We acknowledge the original custodians, the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin alliance, of the land on which our buildings of worship stand and on which we gather.
COMMUNITY NEWS FOR TODAY & THE COMING WEEK
Uniting Wyndham update
This writer talked with Deborah G, team leader of housing workers at Uniting Wyndham and Barwon region.
“After the lengthy hiatus with Covid, when many of us worked from home, it’s good to be back in the office next door to Crossroads Uniting Church,” says Deb.
A positive step of the Victorian Government throughout the lockdown period was that it ensured sufficient funding so that rough sleepers in this State were accommodated. Single adults were safe and secure.
Due to the funding reduction our single adults are now back to square one, back sleeping rough. Due to the lack of income or no income of our New Zealand families and international students they were also not funded to remain in emergency accommodation.
Deborah says: “Regarding accommodation in the City of Wyndham, emergency accommodation was available at Monte Villa Motel near Hoppers Crossing Rail Station, but due to the rail upgrade this accommodation has been demolished. There is no crisis accommodation in the City of Wyndham, although Unison has an arrangement with the Werribee Motel.”
“We have several staff changes since I last talked with CONNECTION. I report to my manager Adam L in Ballarat, and our team meets on “Team Viewer”. Of our 13 case managers in Wyndham, three of our team are on maternity leave. Group manager of Housing and Homelessness is Jerry H.
“Please tell members of the Crossroad Uniting Congregation, during these cold months Uniting Vic Tas is doing a blanket drive, called ‘Spread the Warmth, supporting rough sleepers.”
“We are looking for donations of new sleeping bags and backpack beds, blankets, doonas and linen. You can make cash gifts on Uniting Vic Tas’s web site, and physical donations can be handed in here at Uniting Wyndham in Duncans Road,’ says Deborah. (NT)
Book review: The Promise
Here’s a fable for young and old, about the simple wisdom of living a life close to the earth. It’s The Promise, written by Richard D and illustrated by Melbourne artist Kyoko I.
Richard D is Settlement Co-ordinator with refugees in the City of Wyndham. He works in that role with the Wyndham Community and Education Centre (WCEC), in the building diagonally opposite Crossroads Uniting Church.
Richard’s passion is writing. His recently published book The Promise was launched at the Willy Lit Fest, Williamstown’s annual event for lovers of literature.
This writer met Richard’s daughters, and found people of the Western Union Writers Group at the book launch, to support their fellow member Richard. He says: “The writers group meets monthly, providing support and feedback to aspiring authors and poets, young and old.”
Well-known Werribee poet Margaret C, a member of the writers group, assisted at the launch. The book is available for purchase at www.littlewhitebirdpress.com.
His transition 5 years ago to WCEC has enabled Richard to work in the area which is his passion—amongst people from South Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar. Myanmar’s main ethnic groups – Karen, Karenni, Chin and Kachin have resisted the bombings and killings of the military regime in power for many years.
Many of these internally displaced persons have found refuge for up to 15 or more years in the jungle on the mountainous border with China and Thailand. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees enables limited numbers of refugees to find a new life in Australia, where WCEC provides English teaching and settlement support. (NT)
Men’s Breakfast at Hoppers Crossing
The Hoppers Crossing UCA Men’s Group invites the men of Crossroads Werribee to its monthly Men’s Breakfast; the details are:
Date: Saturday 23 July 2022. Time: 8.00-9.30am
Where: Hoppers Crossing Uniting Church, 235 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing.
Please rsvp by Tuesday 18th July if you are attending to Mr Seth D 0424 846 446 or Mr Site T 0432 586 282, Hoppers Crossing reception Ph 9748-8700 Wed–Fri 9.00am–2.00pm
Old Woman
Living as I do now in very much changed circumstances I am brought into close contact with very old people, some of whom have varying degrees of dementia. I am also much closer to death than I have been for the past 76 years. It has been a confronting experience, and yet one which has ‘opened my eyes’ and through which I am glad to be living. I am reminded of a poem I read some years ago by Kenneth S.
And so she ages by the day
The threads that wove the fabric of her mind
Fray one by one and will not mend.
Once she was beautiful, and knew it,
Once her blood’s fire burned in a man’s veins
Night after night, and her colours
Enflamed the coals of his heart.
Who may see that now,
When the nurses bring her things and swear
Behind her back because she cannot hold
A spoon, or manage the stairs?
Inside her yet, beneath the autumn wrinkled face
She lies, the girl she was; the dreams, the dance, the light,
Not dead, but sleeping, still alive and clear
To those who know how to look beneath the skin.
I am repeating something I wrote a couple of weeks ago, but I am very glad for the excellent care and support provided here at Uniting AgeWell Manor Lakes, and I pay tribute to the staff who make it a pleasure to be here and who are not at all like the “nurses who swear behind her back”. Despite all that has been written about the problems of aged care, we are blessed by having government financial support in aged care. (RR)
What’s On This Week
- Sunday TODAY: 4.30pm Messy Church
- Monday: 9.30am Playgroup
- Thursday: 9.30am Gardening Group (Crossroads)
- Sunday 24 July: OSLO at 12 noon
Bible Readings – 17 July 2022
Amos 8:1–12; Colossians 1:15–28; Luke 10:38–42; Psalm 52
ROSTERS:
SUNDAY
Minister
Greetings:
AV:
Morning Tea:
Flowers:
Music:
Reader:
Prayers:
17 July
Rev Annetia G
Elizabeth B
Paul K
Mary D & Asanka
Mary D
Wendy B
Mary D
Ken S
24 July
Rev Annetia G
Margaret D
Roland G
Elaine B & Julie R
Elaine B
Asanka P
Nola E
Mary D
Housekeeping & Help
Pastoral care will be maintained during these difficult days but it is subject to the rules regarding access to hospitals and aged care homes.
Please contact:
- Rev. Annetia Goldsmith (9741 1084 minister@catts.it)
- Audrey Kateena (0435 064 088 pastoral.carer@gmail.com)
Audrey will be the primary contact on Mondays and Thursdays and Annetia at other times.
CHURCH OFFICE INFORMATION
The Church Office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.00pm.
Telephone 03 9741 1084. Postal address is PO Box 2156 Werribee 3030.
Email office@catts.it