April – May 2023 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
April – May 2023 Newsletter
An Easter Message
Easter, Our Christian Hope!
In the midst of a world that seems to be overwhelmed with strife, division, evil—does Easter matter? We are surrounded by the Good Friday drama, as nations are torn in painful schisms, as human rights violations destroy the lives of the innocent people around the world.
In the midst of a world where there are flagrant violations of basic human rights, brutal blockades threatening the very existence of innocent human beings, does it make a difference that one Sunday morning long ago a stone was rolled away from a tomb? Does it matter in that moment, love triumphed over hate, good over evil, light over darkness, life over death?
The past three months have been trying times for the Armenian people in Artsakh. They have suffered enough, and they are yearning for the restoration of normal life. Since December 12, 2022, the cruel blockade of Lachin corridor by Azerbaijani authorities, has caused shortages of electricity and gas, medicine and food. It has affected hundreds of separated families.
In addition to this man-made disaster, the 7.8 magnitude dreadful earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria, followed by two more earthquakes, continuing aftershocks have devastated many people.
In the wake of these heart-rending realities, does Easter matter? Does Easter make any difference in the lives of people? More than ever, it does. Easter message is the message of hope. It tells the Christian believers not to despair when their life plans are disrupted, and their dreams are shattered because God is still in charge. We are Easter people, because we know our Lord is victorious, and have given us the strength and power and will to live triumphantly. The joy of our Easter celebration is more than a passing event. It is symbolic of the joy of being with a Risen Saviour and the promise of the newness of life He brings.
The Bible and the history of the Christian church tells us that Christians have dared to have hope in the face of discouraging facts, not because they hoped that things would get better but because they believed God was at work even in depressions and sufferings.
Neither human resilience, nor positive thinking can engender real and enduring hope. Only God does. It is He who enables us to hope in the face of apparent hopelessness. When we taste defeat and hopelessness, He gives us hope to endure. When we are bewildered, He is our hope for guidance. When we are bruised, He is our hope for healing. When we are bereaved, He is our hope for comfort.
Thus, we live in Christian hope because of what God has done in Christ through his resurrection. Christ lives and reigns triumphantly. And because He is triumphant Lord, those who believe in Him shall also live victorious lives. This is the message of Easter and Christian hope. Yes, Christians live in the present with confidence and face the future with courage.
Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
Our Pizza and Movie nights and TIME 4 U recommenced in February, and both have welcomed new members. We have now shown over 100 movies and TIME 4 U has been hosting morning teas for more than 10 years.
Krikor has been busy entertaining Armenian visitors during March. We attended the Willoughby Armenian church on Sunday 19 March for a bilingual worship service. This was followed by morning tea with an enormous cake to celebrate the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia’s anniversary and Krikor’s birthday on 18 March.
On Sunday 26 March, the day following the State elections, we were joined by some of the Armenian visitors and locals for worship in our own church and communion was served.
At our congregation meeting following the Sunday Service on 12 February it was a unanimous decision to again raise $3,000 to support the Artsakh appeal. (We had previously supported one family for two years.) If you did not attend the meeting and would like copies of the reports, please ask Krikor.
On Sunday 12 March some members of our church council attended a Zone meeting to discuss the future of churches in our area – Willoughby, Crows Nest, Neutral Bay, Mosman, Lane Cove, Willoughby Armenian and Longueville. While no firm decisions were made we all agreed to work together towards the best outcome. Ideas were discussed. Willoughby and Crows Nest both have ministers and active congregations. Neutral Bay and Mosman do not currently have ministers. Rick is pastor at Lane Cove and Krikor will continue be our full-time minister for the next two years, till 31 May 2025. Lane Cove is currently looking for a permanent replacement for Karen Paull, they have an interim placement. There will be no changes for Longueville in the next 2 years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those undergoing, and recovering from, treatment and those feeling sadness at the loss of a loved one. We also remember those affected by the trauma of war in Ukraine and Artsakh and earthquakes in Turkey, Syria and Ecuador.
