December 2023 – January 2024 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
December 2023 – January 2024 Newsletter
A MESSAGE OF HOPE!
We are at the start of the Advent season—a blessed season preparing us for the great Event of Christmas, when we will joyfully celebrate once again the miraculous birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who came to be like one of us and bring God’s grace and forgiveness to humankind. At this time as we approach the summer in the southern hemisphere, we feel the warmth of divine love. We see the Light to shatter darkness. God came to us in His Son Jesus Christ as the “Sun of Righteousness” and “The Fountain of Life.” Christmas is the celebration of God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ. So, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas, and a healthy, happy New Year.
In some ways, the year 2023 has been a memorable one. In September we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the church sanctuary and the 121st Anniversary of commencing the services on these premises. It was a joyous time for all of us, as we gathered with friends and the community to celebrate and give thanks to God for all those who worked tirelessly as God’s faithful servants preaching the good news.
While we had our celebrations, we also had, and still continue to have, our concerns about our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and in Armenia. We are concerned about the wellbeing of the people of Artsakh who are now refugees in Armenia. We are also concerned about the people in Israel and Palestine, who are facing difficult times due to the ongoing conflict between the two nations. We need to stand in solidarity with all those who are suffering, through our prayers and financial assistance. During this Christmas season, let’s be generous to all those who are facing many challenges. They need our support, our unequivocal financial and moral support to them, as well as to the needy in our midst, donating through the Exodus Foundation.
Finally, this season of Advent, like the prophet of old, tells us to prepare ourselves for a very important event in our life – the coming of God to earth. It is the voice that cries in the wilderness of our life, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3).
As Christians, we often say that we want the power and presence of God in our lives. And yet, we assume that while every other important activity in life needs care, provision and preparation, the coming of God needs none. The message of Christmas is that God offers Himself to us. We are called to get ready for Him. Through prayer, worship, and holy expectation, we are called to make straight what is crooked and smooth the rough surfaces of the road that will bring the healing and restoring grace of the Christ into our hearts and lives. Then, we will have cause to celebrate Christmas.
Let us share this message of Hope with all those who need it.
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
We can look back on 2023 as a year of great achievements, especially the anniversary of the laying of our foundation stone. If you did not receive a copy of our previous newsletter with the details of that event there are copies in the foyer, please take one home to read.
Despite our low numbers we continued with our traditional events. In particular Market Morning, Movie Nights, Fashion Parade, Time 4 U and of course St. Andrew’s Day. Thanks to everyone for supporting these events and the part you play in making our church community one of friendship and caring for one another.
Thank you to those who contributed to the Armenian appeal. Krikor made a short 3-day exhausting visit to Armenia to support the refugees and the AMAA members on the ground in October. Amazingly he met up with the Dermirchyan family who we supported for two years and had been evacuated to Yerevan. They had to leave their renovated home, their pigs and chickens, taking only what they could carry and are now all living with two immediate related families, 25 people in two rooms with no kitchen, toilet and proper bathroom.
Please pray for all refugees, many countries are supporting those who have been forced to leave their homes and families. Pray for peace in this divided world.
After just a year since joining our church, we said a final farewell to Soo Tee Cheong on Friday 17 November. Rev Simon Manchester conducted the funeral service and Krikor presided over the burial. We will wrap our arms around Mary as she grieves.
We have not seen Juliana for some weeks as she is in Royal North Shore Hospital while arrangements are made for her future. She is not well enough to return home to live on her own as she would not be safe.
As Krikor’s ministry comes closer to its end date in May 2025, our thoughts turn to the future and what lies ahead. At the moment there is no firm plan, but we will disclose more at the congregation meeting on Sunday 10 December.
As the Christmas season approaches let us have love, peace, joy and hope in our hearts.
Penny Goodley
TAKE TIME
Take time to think, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read, it is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to pray, it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to love and be loved, it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.
Take time to give, it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to work, it is the price of success.
Take time to do charity, it is the key to heaven.
Soo-Tee Cheong 29 October 1944 – 31 October 2023
We were saddened by the sudden death of Soo-Tee Cheong, an Architect, Town Planner, Community Leader, Councillor, Deputy Mayor of Lane Cove and recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022. Soo-Tee was known for his gentle spirit, unwavering integrity, enduring faith in God, loyalty to friends and devotion to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary, his two sons and his 4 grandchildren.
TIME 4 U, Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Time 4U is held every Wednesday from 10-12 noon. We will meet for the last time this year on 13 December, for a Christmas party, then take a break until Wednesday 7 February.
Cost: $5 for home-made morning tea and a welcoming and friendly time amongst friends.
PIZZA AND MOVIE NIGHT – First Tuesday of the month – since Dec 2011!
5 December. The last movie for this year will be The Man who Invented Christmas (2017). A biographical comedy-drama based on the life and times of Charles Dickens as he wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. (104 mins)
Come along and enjoy what must be the best value dinner and movie combo in town!
Cost $12. Please bring your own drinks.
Bookings essential: 9428 4287/9427 4740
The opening movie for 2024 on 6 February will be Penguin Bloom (2020) – an Australian drama based on the true story of the Bloom family and their interaction with a magpie named Penguin.
