Special Events
Mothers Day Fellowship Meal – 12 Noon Sunday 5 May
All welcome…note this event is scheduled for the week before Mothers Day. For catering purposes, please advise if you are intending to join us.
St Andrews Day Lunch – Sunday 29 November, 2023
Our annual celebration of St Andrews Day, complete with Piper, Haggis and lots more!
Annual Fashion Parade – 10:15am to Noon, Thursday 14 September, 2023
Spring Fashions will be presented by Stafford Fashions, following a delicious morning tea. The parade will last around 45 minutes, after which the fashion items can be purchased for those interested. Entry donation $10 per person.
Annual Market Morning – 8:00am to 1:00pm, Saturday 5 August, 2023
This is the church’s prime fund-raiser event of the year. Features a range of stalls, including Books, White Elephants, Quality Corner, Cakes and Jams/Relishes, Garden Plants, Toys and IT Treasures, plus a BBQ.
Mother’s Day Brunch – 11:30am Sunday 7 May
All welcome – donation towards the cost of the lunch. For catering purposes, please advise the Church Office if you intend to join us.
Trip to Narrabri – 22-30 May
If interested, register now with Penny Goodley
Celebrating and Remembering Krikor’s 35 years of Ordination and 40 years of Ministry
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. All members placed white stones around the perimeter and a temporary plaque was affixed beside the Olive Tree 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
St. Andrew’s Day 2022 Sunday 27 November
On Sunday 27 November 2022 we held a special Service to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day and the 1st Sunday of Advent followed by Morning Tea and our annual St. Andrew’s Day Luncheon.
The congregation was welcomed by the sound of bagpipes played by Robin Cumming. During the Service Soo-Tee and Mary Cheong were confirmed and accepted as new members.
The careful planning and the full program of the St. Andrew’s Day Luncheon was appreciated and enjoyed by all. The Haggis was piped into the Memorial Hall, carried by Ian Butters, who also made the address to the Haggis. Interesting videos were screened and background Scottish music played during the catered fabulous lunch. Hagop Harfoushian entertained us with popular ‘50s and ‘60s repertoire on the Saxophone. We said our farewells to the Lane Cove Community Chaplain Karen Paull, who after serving eight years is moving to the south coast in early 2023. There were some raffles and door prize for the lucky ones.
We are delighted that we were able to donate $300 to the UCA NSW and ACT Moderator’s Flood Appeal from a very happy and successful luncheon.
Annual Fashion Parade: 10:15am – Noon Thursday 10 November, 2022
After 3 years of inactivity due to COVID, the return of this popular event proved to be very successful. In excess of 60 guests enjoyed a parade of Summer fashions, and an extensive display of jewellery. Many people were able to purchase the fashions and the jewellery after the parade. Funds raised from this event will be split between the Church and the Smith Family organisation which is celebrating its Centenary in 2022.
Fathers’ Day Lunch/Outback BBQ fundraiser: 11:30am – 2:00pm Sunday 18 September, 2022
The congregations from St Andrews Longueville and Lane Cove Uniting joined together for a combined service at St Andrews, followed by an ‘Outback BBQ’ luncheon provided by LCU to raise funds for the Uniting Church’s Frontier Services. It was an enjoyable and successful event that raised $1350 for Frontier Services.
Market Morning: 8:00am -1:00pm Saturday 6 August, 2022
Despite a break of two years due to Covid, and some continuing nervousness about the risk of contracting Covid at in-door events, our most recent Market Morning proved to be very successful. Many old friends of the church, and an excellent number of local community members, attended, and enjoyed catching up with old friends whilst also shopping for good bargains from the various stalls, including White Elephant, Quality Corner, Cakes, Jams & Pickles, Toys, Books, and Techo corner. The Morning Tea & Scones, and the Sausage Sizzle barbecue topped off an enjoyable morning of browsing, buying, fellowship and eating.
The American Good Samaritans: 7:00pm Thursday 23 June, 2022
A documentary screening, presented by the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia (AMAA), at the St Andrews Longueville Uniting Church. Admission is free.
