On Saturday 2 February 2008 those who are involved, interested in, part of, or just want to support all things Youth Ministry across the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania will gather for our annual Youth Ministry Dinner.
The peninsula youth band – Raize will perform on the evening, and there will be presentations from young people who will share their experience of the Call of God and how that can sometimes come when you least expect it.
Cost is $22 per head for tickets purchased before 23 January 2008 or $26 per head for tickets purchased on the night.
The dinner will be held at Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. If you are interested in coming along, or know someone who would be, contact Uniting Youth Ministries on 9340 8815 or email <uym@ctm.uca.edu.au>.
Groups of five or more can now register to attend NCYC’09 in Melbourne through bulk registrations. Larger groups of at least ten delegates receive one additional tent or budget registration for free.
Bulk registrations close on 15 May 2008. You can now register online at www.ncyc.org.au, or for a hard copy form contact the NCYC office on 1300 00 NCYC (6292).
Music is a big part of NCYC. Not only do delegates enjoy seeing their favourite bands live, but it is also great way for promising musicians to have their music heard by an international audience.
NCYC is looking for delegates to get creative and start writing music for the National Christian Youth Convention 2009. For information about music submissions, requirements and guidelines please visit the NCYC website www.ncyc.org.au/music.
NCYC’09 is encouraging as many congregations as possible across Australia to conduct a barbeque on May 4 2008 and be a part of Australia’s Biggest BBQ.
The event can be used to raise funds to support your local delegates to come to NCYC’09, or donate the money to the NCYC’09 Disadvantaged Delegates Fund to participate.
For more information visit the website ncyc.org.au or contact the NCYC office on 1300 00 6292.
UnitingCare Australia and Uniting Missions Network will hold their national conference Sunday 6 to Tuesday 8 April 2008 in Melbourne.
The conference theme is Shaping our future, Informed by experience, Inspired by vision.
Board members, CEO’s and program managers, organisational development and business managers, mission staff and volunteers are all invited to come along.
The conference will be held at Hotel Jasper, 489 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne (next to the Victoria Market). More details to come soon.
For further enquiries contact Uniting Care Victoria and Tasmania.
Christmas means many different things to different people.
For those who are reminded of loved ones lost, we pray you find comfort through the gift of the Christ-child.
For those who find annoyance in the endless ‘merry making’ that seems either superficial or to pass them by, we pray you find moments of delight and joy that truly have meaning.
For those who find themselves alone, we pray you be comforted by the presence of God-with-us, as known in the story of Jesus.
For those to whom the religious event of Christmas seems to alienate your own beliefs of trample on the integrity of your religion, we pray you find open and accepting people to encourage you in your own journey.
For all people, regardless of faith, creed, background or other things that might cause fear or indifference, let us be inspired by the life of Jesus and other inspiring prophets to work together to transform this world into a place of peace.
May you find a safe and blessed place this Christmas. Blessings from the people of St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh, and the Balkara Parish of the Uniting Church.
RELIGION has been unfairly blamed for conflicts around the world in recent years, but Christians should remember the benefits of their devotion, Sydney Catholic Archbishop George Pell has said.
In his Christmas message, the archbishop reminds Christians that the birth of Jesus is a symbol of helplessness and hope.
“Christians believe that the almighty God has visited us, not just through prophets, saints and humanitarian heroes, but through sending his son to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem…,” Cardinal Pell has said.
A child once asked, “If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, why do we get all the gifts?†In the midst of the busyness of the season, many of us may have asked ourselves the same question. Are all the presents we receive and the gifts we exchange really a reflection of God?For God so loved the world that He gave… When we read those words, then it becomes clear that giving truly is at the heart of the reason we celebrate. Giving reflects God’s character and expresses His heart.
But sometimes the true meaning does get lost. That’s why we’re inviting you to be a part of the “Share and Care†Christmas challenge. When we share with those around us through giving unselfishly, we are an example of what God did for us when He sent Jesus. When we use giving to express our hearts, we show the world once again that love is the reason for Christmas.
We can give a simple present. We can give a moment of our time. We can give a small kindness or a great sacrifice. What matters is not the size of the gift, but the meaning behind it. All gifts are ultimately a reflection of Jesus, who is The Gift.
God loved. God gave. God made a difference. We can too.
This article is from the web site: Jesus is the gift
MELBOURNE’S Anglican dean has been appointed the worldwide church’s top diplomat, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Vatican.
David Richardson, dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, said yesterday his job would be to interpret Anglicans to the Roman Catholic Church and relay what was going on in the Vatican to fellow Anglicans.
As the stormy weather in Melbourne this week has caused all sorts of chaos, it is reminder that the cosmos has been brewing for an event that keeps surprising us – Immanuel means God is with us …
Sermon, Sunday December 23rd, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga