December 2022 – January 2023 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
December 2022 – January 2023 Newsletter
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
We have almost come to the end of yet another difficult year. In spite of all our challenges we have remained a faithful group, thanks to Krikor’s leadership. Thank you to everyone who provided flowers, morning tea and welcomed people to church on Sunday morning throughout the year. Support and care of and for each other is very much in the DNA of our church membership.
Last month we were saddened to farewell several long-term members of our church family. On a positive note, we are delighted to welcome two new members, Mary and Soo-Tee Cheong.
We are conscious of yet another wave of COVID, which we all hope to avoid. It is recommended that circulating air and cross ventilation are important, that is why we are opening the windows in the church. Of course, we will have the option of air conditioning as the weather heats up.
It has been a difficult year for Presbytery and there will be some changes in the future. At the moment we have no idea what they may be, but we will keep you informed. We plan to have a congregational meeting in February, at which time we should have results of the Life and Witness survey.
Please check our two notice boards (in the church and the hall) for an article written by Heather Astle’s son, David, titled ‘How I became a Bible rehasher’. This weekly Wordplay article appeared in the SMH on 29 October. Please let me know if you would like a photocopy.
We reached our target of $3,000 to support the Demirchian family in Artsakh. We will ask if you wish to continue your donations when we have our next congregational meeting in February.
As we approach the festive season, we say bon voyage to Frank and Virginia Knowles. They fly out on December 5 to celebrate Christmas with their family in the UK and won’t be back until the end of January. Have a wonderful trip and a happy new year.
Our hardworking treasurer, Wendy Phelps, and husband Ken are currently circumnavigating Australia on a cruise ship. We wish them calm seas.
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 think of those affected by floods and the volunteer workers helping them.
Penny Goodley
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Best wishes to all for a blessed Christmas and a happy 2023!
ON A PERSONAL NOTE.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with these families:
Betty Chapman 19 April 1927 – 20 March 2020
Betty passed away suddenly at the start of COVID-19 and was lovingly remembered by a large gathering of family and friends and the St. Andrew’s congregation on 6 November 2022. Betty was remembered as a loving, kind, adventurous and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt and is greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. We remember Betty as a faithful and dedicated member of St. Andrew’s for more than 60 years. She is greatly missed by our congregation and the Lane Cove community.
Nancy (Nan) Matheson 15 August 1925 – 6 August 2022
At a Memorial Service held on 24 September, Nan’s full, long, loving and caring life, and happy and successful marriage to Ian was fondly remembered in word, song and photographs by her children, John, Robert and Wendy and her extended family and ‘adopted’ family. Especially moving was a beautiful rendition of “Where the Lost Things Go” from Mary Poppins by her granddaughter Ellie.
Margaret McCullough 2February 1944 – 11 August 2022
We were saddened by the sudden death of Margaret after a brave battle with Parkinsons disease. Margaret was a member of St. Columba’s, but was a faithful member of Time 4U, Lane Cove Music and always attended our Movie nights. Thank you, Margaret, for your friendship and your generous commitment to the Lane Cove community.
2022 SUMMER FASHION PARADE
After an enforced (by COVID) break of two years, our annual Fashion Parade was back on the Events Calendar. On Thursday 10 November the usual splendid morning tea was served, 66 ladies came to eat, drink and make purchases, raising $1141. This year, a donation was made to The Smith Family who do a marvellous job funding the education of children from disadvantaged homes.
Many thanks to Jan and Brian for organising the event, Stafford Fashions for the clothes and Tina for jewellery.
STAMP NEWS
Please continue to save stamps from your Christmas cards and give them to Virginia or Frank when they return in late January.
WOOL AND FABRIC DE-STASH
Between now and 31 January we are offering the opportunity to move on anything from your craft stash that is in excess to your needs. These offerings will be donated to those who knit squares at Lane Cove Library and other groups who are seeking ‘craft’ supplies.
Please leave your donations in the box marked Wool/Fabrics on the stage in the Hall.
Postscript to our Broken Hill trip 2019 (just before COVID)
On the road between Broken Hill and Menindee we met up with sheep farmer Brendan Cullen, who was training to swim The English Channel. He made it! The following is from his website:
Anyone who swims the English Channel is a hero – only 20 per cent of those who attempt it even make the distance. In July 2022, Broken Hill farmer Brendan Cullen joined their ranks, an amazing feat – not least because he lives 60 kms from his nearest swimming pool and 600 kms from his nearest beach. It took Brendan a gruelling 17.5 hours to complete the distance. After starting at 10:00 am, he did much of the swim in the dark. As the horn sounded to signal the swim was complete, Brendan’s next priority was scrabbling about to find pebbles to take back for his three children. “But I must’ve hit the sandiest beach in France. There wasn’t a pebble in sight,” he laughs. “I can’t even remember the trip back to Dover. I just passed out on the beanbags. I was proper sore. As sore as I’ve ever been.”
HANDS
Have you ever thought about the importance of hands? Have you taken notice of the type of hands that a person has? Does that reveal something about that person? Hands work in the field, in the office, in the home. Hands prepare food for loved ones. Hands take care of children and elders. Hands play instruments. Hands create works of art. Hands pray.
Extract from ‘Serving Hands’ by Corrie Phillips, of AMAA’s Armenia Medical Mission.
EXODUS FOUNDATION
Our annual gifts of food (non-perishable and easy to open cans) and gifts can be left at the church up to and including Sunday 18 December.
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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.
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
Lao Tzu
WHAT IS LIFE?
Life is like a camera
Focus on what’s important
Capture the good times
Develop from the negatives
If things don’t work out
Take another shot!
DECEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Dec 4, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Dec 6, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
The 100th Movie since 2012
Dec 11, Sun 9:30 am – Carols Service
Dec 18, Sun – All Food/Gifts donations to Exodus in
Dec 24, Sat 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve – on the lawn
Dec 25, Sun 9:30 am – Christmas Day Service
JANUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Jan 1, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 8, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U Commences and every Wednesday
Feb 5, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Feb 7, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Nights resume
Feb 8, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Feb 12, Sun 10:30 am – Congregational Meeting
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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