Church News 6 September 2020 - The Village Church

Church News
 6 September 2020

   The Uniting Church in Australia

OUR VISION AND MISSION

Following Jesus and walking together, the Village Church aspires to live
God’s unconditional love. We live Christian faith with integrity and meaning
and, with a servant heart, we offer a place of welcome, care, inclusion and
healing.

MISSION:
We will live out our vision by:
 •     Following Jesus who lived with integrity, honesty and justice.
 •     Building community both within and beyond the church.
 •     Nurturing a questioning and living spirituality.
 •     Fostering an inclusive and welcoming spirit.
 •     Offering abundant care and compassion.

MINISTRY TEAM:
Minister of the Word / Team Leader:     Rev Cameron McAdam
                                        E: cameronmcadam@hotmail.com
                                        P: 9787 1683 M: 0425 774 780

Playgroup Coordinator:                  Barbara Mort
                                        E: ucame.playgroup@hotmail.com.au
                                        P: 9787 1683
Youth Engagement Coordinator:           Tim Gordon
                                        E: tim.gordon@fusion.org.au
                                        P: 0401 875 505
Pastoral Support:                       Shona Potts
                                        E: ucame.pastoralcare@gmail.com
                                        P: 0424 787 204
Communication & Administration:         Sally Mullins
                                        E: ucame@hotmail.com.au
                                        P: 9787 1683

You can find us at:
     fb.com/villagechurchmteliza                      @villagechurchmteliza

www.mtelizaunitingchurch.org.au

ORDER OF SERVICE
                   Sunday 6 September 2020

9:50am                    Livestream service welcome

WELCOME

SONG                      Be still

PRAYERS

SONG                      Still

READING                   Matthew 18: 15-20

REFLECTION                Relations with kingdom integrity

Quiet reflection and prayer

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERING PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

SONG                      How deep the Father’s love

BLESSING

SONG                      And that my soul knows very well

WHAT’S COMING UP?
Sunday
September 6    10:00am          Morning Service led by Rev Cam McAdam
                                Live streaming of service on Facebook
               10:45am          Morning tea catch ups via Zoom invitation
               11:00am          Lucky Dip Morning tea: A or B
Monday
September 7
Tuesday
September 8
Wednesday
September 9    10:30am          Men’s Coffee morning tea via Zoom invitation
                                ** Advise Ken Sleep to join meeting
Thursday
September 10 7:30pm             Bible study led by Cam via Zoom
                                ** Advise Cam if you are interesting in joining
Friday
September 11 7:00pm             Village Youth via Zoom
                                Led by Tim Gordon
Saturday
September 12
Sunday
September 13 10:00am            Morning Service led by Rev Cam McAdam
                                Live streaming of service on Facebook
               10:45am          Morning tea catch ups via Zoom invitation

                       The Village Church Services
                     www.facebook.com/villagechurchmteliza

            This week’s livestream service is supported by:
Reflection:              Rev Cam McAdam
Bible reading:           Andy McGorlick
Music:                   Bev Sleep & Andy McGorlick
Singers:                 Kate Driver & Cam McAdam
Technical support:       Tim Gordon
Facebook support:        Steph Hill

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK THAT WAS ON
                  OUR SOCIAL MEDIA...

                                   While these restrictions can
                                 make us feel tired and numb
                                     within our all too familiar
                                 environment, we hope today
                                   you find some sweetness in
                                   your day; gratitude for the
                                 little and ordinary things that
                                        God has provided.

    We share this
beautiful song with all
 those missing loved
        ones.

   To listen, go to:
  https://youtu.be/
   XB6yjGVuzVo

                                How we choose to act as
                              people has spiritual implications.
                                  It impacts directly on our
                             well-being, our mental health, and
                                  that of those with whom
                                        we engage.

