The Uniting Church in Australia



DANDENONG

THE CONGREGATIONS OF
TRINITY (10am) LEWE TOLU VAKALOU (Noon)
Cnr Scott and Robinson Street, Dandenong, 3175
(P.O. Box 7312, Dandenong, 3175)
with oversight of The Asylum Seekers Program

Fijian Congregation: Mr. Jim Smith
Ph: 9799 2763

Epiphany 3 - January 21st, 2007
We warmly welcome all visitors this morning. Please join us for refreshments
in the Fellowship area following the service.

THEME FOR TODAY: The Synergetic Principle

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• In order to be “pre-prayered” for the service, there is a time of prayer at 9-30 in the front vestry: you are all welcome.
• Cards are in the narthex if you would like a prayer included in the Prayers of the People. On one side is an entry for a prayer request, the reverse side is an place for you to give a “Praise Report”, that is, if you have had answer to prayer - hearing answers is an encouragement to us all. They may be given to the Steward to bring forward at the Offering.

Coming up in January
Friday 26th - United Prayer - 10-30am -  12-30pm at Festival Hall
Wednesday 31st January- Home Communion  7-30pm Choir practice
Tuesday 6th February - Presbytery meets - also the 10th anniversary service for the Asylum Seeker program
Saturday 10th February - 10-30am CIFT meeting in the Fellowship area

This weekend will also be the time when the Presbytery conducts its Consultation with us as it is required to do every five years. The team will be led by Rev. David Peel and Mrs Ruth Saunders with 4 people appointed by our Church Council. There will be opportunity for members to consult with the team and they will be with us at worship on the 11th
17th February - Ordinations at Frankston - 4pm

EXECISE BOOKS
UCAF is joining the Mission Liason Group in its collection of new exercise books which can be purchased at Supermarkets and Office Works for only 5 cents each. Please get as many as you can and place them in the container in the Narthex and help our Mission schools and donations overseas.
 

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THE ASYLUM SEEKER CENTRE
On February 6th, David Spittleler celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the commencement of the Centre and its work. His home church St Barnabus Anglican Church is hosting a “Celebration of Ministry” at 7pm on Tuesday 6th February and members are invited to attend this celebration. Over the past 10 years the Centre has assisted 791 Asylum Seekers from 62 countries as well as hundreds of refugees (mainly from Sudan and Afghanistan.) and has distributed Total Material Aid valued in excess of $1.3 million. If you are attending, please bring a plate to share over a cuppa afterwards. If you would like transport, see Graeme.

INTERFAITH
We have received a card of appreciation from Helen Heath, President of the Interfaith Network for our support of the Network and “for all our work in bringing peace, harmony and understanding to our community in the last year.” The card is on the Noticeboard in the Narthex.

SHARE APPEAL
UnitingCare assists 1.8 million people each year across Asutralia through a variety of programs. Funds are raised through the SHARE Appeal, Pancake Day and Bequests. Keep an eye out for news of Pancake Day

PRAYER POINTS: Caring and Sharing with one another
Pray for:

•  the Cranbourne Regional Congregation and its minister Rev. Paul Creassey

• The work of the Inter-faith Network, especially at this time of heightened tensions particularly in the Islamic community. Pray that God’s peace and wisdom will transcend all human endeavour.

•  Those of our fellowship who are unwell, recovering at home, in care, suffering from the heat. 

• Kit Woodfine,  Ric Ackermann.

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New Year’s Resolution # 1Visit other churches If your congregation is looking at ways to grow, visiting other churches can spark a lot of practical ideas. Excellent examples exist across Victoria and Tasmania of churches who have grown various ministry areas - with children, small groups, increasing financial giving so as employ more people for ministry, growing the number of people involved in music, major re-developments of property. etc. The Synod’s MIssion Planning and Resource Unit can provide contact details for some churches experiencing growth in these areas within the UC and in other denominations. Phone 9251 5255 or you could use your own initiative - hire a minibus one Sunday and visit 3-4 churches in the day. A grant is being used this year for Mission Planning across the Synod to grow healthy congregations. Our offering helps to fund this ministry, as does including the Uniting Church in your Will, investing some money in U.C Funds Management etc. Phone 9251 5405 or get more details by visiting: www.victas.uca.org.au/mission Thank you.

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