Don's Blog Thursday
Hi all
In my reflection last Sunday, I mentioned that Anglicare, the Step one programme, approached us to look at offering food to the young people who gather around the church. An incident on Monday and Tuesday confirmed that we need to seriously think about how we might do this. On Tuesday a function was held in the UCIC centre and the group had over-catered for their lunch. So in the afternoon they approached staff in the office, with a plate full of still fresh sandwiches. They wondered if we would like to have them. We declined, however Sia, our property officer, suggested that maybe they could be offered to the young people who gather outside the church. With plate and sandwiches in hand, Sia and I approached them. We were overwhelmed by the response as they readily accepted, taking great chunks of the sandwiches. They were obviously very hungry. The next day we went again, and a different group had gathered, and the response was the same. In both cases they were incredibly appreciative that someone was able to offer them food.
It’s almost unthinkable and heartbreaking to think that we have young people, ages ranging from 14 to 17 who are going hungry in our city. After this incident I spoke with both UnitingCare West and Anglicare who will be liaising with us as we investigate the best way to help our young people find food. Keep it in your prayers.
On Sunday, 21st August we will be accepting into membership ten people. Two are transfers from other Uniting Churches, and eight have expressed a wish to become new members of our congregation. This latest group of people is in response to the reception of new members we held in November last year. So I feel very pleased. You will notice, and I am noticing that we now have people joining us who come from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. It is my intention, in the reception of new members service, to acknowledge this by asking the questions in the language of the people who are becoming members. I am now more and more aware of the cultural diversity of our congregation and am looking for ways that we might give expression to this in our Sunday morning worship either through music, hymns, prayers etc. If you have any suggestions please let me know.
Related to this, at our Elders meeting tonight, we will be discussing a proposal from Rev Emanuel Audisio to establish monthly Arabic speaking worship service at Wesley. His proposal comes with the hope that people from this cultural background will then join with us in our Sunday morning worship.
Also at our Elders meeting we will also be discussing a proposal regarding Artwork in Advent and receiving an update regarding events happening in and around our church during Chogm.
Can I remind you again of the “Gathering of the Congregation, to be held on Sunday 21st of August at 12 noon in the UCIC Hall on the first floor at 97 William St Perth. It will be a, ‘Bring and Share’ lunch and if you would like to come you can RSVP to Judy Muskett either by phoning 6103 4222 or emailing, judym@ucic.org.au or by popping into the UCIC office. If you are reading this please accept this as an invitation to join us, as we want to take the opportunity to welcome our new members and catch up with each other beyond our Sunday morning worship.
I look forward to catching up with you on Sunday.
Thanks for reading.
From your minister, Don
Sunday 7th August
8.30am Discussion Group.
10.00am Morning Worship – A Reflection on Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus calms the storm.
Sunday 21st August 2011. A Gathering of the Congregation.
The Wesley Flower Festival will take place from Thursday 29th of September to Sunday 2nd October. If you would like to assist with this venture please see Marg Murdoch. Email: mmurdoch49@hotmail.com. Phone: 9349 2254 Mobile: 0418 940 252
Rev Lee Edwards: Email: leerev@optusnet.com.au: Phone
