Published for the Kaniva & Serviceton Congregations of the Uniting Church & Church of Christ

December 2012- March 2013 Our Shared Ministry Objective:

To foster Christian fellowship and Spiritual growth within our congregations and Christian witness in the wider community

Website: kanivachurches.org.au

UCA CHURCH COUNCIL: CHURCH OF CHRIST BOARD:

Chairperson: Diane Eastwood Chairperson: Murray Williams

53922612 53931277 Secretary: Mary Grosser Secretary: Kerryn Dyer 53922207 Treasurer: Alwyn Dyer Minutes Sec: Harvey Champness 53922642 53922910 Ass.Treas: Kerryn Dyer

Treasurer: Ian Champness 53922642

53922253

Ass.Treas: Bevan Rogers 53922645

SERVICETON UCA CHURCH COUNCIL: SERVICETON CHURCH OF CHRIST

Judith Carter Secretary:

53931223 David Wallis

53931260 Published Quarterly at Baker St., Print Post Approved

Return Address: 12 Baker St., 335476/00002

KANIVA, 3419

Greetings to all,

he following article for your

reflection has been taken from the

Churches of Christ monthly

newsletter. The article is written by Stephen

Curkpatrick, who is a lecturer in Christian

Thought and History; New Testament

Studies and New Testament Greek with the

Churches of Christ Theological College.

As we finish one year and look to the new year, this article will give you a little

food for thought. May God Bless each one and may your Christmas be

meaningful as we celebrate our Lords birth among all the food, tinsel and glitter

and if you are missing someone special then may God’s peace surround you,

and may the memories of happy times spent in the past, bring a smile to your

face.

Kerryn Dyer.

“New Memories with generous possibilities” – Stephen Curkpatrick.

By memory we seek to retrieve our present possibilities, but is there life in

regret, creativity in nostalgia, forgiveness in guilt wrung from others or a future

in wistfulness?

In memory of the past, we naturally attempt to replicate what was good. If we

cannot reproduce the past, we yearn for what is no longer within nostalgia. In

seeking to reclaim the past, we invest it with tribal significance. If mistakes

have been made, we cajole for apologies, only to exhibit self-righteousness. If

we regret the past, we are also wistful for a future we desired but failed to

invoke.

If we could have our time again, we assert sentimentally that we would do

things differently. If we imagine doing the same again, aren’t we now aware of

other possibilities? If we think we would now respond differently to a previous

challenge, did we have real choices then or have we since forged new

alternatives only within hindsight?

Christians anticipate the future by remembering the word of God who calls to

be things that are not – without nostalgia, regret, recrimination or wistfulness –

as creative in giving us truly new memories with generous possibilities.

T

STUDENT ACCOMODATION-MELBOURNE.

Murrumbeena Baptist Church have a small campus of student accommodation particularly

aimed at catering for the needs of country students moving to the city to study for the first

time.

The units are located next to the church. Each unit consists of two bed-sit rooms with a

shared bathroom and kitchen and meals area. With four units, it can accommodate eight

students in total. They are leased on a yearly basis, and they are fully furnished, including

bed, tables, chairs, study desks, fridges and shared washing facilities for $165 per student per

week. Water, gas, electricity and ADSL@+ internet access are all included in the cost. Each

room has telephone sockets, but the service will be optional at students’ own expense. The

location is extremely close walking distance (less than 250 metres) to the Murrumbeena

Railway Station. It is very close to Caulfield and Clayton campuses of Monash University.

We are also well serviced by buses running just outside the units (Deakin University’s

Burwood campus can be accessed by bus). The Flats office can be contacted on: (03)

95687159 or via www.murrumbeena-baptist.org and follow the links to the Student

Accommodation Project. Or contact Drew Phillips (0438066425) Student Applications and

Administration Officer.

**********************************

Changes to Worship Times

Please take note of temporary changes to worship times on the Plan in January. Services in

Kaniva will commence at 10.30am (unless otherwise notified) and services at Serviceton will

commence at 9am.

