St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton. House Church 20 Years ... · 20 Years of Celebration 1997 -...

St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton.

House Church 20 Years of Celebration

1997 - 2017

Rae Anderson

David Manks

House Church, St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton. pg. 2


Acknowledgements

I am deeply indebted to Rae Anderson for her influence, conceptualisation and

many hours of work in writing this history of House Church. I gratefully

acknowledge the assistance of Mrs. Elizabeth Nicholls, Dr. Jim Rossiter, Dr. Kevin

McAvaney, and Mrs. Jean Williams in researching information for this document.

Des Bath, St. Luke’s office assistant, generously helped in printing this history.

My thanks also to Carole and John Findlay, Elizabeth and Ray Nicholls, and Carol

Manks for their input and assistance in arranging the 20th Anniversary Dinner

celebration.

Most importantly, I am deeply thankful to my wife Carol for her generous, gracious

and steadfast loyalty and support of my ministry, particularly in sharing my vision of

a House Church type group at St. Luke’s and my leadership role as Convenor over

the past twenty years.

Rev. David J Manks

Convenor,

Geelong, 7th July 2017


In The Beginning …

As Elizabeth Nicholls wrote in her reflections at the tenth anniversary of House Church, “House Church began its life around the dinner table early in 1997.”

Earlier in the 1990’s, David (then Uniting Church Chaplain at The Geelong Hospital) was invited to lead some discussions at The Emmaus Group. The Emmaus Group was initiated and coordinated by Dr. Marcus Benjamin (dec.), who was a consultant psychiatrist in Geelong, and a member of the Wesley Uniting Church, Yarra Street. David and Carol also attended various social functions of that group. David became enthusiastic and stated, “You know, one day I wouldn’t mind having a go at running such a group.”

During 1996 David and Carol Manks recognised the need for liberal theological discussion among some members of St Luke’s congregation. After much conversation, pondering and prayer, David and Carol decided to sound out some friends at St. Luke’s about the possibility of a group based on the Emmaus Group model. On Sunday 18th May 1997, they invited Ray and Elizabeth Nicholls, and Murray and Noela Johnson to dinner to ascertain their response and potential support. Ray, Elizabeth, Murray and Noela were immediately enthusiastic and offered to help in trialling such a group… “No such thing as a free dinner (lunch)”, as the saying goes!!

These six founders envisaged that the group would have a clearly identified purpose of providing small group opportunity for theological discussion at the liberal end of the theological spectrum, and that such discussion would be held within the context of informal, contemporary worship. There was also enthusiasm for meetings to be held in interested people’s homes rather than on the church premises, as a way of encouraging a sense of homeliness, freedom, openness and a pastoral caring among those who chose to attend. And so the three primary foci were identified:

Open and liberal discussion on issues of faith and life. The discussion

is usually introduced and led by a guest to the group;

Informal, contemporary worship within a home setting. The worship

is usually led by a member of the group; and

A sense of community -- of sharing and caring for each other, as well

as for others who do not normally attend House Church.

Written invitations to attend an initial meeting were sent to people whom the founding group considered may be interested. Most of the invitees were associated with St. Luke’s. However, invitations were also sent to a small number of people beyond St. Luke’s. A key focus of the first meeting was to give people a taste of what was envisaged, and to ascertain the level of interest in continuing on a monthly basis. As documented later in this history, the first meeting was held on Sunday 6th July 1997 in the home of the late Gil Rush. Discussion leader was the late Rev. Keith Tinkler, who had for some years been David’s mentor and who was a great


encourager of the House Church concept and initiative. The first meeting was attended by approximately twenty five people.

At a meeting of the Highton Barrabool Hill Parish Council of Elders held on 12th November 1997, the House Church group was formally recognised as part of the life of the Highton Parish and the Rev. David Manks was appointed as convenor. The Council Minute reads:

“3.10 Sunday Evening Worship Group

It was resolved that the Group be supported with the blessing of the

Elders and that Rev D Manks be asked if he would agree to being

appointed as a Minister in Association to ‘lead’ the Group. M

Johnson reported that D Manks had indicated that he would be

prepared to act as a resource and facilitator but not as controller or

organiser.

It was resolved that D Manks be approached under the terms as set

down by him.

U. Trigg, A. Salvado. Crd”

The support of the St. Luke’s Church Council is most appreciated, as is the encouragement and cooperation of the Ministers of St. Luke’s over the past 20 years – Rev. George Grimmett, Rev. Dr. Marian Zaunbrecher, Rev. Rachel Franklin and Rev. Tony Johnson (Joncevski).

During the past twenty years, House Church has provided a vibrant group experience within the context of the Highton Barrabool Hill Parish, and particularly the St. Luke’s Congregation. Average attendance has been about twenty people, many of whom have been attendees since its inception while others have come and gone at various times for different reasons. Various members of the Belmont Uniting Church have attended over the years, with Dr. Jim and Susan Rossiter having been regularly involved since 2002.

The success and vibrancy of House Church can be attributed to various factors. First, is that the structure has been intentionally kept simple, informal, non-hierarchical, and non-bureaucratic. Second, that while there is a co-ordinator, the leadership is shared with attendees being asked for feedback and input at regular intervals. Third, that there is a focus on hospitality and House Church being an ‘open group’. An ‘open group’ encourages people to be themselves, and feel free to come and go as they desire and need. Those who attend are referred to as “participants” or “attendees” – or “House Church folk”. In contrast, ‘closed groups’ place an emphasis on conforming as part of belonging as group “members”, with an associated reluctance to allow members to leave. This underlying ethos and theological basis of House Church is influenced by Henri Nouwen’s “Reaching Out to our Fellow Human Beings. The Second Movement: From Hostility to Hospitality”.1

1 Henri J. M. Nouwen, Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. (William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd, Glasgow, 1983), pp. 61-101.


Various House Church folk have taken leadership roles during the past twenty years. John Findlay and Ian Pooley have managed the retiring offering collected at each meeting to offset costs such as contributions to travel expenses of guest discussion leaders. Rae Anderson, and later Jim and Susan Rossiter who have looked after publicity. Carole and John Findlay who organize the venues and worship leadership roster. Over the years, various participants have generously opened their homes and provided hospitality for monthly gatherings. In more recent years, different regular attendees have introduced and lead the discussions.

Over the past twenty years a rich sense of community has developed among the House Church folk. We remember with love and affection participants who have died: Mr. Gil Rush, Mrs. Mary Jones, Rev. Ken Williams, Rev. Keith Tinkler, Mr. Phillip Jones and Dr. Rod Clark.

We look forward to the ongoing life of House Church for as long as it continues to meet the spiritual needs of interested people.

2017 1997


1997 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 6th. July 1997 Gil Rush Input & Discussion 7 – 9 pm 38 Francis St Leader: Rev. Keith Tinkler Belmont Sunday 3rd. Aug 1997 Don & Judy Blackmore Open Forum 7 – 9 pm 32 Hutcheson Ave Discussion Highton Sunday 7th. Sept 1997 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Mrs Hilary Christie- 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Johnston Highton Executive Secretary of U.C.A. National Commission for Christian Unity. Input & Discussion on Christian Unity Sunday 5th. Oct 1997 Rod & Judy Clark Open Forum 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Discussion and Review Highton of the past 4 meetings.

Please bring a plate of supper to share. Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Ph.5244 2563 Murray & Noela Johnson Ph.5241 1466


1998 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 22nd.Feb 1998 Paul & Sue Anderson BBQ – BYO everything. 12:30 pm onwards 108 Bellevue Ave A casual get together for fun Highton and enjoyment of each other’s company. Sunday 1st. March 1998 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Leader: Rev Rex Fisher 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Rex is the Ethnic Liaison Highton Minister for the Synod. Rex is significantly involved with refugees, people seeking political asylum and ethnic congregations of the Uniting Church. Sunday 5th. April 1998 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Open Discussion & Sharing 7 – 9 pm 28 Lansbury Cres Highton Sunday 3rd.May 1998 Wesley Uniting Church Leader: Rev Dr Ian Williams 5 – 8 pm 100 Yarra St Geelong ‘The Pre-modern Bible in the Post-modern World’……. Interpreting the Bible in the Modern World. Bring a plate to share for evening meal. Sunday 14th. June 1998 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Rev Dr Alan Reid Highton Consultant to St Luke’s Parish. Topic: ‘Where do we think we’re going?’ Sunday 12th. July 1998 David & Carol Manks Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt “The Future of the Church. Highton Is there one?” Lead by: Rev. John Rickard. Executive Director, Synod Commission for Mission. Sunday 11th. Oct 1998 Andy & Gil Bye Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 136 Barrabool Rd Leader: Prof. Norman Young Highton Norman formerly taught Theology at Queen’s College and the United Faculty for 32 years. He now teaches at Yarra Theological College. Norman has been significantly involved in the ecumenical movement, was instrumental in the formation of the Uniting Church and was born and raised in Geelong.


