St Ives Uniting Church
May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you always.
For unto you this day is born in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2: 10 & 11
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTER
I have a theory that churches generally see more people on Christmas and Easter because it is on these days that the two most startling moments in the Christian calendar are heard. But even then, it is hard to break through the Christmas account in any profound way, since the period in question, with its joy and peace, is usually reduced to just that: a mood, a happiness in which we dreamily take refuge. To grasp the Christian festival of Christmas more deeply, more substantially, is not to avoid the mood, which after all is wonderful, but to become aware of the fact that Christmas takes us beyond moods to the cause: an event that comes to us from outside – the birth of a child, the child, Jesus, God become human.
Now, to the modern mind, this story of Christmas is a myth, a fantasy, which we have grown beyond, of which we have no more need. After all, as humans, we have come to think of ourselves as having come of age, we are independent, able to resolve our own problems. That may be true: clearly we must and quite possibly can, resolve the challenges that face us: climate change, economic inequality and social stress, to name but a few. That said however, what strikes me is that the reverse side of our modern autonomy, our self-sufficiency, is that we are locked into a closed world, stuck in a lift between floors, unable to move up or down. Yes, we are more informed than our forebears, apparently cleverer, and undoubtedly, immeasurably more powerful. But at the same time, we are more painfully aware that in both small things and great, much that happens in our world, circles in upon itself, without purpose or direction. At best, we live in a collective fog, at worst, in fear as we are thrown between events. The volatility of our times has been confirmed even for the secure, with Brexit and the phenomenon of Trump.
It is to this situation of what I call ‘entrapped-ness’, that Christmas speaks. From the outside, the child breaks in, freeing up our autonomy or self-sufficiency of which we have become victims. This event of God for us and among us, alone, provides a goal and purpose for everything. It puts an end to pessimism, pointlessness and fatalism. God no longer looks down from the heights of eternity, distant and disengaged. In fact, the Eternal has become time, the Son has become human, and the world begins to erupt with meaning.
To put my spin upon it, I think Christmas is joyful, because it is about being freed from our modern entrapped autonomy. The incarnation frees us to think altogether more imaginatively about who we are and who we may become, precisely because of what God has done; this God who has broken through to us as a child, this God who invites and enables us to be more.
Sydney Carter, the provocative Christian song writer, the author of the modern hymn Lord of the Dance, also wrote a biting Christmas song, called Standing in the Rain. It is about the Christ child knocking on the windows and doors of our consciousness. The rejoinder goes
Standing in the rain, knocking on the window
Knocking on the window on a Christmas Day.
There he is again, knocking on the window
Knocking on the window in the same old way.
Carter’s invitation is to throw open the windows and doors that imprison us, so that as modern people, we might live, not just exist.
Have a great Christmas with those you love, and those whom you find difficult!
Geoff
MAMMOTH GARAGE SALE
Our Garage Sale was again a great
success, our best ever in monetary
terms.
Beyond that we provide a market place that visitors seem to revel in, as we see more visitors than ever waiting to enter at 8:00am and that busyness continuing throughout the day. The sale is an ongoing attraction and we can see familiar faces that return year after year, particularly friends and former church members, some of whom join our work force.
Customers tell us of the good-hearted nature of our people which may have given rise to two experiences that I can share with you. Rhonda, a pensioner with family difficulties, visited us for the first time about four years ago and travels by bus and train from Croydon. The items she bought caused her to make two trips back home during the morning. Another lady introduced herself to us and wants to assist with the pre-sale preparation team next year.
With the changing make-up of the population in St Ives, it is not surprising that we are seeing a different group of shoppers. Some coins tendered in payment give us a picture of our St Ives Uniting Church community hub of United Nations: we received euros, New Zealand, Indian, Hong Kong and Malaysian currencies.
We are also able to assist less fortunate groups: Father Chris Riley’s Youth of the Streets took away one hundred cartons of clothing and homewares. Paul the truck driver distributes our surplus in the Windsor/Richmond area. Additionally, the Craft Group raffle provided funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Joan Knox
CHURCH COUNCIL
The Church Council is the governing body of our church. All facets of church life are reviewed by the Council, in conjunction with our Minister Geoff Dornan, and future plans are put in place. These facets include personnel, worship, finance, property maintenance, and outreach activities.
In recent meetings, amongst other things, Council has overseen our worship plan, our “Children and Youth” and “Respect for Seniors” programs as well as our concert programs and garage sales. We have also dealt with storm water problems at the Manse and their rectification, and the installation of state of the art projection facilities within our church (from which we now benefit almost weekly). One important item has been the appointment of Angela Lloyd to replace Jaquelene Mackie as our Church Office Secretary. Welcome Angela who has settled in very well.
Many thanks to all Councillors who have contributed to the above, particularly those involved in property management, Stephen White, Greg Starr and David Turner.
The Church Council meets four times a year, as well as being occasionally called together for special meeting. Even though Church Elders have their separate meetings and activities, at least 50% of the Church Council are required to be Elders.
Councillors are nominated and elected by the congregation for a period of three years. This occurs on a rotational basis so that there is continuity of membership at all times. Photographs of all current Councillors are displayed prominently at the back of the church.