From February, a permanent change to service times will take place with services in Kaniva

commencing at 9.30am. Services at Serviceton will continue to commence at 11.15am. These

changes were recommended by the Minister’s Selection panel and endorsed by both Shared

Ministry and the UC Church Council. Much of the reasoning behind the decision relates to

those people taking services at both venues being able to have time to spend in fellowship

with the Kaniva congregation following the service and still have time to travel to Serviceton.

Oasis Returns

February 2013 will see the return of Sunday morning children’s ministry in Kaniva with

Oasis sessions. Sessions will be multi-aged beginning at 3 years. If you have not been

approached already, but would like to help out in some way, please contact Di Eastwood on

53922612 or eastwood@netconnect.com.au.

Can you

help us?

Kaniva Bible Study

In March 2013, a Kaniva Bible Study group will commence. The group will meet on the 2nd

and 4th

Wednesday evenings of each month in the UC Fellowship Centre and will begin with

a study called ‘Seeking Him’. Anyone is welcome to attend. More details will appear in the

notice sheets closer to the time or contact Di Eastwood.

UC Pastoral Care Team

Just a reminder to everyone of the people who are on the UC Pastoral Care Team and who

can be contacted about Church matters, personal concerns and prayer requests.

Karen Rabone Blanche Hill

Valma Merrett Robyn Jewell

Harvey & Barb Champness Gordon Williams

Graeme Grosser Di Eastwood

Graham & Judith Carter Heather Wallis

Jenny Merrett

Presbytery Report

The last Presbytery meeting for 2012 was held in Ballarat on 17 November, with a very

strong representation of churches from across the Presbytery of Western Victoria.

The day included a worship session, the receiving of reports, some farewells and the

conducting of some important items of business.

The opening worship was a very meaningful segment, which included singing, prayers, some

background on the groups and communities catered for by Ballarat Central, and a look into

the history and development of Ballarat Central Uniting Church. Rev Bill Lidgett was

welcomed into the supply position of Presbytery Minister Pastoral Care.

Other Features of the Day:

- Andrew Shearer-Cox gave an enlightening insight into the provision of chaplaincy services

to some of the health and aged care services within Ballarat.

- Presbytery made the decision to sell the Portland Bay UC Campsite

- Pastor Rob Morgan and Rev Samasoni Nafatali were farewelled and thanked for their

contributions to their own parishes and to the Presbytery as a whole.

- a service was held to recognise the closure of Rev Keith Kynoch’s ministry as Presbytery

Minister Pastoral Care, and in recognition of his retirement

Harvey Champness

Presbytery Representative

Resources Team Report

At our most recent Resources Team meeting the main item for discussion was a recent O.H.

and S. report indicating quite a few safety issues that need to be addressed in and around

buildings in both Kaniva and Serviceton. Some of these included fire extinguishers and

signs, exit signs, first aid kits and safety blankets and signs, emergency assembly signs,

painting of step edges and single action door handles, to name a few. Quite a number of these

things have now been attended to while others are still a work in progress.

The historical sign for the Church block has now been completed and installed, and looks

great.

Catering Report

Since our August report a number of members helped provide some food for the Ag Art

Exhibition which was held to raise funds for the School Chaplaincy program. The only

catering coming up is the Seniors Christmas party on 7th December at 12:00 noon. The

current catering balance is $4045.74.

Ladies’ Fellowship Report

In September, the Fellowship ladies enjoyed a mystery trip to Lake Hindmarsh and Jeparit,

finishing up in Horsham for lunch and a plant nursery visit. Our October syllabus item

involved feeding a busload of fifty senior people from Seeds Uniting Church in Adelaide

(known as the Keenagers) and this allowed for an enjoyable time of fellowship and sharing.

Their donation for our efforts helped boost our coffers significantly, and will help us to

continue supporting Ian and Betty Rowse in their mission work with Pioneers.

