Walter Lawry Methodist Memorial Park at North Parramatta after lunch also went well. Please see our photos in this edition of the newsletter, with many thanks to Mario & Tracey for their assistance. ANNIVERSARY BOOK - SAMUEL LEIGH PARRAMATTA MISSION PIONEER
Our Anniversary book is now for sale @ just $10.00 per copy. Features include Samuel Leigh's adventurous life story, articles by Keith, Clive, Liz, Christine, Manas, Ini & Ian, re-printed editions of our 2015 ANZAC & Heritage Sunday booklets & our recent congregation photos. A bonus colour 'Supplement' containing details/ photos from our Anniversary celebration so far will also be available to the first 50 purchasers. Books will be available at the services today - and then afterwards from the Mission office - or from Liz at Leigh, Ini at Leigh Fijian or Lorna at Westmead. Thanks very much to everyone who has already bought a copy! THANK YOU - WOMEN'S HIGH TEA & WOMEN'S PEACE BANNER
Deepest appreciation is expressed to everyone who assisted before, during & after yesterday's High Tea, which included our keynote speaker, Rev. Park - and the beautiful results of our combined congregation's sewing/ embroidery project for the 'Women's Peace Banner' - plus plenty of lovely home made cakes and slices. Thanks to all our seamstresses, embroiders & other creative women who contributed a square to our banner project. Photos will appear in next week's newsletter. TONIGHT - HERITAGE COLLOQUIUM @ LEIGH MEMORIAL
Between 6.30 - 8.30pm tonight, there will be a 'Heritage Colloquium' in the Coffee Shop. This will involve challenging presentations and a discussion time. Guest Presenters will include Assoc.Prof. William Emilsen & Rev. Dr. Clive Pearson. Dessert & Coffee will be included in the program. The event is free & open to all.
ABRAHAM FAITH CONFERENCE
Coming this week - a key 'inter-faith' event at the Fellowship Centre: Wednesday 26 August inc. Dinner, Keynote Speaker & Discussion at the Fellowship Centre Hall. Enquiries: Manas & the LM Leaders' team. SUNDAY SCHOOL @ LEIGH + LEIGH FIJIAN - CASTLEREAGH OUTING!
On Sunday 30 August, we'll be heading to the historic Castlereagh Church site for a Picnic Lunch. This will be the final event on our 200th Anniversary calendar. Please BYO lunch & drinks. Times: approx. 11.30 - 4.00pm - come & go as you're able. Transport will be by car (approx. 35 min drive/ directions will be provided). Please see Sunday School leaders for details. NB: All ages, friends & family are welcome to join in too.
Ken (cover designer) & Liz with the Parramatta Mission
Anniversary book
SAMUEL LEIGH PARRAMATTA MISSION
PIONEER (+ MORE!!)
$10.00 per copy (large & small print versions - with
the same content - available).
Purchase from Liz at Leigh, Ini at Leigh Fijian & Lorna at Westmead
or the Mission Office.
Thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy so far!
PARRAMATTA PARK
COMBINED CONGREGATIONS
SERVICE + WALTER LAWRY MEMORIAL
PARK TOUR
Samuel Leigh 200th Anniversary - Sunday, 16
AUGUST 2015
FELLOWSHIP OF THE LEAST COIN
Have you been saving your 5c pieces? Or, you can begin now.
The world-wide collection of each country’s LEAST COIN of their currency to be given to the needy, is on again.
Australia’s least currency is the 5c piece. Think of, and pray for those less fortunate than yourself as you place your 5c in
a little bag. Beverly will happily give you a bag. Donations are to be collected before 18th October.
HAPPY 'SPECIAL' BIRTHDAY MARIO!
Among all the special birthdays at Leigh Memorial this year, there is another: "Happy 60th birthday"
Mario for 26 August. Lots of love & have a wonderful day - from your family & friends here and in Mauritius (inc. Mum, Amy and Dad, Luc-Serge - and twin brother, Gino who send greetings) & your
church family too. Thanks for everything that you do & for the gifts that you share.
