Church Office Hours - Christmas/New Years Break

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2 Please pray for David Russell, Audrey La Brooy, Eric McNally, Gwen Taylor, Naomi Briggs, Fiona Jones, Audrey Smith, Fay Dungey and James Mathews. The High Street Uniting Church, Frankston community acknowledges the Bunurong people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which the church buildings stand. We remember their ancestors with respect and commit ourselves to work for reconciliation and justice for indigenous people. Church Office Hours - Christmas/New Years Break The church office will closed for the Christmas/New Year Period commencing Christmas Eve 24th December at 1pm and will re-open on Tuesday 16th January at 9am. For all urgent pastoral matters during this time Rev Brenda Cooper can be contacted on Ph The ministry team would like to wish everyone a blessed, safe and happy Christmas and New Years. 2

3 Meet the Ministry Team Meet the Ministry Team Rev David Fotheringham Minister Ph: Available: Tues-Sun Rev Brenda Cooper Pastoral Care Coordinator Ph day per week, normally Thursday Hannah Dungan Youth Coordinator frankstonucyouth@ gmail.com Thurs & Fri Afternoons, &Most Sundays Ph Rev Emma Brenda Lindenburg Cooper Pastoral Playgroup Care Coordinator Coordinator Fri, 9am-11am Mandy Lake Monash Uni Chaplain & Child Safety Person mandy.lake@ monash.edu Half-Time Jacqui Harris Church Secretary frankstonuc@gmail.com Tues-Fri, 9am-1pm Ph

4 FROM THE MINISTER... The Food Fair last weekend was such a wonderful event! The atmosphere was fantastic so much friendly conversation and appreciation of the range of foods that had been prepared and was being served; as well as the cheerful volunteers at a variety of stalls with all of the goods so cleverly made; and the superb music provided the band which had some people in the car-park enjoying the music directly, and many more enjoying it as they moved around the church. There is a huge amount of work behind running this kind of function, but it is delightful to see how it comes together in such a wonderful, memorable event! This is a rich season for events and concerts, some of which we ve enjoyed in the last month, with more to come as we get closer to Christmas. Not everyone can get to all of these events. Indeed, there are quite a few people, including very faithful members of the church, who find themselves unable to make it to church on Sunday mornings for reasons and health and mobility. Brenda and Marlene are working on a new prayer list for High Street Times which invites us to keep them in prayer with us all. Please contact Brenda, Marlene or the office if you would like to be included. Our Bible readings at the moment have been coming from the Hebrew prophets, during times of international political threats, uncertainties, possibilities and risks. While parallels to our current time might not be exact, the prophets speak very much to our time, to warn us of what is eternal (and what is not); to remind us that we are held in the love of God (and that our salvation is not ultimately in politics); and to invite us live into God s way: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). It is exactly the same as growing into maturity in Christ, as we read in the New Testament. To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God fits rather well with our vision statement of Strengthening Community through the Holy Spirit; Embracing All People with Christ s compassion; Connecting Younger Generations in God s love. Micah s call thus works well not only at the level of our own individual discipleship journeys, but also in terms of how we live as church in our community, both in the everyday and in our great celebrations. Be sure to invite friends and neighbours to share in our Christmas celebrations, rejoicing in God s love for us in the gift of Jesus birth. God s blessings and peace be with you, David 4

