Weekly News 15/05/2025
Rev Allison’s Messages
Sunday 18th May
9am service readings: Acts 15:1-21; Luke 2:29-32
Today’s reading from Acts tells how the first leaders of the church struggled with balancing what was really important. Suddenly the church were welcoming people from all sorts of backgrounds and traditions, and trying to bring them under all the old rules too. It was causing a rift; it was causing a deal of unrest. So, they did what they could: they sought wisdom from the apostles and elders and they prayed for God’s guidance. The answer was simple, we are saved not by what we do or say, but only by the grace of Jesus. How we can learn from this? As you read and prepare for worship, reflect on how God’s grace has enabled you and ask again for the grace you need, when you need it.
Wild Wonder
Wild Wonder meets this Sunday, this time at our church, and will join in our Community Lunch. Details on the attached flyer, or here https://www.facebook.com/share/1AjQKjcHJY/
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 when you come to worship if you are in any way vulnerable.
With Love to the World
Sample copies of the current issue of With Love to the World copies are available in the church foyer. Please feel free to take a sample of this daily Bible reading and prayer resource produced by Uniting Church theologians and ministers.
Community Lunch Sunday 18th May
The Church Council organises 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 11.45-12. There is no cost and everyone (including family and friends) are invited.
Caring for the Earth – Saturday 24th May
Please see the attached flyer. There is also a Facebook page for the event https://www.facebook.com/share/1FCaUKuYoA/
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/
To register, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1386053
Walking on Country at Woy Woy – 24th May
Please see the attached flyer. 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
Sunday Worship Roster
The worship roster for June is available for signups on a table in the church foyer.
Please know that anyone is welcome to participate in worship, whether you have done so in the past or not. Please talk to Rev Allison or someone named on the roster, if you want to know more about any of the roles listed.
Prayer for Peace
Please see the Blog on this Website
Notices for the Coming Weeks
Stewardship of the Earth Conference Saturday 14th June
Please see Coming Events on this website
Cardboard Needed!
Ainsley is putting out a call for any unwanted cardboard that you may be looking to get rid of. The church gardeners will make good use of it. A great way to recycle!
Notice from Jan re the Election Pre Poll
Thank you to all people who met the challenge of the Pre-Poll held over the past two weeks. Welcoming over 10,000 people to our facility was an amazing achievement and the result both conversationally and financially, was most rewarding. Again, a very big Thank You to all.
As a result of Pre-Poll Care’n Share have been gifted materials for making Teddy Bears. If you know of anybody interested in making bears and would appreciate this material, please let me know. Included with the fabric are some beautiful pattern books for all types of craft. Jan
Knitathon for Yarn Bombing – Friday 23rd May
Come along to Astrid’s home on Friday 23rd May to enjoy knitting for the Yarn Bombing of Toronto Foreshore at the end of the year.
Caring for the Earth Workshops – Saturday 24th May at 10.30am
Please see Coming Events on this Website
Walking on Country – 24th May at Woy Woy
Please see Coming Events on this website
Morisset Autumn Concert – Sunday 25th May at 1.30pm – $10
Please see Coming Events on this website
Wangi Wangi Crop Swap – Saturday 31st May at 9am.
Please see Coming Events on this website
Winter Fashion Parade with Allira – Saturday 14th June at 2pm
Please see Coming Events on this website
Request for Donations towards Carpet Cleaning
The carpet in the Church has been professionally cleaned at the cost of $1400.00. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of this cleaning, please enclose your donation in an envelope clearly labelled “Donation to offset cost of carpet cleaning.” All donations thankfully received. Thank You, Jan
Dates for your Diary
Church Council Meeting tonight – Thursday 15th May at 7.30pm
Singing Practice – Friday 16th May at 10am
Christian Meditation – Friday 16th May at 11am
Sunday Worship Service – Sunday 18th May at 9am – Rev Allison Forrest
Wild Wonder – Sunday 18th May at 10.30am
Community Lunch – Sunday 18th May at 11.30am
Prayer for Peace – Sunday 18th May – in your own home
Worship Team – Thursday 22nd May at 10am
Kinship Carers – Thursday 22nd May
Climate Workshops – Saturday 24th May
Walking on Country – Saturday 24th May
Some Dates for your Diary for June
Biggest Morning Tea – Thursday 5th June (more details to come)
Congregational Meeting – Sunday 8th June after church
Meet the Locals U3A – Wednesday 11th June at 2.30
Winter Fashion Parade with Allira – Saturday 14th June at 2pm
Stewardship of the Earth Conference – Saturday 14th June
Ladies Lunch at Lynn’s – Saturday 28th June
Jan’s Thought for the Week
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
Presbytery Prayer Sunday 18th May
Black Hill Uniting Church
Black Hill Uniting Church meets every Sunday @ 10:30am, with a regular attendance of 10-12 people. We are a truly rural church, with a functioning cemetery and very strong community and historical ties to the local community. One of our main community events is our annual Christmas Carols evening, with over 100 people regularly attending. We have a small hall that is regularly used for congregation and extended church family events, where community members of other denominations regularly “catch up”.
We look forward to increasing our connections to the wider community through more of these events. We have many people connected to us through family history and relatives laid to rest in our cemetery. Our continued presence in the Black Hill community and contact with them is very important, even though some are as far away as New Zealand, their support for us remains strong.
Prayer
We pray for the leaders and congregation of Black Hill Uniting Church as they continue to maintain the buildings, grounds, cemetery and historic significance of this rural church, whilst bringing the community together by continuing to be a place of welcoming hospitality and friendship to the wider community.