Rock on Super Mario!!!!
With best wishes for your big birthday
Coral, Tracey & Donna xxxx
WESTMEAD CONGREGATION
Monday last week saw a change of leadership in the congregational council with Jan Robson stepping down as chairperson of the council. We are so grateful for all the work Jan has put in during this time, and wish to express our deep-felt thanks to her. We are also glad she has the ability to step down at this time to spend some more time with her family, as well as continuing some of the things in the congregation Thanks you so much Jan. Robyne has stepped up into the Acting Chairperson role until we have new elections. There will be a review of the various activities and roles within the congregation so the council can find a better way of sharing the many jobs across the congregation- especially as we have some new technology and new people who might wish to be more involved. Thanks Robyne for stepping up into this role at this time. The combined worship in the park occurred with many people from Westmead absent due to ill health or needing to protect themselves from the weather. We appreciate all who have attended and hope the continuing celebrations of Samuel Leigh are fantastic events for the whole of Parramatta Mission. Rose had a fantastic time and it was a real blessing for those of us who could see her beaming face. It was a great service and it was good to be there. The hedge along Hawkesbury Road has been removed and it is amazing the difference in the visibility of the grounds. We will continue to work on improving our visibility for the range of activities across the week as well as on Sunday. Please pray for God’s Spirit to continue to grow the congregation and its activities but for all of us to grow in being able to live out our discipleship in working to transforming people’s lives in the name of Christ. On Wednesday we said goodbye to Mary McTaggart. Mary was nearly 104 and had been a part of Open Door in the early days. Many people remembered her, some visited her regularly and it was an opportunity to say thank you to God for a life well lived. Wednesday also saw us host the Mission Zone meeting and it was good to have so many people from different congregations present. We are booking the date: 27th September 12.30 on for a casual gathering in Parramatta Park for all who would like to attend. More information to follow. Please remember to pray each day around 9.00 am if you can for God’s Spirit to bring more opportunities for offering hospitality, sharing faith and offering care and compassion in the name of Christ.
1 Kings 8:1-6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43
1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelities, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. 2 All the people of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the festival in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark. 4 so they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levities brought them up. 5 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 6 Then the priests brought the ark of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. 10 And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. 23 He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, 24 the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. 25 Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26 Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David. 27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! 28 Regard your servants prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, “My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive. 41 “Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name 42 – for they shall hear, and your outstretched arm – when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, 43 then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.
Reflection c
Last Sunday the three congregations and faith community of Parramatta Mission gathered in Parramatta Park for an ”open air” church service. All the elements were there, gathering, songs, prayers, reading of the scriptures, message, sending and blessings. It was a glorious day to be outside. Our gathering was not intended to be a public witness, however it was. People were curious to see and hear what was happening. One does not need to be in a building. We could meet in any place, though this is now the second time in 18 months we have gathered under the same tree to worship God.
c
Places can become sacramental and symbolic, pointing to a meaning beyond the physical. People of my age can remember driving down Parramatta Road, and turning off at the Peak Freans corner. A lot of Sydney siders were discombobulated when the Peak Freans building was demolished. Now we use the Bunnings building as a marker point.
c
Over the past 25 years people have increasingly made road side places of fatal car accidents into shrines of remembrance to the lost loved one. The place becomes a symbol of not only where someone died, but a sobering warning to motorists about that particular piece of road. Gatherings are still held at the Bold Street Bridge, 38 years after the Granville train disaster. Such places as these can become a place of memory and for some a sacred place.
c
Being creatures of habit we tend to worship in the same place. It is a big deal for a congregation to remove their place of prayer to another. While we can pray anywhere, many find a routine of daily prayer in a certain place, and weekly communal prayer in a certain place, both calming and comfortable.