1998 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 8th. Nov 1998 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 28 Lansbury Cres Leader: Judi Fisher. Highton Judi is Director of the Preston Creative Living Centre. She is an educator and formerly a tertiary chaplain. She has been active in ecumenical affairs, women’s issues and education for mission and justice. She is Co-Editor of A Place at the Table, a book which explores whether or not women were present at the Last Supper. Sunday 13th. Dec 1998 John & Marion Lambert Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 235 Wandana Drive BYO everything. Wandana Heights Lead by: Rev David Manks Communion.

Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Ph.5244 2563 Murray & Noela Johnson Ph.5241 1466


1999 Program When Where What & Whom House Church continued to meet monthly from February. However, records of the dates, venues and topics of these meetings no longer exist. Sunday 8th. August 1999 Alison Lyons Open Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 8 Binalong Crt Grovedale Sunday 12th. Sept 1999 John & Carole Findlay Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev. Dr. John Waurn Ponds Bodycomb. “Witness The Phoenix: new spirituality rising from the ashes of the old.” John is a well-known preacher, lecturer and author. Always a fresh, challenging and original thinker with the ability to lead, stimulate and with challenging discussions. His ministry since ordination in 1956 has included parish minister in Victoria, South Australia and the U.S. He was the Dean of the Uniting Church Theological College and ecumenical chaplain with the University of Melbourne before his retirement. The One With Many Names: University Sermons is one of his books. Of tonight’s discussion topic, John writes: ‘You will be familiar with the myth of the Phoenix, which incinerated every 500 years and rose from its own ashes. I have been working on a macro-historical view of Christianity; viz., that there is a quantum shift every 500 years – and we are in the middle of the last and mightiest of them all. Come along and hear the story! Sunday 10th.October 1999 Rod & Judy Clark Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt A Speaker from ‘Trading Highton Partners’ Sunday 14th.Nov 1999 Paul & Sue Anderson Discussion & Sharing 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave “Art & Faith” as part of the Images of Faith art exhibition. Sunday 12th. Dec 1999 John & Marion Lambert Christmas Celebration 235 Wandana Dve B.Y.O. Everything. Wandana Heights Lead by: Rev. Dr. Marian Zaunbrecher. Communion.

Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Ph.5244 2563 Murray & Noela Johnson Ph.5241 1466


2000 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 20th February 2000 Sunday 19th March 2000 Sunday 16th April 2000 7 – 9 pm Sunday 21st. May 2000 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 28 Lansbury Cres. Leader: Gil Rush Highton “When I was in prison you visited me” Gil will share some of his experiences as honorary Uniting Church Chaplain to Barwon Prison and lead discussion on ministry to and with prisoners. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to K please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. June 2000 Mary Jones Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 2/6 Allitt Ave. Leader: Dr. Ian Weeks Belmont “Christianity and other religions – a heretics view from a life of teaching comparative religion” Ian teaches comparative religion at Deakin University. He was born in India to Australian Methodist missionary parents. Educated in Melbourne, he has a PhD in Philosophy. His educational and academic career includes Yale University (USA), and McMaster University (Canada). He is a member of the Joint working party of the Victorian Council of Churches and Council of Islamic Societies of Victoria. Supper: People with surnames beginning with L to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. July 2000 Robert & Annette Packett Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres. Open Discussion. Torquay “We discuss anything and everything you wish to!!” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to K please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20 Aug 2000 David & Carol Manks Discussion & Sharing. 6.30 pm for Soup/Bread 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Rev. Paul Stephens Highton “Barriers to Christian Faith in Australian Culture” Paul in Minister at Wesley Uniting Church, Geelong and Director of the Wesley Centre. He grew up and was educated in Geelong. He was an industrial chemist before entering the ministry. In addition to walking and movies, Paul has a great interest in issues of culture and mission. He is married to Jenny and they have three children.


2000 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 17th. Sept 2000 Rod & Judy Clark Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt. Leader: Rev. Wesley Trigg Highton “What is Special in St Luke’s Gospel?” Wesley is sort-of “retired” Uniting Church Minister. He has served in parishes in Tasmania and Victoria. He was chaplain to Methodist Ladies College (MLC), Melbourne and Warden to the Boarding House of MLC, Perth. He has Degrees in Arts (Melbourne) and Education (Monash) plus a Diploma of Religious Education (London). Wesley has a keen interest in contemporary Biblical interpretation and Jungian psychology. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to K please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. Oct 2000 John & Carole Findlay Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev. Kenneth Ralph Waurn Ponds “Which God Images Appeal to the Modern Mind?” Kenneth currently teaches religion at the Geelong College Preparatory School. He also conducts a private counselling practice. Kenneth has served in parishes in New Zealand and Australia, including at St. Luke’s. He is the author of a recent best-selling book on depression. Supper: People with surnames beginning with L to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. Nov 2000 Bob & Jan Hale Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 2 Munday St Leader: Rev. Marian Couch Torquay “Everything you wanted to know about the Uniting Church Assembly but were too afraid to ask.” Marian has been Minister of the Corio and Norlane Congregations since 1989. She has extensive experience of the Uniting Church at all its levels. Marian was a Presbytery delegate to the Uniting Church Assembly held in Adelaide in June this year. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to K please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. Dec 2000 John Lambert Christmas Celebration 235 Wandana Drive B.Y.O. Everything. Wandana Heights Communion Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Ph.5244 2563


2001 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 18th. March 2001 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: R. Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres. Leader: Rev. David Manks Torquay Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th. April 2001 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev. Keith Tinkler Waurn Ponds Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. May 2001 Bob & Jan Hale Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 2 Munday St Leader: Rev. Dr. Ian Williams Torquay Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. June 2001 David & Carol Manks Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronardo Crt. Leader: Rev. Bob Thomas Highton Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th. July 2001 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leopold Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 12th. Aug 2001 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Worship: R & J. Hale 7 – 9 pm 28 Lansbury Cres. Leader: Jenny McGuirk Highton “We Live in Two Dimensions” Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2001 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 9th. Sept 2001 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: W. Trigg 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt. Leader: Rev. Wesley Trigg Highton “God’s Dreaming” “Dreams can be seen as the confrontation of the ego that is the visible world, with the invisible or unconscious world. Sometimes this meeting is full of destructive ambience and themes and at other times it is helpful and benevolent. Upon waking, we realise that we have temporarily seen through to the invisible realm we inhabit also.” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 14th. Oct 2001 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere St Belmont Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 11th. Nov 2001 Ken & Rae Anderson Worship: R. Anderson 7 – 9 pm 11 Tunbury Crt. Discussion & Sharing. Highton Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th. Dec 2001 John Lambert Christmas Celebration. 235 Wandana Dve BYO Everything. Wandana Heights Worship: D. Manks Leader: Rev. Kenneth Ralph Communion. Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Ph.5244 2563


2002 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 10th. Feb 2002 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Margaret Ahern. Waurn Ponds “Sense of Community” Margaret is a Registered Nurse whose career was primarily in Critical Care Nursing, including Charge Nurse of Intensive Care at the Geelong Hospital. She is also trained in loss and grief counselling. Margaret will share with us some of her experiences of working the Red Cross in Lokichokia, Kenya and Sierra Leone, West Africa during the late ‘90s Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th March 2002 Ken & Rae Anderson BBQ Lunch 1 pm 11 Tunbury Crt Bring food to share Highton Sunday 14th. April 2002 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: R. Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Anne Lowe Highton Anne is the Secretary of the Werribee Council for Christians and Jews. Anne’s interest in the relationship between the Jewish and Christian faiths stems from personal experience. Having been raised a Methodist, she married a Jewish man – and in doing so discovered just how ignorant and prejudice Christians are regarding the Jewish faith. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. May 2002 David & Carol Manks Worship: D. Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Joam Fisher Highton Joam is a Social Worker and committed UCA person who works with asylum seekers and refugees, including experience of processing applications with people in the Curtin Detention Centre. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. June 2002 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: R. Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Dr. Trevor Banks Torquay Trevor is an Oncologist and Palliative Care Specialist at the Geelong Hospital. He is also a member of the Belmont Church of Christ. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2002 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 14th.July 2002 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Dr. Rod Clark. Leopold “The Environment – a Christian Responsibility” Rod belongs to the Geelong Environment Council and Friends of Buckley Falls. He is a member of a committee of GEC campaigning to enlarge the Otway National Park. Rod will present an illustrated talk on the work being done at Buckley Falls with some comments on wider environmental issues as well as discuss the theological side of conservation. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 11th. Aug 2002 Rob & Annis Ballard Discussion & Sharing. 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Leader: Fr Denis Minogue Wandana Heights “Clerical Celibacy in the Catholic Church.” Fr Minogue has been a Catholic Priest for 33 years, having served in the Airport West and Corio/Lara Parishes. He currently works full time for the National Council of Priests of Australia, which is an independent professional association of priests. He has been Chairman of the NCP, and Treasurer since 1990. He writes: “there has been a long history of celibacy for priests in the Western Catholic Church based on the call in Matthew of celibacy ‘for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.’ Has celibacy been attached to priesthood for other motives though, and what relevance has it for today with the scandals of abuse and shortage of priests in the Catholic Church? Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th. Sept 2002 Wesley Uniting Church, J Spencer Nall 4 pm Yarra St., Geelong Memorial Lecture Presented by: Rev. Professor Dorothy Lee. “Changing Faces, Changing Places” Sunday 13th. Oct 2002 Kenneth & Allison Ralph Worship: K. Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave. Leader: Rev. Kerrie Lingham Belmont “Matthew’s obsession with gnashing of teeth – can it speak to us today?” Kerrie is Uniting Church Minister, along with her husband Charles Gallagher, in the Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale linked congregations. She is also Supply Minister from October to December this year. Prior to being Ordained Minister of the Word, Kerrie trained as a nurse at The Alfred Hospital and a youth worker in the Prahran Uniting Church. Supper: N to Z