We held our Christmas Dinner and Annual Meeting in November when we enjoyed dinner

together at KCR followed by the Annual and General meetings.

Our office-bearers for 2013 are as follows:

President: Kath Shurdington

Vice-President: Alison Moar

Secretary: Kath Rich

Treasurer: Barbara Champness

With our Christmas gift money this year, we have taken some money from our funds to add

to our gift money and supported Tear Australia’s overseas work in poor countries by buying

some chickens, clean water and a toilet.

All members have had an enjoyable year of fellowship together and after a break over

Christmas and New Year will be looking forward to another year of friendship and fellowship

together.

Serviceton News

ere we are again fast approaching Christmas, Harvest, Holidays – New adventures

etc. As always the year has gone fast. Some of us have had a great year and others

have had a horrible year. Whatever our situation, we have a God who loves us, cares

for us and gives us strength and hope for the future.

Our Serviceton Ladies Fellowship group have 19 ladies booked in to go to the Bordertown

Hotel for our annual Christmas/AGM meeting on November 28th

. This is encouraging to see

in times where in a lot of other groups, numbers are diminishing. We have recently had a

family visit to Wayne Rabone’s great collection of memorabilia and back in September we

held our annual Progressive tea out North. Thank you to all who have opened up their homes,

organised an activity, prepared food, prepared a devotion or helped our group in any way

during the year.

It was great to have Kaniva join us for our annual Outdoor Service/ Sunday School Picnic at

Moree Reserve on a very warm Sunday in early November. Coming up we have our Church

and Sunday School Anniversary. Darryl Patterson will be our guest speaker for that. Darryl

and his family have been in Fiji for many years sharing God’s love. Presently Darryl and his

family live in Bordertown and Darryl works for his brother doing farm work. Other special

services coming up are:

Serviceton Community Carol Service Sunday Dec 23rd

7.30pm

at the Serviceton Uniting Church.

Christmas Day Service 9.00am at the Serviceton Uniting

Church.

Sunday School Pool Party and Outdoor Service at Darren and

Allyson Merrett’s home Sunday Feb 3rd

11.15am Shared lunch

to follow.

Please note Church Services will be at 9.00am from Sunday

Dec 30th

to Sunday Jan 27th inclusive.

After the anniversary our Sunday School will continue to meet for Carol Service preparation

and Christmas activities. If your children would like to be involved please let Graham and

Judith Carter know 53931223.

The Serviceton Bible Study group continues to meet fortnightly on Tuesdays in various

homes. This group is open to all ages. It is really encouraging to meet, look at God’s word

and pray with others. We usually break for a few weeks over Christmas/ harvest but will start

again sometime in the New Year.

The Young Adults group continue to meet weekly at 8.00pm on a Monday night. Quite a

number of the young adults plus some extras from Adelaide had a great weekend at Robe in

October. They had lots of fun, fellowship and faith building. This group also organises Night

Church at Kaniva the first Sunday of every month. Night Church is for all ages, backgrounds

and denominations to worship our God in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The Kaniva Youth Group is now meeting fortnightly with a regular group of youth enjoying

good clean fun and nurturing in their faith. Over 30 attended the bowling/ laser tag night in

Horsham recently. Coming up on Dec 7th

is the pool party/ water skirmish breakup.

Rides will also be available to the Bands night in Nhill on Dec 14th

.

H

Prior to Youth Group meetings plus a few extra activities including a recent sleepover at

Millie’s is the Prov31 group. This group is aimed at High School aged girls. The name

“Prov31” comes from Proverbs Chapter 31 which talks about being a “woman of God “. It is

really exciting to see the growth in this group – not just in numbers but their enthusiasm to

look at God’s word, pray for each other and reach out to others. Feel free to contact Millie

Carter 0403844548 for more information on this group.

Let us all continue to pray for each other and to reach out to those around us. Praying that this

Christmas, you will all know the real joy and peace that only Jesus Christ can give. Also we

pray that any one facing big changes will know that God is with them and He never lets us

down.

