COMMUNITY NEWS FOR TODAY & THE COMING WEEK

Raymond S: guest preacher 18 Sept

Since he completed the course of study at CTM Parkville in 2017, Raymond has wide experience as a Lay Preacher in nearby congregations of Port Phillip West Presbytery.
Raymond grew up in Fiji, attending High School there, then he completed a BA Hons degree at Victoria University, Wellington NZ. With diplomas in Personnel Management and Business, he worked in industrial relations at Fiji Sugar Corporation, Fiji. His wife Virginia, also from a Methodist background, studied at Auckland University and completed teacher training at Sydney Teachers College. She taught at several Methodist High Schools in Fiji. They have three children and four grandchildren. They lived in Beaumaris Victoria, then Auckland for several years, and settled in Point Cook in 2009.

WCC Assembly Moderator reflects

“Since the beginning of the WCC in 1948 most of the time and even now many nations and communities were and are wounded and broken. A look at church life indicates many schisms whose impact remains unabated, although churches have come closer to each other as illustrated by inter and intra confessional dialogues, thanks to the work of WCC and other partners,” she said.
Dr A is a leader of the World Council of Churches’ “Thursdays in Black” movement to resist gender violence. She said: “I engage in “Thursdays in Black” because sexual and gender violence is a living reality in our churches, in our homes and in the public square. There is not a single church that cannot testify to the impact of this menace.”
“It is our Christian mandate to speak and work for justice and peace. My vision is that men and women will become sensitive and be able to appreciate the dignity of each other,” she said. (NT)

Dorothy R would like her Crossroads friends to she has changed her address. Contact the office for details.

Church Fête

Church council have agreed to have a Church Fete on 15 October 2022, 9am until 2pm.
We will set up as many stalls as possible—depending on our volunteers.
In the past we have had Devonshire teas in the foyer, A barbeque outside, Books, Cakes, Jams, Craft, Nearly New and Secondhand Jewellery inside and, of course, Plants and Trash and Treasure outside.
Please put this date in your diary now and let Alan T or any of our Church councillors know if you would like to help on the day. (Margaret G)

Operation Christmas Child

It’s time to pack your shoeboxes! Operation Christmas Child is a hands-on way for you to bless children in need and living in vulnerable situations, by filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. Many children after receiving a shoebox are invited to participate in The Greatest Journey Bible classes which has seen over 26.5 million children make decisions to follow Christ since 2009. Last year Crossroads folk packed over 100 shoeboxes and over 700 were collected from the local community. To start packing, individuals and families can use a shoebox from home or pick up pre-printed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and brochures from the Church Office.
Pack a shoebox today and be a part of this life-changing project. Filled shoeboxes must be returned to Crossroads by 31st October. For more information, please talk to Rose on 0403 812444. (Rose G)

Blessing of the beasts: October 2 service

Chocky (pictured)

The ancient Christian ritual “the blessing of the animals” is celebrated often in churches, some congregations bringing real live creatures to worship service. Here at Crossroads, we invite members of the church to provide a photo of a beloved pet, and to send it to Robert R robert.renton@bigpond.com during this month (deadline Tuesday 27 Sep) for blessing in the worship service on Sunday 2 October – preacher: the Rev. Sandy Boyce. (NT)

Volunteers are always needed to keep our congregation going!

FIRST AID OFFICER
Crossroads needs a volunteer First Aid Officer who:

• has a current first aid and CPR certificate (or is willing to obtain them).
• be able to access and manage first aid processes and techniques in a calm manner
• be physically able to perform techniques such as CPR resuscitation
• be aware of both your own and others well-being
• can ensure the first aid kit is fully stocked at all times
• be able to fill out incident reports and liase with the congregation and Synod to eliminate risks.

FOOD SAFETY SUPERVISOR
Crossroads will need a volunteer Food Safety Supervisor from November 2022 who will:

• hold a current Food Safety Supervisor certificate (or be willing to obtain one)
• ensure the kitchen complies with all relevant food safety standards
• perform checks on the kitchen for any breaches of food safety
• act as a point of contact for all food handlers in the church as well as food safety authorities
• ensure all volunteers in the kitchen maintain a high standard of hygiene
• consult on the preparation of meals at self-catered camps.

WORKPLACE SAFETY OFFICER OH&S
Church facilities and worship centres are workplaces and we are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all occupants, such as employees, clients, congregation members, visitors, contractors and volunteers.
Crossroads needs a volunteer Safety Officer who:

• will coordinate health and safety systems.
• will identify hazards, assess risks to health and safety, put appropriate safety controls in place and provide advice about accident prevention and occupational health to Church council and the congregation.

If you can help, please contact the Church office ASAP
Help is needed now for our congregation to keep all our activities going!

What’s On This Week

• Monday: 9.30am Playgroup
• Tuesday: 11 am Church Council Executive
• Wednesday: 1pm UCAF (All welcome)
• Thursday: 9.30am Gardening Group (Crossroads)
• Sunday: 11.30am Beach Patrol

Bible Readings – 28 AUGUST 2022

Jeremiah 18:1–11; Philemon 1–21; Luke 14:25–33; Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18

ROSTERS: