“The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better”.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Former President of the Philippines) On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September, we held our Open Day and Opening Service. It was inspiring to see the way that Lifeworks community worked together. From the Task Groups that oversaw the planning to the various teams/ministries who organise various aspects, so many chipped in and helped out. On Friday night set-up and at one point just before lunch on Saturday, I remember stepping back to watch the many people serving in lots of different ways, it really felt like to way it was meant to be. The power of many working together to make a difference. It what God’s church is all about- all of us working together with God and with each other to bring about change and offer hope to the world. Thank-you so much for everyone’s contribution to making the opening weekend events so successful. From financial donations and support, to making and/or donating goodies for various stalls, to the enormous time put in to creating various aspects, to the set-up and pack-up workers, to those who worked so hard on the days in welcoming, connecting and serving. We saw hundreds of people come onto the Lifeworks site for the first time, and the feedback I received was extremely encouraging. People were genuinely taken by our generosity, our welcome and our hospitality. There were great conversations all over the place, from connecting in with specific ministry activities, to new partnerships with ideas shared, to discussions around God, faith and the church. I continually reflect on where God is guiding our Church, and I am excited to see what may come for us and our community. May we all look for ways where we can give and serve (no matter how much or type). And as we do, do it for our Lord. I do like Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s quote, however, the beauty about God’s church is that when the ‘many’ work together with God, awesome things happen, and lives and communities are transformed. That is what I am seeing. That is what I am expecting for us and the Toowoomba region. Rev Tim Griggs

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we meet on – the Jarowair & Giabal people.

OCTOBER 2017

Fridays @ 6pm

continuing the ALPHA

film series this month

Commencing October 13:

7:30pm - following Café Church

We look forward to your company:

Sunday Worship at 9:00am followed by morning tea.

Responding to God’s love…

CONTACT DETAILS

MINISTER: Rev Tim Griggs: 0417 706 304

minister@lifeworksuniting.org.au

MINISTER IN ASSOCIATION: Rev John Case: 0400 992 786

frontiercase@gmail.com

THE OFFICE: 4634 9128

lifeworks202@bigpond.com

Postal Address: PO Box 18093,

Clifford Gardens, 4350

CHURCH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN: Derek Curnow 4634 1914

derekcurnow@iprimus.com.au

CARE & CONCERN: Avarell Cockfield 4635 8807

EAGLE WINGS: counselling service

Wendy Chapman: 0409 621 727

wenduc4578@optusnet.com.au

PRAYER CHAIN: Val Pinkney 4634 2394

KEENAGERS: Dulcie Young 4635 6250

Mary Fisher 4634 7369

Sue Nicholls 4634 7012

BRIDGES: Glwyn Savage 4634 7301

glwynsmail@iinet.net.au

CRAFT GROUP: Avarell 4635 8807; Katie 0407 203 877

INDOOR BOWLS: Cameron King 4637 8886

mainly music: Alison Schultz 4630 4147

YOUTH GROUP: Andi Griggs 0403 804 814

BLEND: Katie Jamieson 0407 203 877

CAFFEINE BUS: Sam Newton 0434 285 453

NEW WEBSITE: www.lifeworksuniting.org.au

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE:; www.facebook.com/LifeworksUC

Monthly Member Profile: Paul Gaggi Paul was born and raised in the Italian community in Ayr where he attended church with his family in a very traditional Catholic Church which still conducted some masses in Latin. When he was about 11, he started attending a local youth group with his best friend. It was during this time that he says he really began to know God and started his journey as a Christian. Although he enjoyed most sports his passion was, and still is, golf. Whilst playing golf in Ayr and with his association with other golfers (including former world number 1 golfer Karrie Webb) and their coaches, Paul learnt many things especially how to instruct and work with others in unique environments, skills that he continues to use in his current work. After leaving school Paul began work at the Ayr Court House as an Administration Officer. From there he was transferred to Biloela in 1988 where he met Jenny. They were married in Chinchilla in 1991 and moved to Toowoomba in 1992. Paul has worked in the Coroners, Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts in Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane as well as The Director of Public Prosecutions Office in Toowoomba. He was seconded to the District Public Trustee to assist in the review of various laws dealing with mental health. He reports that he has worked with some amazing people in the Justice Department including the former Chief Justice of Queensland, now the state Governor, Mr Paul de Jersey. In 1997, Jenny and Paul’s first son Broderick was born, followed in 1999 by Caleb and in 2001, Merryn. In mid-2000, Paul decided on a career change and began studies towards a Bachelor of Education at the University of Southern Queensland in 2001. He has been a classroom teacher since 2005 and worked for Toowoomba Catholic Education and currently as Senior Teacher in Queensland Department of Education. Paul started his association with Lifeworks when they moved to Toowoomba and started attending Newtown Uniting Church in 1992 while continuing to be a part of the local Catholic parish community. He says, `I would describe my association with Lifeworks as inspiring and my faith continues to grow. I enjoy the interaction with others from Lifeworks as well as other contacts through friends and family members.’ Over the years, he has been involved in various Church groups and created wonderful connections with people in Lifeworks and around the State. He adds, ` It saddens me to see how some people see churches as buildings to grow their own interests and not as a place to gather to reflect and reconnect with God. I am excited to see the introduction of a youth group as I feel that youth groups are a great, informal way for our young people to grow in faith and to introduce their friends to church.’ Lifeworks, says Paul, is a unique and welcoming Church which nurtures faith and individuality.