Mothers Day Munch: 11:30am Sunday 1 May, 2022
All are welcome to join us for a light lunch, following the normal Sunday service, as an early celebration of Mothers Day.
Broken Hill visit: 2-10 March, 2020
A group of congregation and friends travelled by XPT train, and visited a range of attractions in the historic Broken Hill area, including Silverton, Mutawintji National Park, art galleries, the Royal Flying Doctor base etc. A great time was had by all.
St Andrews Day Lunch: Sunday 24 November 2019
Members of the Bankstown UC and the Lane Cove UC joined us at this annual event, where good food, good entertainment and good fellowship was enjoyed by all.
Spring Fashion Parade: Friday 25 October 2019
This very popular annual fund-raising event attracted over 70 people, who enjoyed the traditional extensive morning tea spread of home cooked delicacies, followed by the fashion parade of the latest Spring designs, and a wide range of very creatively designed handbags. Many took the opportunity to buy some of the garments and handbags. Proceeds for the day were well over $1000, which was split between the church and the ‘Buy-a-Bale’ charity in support of drought-affected farmers.
Father’s Day Fellowship Lunch: 12 noon Sunday 1 Sept 2019
A small group of some 20 people enjoyed a delicious lunch in honour of all the fathers.
Annual Market Morning: 8:00 – 1:00pm Saturday 3 Aug 2019
Another successful fund-raising day was enjoyed by all. Our grateful thanks to all those friends and community members who supported us, and to all those hard-working members of our congregation who spent many hours preparing for the event, and tidying up afterwards.
Tour of Armenia & Artsakh: 5-22 May 2019
Following our first tour of Armenia in May, 2017, and another in May 2018, Rev Dr Krikor Youmshajekian led a party of 20 members of St Andrews Longueville, and their friends on a third tour of this ancient and fascinating part of the world in May 2019. This time, the tour included the option of continuing onto Georgia for an extra 5 days.
Mother’s Day Brunch: Sunday 5 May after the 9:30am Church Service
As usual, our Mother’s Day brunch was held a week before Mother’s Day, so as not to clash with family celebrations. Fellowship and a good luncheon spread was enjoyed by all.
“Map of Salvation” Documentary: Tuesday 26 March, 2019
This documentary was screened in the War Memorial Hall.
Jazz Fundraiser Event: 4:00pm Sunday 24 March, 2019
Featured the Zela Margossian Quintet, performing in the Church Sanctuary. Organised by the AMAA, the concert proved to be very popular and and attracted a very good crowd..
Photographic Exhibition by Raffi Elejian: Sunday 24 March, 2019
Official opening is scheduled for 6:30pm, in the War Memorial Hall, and the exhibition will continue during the following week at selected times. Admission is free
2018 Spring Fashion Parade: Friday 21 September, 2018
Over 60 people attended this very popular annual event, which featured the latest Spring Fashions presented by Stafford Fashions, and a wide range of jewellery by Tina Hyman, not to mention a delicious morning tea spread. The popularity of event was evident from the lines of people queuing to purchase garments and jewellery at the end of the parade. $500 from the proceeds for the event were donated to the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, and the balance will help fund the running of our Church.
Annual Market Morning: 4 August, 2018
This very popular event, conducted in the St Andrews War Memorial Hall, featured a wide range of very popular stalls (cakes, jams and chutneys, toys, books, ‘white elephant’, quality corner, plants, and much more. A mouth-watering Armenian BBQ also served to ‘keep the wolf from the door’ of avid shoppers. Proceeds will be used to help fund Uniting Church activities in the community.
Queen’s Birthday Honours: 11 June, 2018
Hearty congratulations to Dr. David Champion, who received an AM for Services to Children’s Rheumatology, and to Peter Andrews, who received an OAM for Voluntary Services to the Uniting Church.
Tour of Armenia & Artsakh: 6-22 May 2018
Following our first tour of Armenia in May, 2017, another a very successful tour of Armenia was undertaken in May 2018. Rev Dr Krikor Youmshajekian led a party of 18 members of St Andrews Longueville, and their friends on a 14-day tour of this ancient and fascinating part of the world. Due to continuing strong demand for this tour, another one is planned for May 2019. Please contact Rev Krikor at the church office (Tel: 02 9453 0787) for more details.
Mother’s Day Munch: 11:30am, Sunday 6 May
A light lunch will be served in the War Memorial Hall, to celebrate Mother’s Day, and farewell the tour party who will be leaving later in the day for Armenia. All welcome.
Combined International Christmas Service at Bankstown UC: 10am, Sunday 17 December
International Christmas Service at Bankstown UC
A large congregation consisting of members of the various Bankstown District churches, as well as those from St Andrews, joined in a very musical service featuring choirs from the Tongan, Syrian and Korean communities, as well as our own choir. Guest preacher was the Moderator of the NSW/ACT Synod , Rev. Simon Hansford , and a special guest was the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.
Annual St Andrew’s Day Luncheon: 12 Noon, Sunday 26 November
Following a 10:00am Combined Service with Lane Cove Uniting, some 70+ congregation members and friends enjoyed a superb St Andrew’s Day Luncheon in the War Memorial Hall at St Andrews, Longueville. The haggis was duly piped in and devoured, followed by a buffet of delights, including a variety of kebabs, vegetables, salads and breads. Entertainment was provided by the Delta Jazz Band and the Lane Cove Gaelic Choir.
Spring 2017 Fashion Parade: 10:15am – Noon, Friday 8 September
An enjoyable morning was had by all, savouring a delightful morning tea, watching the parade of new Spring fashions, and taking the opportunity to purchase both fashions (by Stafford Fashions), and jewellery (by Tina Hyman), and in the case of 6 people, taking home a Lucky Door prize. Some of the proceeds from our Fashion Parades are always donated to charity, and this time we chose the Fred Hollows Foundation.
2017 Market Morning: 8:00am – Noon, Saturday 5 August 2017
Our sincere thanks to the wider Lane Cove community for supporting us so well at our annual Market Morning, our major fund raiser event for the year. Sales from all our various stalls (White Elephant, Quality Corner, Books, Toys, Cakes, Jams & Pickles, Garden Plants etc), improved on the previous year, and our special Lebanese Kebab BBQ was a great success. The funds generated will be used to support both the Exodus Foundation and the ongoing activities of our own church.
40th Anniversary of Uniting Church in Australia: Sunday 16 July, 2017
Following is an abridged version of the sermon delivered by Stuart McMillan, President of the Uniting Church Assembly, at a combined service (with Lane Cove Uniting) on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia.
We Belong To One Another
This is an edited version of a sermon delivered by President Stuart McMillan at St Andrew’s Longueville Uniting Church in Sydney on Sunday 16 July.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
I am delighted to be with you today. My friend Rev Krikor Youmshajekian with some other ministers of Middle Eastern heritage have been helping me and the Uniting Church to grow in our understanding of Eastern Christianity and Middle Eastern history.
In January this year, I travelled to Beirut in Lebanon with Krikor, Rev Gaby Kobrossi, Rev Emmanuel Audisho and Rob Floyd who was then the National Director of Uniting World.
In Lebanon we were very conscious of the long history and tradition of the Christian church in the Middle East, right back to the first century.
Australia is an ancient land whose First Nation Peoples are one of the oldest living cultures on earth.
Our national Constitution however only dates back to 1901 and the Uniting Church in Australia was only formed in 1977.
This year we are celebrating our 40th anniversary. We are a young Church, part of a young nation, in an ancient land.
In Beirut we stayed at the Near East School of Theology (NEST).
Dr Sabra, the School President, said that students from NEST don’t have to travel to engage in the rich global and ecumenical context for: “the world and other contexts and cultures come to them.”
The School has become a rich “multicultural, multi-linguistic and ecumenical locus of theological learning.”
Friends, the Uniting Church in Australia is also a rich culturally and linguistically diverse community.
We have just under 200 different culturally specific congregations who worship in 26 different languages.
There are people from the South Sudan, Korea, Indonesia, Armenia, Lebanon, Tonga, Fiji and many other nations.