2002 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 10th. Nov 2002 Ken & Betty Williams Worship: K. Williams 7 – 9 pm 51 Stinton Ave Leader: Kate Rodda Newtown Programs Manager, Lara Prison. Kate’s work at Barwon Prison includes responsibility in the areas of clinical services, medical, recreation, education, drug and alcohol, chaplaincy, offending behaviour, personal development and special services (including areas such as the animal nursery, prisoner peer support.) Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th. Dec 2002 John Lambert Christmas Celebration 235 Wandana Drive BYO Everything. Wandana Heights Lead by: Rev. Keith Tinkler Communion Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 John & Carole Findlay Ph.5241 8447


2003 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday January 2003 Ken & Betty Williams BBQ Lunch – Social gathering

51 Stinton Ave Newtown BYO Everything.

Sunday 9th. Feb 2003 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Peter Roberts, Harpist. Waurn Ponds “Personal Challenges and Reflections along a Musical Path.” Peter Roberts is a harpist who specialises in a form of live “prescriptively played” music for use within hospital settings. Music played this way has been found to reach patients at deep levels, bringing peace and comfort. The music can assist people who are dealing with breathing difficulties, physical pain, sleeplessness and various forms of emotional suffering. Peter has a private practice and works with patients and special needs groups in Geelong. His music, insights and personal warmth are also inspirational and calming for people who are not ill. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. March 2003 Geelong Hospital Chapel Worship: Rev. Keith Tinkler Level 7, Heath Wing Celebration of the 25th. Anniversary of Ordination – Rev. David Manks. Celebration of the Eucharist. Sunday 13th. April 2003 Bob & Jan Hale Worship: B & J Hale 2 Munday St Leader: Rev. Wesley Trigg Torquay “The Dilemma and Delight of Easter” We will consider the mystery of Good Friday and Easter Day and examine some of the varying accounts of the related events in the Gospels. We will think about the value and limitations of written documents and ask, “How do we discover the truth/ experience/ dynamic of the event(s) beyond the texts?” We will hear again the delightful short story of the “road to Emmaus” (Luke 24, vs 13-35) and see a video of a contemporary story and consider the similarities and differences of the two accounts. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. May 2003 Ken & Rae Anderson Worship: D. Manks 7 – 9 pm 2/11 Molesworth Dve Leader: Rev. David Manks Highton “Experiences and Reflections on being a Hospital Chaplain.” David will share his experiences and reflections on Pastoral Care, Health Care, Spirituality, Suffering, tragedy and faith in a loving God. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2003 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 15th.June 2003 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: R. Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Prof. Vicki Anderson Torquay Vicki is the Director, Department of Psychology, and Royal Children’s Hospital. A paediatric neuropsychologist with 20 year’s experience. Vicki focussed on her work with children with special needs and disabilities, including the important role that faith and church communities can fulfil in accepting and supporting such children and their families. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 13th. July 2003 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere St Leader: Rev. Dr. John Belmont Bodycomb. John is now “retired”, his ministries having included Dean, Uniting Church Theological College and ecumenical Chaplain to Melbourne University. His discussion, “Cosmos and Spirit: Toward Intelligent Faith” was a challenge spoken about and discussed with people of the contemporary world. This included a recognition that much Christian language, concepts and images are no longer understandable nor meaningful for people of the 21st. Century. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Friday 8th August 2003 Geelong Ethnic Leader: Dr. Khary Majeed 7.30 pm Communities Council “Iraq: A Rich Culture/A Highton & Belmont Human Tragedy” Uniting Churches Social Issues. At St Luke’s UC, Highton Dr. Majeed was born and educated in Iraq. He migrated to Australia in 1985, and moved to Victoria in 1995 to take up a lecturing position with the Victorian College of Pharmacy at Monash University. He is now Projects Officer with the North-Eastern Migrant Resource Centre. Dr. Majeed is an active member of the Victoria Iraqi and Arabic communities and a popular speaker on Iraqi issues. Sunday 14th. Sept 2003 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev. Neil Tolliday Waurn Ponds Rev. Neil Tolliday, one of our “retired” Uniting Church Ministers, will be talking about the recently formed Inter-Faith Network of the City of Geelong. He will be sharing some of his passion for, and involvement in, inter-faith dialogue and liaison. In an increasingly multi-cultural society, and a world that is becoming increasingly ‘smaller’ with advances in communication technology and rapid transport, inter-faith dialogue is a crucial issue – particularly for those who wish to be peace-makers. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2003 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 12th.Oct 2003 Rob & Annis Ballard Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Leader: Prof. Paul James Highton “The Enchantment of Globalization” Prof. Paul James, Professor of Globalism and Cultural Diversity, and Director of the Globalism Institute, RMIT. His discussion focusses on the ideologies that are central to corporate globalization, which include such values as freedom, autonomy, justice and democracy. The discussion will include recognition that we are all subject to the structure of our own societies and the world and that these values are often used as the means for continuing and strengthening the capitalist markets of the developed (western) world. The name of God and Christian faith concepts and values are used to rationalize wars, extend power and narrow nationalistic interest and economic exploitation. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th. Nov 2003 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Rev. Sr. Miriam Leopold “Contemplative Prayer – A Relationship” Rev. Sr. Miriam is a member of the monastery of the Community of the Transfiguration. (“The Breakwater Community”) and has recently been inducted as Minister of the Belmont Uniting Church. The monastery is a contemplative community of celibate and married people. Sr. Miriam advocated that if the Church is to have a meaningful and viable future, we need to focus away from busyness and endless “mission programs” and refocus on relationship with God, and thus with each other and our deeper self. Prayer – understood as spending time with God in silence in order to hear what God is saying to us, as distinct from talking to God – is crucial for nurturing these relationships. Care, support and outreach to others flow from this central core. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 14th. Dec 2003 John Lambert Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 235 Wandana Dve BYO Everything Wandana Heights Leader: Rev. Rob Brown “Dear Church, Happy Christmas! Love, Luke” Communion. “Luke purports to present ‘an orderly account…So that you may know the truth’. What is the truth that he presents and why would we still claim to be interested in it some 2000 years later? We will explore Luke’s truth together. Rev. Rob Brown was born, bred and initially educated in South Australia. He worked in the IT Industry when computers filled large rooms with blinking lights before training for the ordained ministry at Parkin Wesley College. He was ordained in 1982 and over the next 10 years served in Parish ministry and as the Chaplain at Annesley College (a UCA school for girls). In 1993, he accepted a Call to minister in the Sandy Bay congregation in Tasmania where he served for 10 yrs. For 2 of those years he divided his time between the congregation and a consultancy position in the Synod of Tasmania. He was Moderator in the Synod of Tasmania from 1999-2001. In March this year, Rob was inducted as Presbytery Minister of the Barwon Presbytery.


