Weekly News 24/04/2025
Rev Allison’s Messages
Sunday 27th April
Ainsley Cole will be leading worship this Sunday which will include acknowledgement of Anzac Day. Thank you, Ainsley, for your ministry.
Readings John 15: 9-17, Luke 24: 13-35
General reminder as winter approaches
Respiratory illnesses including flu, RSV and COVID continue to circulate in the community and we are coming into that time of the year when the risks increase. Many of us are eligible for vaccinations against one or more of these illnesses so please be encouraged to get the necessary boosters. We also encourage mask – wearing so please know you are free to wear a mask when you come to worship, to protect yourself and others.
Understanding Energy Policy: an online forum Monday 28th April 7pm – 8.30pm
In the election we are hearing lots of information about energy choices and the costs, but it can easily become confusing. This online forum for the Uniting Church community can help!
Uniting Climate and the Uniting Church National Assembly are co-hosting this online forum
What will the forum cover
In the first part of the evening, Rev Lindsay Cullen from Assembly, will remind us that Christians’ engagement in the political process is not just a right but also a responsibility. How can we respond thoughtfully to the issues of our time – voting with care and conscience as part of our faith?
In the second part, Dr Brad Smith from the Nature Conservation Council of NSW will examine the energy policies on offer this election and how they stack up. He’ll help us identify implications for an effective energy system, the cost of living, the health of our environment and stability of our climate.
How to register
You can register for this free online forum here. For more information contact Jon O’Brien at joobrien@uniting.org
Please see Coming Events on this website.
Activities coming up in May
Walking on Country 10th May
A local(ish) opportunity to build local knowledge and relationships with other Uniting Church people and with locals in the Woy Woy area. The attached flyer gives more details. The ticket cost is $85 (the actual cost of a ticket is a bit over $200 and Synod is subsidising that to bring it down to $85. The day will also include lunch).
If anyone has financial hardship issues but is really keen, please contact Nathan Tyson who will be able to assist 0474 908 460 nathant@nswact.uca.org.au
I will be attending and will have room in my car for anyone who would like a lift.
Community Lunch Sunday 18th May
The Church Council has begun to organise these lunches to give us an opportunity for us – especially those who are newer to our congregation – to get to know each other better.
You’re invited to stay on after morning tea for extended conversation and a planned activity before lunch is served around 11.30-12. There is no cost and everyone (including family and friends) are invited.
Caring for the Earth – Saturday 24th May
Rev Dr Jione Havea will be coming to Toronto to lead this day. Jione is the Mission Catalyst – Stewardship of the Earth for the Uniting Church in NSW/ACT. https://www.nswact.uca.org.au/team/jione-havea/
This day consists of two sessions. You can choose to attend either, or both.
(1) 10.30am – 12 noon: Bible and Society – read, judge, act. Exploring what the Bible says to people of faith about participation in social and political action.
(2) 1pm – 2.30pm: Pasifika as Neighbour. How can we understand, collaborate and be in solidarity with our neighbours in the Pacific who are experiencing the impact of climate change?
Registration is free (we will invite a donation to support Pasifika climate action).
If attending the whole day, please BYO lunch. Tea and coffee provided.
To register, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1386053
Prayer for Peace
Please see the Blog on this website
Notices for the Coming Weeks
Service on Sunday 27th April – A Message from Ainsley
Do you have any ANZAC memorabilia? If so, we would be grateful if you would consider bringing it to church on Sunday to add to a table display to commemorate Anzac Day 2025. Thank you for your assistance.
Yarn Bombing Notice from Astrid
The 16 Days of Activism is an annual campaign that calls for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and children and is held in November/December each year. Zonta Hunter/Newcastle use this as a time of advocacy to raise awareness of this the community. In recent years a display of ‘yarn bombing’ (knitting) has been held on Warners Bay foreshore, and this year will be on Toronto foreshore. Would you like to be involved? All you need to do is knit – any colour, various lengths of knitting in widths that can be then wrapped around trees. Signs will be placed to advise community what the display symbolises. Allison has suggested a ‘knitathon’ – Astrid & Tricia are members of Zonta as well as Hearts and Hands and both are involved this year. Toronto Uniting Church can be involved – though it is not about individual organisations – but a united front. Lake Macquarie City Council are also involved. If you’d like to be involved, start knitting – as well as come along to our first ‘knitathon”.
Toronto knitting ladies busy again this year
Beanies were donated to Cessnock Uniting Church where in conjunction with Lions, Rotary and other groups, meals are served each weekday (& sometimes on Saturday) from their Church kitchen to needy folk in that area. Many thanks from Laraine.
Walking on Country – 10th May at Woy Woy
Please see Coming Events on this website
Saltbush Gathering 17th May at Singleton
Please see Coming Events on this website
Climate Change Workshops – Saturday 24th May
Please see Coming Events on this website
Winter Fashion Parade with Allira – Saturday 14th June at 2pm
You are all invited to this event which is being held in conjunction with Allira Op Shop (next to the church). Last year we held a very successful Summer fashion parade and this will be the Winter version. The parade is both a fund-raising venture for our church and also an event to encourage the recycling of clothes and other goods. For Allira, it is also a fund-raising venture to help support the Allira Women’s Refuge. As well as selling second hand goods, Allira has approximately 15 ways in which they recycle goods they cannot sell to stop those unused goods being sent to landfill. There are many ways which you can be involved in the fashion parade, as well as coming along on the day. We are still in need of help with the following: –
Donating/making a prize for the raffle and/or lucky door (can be recycled)
Donating a plate of food for and/or helping with afternoon tea
Helping with advertising, especially word of mouth
Asking a friend or two along to the parade
Please see Yvonne or Jan if you are able to help in any way.
Dates for your Diary
World Vision – Saturday 26th April at Warner’s Bay Bowling Club
Sunday Worship Service – Sunday 27th April at 9am – Ainsley Cole
Prayer for Peace – Sunday 27th April – in your own home
Men’s Coffee – Monday 28th April at 10.30am at Market St Cafe, Wangi
Online Energy Forum – Monday 28th April (see notice)
World Vision – Thursday 1st May at 10am at the Toronto Workers Club
Care’n Share – Thursday 1st May at 12.30pm
Walking on Country – Saturday 10th May (see notice)
Community Lunch – Sunday 18th May at 11.30am
Climate Workshops – Saturday 24th May
Some Dates for your Diary over the coming months
Congregational Meeting – Sunday 8th June after church
Winter Fashion Parade with Allira – Saturday 14th June at 2pm
Jan’s Thought for the Week
“We remember the many Australian Soldiers who gave their lives during World War 1 in defence of the great freedom that we often take for granted today, we will remember them”
Presbytery Prayer 27th April
St Luke’s Belmont is a congregation that has two morning services each Sunday and a Dinner Church on a
Sunday evening. As well as the normal groups and activities, St Luke’s also has four groups with a large
proportion of the members being from the community – Monday morning Activity Centre, Tuesday Quilting group and Playgroup on Friday morning. In addition, we have a very active Community Garden.
Prayer
We pray for Rev Greg McConnell and the members of St Luke’s Uniting Church – Belmont and for the many groups and activities within the congregation. We pray for their community activities – Activity Centre, Quilting group and Playgroup – especially for those who lead and those who attend. We pray for those who organise and work in St Luke’s Community Garden.