c
That was no less true in the ancient times of King Solomon. A temple was built, and the opening marked with great pageantry. This scripture marks a transition from a place of sacrifice to a place of prayer. The prayer by the king makes for interesting reading. It begins with acknowledgement of the greatness and grandeur of God who fills the whole earth. The plea is that God will heed the prayers and look upon the temple with favour day and night, and will also forgive the people. Foreigners are also remembered in the prayer.
c
Then and now buildings can become signposts of places where people gather to pray, and of the God to whom the people pray. But the important point is the prayer, more so than the place.
c
Blessings, Keith Hamilton
WESLEY APARTMENTS
We have something to celebrate at Wesley Apartments and we would like you to be a part of it...
Wesley Apartments provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill or injured children who are undergoing treatment at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. The comfort of a cosy two bedroom apartment just across the road from the hospital with the additional benefit of a dedicated support worker, means families from regional areas are supported through their time of crisis. The trauma of having a child in hospital affects all members of the family including parents, siblings, grandparents and all those close to the child. Wesley Apartments allows families to spend more time where it is needed most – at the bedside of their child. Wesley Apartments is an activity of Parramatta Mission.
Parramatta Mission has been providing services to people who are homeless, people facing crisis and people living with mental illness for over 40 years. The Mission’s programs are delivered through UnitingRecovery Mental Health, UnitingHope Community Services, and UnitingHospitality Services from multiple sites across Greater Sydney, extending to the Central Coast, beyond the Blue Mountains, Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and Liverpool.
With a vision of transforming lives we are always looking forward to better our services and provide the best support and care for those in need. We endeavour to live out our values of grace, dignity, inclusion, faith and hope through support and life affirming outcomes for those who enter and utilise our services and programs.
So please save Sat 31st October to come and celebrate with us.
For further Messy Church information or to RSVP for 13 September, please see Samantha at Leigh Memorial (or call 0423 668 0430) -
or leave a message with Coral: 9891-2277.
시드니 조은 교회 Sydney Jo-Eun Church 13-34
열 세 번째 성령강림주일 (13th Pentecost of Sunday)
개회 찬송 (Entrance Hymn) 예배를 위한 묵상
예배의 부름 (Calling) 전현구 목사
송영 (Gloria)
사도신경 신앙고백 (The Apostle’s Creed) …………………………… .다함께
찬양/찬송 (Chorus & Hymns)
기도 (Prayer) 다함께
주기도문송
성경 봉독 (Scripture Reading)
말씀 (Preaching)- 조계주 목사
봉헌 찬송 (Offertory Hymn)
나눔과 알림 (Announcement & Notices)
폐회 찬송 (Final Hymn)
축도 (Benediction) 전현구 목사
새 6장 통 2장
새29장 통 29장
새464장 통406장
새195장 통261장
요한복음5:1-15
치유와 거룩함
새 635 장 하늘에 계신 우리 아버지
새353장 통317장
수요기도회 :오후 7시
벧후2:1-9
새벽기도회 : 오전6시
벧후1:1-3:8-18
QT나눔 & 성경공부
주일 오후4:00
할렐루야! 오늘 함께 예배드린 여러분에게 주님이 주시는 평안이 충만하시길 축복합니다
성령충만함으로 주께서 주신 사명 잘 감당하는 건강한 교회로 세워지길 기도합니다.
매일 성경으로 묵상하는 QT를 하고 적용하는 훈련을 합니다. 한 영혼을 구원하는 전도에 자원하는 마음으로 열심히 동참합니다. 주님과 함께 동행하며 기뻐하고 즐거워하는 한 주간이 되시길 축복합니다.
성도여 다함께
곤한 내영혼 편히 쉴 곳과
이세상의 모든 죄를
찬양 성부 성자 성령
주일 오후 1시 30
내 주 예수 주신 은혜
새502장 통 259장 빛의 사자들이여 어서가서(1)
Parramatta Mission projects supported in the Uniting Church
Please pray for: Living as a multicultural church Ministry with people in prison Ministry with hospital patients living with a mental illness Hospital chaplaincy with patients, staff & families
Foster your faith this week as you read:
Song 2:8-13 Ps 45:1-2,6-9 Jas 1:17-27 Mk 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
Pastoral message for this week…..
