from the principal · chocolate, chocolate with bits in it, chocolate drizzled over things,...
TRANSCRIPT
Week 11A, 07.04.2020
02 6923 8888
www.waggachristian.nsw.edu.au
401 Kooringal Rd, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650
From the Principal Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, plain chocolate, flavoured chocolate, chocolate with bits in it, chocolate drizzled over things, chocolate pizzas. I could really go on and on and on about chocolates but if I did I’m worried some of you might wonder if there was something wrong with me. While others might sit there thinking “Go on, tell me more about these delectable treats!”. I’m writing about chocolates because each year I have a reminder to put a notice in the Chronicle about making sure children don’t share chocolates at Easter time because some people have allergies. I suppose this year I don’t need to remind you of that – the virus has certainly scared us out of sharing anything (including
chocolate). The reminder though helps me with one other thing this year. It is that Easter was (and is) all about sacrifice. Over years the Easter message has been changed by the shops and media to emphasise chocolate instead of God’s love, and I find it sad and exciting that churches are one of the main areas that are not able to continue operating as they have for the past hundreds of years. I find it sad because many people will visit a church at Christmas and Easter to remind themselves of the importance of remembering Jesus. And I find it exciting because many more people are able to livestream a church service even if they have never visited that church’s physical building. I am encouraging you this year to continue to build on the wonderful relationships forged in your social and church groups. I have spoken with some of our church leaders who are definitely seeing the need for people to pick up the phone and call someone who may be lonely. I also know that the rules about social distancing and shutting down venues has hurt a lot of people – I have personally spoken with some of our College community who are worried about the future. This is the main reason that I asked our Business Manager to let you all know over the last few weeks that we are invested in your family. Again I encourage you to contact us if you’re concerned. This week we have increased our contact calls to each home and hope you are surviving your remote education experience. Please let us know also if you need help with any of the school work. I’ve also been in discussions with our amazing counsellor who is finding resources for you all as we know each person will be impacted in different ways and some people may just need to read a reassuring article in the middle of the night. We have also added a special COVID page to our website. This page has links and letters that will let you know what is being done at the College to help you during this time. Please ensure you check this page for helpful hints and tips, and we aim to update you regarding what school looks like in Term 2. I know it is frustrating and we are trying to reconcile all of the advice from the various Governments, health, legal, educational, and welfare authorities. The main thing I wanted you to know is that we really are all in this community together. I have seen amazing teachers try fantastic things to keep your children learning and distracted from the horrible things happening in the world. They have joined with parents to ensure the best possible outcome for the students, and are working tirelessly. And for that I am grateful. And for that I am reminded of their sacrifice in such trying times. Thankyou for your part in this. Sincerely, Phillip Wilson Principal
‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ - Hebrews 13:8
Give thanks for:
Jesus and His sacrifice for each one of
us
For students that are adjusting well to the
new medium of learning
For dedicated teachers
Pray for:
Local Churches - they can maintain
connection with their parishioners
Our Principal and teachers for displaying
courage, hope, generosity, and kindness
Families as they adjust to new learning
and working environments
Carevan and associated organisations
who are supporting those needing care
For some rest over the school break
College Counselling services are now offering counselling via FaceTime, phone, WhatsApp and Skype for all family members, compliments of the Wagga Wagga Christian College community. For any urgent mental health needs please contact your GP or Access Line on 1800 800 944 for further assistance available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember be alert not alarmed - be a calming presence in your community.
Dr Stephanie J Jarratt
PhD, BSW, MSW, MAASW, EMDRIM
College Counsellor
Many of you would know Lynne Graham as winner of Wagga’s 2020 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award, some may know Lynne because of her presence in the local churches and community groups of our city and some from her connection with our College – as a teacher and a Board Member. It was only a few weeks ago that Lynne came to the College to talk to 5/6H about her work with Carevan.
Today Lynne is leading, not a team, that does not paint the full picture, more like a network of volunteers who are contributing to supporting people in our city who are in need. In this current climate there will be more and more vulnerable people due to unemployment, domestic tensions and physical distancing. Lynne is committed to continuing to provide meals for these people under the Carevan banner.
From today, 7th April, Carevan will prepare frozen meals that will be distributed through several local charities, supplementing their services to people in need. This undertaking is supported by Wagga City Council, who will be providing manpower to distribute these much needed meals.
As a College Community we can help this outreach in two ways:
Donation of non-perishable food items. These items include tinned vegetables such as corn, tomatoes, mushrooms, stock – items that are suitable for making casseroles. Ingredients for baking would also be appreciated. For example, flour, baking powder, choc chips, sugar. Donations can be dropped at the College Office where Wagga City Council will come regularly to distribute them to Carevan’s warehouse ready for cooking up into tasty meals and treats.
