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
What happened at Presbytery?
Presbytery in Council met last Saturday on Zoom, chaired by the Rev. Dr John Evans, interim chairperson. John indicated he is open to invitations to meet congregations and to preach.
In a “break-out room” for missional mapping, this writer met with the Rev. Tupe Ioleu (Wesley Geelong) and the Rev. Sani Valuega (Leopold); both ministers commented that Pacific Islander members of the Uniting Church have experience and values to contribute, needing to be recognized in our congregations. Tupe said: “Here in Australia, there are more than two cultures represented (First and Second Nations). In our migrant communities there are many diverse peoples bringing richness to our Uniting Church life.”
The Rev. Dev Anandarajan reporting for eLM, (equipping Leadership for Mission) commented: “In a Uniting Church which is increasingly multicultural, let’s offer ministry to diversity, for example culturally formed devotional practices in public worship.” This writer asks: “What might be the implications for worship at Crossroads Werribee?”
Four of our Presbytery of Port Phillip West representatives spoke of their experience of Synod 2022. The Rev. David Withers (Bacchus Marsh) said: “Alison Overeem (Palawa, Tasmania) challenged me. What do I bring to the table? I’m a guest in this land, a dislocated wanderer of English/French descent; a patchwork of uncertain cultures.”
Susan Strong, convenor of the Presbytery’s Climate Action group, recommended that congregations (1) consider purchasing their electricity thru Co-Power, which is committed to long-term sustainability (2) declare a climate crisis (contact the Rev. Deacon Richard Arnold for information) and (3) join the International Week of Action 2–9 October, leading up to the COP27 (UN Conference of the Parties) in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, 7–18 November 2022. (NT)
O.S.L.O. Occasional Sunday Lunches Out
28 August 12md at the R.S.L. here in Werribee. Senior meals plus a roast on Sundays. Everybody welcomed but please contact Elaine or Lorna before Thursday 25 Aug for catering numbers.
Beach Patrol 3030
23 enthusiastic volunteers removed another big haul of rubbish at our clean last Sunday. Some of our members worked at Wyndham Harbour collecting numerous cigarette butts and other litter while most of us concentrated our efforts at the end of Crawford’s. This area has stayed much better since our clean in June, however one of our members discovered a large dumper of used oil filters which had been left near a drain just upstream of the bay. We estimate that our efforts removed 250 kg of rubbish including 77 glass and 46 plastic drink bottles and 113 drink cans. It was great to welcome back some members we hadn’t seen for a while and also have the Labor Candidate for Point Cook (Mathew Halakari) joining us. Thanks to Wyndham Harbour for their support and coffees at Boulevard 3030 cafe. (Rob B, Neil T)
A new version of the Lord’s Prayer
God, lover of us all, most holy one, help us to respond to you, to create what you desire here on earth. Give us today enough for our needs; forgive our weak and deliberate offences, just as we must forgive others when they hurt us. Help us to resist evil and to do what is good; for we are yours, endowed with your power to make our world whole. Amen.
Book Review
Telling Tennant’s Story: the strange career of the great Australian silence, by Dean Ashenden.
This reviewer recalls how during his childhood in South Gippsland, the only markers of prior Aboriginal occupation of that rich and prosperous farming land were the strange names of the towns along the highway to Wilson’s Promontory – Meeniyan, Leongatha, Korumburra, Tarwin; from whence did they come? As the railway to Yarram was built, I wondered who managed to preserve the words they heard from the indigenous former occupiers?
Ashenden’s childhood was spent at Tennant Creek, son of the Head Teacher at the primary school. Kids of the Waramungu people from the Phillip Creek mission turned up at the Saturday night picture theatre in Tennant. Their families included survivors of the Coniston massacre. He noticed some of those kids sometimes camping on the fringe of town, in the spinifex.
Ashenden’s concern is to explore the silence about our past. He returns to Tennant to meet his Aboriginal contemporaries and learn of their experience from the other side of the frontier. Those interviews switch to Canberra and the cities of the coast, where the great Australian silence is loudest.
Hugh Morgan of Western Mining, Paul Hasluck, Gordon Bryant, Eddie Mabo, PMs John Howard and Paul Keating, writers A.P. Elkin, W.H. Stanner, Geoffrey Blainey, Keith Windschuttle, Noel Pearson and Henry Reynolds, in their individual ways all contributed to debating the truths of Australia’s story. ”Simply put, the continent was theirs, we wanted it and we took it.”
Ashenden suggests that a real contribution to truth-telling (a Makarrata process, called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart) could be this: “Why not enlist Australia’s 1000-odd local history societies to work with Indigenous groups and with historians to help communities to tell their stories more fully and truthfully?… What better education in the purposes of history?” (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
- Wednesday: 2pm Seniors Afternoon Tea
- Thursday: 9.30am Gardening Group (Crossroads)
- Next Sunday: 12pm OSLO
Bible Readings – 21 AUGUST 2022
Jeremiah 1:4–10; Hebrews 12:18–29; Luke 13:10–17; Psalm 71:1–6
ROSTERS:
SUNDAY
Minister
Greetings:
AV:
Morning Tea:
Flowers:
Music:
Reader:
Prayers:
21 August
Audrey K
Julie R
Paul K
Jan B & Zelda C
Bev C
Wendy B
Liz B
Annetia G
28 August
Rev Annetia G
Paul C
Paul C
Sandra S & Margaret G
Margaret F
Asanka P
Deb C
Margaret B
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