Lent Reflections and Conversations
This year throughout Lent (the weeks leading up to Easter), on Sunday evenings, there will be an opportunity to ponder the last days of the life of Jesus Christ. There will be dvd presentations that take us to the very locations in Jerusalem that were a part of Christ’s life, along with a time of discussion and reflection.
This group will be suitable for people who are new to the faith or people who have been Christians for a long time. It will also be a good group for older High schoolers and adults. An email will be sent out to the congregation with more information, but I hope to begin this series of exciting reflections on Sunday 20th March.
Japan Quake and Tsunami Appeal
UnitingWorld has launched an appeal for the people of Japan following the terrible disasters of last week. If you would like to donate, go to www.unitingworld.org.au and scroll down to Japan Quake and Tsunami appeal.
Vitality of Call review for Rev Mark Faulkner
After being in settlement for four years, every Minister has a “vitality of call” review to reflect on the life of the congregation, the placement of the Minister, and generally how things are going. It is an opportunity for reflection, growth and change.
This review for Rev Mark is to be held at the end of this month. As part of this review, Rev Mark chooses one person to be on the team, the Church Council chooses two people and the Presbytery has appointed two people to lead it; Rev Colin Bradford and Amelia Peisley, a member of St James’ congregation. Mark has asked Chris Dodd and the Church Council have asked Rob Tanton and Helen Lehman. As part of this anyone in the congregation who would like to make confidential comment to Rev. Colin Bradford is invited to do so. He can be emailed on: revcolin@hotkey.net.au
It is important that anyone who wants to contribute from the wider congregation take this opportunity to do so.
Lent Event
During the 40 days of Lent, as we travel towards Easter, you are invited to join with others – in our congregation and around Australia in many other congregations – in Lent Event. To be part of this, we choose to go without something as an act of personal discipline during the 40 days, and put the money we save aside. This money is collected and sent to support UnitingWorld programs that contribute to the achievement of goals 1 to 6 of the Millenium Development Goals – things like water and sanitation, health and nutrition, and peacemaking. Ask Margaret Reeson for more information; 6262 3677
Spring Getaway
This year a small team of people will be planning our Spring Getaway… a time for the whole church community to getaway, relax, refresh as a Christian Community. If anyone would like to belong to the organising team, which doesn’t mean you have to do all the work, then please put your name on the sheet in the foyer. If you would like to know more, then feel free to get in touch with Mark.
Christians in Community Gardening Visits
Are you or your church involved in community gardening? Or are you thinking about making a start? Are you interested in meeting with Christian community gardeners and hearing their stories? Come along to this tour of community gardens at churches in Canberra, the Monaro and the South Coast, including O’Connor Community Garden, Ainslie Church of Christ Community Garden, Kingston Organic Community Garden, Cooma Community Garden, Garden of Eden Community Garden and Ricky’s Place Garden.
When: 9:30am Saturday 2nd to 6pm Sunday 3rd April, come to all or part of the tour.
Where: Meet and finish at O’Connor Uniting Church, corner of Brigalow & Scrivener Streets, O’Connor ACT.
Cost: Full weekend – $40 ($25 concession), Saturday to 2pm Canberra only – $15 ($10 concession).
We will carpool between gardens. RSVP essential, by 28th March to Miriam Pepper on 0447 730 772 or info@unitingearthweb.org.au. For more information, see www.unitingearthweb.org.au/explore/garden-visits
MARCH – Final Building Pledges Month
Three years ago members of the congregation were asked if they would be willing to pledge money towards the building project. People agreed to give pledges from 2008 to 2011. The final pledges are due this month. Thank you again to those who have already given. This is a reminder to those who made a pledge for March 2011.
Our target for cash gifts was $420,000. So far we have received $377,764. If all anticipated pledges are received by the end of the month we will have a target shortfall of $8,676, a most heartening response. Poor soil, discovered during construction (despite earlier soil surveys) has meant large additional costs for foundations and parking area. These have stressed the budget.
It is understood that some people, including newly arrived members, may like to make a new donation during the month. Thank you very much. This will really help us break the back of this financial load. Donations can be anonymous.
The response from members has been remarkable. We hope a final surge puts this task behind us. Thanks be to God.
Building pledges and donations can be made in the following ways:
- Offering bag in services
Please place in an envelope marked “Building Fund”. - Direct bank transfer
BSB 634-634 (Uniting Financial Services)
A/C number 100037340 - An over the counter deposit in a Westpac branch using the above BSB and A/C numbers
- By cheque, posted to
Uniting Financial Services
PO Box 2178
SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1234
requesting that it be deposited in investment no. 100037340 for the Gungahlin Building Fund.