2004 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 8th. Feb 2004 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Liz Brumer Waurn Ponds Liz Brumer is a divorced mother of two adult children who until recently, worked as ward chaplain in a psychiatric unit of the Alfred Hospital. Her past experience includes studying grief and loss issues, working in a welfare agency as carer and volunteer co-ordinator for six years, after nine years of kindergarten teaching. Liz’s religious affiliation is Jewish. She will speak about her experiences in Pastoral care, coming from the perspective as an only child of Holocaust survivors. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 14th.Mar 2004 Fellowship Room Worship: R. Clark 7 – 9 pm St Luke’s UC Mr Vince Ross Highton “The Street Preacher” Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th.April 2004 Ken & Betty Williams Worship: K. Williams 7 – 9 pm 51 Stinton Ave Rev. Dr. Marian Zaunbrecher Newtown “Easter” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th.May 2004 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev. Marian Couch & Waurn Ponds Gil Rush. “Prison Chaplaincy” Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. June 2004 Rob & Annette Packett Worship: R. Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Discussion & Sharing. Torquay Doc on Redfern, Sydney Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2004 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 11th. July 2004 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: K. Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Discussion & Sharing. Belmont Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th. Aug 2004 Bob & Jan Hale Worship: B. Hale 7 – 9 pm 2 Mundy St Leader: Mrs. Cathie Bond Torquay Rural Australians for Refugees “Befriending Strangers and Entertaining Angels” Cathie Bond is a Queenscliff artist, a Baxter visitor, and a member of Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees. She has paid numerous visits to Baxter to support detainee friends and has first-hand knowledge of their situation and needs. Cathie can also provide a clear assessment of the Baxter Housing Project, the so-called ‘alternative detention’ for mothers and children. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 12th. Sept 2004 David & Carol Manks Worship: D. Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Sue Rossiter Highton “Psychologist in Schools” Sue is going to speak on her work as a member of the Specialist Children’s Services Team in the Department of Human Services. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 10th.Oct 2004 St Luke’s UC Worship: S. Anderson 7 – 9 pm Highton Leader: Rev. Wesley Trigg “Psalms” We will listen to a variety of Psalms and be encouraged to respond to their emotional/feeling impact, both negative and positive. We will be able to express our own feelings by writing, drawing, painting or modelling and to share these with the whole group. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2004 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 14th. Nov 2004 J & S. Rossiter Worship: J. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Sandy Parker Leopold “Religious Society of Friends” Sandy Parker is the Clerk, Victorian Regional Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. He will speak about the beliefs of the Quakers and their place in our society. His is one of 12 Quaker families in our community and is a member of the Geelong Inter-Faith Network. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 12th.Dec 2004 John Lambert Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 235 Wandana Dve BYO Everything Wandana Heights Lead by: Rev. Rachel Franklin Communion Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ken & Rae Anderson Ph.5243 3626 John & Carole Findlay Ph.5241 8447


2005 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 16th.Jan 2005 Ken & Rae Anderson Social BBQ 6 pm 1/15 Daly Blvd BYO Everything to share. Highton Sunday 13th. Feb 2005 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Jim Rossiter Waurn Ponds Dr Jim Rossiter has willingly offered to lead us in what promises to be a great discussion on a couple of topics: Topic 1: Video made by the Australian Council of Churches of a dialogue of 6 Jewish, 6 Muslim and 6 Christian young people. Topic 2: Refer to attachment re: Christian Minister on Bush’s ‘Christianity’ Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. Mar 2005 Rob & Annette Packett Worship: R. Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Barbara Abley Torquay Barbara will speak about ‘Being a Christian as well as a Key Leader in the Community’. Barbara, whom you will know is a former Mayor of The City of Greater Geelong and a member of the Noble Street Uniting Church and is indeed a forthright and professional person who is able to clearly share some of her work/life experiences with us. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 10th.Apr 2005 David & Carol Manks Worship: D. Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Robert Packett Highton “Post Easter Reflections” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th.May 2005 Rob & Annis Ballard Worship: R. Anderson 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Leader: Kath Champness Highton Our very special guest will be Kath Champness and her resume reads as follows: Doctoral Research – The Development of a Breeding Program for Drug Detector Dogs. Most recent work – Contract with the US Transport Security Administration and the US Military to assist with their development of their working dog breeding programs. Also, convenor of the 4th. International Working Dog Breeding Association Conference at Queens College, University of Melbourne, January 2005. Kath, together with her husband Nathan Cameron, and daughters Hannah and Stephanie attend St Luke’s UC Highton. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2005 Program (cont.)

When Where What & Whom Sunday 19th. June 2005 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: R. Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt ‘Soup, wine, cheese and Highton chatter’ night A to L: Savouries M to Z: Soup Sunday 10th. July 2005 Keith & Rae Shrimpton Worship: K. Shrimpton 7 – 9 pm 405 Cochran’s Road Leader: Barry Abley Waurn Ponds Barry will focus on ‘Faith, Doctrine and confronting challenges’. When the Presbytery, in its wisdom, forwarded Barry’s name to the Nominating Committee for Moderator recently, he was surprised and honoured that they would consider him worthy of consideration for such a ministry. Barry plans to share with us the process and outcomes of his conversations with the UCA on a number of issues that he was confronted with. He has found reflection and prayerful consideration of this issue very enlightening at a personal level and will share some of this journey of discernment with us. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 14th. Aug 2005 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: K. McAvaney Highton ‘Living in a Non-Christian Culture’ Kevin and Joy have been living in Muscat, the capital of Oman, for the past 7 years. Kevin has been teaching mathematics at Sultan Qaboos University. Prior to that he worked at Deakin University, Geelong. Ken & Joy attend St Luke’s UC, Highton. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 11th.Sept 2005 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Member of Muslim Leopold Community Our guest is the acting imam for the Muslim community in Geelong. He will attend

with his daughter who will spoke about Islam from a woman's point of view. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th. Oct 2005 St Luke’s UC Worship: S. Anderson 7 – 9 pm Highton Leader: Rev. Wesley Trigg Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2005 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 13th. Nov 2005 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: K. Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leader: Mrs Bernadette Belmont Wurlod Bernadette Wurlod is the Pastoral Services Manager and Clinical Pastoral Education Accredited Supervisor, St John of God Hospital, Warrnambool. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 11th. Dec 2005 Robert & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration Supper 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve BYO Everything Wandana Heights Worship & Communion Rev Rachel Franklin Rev David Manks Discussion on some aspect of Christmas, possibly based on John Spong’s reflections of the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus. Further information: David & Carol Manks Ph.5244 0150 Ken & Rae Anderson Ph.5243 3626 John & Carole Findlay Ph.5241 8447


2006 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 12th. Feb 2006 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: The Clarks 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Rod & Judy Clark Highton ‘East Timor’ Rod & Judy will speak about their recent trip to East Timor. The trip was organised by World Expeditions in conjunction with Austcare. They will present an illustrated account of the trip and of their impressions. East Timor is a land of great beauty, but sadly, has suffered at the hands of the colonial power and ruthless invaders over the last 4 centuries. It has endured many massacres, exploitation and widespread destruction. The effects of these events can be seen everywhere. Most of the population live in extreme poverty but despite all this, the people of East Timor are gracious, hardy and resilient. However, they desperately need Australia’s help. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to H please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. Mar 2006 David & Carol Manks Worship: D. Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Chris Piper Highton ‘South Africa’ Chris Piper, Lecturer, School of International & Political Studies, Faculty of Arts, Deakin University, Geelong. Chris will talk about a recent mission trip which he and 12 people from Barrabool Hills Baptist Church arranged mid-Jan to South Africa to a place near Nelspruit (Mpumalanga Province), near the Mozambican border. They were working in a couple of African townships. They were supporting some of the teaching in a couple of township primary schools and they also had a building team which put up a simple house (in 8 working days) for a destitute family which had been identified by one of the teachers. The townships themselves are in communities where the infection rate from HIV/AIDs is particularly high, this resulting in many OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children), children (who might have lost parents) being looked after by extended families. Supper: People with surnames beginning with I to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 23rd. Arpril 2006 Jewish Museum of Aust 1.30 – 3 pm Gandel Centre of Judaica 26 Alma Road, St. Kilda The Jewish Museum offers tours to two local synagogues: the historic and architecturally unique St Kilda Synagogue; and Temple Beth Israel, the principal progressive synagogue in Melbourne. Tours of the synagogues provide a meaningful added dimension to the displays and exhibitions. Sunday 21st. May 2006 David & Carol Manks Soup, Cheese and Chatter. 7 - 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt BYO Everything Highton


2006 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 18th. June 2006 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead Road Leader: Fr. Patrick Negri Waurn Ponds ‘Art, Religion and Spirituality’ Fr. Patrick (Pat) Negri from Melbourne will be our guest. He is a well-known practicing artist and critique, a creative thinker who has an art studio in Malvern. He will explore with us the significant connection between Art/Religion/Spirituality. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th. July 2006 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Mrs Phillipa Challis Leopold ‘Jewish Community Life in Geelong’ Phillipa is a Jewess who is the founder of a laughing therapy group in Geelong. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 13th. Aug 2006 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Worship: Rae Anderson 7 – 9 pm 14 Fairfield Ave Leader: Kevin Maddock Belmont ‘Things that I have learnt in Prison’ Kevin was born and f armed in Yackandandah till 1978 when we spent 12 months in Melbourne doing some theological study and working with Care and Communication Concern (God’s Squad). Then returned to farming till 1989 when we shifted to Melbourne permanently and we were Pastors at God’s Squad till 2001 when I was employed by Prison Fellowship to look after the pastoral needs of the PF volunteers and prisoners and their families and to find train and support the PF volunteers around the state. Our local fellowship at Yackandandah had visited Beechworth Prison occasionally to show Christian films, and I had started to visit Beechworth prison weekly in 1979. I have continued to visit the prisons and while I was employed at God’s Squad I spend 2 days each week in the prisons. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2006 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 10th. Sept 2006 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: Robert Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Rev Kenneth Ralph Torquay ‘Seven Suicides’ Well known to most of us, Kenneth is a retired Uniting Church minister who currently manages his own counselling practice. His topic: ‘Seven Suicides’ …. He indicates that on the evening we will read seven brief cases of people who suicided: an explorer, a teenager, a clergy couple, a terrorist, a father and a couple more. Their stories will bring up a host of questions for discussion. Why is suicide so alluring to so many? Do we have the right to kill ourselves? Is suicide always the result of a mental illness? What do people mean when they say that some suicides can be rational? Why does the Bible not condemn any of the several suicides mentioned in the Bible? What is an appropriate religious approach to self-killing? Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th.Oct 2006 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leader: Jordon Mavros Belmont Jordon Mavros ran Diversitat (Ethnic Community Council) for 22 years and had an enormous knowledge of the problems in our ethnic communities. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 12th. Nov 2006 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Reps from Drol Kar Buddhist Highton Centre, Barwon Heads ‘Buddhism’ Karen Mayer, Assoc Director, Drol Kar Buddhist Centre will lead sharing and discussion. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 10th.Dec.2006 Robert & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration Supper 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve BYO everything Highton Rev Neil Tolliday Communion Neil who has worked overseas in Ministry & Teaching in Canada, U.K. and recently China will lead our discussion on ‘Politics, Food & Faith in China – Two Views’


