All the Good stuff in our Community 13

Invest in the youth of tomorrow and sponsor

the next generation of interns at YFC.

All donations over $2 are tax deductibleCheques Payable to: Youth for Christ AustraliaDirect Deposit: BSB: 013 225 Account No: 2554 51321Online giving available at: www.yfc.org.au

Mark your donation: Leadership Fund if you would like to provide funds for a scholarship for a YFC intern For more info contact the Port Macquarie Hastings team on 02 6583 3396 or email: port_macquarie@yfc.org.au

All the Good stuff in our Community

smacked!

YFC Australia is part of Youth for Christ International, an inter-denominational, non-prof-it organisation with a staff of 70,000 operating in over 130 countries.

They are completely committed to offer-ing the best possible alternatives to Australian young people so that they can reach their po-tential physically, relationally, emotionally and spiritually.

The Port Macquarie branchYFC has been active in the Port Macquarie/Hast-ings region since September 2010. YFCA- Port Macquarie employing three staff and 20 volun-teers.

The Port Macquarie team is overseen by

director Daryl Carter and a regional committee. Current programsThe Beach Hangout free weekly barbecue: In partnership with the Big Red Bus and the Ignite youth groups each Tuesday 3:30pm to 5pm dur-ing school terms at Town Beach car park.

We aim to provide a safe place for young people to feel supported and cared for, and where we can provide needed practical assis-tance for them.

Young leader development:Each year we invite young people to train and develop as leaders in our community.

They are equipped with practical ministry

skills through YFC training and completion of a Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology with the Australian College of Minis-tries (ACOM).

Schools Ministry:YFC offers a number of resources to compliment the school curriculum and meet the personal development needs of students through seminars and lunch time groups and breakfast programs.

How are we funded?Youth for Christ is a non-profit youth organiza-tion, registered as a Public Benevolent Institution of Australia. We are almost entirely funded by private donations.

Jakayla – pushed beyond what she thought she could do

Jakayla’s own story

Youth For Christ AustraliaCommitted to offering the best for our young people

The Port Macquarie Youth For Christ team THE year is flying by quickly and it has been an exciting journey for me being a part of the Youth For Christ movement.

I wanted to share with you about some of my adventures with YFC this year. I have grown in a huge way and have been pushed beyond what I thought I could do. God has used me throughout Port Macquarie to bring the good news in schools, youth groups and in the streets. I have learnt so much about my relationship with Jesus this year and about his amazing love for me.

In July we travelled down to Port Stephens for the YFC Young Evangelist Camp with a bunch of young people on fire for Jesus. There were incredible testimonies shared, teach-ing, practical learning and worship sessions. We experienced healing of broken arms, back pains, and emotional hurt. Everyone returned home to Port Macquarie with hearts on fire to share the gospel with the whole town.

Not long left of the year now but God is still opening doors for us constantly and revealing His plans for all of our lives.

- Jakayla Reid

All the Good stuff in our Communitysmacked!14

IN a landmark amalgamation of two long-stand-ing historic carols events Westport Park is set to host Port Macquarie’s largest community carols event on December 6.

“It just makes sense to work together,” stated event organisers Todd Murray - Grace Church and Mark Minturn - Coastside Church.

“Last year Coastside Carols attracted over 2200 people and Grace Church’s Carols in the Park hosted close to 4500. This year, with eve-rything we have planned, we’re expecting a lot more people to join in the family fun.”

The newly named Port Macquarie Carols has already attracted significant interest from local and national companies with many opening their cheque books to support the community event in a big way.

”We’ve been blown away by the enthusiasm and generosity of our partners. They have really got behind the idea of giving big to the people of Port Macquarie. More than $50,000 in givea-ways have already been pledged with more com-ing in every day.

“Our focus this year is the kids. We want them to have an absolute blast this Christmas, so we’re giving away thousands of Saxby’s drinks, Domi-no’s Pizza slices, jumping castle rides, GloSticks and more on the night.”

Family fun begins at 6pm. Carols from 7-9pm followed by a fireworks spectacular.