The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress are the First Nation Peoples of the Uniting Church. They worship in their languages in some parts of the country were language has not been lost and in English in other places.
We have expressed our relationship within the Church between the First Peoples, and later arrivals, Second Peoples through formally entering into a covenant together.
We travelled to Lebanon in covenantal solidarity, to learn from the people, and to express the love of God as sisters and brothers of Christ.
When our Church was formed 40 years ago a visionary and inspiring document was written titled The Basis of Union.
This Statement has become foundational for us as we seek to authentically witness in the world to God’s love, and understand God’s purposes.
In Paragraph 2 the Basis speaks about the reconciliation and renewal of the whole creation. This is Christ’s unfinished work which he calls us to be co-workers in.
In the Romans passage we are reminded as one body: “Each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5).
We belong to one another and as Paul wrote in his first letter to the Church in Corinth: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12-26).
We were in Lebanon to share as sisters and brothers compassionately.
Romans goes even further by saying: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
We were profoundly impacted in Lebanon by the statement: “We practise a theology of impact, not of survival.”
This was made by one of the Protestant leaders but reinforced by all leaders. A theology of impact!
You might think in a nation which has conflict on all sides, which has been attacked many times in the past, and had its own civil war in recent history, with the concrete shells of buildings a stark reminder to the people of this terrible time, you might think that “survival” would be foremost in people’s minds.
But no, the different traditions see themselves together as the Christian community of the Middle East, salt and light.
They don’t see the Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Protestant traditions separating them. Rather Christ unites them as one, for they belong to one another.
Does God not challenge us here in comfortable Australia, we who sometimes might characterise our congregational life as one of survival?
Where Census data and NCLS data remind us of the shrinking Christian community and the aging UCA?
Where denominational difference divides rather than allowing Christ to unite?
I believe a gift to us from the Middle East is their witness to a theology of Impact.
In Lebanon they also refuse to accept the label Christian minority, for it is demeaning.
Do you know the saying: “One and God make a majority” by Frederick Douglass?
They are rebuilding and reopening schools in Aleppo and other parts of Syria and Iraq, they are building schools and facilities to support hundreds of thousands of displaced children.
We are the followers of Jesus called to walk in his ways, in the ways of love. After all, the greatest commandment after loving the Lord our God is to love our neighbour as ourselves.
Hans Küng the Swiss theologian and author said:
“There will be no peace among the nations without peace among religions. There will be no peace among religions without dialogue among religions.”
The dialogue Küng speaks of begins with us the people of God and then because of the divinisation of humanity and the charge to love our neighbours the dialogue is with people of other faiths. This we saw as critical to our friends in Lebanon. Both the Theological School and the Christian University teach courses and have sabbaticals with a significant part of the programs being about living harmoniously together with different faith traditions. Even the Nation’s President, Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian, spoke of this to me in our meeting.
In our love of neighbour we stand in counter cultural action against powers and principalities of evil and for the renewal and reconciliation of the whole creation. This is what our friends in Lebanon are doing.
I co-hosted an Iftar dinner for the breaking of the fast during Ramadan in Parramatta.
There were also dinners hosted by the UCA in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Our guest speaker in Sydney was the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Mohammed. He chose the first epistle of John Chapter 4, the passage on love for the theme of his address.
People of faith know that love will always triumph over fear and hate.
We belong to one another, we are called to witness to the love of Christ shared among us in this community and beyond, to practise a theology of impact, knowing God plus one is a majority.
So my sisters and brothers in Christ:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17)
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in them, and love is made complete among us.” (1 John 4:11,16,17).
Amen.
14 Day Group Tour of Armenia & Artsakh: 7-23 May 2017
A group of 21 members of the congregation & friends enjoyed a fascinating tour of Armenia, the first country in the world to officially adopt christianity as its religion. A very ancient part of the world that has endured countless invasions over the centuries, and is today a much smaller country as a result. We learnt so much about the history of the country and its people, and visited many ancient monasteries, as we toured the country from the capital, Yerevan, to the south eastern extremity of Artsakh, north to Dilijan and Lake Sevan, and across to the cities of Vanadzor (known to have been settled since the Bronze Age) and Gyumri. Of the many highlights, two stand out, namely the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1915 – 1922 genocide when 1.5 million Armenias lost their lives, and the dramatic Mt Ararat (5165m) which for many centuries stood within the borders of Armenia, but today is some 50km beyond the western border, in Turkey.
