EASTER

COMMUNITY NEWS FOR TODAY & THE COMING WEEK

Hoppers Crossing Church Council

At last week’s congregational meeting, the following members were nominated and elected to the HXUC Church Council. Congratulations to you all!

• Ashok S (1 year)
• Tupa’i P (2 years)
• Lauina L (5 years)
• Elliott S (1 year)

Crossroads UC Relay Team result

The Crossroads UC Relay Team had a great day on Saturday for our 12th Relay for Life. Crossroads contributed $5,480(to date) with 22 relayers. Overall the Wyndham Relay raised over $86,000 for the Cancer Council, with 29 teams and 371 relayers taking part. There’s still time to add to our total with the fundraising officially closing in 2 weeks. If you have already donated thank you for your contribution and support. If you would like to donate please see Lauren, Rose or Roland or donate via our webpage – https://www.relayforlife.org.au/fundraisers/CrossroadsUnitingChurch1343/wyndham-2023
We would like to sincerely thank everyone of you who donated, participated and supported our team for this year’s Wyndham Relay for Life, we can’t do it without you. If you would like to get involved for our 2024 relay feel free to speak to Lauren D, Rose or Roland G. (RG)

Introducing Juliette Maua’i

She is a NZ-born Samoan woman. Raised in Aotearoa, and raised faa-Samoa (Samoan way) at home she has lived now in Australia for almost two decades. She candidated for ministry with the Uniting Church in Australia, and on completion of her studies she was ordained by the Presbytery of Port Phillip East at St John’s Essendon in February 2015.
Juliette was inducted to her first placement at Strathmore UC congregation in March 2015, and most recently she is the minister at St Stephen’s Williamstown, since July 2018.
On her Facebook page she writes an Easter reflection: “My prayer this Easter is for our First Nations peoples, accompanied by Second Peoples, that we lead the journey in our walking together circle, in the Easter hope that we may finally arrive together, transformed of our colonial past, … to the saving emancipation of Easter Resurrection morning, every day! (NT)

How can the Synod reach Net Zero emissions by 2040?

Our UC Synod of Vic and Tas has sent a discussion paper on this topic to congregations. The paper is available from Justice Task Group members Armando, Mary, Luciana, Neil, Christine and Rob. You are invited to join a zoom discussion with the Presbytery of Port Phillip West Climate Action Group members on Saturday 29 April at 2 pm. Enquiries Christine M (NT)

Boys’ Brigade

Boys’ Brigade – Tuesday night—7:00pm to 9:00pm at Altona Meadows UC, Central Ave, contact Scott Wilkinson on 0409 793 993 or boysbrigadewyndham@gmail.com for details

Operation Christmas Child update

Thank you to everyone who packed shoeboxes during 2022! God is doing remarkable things around the world through this amazing ministry.
Due to increasing costs of shipping and materials, the suggested donation per shoebox will increase from $10 to $12.50 for the 2023 shoebox season. This increase is necessary to maintain and expand the work of reaching children and their families around the world. I am aware that this is a big increase, so I wanted to let you know early so you can plan for this when shopping for your shoeboxes. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. (Rose G)

Occasional Sunday Lunch Out (OSLO)

Sunday 23 April we will be going to the Yarraville Bowling Club, just off Francis St. Yarraville at 12md. There are senior meals and it is one of our favourite venues. Please contact Elaine or Lorna by Thursday 20 April for bookings.

Peace choir

Peace Choir project, sponsored by Wyndham Community and Education Centre, conductor Lesley Nallawalla, Thursdays 12.30–2 pm, rehearsals commencing 20 April, for 6 weeks. Enquiries 0409218071. Free event! (NT)

Worship services

9 April: 9.30am Easter Day: Mr Doug Mullett

16 April: 9.30am Mr Doug Mullett

What’s On This Week

• Tuesday: 11.30-1pm Lenten Gospel Discussion & shared lunch
• Wednesday: 9.30am Crossroads Property C’tee; 7.30pm Crossroads Church Council (Zoom)
• Thursday: 9.30am Gardening Group

Bible Readings –9 April & 16 April

• 9 April: Jeremiah 31:1–6; Colossians 3:1–4; Acts 10:34–43; John 20:1–18.
• 16 April: Acts 2:14a, 22–32; I Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31; Psalm 16.

Rosters for 9 April & (16 April)

• Greetings:  Margaret Bull (Margaret Dent)
• AV: Roland Geilen (Christian Ropeti-Kilifi)
• Morning Tea: Sandra Savory & Margaret Gook (Nancy McEwen & Liz Barnes)
• Flowers: Lorna Hodge (Bev Cox)
• Music:  Gina Lee (Tracey Seulupe & Elliott Sawyer)
• Prayers: Elizabeth Barnes ()
• Reader: Rose Geilen ()

Pastoral Care

Rev. Fa’amata’u Leota (0404 592 359)

Audrey Kateena & Annetia Goldsmith are on leave.