Penny Goodley
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2023
This year was St. Andrew’s turn to host the World Day of Prayer on Friday 3 March in affiliation with the churches of Lane Cove and Greenwich. The Order of Service was prepared by the women of Taiwan. The Guest Speaker was Rev. Myung Hwa Park from Leura Uniting Church, President of the NSW Ecumenical Council and former UCA SNW and ACT Moderator. It was followed by Morning Tea in the Hall.
Next year the service will be hosted by St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Lane Cove.
ELECTION DAY STALL
Many thanks to those who baked and helped on the stall on March 25.
LANE COVE MUSIC
Concerts resumed in Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church, 19 Rosenthal Avenue, Lane Cove in March 2023. All concerts start at 7:30 pm.
Remaining concert dates for 2023:
9 May – Accent Strings (string quartet)
20 June – Saxophonist Nick Russoniello and the Golden Age Quartet
8 August – Harpist Verna Lee and Flutist/baritone Philip Murray
10 October – Sydney Eisteddfod/Pollard Awards
28 November – Taverner Consort of Voices
Ticket bookings can be made in advance via our website:
www.lanecovemusic.org.au or tickets $30 cash at the door.
Enquiries: Chris Butters 9428 4287, Penny Goodley 9803 1735
TIME 4 U, Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Time 4U is held every Wednesday from 10-12 noon. We resumed in February 2023 and are pleased to have welcomed new faces to the table this year.
Cost: $5 for home-made morning tea and a welcoming and friendly morning amongst friends.
PIZZA AND MOVIE NIGHT – First Tuesday of the month
On 4 April the movie will be The Italian Job (1969) – British comedy about a gang of ex-cons attempting to steal gold bullion being transported through the city of Turin, Italy, climaxing with the famous 3 Mini Cooper car chase. Starring Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill and Rossano Brazzi (99 mins)
On 2 May the movie will be The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015) – biographical drama about the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, born in poverty in Madras, India, who earns entry to Cambridge University during World War 1. Starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons and Stephen Fry (108 mins).
On 6 June the movie will be Jane Eyre (2011) – Romantic drama based on Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 novel starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Judi Dench (120 mins)
Come along and enjoy the best value dinner and movie combo in town! Cost $10. Please bring your own drinks.
Bookings essential: 9428 4287 or 9427 4740
STAMP NEWS
Please continue to save stamps and give them to Virginia or Frank.
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.
THE ORIGIN OF OUR EXODUS FOUNDATION GIVING
Heather Astle first moved to Longueville in 1992 and joined St. Andrew’s in 1994 with her friends Judy O’Gorman Hughes and Madeleine Doutreband. The Ladies’ Auxiliary was looking for a new treasurer, so she put up her hand.
Monthly meetings were fun, and the donation was ‘the least coin’ so she trundled up to the bank with 75 cents. Fiddly and time consuming for very little, so Heather suggested each should bring a tin of food.
This is how the bi-annual donations to Rev. Bill Crewes’ Foundation began. Heather felt it was important to have food in winter, rather than at Christmas, when everyone else was giving freely.
From one or two small cartons, which the ladies delivered to Ashfield themselves, it is now a station wagon load twice a year. Thank-you Heather for this remarkable story.
We will have our winter collection in June/July.
Extract from a short story titled ‘Give’. Anne Frank’s Tales from the Secret Annexe.
Give of yourself, give as much as you can! And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Apr 2, Sun 9:30 am – Palm Sunday Service – No Communion
Apr 4, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Nights – “The Italian Job”
Apr 5, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
Apr 9, Sun 9:30 am – Easter Sunday Service – Communion
Apr 12, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
MAY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
May 2, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Nights – “The Man Who Knew Infinity”
May 3, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
May 7, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
11:30 am – Mother’s Day Lunch
May 10, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
May 22, Mon 8:00 am – Trip to Narrabri
May 28, Sun 9:30 am – No Service – Join a neighbouring UC service
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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