Image: Pink roses in loving memory of Marg Vazey. A gift from the Vazey family on the occasion of a memorial held at Blackwattle Bay on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Marg was a beloved crew member of dragon boat club Dragons Abreast, Sydney.
What’s on this week
Check this post regularly for events and activities. We look forward to seeing you.
Image: Flowers for Cathie by Svetlana. Flowers from Mirrung Garden, December 2024.
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Repair and restoration work on the church and hall will commence soon.
We still haven’t received a date for commencement of repair to building façade,
but HOPEFULLY it will commence soon.
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Please join us for worship each Sunday at 10am in the community centre and
via Zoom.
This week we welcome Rev Betty Stroud and look forward to her ministry with
us.
The Gospel Reading is John 12:1-8 and speaks of Mary’s extravagant generosity
and love towards Jesus.
Holy Week and Easter Sunday Worship
Maundy Thursday: 6 pm at the manse. Please bring a very simple plate of food to share
Good Friday: 9am for 9.30am at The Factory. We will share hot cross buns at nine followed by worship at 9.30
Easter Sunday: 10.00am at The Factory
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Wordplay – poetry group
Saturday April 5 th – SPECIAL TIME: 11am at the park café, Redfern. Regular
and new members welcome.
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Elections April 27
The Lenten season means discernment of spiritual gifts … toward nominations for leadership roles at SSUC …
On April 27, 2025 (Easter 2) we will hold a ballot for the election of Elders & Church Councillors. Some of our current leaders are serving two-year terms (Naomi Ward (E), Alison Bleyerveen (E), Kelly Byrne (E/CC)); all others are eligible for re-election … as are all voting members of SSUC (confirmed members and members in association) …
As we consider those with gifts for leadership in this congregation-community-garden, might we discern those with wisdom akin to Jesus.
Nominations close on Sunday 13th April.
The Nomination Form is available at the Factory on Sunday and to download here. Please print out, complete, scan and send to Betty: 0447 007 096 by the 13th.
Betty will be contacting those who have received two or more nominations and
inviting them to consider standing for election.
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Thanks to all worship leaders (please check the online worship roster for opportunities in April-July – you might like to volunteer as a reader, musician, tech host, helper with setup or server of morning tea).
Our presbytery’s Pastoral Relations Committee has authorised Alison and Karen as lay presiders for celebrations of the Eucharist (until July 2027).
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South Sydney Herald
The April issue of the SSH is out now! Please see Lyn or Norrie if you’d like to know more about the SSH – there are opportunities to volunteer as a contributor or distributor. Story ideas welcome – reports, profiles, interviews, reviews, comment, photos and artworks …
Many of us followed Alicia Dong’s “carer’s journey” in the SSH last year – profound and moving reflections on love (with beautiful artworks by Gloria Liang). You can read part 11 here.
‘Living with Dementia’ book launched in support of carers and their loved ones
You can read about the book launch and art exhibition here. Thanks to Miriam for writing this article for the SSH March issue: https://southsydneyherald.com.au/living-with-dementia-book-launched-in-support-of-carers-and-their-loved-ones/
Visit the SSH website for latest news and online exclusives.
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Missional thinking and planning
Responses to the workshop held last year were great and have been used to create a Vision & Planning Document, with hopes and goals for the future of SSUC. Thanks to Greg and the Futures Task Group for progressing this work. Please let Greg know if you’d like to be involved with the Futures Task Group in coming months – there are opportunities to help with specific tasks.
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Mirrung Garden
The hens have now moved into their new coop on Hippopotamus Farm in Tomerong.
There are opportunities to create gardens at the front and back of the manse. We are setting up some pots and beds at the manse – as well as a worm farm!
Follow garden progress on Instagram @mirrunggarden
Read Gardening Hints and Tips by Chris Lodge here.
Image: Beautiful cosmos flowers – planted by Svetlana. Photo: Andrew Collis
Image: Our lovely hens have relocated to Hippopotamus Farm in Tomerong. Thanks to Naomi and carers for all their good work.
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Celebration Points
- We are blessed to have Alicia Dong as our administration assistant. Alicia is across all our activities and works to ensure things get done and go smoothly – everything from banking and accounting to internet and phone services … invoicing and filing … safety and compliance, and much more. Lately, Alicia has been helping to prepare the manse for our supply minister – working with Andrew on clean and tidy spaces in the manse for community activities.
- Thank you Maddie for becoming our Web Site Manager
- Andrew says ‘Thank you to everyone for the Closure of Ministry Service –
beautiful music, stories and interactions to cherish always.” - A proposal for a second First Peoples Content Series curated by Aunty Norma
Ingram has been approved by the City of Sydney. This series will commence in May.
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A note from Betty
I thought it might be helpful to give you a summary of the days I will be working over the next few weeks. Normally, I will work Friday to Sunday in Sydney with one day in Orange preparing the liturgy for the following Sunday. I will be available on the phone at all times and, of course, by email.
This week I am in Sydney from Wednesday to Sunday, April 2-6.
Next week I will not be in Sydney due to an engagement made prior to my discussions about doing supply, although I will be preparing some of the liturgy for Holy Week and Easter and will be available by phone or email.
The week commencing April 13 I will be in Sydney from Wednesday to Sunday, April 16-20.
Normal days will then happen, with a couple of weeks in June and July being different – again due to prior engagements.
My phone number is 0447 007 096 and email dottydog@bigpond.com. If texting, please be sure to include your name.
Coming soon …
April 5: Farewell Picnic with Andrew in Redfern Park. 12pm. Please let Heather, Kelly, Anne or Garry know if you’d like to help with arrangements. Organisers are planning a traditional church picnic-style event with fun games including egg-and-spoon and sack races!
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