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7 Personals. Birthdays: Rod Caruthers turns 80!! Ron Carolus turns 80!!! We celebrated the Baptism of Benny and Lila, at the Contemporary Service, October 28. WHY Lessons to Cherish Written by Russell Hawkins Dedicated to a young man who made a difference. Editor s note: this is an abridged version of an article submitted by Russell Hawkins. His complete article is available to be read this month via a link on our website: under the NEWS tab. Embrace life in all its complexities, appreciate all manner of emotions, look to yesterday in observance of where you stand today. Allow today to be the compass to guide your life toward a constructive tomorrow. Be grateful of the opportunities good, bad or indifferent that have led, and are leading you toward that that you desire most. Be kind, kind to yourself and kind to others Share what you have learnt and be open to accepting new perspectives from others with similar or perhaps foreign, but always mindful and constructive intents. Learn, teach, observe and reflect; find the time, for if indeed you don t, be sure that the time will find you. Be present, be prepared; be ready. Appreciate that within patience you will never be left waiting. Understand you are as important as the important people that intertwine within your journey. Grow in the knowledge that your own importance has too been interwoven into the lives and journeys of others also May your imprint be as everlasting and perpetual in breath, belief and wonder. In life there are misfortunes, triumphs, and moments of doubt; inclusive of indescribable times of joy and elation. There are times of loss, grief and unfair realities. From all, lessons are to be learnt, valued and passed down to those we love dearly. Validation and appreciation is garnered in offering these gifts to a stranger in the street in need of comfort, to friends, to family, and also to those in opposition of ourselves and values. Finding value in the journey of self and of others is a testament of mindful all-inclusive intent. To bear witness to all expressions, motivations and irritations binds the human condition. This is the circle of life; diversity found among the brothers and sisters of the world are the reasons to sustain a mindful, faith-filled, compassionate and inclusive life for all drawn to its remarkable enchantments. Belief in human kindness is the key, just breathe and you will unlock its endless possibilities. Always remember to breathe and believe. Understand this legacy and as sure as the sun rises and sets know that an end surely becomes yet another glorious and bountiful beginning. This is my truth. By Russell Hawkins. 7

8 Dear Friends You may have travelled to India with us, you may have wanted to travel to India with us, you may have read about what we do when we go to India, or you may have helped fundraise with us in a variety of ways. Either way, you are all in some way aware of the situation for women and children in The Punjab area of India, and in particular more familiar with our projects area around Amritsar. Dr Alma Ram and her team are still on the frontline everyday educating, supporting, advocating for and honouring the lives of these women and children. As some of you may already know, one of the ways the women have been proactive in raising their own funds has been by knitting and sewing goods which we have then brought back to sell. We pay for equipment and raw materials 50Rps and each knitter is paid 100Rps per item ($2) once delivered back to Dr Alma Ram, an Indian midwife and community worker, who runs the JBKS. The remainder of the profit ($2.50) goes into additional program costs. Currently we have a stock of knitted socks and sewn cloth drawstrings bags of varying sizes (pictured) We also have a supply of knitted cotton dishcloths made by supporters here in Victoria. Plus gift cards and books. All of the proceeds acquired from the sale of these goods is returned to the project to fund ongoing needs. This week Dr Alma has engaged the assistance of Ghazala Khan a consultant from Delhi to train a few handpicked ladies in product development and attention to quality. Ghazala already has a similar project in the southern Punjab with products being sold in the USA. This training was made possible by the fundraising efforts of Adele Mapperson and her friends, one of our past travellers to Amritsar. Many thanks Adele. We are hoping that some of you may join us in our humble attempts to continue supporting JBK and Dr Alma to continue their much needed work, by buying and/or selling some of their products, or making a donation: We are proposing that only twice a year: 1. Pre-Mother s Day 2. Pre-Christmas...that we as Friends of JBK make a concerted effort to sell their goods around the world. ALSO Please promote the website at to your contacts via , Facebook (any other social media or marketing method). The website outlines the work of the project and also has a Shop page and a secure Donate page if people want to buy gifts or support the project directly. A thank you card will be issued for donations. Obviously Christmas 2018 is almost upon us and we do have some knitted socks, cloth drawstring bags of varying sizes (great for gifts, phone charger/cable tidy bags and toiletries in suitcases, lunch snacks, medication, sports kits, shoes, make-up) in stock that are ready for sale 8

