October – November 2023 Newsletter
St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville
October – November 2023 Newsletter
SPECIAL EDITION
Remembering for the Future
This Message was delivered at the Praise and Worship Service 10 September 2023
Church anniversaries are a great opportunity for remembrance: we remember the circumstances surrounding the beginning of Christian witness in this place; we remember the events that put a permanent stamp upon the subsequent life of the church; and we remember the ministry of certain persons who left their mark on the life of the congregation.
So, today, here at St. Andrew’s, Longueville, we pause to remember …that we are part of a network of belief ‒ going back 100 years to when the foundation stone of this church was laid, 121 years when the Rev Dr Bruce purchased land here and erected an earlier building for Sunday afternoon services, and back to Jerusalem over two thousand years ago.
We are part of a network of belief encompassing millions and millions of other Christian people and embracing future generations in a dynamic community of memory.
Christianity is like Judaism in that it is fundamentally a religion of remembrance. At the centre of Judaism is a remembering God who places a high value on remembering and being remembered.
In the Jewish tradition the annual celebration of the Exodus and Passover is a reminiscent event; in remembering God’s saving event, God, too, is remembered and worshiped.
Just as remembering is central to the Jewish tradition, so it is at the heart of the Christian faith. There are many instances of the importance of memory in Christianity: in Acts 20:35, for example, Christians are called to ‘help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus”. The Taizé song, ‘Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom’ is a direct quote from Luke’s Gospel. But the most obvious reference to remembering in the New Testament is the command of Jesus at the Last Supper to ‘do this in remembrance of me’; break the bread and drink the cup in remembrance of him.
When Christians eat the bread and drink the cup in obedience to Christ’s command, they not only remember Christ’s death until He comes, they also proclaim the good news that there is redemption, salvation, hope, and the power for, and the possibility of, a new start in life.
On this celebratory occasion, our recalling of the congregation’s past is much more than an act of self-congratulation; it is an act of remembering for the future.
When you remember Jesus in Holy Communion, it is more than looking back or calling to mind; it is an act of remembering Him so that it makes a difference to your present and your future.
In truly remembering the death of Jesus you are set free to love one another, to serve Christ, and to participate in Christ’s redemptive work in your community.
Remembering Jesus, marks you as the people of God. It unites you and keeps your church together through tough and difficult times. It strengthens your common life and is a source of great encouragement to others. Remembering Christ helps the church make good decisions. It provides you with a series of signposts that help make sense of our rapidly changing world and directs you in the way of the Lord. It reminds you that sin and evil do not have the last word.
It is the sanctified memory of Jesus Christ that has brought St. Andrew’s to this happy day and offers you a future.
Sadly, too many of our churches are suffering from spiritual amnesia. They are stranded in the present. They have forgotten that tradition is literally what is handed over ‒ a continuous stream of explanation and elucidation of the original gospel message. They assume that the past has nothing to do with the present and the future, and that we are more enlightened than our ancestors. They have forgotten who Jesus is.
The loss of memory is profoundly damaging to congregations. It disconnects them from the past, distorts their present, and closes off their future. In many respects, churches that lose their memory cease to be.
The way out of this odd amnesia is remembering Jesus as the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11. This memory is precious. It is good news.
In 2008 I was involved in writing a history for the 175th anniversary of the Pitt Street Uniting Church. It is the story of that congregation’s journey to the brink of extinction and back again.
One of the most pleasing things to come out of writing that history was a decision by the Church Council to study that history chapter by chapter. They were determined to learn from their history, not to lose their memory and, most importantly, to remember for the future.
May St Andrew’s, Longueville, do likewise ‒ focus intently on God’s dealing with you in the past, always remembering who Jesus is so that you, too, may move confidently into the future.
Rev. Dr. William W. Emilsen
Rev. Dr. William Emilsen is a Church Historian and a retired professor. He is an author and editor of several books, as well as a writer of many articles.
* * * * *
On this happy occasion Ian Butters, one of our parishioners, quoted from an earlier poem he had written
regarding the importance of history:
“For the freedoms we enjoy today, which we expect are here to stay
Were all hard won in battles fought through trial and tribulation
These liberties we celebrate were not served up upon a plate
They’re vital to our way of life, they’re our emancipation!