Do you have a safe food handling certificate and experience in the kitchen? Carevan is always looking for volunteers to help with the cooking, but it is important that each volunteer complies with food safety and preparation requirements. Ring Lynne Graham on 0403 312 053 to volunteer.
Thank you in advance for supporting this outreach and loving all the people in our city. We look forward to being an active support to this vital ministry.
As with all other churches in Australia at this time, Living Water Fellowship, has had to quickly adjust to the new requirements placed on our church communities by the Federal Government. A restriction on physically meeting together has required alternative forms of connecting. The current situation has shifted a focus of responsibility for worship and biblical teaching back to family groups, reminiscent of the early reformation church.
Church, a gathering of the Lord’s people, is now happening in people’s lounge rooms. Living Water church members have been able to draw together resources that are accessible online or delivered to those without internet.
Ready for each Sunday families are sent orders of service with clickable links through to worship music, and sermons.
Teaching from the Bible is only part of the story, with caring for each other an essential part of the church’s response at all times and now heightened in the current crisis. Living Water has volunteers on the phone every day aiming to connect with all parts of the congregation. This is especially important for older members of the congregation who are physically and technologically isolated.
Family groups are again key to connections across the Church family, with family members taking responsibility for caring for each other and ensuring the weekly Bible messages are distributed.
What has surprised you as the church has adjusted to the current climate?
The inventiveness of people has knocked me out and filled us with joy. I have had the privilege of officiating at two weddings over the last couple of weeks which have had to be drastically changed in form to accommodate the new arrangements. This hasn’t dissipated the joy of the occasion and we have been able to praise God and celebrate nonetheless.
Please join with us in prayer for the Living Water Church Family:
Thanksgiving. Thanks for the deeply faithful church members who are continuing to give of their resources to support the ministry that is happening through Living Water.
Thanks for the innovative and creative solutions which volunteers have come up with to keep connections.
Thanks for the proactivity of the church members.
Prayer for those who are vulnerable, especially those physically alone in their isolation, that they will know the truth that they are truly not alone and that connection will also occur across the church family.
How can I find out more about Living Water and access their online communal worship?
The Living Water website has details of the current arrangements of access for Sunday and Easter services. https://livingwaterwagga.org.au/
Direct contact to Pastor John Guilfoyle is available through email [email protected]
Living Water is working towards streaming Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services this week. Keep an eye on their website for further details.
Unlimited CRC 48 Vestey St www.unlimitedcrc.com.au
Generocity Church Wagga 194 Lake Albert Rd (the old Prime News building) www.generocitychurch.com.au CHURCH IS ONLINE. Check website for further details.
Wagga Wagga Evangelical Church (WWEC) 401 Kooringal Road www.wwec.org.au Check out our new YouTube channel: WWEC. Online. On Point. Visit our website and click the link to subscribe and check out our new space for doing church online!
Inspire Church Wagga 555 Kooringal Rd www.inspirewagga.com.au Each Sunday, we will be meeting ONLINE for BOTH of our 10am and 5pm services. Due to the new social distancing restrictions, we will NOT be meeting at our physical location. For church at your place online go to www.inspirewagga.com.au
UniChurch/Christian Fellowship CSU Wagga, In the Rec Hall cfwagga.org.au
St Aidan's Presbyterian Church 62-64 Coleman St staidanswagga.org.au Dear church family, our Sunday gatherings is online for the time being. We encourage you to find our online service with readings, prayer suggestions and the weekly sermon from the gospel of Matthew at the church website: http://staidanswagga.org.au/online-service/
Wagga Baptist Church 156 Tarcutta St www.wwbc.org.au Livestream is ready! Join us for the next service on line! https://livestream.com/waggabaptist/events/9048805
Living Water Fellowship Kooringal Guide Hall 565 Kooringal Rd We are now online! Info can be found on the church website or contact the church office number ph: 6931 5673 for details. https://livingwaterwagga.org.au/
The Salvation Army 188 Edward Street salvos.org.au/wagga/contact-us/
St Paul’s Turvey Park 31 Fernleigh Rd www.swac.church South Wagga Anglican Church (SWAC) is now ‘online’ and we are scattered throughout the city. Ra-ther than coming to church, we are now exploring new and creative ways of being the church. Check the website above for further details.
Gospel Power Ministries Cnr Bourke and Mckell Ave (Mt Austin Public School) www.gospelpowerministries.org.au
Wagga Church of Christ 49 Fernleigh Road We meet as a church online and via a group phone call on Sunday's at 10:00 AM. You can join the meeting by clicking the following link on either a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. Link to Online Video Conference! (Meeting Live at 10:00 AM Sundays) If it is easier for you, you may also join the meeting using your landline or mobile phone by calling 02 8320 4510 and when prompted providing the pin 931 759 814 8738#.
Wagga Wagga Uniting Churches www.wwuca.org.au