God’s Blessings

to you all

Judith Carter

Finding God

Where can we find the God who made

And wants us for his own?

How can we know the God by whom

All that is yet to be is known?

When shall we meet the God whose name

Each age has called on, cursed and blessed,

The God by whom both cosmic power

And new born baby are addressed?

God’s found where human life is prized,

And human worth affirmed and warmed;

Where hated hearts become forgiven

And untouched lives become transformed;

In lantern face of wisdom’s age,

In wide-eyed children’s fresh rapport,

In those with whom he bids us share

The things that heaven and earth are for.

God’s found where silence is not feared-

The silence which we seldom seek

In case our consciences rebel

Or God, in confidence, should speak;

The silence when our souls assess

Unfathomed sense conveyed by sound,

And that magnificence of love

Upon which heaven and earth are ground.

God’s found where he was set aside –

The last upset where faith went blind,

The fond, fake image still embraced

In the school playground of our mind;

Or in the test we set the Lord

To prove his interest, show his powers

To change the world to suit our will

As if both heaven and earth were ours.

God’s found in following Jesus Christ,

Who summons all to set aside

The mess and masks of daily life

Behind which things we often hide.

The finding comes through following close,

Inspired by trust, surprised by grace;

Both, contradicting common sense,

Make all of heaven and earth God’s place.

John Bell and Graham Maule

The Love of God

The love of God comes close

Where stands an open door

To let the stranger in,

To mingle rich and poor:

The love of God is here to stay

Embracing those who walk his way.

The peace of God comes close

To those caught in the storm,

Forgoing lives of ease

To ease the lives forlorn:

The peace of God is here to stay

Embracing those who walk his way.

The joy of God comes close

Where faith encounters fears,

Where heights and depths of life

Are found through smiles and tears:

The you of God is here to stay

Embracing those who walk his way.

The grace of God comes close

To those whose grace is spent,

When hearts are tired or sore

And hope is bruised or bent:

The grace of God is here to stay

Embracing those who walk his way.

The Son of God comes close

Where people praise his name,

Where bread and wine are blest

And shared, as when he came:

The Son of God is here to stay

Embracing those who walk his way.

John Bell and Graham Maule

A DEFINITION OF THE NEW YEAR

The new year is a door

By which we reach new fields

Of service for God and fellow man:

A door by which we can explore

Wide spheres of usefulness

Our world to bless,

And reap the sheaves God’s word of witness

yields

The new year is a task

Set by the master of our souls,

A little part of our life’s work below:

And so we ask holy wisdom which alone controls

Our Labour, teaching what and where to sow:

That the year, at its end

May show god’s glory and man’s profit blend.

The new year is a book

With many pages, and as yet all white

On which to write

The history of thought, and deed, and word

In this new group of days.

We pray thee, Lord,

As thou shalt look upon the book

When written over, may all be to Thy praise.

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

Serviceton Community Carol Service

Sunday Dec 23rd

7.30pm at the

Serviceton Uniting Church.

Christmas Day Service 9.00am at the Serviceton

Uniting Church.

Serviceton Church Services will be at 9.00am

from Sunday Dec 30th

to Sunday Jan 27th

inclusive.

February Services at Serviceton will continue to

commence at 11.15am.

Sunday School Pool Party and Outdoor Service

at Darren and Allyson Merrett’s home Sunday

Feb 3rd

, 11.15am

Shared lunch to follow.

Kaniva Community Carol Service

Sunday Dec 16th

7.30pm at the

Kaniva Shire Hall.

Kaniva Church Services for January only will

be at 10.30am (unless otherwise notified)

February Services at Kaniva commencing at

9.30am. permanently.

Kaniva Children’s Ministry returns in

February 2013. Sessions will be multi-aged

beginning at 3 years. If you are keen to help,

Contact Di Eastwood on 53922612 or

eastwood@netconnect.com.au.

Wishing each and everyone a safe and happy Christmas time

and New Year