9 immediately. We would love to take orders from you all now - individually or for items to sell on to your communities... just us back and we'll post out to you before Christmas. We can post you a mixed box of items to sell or give as gifts. Please let us know as soon as possible what you would like from us. Click on: All monies will come back to Frankston Uniting Church for distribution to JBKS, India Thank you for your care and compassion for these Dalit families and communities - especially at a time of year that reminds us of our abundance, comfort and freedoms here in Australia, UK and the USA. Let's share some of that prosperity and sense of security with these forgotten women, children and their communities. PS. We would love to have a gathering (webinar) in early 2019 to continue this conversation with anyone who would like to be a Friend of JBK, but if you could consider purchasing and/or selling some of the current stock in the meantime it would be very much appreciated. We are also excited by a plan for a Giving Day once a year (July/August) to focus on a fundraising drive for one day annually to raise money to cover the additional monthly costs of the project. We'll get back to you on this... PPS. If you're interested in coming on the 2019 North India Tour next September we've attached the itinerary. Here's a taster from previous tours... With love and gratitude, Lea Trafford and Helen Beeby

10 We want you, at youth group - On Sunday afternoon. We have fun and make goo - On Sunday afternoon. We eat snacks and make food - On Sunday afternoon. We hang out with friends and we Want you to come and see! (That s the lyrics to the song we wrote at our MTV night!) At Youth Group in Term 4 we been making SLIME, making MUSIC, making MEALS and tonight, we ll be making a MESS for our Art Attack Night. Keep watch in the worship space over advent as we put up 5 banners made by the youth group and countdown Sundays to Christmas! Power Youth Group runs 3:30-5pm (fortnightly) and is open to anyone grade 3 to year 9. Want more info? Contact our Youth Coordinator: Hannah Dungan Mob: , Frankstonucyouth@gmail.com Or hit us out on Facebook by searching: High St Uniting Church Frankston 10

11 The Cracked Pot This story was read at a recent Elders meeting as part of our devotions. It contains some beautiful wisdom from India A waterbearer in India had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. While the other pot was perfect, and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the mistress's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to her master's house. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream: "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your mistress's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in her compassion she said, "As we return to the mistress's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because 11 it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my mistress's table. Without you being just the way you are, she would not have this beauty to grace her house." This version of the story from food/flower_pot2.jpg

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13 STALL Interim Totals Cakes Food Christmas Goods Fancy Goods Photocards Sausage Sizzle Jams and Pickles Cookies Tea and Drinks Competitions Busking Coffee Machine The church was a hive of activity all day on Friday Expenses November, first with volunteers setting up the NET INCOME church and hall, then with visitors and members of our community having a fantastic time at our annual food fair. We want to thank each and every one who supported the food fair, whether it was to volunteer, donate time and goods, or to buy food, cake and goodies on the day. It was a great opportunity to showcase our church to the wider community, and to generate funds for our community outreach projects. People from across both congregations worked side by side and got to know each other better. There was an electric buzz on the night and many people commented and gave positive feedback. Next year we will do it all again! Thanks again, from the food fair committee. 13 Other 0.10 Donation TOTAL INCOME

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15 Data Projector Karin Karin Diana Diana (helper needed) Murray Bible Reading Bronwen Mathews Rod Caruthers Kay Burdett Enid Churcher Mac Cleland Flowers Fay Loader Edna Reeves Chris Johnson Beryl & Marg Beryl & Marg Beryl & Marg Contemporary Worship Steward Marilyn Ley Ley this day combined service combined service December 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 25th Traditional Worship Duty Elders Jill Cayzer Mac Cleland Communion Set UP Dawn Peaccok Marg Shilton Helpers John Coulson Bev Fowler 30th COMBINED Stewards Maureen Beens Cheryl Wilson Cheryl Wilson Jim Devine Jim Devine Jenni Johnson Roy Geiseman Marilyn Sheerin Marilyn Sheerin Neville Parker Neville Parker Mick Johnson Morning tea Graeme Horsburgh Jill Cayzer Mac Cleland Karin Jooste (helper needed) Jess Williams Jenny Horsburgh Erica Hutchinson Ann Cleland Rona Russell (helper needed) Nancy Martin Carol Calderbank Robert Latimer Elaine Kenyon Edna Runciman Brian Golby Sue Baker Marion Day Marlene Thresher Ali Vagenas (combined) (combined) Welcomer Lindy Patti Patti Hospitality Gill Marilyn Marilyn Santhira Barb Gill Need helpers on 15

