Our Vision

A Community Transforming Lives Our Values,

Grace, Inclusion, Dignity, Faith and Hope.

Parramatta Mission acknowledges that all of our work and our 36 sites are on the land of traditional owners.

We pay respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, and acknowledge Elders past and present,

and emerging leaders.

Congregational life @ Westmead & Parramatta, Hospitality, Community and Mental Health

Services across Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter and Mid-North Coast

OUR NEWS 14th April 2019

Leigh Congregation ‘HOSANNA!’ – PALM SUNDAY @ LEIGH MEMORIAL

This Palm Sunday, we will gather at 9.15am at the Town Hall and walk through Centenary Square and down Macquarie Street to the church – waving our palm leaves, displaying the Sunday School children’s colourful “peace” signs, singing ‘Hosanna’ and sharing a message of love & peace with our local community.

MAUNDY THURSDAY ARRRANGEMENTS Due to an unforeseen change in circumstances, our service and foot washing on Maundy Thursday (18 April) will now take place in the church from 6.30pm. The light meal will still take place in the Coffee Shop. COMBINED EASTER SERVICES Friday 19 April – 9.00am: Good Friday worship Sunday 21 April – 10.00am: Easter Sunday worship

BOOKS DONATION Many thanks to Mrs. Edna Oakes (pictured here with husband George) – who is a daughter of the late Rev. Arthur Brawn and Mrs. Jean Brawn. Edna recently donated 40+ books to the Leigh Memorial library and archival collection. Edna and George, both in their 80s, are active members of the UCA in the Blue

Mountains and devote much of their time to helping others. In addition to her kind donation of books (on topics including the history of Methodism in Australia), Edna has also donated a number of hand-knitted beanies to PM services, just in time for the cooler weather. Warmest thanks & good wishes have been expressed to Edna & George on behalf of our congregation.

CONGREGATION PHOTO Last Sunday morning – and despite a few members being absent – we snapped a nice, informal photo of ourselves at morning tea time, just about to participate in ‘Take 10’. Thanks to photographer Mario and everyone who gave

a big smile!! Thank you to everyone who makes a positive contribution to our congregational life and all those who complete a task or two each week to make our Sunday mornings run smoothly and happily. Thanks also to those who pray for & encourage others. Your efforts are valued – the Leaders’ team.

Women of Diversity Choir As part of this year's UCA 'Women of Diversity' Dinner in Parramatta (Saturday 6 July), a small women's choir - representing different cultures & communities - is being formed to sing at the event. If you are a singer of any level of expertise and would like to rehearse & participate in this wonderful inter-cultural & multi-faith program in association with various other community and religious organisations - please contact Rev. Bec Lindsay who will get you in touch with the organisers: rebecca@hopeuniting.org.au

Pastoral message for this week….

“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord”

Help Chaplain Amelia to make ANZAC biscuits for ANZAC exhibition at WSU. Morning or

Afternoon shift available! Either 10-1am or 2-5pm

Meet some students. Enjoy conversation and maybe eat

the broken ones! Helpers also need to do a shift hosting the exhibition at university.

Any two hours Tuesday 23/Wednesday 24/Friday 26 would be welcome.

Blessings,

Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler M: 0427 955157

More Prayers …………………………. We pray for Cawdor Uniting Church Congregation

THANKS for continued blessing within our congregation. THANKS for those who have joined our congregation in recent times, and continue with us. THANKS for the loving support of the workers whose joy it is to serve. THANKS for recent visit of Rev Amelia Koh-Butler and time spent with her. PRAYERS for any further outreach into our small semi-rural community, PRAYERS for provision of a part-time minister. PRAYERS for continued encouragement and blessing among our members.

ANZAC DAY observances During the 9.30am service at Leigh Memorial on Sunday 28 April this year, there will be an ANZAC organ voluntary by Lucy Koe and prayers offered in remembrance. On ANZAC day itself, Parramatta Mission will be represented at the dawn wreath-laying ceremony in Prince Alfred park and wreaths in Leigh Memorial will be laid by representatives of the PM Heritage Committee.

