CONNECTION – 7 AUGUST 2022


PENTECOST 9

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

Learning about Messy Church

By his leadership on Sunday at Crossroads last Sunday, Chris B demonstrated how the Gospel might be portrayed in Messy Church… (NT)

Learning can be fun!

Do you have any news or other information you would like to share with the congregation that would be of general interest? Neil T or Robert R would like to hear from you.

Is your Super funding global warming?

Dr Jamie Thom of the Presbytery of Port Phillip West (PPPW) Climate Action Group, writing in this month’s Westerly magazine suggests that our superannuation funds may be fuelling global warming by funding coal, oil or gas projects.
The Divestment Working Group of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change is offering a series of small group workshop sessions covering various aspects of finance and reducing our carbon footprint in Banking, Superannuation, Insurance, Utilities and Shares. Market Forces and Responsible Investment Australia are providing resources.

Jamie says: “During these workshops we look at putting pressure on our financial institutions to divest from fossil fuels. However, we are not financial advisors and participants are encouraged to seek their own financial advice.”
“Come share, learn and discuss what actions we can take by attending one of these free 90 minute multi-faith online interactive workshops about SUPERANNUATION on Thursday 11 August 2022 either at noon or at 7.30 pm AEST.
Please register prior to the online session that you wish to attend using the following link https://www.trybooking.com/BTMLM
Here are comments from some participants in these sessions:
“I looked into one of my super funds…. And found it rates very badly in terms of fossil fuel investment. I am now thinking about what to do about it.”
“I was not aware which banks were funding fossil fuel companies.”
“I found videos made for these workshops very helpful.” (NT)

Introducing Rev. Ikani Vaitohi

On 1 July Yarraville’s new minister the Rev. Ikani Vaitohi was inducted by the Presbytery of Port Phillip West. Asked about his life, he says:
“I was born in Tonga, the sixth of eight children, into a Methodist family. My playground was the beach, and I attended Tonga High School to Form 6. When my family moved to Manly, Sydney Australia in 1988 it was a big shock, negotiating the traffic!”

“My first work in Manly was washing windows of highrise apartments. There was no safety equipment. I gained the HSC in Sydney. When I came to Melbourne and studied single subjects at the United Faculty of Theology, my simple up-bringing in Christian faith and my literal interpretation of the Bible was challenged, and I gave up,” he says.
Ikani continues: “I found work with social agencies, among at-risk young people, including Parkville and Malmsbury Youth Training Centres. I was always involved in the life of the church; I met my wife Moana and we married at Canterbury Uniting Church in 1999. I was blessed by the sense of God’s continuing call on my life, and after completing the Period of Discernment, I went through Presbytery and Synod selection process and entered Pilgrim Theological College in 2009. It was different this time. I remember Professor Norman Young often reminded us of the great Charles Wesley hymns in his theology lectures!”
“On the day of my ordination and induction at East Geelong-Leopold Uniting Church, my sister was killed in a car crash. Should I postpone the occasion? I accepted that shocking event, and went on to my first placement there, for 5 years. Now I have just completed five and half years at Belmont Uniting Church.”
“My hope for the Church is that it is not discouraged by negative news headlines. We are called to be faithful to the Gospel serving Christ in the margins and the crossroads of life. This is an opportunity for the Church, no longer at the centre of society.”
Ikani says: “I’m looking forward to opportunities to share with nearby congregations in the West. I offer my greetings to the people of Crossroads Werribee.”

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; 7.30pm Card-making
  • Tuesday: 11am Church Council Executive
  • Wednesday: 7.30pm Church Council
  • Thursday: 9.30am Gardening Group (Crossroads)

Bible Readings – 7 AUGUST 2022

Isaiah 1:1, 10–20; Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16; Luke 12:32–40; Psalm 50:1–8, 22–23

ROSTERS:

SUNDAY

Minister

Greetings:

AV: 

Morning Tea: 

Flowers: 

Music:   

Reader: 

Prayers:

7 August

Audrey K 

Margaret B

Jacob L

Margaret F & Julie H

Rose G

Wendy B

Noel S

Rose G

14 August

Rev Annetia G 

Margaret D

Roland

Jan S & Liz B

Lorna H

Gina L

Val T

Neil T

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:

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