Crossroads News. Mudgee Crossroads Celebrates their 20th Birthday

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1 Crossroads News The Official Journal of Crossroads Christian Fellowship NSW Inc. Summer 2013 Volume 52, Issue 4 Inside this issue Mudgee s 20th Birthday... 1 Mudgee Crossroads Celebrates their 20th Birthday The Stables at Mudgee was the venue for this 20 th Birthday celebration on November 23rd where around sixty members, past members and friends, gathered for a great night of food, entertainment and reminiscing. Beth Dodd from Nowra Crossroads was our guest speaker and inspired us to carry on the Gospel message of offering salvation to all and sharing the love of Jesus. She suggested that we seek to involve the other churches in our town to be more welcoming to people with disabilities. (We already have members from other churches playing an active part in our group but would like more churches to be willing to host a meeting!) Vera Langshaw, wife of the late Bill Langshaw, spoke of our beginnings. Together with Judy Blackman, and the help of Mudgee Uniting Church we started monthly fellowship meetings on a Sunday evening followed by a simple worship service, and also organised an outing or activity most months. It was amazing to hear our treasurer Sharon Impson listing for us the places we have gone and the things we have done. Vera also spoke of the special drop-off centre we ran for several years. Once a week, people with disabilities were cared for, fed and entertained by a wonderful group of loving volunteers and great memories were revived of some of those people. Continued page 4 Chairman s Chat & Kenthurst... 2 Bankstown & Queensland...3 Mudgee Cont d... 4 Dubbo & Tasmania... 5 Macarthur & Newcastle... 6 Shoalhaven & Parramatta...7 Disneyland advert... 8 Subscriptions Please check the top right hand corner of the label on the envelope to see when you have paid till. Subscriptions are $10.00 per year and are due April. Crossroads Christian Fellowship NSW Inc. A Ministry advocating for and involving people with Disabilities Established 1961 ABN Items for Autumn Newsletter to Editor by 6th March, 2014 This colour edition of Crossroads News has been generously sponsored by Snap Castle Hill castlehill@snap.com.au

2 From the Chairman Another year almost past and if you are anything like me you will be amazed at how fast 2013 seemed to slip by! It started well for me with a Crossroads holiday to Hong Kong where we went to the Peak of the Island, visited Disneyland, experienced many markets including Stanley and the Peoples markets, enjoyed Chinese food and in all, had a fun filled time. Then, those of us who went to Dubbo later in the year enjoyed immensely the interaction with Crossroads Dubbo held at the Baptist Church. The sponsor church conducting the program was the Uniting and we appreciated the effort and contribution made by a wonderful group of people on the night. Naturally, we went and did all of the things tourists do when they visit these towns! The year will finish with a group of forty-eight flying out to Wellington, New Zealand on Boxing Day and we are looking forward to that. As we approach the festive season most of us will be caught up someway with gift giving, eating large meals and wishing others a Happy Christmas. Having recently been in the Philippines with my wife Jeanette and a team of six others (at the time the Typhoon came through), my thoughts about gift giving have changed somewhat as I witnessed the extreme poverty of many people in a country where rapid change is taking place. However, as I reflect upon the meaning of Christmas it would seem to me that the One who came into the world to save us also calls us to remember the needs of those who are suffering most! Unfortunately, Christmas is not always a happy time for many because they have no family to celebrate with. Can I urge each one who reads these words to be aware that if you are not already a part of the family of God that you are the one Jesus came into the world for and that He wants to change your life from hopelessness to one of GREAT HOPE? And if it is your blessing to know Him as your Saviour and Lord that you especially remember to bless those who are far less fortunate than you? Just in closing, many are aware we shall be conducting another holiday to Disneyland Anaheim this coming June. We quickly reached our maximum number back in September so decided we would take an extra twenty people who might like to come. If you are someone who wanted to be part of this exciting holiday and don t mind the thought of a 17 hour plane ride there and back, then it s not too late to make a booking! See the advertisement somewhere else in the paper for details. In the meantime, I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas season with the hope that the Saviour who came as a babe is now your Saviour and redeemer because you have surrendered your life to His Lordship! Len Kingston Kenthurst News A few weeks ago we entertained friends at a sing along. While singing the First Noel we had Crossroads members acting out the song with a Nativity play. Best wishes to all for a happy and holy time this Christmas. From Maureen and all at Annangrove/ Kenthurst Crossroads 2