2007 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 11th. Feb 2007 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Social get together 7 – 9 pm 14 Fairfield Ave A to L: Salad Belmont M to Z: Dessert BYO BBQ meat Sunday 18th. March 2007 St Luke’s UC, Highton Luncheon Sunday 15th. April 2007 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Rev.Russell Armstrong Highton Chaplain Oberon High School Russell was a secondary teacher who went on to work with Christian Youth Fusion and then became Chaplain at Wangaratta High 1990-1998 and then at Oberon from 1999. Studying part time for degree of Theology and has an interest in photography and model railways. He runs an hour course at Oberon on Meaning and Myth. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. May 2007 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Leader: Paulino Jouth Highton Community Development Officer, Diversitat. Paulino is originally from Sudan ‘Upper Nile State-Southern Sudan’, from Shilluk (Chollo, Collo) ethnic group. I was displaced to Khartoum (Northern Sudan in 1984 due to the Civil War in my country where by my father had been killed by the Islamic government in northern Sudan. I completed my education in Khartoum and worked for the Roman Catholic schools for refugee and displaced people. Due to my position and Christianity activities, I was persecuted by the Sudanese security regime which forced me to leave my country. I arrived as a refugee in Australia in April 2004 and currently I am an Australian Citizen. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. June 2007 John & Carole Findlay Mid-Winter Warmer 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Discussion Waurn Ponds A to K: Savouries L to Z: Sweets Q1. Christians place a great deal of emphasis on prayer for such things as understanding and acceptance of their theology. There are many different theologies and interpretations of Christianity. In view of this, how does one reconcile the different sects and theological understandings that are in existence within the church, and which have been a fact of life since very early times. Q2. In John 14, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as The Helper. By what other names is the Spirit known? Q3. How do we reconcile God’s treatment and judgement of mankind as in Romans Ch.1 & 2, with the Gospel of love and forgiveness we all love to know?


2007 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom

Sunday 8th. July 2007 Barwon Edge Restaurant 10th. Anniversary Dinner

6:30 pm 40 Windsor Pde Newtown L to R: Mrs Carole Findlay, Rev. Keith Tinkler, Rev. David Manks House Church 10 Years On House Church began its life around the dinner table early in 1997. June that year was our first meeting. It grew out of a need to explore our faith in a deeper wider community than our local congregation. Over the years the membership has been mainly Christian but also Jewish, agnostic, sceptic, atheist, and probably other labels that I have forgotten! Many of the group are St Luke’s folk, but others come from other churches – mixed denominations. For many, this is the only ‘church’ connection. We always commence with worship; we are after all God’s people. Facilitation over the years have helped us explore different faiths, cultures and creeds. Uniting Church leaders have brought us different perspectives on our church. Our own members have shared their own spiritual and or physical journey. Others have come to share their struggles or triumphs. We have been inspired, amazed, mortified, encouraged and provoked on our journeying. Some current St Luke’s members include Carol and David Manks, Carole and John Findlay and, Rae and Ken Anderson. Feel free to talk to them, or better still, come and join us on the 2nd. Sunday (mostly) of each month. Details appear in the Sunday news sheets. Elizabeth Nicholls.


Celebrating 10 Years

Rear L to R: John Findlay, Alison Lyons, Rae Anderson, Rae Shrimpton, Keith Shrimpton, Ken Anderson & Carole Findlay. Front L to R: Pam Petersen, Val Grills, Judy Clark & Rod Clark

Photo L to R: Ian Petersen, Pam Petersen, Val Grills, Judy Clark, Rod Clark, Keith Tinkler, David Manks, Elizabeth Nicholls and Ray Nicholls


2007 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 12th. Aug 2007 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Ian Petersen 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: Rev Ann Key Highton Presbytery Minister, Presbytery of Barwon Prior to becoming an ordained minister, Ann was a primary school teacher. She has served in a number of ministry placements, including as Presbytery Minister in Gippsland. Ann moved to Geelong this year, along with her husband Roger and their 3 children. Ann would prefer to listen and engage with members of the group about issues of faith, the Presbytery, and church life that are important to us. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th.Sept 2007 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leader: Mrs Lorraine Phelan Belmont ‘Diverse Connections with Biodiversity’ Lorraine will be talking about how her interest in the natural world has developed and changed, from an obsession with birds to a general interest in the whole environment in which the birds lived. I contribute to bird population and distribution surveys, plant surveys and on-line discussion groups. I join in local excursions. I am the Geelong Field Naturalist Club’s newsletter editor, I do Land for Wildlife assessments, I write a blog about what I observe in nature, I photograph plants and insects and I run an Eco Book Club. I worry about climate change. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 14th. October 2007 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Pastor Tim Edwards Leopold Pastor Tim is the Pastor at Bayside Christian Church, in Marshalltown Road, Grovedale. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th.Nov 2007 Wesley Uniting Church J. Spencer Nall Memorial 5 pm 100 Yarra St Lecture Geelong Lecturer: Rev Peter Corney ‘Christianity to be salt & light’ Rev Peter Corney, former Vicar of St Hilary’s Church, Kew will deliver this Lecture. Supper Meal: Following the talk it is suggested that we share a meal at Jokers on Ryrie.


2007 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 9th. Dec 2007 Robert & Annis Ballard Christmas Supper 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Celebration of Advent Highton David Manks – Communion


2008 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 17th.Feb 2008 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Social BBQ 7 – 9 pm 14 Fairfield Ave Leader: Rev Howard Belmont Langmead ‘Laughing with God’ Howard is Anglican Priest, Social Commentator, and Comedian. Suggested scripture reading: Psalm 126. Sunday 16th. March 2008 John & Carole Findlay Worship: C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Bev Bellchambers Waurn Ponds Rev Bev Bellchambers, Minister of the Village Listening Lounge, North West Outreach Ministry of the Uniting Church. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. April 2008 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Peter Dillon, Highton Chaplain Deakin University ‘2008 Resurrection Celebration’ Peter leads discussion centred around …. In the light of John 20: 11-18. He commenced his teaching, pastoral ministry, retreats, Christian living camps in Brisbane, Mount Eliza, Tasmania, Adelaide, Auckland, and New York. In 1985 Peter returned to live in Geelong, to work with the four most severe behaviour problems, emotionally disturbed, juvenile justice involved adolescents in Geelong through Glastonbury Child and Family Services. During 2008 five occupations have kept Peter busy: Casual Relief Teaching, Residential Youth Worker with homeless and disadvantaged youth, Marriage Celebrant, Deakin University Chaplain, and Family. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. May 2008 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Pam Petersen 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: Dr. Rod Clark Highton ‘Always Coca Cola’ Rod will introduce a DVD which may ensure lively debate on the terrible destructive influence of American Big Business. Whether Coke, Sprite or Bon Aqua, all drinks at the World Cup are made by Coca Cola. An investigation of the social issues and impact on business, local economy and standard of living in affected areas of interest. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2008 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 20th. June 2008 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: Jim Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Rev Paul Mayfield Leopold Ivanhoe Uniting Church Topic: ‘Reflections on a Pilgrimage to Winda Mara Co-Operative, Heywood, Victoria’ Pilgrim… a person who journeys to a sacred place as an act of devotion – a person journeying to a future life. “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place…” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. July 2008 Narana Aboriginal Leaders: Rev Willie Pickett 6.30 – 8.30 pm Cultural Centre and Vince Ross 410 Surf Coast Hwy To attend a regular Café Worship service. Supper at Panache, Waurn Ponds. Sunday 17th. Aug 2008 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Discussion on ‘Faith in Politics’ written by Kevin Rudd, and introduced by Robert Packett. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 21st. Sept 2008 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Rev Rachel Wolford Highton Rachel, the sister of Dr Jim Rossiter, is an Episcopalian (Anglican) Priest in Cathlamet, Washington State, USA. Discussion on her small congregation’s outreach and social services to the people of Cathlamet who experience high unemployment and many other social issues. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th.Oct 2008 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: Robert Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Torquay Robert & Annette shared about their recent trip to the Iona Community, Ireland. Kevin & Joy McAvaney shared about their recent trip to the Taize Community, France. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2008 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 16th. Nov 2008 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leaders: Tania McKinty & Belmont Scott Crisp of The Sanctuary Their work in counselling and supporting those who have suffered loss or are in grief. A wonderful and innovative service running for many years in Geelong and accorded universal acclaim for its work. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 14th. Dec 2008 Robert & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration Supper 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Rev David Manks Highton Communion & Baptism of Laura Joy Iversen, daughter of Deborah and Paul. Deborah is the daughter of Rob and Annis Ballard.