LENT & EASTER @ LEIGH MEMORIAL CHURCH,

PARRAMATTA MISSION, 119 Macquarie St; Parramatta

“A Way Other Than Our Own”

___________________________________________________________________________________________

LENT: Wednesday 6 March: Ash Wednesday worship – 7.00pm

Wednesdays 13 March – 17 April: Lenten studies, Alan Walker College of Evangelism, North Parramatta, 6.00 – 7.00pm

NOTE TIME CHANGE: Sunday 14 April: Palm Sunday procession, 9.15am worship @ 9.30am

EASTER: Thursday 18 April: Maundy Thursday

‘Tenebrae’ & light meal – 6.30pm Friday 19 April: Good Friday worship – 9.00am

Sunday 21 April: Easter Sunday worship – 10.00am ________________

The Leigh Memorial and Leigh Fijian congregations of Parramatta Mission & the Uniting Church

in Australia/Parramatta Mission Chaplaincy, Western Sydney University

Enquiries: Rev. Dr. Manas Ghosh & Rev. Dr. Amelia Koh-Butler via 9891-2277

FIJIAN Congregation

Lotu ena Bogi ni Lotulevu (Munday Thursday – 18 April): Vakananumi vei keda na Lotu ena bogi ni Siga Lotulevu (Munday Thursday) ena vakayacori e Vale ni Lotu vaka kina na Vei Vui Yava, sa na sega ni caka ena Coffee Shop. Na gunu ti ga (light supper) ena qaravi ena coffee Shop. Sa nuitaki nida na yaco vakalewe levu mai ena Lotu bibi qo. Sitiveni Rogoimuri: Yaco na kaci ni Kalou ki na bula nei Siti ena mataka ni

Siga Lotulevu nai ka lima ni siga ni vula ko Epereli: – “…..sa solia ko Jiova, ka sa kauta tani ko Jiova; me vakavinavinakataki ga na yaca i Jiova.”(Jope 1:21) Sa mai yali e dua na duru ni Lotu nei Jisu ka matai ni Vakatawa ena Lotu Vakaviti e Parramatta, mai na 1986 ki na 1992. Sega ni yaco ga e keya nona veiqaravi ka tomana tiko nona colata na Kauveilatai ni Gone Turaga ko Jisu Karisito ena veivanua kece e vakaitikotiko kina me yacova sara ni cabeta nai tutu cecere ni Dauveiqaravi vaka Covenant Officer ena Synod e South Australia – Adelaide. Gadreva na Turaga Tuirara (Emosi Rogoimuri) me vakadewataki vei kemuni na Turaga, Marama, Cauravou kei na Gone Yalewa nodratou vakavinavinaka levu Vaka Matavuvale ena Yalo ni Loloma ni vakaraitaka ena i Yau Vakaitamera ni a dodoliga kina, sa nodratou masu me na sobuti kemuni nona Loloma kei na VeiVakalougatataki ni noda Turaga ko Jisu Karisito.

Youth: Sota ena kena gauna ena Coffee Shop ena bogi ni Siga Vakaraubuka – raica na tukutuku eso mai vei Samu kei Ofa ena nomuni tabana ena facebook. Sunday School: Meda vakavinavinaka vua na Kalou ena nodra bula na luveda era na vakaitavi tiko ena nodra Siga Tabu e dai. Eda sa sureti meda na vakasigalevu vata ni suka na Lotu meda marautaka nai tavi levu era sa qarava rawa na Luveda. Veisiko: Kerei me tomani tiko na veisiko vei ira na noda era tu voliti keda ena veiyasa ni koro eda tiko kina, ke gadrevi na veivuke tukutuku mai vei Vakatawa se Chairman. Masumasu: Nuitaki ni sa qaravi tiko vakamatavuvale se vakasoqosoqo, tukutuku mai vei Vakatawa se Chairman ke gadrevi na veivuke.

Date Vunau Vunau Vunau Tuvakarau Tali Comm

Lesi Vakarau Veiliutaki Vunau Stewards

21-Apr S I G A N I T U C A K E T A L E

28-Apr Fiji Parish A.Vocea S.Qata M2 M2

05-May Rev K.Hamilton M3 A.Vocea

Vulavou H/Comm I.Foiakau

Foster your faith this week

Acts 10:34-43 Ps 118:1-2

1 Cor 15:19-26 Jn 20:1-18

Luke 19:28-40

28 And Jesus went ahead up to Jerusalem 29 and as he came to Bethpage and Bethany, to the mountain called Olives, he sent two of his disciples 30 saying, “Go into the village opposite in which, on entering, you will find a young colt that has been tied, on which no person has ever sat, untie it and bring it 31 and if anyone should question you, ‘why do you untie it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Master has need of it.’” 32 And those who were sent, went, found it just as he told them. 33 And while loosening the colt, its owners said to them, “Why do you untie the colt?” 34 and they said, “The Master has need of it”. 35 And they led it to Jesus, and after throwing their outer coats over it, they set Jesus upon it. 36 And as he went, they spread out their coats underneath on the road. 37 When he drew near to the steep descent of the Mount of Olives, all the company of disciples, rejoicing, began to praise God with much noise about all the deeds which they had seen showing power, 38 saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” 39 And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples”. 40 And answering, he said, “I say to you, if they should be silent, even the stones would cry out”.