So as dark clouds gather off our shores we squabble over social mores
Self-centred, inward looking and forgetful of our history
Our past is now so badly blurred that some dispute just what occurred
And the lessons that we should have learned are just another mystery”
* * * * *
CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
We have all experienced highs and lows, ups and downs in our lives. We anticipated that September would be a month of celebration and we did celebrate well on 10 September with friends, family and honoured guests. Please read the report of the service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the laying of our Foundation Stone by Chris Butters. What we did not anticipate was the devastating news from Armenia and Artsakh. Our appeal to support those who are suffering is still open, you can donate with cash or by direct deposit (Westpac BSB 032 085, a/c 810147). Please pray for all Armenian people wherever they may be in the world and for Krikor as he attends the AMAA meeting 11-25 October. Sunday 15 Oct at 10:00 am we will join Crows Nest Uniting for worship and Bob Minton will take our service on 22 October.
It is not all sad news – there will be more celebration. On 29 October we will welcome Rob Floyd, National Director of Frontier Services to our morning worship, which will be John Flynn Service, as we have done in the past several years. And we are happy that Lane Cove Uniting Congregation will join us that Sunday to worship with us.
There’s more good news – on Sunday November 26 we will celebrate St. Andrew’s Day with haggis, tatties and neeps at a seated lunch. Tickets are available now from Virginia, Chris and Penny.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those undergoing, or recovering from, treatment and those feeling sadness at the loss of a loved one. We pray for all areas in our world suffering from conflict and natural disasters, we especially remember those affected by the trauma in Artsakh as they leave their ancestral home and land becoming helpless refugees.
Penny Goodley
PAIN IS INEVITABLE, MISERY IS OPTIONAL!
91-year-old man at the start of this year’s City to Surf fun run.
Centenary of St. Andrew’s UC Longueville Church Building
On a beautiful spring day, Sunday 10 September 2023 exactly 100 years and 2 days after the laying of the Foundation Stone of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Longueville, more than 120 former members of congregation, dignitaries, friends and current members of congregation assembled to praise God on this special Centenary.
With the sun streaming through the magnificent stained-glass windows, Penny Goodley, Chair of the Church Council, welcomed everyone with words from Psalms 100 and 134. Chris Butters, Secretary of the Church Council, followed with the Affirmation of Faith and a prayer of thanksgiving for the faithful and dedicated community members who established St. Andrew’s in 1902, those who laid the Foundation Stone in 1923 and all those who faithfully and lovingly served as a large Presbyterian congregation until 1977 and as a Uniting Church since then.
Guest Preacher, Rev. Dr. William Emilsen spoke of the importance of remembering our history as we plan for our future.
Several short congratulatory addresses, two by video, were presented by Rev. Sharon Hollis (UCA President), Rev. Simon Hansford (UCA NSW Moderator), Rev. Martin Levine (SCC Presbytery), Rev. Graham Perry (SCC Past Presbytery Minister), Rev. Michael Thomas (Lower North Shore Uniting Church Zone Ministers) and Rev. Simon Ambler (Lane Cove Ministers’ Association). The Mayor of Lane Cove, Councillor Andrew Zbik, spoke of the important role that St. Andrew’s has always played in the Lane Cove Community. Mr. Kaylar Michaelian, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh, thanked St. Andrew’s for its outreach and financial support for the people of Artsakh and Mr. Avo Soghomonian, chairman of the AMAA, Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, thanked the Congregation for its support over many years.
Holding the silver engraved trowel presented to Mr. Thomas Dark Chapman in 1923 and proudly passed from generation to generation, Susan Irving, née Chapman, one of several great grandchildren of TD Chapman present, spoke of the pioneering spirit of the early settlers in Longueville and the underlying message of TD Chapman’s 1923 address of respect, inclusiveness, the importance of community and hope for the future. All values as important today as they were 100 years ago. On a personal level for the Chapman family, St. Andrew’s has been the place of numerous marriages and baptisms celebrated, and lives commemorated, spanning five generations. The family name is etched in four of the stained-glass windows and the two Rolls of Honour.