2009 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 15th. Feb 2009 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Social BBQ 7 – 9 pm 14 Fairfield Ave A to L: Salad Belmont M to Z: Dessert Including presentation by Rev John Clarke, Uniting Church Minister and National Co-Ordinator of Alpha for Prisons. Topic: Alpha Courses in prisons and the Care of Ex-Offenders Program. Sunday 15th. March 2009 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Rev David Manks & Highton Rev Kenneth Ralph Discussion: ‘Moses a murderer?’ Ten Commandments the most negative document ever written? Jesus Christ just a Jewish peasant and certainly was not God? Need for a new faith for the 21st. century? … a discussion on issues raised, and the call for a renewed understanding of Christian faith, by Rev Dr Francis MacNab, which has been extensively covered in the secular media and Crosslight over recent months. Refer articles att. for reading prior to House Church.

Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.

Sunday 19th. April 2009 Val Grills Worship: Val Grills 7 – 9 pm 48 Anderson St Leader: Dr Rod Clark Torquay Discussion on a Video entitled ‘The Imam and the Pastor’ introduced by Rod. Imam Muhammad Ashafa (Muslim) and Pastor James Wuye (Christian) are living proof that it is possible in the current world climate for people of Muslim and Christian backgrounds to have friendly relations. These two men are co-directors of the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre in the city of Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. They lead task-forces to resolve conflicts across the country. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th.May 2009 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Ian Petersen 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: John Walz, Chaplain Highton Community Mental Health John is employed in the Health Care Community Council of Victoria. His main work is through the mental health program of Karingal. He is now planning an involvement with interested churches and will speak about his work and plans. He is interested in how people with mental health issues can and do experience church. John was a Baptist Minister and now worships at All Saints, Newtown. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2009 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 21st. June 2009 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 6 pm 15 Caroline St A to L: Savouries Highton M to Z: Sweets Discussion on video of an interview with Bishop John Shelby Spong and conducted by Geraldine Douge on ABC Compass TV program. Sunday 19th. July 2009 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Jim Rossiter Leopold Discussion on video entitled “A Journey of Promise: Young Australians Seeking Understanding” Dialogue of 10 Christians, 10 Muslims and 10 Jews. A project of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. Aug 2009 David & Carol Manks Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Night of Nibbles & Natter Highton A –L: A small plate of slice or something sweet and M – Z: A small plate of sandwiches or savouries. All: and something to drink of your liking … Sunday 20th.Sept 2009 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: Robert Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Dr Bill Williams Torquay ‘Prevention of War’ Now practicing in Torquay, Dr Williams was elected by a majority of the 350 members of his association that for 30 years, has represented doctors and health professionals in their representations to governments and the public to prevent armed conflicts he says are, ‘to put it bluntly, bad for health. If we can find ways of resolving conflicts, we won’t have to deal with the maimed and dead. War is a very expensive way of dealing with disputes’. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18TH. Oct 2009 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Leader: Dr. Peter Miller Highton Deakin University, Geelong Peter Miller is the Howard Florey Research Fellow at Deakin University, and Editor of the Journal of Addiction. Peter will talk on issues of alcohol, drugs and addiction. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2009 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 15th.Nov 2009 Ian and Jenny Poole Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: Rev Isabel Greenall Highton Uniting Church Minister Western Heights Isabel will talk about her trip to Turkey as part of a recent study trip. In particular a visit to a Muslim country and visiting some Christian sites. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to N please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 13th. Dec 2009 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Supper to share Highton Rev Rachel Franklin Communion


2010 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 21st.Feb 2010 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Social BBQ 17 Finicia Mews BYO Everything Highton to share Sunday 21st. March 2010 John & Carole Findlay Worship: Carole Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev Deacon Andy Waurn Ponds Calder, Uniting Church Minister Andy is presently placed with the Synod and working on three fronts. The first is research and promotion of disability inclusion within a range of faith contexts. The second is to develop a memorial concept(s) for people bereaved and injured by road trauma; this will be the topic for tonight: Annual Service of Worship for People Affected by Road Trauma. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. April 2010 St Luke’s UC Chapel Worship: Rae Anderson 7 – 9 pm Highton Leader: Jean Williams Jean is the Archivist at St Luke’s, Highton and will talk about The History and Heritage of Highton, the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, and the St Luke’s Uniting Church. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. May 2010 Jewish Holocaust Centre Evening Meal 2 – 4 pm 13-15 Selwyn Street address to be determined Elsternwick Attendees can look forward to a guided introduction to the Centre, followed with free time to explore the Centre. Sunday 20th.June 2010 John & Carole Findlay Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev Iain Nixon Waurn Ponds Minister Grovedale Uniting Church Topic: the Impact of the Black Saturday fires on Iain’s previous congregations and the communities of Devon North and Yarram. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2010 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 18th. July 2010 Narana Creations Leader: Rev Will Pickett 7 – 9 pm Aboriginal Cultural Centre 410 Surf Coast Hwy Grovedale Rev Will Pickett who is an Aboriginal minister from WA based at Narana, but with State wide responsibilities. Narana is part of the Uniting Church as part of the Uniting Aboriginal & Islander Christian Congress and has a wide range of activities. Willie will lead us in singing and then speak about his work. Sunday 15th. August 2010 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: Robert & Annette 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Dave Curnow Torquay Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator Geelong College Dave will be known to many of you for his long career at Geelong College. He has recently become involved with a youth group at Narana. He will speak of his work with children and young people and its relation to his Christian Faith.

Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. Sept 2010 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Discussion on Documentary Highton Wrong Side of the Bus. A documentary on one man’s return to South Africa to assuage his guilt on having been a bystander in what was happening in his country and an attempt to receive forgiveness and peace of mind. Professor Sydney Bloch is Professor of Psychiatry at St Vincent’s Hospital and Melbourne University. He is an internationally known ethicist, a loving father, a singer who has written books on mental illness. He is one of many Jewish migrants to Melbourne from South Africa who arrived here some 40 years ago. He went back with his son Aaron to attend a medical school reunion trying to overcome his guilt. His fiercest critic is Aaron. This is an essay on how easy it is for a good person to be a bystander who must then live with the consequences of his actions. It is a salutary message to us all. This is a DVD of his trip prior to his speaking to us next month and if you are unable to attend please let David know so he can lend you the DVD. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th.Oct 2010 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Leader: Prof Sidney Bloch Highton Prof of Psychiatry, Melb Uni & St Vincent’s Hosp, Melbourne Sid will lead a discussion based on the film he made entitled “Wrong Side of the Bus”. The film is based on Sid’s personal experience of growing up in Apartheid South Africa, and the many ethical issues and struggles such an upbringing raised for him. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2010 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 21st. Nov 2010 David & Carol Manks Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Pip Hamilton Highton Professor Pip Hamilton will be speaking on the place of the Organ in Christian Worship. Pip was Pro Vice Chancellor, Research at Deakin. Previously an internationally recognised Astro Physicist and a well-known organist in Tasmania and Geelong. He is an outstanding speaker. At present he shares the position of organist at All Saints. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to N please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 12th. Dec 2010 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Annuals Service of Highton Holy Communion led by Rev David Manks Bring food to share.


2011 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 20th. Feb 2011 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 17 Finicia Mews BBQ to share Highton Leader: Heather LeGriffen Heather is the author of “Campfires at the Cross: An Account of the Bunting Dale Aboriginal Mission 1839 – 1951 at Birregurra, near Colac, Victoria.