Reflection

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It is the start of Holy Week. All the four gospels in the Bible tell the story, though in different ways. The crowd sing, but who do they sing for? Rev Geoff Stevenson spoke about this last week at a function Rev Christine Bayliss Kelly and I attended. Geoff referred to the Wanderers FC litany where one part of the crowd will sing to another “Who do we sing for?” and the response is, “We sing for wanderers.” He asked the question: Palm Sunday asks who do we sing for?

Empathy and knowledge: Last Sunday night, after church a member of the congregation in Parramatta noticed a person sleeping rough on the steps of the church. She engaged with the person, found out their situation and called a member of staff who came and engaged and within 1.5 hours had the person accommodated for the evening. Then on Monday at Meals Plus the person was assisted and connected with Centrelink, drug and alcohol rehab and other assistance, including accommodation. The member of the congregation had empathy to engage, and knowledge of where to get assistance. The member of staff also had empathy and engaged and also the knowledge of where to get assistance. Variations on that story happen every week across PM.

Civic link in Parramatta. Parramatta Mission seeks an outcome that provides for the civic link through the city of Parramatta from the station to the river, and the ability for Parramatta Mission to assist and walk beside people who are the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. We are seeking a negotiated outcome with Council that is a win-win.

ONE Talk: This past week Parramatta Mission held a ONE Talk event at which Dr Henry S. Berman, from Seattle USA, was the keynote speaker. Henry is an international leading paediatrician who specialises in behavioural problems in adolescents, including ADHD, depression, poor school performance and anxiety disorders. Henry developed the HEADSS interview protocol. An acronym for HOME, EDUCATION / EMPLOYMENT, ACTIVITIES, SEX & SUICIDE. It is an interview protocol used by Parramatta Mission. By asking a different set of questions to the standard medical review questionnaire, a different set of answers is provided that enables getting to the core of the real issue, and counters assumptions that could be misleading. It is care to listen to the inside story, of the story from the other persons perspective. Henry describes his work as “One of those who works with teenagers to assist those who have dove into the waters of live and found it too cold.” One of the points he made was ‘Being the ‘askable’ person.’ ‘A role that we need to play’ he said. This is the one who by behaviour and attitudes is a person people can come and ask. People will perceive someone is or is not even before engaging in a conversation. It is having a personal style and commitment that makes you an ‘askable’ person.

Stations of the Cross …

at Northmead 2019

Stations of the Cross opened last week, and continues until Easter. Left: Here curator, Rev Dr Doug Purnell is at Station number 1. He is speaking to how the artist has taken the theme of station no 1, Jesus condemned to die, and interpreted that for today. There are 15 stations. I have included a few here.

Right: Station No 2

Jesus carries his cross. In the

background is station No 6, Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

Left: Station No 9

Jesus falls for the third time.

Left: Station No. 10

Jesus is stripped. It is of Cardinal George Pell who has been

stripped.

Right: Station No. 12:

Jesus dies on the cross. This was painted by a Wonnarua woman,

Leslie Salem.

Left: Station No. 13

Jesus is taken down from the cross

Below: The latest engagement day included a sumptuous morning tea at HASI Plus at Carlingford. Thank you for the hospitality.

Blessings, Keith Hamilton

DEEPENING FAITH and RELATIONSHIPS with others Worship Sundays 9.45am Bible Study- Mondays 2.00-3.30pm Fellowship- Tuesday 7

th May- Bus trip- more information to come

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Time Out Café (TOC)- Tues/Thurs 11.00-1.30pm Play Group – Mondays and Wednesdays 9.15-10.45am NB No Play Group during school holidays Open Door -Wednesdays 1.00-3.30pm Tai Chi- Fridays 10.00-11.00am

WESTMEAD Congregation

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Northmead Uniting Church in partnership with Northmead High School is hosting Stations of the Cross. Everyone is encouraged to attend the Stations of the Cross and there are postcards with more details available in the foyer. BIBLE STUDY During the season of Lent we are invited to engage with the book by Walter Brueggemann entitled ‘A Way other than our own’. We are following this during our Bible Study times and everyone is welcome to attend and engage with the Bible Study. The books are available in the foyer- and if you are able to contribute to the cost that would be most welcome. Please see Rev Christine. BOWLS AT OPEN DOOR Our next Bowls day is Wednesday 17

th April at Open Door. Everyone is most

welcome to attend. LEADERS’ MEETING This meeting has been postponed from last week to Wednesday 17

th April.

