What’s on this week

Check this post regularly for events and activities. We look forward to seeing you.

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Repair and restoration work on the church and hall will commence soon.

We have now moved essential things to the manse (folding tables, plastic chairs, art materials, etc.), and started meeting for worship at The Factory community centre in Raglan Street.

Arts activities, Gospel Conversation, church council and other meetings will be held in the manse this year.

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This Sunday (February 23) we will gather at The Factory for a service of Word and Sacrament (Eucharist) to celebrate Epiphany 7.

“I am Joseph,” says the teary dreamer whose story is all about dreams, covenant promises coming to fruition. “I am Joseph,” says the dreamer to those responsible for his suffering. “I am Joseph … I mean you no harm … I desire your happiness, your wellness.”

“Love your enemies,” says the teacher-dreamer whose life, death and resurrection centre about God’s dream. “Love your enemies,” says the dreamer to would-be followers and peacemakers. “Use your imagination … do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who abuse you.”

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On February 9, Alison led our prayers and discussion in small groups (with reference to a wonderful picture book). You can read along here.

Our presbytery’s Pastoral Relations Committee has authorised Alison and Karen as lay presiders for celebrations of the Eucharist (until July 2027).

Missional thinking and planning
Thanks to Alison for leading and to everyone who took part in the worship-workshops over the Easter season.

Mirrung Garden
The hens have now moved into their new coop on Hippopotamus Farm in Tomerong.

Saturday tasks in February: laying the garden to fallow – removing or storing precious items, cutting down the banana palms, composting and covering garden beds, etc.

Big thanks to Ben and Felix, Adrian, Kelly and Naomi for work in the garden last week – much mulching, weeding, cleaning …

There are also opportunities to create gardens at the front and back of the manse.

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Celebration Points

• Restoration work is expected to commence in February and conclude in November 2025. During that time, worship services will be held at The Factory community centre in Raglan Street. Small group meetings (including art workshops and poetry meetings) will be held downstairs at the manse.
• SSH fundraiser aboard the Tribal Warrior on October 27 – thanks to all for a wonderful day on the water with our hosts Rhonda, Brock, Blake and Keara.
• SSH’s proposal for a second First Peoples Content Series of articles (March – August) curated by Aunty Norma Ingram has been approved. This is an exciting project.
• We are delighted to announce that the Rev. Betty Stroud will serve as supply minister for a period of six months, commencing April 1, 2025. Betty is a retired minister living in Orange. She is supportive of SSUC values and goals. Betty is a liturgist, writer, musician and traveller … Church council is currently in conversation with presbytery and synod regarding supply arrangements for Betty.

Coming soon …

February 26:
Faith & Ecology Network’s
Ten Ways to Care Workshop 4

Learn from the ecological sciences
Collaborate with and learn from local groups

Special Guests: Mark Graham & Dr Miriam Pepper
5.30-7pm in person at the manse and online via Zoom

REGISTER NOW

Mark Graham is an ecologist who is a prominent advocate for our life support systems. He maintains a network of private conservation reserves around Bellingen and Dorrigo NSW, where he also does research, develops media and documentaries and works tirelessly to protect the public forest estate within the Great Koala National Park. Mark has worked across all tiers of Government and extensively across the Environmental NGO sector, been an elected representative and more recently worked within political and parliamentary systems for positive change for our globally significant biota.

Dr Miriam Pepper is involved in the Forest Advocacy Ministry, a ministry of members of the Uniting Church and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She lives on Gadigal land and is lead author of the book “Breaches: Profiling the recent history of logging breaches by Forestry Corporation of NSW”. Miriam has been part of many church, interfaith and community environmental initiatives in areas of Earth care and climate justice over the last 20 years. She is a founding member of ARRCC and served on the FEN core group. She is also a social researcher at NCLS Research and adjunct research fellow at the Centre for Religion, Ethics and Society, Charles Sturt University.

PANCAKE PRIDE ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION
Join us for Pancake Pride Ecumenical Celebration – An evening of fellowship with the sharing of food, music, reflection and ecumenical worship, hosted by Rainbow Christians Together. This year, the event will be held on Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday 4th March 2025 at St Stephen’s Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie St, from 5.30-8pm. Shared food and drinks at 5.30pm, followed by the more structured part of the program from 6pm. This gathering brings together LGBTQIA+ Christians, families, supporters and church community leaders from diverse Christian traditions. Please register here: https://events.humanitix.com/pancake-pride-2025-an-ecumenical-celebration-of-queer-faith.

March 13: Please join us from 7pm at the manse (173 George St Redfern) or via Zoom for Gospel Conversation with the Rev. Dr Garry Worete Deverell.

Topic: Queering the text … This study is designed to explore how various strands of queer theology approach biblical texts differently, from re-reading and reclaiming scriptures to more radically deconstructing traditional interpretations.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 834 9761 7002; Passcode: 173116

March 30: Closure of Ministry for the Rev. Andrew Collis. 10am at The Factory community centre. Please let Heather know if you’d like to help with arrangements.

April 5: Farewell Picnic with Andrew in Redfern Park. 12pm. Please let Heather know if you’d like to help with arrangements.

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