The service was enhanced by Opera Australia soprano, Natalie Aroyan singing Schubert’s Ave Maria and Handel’s He Shall Feed His Flock and Jazz Pianist, Zela Margossian and Percussionist Adam Yilmaz performing Devotion, composed by Zela, followed by Pete Seeger’s Turn, Turn, Turn, based on Ecclesiastes and arranged by Zela. Music before and after the Service and for the hymns, To God be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done and The Church’s One Foundation was played by our organist, Mark Woodward with David Cant on saxophone.
At the end of the Service, Rev. Krikor Youmshajekian the Minister of the church made the closing remarks, thanked the speakers, the guests, the musicians, all those who took part in the service, prepared Afternoon Tea and ASV Soghomonian Brothers for printing the Order of Service & Church Windows Booklets free of charge. He also made a special tribute to all the past faithful servants who served the St. Andrews’ Church as Ministers of the Word. The service concluded with his blessing.
Following the Service, the large crowd gathered in the War Memorial Hall for further reminiscing over afternoon tea. Archival photos, many of which were provided by Murray Debus, son of Rev. Graham Debus, Minister of St. Andrew’s from 1968 to 1995, reflected important events in our history. Photos to remember this significant milestone in St. Andrew’s history were taken by Ken Phelps.
On this happy occasion we thank God for being with us for the past 121 years. We thank God for the ministers who have served faithfully in our congregation, for their support for families in need, for preaching the Gospel and passing the torch from generation to generation. We thank God for the children nurtured in Sunday School, and young adults in Fellowship, and all age groups who have come together to worship.
Special thanks to our minister Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian for his thoughtful and detailed planning of this service and to all those who helped to make the day the great success it was.
Chris Butters
A short speech delivered by Susan Irving (nee Chapman) on behalf of the Chapman family on the occasion of the St. Andrew’s Anniversaries
As one of T.D. Chapman’s great-grandchildren, it gives me much pleasure to speak on behalf of the family who are present today, at this important milestone in the history of St. Andrew’s.
Thomas Dark Chapman and his wife Fanny were among the early families to settle in Longueville. They built their home ‘Panorama‘ in 1896, just along the road from here. Heritage listed, the house still stands today.
Being close neighbours, St. Andrew’s naturally became the family church, and T.D. Chapman would have been honoured to lay its foundation stone.
As custodian of the family archives, my brother Michael has brought along the engraved silver trowel that was presented to our great-grandfather to mark the occasion, and also the handwritten notes for the address that he gave.
In his address, he talked about the mission and role of the Church in the community. I recognise a sense of pride in his words “the church is for the people as well as the clergy”, as he refers to “the good people who give their time and service”, and also the financial support of just 20 families which ensured that the church got built. He especially mentioned the members of the Ladies’ Guild. He talked about the importance of the Sunday School, and the development of a Christian character; as clearly for him, that was just as much the foundation of a strong and solid church community, as was the stone that he laid to mark the beginning of building this fine sanctuary where we gather today.
Thomas Dark Chapman continued his involvement with St. Andrew’s throughout his lifetime. He would have found strength in the church community when trying to understand and cope with world-shattering events. On a more personal level for the family, it has been the place of numerous marriages and baptisms celebrated, and lives commemorated, spanning five generations. The family name is etched in the stained-glass windows, the two Rolls of Honour, and of course on the foundation stone beside the entrance door.
At this Anniversary today, I think of those who were present at the first services of St. Andrew’s, and at the laying of the foundation stone. I think of their pioneering spirit, and the underlying messages of T.D. Chapman’s address: of respect, inclusiveness, the importance of community, and hope for the future. And I reflect on how those values are just as important today as they were a hundred years ago.
Susan Irving
Transcription of T.D. Chapman’s handwritten address for the Laying of the Foundation Stone at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Longueville, 8th September 1923
Mr. Chairman, Ladies, Gentlemen, and The Good People. By the good people I mean all who give their time & service free without money and without price. I cannot omit to specially mention the members of the Ladies Guild who have given such wonderful service in the past.
I declare this stone to be well and truly laid. (trowel, memento & heirloom)
Sir George Fuller a short time ago when addressing the Science Congress apologised for reading his speech as he wasafraid if he spoke it he might be affected by the influence of parliamentary environment & probably express himself in parliamentary language.
I am not afraid of coming under such influence as I do not keep that class of company. But my memory like my hair is not so young as it used to be.
