

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
Combined newsletters
This is our second combined newsletter. We hope you found it worth reading. It is necessary to send any information for inclusion in the newsletter by Tuesday.
Marie C (reception@hoppers.victas.uca.org.au) and Robert R are the people to contact.
Beach Patrol today, 11.30 am, Wyndham Harbour
Volunteers at Wyndham Harbour will spend an hour picking rubbish along the beach near Crawfords Rd. Beach Patrol will supply bags for the rubbish and rubbish tongs. Wyndham Harbour will supply free coffee for volunteers after the clean-up. Please bring your own reusable coffee cup, water in a reusable bottle, (gardening/washing) gloves and sunhat. For more information, contact Rob B.
Prayer Meetings and Bible Studies
The Rev. Fa’amata’u Leota will be leading Prayer Meetings and Bible Studies on Tuesdays at Crossroads church, commencing this Tuesday 7th, for all members of both congregations.
- 10am – 11.00am Prayer [for the world, the church, for others and for ourselves] 45 minutes prayer and 15 minutes BYO morning tea and cuppa and fellowship.
- 11.30 pm – 1.00pm Lectionary bible discussion. For an hour or so we look at the gospel lectionary reading for the upcoming Sunday. We conclude with a BYO lunch and fellowship for the remainder of the time.
Next Tuesday Feb 14 we will discuss the story of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1–9. Come, share your experience and your ideas. (FL/NT)
Occasional Sunday Lunch Out (OSLO)
After a nice long break we will start the year at Altona Sports club, 11 Altona Road. We came here last year and everyone enjoyed their meal. It is booked for Sunday 26 February at 12md and everyone is welcome but Elaine B or Lorna H would like to know you are coming before Thursday 23 Feb. for bookings. Elaine or Lorna (LH)
Meeting Serena L

An accomplished musician accompanying Sunday worship and Secretary of Hoppers Crossing Church Council, Serena L’s talents are not confined to her life and work in the congregation.
A former lawyer for eleven years in Singapore, Serena (pictured) is also an author, podcaster and life coach, working with introverts, over-achievers and perfectionists. In her 2015 book “The Hero Within – Reinvent Your Life, One New Chapter at a Time”, she writes: “You have the power to reinvent your life, and to write a new chapter that is meaningful and forward focused.”
When she and her husband Calvin T moved to Australia in 2006, they had a 4-year-old and a baby on the way. Calvin works in Information Technology project management.
Serena says, “When we first visited Hoppers Crossing, Rev Paul Blacker and the elders made us feel so welcome, which really helped us feel settled and welcome in our new environment.”
During Serena’s recent 3 years as manager of the Opportunity Shop at Hoppers Crossing, she negotiated the ups and downs of the Covid-19 pandemic; and the closure of that operation due to the building’s structural problems.
Now Serena is an NDIS independent support worker. “I find I am reinventing my life again.”
Serena is passionate about building a safe and friendly community for introverts and highly sensitive persons. She facilitates two Meetup groups: Quiet Women Circle and Introverts Around the World. The groups meet weekly on Zoom and go on nature walks and day trips around Melbourne. All the activities are designed to be introvert-friendly and low-stimulation to accommodate persons with social anxiety. Serena sees the Hoppers Crossing congregation as walking by grace through the wilderness, in the fellowship of kind and friendly souls. (NT)
With Love to the World: daily bible guide
Lyn O’M has four spare copies of the daily bible reading guide available.
Boys’ Brigade
Boys’ Brigade – Tuesday nights (during school terms) 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Altona Meadows/Laverton Uniting Church, 61 Central Avenue, Altona Meadows, contact Scott W for details
Hoppers Crossing Office
Hoppers Crossing office is managed by Marie C on Wednesday and Thursday, 9 am–2 pm. Contact Marie on 0402 330 584 or via email at reception@hoppers.victas.uca.org.au. The Hoppers Crossing website address is currently being updated: https://hoppers.ucavictas.org.au.
Come along and join a new group!
- Sew ‘n’ Sow: (on Friday this week, 1pm, at the church) Are you creative? Do you enjoy sewing, knitting, papercrafts or other crafts? Bring your projects along and work on them while you enjoy a cuppa and a chat with other busy crafters. All welcome. Contact Jan B or Rose Geilen for more information.
- OSLO (Occasional Sunday Lunch Out) coming up on 26 February at 12noon at the Altona Sports Club, 11 Altona Rd Altona. Hoppers Crossing people—why not get a group to come—everyone is really welcome!
Name badges now available
Hoppers and Crossroads people, let’s get to know each other. Place your order with Rose or volunteer staff in the Crossroads UC office—Monday-Friday 9.30-12 noon. There will also be a form to complete in the foyer on Sunday. Please pay your money first—cost for each badge is $14. (NT/RG)
Friends of Skeleton Creek
Friends of Skeleton Creek has a weeding and watering day on Sunday 26 February, 1–3 pm at Emu Foot Grasslands. Join other locals in nurturing our local creation. All ages welcome. Bring sunhat, gloves, water, tools, and afternoon tea supplied. See https://bit.ly/3YmVYmZ. The flower is Linum marginale, or native flax lily.
A former member of Crossroads named Barry Trigg passed away on Saturday the 4th of February 2023 and his funeral will be held at Le Pine in Werribee tomorrow Monday, February 13 at 2.30pm if anyone would like to attend.
What’s On This Week – 12 February
- 12 February: 9.30am Rev. Angela Tampiyappa
- 19 February: 9.30am Rev. Fa’amata’u Leota
- Monday: 7.30pm Card-making (G’s)
- Thursday: 9.30am Gardening Group (Contact Geoff G — all welcome to help!)
- Friday: 1pm Sew ‘n’ Sow (Crossroads)
Bible Readings
Deuteronomy 30:15–20; I Corinthians 3:1–9; Matthew 5:21–37; Psalm 119:1–8.
ROSTERS:
SUNDAY
Minister:
Greetings:
AV:
Morning Tea:
Flowers:
Music:
Reader:
Prayers:
12 February
Rev Angela T
Margaret B
Noel S
Sandra S & Margaret G
Lorna H
Gina L
Noel S
Ken S
19 February
Rev Faama L
Jan B
HC
Nancy Mc & Margaret D
Bev C
HC
HC
HC
Pastoral Care
Rev. Fa’amata’u Leota (0404 592 359)
Audrey Kateena & Annetia Goldsmith are on leave.

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. Fa’amata’u Leota (0404 592 359)
- Rev. Annetia Goldsmith – On Leave at present (9741 1084 minister@crossroadsunitingchurch.org.au)
- Audrey Kateena – on leave (0435 064 088 pastoral.carer@gmail.com)

CHURCH OFFICE INFORMATION
The Church Office is open on weekdays from 9.30am to 12.00pm only.
Telephone 03 9741 1084. Postal address is PO Box 2156 Werribee 3030.
Email office@crossroadsunitingchurch.org.au