16 Steward Welcomer Hospitality Dorothy Bucher Elaine Kenyon Erica Hutchinson COMBINED SERVICE Roy Geiseman Marilyn Sheerin Marilyn Sheerin Neville Parker Jenny Horsburgh Erica Hutchinson Ann Cleland Rona Russell Carol Calderbank Robert Latimer Elaine Kenyon Edna Runciman Sue Baker Marion Day Marlene Thresher Ali Vagenas combined service combined service combined service combined service JANUARY 6th 13th 20th 27 Duty Elders Stanley Zhunghu Communion Set Up Rona Russell Helpers Mac Cleland Stewards Maureen Beens Cheryl Wilson Cheryl Wilson Jim Devine Morning tea Graeme Horsburgh Jill Cayzer Mac Cleland Karin Jooste Data Projector Karin Karin Diana Diana Bible Reading Bronwen Mathews Rod Caruthers Kay Burdett Enid Churcher Flowers Fay Loader Edna Reeves Chris Johnson Beryl & Marg Contemporary Worship 16

17 December SUNDAY 2 9:00am Traditional Worship 10:40am Contemporary Worship COMMUNION & COMMUNITY SUNDAY - Focus: Christmas Bowl Appeal SUNDAY 16 9:00am Traditional Worship MONDAY 3 8:30am Larder 4:00pm Showbiz Singers TUESDAY 4 8:30am Walkie Talkies - Flora Fauna Reserve Langwarrin WEDNESDAY 5 11:30am Tuesday Communion 10:00am Advent Study, Chapel 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah 3:30am Church Choir Practice, Church THURSDAY 6 8:30am Walkie Talkies - The Power Centre Frankston SUNDAY 9 9:00am Traditional Worship MONDAY 10 8:30am Larder 10:40am Contemporary Worship 3:30pm Power Youth Group - Beach Night 5:00pm Open Café Conversation Group 4:00pm Showbiz Singers 7:30pm LEGS, Blue Room TUESDAY 11 8:30am Walkie Talkies - Norman Avenue for Gulls Way WEDNESDAY 12 12:00pm Hamper Delivery Day - Hall 7:30pm Church Council Meeting 8:00am Hamper Packing Day - Hall 10:30am Voices of Frankston, Church & Hall 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah 3:30am Church Choir Practice, Church THURSDAY 13 8:30am Walkie Talkies - Ballam Park - Cranbourne Road 8:00am Hamper Collection Day 2:00pm Amitie, Green Room FRIDAY 14 9:15am HSUC Playgroup, Back Hall 10:40am Contemporary MONDAY 17 8:30am Larder 4:00pm Showbiz Singers TUESDAY 18 8:30am Walkie Talkies, Target SOmerville WEDNESDAY 19 10:00am Advent Study, Chapel 10:30am Voices of Frankston, Church & Hall 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah 3:30am Church Choir Practice, Church THURSDAY 20 8:30am Walkie Talkies, the Lemon Tree - Ashleigh Ave Karingal 1:30pm Mission Guild, Blue Room FRIDAY 21 9:15am HSUC Playgroup, Back Hall SATURDAY 22 8:00am Saturday Walkie Talkies, Mitch & Co. in Tyabb SUNDAY 23 9:00am Traditional Worship 10:40am Contemporary Worship MONDAY 24 5:00pm Christmas Eve Family Service 11:30pm Carols Service TUESDAY 25 9:00am - Christmas Day Service WEDNESDAY 26 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah SUNDAY 30 COMBINED 10AM SERVICE 17

18 JANUARY 6 COMBINED 10AM WORSHIP 3:30PM Power Youth 5:00pm Open Conversation Group MONDAY 7 WEDNESDAY 9 8:30am Larder 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah SUNDAY 13 COMBINED 10AM WORSHIP MONDAY 14 8:30am Larder TUESDAY15 9AM - Church Office Re-opens WEDNESDAY 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah SUNDAY 20 COMBINED 10AM WORSHIP 3:30PM Power Youth 5:00pm Open Conversation Group MONDAY 21 8:30am Larder WEDNESDAY 12:00pm Community BBQ, Front Verandah SUNDAY 27 COMBINED 10AM WORSHIP 18

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