Induction Service Some time ago our clergyman Rev. Mr Dick and your humble servant were present on invitation at an induction service in the Anglican church as representatives of our Presbyterian cause.
In a rattling good speech Mr Dick said he was glad to be associated with the Anglicans because he could say to his people, “See how the Anglicans can build”. Now he will be able to say, “See how the Presbyterians can build”. There is something more than this – all of us hope to be able to say: See how the Presbyterians can pay for their building & what a fine church they have! How comfortable & nice it is to worship in, & what a splendid attendance they have! How do they roll up to the services!
Influx of Population
During the rapid growth of our district during the last few years we are lucky to have such a proportion of the residents able to throw in their lot with us & help to support the cause. Surely some good influence must have put it into those good people’s minds. What a nice place Longueville is & what nice people live here & that we want help to build our new church. Under this category I think there are about 20 non-conformist families who will help by theirmoney & their hands to free our church from debt, & it is up to us to endeavour to keep these good helpers. Many of them are used to hearing good preachers & good sermons, & they will need to be spiritually benefitted & so long as they are so they will not be discontented otherwise they will surely break away & then we shall see how they can build & pay for their buildings too. It must not be forgotten that the church is for the people and not for the clergy alone.
Mission of a Church
I think there is no better influence in a community than that of a well conducted church. It ministers to the spiritual needs of the community, sets up a standard of right and wrong among social life. Its members show in their demeanour their intolerance of any wrong action on the part of the evil doer & those who insult it by their unworthiness will endeavour to amend their ways so as to retain the confidenceof church fellowship. A well-organized church sows the seed of spiritual and moral refinement & is a means by which newcomers may meet the older residents with whom they are desirous of becoming acquainted leaving their past behind them and making amends for the future.
The Sunday School
Associated with every church generally there is the Sunday School – the cradle of the church of which we have enjoyed (or enjoyned) one of the best under the able management of Mr. Barnard for many years and his assistants. Mr. Barnard, though not now Superintendent of the SS, is one of the church’s best helpers, for whom our juveniles hold the greatest respect and who are responsible to him for their Christian training the development of their Christian character. It puts the m’ster pastor in possession of the knowledge of the children’s individual character, should he make use of it. There is one prominent episode of the SS which calls for the greatest approbation: – During the progress of the “great war” I had occasion to visit the Sunday school and I heard the follow-in prayer offered up by the teacher and pupils of the SS while the war lasted. Mr B, leading: -naming individually those on the Roll of Honour who offered their life for freedom & in their country’s cause. I was struck with the silent fervour and reverence of the children during the prayer and now out of the ( ) men whose names are on the R of H ( ) returned alive & well to their native country. Are we not justified in giving the glory to God since I understand it is the only instance of the kind made known.
Glory, honour, praise and power be unto the Lord for ever.
T.D. Chapman then wrote the following notes to himself:
The help and tolerance of parents
Help to the church and SS
The joke
Achieve our highest admiration
Tolerating community
Memento and heirloom
Count No. on Roll of Honour
See Mr Barnett re Prayer
Get table ready
Transcribed by Susan Irving (nee Chapman)
September 2023
St. Andrew’s Day LUNCHEON
Sunday 26 November 12:00 noon
Come along and join us to celebrate!
Congratulatory Speech on Behalf of the AMAA
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia Board and the President, Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian, who is also the Minister of this church, I would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to the congregation and to you all on this very happy occasion, as you celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of this beautiful sanctuary, as well as the 121st Anniversary of commencing service in this place.
This is indeed an important milestone in the life and witness of this church, which started as Presbyterian Church in 1902 and later became part of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977. We are aware for reasons we understand that things have changed since the good old days, but we know that this church is faithfully continuing to serve God and the local community. Also, we, as the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, like to express our thanks and appreciation to this congregation for the unconditional support to our mission, mainly raising funds to support our projects in Armenia and the suffering people of the Republic of Artsakh, who are at the moment under siege for more than eight months. You have sponsored an Artsakh family for two years and this year you made a very generous contribution to our fundraising efforts for Artsakh.
