St Luke’s is having a quieter Easter this year, as we absorb the new requirements of COVID safe gathering and try to balance the need for worship with the needs of our helpers to not burn out!
Good Friday
Our Good Friday service is online this year – find it below, premiering on YouTube from 7am.
Right now, in this video, our focus is on the dark events which ended with Jesus dying in a most terrible way and the meaning of those events for us today, 2000 years later.
Have you ever stopped to ponder what Jesus and his arrest and crucifixion mean for you?
How does the cross of Christ impact on you and your life today?
A meditation for the waiting time:
Easter Sunday
Our Easter Sunday Service will be in-person and livestreamed from the church at 9:30am on Sunday morning.
Hello friends. This Sunday is Palm Sunday – a day we celebrate Jesus triumphal welcome into Jerusalem in the lead up to his death and resurrection.
As it looks like it will be fine we’ll meet up the back of the church site – near the old bluestone chapel. Be there by 9:30am.
Like Jesus, we’ll be walking – and reflecting and singing – to end up in the church to finish. There will be two stops on the way for about 5 or so minutes, and the walk is less than 250m and all down hill.
Please bring a portable chair if you need to sit down when we pause. We’ll have some chairs for those who need a rest, and people to quietly walk with you if you need a companion.
This is an all age event, so you could invite family and friends. As we are outside, we won’t be streaming the St Luke’s service this week to Youtube. If you can’t come, you can find other services online to watch.
I’m also looking for a quiet, calm dog to be part of the walk so if you have one who meets that description – let me know.
The Uniting Church in Australia has outlined a set of principles and key actions that will guide the way to a better future as Australia recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
In a post-COVID-19 world
There is much we have learned through this pandemic about who we are as a nation, our vulnerabilities and our strengths. Drawing upon these learnings and the values articulated in our vision, we believe we have an opportunity to create a better future where all people and all creation can flourish. We have learned:
Australia and the whole world are not immune from major threats, and that society is only as strong and as healthy as the most vulnerable in our communities.
We need to: Build Resilient Individuals, Families and Communities
Existing inequalities are exacerbated in times of crisis, increasing the vulnerability of individuals and the whole community. When we make sacrifices for the well-being of the whole of society, we all benefit.
We need to: Build a more equal society
We are all interconnected. In times of fear and anxiety, racism, isolation and remoteness can lead to less healthy and productive communities.
We need to: Build a nation where everyone is respected and has a voice
We are capable of innovative solutions and new ways of being. A crisis is an opportunity to reimagine policy.
We need: Creative, collaborative and constructive leadership to rebuild Australia
Reducing fossil fuel usage is possible and positively impacts the environment and all living things.
The Uniting Churches across the Greater Geelong area are joining together in a celebration service for Pentecost on May 23rd at 3pm. The Venue is to be advised.
This will be a service for all ages and an inspiring time to allow the Holy Spirit to revitalise and empower us all.
We will be having a Combined Choir for this service so if you like to sing then please sing up through this trybooking link https://www.trybooking.com/BPVSP
or phone Rev Amanda Nicholas on 0413 617 469
There will be 6 rehearsals for the choir and we are offering rehearsals on Tuesday nights AND OR Sunday Afternoons. You can come to both rehearsals if you would like to.
Once you register you will be sent the music and some recordings of the songs so you can practice at home and get your congregation to learn some new songs.
If you would like to help out with the Afternoon Tea on the day then please contact Rev Suzie Castle at suzie.castle@gmail.com
We will need some help setting up and packing up so if you can help with that on Saturday May 22 and or Sunday May 23rd then please contact Rev Narelle Collas at narelle.collas@ppw.victas.uca.org.au.
Sacred People, Sacred Earth: Please join us at 11am on March 11 to ring the St Luke’s bells and say a prayer as part of a global multi-faith day of call to action and prayer regarding climate change.
All over the world people are standing together to say:
“We are united by a fundamental belief that all people, all living things, and the Earth are sacred. As we consider the state of the world today, our hearts overflow with concern.
We are frightened and frustrated by the damage that COVID-19 is inflicting on our communities. The pandemic has revealed cruel injustices. The vulnerable suffer the most severe impacts. We know about this injustice. We have seen it before.
These same communities are disproportionately and catastrophically affected by the accelerating climate emergency.
… A far better future is possible if our collective response to the pandemic and the climate crisis is guided by compassion, love and justice at a scale that meets this moment.”
In support of the statement and to draw attention to it, faith communities around the world are being asked to ‘sound the alarm’ for the climate and call for climate justice as we try to get our economies going in the wake of COVID.
Please join the biggest ever global faith-based Day of Action for the Climate. The theme of of the day is Sacred People, Sacred Earth.
Each place of worship, faith-based small group or household will choose its own way to do this: by ringing its bells, by sounding a note on the shofar, calling the Azan, by chanting and by meditating. Just as long as make a noise – or even some thunderous silence! We each have our own traditions, but we will be united in one clear message.
After the Day of Action, GFI will call for a “Year of Action” in the lead-up to COP26 which will be held in Glasgow in November 2021.
Clean up Australia day is actually scheduled for this long weekend, however as many people are away, the Environment Action Team has scheduled the St Luke’s event for Sunday 21st of March – save the date!
Works are underway to replace the ceiling of the Driveway Portico at St Luke’s.
This may affect access to the front door of the building. If the front door is fenced off, entry to the building will be either from the Courtyard at the rear of the building, or from the Eastern Foyer door – accessible through the Green fence gate to the left of the front of the building.
The plan for the works is as follows:
Friday 5th March – Electrician to remove existing lights
Tuesday 9th March – Install temporary barricade and remove existing asbestos ceiling and battens
Wednesday 10th March – Start installation of new ceiling
Monday 22nd March – Painter to start prep and painting ceiling
Thursday 25th March – Electrician to refit lights
Friday 26th March – Handover completed works
Please call the office 52442997 if you have any further queries about the works.
