Don's Blog
Hi All,
I know I probably wont get a lot of sympathy, but this week has been one of the busiest for quite a while.
Monday was our first new UCIC Church Council meeting. Tuesday I had many appointments and meetings. Wednesday, two appointments in the morning before going to Serpentine Dam Café for lunch with the City Seniors group. Thursday we held the Volunteers morning Tea. In amongst this I have prepared four services, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. I have had 3 wedding interviews and 2 wedding rehearsals. Throw in answering many emails, a couple of counselling sessions and all in all it was a busy week. But I love it.
On Monday our first new Church Council meeting was held and it was great to meet new people and work through some of the things we are hoping to achieve. We will be sending out a form very soon for people to start thinking about the various committees on which they may wish to be involved. More about that over the next few weeks.
The Advent Artwork continues to go well. The story of refugees is now unfolding and I can only be amazed at the work and thoughts of the artist. We are of course receiving many favorable comments.
There was a real sadness this week amongst the young people who gather around the church and at Central Park. One of the group, a young man, committed suicide over the weekend. Step1 from Anglicare (The bus that parks outside Wesley) have been helping them as they grieve the loss of their friend. I have also offered help and we will remember them in our prayers this week.
Wednesday was a great day with a journey up to Serpentine Dam and a wonderful Christmas Roast dinner, including Pudding!! There were 21 of us gathering as the City Seniors Group. Thanks must go to Rev Lee Edwards and Jan Carrick who assisted on the day. It was great to move out of the city for a while and even better to have time to share conversation on the way, during and on the return journey.
The Volunteers “Thank You” morning tea was a great event. We have so many volunteers working for us and they are part of the 6.4 million Australians who do volunteer work each year. As Donna Keher, Chief of the United Nations Volunteers Partnerships and Communications Division told a National Conference on Volunteering, “Volunteerism is a renewable global resource that plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future for the world. Volunteerism is not just a contributor to gross domestic product, but to social wellbeing. The musical entertainment was also a huge success. Many shared their thanks for the enjoyment they had.
So thanks again to all those who offer time, skills and experience to us. You contribute to our well-being.
Will I get an easier week next week?…… I don’t think so. It’s Christmas and its madness, but then again that first Christmas must have been just as chaotic. Can you imagine shepherds, angels, Joseph, Mary, innkeepers, animals of all description and then you throw in the wise men. But the beauty of it all was that in the midst of the chaos, came Emanuel, God with us, and that’s what I sense even now.
Have a great time as you prepare for Christmas.
Thanks for reading.
From your minister,
Don
Sunday 11th December – 2nd Sunday of Advent
8.30am Discussion Group
10.00am. Worship
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