THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA

St Leonards Portarlington Drysdale

A message from our Moderator, Sharon Hollis

As Interfaith September draws to a close, I want to encourage people of all faiths and none to remember there are eleven other months in which we can also celebrate the strengths of interfaith dialogue and relationship.

The need to walk together is imperative as new data from a university research project tracking attitudes to Islam has found that people who do not actually know any Muslims are more convinced that they pose a threat.

This is as unsurprising as it is alarming.

The Uniting Church has a strong commitment to an interfaith community and I would urge all members to make connections with Muslim neighbours and colleagues, and to seek out multi-faith groups so together we can break down this growing fear of ‘the other’. Some members of Federal Parliament and sections of the media are fuelling this fear, by utilising the complexities of our world to make uninformed provocative statements. As Christians we are called to stand with all who experience discrimination and exclusion. We are also called to address this fear and ignorance with knowledge and respect.

We believe that as a nation we are capable of being inclusive and of protecting and supporting those who experience vilification and alienation. We are capable of being wiser and stronger when we open ourselves to the gift of the other.As people of faith we believe that the vibrant interfaith community is comfortable living and working in a secular environment where

people of all faith or none are welcomed. We seek what we know we have in common. We have come to know that there is nothing to fear from diversity. We welcome the stranger to share a place at the table and in this way we become friends.

I encourage all Victorians and Tasmanians to build on these qualities of welcome, hospitality and openness of mind and heart so that together we build a rich diverse and generous nation.

Rosters 16 October

PortarlingtonManagers: Keith & Heather PigdonMorning Tea: Catherine and Alex Eagleson Pastoral Care & Prayers: Keith PigdonReader: Heather GouldPowerpoint: Joan Kelly

DrysdaleWorship@9Kitchen: Jenni's teamCounting: Sue Polley

10.45 amDuty Elder & Prayers: Ken HandleyReader: Irene StevensonMorning Tea: Marguerite Edgar and Alma MilvainWelcome: Brenda JacobsFlowers: Jennifer Davis

St Leonards Welcome: Shirley HaddenReadings: Kaye BaulchPrayers: Marj WilsonFlowers & Brass: Shirley Hadden

Pentecost 21 Sunday, 9 October 2016

Suffering is a part of life. It’s how we respond that is the key. Do we give up, or do we push through? Do we curse those who curse us, or do we seek their blessing? Jeremiah tells the exiles in Babylon to build houses, plant gardens, and pray for the welfare of the city where they are held captive—for it is in the city’s welfare that they will find their welfare. The psalmist notes that God has tested the people with fire and water, but has brought them out to a spacious place. The proper response to such grace is worship and praise. Paul tells Timothy that while he is chained for the gospel, the word of God is not, and that he embraces his suffering gladly for the sake of God’s elect. After healing ten lepers, Jesus remarks that only one leper is truly made well—for only one returned to give thanks. Suffering happens. That’s life. But how we respond to that suffering makes all the difference in the world.

Abingdon Worship

CHURCH OFFICE: Drysdale Church Centre Phone: 5253 1336Email: drysdaleuc@yahoo.com.au Web http://drysdale.unitingchurch.org.au

UNITINGCARE OPSHOP: Village Walk DrysdalePhone: 5251 3640

LECTIONARY

9 October Jeremiah 29:1,4-7 Psalm 66:1-12Pentecost 21 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19

16 October Jeremiah 31: 27-34 Psalm 119: 97-104Pentecost 22 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5 Luke 18: 1-8

THIS WEEK IN OUR CONGREGATIONS:

Sunday, 9 OctoberPortarlington 9.00 am Rev. Ian Porter HC Loose Change & Food Bank

Drysdale9.00 am Wayne's Team10.45 am Rev. Ian Porter5.00 pm Messy Church

St Leonards7.00 pm Anglican Led

Monday, 10 October9.30 am KYB at Lynda's1.30 pm Portarlington UCAF

Wednesday, 12 October9.30 am mainly music1.00 pm Drysdale Communal Prayer

Time

Thursday, 13 October9.00 am Portarlington Choir Practice9.30 am Drysdale Choir Practice10.30 am Drysdale Coffee & Chat, Zoo

Cafe

Friday, 14 October9.15 am Friday School10.15 am Social Justice letter writing11.00 am Set up for Fete

Saturday, 15 October9.00 am Drysdale Mainly Home made

Fete/Shed Sale

Sunday, 16 OctoberPortarlington 9.00 am Rev. Bob Thomas

Drysdale9.00 am Denise's Team

10.45 am Rev. Bob Thomas

St Leonards7.00 pm Denise's Team

OUR CONGREGATIONS NEWS

DRYSDALE

Drysdale Uniting Church Fete

Mainly Home-made Fete/Shed Sale Sat 15 October, 9.00 am -1.00 pm.

Please note we will be setting up for the Fete/Shed sale from 11.00 am Friday 14 October - many hands make light work. A sign-up sheet for helpers is in the foyer - even one hour helps. Lynda Smith 0417037057.

Shoe Box Appeal

Thanks to those who have contributed so far - 30 filled boxes have appeared in the church, and lots of cash donations and other good have been received.We still have a month to go so if you'd like to fill a box, ask Jenni for an empty box with instructions.

Loose Change

Our Loose Change offering this month resulted in $109.10.

Thank you all for supporting this offering which is assisting Corio-Norlane UC. They are most appreciative of our support.

Toolbox Parenting Program

An Early Years session, for parents of children 0-6 years, will run over six weeks on Tuesday evenings

commencing 18 October at the DUC Hall. The course covers: parent types, tools to engage cooperation, making memories, developmental stages, discipline and being the parent your child needs.

If you know someone who may be interested in attending please pass on this information. The cost of the 6 week course is $70 a single $90 a family and includes an extensive manual to keep and supper.

For more information contact Val Lestrange, 52513125.

PORTARLINGTONSocial Justice Letter Writing Group

The Social Justice Letter Writing opportunity will be next Friday 14 October, 10.15 am at St Andrews Hall. We encourage each other and share ideas then write. You will be welcome to join us. Merilyn Bertram 0439966370.

U.C.A.F.

The Annual Review for the U.C.A.F. will be held on Monday, 10 October at 1.30 pm in the meeting room. As there are important matters to be discussed at this meeting, it is hoped members will be present to express their ideas on the way forward for this fellowship.

Blooming Plants and Home Made Fair Saturday, 29 October, 9.00 am to early pm. Church Hall, Newcombe Street, Portarlington

* 100 potted pelargoniums, most in full bloom and other garden plants.

* Craft & Home Made Stall

* Cake Stall

* Devonshire Tea or coffee. Come along, have a browse, perhaps get a bargain or two, and enjoy a coffee & chat. Further details from Barry Ruler 5259 3304.

FOR ALL CONGREGATIONS

Induction

Advice has been received this week that the Induction service for Rev Temukisa will commence at 7.30 pm on Friday 21 October at Drysdale. We look forward to your attendance if possible.

Rev Temukisa’s first service will be a Combined Service at St Andrews Portarlington on 23 October. This will be followed by a shared meal. We would like everyone to join in this meal and to bring a plate to share. D Knights.

"Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops." Ecclesiastes 11:4