News

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Prayers of the People Wednesday 24th Feb 2021

Here’s what some of the people of St Luke’s are praying for this week – you might like to add your own prayers too.

Praise and Thanksgiving. 

Praise God for the many volunteers who are active in our community and church.

Thankyou Lord, that our buildings are again open, and being used by community groups.    

We give thanks for new babies arriving in our community this week

Praise God that Shaghek has successfully started a play group for recently arrived mums and bubs, and for the ministry of advocacy and support she is providing to families as they seek housing in a very difficult rental market.

Prayers for others

For the health and well-being of everyone receiving the COVID vaccinations and for those responsible in administering the roll out.

For friends and family who maybe feeling emotionally fragile, also those we know who are unwell and receiving treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with their caregivers and the professionals supporting them. 

We pray for peace in countries where many suffer from cold and hunger. May the hearts of their leaders be filled with a desire for understanding and resolution rather than conflict.   

Our special prayers are with families who are separated by distance and for those who have come to our shores for protection and safety. Lord bless them with reassurance as we support them.  

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Synod Meeting begins

The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania meets approximately every 18 months to hear reports, discern proposals, and discuss matters that concern the general oversight, direction and administration of the life of the Church. 

Originally scheduled for November 2020, due to the impacts of COVID-19 it was decided that the Synod meeting be deferred until February 2021 and to be held as a virtual (online) meeting from February 26-February 28.

Rather than a challenge, the Synod Business Committee invites the Church to see the opportunities which this new way of meeting presents.

Synod 2021 is an opportunity to gather together the breadth of today’s Church.

The entire meeting, excluding any member-only sessions, will be broadcast live for members of the wider church.  

Watch live broadcast of sessions here

Please note that people watching the live broadcast sessions are not able to ask questions of, or interact with, the Synod meeting.

The first session begins at 1.45pm on Friday February 26 with the final session finishing at 3.15pm on Sunday February 28.  

Visit the Synod website for more information here.

 

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Lenten Reflection Opportunities

In all of the change that happens around us, one of the constant aspects of our faith journey at St Luke’s is the annual cycle of the liturgical calendar, marking the seasons of Jesus’ journey on earth.

Tomorrow we commence the period of Lent – 40 days of reflection and sacrifice as we imagine the time spent by Jesus in the desert, grappling with fears and temptations.

If you are looking for some resources to use as part of your devotional time during Lent, here are some suggestions:

Common Grace

Every year at Easter, Common Grace brings a Lent series based on the central teachings of Jesus. In 2021 they’ve put together a compilation series from Christian teachers, who show us what it looks like when justice overflows from following Jesus.

To sign up to their weekly Lenten emails, click here.

Uniting World’s Lent Event

UnitingWorld is the part of the Uniting Church with the privilege of nurturing relationships with our global church family, and we love the season of Lent! Through Lent Event, we provide a Bible Study series to help you think through what it means to be a global neighbour, and encourage you to take action with a 40-day challenge to give or take up something that helps make the world a better place. With stories that show how your prayers and gifts are building hope and ending poverty around the world, we aim to cultivate generosity, compassion and awareness of others.

If you’re ready to take a new look at Lent, go for a deep dive online to find resources, and check out www.lentevent.com.au for simple ways to get involved.

 

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Messy Church in 2021

Messy Church is one place we can mark special transitions. Photo credit: Elizabeth Stoel

From Barbara and the Messy Church Team:

Welcome Back to Face-to Face Messy Church at St Luke’s Highton!

We really can’t wait to see you all again as it has been a while since we met in person and had fun at Messy Church!  We are starting cautiously due to the ever-changing COVID restrictions regarding numbers allowed inside.

So ….here are our plans so far…………

Messy Church in February

Friday 19th February  5-7pm   At Drewan Park

CANCELLED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS

Our first meeting will be outside at Drewan Park, City View Drive, Wandana Heights – just up the hill from St Luke’s and where we had our picnic last Sunday. It’s a great park with a good view and plenty of facilities.

Theme: The Good Samaritan- we will be planning our usual bundle of fun Messy Church activities outside amongst nature. BYO food and chairs.

Here’s a kid-friendly version of the story:

And here’s a perspective on the Good Samaritan parable from one of the First Nations Christian Leaders – Brooke Prentice of Common Grace – and where she sees the situation of Aboriginal people in this story.  

Messy Church Dates for the remainder of 2021 – put these in your diary!

Friday 19th March– Back at St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm- Easter themes including a Labyrinth and New Life activities- sounds intriguing! Stay tuned!

Friday 16th April  -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm

Friday 21st May  -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm

Friday 18th June  -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm

Friday 16th July  -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm

Friday 20th August  -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm

Friday 17th September – St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm

Friday 15th October -St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm

Friday 19th November– St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm

See you soon!

Love from your Messy Church Team: Judy, Shaghek, Paul, Barbara, Jean and Robyn xxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Upcoming Webinar: The Grandparenting Effect

Join author Trevecca Okholm as she shares about

The Grandparenting Effect and it’s implications for the Church and Intergenerational Connections

February 10th, 2021
10am-11:30am

Find out more here

 

 

 

Whatever life gives you and wherever life takes you, there is always a story.  Life and relationships all begin and are sustained in the context of a story. This is not a how-to-do-it-right book as much as it is a book of stories–personal stories from the author, biblical stories, and stories of ordinary grandparents and grandchildren who have been willing to share their own stories with which you may be able to identify and be encouraged in your own adventures of grandparenting.

This is a book for everyone that either has biological grandchildren or has the potential to influence the lives of non-biological youth and children in the role of grandparenting. This is also a book for churches to consider while planning for ministry to bring generations together in meaningful interactions, and in doing so, to create space for generations to share their stories and share in God’s overarching Story of reconciling the world . . . one story at a time.

 

 

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Lawnmowing Volunteers Needed – Short shifts available

The lawns at St Luke’s are very “hairy” at this time of year!  Volunteers are needed to mow sections of the remaining lawn around the buildings.  Some can be done by ride-on mower and other parts are push mower only.  

Photo by Eliza Diamond on Unsplash

Volunteers able to do the job saves the church hundreds of dollars per year, money that can be directed towards Ministry and Mission with refugees, and keeping our facilities affordable for community groups like choirs and Repair Cafe by subsidising venue hire fees.

Mowing can be done at times and frequency to suit our volunteers.  If you are able to help on a regular, semi-regular or even a one-off basis, please contact Ken Anderson via the office on 5244 2997.

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Messy Church Picnic – Sunday 31 Jan at 12:30pm

Messy Church logo

Community

Fun

Sharing

 

 

Our Messy Church family and friends picnic (postponed from December) is to be held this weekend.

Where:  Drewan Park near the Wandana Heights Lookout (which used to be known as the Ceres Lookout), just up the hill from St Luke’s church.  

When: 12:30pm on Sunday 31 January 2021

What to bring: Everything  for a picnic (food, drink, tables, chair, rugs, kid’s games…)

THE PARK HAS A PLAYGROUND, TOILETS, BBQS AND SHELTER

Who can come: Young and older – you just need to come with an open heart to have fun and be inspired.

NOTE: COVID SAFE REQUIREMENTS APPLY … PLEASE PLAN TO PHYSICALLY DISTANCE, AND WEAR MASKS WHEN THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE.  If you are feeling unwell, let us know and we’ll be thinking of you, but please don’t come – see your doctor or get tested if you have COVID symptoms.

Picnic