A few photos taken during the trip can be viewed in the ‘Gallery’ section of this website.
St Andrews Day Luncheon: noon, Sunday 27 November, 2016
A filled Hall o congregation members and friends enjoyed an excellent lunch, including a Haggis appetiser that was appropriately ‘piped in’, followed by entertainment that included a guest speaker, Gaelic choir and more.
Spring 2016 Fashion Parade: Tuesday 6 August, 2016
Another successful fashion parade was enjoyed by over 60 guests, which featured garments from Stafford Fashions and jewellery from Tina Hyman. The usual sumptuous morning tea was much appreciated, and part of the proceeds were donated to Uniting Church’s Frontier Services.
Market Morning: 8am – noon, Saturday 6 August, 2016
Another successful annual fund-raising event attracted large numbers with its variety of stalls, offering cakes, jams and pickles, toys, books, white elephant and quality corner. Lucky door prizes. Morning tea and scones, and a barbecue helped keep the wolf from the door. Held in the War Memorial Hall next to the church….many thanks to all our volunteers who worked so hard.
Musical Concert in the Church: 3:00pm Sunday 12 June, 2016
Locals and congregation members enjoyed a performance by the Mythra Ensemble, whose music is a celebration of the interlacing of musical languages, linking the Middle Eastern modes, improvisations and rhythms with the richness of western harmony and other influences.
Autumn 2016 Fashion Parade: Thursday 14 April, 2016
This was the first of two fashion parades in our 2016 programme. The parade featured fashions from Stafford Fashions, and jewellery by Tina Hyman. As always, the event was well attended, and everyone enjoyed the morning tea, the fashions, and the shopping which followed the parade. Part of the proceeds were donated to streetwork ( www.streetwork.org.au ), a Sydney-based organisation that seeks to help young children who have lost their way, through ‘early intervention’.
St Andrews Day Luncheon: Sunday 29 November, 2015
Our annual St Andrews Day luncheon was well attended by members of the congregation and friends. A 3-course lunch was followed musical entertainment in the War Memorial Hall, commencing 12 noon.
Spring 2015 Fashion Parade: Tuesday 27 October, 2015
Over 60 people enjoyed another exciting parade presented by Stafford Fashions at St Andrews, Longueville. A scrumptous morning tea was enjoyed by all, and fashion sales after the parade were a frenzied affair. Part of the proceeds was donated to Diabetes Australia to help them continue their research programme.
Annual Market Morning: Saturday 1 August, 2015
Another successful Market Morning attracted large numbers from the Lane Cove community and beyond. Proceeds will help fund the running of our church, as well as an annual donation to the Exodus Foundation.
Autumn 2015 Fashion Parade: Tuesday 12 May, 2015
This latest parade in St Andrews Fashion Parades which have been continually staged for the past 30 years, was attended by almost 65 people. All enjoyed the traditional home-made morning tea, the parade, and the opportunity to purchase the clothes and jewellery that was on show. Part of the proceeds were donated to The Stroke foundation.
Mothers’ Day Luncheon: Sunday 3 May, 2015
Over 60 congregation members and their families enjoyed a South American BBQ to celebrate Mothers’ Day (1 week early). Musical entertainment was provided by the Lane Cove Jazz Group.
Day Seminar with Rev. Simon Manchester: Saturday 18 April, 2015
This seminar, led by Rev Simon Manchester, Minister at St Thomas Anglican Church, North Sydney, was most stimulating, and enjoyed by all who attended.
‘Stabat Mater’ Liturgical Concert: 2:00pm, Good Friday 3 April, 2015
This fund-raising concert in aid of children suffering in Armenia, was very well supported, and enjoyed by all concerned. A big thanks to all who contributed to this cause.