3 BANKSTOWN BULLETIN On the 19th October, a group of about 34 Bankstown City Crossroaders and friends set out in a large coach driven by Merv, our friendly bus driver. Our original destination was somewhere over the mountains but as there were fierce bush fires raging in that area and most of the roads were closed the plan was altered for a trip down the South Coast. The weather was fine and the trip not too exhausting so we stopped at Kiama for morning tea and then on to Berry for lunch. After a great day we all arrived back at Padstow by about 5:30 pm. John, and his team from St Marks, ran our November Hall Night for us that included some fun games. There was also a buzz of excitement during the Greetings from Queensland night because the combined Crossroads Christmas party at Smeaton Grange was coming up. On the day of the party, two bus loads of the Bankstown City Crossroaders left Padstow on their way to our annual get together with Hal and his City Crossroaders. Being early, we had a sing-song of Christmas Carols, a welcome from Sue, followed by lunch, which was enjoyed by all. It was great to meet-up with some old friends again. A good day had by all. Our final activity for the year was our own Christmas Dinner held, once again, in the Hall of the Mount St Joseph Milperra girl s school. It was a fantastic night. Cyril McColough Paul with Santa and Libby singing Carols Karaoke From The Editor Christmas is not far away. As I am writing this, I am preparing to attend my second carols night in a row. I have been very busy and have been wondering where I would find the time to finish this edition of Crossroads News. I m so glad that I have found the time as I have read about all that the branches have been doing and looked at all the great photos that I received. Take time to slow down and read all the News and hear about all the blessings that God has showered upon the Crossroads groups in Of course don t forget to marvel at the colour photos of our first colour edition that we hope to produce each summer. We are very grateful to Snap Printing at Castle Hill who have generously offered to sponsor this colour printing. If you need any printing done, give them a call their details are on the front page. Most importantly, find the time to slow down and think about God s amazing gift to us that he sent his Son Jesus on that first Christmas so that we can be forgiven and received as members of God s family. Stop and thank him for this great gift and take all opportunities to tell others this great news. To all friends and members of Crossroads Merry Christmas! Lesley This photo is from our family & members BBQ in August. From Janet and the team at Crossroads QLD we would like to wish you and your families a joyous and safe Christmas. Lauren 3

4 Continued from page 1 Mudgee Crossroads Celebrates their 20th Birthday Gradually the local service providers took over this role in a bigger way and so we relinquished this task. The rest of the evening was very energetic and happy with music provided by Peter Lindfield and his friend, Jason, on guitars, and Andrea on the keyboard. The building started rocking to the Birdie Dance, the Hokey Pokey and the Conga Line and in between we had some country spirituals and popular classics. There was a lot of catching up and chatter, and we are looking forward to most of us still being here to celebrate another 20 years. Andrea Sauerbier, Listening intently to the official speeches Dancing the Conga (above and to left) Mudgee branch President Judy speaks 4

5 News From Dubbo We have enjoyed a really good year at Crossroads in Dubbo. One big highlight was the visit of Len Kingston and some Sydney Crossroaders in September. It was a surprise for some to realise that Crossroads exists outside of Dubbo. At our final get together for 2013, we were able to celebrate the birth of Jesus, thanking God for the wonder of "The Best Present Ever". We also spent time being creative. Karen, a super craft talent, had us all making something to use as a Christmas decoration. A great celebration. Robyn. Crafty Karen The finished product Everyone hard at work Greetings from Tasmania (an extract from Out and About ) Another year is almost complete with all branches operating their vibrant and interesting programs and in ways which suit their local environment and the needs of their members. Most branches add variety to their programs with events that are new, although there are perennial favourites such as the annual BBQs for most branches, to start the events for the year. Continuity does appeal to Crossroaders, giving them a sense of security and safety. Crossroads Joy Church service at Scots Memorial All Branches in Tasmania express their grateful thanks to the Organisers, Helpers and Carers who willingly give their time to Make Crossroads Happen! Above all, we thank our Heavenly Father for His gift of Jesus our Saviour, Friend and Helper, and the inspiration for all that is offered in His Name. 5