Be open to forgive yourself
and others
Keith and Julie Hamilton will be away from 28 August until 4 October. Julie will be sightseeing, and Keith will be on a study tour as they travel through Ireland, England and USA. During this time, Karen Burns will be the acting Group CEO. All matters that usually go to Keith should be directed to Karen during this time.
Mary and Clive Pearson will be the guest writers
of the newsletter reflections for the whole of September.
Fijian Congregation
Yabaki 200 ni isevu ni Talatala ni Lotu Wesele e NSW ena veiqaravi nei Revd Samuel Leigh
23 ni Okosita - 6pm. Colloquium e na Coffee Shop.
30 ni Okosita - 12pm “Parramatta Mission Kids, Youth & Families Outing” to Castlereagh Church. Pack your lunch!!!
Sa tekivu na veivosaki ni JNC ni lesilesi ni Talatala. Kerei na noda veimasulaki.
Kerei tikoga na nomuni nanamaki ka vakavakarau na tama ena nomuni Siga Tabu
Vunau Vunau
Lesi Vunau
Vakarau Tuvakarau Veiliutaki
Tali Vunau
30-Aug Fiji Parish Anare Vocea Fil Kamotu M.1 M.2
6-Sep Siga Tabu ni Tama
13-Sep Sosi Toa Vili Kamotu Youth
Worship Services at Parramatta Mission
Mon to Fri 9.00am - 2.00pm Open Church @ Leigh Memorial Tuesday 1.10pm Holy Communion @ Leigh Sunday 9.30am Leigh Memorial Congregation @ Leigh 9.45am Westmead Congregation @ Westmead 11.15am Leigh Fijian Congregation @ Leigh
1.30pm Korean Faith Community @ Leigh 7.00pm Praise, Prayer, Cake & Coffee @ Leigh
We pray for healing & wholeness for these people & places: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
UC congregations of the Cumberland Zone: Dundas/Ermington, Northmead, North Rocks, Carlingford, West Epping, Centenary, Wentworthville, Holroyd, Greystanes, Grantham Heights, Parramatta Mission, Auburn.
For the worship, witness and service of: Abbotsbury UC ‘Gateway’ to the burgeoning South-West Sector of Sydney, to which this congregation has a missional commitment which we pray will be realised.
P M Leigh Fijian: Dale Tonawai & Silo, Sai Vute, Kula Diqoliwasa, Niko Balavu, Bera family. For the congregation beginning the process of calling a new minister
PM Leigh Memorial: Frank & Lynn; Ken and Nell. The Abraham Faith Conference.
PM Westmead: Doreen and David, Robyn and Greg, Deidre and husband, Rajes (Sandra), Phyllis, Billie, Vita, Satik, Nancy, Ashlee, Mrs R, Olivia, Ruth, The Buckley family, baby James and family.
PM UnitingHospitality; UnitingHope; UnitingRecovery; Pray for grace for all, healing and wholeness, wisdom, patience, diligence and fulfilment in work.
PM: Members of staff and congregants on overseas holidays; That we of PM might be good news to all people we meet, and walk with on the journey of life.
Leigh Memorial Congregation Rev Dr Manas Ghosh: 0429 892 548 Leigh Memorial Church 119 Macquarie St Parramatta
Leigh Fijian Congregation: 9891 2277
Senior Minister/ Group CEO Rev Keith Hamilton M: 0417 487 446 Westmead Mission Worker Pastor Trish Rooney Mobile: 0478 301 698
Westmead Congregation Rev Christine Bayliss Kelly 0409 925 607
Westmead Church 175 Hawkesbury Road Westmead: 98919354 Church Office: 9891 2277 Email : [email protected]
Prayer Points
Contacts