Get set for some spectacular fireworks

Family fun is what it’s all about

There will be some great bands on stageEveryone gets a chance to sing

Carols bigger and betterTwo into one makes for some extra fun

All the Good stuff in our Community 15

Contact Jaye 0414 898 262 or email gongaura@me.com “The gong is the first and lastinstrument for the human mind. There is only one thing that can supersede and command the human mind-the sound of the gong.”- Yogi Bhajan Presented by Gong Aura

When: 9 November 2pm - 3.30pmWhere: Hastings Public School, Waniora Pkwy. Port MacquarieBookings essential pay at the door $25/20 concession

A journey of Celestial Sounds withBronze Gongs, Himalayan Singing Bowls

And other Ancient Healing Sound Instruments

FULL MOON CELEBRATION

DURING a gong session everyone soon becomes aware of the powerful vibrational effects, the floor beneath them feels like it is moving, the air is alive with energy and there is a deep feeling within of an awakening spirit.Many in the audience drift off into a complete relaxed state of bliss, others drink in every wondrous note and the effects of the instruments. Around them the gongs send their positive energy and vibrations, inducing an amazing feeling of upliftment and rejuvenation.After the beautiful close by Jaye, many are left sitting or lying wondering about the effects of them, some

will have experienced releases of mental, emotional or physical blockages within, while others will feel total-ly free of any stress and tensions as having a deep long-lasting massage. However, the most common feeling in all is the love felt within.

Jaye and Chris will be holding the next group ses-sion on Sunday, November 9 at Hastings Public School Hall, Waniora Parkway from 2pm .Jaye also teaches Kundalini Yoga and meditation and takes private appointments in Port Macquarie For more information or to reserve your place visit gongaura.com or call Jaye on 0414 898 262

Dear readers,Welcome to the first issue of our new monthly

column, Letters of Hope, brought to you by the Hope Shop.

The essence of this column is to encourage you to share your inspiring stories and testimonies with our community and let our readers know all about the good things that are happening right here in Port Mac-quarie -a focus on the positive rather than the nega-tive. This is a real opportunity to uplift and inspire those less fortunate, have lost their way in life or have just simply lost hope.

Hope stands for healing, opportunity, purpose and encouragement and we are asking our readers to sup-port this by submitting their own stories based on this theme. Have you witnessed a miracle healing, had an opportunity drop in to your lap that has turned your life around for the better, found a purpose in your heart that has grown in to a life mission or passion that has changed the lives of others or experienced words of encouragement that have inspired you to change your direction and soar higher than you ever thought possible?

We want to hear from you so as a community we can help heal those that need healing, show op-portunity to those that may not see them, open minds to searching out purpose and inspire people through words of encouragement.

As director of the Port Macquarie Independent, my purpose in life has been revealed to me to be the custodian of this paper as a service to our community with the ultimate goal being to spread good news in a world that often focuses too much on the negative which drags our society down.

Next month I will be sharing my personal story of healing that I experienced three years ago; this changed my life and outlook in an amazing way, and I hope that by sharing it with our community that it will

inspire many people in a variety of situations especial-ly those suffering from ill health to step out in faith.

In the meantime, share your letter of hope (max 450 words and a photo) submit by emailing: info@portmacquarieindependent.com.au

Look out for next month’s issue in our Novem-ber 27 edition, where we will also be reflecting on the incredible impact Zac Young had on many people’s lives as we are leading up to the first anniversary after his passing. Perhaps you have something you would like to share?

Until next monthBe blessed,Sandy Mackenzie

Letters of

Way back when

Share your own inspirational stories

Sandy MacKenzie – she will tell her own story next month

GOOD News for Port Macquarie and Australia. In 1987 the Port Macquarie Ministers Associa-tion organised in conjunction with Australia’s Bi-Centenary in 1988 for 8000 copies of the New Testament to be distributed to every home in Port Macquarie. 1.8 million N/Ts were

printed by the Bible Society and Bible league and distributed across Australia.

