February – March 2023 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
February – March 2023 Newsletter
Look Forward with Optimism and Most Importantly Pray!
I hope you all had a good start in the New Year and the chance to spend some quality time with the family, friends and loved ones in the holidays; Christmas, New Year and the usual break in January and Australia Day Celebration last week. Those who were overseas and those who were away for a short break, have come back and in February things will get back to normal as we recommence our regular programs.
While we were relaxing durng the holidays and enjoying life and thanking God for His blessings, we knew that there were and still are less fortunate people around us, here in our beautiful country and around the world. We have remembered and prayed for all those who faced many challenges, including natural disasters, such as floods, bushfires, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, as well as lost dear ones. We prayed for them and with them, we shared their pain and tried our best to help and support them.
We raised money to support charities, collected our annual gifts of food and gifts for the Exodus Foundation. We continued our support for the second year the Demirchian family in Artsakh, a family with ten children whose father passed away in the 2020 war.
We prayed for the people of Ukraine as they were and are in the terror of war. We prayed for refugees, the marginalised, the sick and the suffering. And recently we raised our prayers for the people of Artsakh, who are facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis because of the inhuman blockade imposed by Azerbaijan for the last almost 50 days.
Artsakh and its 120,00 Armenian inhabitants have been under siege and the only access road to Armenia has been blocked under strange pretences. The world has been seeing or reading only sporadic and partial news pieces about this catastrophic situation that is worsening day by day. As the blockade continues, challenges are increasing, including an acute shortage of food, medicine and basic necessities, plus internet, gas and electricity shut-offs. Despite operating under these adverse conditions, the AMAA has been able to keep open its Kindergartens and “Shogh” Centres and resumed activities after the Christmas holidays. It is our hope that the children are provided a moment of respite with their classmates as they learn and play with each other under the nurturing care of their teachers.
May God protect the people and precious children in Artsakh and grant them an everlasting peace. Please continue to pray for this dire situation.
I am sure that with God’s help and guidance, as well as the power of the Holy Spirit, we will continue our journey together in 2023 and do our best, as usual, to support each other and those who are around us, with commitment and complete trust in God, faithfully doing our best to spread of the Gospel.
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
Happy New Year to everyone. Let’s look forward with optimism as we recommence our activities.
Pizza and Movie Nights and TIME 4 U recommence in February.
On Sunday 11 December immediately following our annual Service of Carols and Readings, the whole congregation took part in the planting of an Olive Tree in the church grounds. Celebrating and remembering Krikor’s 35 years of Ordination and 40 years of Ministry, we placed white stones around the perimeter and a temporary plaque was affixed with the words:
“This Olive Tree has been planted on the happy occasion of Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian’s 35th Anniversary of his Ordination and 40 years of Service as Minister of the Word. Minister, St. Andrew’s Uniting Church Longueville May 2011 – June 2025. 11 December 2022”
Christmas celebrations went well, carols on the lawn saw several local families join us, enticed in by our notice board. Thank you to Krikor and Mark for setting up the chairs, microphone and keyboard to enable this to happen.
In December we farewelled chaplain Karen Paull, who is now a chaplain for the Narooma district, and this month, Rev. Graham Perry who is travelling to the Hunter Region. Graham has attended several events at our church, travelled with us to Armenia and has been a supporter of the AAMA. We will miss his positive attitude and cheerful disposition.
Welcome back Frank and Virginia! We trust that your time with family was all you hoped it would be. Now you must leave the snow behind and adjust to our (variable) heat and summer storms.
Our congregation meeting will be held on 12 February, please attend if you are able.
We reached our target of $3,000 to support the Demirchian family in Arsakh in 2022. We will ask if you wish to continue your donations when we have our congregation meeting in February.
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.
Penny Goodley
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – 10:30 am Friday 3 March
This year it is St. Andrew’s turn to host the World Day of Prayer in affiliation with the churches of Lane Cove and Greenwich. The Order of Service has been prepared by the women of Taiwan and Krikor has invited Rev. Myung Hwa Park to be the guest speaker. Rev. Park was the UCA NSW and ACT Moderator before Rev. Simon Hansford and is currently Minister of Leura Uniting Church and President of the NSW Ecumenical Council.
LANE COVE MUSIC
Concerts will resume in Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church, 19 Rosenthal Avenue, Lane Cove in March 2023. Subscription notices will be sent out in February. All concerts start at 7:30 pm.
Concert dates for 2023:
14 March – Gilbert and Sullivan evening
9 May – Accent Strings (string quartet)
20 June – Saxophonist Nick Russoniello and the Golden Age Quartet
8 August – Harp and Flute/tenor
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 10:00 -12 noon. We will resume in 1 February 2023.
Cost: $5 for homemade morning tea and a welcoming and friendly morning amongst friends.
PIZZA AND MOVIE NIGHT – First Tuesday of the month – Our 101st movie!
On Tuesday 6 December we celebrated our 100th movie since commencing our Pizza + Movie nights in Dec 2011.
The first movie for 2023 at 6:30 pm on 7 Feb will be I am Sam (2001) – Drama of “love versus ability and the individual against an unbending system” starring Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Dakota Fanning.
On 7 March the movie will be Sometimes Always Never (2018) – British comedy-drama of a stylish tailor who spends years looking for his missing son who stormed out over a game of scrabble…. starring Bill Nighy, Sam Riley & Jenny Agutter.
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
EXODUS FOUNDATION
Thank you to those who contributed to our annual gifts of food (non-perishable and easy to open cans) and gifts.
A full carload was delivered just before Christmas!
STAMP NEWS
Please continue to save stamps from your mail and give them to Virginia or Frank when they return in late January.
WOOL AND FABRIC DE-STASH
Until 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.
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.
EVERY WEEK
Every week is a new week. Every day is a new adventure.
Col Joye, Christmas 2003
FEBRUARY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Feb 1, 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 – “I Am Sam”
Feb 8, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Feb 12, Sun 10:30 am – Congregational Meeting
MARCH DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Mar 1, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
Mar 3, Fri 10:30 am – World Day of Prayer – Here at St. Andrew’s
Mar 5, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Mar 7, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Nights – “Sometimes Always Never”
Mar 8, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
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