6 Greetings From Macarthur Oh come all ye faithful... Where has 2013 gone as Christmas is upon us already!! On Saturday 30th November Macarthur Crossroads hosted the annual Crossroads Christmas party with Bankstown and Kindilan branches attending. There was a lot of Christmas cheer as we played musical chairs and hot potato with Santa trying to catch up with Rudolph. Our sausage sizzle and salad lunch was topped off with yummy pavlova. Everyone really loved singing Christmas carols and all joined in with Christmas bells to hold and ring when singing Jingle Bells. Sue shared the Christmas message on 'Christmas decorations with a Christ centred focus'. Some of the items that she spoke of were a Christmas tree that reminds us of the new life we have in Jesus, Angels that remind us of the good news GOD gave us and Santa who reminds us to give without seeking anything in return. Oh yes - Santa also visited giving gifts to everyone. So from all of us at Macarthur we pray that all will have a blessed Christmas and may GOD guide and protect you in Sue Lots of fun at the combined Christmas party News from Newcastle A few weeks ago our Crossroaders enjoyed a Moonshadow luncheon cruise all around Newcastle Harbour on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The food served on board was absolutely delicious and it was a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon, with occasional commentary by the ship's captain. Everybody had a marvellous time. Newcastle Crossroads had its last meeting for 2013, and its Christmas party, on Thursday the 28th November. We started with a short church service at St. Andrews which centred on the Christmas message, and was very well attended. Afterwards we all met in the church hall for the party where a feast of goodies awaited everyone. The man in red also visited and had a special gift for each and every Crossroader who attended, much to their delight. Crossroads will be in recess until the first Thursday in February 2014 when we will all meet again. Christmas greetings to all the other branches. John Mathieson - President 6

7 Snippets from Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Crossroaders really enjoyed our new provision of tabletop easels plus drawing pencils, pastels and charcoal. We had people waiting for a turn and the resulting works of art were amazing. We began with arranging fruit in a bowl as a stimulus; the next time went to flowers. This is Lee s work. Many of our members attended the International Day for People with a disability (IDPWD) dinner at Nowra Golf Club on 3 rd December it was a fancy dress event and there were many Santas there. Here is Maurice and who would have recognized James. One of our traditions in the Shoalhaven is to have a picnic in a town park on the first Friday of December. It was a glorious evening this year and over 50 people turned up with their picnic tea and picnic rug. Peter and Hennie led some Christmas Carols and we heard the Chocolate Christmas story. If you don t know it see it here:- christmas -story Shoalhaven Crossroads has had a wonderful year and we are thankful to God for His hand upon us. We now enjoy a short break but will be ready for 2014, with our first meeting on 14 th February and our annual Bundanoon Escape from rd Feb. We take over the YHA and enjoy bushwalks, a swim, archery, walks to the village and coffee shops and the younger energetic members go on a bike ride. There is always a good variety of craft activities too and good healthy food. We wish other branches much joy and peace over this Christmas and New Year period. Beth Parramatta Update Another year has passed that has been full of joy and fellowship. It has also been a great year of learning from God s Word and trusting in him as the people of Parramatta branch have learnt more about how we can love and serve him. Our final night for the year was capped off by a wonderful Christmas party full of food, craft and good fun. Above:(L to R) Natalie, John, Graham, Amanda, and Phillip Below:(L to R) John, Lesley, Jenny, and Evelyn We were then able to join with Dundas Church in their local community carols event and sing with great gusto. Merry Christmas from all at Parramatta Branch. 7

8 Crossroads Branches COUNTRY Bowral Dubbo Shareability Canberra Lismore Mudgee Newcastle ShellHarbour Shoalhaven Tamworth Wollongong SYDNEY AREA Annangrove Kenthurst Bankstown City Central Sydney Kindilan -Trips Kingsway(Caringbah) Macarthur District Wesley Video Fellowship Sydney Parramatta STATE OFFICES NSW Queensland Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Crossroads News is a publication of Crossroads Christian Fellowship NSW INC. It serves to be a voice for Crossroads Christian Fellowship as well as being a forum for ideas to help stimulate thought and action. Editor: Lesley Gilbert Checker: Chris Gilbert Production: Microsoft Office Publisher address for the Crossroads News: news@crossroadsfellowship.org.au Telephone: Postal Address: 2B Azalea Grove, Pennant Hills NSW 2120 Web: The views expressed in Crossroads News are not necessarily those of the Editor or Crossroads Christian Fellowship NSW Inc. The right is reserved to reject or amend any article or advertisement.