Weekly News 28/03/2025
Rev Allison’s Messages
Worship Service – 30th March
The service this Sunday will be led by Mrs Barbara Dufty, who has been known to some of us for a very long time, going back to when her husband the late Rev Don Dufty was the minister at Toronto. Barbara is a member and lay leader at Morisset. I know she will bring God’s word to our community in a meaningful way.
Bible readings: Genesis 45:3 – 11, 15 and Luke 6:27 – 38
I will be sharing in worship with our friends at Wangi Uniting Church.
Lent Event
In this fourth week of Lent, we will hear another story from Tonga. Participating in Lent Event is an opportunity to practise the spiritual disciplines of generosity and prayer for others, and also to make a practical difference to communities in the Pacific most impacted by poverty and climate change.
Watch an introductory video, and learn more about how you can take action, here https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/event/lent-event/home
Meditation Day – Saturday 29th March
This will be of interest to regular attenders at our weekly Christian Meditation time, as well as anyone who has a Christian meditation practice. An opportunity to meet with others and meditate together. Please see the attached flyer. At least two of us from Toronto will be attending, so there will be a car with spare seats available.
Sunday Worship Roster
Thanks to those who have rostered themselves to participate in a service during April. The roster for that month is largely complete but some spaces remain available. A hard copy of the April roster is on the greeters table in the foyer, along with a roster for May on the reverse side.
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.
Quiet Time before worship
This morning the Worship Team discussed the conduct of quiet time before worship. The team spoke of noticing a steady increase in the volume of conversation in the church before worship, and noted that a short period of silence is helpful to many folks.
So, the team has set some guidelines for the quiet time, as follows:
Before 9:00am – music on piano
9:00am – the meditation bowl is sounded, and quiet time will begin. There will be 3 minutes of silence (with no music) during this time.
9:05 approx – Brief welcome and announcements, followed by the Call to Worship.
This is a suggested solution and the Worship Team will continue to monitor it. If you have any questions or comments, please speak to me or a member of that team.
Livestream Monitoring – call for assistance
Each Sunday our worship service is livestreamed on a private YouTube channel, to members and friends who cannot physically get to church. If you are present in the church, you will be aware that this is facilitated by two people at the sound desk: a camera / sound operator and a PowerPoint operator.
But – you may not be aware there is a third role involved in making the livestream happen: the Livestream Monitor. This person’s job is to view and listen to the livestream in the church, in order to notice any issues with sound or vision, and if needed, alert the livestream operator to any problems.
Practically every week since we began livestreaming worship, Rick Brownell has done this task. It is important to share this responsibility amongst some more people, to give Rick some weeks when he gets to participate in worship without distraction.
This is an easy task which requires minimal tech knowledge and equipment is provided. Could I ask you to give prayerful consideration to assisting with this? Please speak to me or to Rick if you want to know more.
Exploring Christian beliefs and belonging to the Uniting Church
Are you interested in exploring what it means for you to live as a disciple of Jesus? Would you like to dig a bit deeper into Christian beliefs from the perspective of the Uniting Church?
I will be offering a six week small group study between Easter and Pentecost this year. This group will be helpful for you if you want to:
- Explore adult baptism or confirmation
- Want to learn more about the Uniting Church, or
- Would like to reflect on Christian beliefs a little more deeply or systematically.
The group will commence in the week beginning 28th April, and end in the week beginning 2nd June.
Time and format of meetings will depend on the needs of those who express interest.
Please get in touch with me if you want to know more – 0472 618 784 or allisonf@nswact.uca.org.au
Worship Information for Sunday 30th March 2025
Prayer for Peace
Please see the Blog on this website
Notices for the Coming Weeks
A message from Rev Rob Hanks from Hamilton
Hi Folks,
This Community Group, Peace Movement, Multi-faith PEACE GATHERING has a long history and we’re working hard to ’nail down’ the Speakers!
Islington Peace Park from 2pm to 4pm at latest! Music, reflection, shade of the trees… committing to and advocating for justice and peace everywhere!
Please spread the word, we need people committed to Peace turning up in support, to be encouraged, to get informed!
Saltbush Gathering 17th May at Singleton
Please see Coming Events on this website
United Climate Action Network Activation
A federal election is on the horizon. As people of faith, we are called to care for creation and seek the common good.
Taking strong action to address the climate crisis is an exercise in loving our neighbour and standing for justice.
Uniting Church congregations across the country are taking part in a Uniting Climate Action Network Activation—a month of public actions to show our leaders that everyday Australians, including people of faith, care deeply about strong climate policies.
Each week, we’ll take a simple but meaningful action to make our voices heard. This week, the suggestion is to write a postcard to your local members. We will have some postcards for you to use on Sunday or you may like to print your own!
Dates for your Diary
Singing Practice – Friday 28th March at 10am
Christian Meditation – Friday 28th March at 11am
Street Stall on Lawn – Friday 28th March
World Vision Lunch – Saturday 29th March at Warners Bay Bowling Club
Sunday Worship Service – Sunday 30th March at 9am – Mrs Barbara Dufty
Prayer for Peace – Sunday 30th March – in your own home
Men’s Coffee – Monday 31st March at 10am at Market St Cafe, Wangi
World Vision Meeting – 3rd April at 10am at Toronto Workers Club
Care’n Share – 3rd April at 12.30pm
Jan’s Thought for the Week
“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.”