We know that the majority of this congregation, with some distinguished Uniting Church leaders, have visited Armenian and Artsakh. You have organised three trips in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but unfortunately the 2020 trip was cancelled due to COVID. We hope you will have another trip next year. With these trips you have established strong links with the Armenian people, here in Australia as well as in Armenia and Artsakh. You are sisters and brothers in Christ with the Armenian people. And that’s what the church stands for, expressing love and compassion to all according to the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jeus Christ.
Finally, we would like to express a big thank you for providing your premises free of charge to have our meetings, functions, banquets, concerts, exhibitions and gatherings.
Once again thank you and congratulations to you all for celebrating both Anniversaries. God bless you all.
Avo Soghomonian – AMAA Chairman
MARKET MORNING – Towards 2024 and Beyond
Thank you to all who toiled in the week before 5th August 2023 and to all who worked at Market Morning on that date. Thank you to all who bought on the day!
With generous donations we reached a total of $10,000 for which in these days of financial stress we should give thanks to God.
I note from the records that “A successful Market Morning in 1977 raised $1671.58”.
A figure wizard might tell if we have kept pace with inflation.
We know Krikor will complete his Ministry in the first half of 2025. With this in mind and knowing our old bones are getting even older let us NOTE IN OUR DIARIES NOW and make –
MARKET MORNING SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST 2024 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
THE BEST EVER
With Thanks and Blessings,
Virginia Knowles
2023 Raffle winners were Val from Northwood (hamper),
Rosie Cartwright (meat voucher) and Sandra Forbes (bottle of wine).
SPRING FASHION PARADE – Thursday 14 September
We had a lovely morning viewing and trying on spring clothes from Stafford Fashions & Tina Hyman’s jewellery. The day started with a sumptuous morning tea, followed by the parade. Although attendance numbers were down, the overall day was rated a great success.
Congratulations and thanks to Brian and Jan for hosting the day. $875 was raised.
Entry fee was $10 per person and proceeds will help support the Exodus Foundation.
TIME 4 U, Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Time 4U is held every Wednesday from 10:00 -12 noon. We are pleased to continue viewing the excellent series Backroads. When Krikor is away we get out the scrabble boards or cards.
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!
On 3 October the movie will be Chariots of Fire (1981) – British historical sports drama about two British athletes in the 1924 Olympics starring Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Nigel Davenport, John Gielgud and Kenneth Branagh in a minor debut role. (123 mins)
On 7 November the movie will be Ride Like a Girl (2019) – Australian biographical sports drama based on the story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015, starring Teresa Palmer and Sam Neill and directed by Rachel Griffiths in her debut as a director. (104 mins)
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
LANE COVE MUSIC
Our 5th concert for 2023 will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 10 October in Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church, 19 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove. This annual concert for the Pearl and Alf Pollard Memorial Awards, held in conjunction with Sydney Eisteddfod, will feature 10 of the best solo instrumentalists in the 13-15 age group chosen from the 2023 Sydney Eisteddfod. The winners of the Awards will be decided by audience vote. A detailed programme will be available on the night of the concert.
Our final concert for 2023 at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 28 November will be the choral group, the Taverner Consort of Voices who will present a varied and delightful programme of choral music from the 14th to the 21st century.
Ticket bookings can be made in advance via our website
www.lanecovemusic.org.au or tickets are $30 cash only at the door.
Enquiries: Chris Butters 9428 4287, Penny Goodley 9803 1735
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.
OCTOBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Oct 1, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Oct 3, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night – “Chariots of Fire”
Oct 4, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
Oct 4, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Oct 10, Tue 7:30 pm – Lane Cove Music – Pollard Memorial
Instrumental Awards
Oct 11, Wed – 26, Thur – Krikor will be on leave
Oct 15, Sun 10:00 am – Worship at Crows Nest Uniting
Oct 29, Sun 9:30 am – John Flynn Special Service
NOVEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Nov 1, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U and every Wednesday
Nov 5, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Service – Communion
Nov 7, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night – “Ride Like a Girl”
Nov 8, Wed 12:30 pm – Elders/Church Council Meeting
Nov 26, Sun 9:30 am – St. Andrew’s Day Service
12:00 pm – St. Andrew’s Day Lunch
DECEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Dec 3, Sun 9:30 am – Sunday Communion Service
Dec 5, Tue 6:30 pm – Pizza/Movie Night “The Man Who Invented Christmas”
Dec 6, Wed 10:00 am – Time 4U 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