Lawrence Peak
SAMARITAN’S PURSE
Thanks to your generous donations of gifts and money 46 boxes are now on their way to the Southeast Asia Pacific region for distribution. Samaritan’s Purse is planning and praying this year to reach 370,000 children.
Miracles happen and your heart will be touched by these two stories from the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters.
A man we will call John, who had been helping to check the
Operation Christmas Child boxes in the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse for years, wondered why he had been offered the chance to accompany the boxes to Fiji for their distribution. While he was there on the day of distribution, he was distressed to see a mother and young daughter both crying. The mother explained that her daughter had been unable to attend school because of her poor eyesight. In the girl’s box was a pair of reading glasses that were the perfect prescription for her. But that’s not the end of the story – John immediately recognised the glasses – they were the pair he had misplaced in the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse several months before!
An American lady who had packed several gift boxes was one day passing her local travel agency and felt the urge to take a trip to the Philippines. Several weeks later she was walking down a street in the Philippines, when a young boy came racing up to her, waving a piece of paper and calling out her name. She was astonished. The young boy told her, very excitedly, that she was the one who had packed his Christmas box and he just couldn’t stop thanking her. He knew it was her because she had placed a photo of herself in with a Christmas card and message in the box and this boy had carried it around with him ever since. He told her he was now studying The Greatest Journey (which is a simple discipleship program) and coming to know of God’s love for him.
Thank you everyone for your generous cash donations, for purchasing gifts and lovingly packing them in the special boxes. The cost of these boxes was covered by the generosity of our Women’s Evening Fellowship. Geoff blessed the boxes in our Worship Service at the end of October praying that they would reach their destination safely and bring joy into the lives of children less fortunate than our own children and grandchildren. Gill Lloyd
THE JOY OF CHILDREN ACTING OUT THE NATIVITY
I remember my first primary school nativity play and the woollen dressing gown with the cord belt tied around my waist and the tea towel, both essential for me to play the part of a shepherd. I would really like to have been one of the wise men or kings, but I was grateful I wasn’t an angel, as they had to sing and wear wigs.
The Christmas story is fantastic for the annual nativity play: there is a part for everyone and simple costumes for all. I attended a nativity play last year in Belfast in an estate on the outskirts of the city that endured much over the many years of violence. The children were ‘hyper’ and the teachers had that anxious look wondering what could possibly go wrong. There was not one but two inn keepers who were to not let the travellers in. The first one duly said no, but as Joseph knocked on the imaginary door of the second inn the young boy with an earring in each ear and a very short haircut shouted at the shocked couple to ‘get lost’. This was not in the script but he was getting into the story and giving it a local interpretation.
The audience duly laughed and the teacher looked embarrassed. The boy was very pleased with himself, and the story moved on to the innkeeper with a stable to spare. The shepherd and the wise men made their entrance, and the performance ended with a song from the entire cast wishing us all a very merry Christmas.
This story comes from The Right Reverend Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor, Ireland.
PLAYGROUP
The Playgroup continues to be a successful and enjoyable morning for children and adults from our community and has grown in numbers this year. International and local families, parents, grandparents and nannies attend regularly on Tuesday mornings. Several of the grandparents don’t speak English and we are fortunate to have Evelyn and other Mandarin speakers translate.
Playgroup commences with free playtime using the garden and inside areas with a large range of toys and equipment. The sandpit and recently acquired trough are very popular. Each week there is a different craft activity.
Morning tea of pikelets and fruit is followed by story time and action songs. We provide the children’s morning tea which they enjoy while sitting on picnic rugs inside or outside, depending on the weather. The adults help themselves to refreshments.
The Playgroup is supported by Stephen, David and other men from the church who help keep the garden maintained, equipment repaired and attach special items for display on the walls. Other church members assist with the activities and caring for these families on Tuesdays.
There is very positive feedback from the adults and we have had to stop some families arriving far too early due to their children being keen to get started. It is a marvellous team effort by everyone and is much appreciated.
Heather Lakiss
CHRISTMAS BOWL
The Christmas Bowl Appeal in Australia is supported by all 19 church groups including Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and Coptic Churches. It is one of the most effective charities, 80% of all money goes into direct aid, unlike many other charities.
You will be supporting:
· Food and medical care for Tamil refugees living in 100 refugee camps in Tamil Nadu, India.
· Disaster relief in Vanuatu after last year’s Cyclone Pam.
· Jordanian refugee camps providing food and nursing, especially for psychological trauma.
· Christian message in the Philippines brought to the villages via theatre performances.
· Drought relief in Zimbabwe helping teach conservation subsistence farming.
· Vocational training for youth in Gaza.
· Safe havens in Ethiopia for women facing violence, sexual violence and even slavery.
Please help, via cash, cheque or credit card in the Christmas Bowl envelopes provided.
By supporting the Christmas Bowl this year, your act of compassion will help make a life-changing difference to the people who need it most.
Lord, we pray for all children
and especially those who will have little to celebrate
that they may know the message of that first Christmas
of peace on earth and goodwill to all.
Amen
BIDDING PRAYER
Christmas is coming - it’s that time of year,
Let’s come then to worship - the Christ Child is near.
The Christ Child who changed life in so many ways,
Let’s bow down before him and sing to his praise.
Let us put to one side now the pressures of life,
Its worries and stresses, its tensions and strife,
Let’s think now on Jesus, our Saviour and Lord,