mainly music: Wednesdays – 9.30am

KEENAGERS Thursday October 5th - 10am Bring & Share Morning Tea at Lifeworks. Guest Speaker: Geoff Gillmore

Wednesday October 18 - 9.15am Bonding with mainly music at the church. (Keenagers to supply all morning teas) Thursday 2nd November 2 - 10am Drayton Villas - Bring & share morning tea.

BOOK CLUB: October 15 - 3 pm Meet at Ruth Harding’s home. Enquiries: Annette Curnow 0438 521 502

BRIDGES: Thursday, October 5 – 7.30pm Helpers always welcome. For info: Glwyn 4634 7301

CRAFT GROUP: Saturday, October 21 9.30 – 11.30am

EMMAUS Monday, October 9 & 23 - 2pm

REUNION For further information contact

GROUP Annette Curnow - 0438 521 502.

YOUTH GROUP: Friday nights – 7.30 to 9pm beginning October 13

All youth between 13 years of age and Year 12 are invited. Come with $3 per person ($5 for 2 or more

siblings). Bring your ideas for brainstorming the term 4 program and a name for the group.

Contact Andi & Tim Griggs

Copies of 2018 calendars by Shiloh Moore (daughter of Paul and Lyndall) are available from Annette Curnow for $20. These feature original artwork by Shiloh,

and help fund her support for the debilitating illnesses Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.

OCTOBER 22 – 30

FAMILY WEEK BREAKFAST Our special guest speaker this year is Mr Peter N Varghese AO, UQ Chancellor and a family man. Mr Varghese’s extensive career in public service has spanned 38 years and included senior positions in foreign affairs, trade policy and intelligence. Most recently, he served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012-2015). Previous senior appointments include High Commissioner to India (2009-2012), High Commissioner to Malaysia (2000-2002), Director-General of the Office of National Assessments (2004-2009), and Senior Advisor (International) to the Prime Minister of Australia (2003-2004). Come and join us as we hear Mr Varghese share his journey of strength, integrity and the importance of family.

Thursday, October 26 6.45am for a 7am start

USQ REFECTORY R Block USQ Campus, West Street50

$30 per person

For further information please contact Sonagh Poulsen Mobile: 0403 413 678

Email: sonaghp@coct.org.au

REMINDER: The wheelie bins behind the house are

NOT for rubbish. Please place your old newspapers

and junk mail in these bins for recycling into kitty

litter. NO PLASTIC BAGS or other garbage please.

Second Offerings

Second offering in September came to $136.60.

Thank you, everyone who contributed.

The October second offering will go to OUTBACK

LINKS, the Frontier Services’ volunteer program.

Hearty thanks to the many volunteers who help

to maintain the new building and its grounds. Please

make their tasks less difficult by picking up your

litter, and cleaning up after each use of the facility.

Open Day last month was a great success, despite the cool

breeze and the cases of sunburn. The sales stalls really helped cover costs of publicity and associated costs. Crowds were quite reasonable, especially given the large number of competing fetes, fixtures and finals around the city. Thanks to the great army of helpers. It was amazing to see how quickly and efficiently the gazebos and stalls were dismantled and stowed at the end of the day’s activities.

PCG has been given Church Council endorsement to proceed

as quickly as possible with the western extension of the new

building. The extension has been designed to give us a meeting

room, a storage room and an office/reception. Although this

will be less intricate to construct, it will still depend on

sustained levels of financial commitment. Thanks go to all

those who give regularly, whether by Direct Debit or by the

now more difficult way of having cash on hand each week.

Frontier Services Christmas cards September already! Almost time to start on those

Christmas cards for 2017.

Mixed packs of ten, featuring five different

outback designs, are available for $12 from

Frontier Services. Earlybird orders also receive a

free pack of five 2016 cards. Details are in the

August edition of Frontier News, or by emailing

fsfundraising@frontierservices.org

Sales of apple juice at $4/bottle are going well. Every bottle sold helps fund school chaplaincy in our town.

Get ready for summer by stocking up. Buy a carton for only $45 (or buy it at a certain Eastside

shopping strip for $66 a carton?) For supplies or orders see Derek Curnow.