Sunday 20th. Mar 2011 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Rae Anderson 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: David Manks Highton “Who is God for You?” Discussion based on a sermon entitled ‘Why God Has Many Aliases’ by Rev Dr John Bodycomb, published in his book of sermons “The One with Many Names” Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. April 2011 David & Carol Manks Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Rev James Douglas Highton Minister Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads & Newington Uniting Churches. Topic: ‘A Cook’s tour of heaven and hell – a discussion on personal and global eschatology in the lead up to Easter’ Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. May 2011 John & Carole Findlay Worship: J & C. Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Soup, Nibbles, Wine & Chatter Waurn Ponds Discussion & Chat Retiring Offering for school Chaplains. Sunday 19th. June 2011 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: Robert Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Rev Charles Gallacher Torquay Minister, Queenscliff UC Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2011 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 19th. July 2011 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Joy Bromley Leopold Honorary Chaplain, McKellar Centre Age Care Facilities Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 21st. Aug 2011 Ian & Jenny Pooley Worship: Jenny Pooley 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: John Findlay Highton John led a discussion based on John Shelby Spong’s book “Born of a Woman” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. Sept 2011 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Rev David Thompson Highton Presbytery Minister Presbytery of Port Phillip West “A Long and Winding Road” – a personal reflection of the road into ordained ministry and reflections of the current state of the Uniting Church and its possible future direction. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. Oct 2011 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Rev David Manks Highton “Suffering and Faith in a Loving and Just God – Can the Two Go Together?” David will lead a discussion based on the book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Rabbi Harold Kushner. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2011 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 17th. Nov 2011 John & Carole Findlay Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Dr Ron Lee Waurn Ponds Ron is an ex Methodist Minister retired Professor of Pastoral Psychotherapy, and practicing psychologist and psychotherapist. Topic: “Special Positive Experiences” – Reflections on Contemporary Psychotherapy and Faith Perspectives. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 11th Dec 2011 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Supper to Share Highton Communion with Rev Kenneth Ralph


2012 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 19th. Feb 2012 David & Carol Manks BBQ Social 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Reconnecting Together Highton Sunday 18th. March 2012 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Elizabeth Nicholls 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: Rev Robert Van Highton Zetten, UC Chaplain Barwon Health “Our planet is in Trouble” Robert is a Minister in the UCA and has worked as a School Chaplain in state schools in the northern suburbs of Geelong since 1997. Last year he also helped out with Supply Ministry at two local churches, including St Luke’s, Highton. Discussion will revolve around “Our Planet is in Trouble” and religion, which was meant to make things better, often has made things worse. We suffer not for the want of religion, but for the want of love. If we are to have any hope of survival in the new millennium, we need to find a way to care for ourselves and for the world in which we live. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. April 2012 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Topic: A conversation with Highton three people who are recent arrivals to Australia. Maw Poad; a Karenni from Burma, Humanitarian Refugee Belge Bykawell from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Humanitarian Refugee Mustafa Jaan from Afghanistan – sought and granted Asylum in Australia Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. May 2012 Belmont Uniting Church Shared evening with the 7 – 9 pm Thompson St St Luke’s & Belmont Belmont combined UC Social Issues Group. Topic: Dr Rod and Judy Clark sharing about their recent trip to Ethiopia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. The trip was organised by ‘Act for Peace’ which is the international aid agency of the Australian Council of Churches. Some aid and historical sites were visited. Donations will benefit Act for Peace. A light tea will be provided.


2012 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 17th.June 2012 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leader: Rev Tony Johnson Belmont Minister St Luke’s UC Highton Topic: “Given the baggage you seem to carry why should I employ you? How would you respond? A Theological Journey: from Tongues to St Luke’s. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. July 2012 David & Carol Manks Soup, finger food, wine and 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt fellowship and natter night Highton Food: All Sunday 19th. Aug 2012 John & Carole Findlay Worship: Carole Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev David Manks Waurn Ponds David will lead a discussion based on Rev Dr John Bodycomb’s sermon, The Incognita and Covert One. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. Sept 2012 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: Kevin McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Rev Dr John Highton Bottomley ‘John Bottomley is a Uniting Church in Australia minister and Director of Creative Ministries Network, an agency of the UCA. After a congregational ministry in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, John’s experience as a researcher in a ship-building yard galvanised his interest in workplace issues. His ministry seeks to integrate the arts with an informed faith to address the gospel imperative for healing, justice and reconciliation in response to suffering and injustices.’ Topic: Being Church: solidarity and remembrance. If we live in a world that is characterised by individualism and has an ideological preference for forgetting suffering and pain, what does this mean for our calling to be Church? Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2012 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 21st. Oct 2012 Ian & Jenny Pooley Worship: Ian & Jenny 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: Rev Jenny Hayes Highton Jenny will talk about her prison chaplaincy at Margarenette, Dame Phillis Frost, Tarngarra, Ararat and Langi Prisons. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. Nov 2012 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: Jim & Sue 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Hugh Collins Leopold member Belmont UC Hugh Collins, recently retired as Master at Ormond College now living in Geelong and an active member of the Belmont Congregation. Topic: Spirituality amongst students at Melbourne University. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 9th. Dec 2012 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Supper to share Highton Communion with Rev Tony Johnson


2013 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 17th. Feb 2013 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls BBQ Food to Share 7 – 9 pm 17 Finicia Mews Highton Sunday 17th.March 2013 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leader: Dr Jim Rossiter Belmont and Team of 4: John Findlay, Kevin McAvaney, Elizabeth Nicholls and Alison Ralph. Jim led a discussion on a document by Bishop Mark McDonald, Head of the Anglican Church, Canada. Four headings: 1. A new relationship with the culture; 2. A community of Disciples in Spiritual Movement; 3. A Church of open and local communities; 4. A Church of Spiritual Discernment. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 21st. April 2013 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Chris Macher Highton Youth Worker Melton Uniting Church Topic: Uniting Church and Youth in a Multicultural Context. The Uniting Church has long had difficulty retaining youth and is experiencing a revitalization in the arrival of migrants and refugees, without examining the underlying issues, which I propose to be about the power of balance in the faith community rather than a focused separate ministry of youth. Chris is currently working with the Africa Inland Mission among the African faith community in Melbourne. He is completing his Master’s Degree in International Development. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. May 2013 David & Carol Manks Worship: David Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: Rev John Smith Highton John is a retired Uniting Church Minister, and currently an active member of the Progressive Christian Network. Topic: The Future of Faith – How to be an authentic follower of the ‘way’ of Jesus in the 21st. Century. Can we read the Bible as literal fact? Is there an interventionist God? Jesus death – Divine necessity or human inevitability? Did Jesus return in bodily form? Can a human being control the forces of nature just by speaking? Was Mary a virgin after the birth of Jesus? Does the bread and the wine become the body and blood of Jesus? Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2013 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 16th.June 2013 John & Carole Findlay Worship: Carole Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Dr. Petra Brown Waurn Ponds Dr Petra Brown, Academic, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University. Topic for Discussion: Onward Christian Soldiers. As Christians we should take seriously Christ’s command to love our enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. Yet, for Christians, is there a threshold to this command? And how do we act in as Christians when we have reached this threshold? These questions will be raised and discussed in connection with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s decision to participate in a political conspiracy that culminated in an attempted assassination of Hitler.

Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.

Sunday 21st. July 2013 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: Jim Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Dr Kevin McAvaney Leopold Topic: Living with Islam, based on the McAvaney’s experience of living in Oman since 1998. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. Aug 2013 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Soup, finger food and Highton wine night A – L: sweets with coffee M – Z: savoury finger food Sunday 15th. Sept 2013 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Rae Anderson 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: Rev David Manks Highton David will lead a discussion on ‘The Taboo against Self Love’, based on an article by John Crosby. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2013 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 20th. Oct 2013 Ian & Jenny Pooley Worship: Jenny Pooley 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: Tara Watts Highton Diversitat Ken Anderson will open the discussion which will be followed by Tara will share with us information about Refugees and Asylum Seekers in our community particularly speaking about their problems and needs and perhaps how we might help.

Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. Nov 2013 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Temukisa Vaeluga Highton Temukisa is a Candidate for the Ministry of the Word in the Uniting Church. Topic: “From Manse to Manses: A Transforming Journey” – Reflections of being a woman candidate in the Uniting Church. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 8th. Dec 2013 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Supper to Share Highton Communion with Rev David Manks


2014 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 16th. Feb 2014 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls BBQ Reconnecting 7 – 9 pm 16 Finicia Mews for the New Year. Highton Salads & Sweets to Share

Sunday 16th. March 2014 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Rev Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Belmont Topic: Open Discussion Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 27th. April 2014 Ian & Jenny Pooley Worship: Jenny Pooley 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: Dr Jim Rossiter Highton “Passover and What It Means” Tonight, Jim will lead this discussion based on Exodus Chapters 1 to 15; & Matthew 26:14-27 Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. May 2014 John & Carole Findlay Worship: Carole Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: Rev Dr Kevin Waurn Ponds Yelverton Minister, St David’s Uniting Church, Newtown Kevin’s topic: The Basis and Practice of the Geelong Inter-Church Social Justice Network, based on Hosea 4: 1-4. Kevin is a member of the Human Research and Ethics Committee at Barwon Health, Council member at Geelong College, Recent Chair of Geelong Inter-Church Social Justice Network. Academic work on Church Ministry and Sacraments. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. June 2014 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Rae Anderson 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: Rev Jan Taylor Highton Jan is a retired UCA Minister, her last placement being the East Geelong Uniting Church. She will share her reflections on her recent trip to Israel. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2014 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 20th. July 2014 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Judy Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Soup, finger food Highton and wine night. Bring Food to share. Sunday 24th. Aug 2014 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Fr Kevin Dillon Leopold Kevin is a very public advocate and supporter for people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.