This week...with Cam
As we approach Sunday and the likely announcement of further changes and
uncertainty there is a LOT of commentary about what we should be doing,
and the way governments have managed through this period. There are a
LOT of voices clambering for our attention and trying to persuade us to agree
with their view.
It is timely that this Sunday our service moves to words that Jesus spoke on
church community and conflict in Matthew 18. We’ll consider how we might
choose to respond and act in our relationships and how this influences our well
- being and those with whom we engage.
It is also timely, both from a community and church perspective, that
September 10th next week is R U OK Day. I know we have done lots across this
time as a church to look out for each other and contact other community
members and check up on them. This day perhaps invites us to make a
special effort to check in with other church members, our neighbours and
family, and perhaps have a conversation that might just change someone’s
life.
Morning Tea
I know Zoom is not everyone’s thing, but a great way to stay connected is
through our after-church Morning Teas. The Lucky Dip Morning Teas provide
more flexibility in that you are not committed and can just drop in and say hi,
you don’t have to stay long, and you can come when you can.

Below are the details for this Sunday. A reminder that the best way to access
is to open Zoom and enter the Meeting ID and Passcode provided below:

Morning tea A at 11am
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71861187980?pwd=VGp1RU05OG9xZVExalZWeG9IOGdpZz09
Meeting ID: 718 6118 7980
Passcode: 122333

Morning tea B at 11am
https://zoom.us/j/7144550573
Meeting ID: 14 455 0573
Passcode: 443692

Newsbeat
If you would like to read some of the news from our church region, the
Presbytery of Port Phillip East, here’s the link: https://www.ucappep.org/newsbeat/

I hope you are enjoying the spring sunshine that is breaking through, the signs
of new life and growth emerging in hope.

Bible Study
                        Relations with kingdom integrity

Welcome each other and share.

Discussion…
➢ How do you personally manage the polarised world in which we now live?

Reading…       Matthew 18: 15-20

(You might like to read through the earlier parts of chapter 18 to see the
context of this text.)

➢   Take time to reflect on what you’re hearing in this story.

Explore…
➢ What difference does the context of the ‘little ones’ place on this
   passage?
➢ Interesting the same phrase is used in verse 18, as spoken to Peter after his
   confession (16: 19)
➢ Jesus uses the word ‘listen’ 4 times. A key to conflict resolution??

Discussion…
“For many people, it is easier to identify the ways they have been harmed
than it is to recognise the ways their actions can harm others, even if
unintentionally. Perhaps one of the most difficult truths of this passage is a
reminder of the human capacity to cause harm to others—both in the systems
in which we participate as well as in our personal actions (or failures to act).

“Jesus promises not to desert his disciples as they face that difficult truth and
practice living more fully into the communities that God calls into being. After
all, he is present wherever two or three are gathered in his name, a name that
means “God with us,” who saves people from their sins (Matthew 1:21, 23). The
power for his followers to be transformed is available for the asking, as
promised. “Truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you
ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).”
Audrey West

➢   What harm might we do unintentionally?
➢   Does the often-quoted promise of Jesus in verse 20 have a different
    meaning in the context of the rest of the passage?
➢   How are relationships key to Christian faith?

Prayer Spend time in prayer, holding your thoughts, and if in a group, your
conversation and time together, before God.

A message from the
          Friendship Group
          Hello to our Church family!
We are approaching the final week of our six
weeks of lockdown, and our thoughts are with
everyone. We hope you are surviving - taking it
a day at a time.
Please feel free to ring Ronda, Lorraine or
Margaret Ferguson for a chat or if you are
having a ‘bad hair day’ you can ring the three
of us.

             Thursday Bible study group update…
The Thursday night Bible study group has now been meeting via Zoom for
some months. Over the last few weeks the group has found a new depth and
                                                 willingness to engage in
                                                 deeper questions, in both
                                                 a gracious and robust
                                                 way.
                                                  Last    Thursday       night
                                                  included a conversation
                                                  on    eternal     life  and
                                                  whether Jesus refers to life
                                                  now or life after death.

                     Men’s weekly catch up...
There were 16 men on this week’s Zoom meet. The group spent time catching
up on the week, develop-
ments around the world,
and talking about the
ever changing world with
many more changes in
the pipeline over the next
few years. The effects of
which are hard to foresee
from this vantage point.
Moving from stage 4
lockdown was seen as
the first challenge!

Unusual honour for Bishop Abraham Gondi
Some members of our church community may recall the time a number of
years ago, when retired Bishop Abraham Gondi from the Church of South
India Nandyal Diocese preached at the Village Church.

Abraham, his wife Sonia, and
their handicapped daughter
Patricia, were guests of the
Connans.

John and Abraham’s friendship
dated back to 1962 as students
in United Theological College,
Bangalore, South India. Sadly,
Abraham died 2 years ago.

Recently, John received news
of an unusual honour for
Abraham: a Shopping Centre
has been dedicated to his
memory!

This photo captures the rather
large dedication to Bishop
Abraham.

                 John Connan

              Big happy birthday to Carol Carney
Happy birthday to Carol Carney
who celebrated a special
milestone birthday last weekend.
By the look of this lovely photo, it
was a special day, not
w i t h - st a n din g it ca n b e
challenging celebrating special
birthdays away from loved ones.

 Carol, wishing you a big happy
birthday from your church family.

Australia’s first Indigenous
          Consul-General
Did you know Benson Saulo is set to become
Australia’s first Indigenous consul-general in the
United States, based in Houston. Benson is the
first Indigenous Australian to hold this position
anywhere in the world, which is an incredible
achievement and an exciting step in the right
direction.
In a wonderful story on ABC Indigenous, Benson speaks about growing up in
the church and the influence of his father, a minister who delivered powerful
sermons that couldn’t help but leave a mark on him. He speaks of the
desire to be a leader from a young age, and the amazing opportunities and
work he has already been involved with. He also speaks about hope, and
about change: “Change is not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice.
Change takes time...it’s incremental”.
An inspiring example of someone who has tamed their inner critic and who is
destined to make a tremendous, positive impact on the world.
To listen to Benson share his inspiring story, you can watch on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ABCIndigenous/videos/601609183838389/
Or on Instagram, by going to abcindigenous.

                                   Support for North India
                                      (from this month’s Newsbeat)
                      As I’m hearing that mask-wearing may go on for up to a
                      year I am wondering if readers would consider
                      supporting local and international charity work by
                      purchasing quality, double layer, washable face
                      masks—small and large sizes available.
                     ALL proceeds will go to support programs to help the
                     homeless and hungry, along with anti-domestic
                     violence, gender empowerment and community health
programs for women and children in India. As they’re re-usable,
environmentally friendly, washable and a NFP fundraiser, the price is $15 a
mask or two for $24 (plus postage). We will send out with any size donation,
however. Contact me with an email helen.beeby@gmail.com with colour
and size preferences and I will respond directly with details.

Thank you for your support
Helen Beeby (facebook.com/womanandchildhealth)

Favourite Recipes
This week’s recipes are kindly shared by Robyn Bounds. Beef with
Dumplings is a family favourite (and visiting friends from all over the world)
and can all be done in the miscrowave so little mess after. The ‘Impossible’
Lemon Pie is very easy and a great use of excess lemons.

                    Saucy Beef with Dumplings

Ingredients                                          Serves 4 - 6 people
• 700g topside or frying steak in 6mm strips
• 30mls/ 2Tb plain flour
• 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
    (and/ or capsicum)
• 400g can tomatoes
• 40g onion soup
• 125mls water
• 100g Cheddar cheese, grated
• Paprika for sprinkling

Dumplings
• 75g self raising flour
• 40g shredded beef suet or
  block margarine grated
• Salt and pepper

Method
1. Toss the beef and flour together in a 2.5L casserole.
2. Add the celery, tomatoes, soup mix and water.
3. Cover and microwave at 100% (High) for 5 minutes.
4. Reduce the power to 50% (Medium) and microwave for 20 minutes or
   until the mixture thickens.
5. Combine the dumpling ingredients with just enough cold water to form a
   soft dough.
6. Drop spoonfuls onto the meat mixture and microwave, uncovered, at
   50% (Medium) for 18-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are set.
7. Sprinkle with grated cheese over the dumplings and leave, covered, for 5
   minutes.
8. Serve with green vegetable/s and carrots.

‘Impossible’ Lemon Pie
                                Donna Hay
Ingredients                                      Serves 6
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1 1/4 cups of caster sugar
• 1 Tb finely grated lemon rind
• 4 eggs
• 1-1 1/2 cups of lemon juice
• 1/3 cup milk
• 40g butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Single or pouring cream to serve

Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius
2. Place the coconut, flour, sugar and lemon rind in a large bowl.
3. Add the eggs, lemon juice, milk, butter and vanilla and stir until well
   combined.
4. Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 4 cup capacity baking dish.
5. Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden.
6. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
7. Serve with cream.