FUN WAS HAD BY ONE & ALL ……FACEPAINTING…….JUMPING CASTLE…….DEVONSHIRE MORNING TEA…….

We are very grateful to the choirs of Glenvale Christian School and

Toowoomba Christian College who provided

some beautiful musical entertainment.

Free sausage sizzle & Devonshire Teas were

served all day.

It is testing times for Australian society at the moment. For many people, it’s a really difficult time. This week, or in the coming week, you may receive your Same-Sex Marriage survey form. I would like to speak to this issue briefly. I am not going to stand before you, and assume that I have the answer, and that my response ist he correct one. And I’m not going to tell you how you must vote. God has given each of us the ability to think and discern our own beliefs. However, I do want to encourage us all about how God calls us to live. Uniting Church National President- Stuart McMillan in a statement called 'Conversations from the Heart’, talks about how the Christian community should be engaging together. He says that regardless of our views on marriage, we are sisters and brothers in Christ. Secondly, McMillan talks about how we should engage with the wider Australian community. He simply reminds us of John 13:34 and 35; “They will know Jesus by our love for one another”. Stuart urges the Church to maintain a space for grace. To create spaces of respectful and grace filled conversations, through being careful with our words and our actions. The current conversation in the Australian community over the understanding of marriage has become hurtful, and at times hateful. I would like to say that while Lifeworks is a diverse community in many ways, I have not seen or heard of any major issue within our Church community. So I want to thank-you everyone for living out this space for grace. There are many different angles that we can take in coming to our own decision. I wonder if this is why there is so much tension and anger- we come from different experiences and perspectives. I encourage us all to read and reflect, to think and pray, to love and respect, to seek the heart of God, to consider what is the most critical aspect for you. If you want some material to help your decision, you can check out Uniting Church Assembly website (assembly.uca.org.au) For those interested, Australian Christian Lobby has produced a document called, ’What legalising same sex marriage means for Christians in Australia’. Another good read is by my former lecturer- Rev Dr Geoff Thompson. Geoff wrote an article called ’How to read the Bible’. Go to ABC Religion and Ethics website. There is no great urgency in this process- we have until Friday 27 October to mail it back. So, please take this time to be reflective in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to us today as the Spirit has for a long time. And as we do all this, let’s maintain a space for grace in our churches, communities, schools, workplaces, homes. In person, and in social media.

PASTORAL STATEMENT (Rev Tim Griggs on 17 September 2017)

A Fly With Insects Painted On Its Wings!

Excerpt from an article by Philip Bell

In recent years, tiny flies with pictures on their wings have excited and intrigued scientists and lay people alike. “Surely those aren’t real?” people ask, aware of the need for a healthy dose of skepticism in this age of sensational claims. On first viewing, some wonder aloud whether the images have been photo-shopped by a talented graphic artist.

Picture-Wing Fly The species of fly pictured here (Goniurellia tridens) is very real indeed. Flies of this sort have been known to science for a century or more—and many more species have been described (in the family Tephritidae). They are fruit flies, not to be confused with the more familiar Drosophila genus of fruit flies (family Drosophilidae). Picture-wing flies were brought to the attention of a new generation when Dr Brigitte Howarth, a fly mimicry specialist at Zayed University, encountered G. tridens in the United Arab Emirates. The National (UAE) reported, “… Each wing carries a precisely detailed image of an ant-like insect, complete with six legs, two antennae, a head, thorax and tapered abdomen.” One might add to this an eye, a visibly darker area of the head. Furthermore, Dr Howarth was reported as exclaiming, “The image on the wing is absolutely perfect.” When we talk of a ‘piece of art’, we often have in mind a painting or sculpture, something which is aesthetically pleasing—often intricate or beautiful—and which displays the skill and talent of its maker. A person’s artwork doesn’t have to have any utilitarian value in order for it to be highly acclaimed. As we say, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ and we’re familiar with artworks which may ‘do nothing for us’ fetching fantastic sums of money at auction. Works of art frequently depict objects with which we’re familiar; a sketched or painted image might be an impressionistic representation or else a very close likeness. In the case of the ant-like insects on the wings of G. tridens, the likeness is so accurate that Dr Howarth initially took it to be “an infestation on the fly’s wings”—but seeing the perfect symmetry of the two images intrigued her. “When I got it under the microscope I realised that these were insects painted onto the wings.” The Bible testifies that the natural world everywhere reveals overwhelming evidence for the Creator (Romans 1:20). Complex design implies an intelligent designer. Architecture requires an architect. Surely, then, the artful miniatures on the wings of this tiny fruit fly are testimony to the Divine Artist?

A G. tridens fly with wings folded at rest. Notice the sand grains for scale.