LANE COVE MUSIC
All six concerts for 2023 have been well attended and very much enjoyed. We are thankful that our venue, Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church, 19 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove, will again be available in 2024. Dates for 2024 are: 12 March, 14 May, 25 June, 13 August, 8 October, 26 November. Further information about becoming a member and our 2024 concert season is available on our website: www.lanecovemusic.org.au
Enquiries: Chris Butters 9428 4287
EXODUS FOUNDATION
Please give generously to our annual appeal for food and gifts. Requested items are: Pasta, ring pull tinned food, biscuits, cereal, long life milk, Christmas puddings, mince pies, Lego sets, puzzles and board games, perfume and aftershave, toiletry packs and store gift vouchers. Closing date for donations is Sunday 17 December.
St. Andrew’s Day – Sunday 26 November 2023
The tables were set with Scottish flags, the bunting was up, as was the tea towel display.
Robin Cumming piped in the Haggis, carried by Rev. Michael Thomas, of Crows Nest Uniting Church, which was addressed in Gaelic (of course) then, Michael thrust his dagger into the pudding. The wenches dispensed portions of Haggis with tatties (potatoes) and neeps (swedes) – the latter not readily available down under in November as it is a winter vegetable. We toasted the Haggis with a dram of Johnny Walker.
Ever multicultural, the main course was Armenian pizza with salad and tan. While we ate, Hagop entertained us on his saxophone.
Our hearts were saddened by pictures of families fleeing Artsakh last September in mass exodus from their own homeland. At the conclusion there was complete silence, broken by the soft sounds of the saxophone.
Our joyful mood returned with the drawing of more than a dozen raffle prizes, followed by Scottish songs. Tea, coffee and shortbread biscuits concluded the Feast.
Thank you to all who worked hard to make this celebration possible and thanks to all who came to eat, drink and make merry.
On this happy occasion Ian Butters recited a poem, which he had written in the previous week. The full poem on the back page.
St. Andrews Day
by Ian Butters
St Andrews Day is held each year on the 30th of November
When the flag known as Saint Andrew’s Cross prompts all Scots to remember
St Andrew as their Patron Saint who tragically perished
Upon that cross diagonal, revered and greatly cherished.
For today in many countries that are spread right round the world
This blue flag with its pure white cross is faithfully unfurled
To celebrate a life devout, steadfast and dignified
Yet for his faith he was condemned, martyred and crucified.
And he became the Patron Saint way back in thirteen twenty
And on St Andrew’s Day they feast with Scottish food aplenty
There’s haggis, clootie dumpling and neeps and tatties too
Smoked haddock washed with cullen skink on every Scots menu.
For this day is now regarded as a day of celebration
When the Saltire or St Andrew’s Cross flies right across the nation
And the skirl of bagpipes can be heard ‘cross lochs and glens and braes
These festivals of food and dance can last for several days.
And all the lads and lassies there, recite with kilts a’twirling
The poetry of ‘Rabbie’ Burns from Rutherglen to Stirling
And Scottish gentry and clan chiefs resplendent in their tartan
Have come from Scottish towns a’field like Dundee and Dumbarton.
And piper bands then take the floor encouraging all to dine
They start the day with The Skye Boat Song and finish with Auld Lang Syne
And in between it’s Scotland the Brave played under the white Saltire
Followed soon by a few Scottish tunes including the Mull of Kintyre.
Yet missing at these festivals, despite her strong devotion
Is Bonnie who just can’t get there – for she lies o’er the ocean
And she will miss that Scottish song – the one that does amuse us
When Donald donned his Scottish kilt – called- Donald Where’s Your Troosers?
So as we gather here today together in one place
Let us recall St Andrew’s life and his amazing grace
And as we celebrate the Day we know we always will
Respect his flag, St Andrew’s Cross, at St Andrew’s Longueville.
| As we come to the end of the year 2023, we give thanks to God for all the blessings that we have received from Him, the good and the bad days and we look forward for another year, the year 2024, full of His blessings and joy. God is with us to keep us and sustain us.Thanks be to God! |
OUR BANK DETAILS
Thank you for depositing money into the church bank account by EFT.
If convenient for you, you are welcome to continue. We bank with Westpac BSB 032 085, a/c 810147.
DECEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Dec 3, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service – Advent 1
Dec 5, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night
“The Man Who Invented Christmas”
Dec 10, Sun 9:30 am – Church Service – Advent 2
Dec 10, Sun 10:30 am – Congregational Meeting
Dec 13, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U – Christmas Party
Dec 13, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Dec 17, Sun 10:30 pm – Carols Service – Advent 3
Dec 17, Sun – Exodus Foundation gifts all in
Dec 24, Sun 9:30 am – Church Service – Advent 4
Dec 24, Sun 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service on the Lawn
Dec 25, Mon 9:00 am – Christmas Day Service
JANUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Jan 7, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 4, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Feb 6, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night “Penguin Bloom”
Feb 7, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U resumes and every Wednesday
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To contact Krikor call on 0418 417 411
standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740
Church Website
http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au