              Some cheeky biblical humour….

Psalm 23 (NRSV) –
        An affirmation of faith as we shelter at home
       Rev. Jennie Gordon. Presbytery of Gippsland Pastoral Care (March 2020))

23:1a The LORD is my shepherd,
You are my loving shepherd, and I celebrate my place in your flock,
even while we are sitting apart from each other
you gather us together in love, you know us and call us by name.
23:1b I shall not want.
While around me I see panic about not having enough,
I am reminded that you provide what I need;
through the memory of your goodness,
through the kindness of my neighbours,
through your living word enfolding me.
23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
In this time of sheltering at home,
I can enjoy the blessing of rest and the delight of immersing in stillness
knowing that I am not alone,
your gentle encouragement fills me, I drink deeply, until I sleep.
23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
You refresh me with wonder, and I notice small mercies;
soft textures, rich words, melodic laughter, sweet sounds.
You direct my thinking and walking, my working and talking
so that I might bring a blessing in your name.
23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are
with me; your rod and your staff– they comfort me.
Even when I am afraid and lonely, at the end of my coping, you are with me,
steadying my breathing, bringing me back, reminding me of your strength
beside me.
23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
You lay out a feast of goodness when I open my eyes to see it,
dismissing the doubters with your abundance.
You bless me with generous, gurgling grace and I can’t hold it all within me.
It spills out, flowing to others, drenching them in delight.
23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I
shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long
Bless whatever happens in my shadow, each day, while I keep my face to
the light.
Living in your household I am recognised, loved, and held, each moment
and for ever. Amen

“Thy Word is a
 lamp unto my
path and a light
 unto my feet.”

Psalm 119: 105

Warmer weather craft activity from Barbara Mort
Here is a craft to get us ready for the warmer weather.
“Make a picture of what you would like to do when the weather gets warmer.
This picture is my thoughts, what are yours? Please email
pictures of your creations to Sally in the
Church office so we can show them in
Church News.” Barbara

To make, you will need:
• Sheet of paper
• Other papers of different colours
• Scissors
• Textas

                                     In 1995, much loved Barry Larkin was
                                     far from OK. His suicide left family and
                                     friends in deep grief and with endless
                                     questions. In 2009, his son Gavin
                                     Larkin chose to champion just one
                                     question to honour his father and to
                                     try and protect other families from the
pain he endured. That question was “Are you OK?”. This question sparked a
campaign that would regularly ask RUOK? And give space to stop and hear
the answers.
The message for R U OK? Day 2020 is: “There’s more to say after R U OK?”
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have
made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who
are able, be willing to support those around us. In the lead up to R U OK? Day
we’ll help Australians know what to say when someone says they’re not OK
and guide them through how they can continue a conversation that could
change a life. By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported
and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a
really positive difference to their life.
Rev. Jay Robinson says: “This time in our lives is a time when we need to be
asking everyone around us if they are ok. As we move through this
pandemic and the restrictions associated with it a lot of those around are not
ok. Thursday 10 September is a great opportunity to be showing the love of
Christ, asking the question “R U OK?” and then stopping to continue to
conversation.

Sunday’s Lucky Dip morning tea details…
Here are the details for this Sunday’s Lucky Dip Morning Teas.

The best way to access is to open Zoom and enter the Meeting ID and
Passcode provided below:

Morning tea A at 11am
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71861187980?pwd=VGp1RU05OG9xZVExalZWeG9IOGdpZz09
Meeting ID: 718 6118 7980
Passcode: 122333

Morning tea B at 11am
https://zoom.us/j/7144550573
Meeting ID: 14 455 0573
Passcode: 443692

                                        Just to entertain you...
                               This week we share a range of You tube clips to
                               entertain you. So, imagine yourself at the cinema,
                               sit back and enjoy;

➢   40 inspirational speeches in 2 minutes
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI

➢   Top 4 Easy work, high salary:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLLVP1VPOU8

➢   The Beauty of Earth:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl_kXbhTi8k

          Making an offering to The Village Church…
If you would like to make a financial offering to The Village Church, the best
way to do this during our current restrictions is via a direct deposit to the
church’s General Statement Account:

 BSB: 633 000            Account No: 143 632 834