Original story printed in The Hastings Her-ald on Wednesday, October 14 1987

Pictured - Chris Baker (a John Farnham look-alike) and on right Mayor John Barrett (a Clark Gable look-alike) launching the program called Operation Good News in St Thomas’ Church grounds before the media. Pictured on left are Rev Jeff Murnain (St Thomas), Rev Alan Grieve (Baptist Church) and Pastor David Schaeffer (COC now Coastside).

With Pastor Kerry Medway

Power of sound healingDe-stress with a gong session

All the Good stuff in our Communitysmacked!16

Saturday 15 November

2pm - 5pm @ Grace Church

2 Kingfisher Rd, Port Macquarie

Registration - $10 p/p

“Sometimes sickness doesn’t heal due to it’s origin resulting from a curse.” Hear Kerry Medway share life-changing healing.

Breaking Generational Curses

A two hour practical seminar based on the Bible on how people & families can be set free from addictions, mental problems, false & religious spirits & curses which may have been passed down from ancestors.

For further information visit www.KerryMedway.org or phone Kerry on 0423 663 301

Jesus said in John 8:38 “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

10am Saturday 8 Novemberat Grace Church 2 Kingfisher Road, Port MacquarieRos Jamieson from Fair Trade Downunder will tell stories and sell products that have been hand-made & are ethically free from exploitation.

For enquiries contact Julie Medway 0412 940 801 or email: julie@kerrymedway.org

Morning Tea

FOR eleven years I taught Religious Instruc-tion at the Port Macquarie Primary School. One of the classes I taught was a Grade 5/6 Special Class. The brightest children from not only Port Macquarie but as far away as Laurieton and South West Rocks assembled in one spe-cial class aimed at teaching 11 and 12 year olds at an advanced level. Many of these children have gone on to be high achievers and leaders in business and in the academic world.

As well as teaching the set curriculum for Religious Studies, I devoted half the class teaching time to a Question & Answer ses-sion. The children could ask any question and I would endeavour to answer from the Bible. If I didn’t know an answer, I promised to go and research and bring the answer back to class the following week. These very bright children asked some great questions and often the an-swers would provoke some further questions and discussions. This provided a great way to stimulate these children into thinking about Christianity and the Bible.

One question that had me stumped was asked by a very precocious young lad, “How many angels can you fit on the head of a pin?” Now I knew that this was a serious question that theologians debated centuries ago. I was amazed that this young lad knew of such a complex theological dilemma, so I asked him, “Where did this question come from?’ He

looked at me with a cheeky grin and told me that his father had given it to him so as he could try and “stump the preacher”!

If you would like to know the answer to this question, or answers to any other questions, email them to me and I will try and answer your questions each month in Godsmacked. Email:Kerry@kerrymedway.org

How many angels can you fit on a pin?

with Kerry Medway

Q & A with Pastor Kerry Medway

PORT Macquarie City Church is again gearing up for their popular annual event, Christmas on the Beach.

A spokesperson for the church said the event brings the true meaning of Christmas to people who are lonely on Christmas Day.

“Christmas should be a time of joy, family and community but for many it reminds them of their loneliness and lack of family,” he said.

“We have a day of fun, food and friendship capped by a visit from Santa for the kids. Every-thing is provided free and everyone is welcome.

“Last year we had more than 450 guests at-tend the event, and we expect over 500 to come this year. The day is made possible by the gifts and help of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and many local businesses and individuals.

“This has become a community event that many people look forward to.”

Christmas on the Beach, could not take place without the many volunteers who help, and the

church is asking for people who can help to come forward.

They need volunteers to help organise the day, and people who can help out in the days leading up to Christmas as well as on Christmas Day.

They are particularly looking for people who have skills and experience in organising and can oversee the various departments necessary to en-able the event to run smoothly.

If you think you can help, please pick up a volunteer’s application form from Port City Church, 40 Munster Street, Port Macquarie. The forms can also be downloaded from their web-site at portcitychurch.org.au/christmas or you can phone the church on 6584 6570.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in the event.

“Come and join in the celebration and let’s all have a very Merry Christmas,” the spokesperson said.

Last year’s successful event

Share Christmas on the Beach