EASTER SERVICES Monday 15

th - 11.00amMayflower Easter Service followed by light lunch

All welcome Holy Thursday - 6.00pm- includes a light meal Good Friday - 9.00am Easter Sunday - 9.45am

ASSISTANCE Rev Christine is looking for a used stroller (not pram) in good condition. If you have one you are willing to donate it please speak to her before bringing it in.

Stations of the Cross …

at Northmead 2019

Monday April 8 to Sunday April 21 -- 10 am to 4 pm

In the Hall of Northmead Performing Arts High School

End of Campbell Street, Northmead

For information and special events see our

Facebook page

Stations of the Cross at Northmead 2019

Group visits can be arranged during opening hours: A limited number of guided tours for groups can be

arranged in the evenings

Bookings: Northmead Uniting Church office.

9890-5814

The people of Parramatta Mission invite you to pray for: PM congregations and staff. For headspace, the Parramatta redevelopment

negotiations. The people we contact every day that we might exhibit the values of grace, inclusion, dignity, faith and hope.

PM Leigh Memorial: : Jolame, Wilhelmina, Col, Joan, Betty E, Hazel, Betty

B, Neil & Darlene, Victoria & family, Marcel & Brian, and grieving individuals & families including Shane, Elizabeth, Gloria, Ian and friend, the Matutinas, de Relands and Goodins. Plus the Open Church team, Sunday School & Youth Group (especially this year's HSC students: Johana, Ulita and Shaalane). Please let the Leaders' team know of any additions.

PM Leigh Fijian: Adriu Rogoimuri, Senitiki Qata and family, Niko Balavu,

Mili Sigani, Terry Butler, Young Adult and their Families. The JNC work of calling a Minister of the word for the Fijian Congregation. PM Westmead: Grace, Gary family, Lisa, Scott, Sushila and her family, Reg

and Heather, Robyne and Phil. All farmers and their communities, Sharon, Keith and Noeleen, Debbie and Michael, Kevin, Jean, Caroline and David A, Josh and his family (Kerryn, Peter and Ben), Mrs E and family, Mary and Aloy and the boys, Silvano, Jinky, Isabella and Gerard, Mary, Justice and family, Aravind and family, Tanzida, Nancy, Paula and Geoffrey, Garry, Chris and family, Rob, Jodie and Family, May, Rajes (Sandra), Henry, Phyllis, Vita, Col, Al, Mrs G and family, Judy, Shanika and family, Rebecca, Ashima and Anusha Saxena, Lyn, Sheila W, Ruth and Lela, Mr and Mrs S, Carmen and Rob, David and Christopher.

UC congregations of the Cumberland Zone: Dundas/Ermington, Northmead, North Rocks, Carlingford, West Epping, Centenary, Wentworthville, Holroyd, Greystanes, Grantham Heights, Parramatta Mission, Auburn.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Sitiveni Rogoimuri who died

last week in Adelaide. Sitiveni was involved here in leadership during the pioneering years of the Leigh Fijian congregation. Also thoughts and prayers for Lyall Weaver, CFO of PM, following the death and funeral of Lyall’s mum in New Zealand the other week. This follows on the recent death of Lyall’s dad. We also member in our prayers other staff of PM who have experienced recent bereavements in their families.

We join the World Council of Churches in prayer for Japan, North Korea,

South Korea, Taiwan

Prayer Points

Worship Services at

Mon to Fri 9.00am - 2.00pm Open Church @ Leigh Memorial

Tuesday 1.10pm Holy Communion @ Leigh

Sunday 9.30am Leigh Memorial Congregation @ Leigh

9.45am Westmead Congregation @ Westmead

11.15am Leigh Fijian Congregation @ Leigh

1.30pm Korean Faith Community @ Leigh

7.00pm Praise, Prayer, Cake & Coffee @ Leigh

Contacts

For all e-tree news follow the link below http://www.parramattamission.org.au/etree

Leigh Memorial Congregation: Rev Dr Manas Ghosh 0429 892 548

Leigh Fijian Congregation: 9891 2277

Leigh Korean Faith Community Minister: Rev Hyun Goo Jun 0433 320 588

Leigh Memorial Church, 119 Macquarie St, Parramatta

Westmead Congregation: Rev Christine Bayliss Kelly 0409 925 607

Westmead Church: 175 Hawkesbury Road Westmead: 9891 9354

Senior Minister/CEO: Rev Keith Hamilton 0417 487 446

Church Office: 9891 2277 Email : wecare@parramattamission.org.au

Children’s Hospital Chaplain : Sarah Bishop 0429 912 943

PM WSU Chaplain : Rev Dr Amelia Koh Butler 0427 955 157