Sunday 21st. Sept 2014 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: Kevin McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Russell Armstrong Highton Spiritual Worker Palliative Care Barwon Health Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. Oct 2014 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: David Manks/ 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Robert Packett Torquay Leaders: Wall Jenkin and Doug McLennan Both Wall and Doug belong to the Progressive Christianity Group/Open Christianity Group and will lead tonight’s discussion. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. Nov 2014 Belmont Uniting Church Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm Thompson Street Leader: Jason Brown Belmont An evening organised by the St Luke’s and Belmont Uniting Churches Social Issues Group. Speaker: Jason Brown, a counsellor and school Chaplain. Jason will share about his experience in visiting Manus Island Asylum Seeker’s Detention Centre.


2014 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 7th. Dec 2014 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Party Supper Highton to share. Communion with Rev Isabel Greenall who will share about her recent experience of being involved in a sit-in at the office of the Hon. Richard Marles protesting the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. The sit-in was organised by the ‘Love Makes a Way movement.’


2015 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 15th. Feb 2015 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls BBQ and Reconnecting 7 – 9 pm 16 Finicia Mews for the New Year Highton Salads & sweets to share. Sunday 15th. March 2015 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere St Leader: Alison Ralph Belmont Alison, a Social Worker, Department of Human Services, will speak of her work with people who had been adopted as children and who are seeking to trace their biological parents. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. April 2015 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: J & S. Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leader: Rhonda Dingle Leopold Rhonda, a Spiritual Director, will speak on the role of spirituality and her work as a Spiritual Director. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. May 2015 Ian & Pam Petersen Worship: Rae Anderson 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Leader: Rev David Manks Highton David will lead a discussion on capital punishment. Paper circulated for reading prior to the night, Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 21st. June 2015 Rod & Judy Clark Worship: Rod Clark 7 – 9 pm 9 Willowfield Crt Leader: Rev Dr Adam Highton McIntosh, Presbytery Minister Presbytery of Port Phillip West Adam provided input and will lead a discussion on church growth, including the Fresh Expression movement. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2015 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 19th. July 2015 John & Carole Findlay Soup, finger food, 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St wine, fellowship Waurn Ponds and natter night. Bring food to share. Sunday 16th. August 2015 Ian & Jenny Pooley Worship: Jenny Pooley 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: Iman Mohammad Highton Ramzan Topic: People of Islam today and their problems. Our speaker has come, this year, to Geelong as our first proper trained Iman. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. Sept 2015 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: Kevin McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Rev John Smith Highton John is an ordained Minister of the Uniting Church and a qualified Social Worker. He is recognised for his pioneering work with children, including the establishment of non-residential programs for young (teenage) offenders. He has worked with adults with intellectual disabilities in addition to welfare management, chaplaincy and parish ministry. Topic: ‘Wisdom Religion, the Historical Jesus and the Future of Faith” Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. Oct 2015 David & Carol Manks Worship: Rev David Manks 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt Leader: David Manks Highton Topic: “Stormy Waters” — we will be watching and discussing a play combining story, song and projected images that challenge and raise important issues of asylum seekers and faith (DVD). “Stormy Waters” was produced by the Wesley Uniting Church, Melbourne on Palm Sunday 2015. “Stormy Waters” tells of the journey through two hundred years of Australia’s migration history, charting our changing attitudes to asylum seekers and asking: Is there a better way? Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to L please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2015 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 15th. Nov 2015 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Leader: Rev Kenneth Ralph Highton Topic: A presentation by Kenneth Ralph on the subject of his last book ‘Your Final Choice.’ Theme of Death Control. There are eight ways of accelerating dying in terminally ill patients which may be passive or active. How does hastening dying fit with Christian conscience or religious values? An increasingly important subject in today’s society. Supper: People with surnames beginning with M to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.

Sunday 13th. Dec 2015 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Supper to share. Highton Communion with Rev Tony Johnson.


2016 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 21st. Feb 2016 Ian & Pam Petersen BBQ - Reconnecting 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave for the New Year. Highton Bring Salads & sweets to share. Sunday 20th. March 2016 Rob & Annette Packett Worship: Rob Packett 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: David Manks Torquay A discussion based on “Community: An Unexpected Family” by Doug Pagitt. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 17th. April 2016 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: Jim Rossiter 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Leaders: Fay & Iraj Sabetzadeh Leopold Our Guests will give us a presentation on the Baha’I Faith, which, after Christianity is the second largest religious group in the world. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 15th. May 2016 John & Carole Findlay Worship: Carole Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St Leader: David Manks Waurn Ponds Discussion based on a paper by Rev. Dr. John Bodycomb. "The One with Many Names" A copy of the particular sermon to be discussed (from University Sermons, “The One with Many Names”) will be emailed to you over the next few days for your prior reading. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 19th. June 2016 Kenneth & Alison Ralph Worship: Kenneth Ralph 7 – 9 pm 10 Cranmere Ave Leaders: Kenneth Ralph and Belmont David Manks Discussion on the Psychological and Spiritual Perspectives of Depression. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2016 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 17th. July 2016 David & Carol Manks Soup, finger food 7 – 9 pm 9 Coronado Crt and wine night. Highton Bring food to share. Shared with Mohammad Ramzan, Iman of Geelong, along with his wife Sonny and their two sons. Sunday 21st. Aug 2016 Ray & Elizabeth Nicholls Worship: 7 – 9 pm 16 Finicia Mews Leader: Rev David Manks Highton A reflective meditation led by Rev David Manks based on “The Cup of Life” by Joyce Rupp. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. Sept 2016 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Leader: Josephine Barnes Highton Director of Samaritan House Geelong. Samaritan House provides a safe haven for homeless men in Geelong and an opportunity for them to re-evaluate their lives. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 16th. Oct 2016 Ian & Jenny Pooley Worship: Jenny Pooley 7 – 9 pm 76 Barwon Blvd Leader: Rev Tim Edwards Highton Geelong College Chaplain Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 20th. Nov 2016 Paul & Sue Anderson Worship: Sue Anderson 7 – 9 pm 108 Bellevue Ave Leader: Rev Dr Jenny Byrnes Highton Executive Director UCA Centre for Theology and Ministry. Jenny’s Topic: “The Getting of Wisdom – Discipleship and Ministry in the 21st. Century – exploring aspects of the future directions of the church and education for ministry” Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2016 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom Sunday 11th. Dec 2016 Rob & Annis Ballard Christmas Celebration 7 – 9 pm 11 Grosvenor Dve Bring Supper food to share. Highton Communion with Rev Tony Johnson


2017 Program When Where What & Whom Sunday 19th. Feb 2017 Ian & Pam Petersen Annual BBQ 7 – 9 pm 62 Kyeema Ave Bring salad & sweets to share. Highton A Festive Start to the Year. Sunday 19th. March 2017 Jim & Sue Rossiter Worship: Jim & Sue 7 – 9 pm 63 Kensington Rd Joint Presentations: Leopold Kenneth & Alison Ralph, and John & Carole Findlay shared about interesting places of worship and other interesting places of spiritual significance that they visited on their travels in Australia and overseas. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 23rd. April 2017 John & Carole Findlay Worship: Carole Findlay 7 – 9 pm 11 Kinsmead St In-House Discussion (Note change of date Waurn Ponds due to Easter.) Tonight’s discussion is based on the opening address given by Bishop Desmond Tutu at the Uniting Church National Christian Youth Convention held in Ballarat in January 1987. Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 21st. May 2017 Robert & Annette Packett Worship: Robert & Annette 7 – 9 pm 8 Ocean View Cres Leader: Rev Ikani Vaitohi Torquay Ikani has been recently appointed as Minister, Belmont Uniting Church. Supper: People with surnames beginning with N to Z please bring a small plate of supper to share. Sunday 18th. June 2017 Kevin & Joy McAvaney Worship: K. McAvaney 7 – 9 pm 15 Caroline St Rev Rose Broadstock Highton Presbytery Minister – Mission Development Strategy Presbytery of Port Phillip West Topic: “New Ways of Being the Church in the 21st. Century.” Supper: People with surnames beginning with A to M please bring a small plate of supper to share.


2017 Program (cont.) When Where What & Whom

Sunday 16th. July 2017 The Cremorne Hotel Bistro 20th. Anniversary

6.00 for 6.30 pm 336 Pakington St Celebratory Dinner Newtown The Guest speaker will be Rev. John Smith, member of the Progressive Christian Network Victoria. The meal will be a la carte from The Cremorne Hotel's normal menu. It is hoped that many people who have attended in the past, as well as present participants, will be able to join this celebration.

2017 1997

St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton. House Church 20 Years ... · 20 Years of Celebration 1997 -...

Documents

Transcript of St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton. House Church 20 Years ... · 20 Years of Celebration 1997 -...