Our Vision

A Community Transforming Lives

Our Values Grace, Inclusion, Dignity,

Faith and Hope

Uniting Church in Australia

29th November 2015

Parramatta Mission:

Congregational life@ Westmead & Parramatta

& Hospitality, Community and Mental Health Services across Greater Sydney

and beyond

O U R

N E W S

Leigh CONGREGATION

Foster your faith this week as you read:

Mal 3:1-4 Lk 1:68-79 Phil 1:3-11 Lk3:1-6

ADVENT COLLECTION 2015 Our Parramatta Mission Advent Collection for 2015 is being released today to mark the start of Advent. The Collection is for all the congregations, staff, clients & friends of Parramatta Mission and contains both current and past contributions from a wide range of people in our Mission community. Thanks to everyone who has provided an item or two & we hope that the collection brings joy, peace and inspiration to everyone at this special time of year. Why not also pass one on to a friend, family member or neighbour? Please note that a colour version of the Collection is readily available via email on request. Please see Liz. Thanks again to everyone who has generously supported us in this project and blessings on behalf of the Heritage committee for a peaceful and meaningful season of Advent.

ADVENT 2015: DISPLAY, TREE, WREATH & CANDLE LIGHTING On each of the four Sundays of Advent, inter-generational members of our congregation will light a candle on the Advent Wreath - as follows - 29 November: Purple candle, symbolizing Hope; 6 December: Purple candle, representing Love; 13 December: Pink candle, indicating Joy and 20 December: Purple candle, symbolizing Peace. The central Christmas Day candle is white, symbolizing the arrival of Christmas. Thank you very much to all of our candle-lighting participants - and to the Sunday School team who have supplied the colourful & inspiring Advent displays in our church vestibule and coffee shop.

THE LEIGH MEMORIAL 'GIVING TREE' - STARTS TODAY The Leigh Memorial 'Giving Tree' will operate inside the church over 2 Sundays this Advent: today and 6 December. Gifts need to be delivered un-wrapped. No second-hand items can be accepted and children's toys must be safe/ not battery operated. Donations can be for men, women, teenagers or children - and will be given to those being assisted within Parramatta Mission's programs. Some suggestions for teens & adults include toiletries, wallets, backpacks, caps, sunscreen/ sunglasses etc. Thanks to everyone for your generosity! Remember to bring something next week! Enquiries: Liz/ Sunday School team.

Women’s ‘Peace on Earth’ Banners The two new banners which are hanging in Leigh Memorial Church this Christmas represent the combined creative efforts of women from all of the Parramatta Mission congregations and beyond. They were commenced as part of the 2015 Women’s High Tea – and Parramatta Mission’s 200

th Anniversary

acknowledgements.

Each square has been individually hand-sewn/ decorated using various mate-rials, embroidery and appliqué by an inter-generational, culturally diverse range of women who stand solidly together in the name of PEACE, LOVE, UNITY & GOODWILL this Christmas time. “Thank you” to Robyn Dunbar for her leadership, skill & dedication in bringing the banners to fruition & to the multiple, wonderful women who have contributed to this project from its inception. These have included family members and friends of the Parramatta Mission congregations – and/or those from other congregations and the broader community. Special thanks to Margie Gray for her assistance with the sewing of the banners

and to the members of the Women’s High Tea committee for their dedication to

women’s fundraising and enrichment at Parramatta Mission. The banners will visit

Westmead in early 2016.

WESTMEAD CONGREGATION

We had a fantastic AGM at Westmead last week, with lower numbers, but it was still a time of celebration of the different things which are happening around the Mission. Hope Hostel benefited by receiving food which had been catered for anticipating larger numbers. It was good to have members of other congregations present.

Congratulations to May and Scott who were elected to the Congregational council foe 2016.

Congratulations to Karen who was elected as Congregational Chairperson and secretary. We offer many thanks to Jean who will step down from these roles at the end of this year.

Don’t forget- Concert on Tuesday and Party on Wednesday! All members of the congregation are welcome on Wednesday. Everyone is welcome Tuesday.

As the church year begins we are following an Advent Bible Study for 3 weeks. It is a time of beginning and anticipation as we prepare for Christmas but also a busy time as we celebrate the end of 2015. So many parties, celebrations and final gatherings for the year.

Our Christmas Service this year will be on Christmas Day at 9.00am. All are welcome.

Recipe books- see flyer. Please give orders to Christine or Lorna.

Don’t forget the Peace Dinner at Leigh Memorial Saturday 5th December.

Please let Manas know asap. DEEPENING FAITH Bible Study- Mondays 2.00-3.30pm.

Final Day for 2015 Monday 8th December

Returns February 1st 2016.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Open Door- Wednesdays 1.00-3.30pm.

Final Day for 2015- 16th December- Returns Wednesday

27th January 2016.

Time Out Café- Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-1.30pm Finishing Tuesday 8

th December.

Returning Tuesday 2nd

February 2016.

Tai Chi Fridays 10.00-11.00am

MEETINGS Combined Congregational Leaders and Church Council Meeting Thursday 3

rd

December at Westmead.

Westmead Leader’s Meeting - Tuesday 8th December 5.00pm

Pastoral message for this week…..

Make Room in Your Heart for Hope Not Fear

Items this week - Long Life Juices

Parramatta Mission annual Christmas

With the

William Clarke College Singers

Tuesday 1st December 12.30pm

Westmead Uniting

Corner of Queens Rd and 175 Hawkesbury Rd

Cost– Gold coin donation

Followed by Tea, Coffee and cake

Pastoral message for this week….. “God does not judge appearances;

neither should we….”

Parramatta Mission projects supported in the Uniting Church

Please pray for: Living as a multicultural church

Ministry with people in prison

Ministry with hospital patients living with a mental illness

Hospital chaplaincy with patients, staff & families

Luke 21:25-36

25 “And there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars, and on the earth anxiety of nations in perplexity of the sound of the sea and surf, 26 while people faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near.” 29 And Jesus told them a parable: “You see the fig tree and all the trees; 30 when they burst into leaf, you see for yourselves and you know that summer is near; 31 so also, when you see these things happening you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you that by no means will this generation pass away until all things will have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves lest your hearts become burdened with carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of life, so that the day comes upon you suddenly, 35 as a trap; for it will come on all who sit on the face of all the earth. 36 And be watchful at all times, begging that you may be able to escape all these things about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Translation by Keith Hamilton)

Reflection

This week marks the beginning of the new church. It is the season of Advent, which means coming or arrival, and is used to focus on the arrival of Jesus at the first Christmas, the presence of God arriving in our midst today, and the future coming of Jesus at the end of time.

It also coincides with the Christmas Bowl appeal. The Christmas Bowl appeal began in 1949 when Rev Frank Bryant, a Presbyterian minister invited people to Christmas Day lunch, placed an empty place setting with a bowl, and invited people to give equal to what their Christmas Day meal would have cost. The money was used to assist people in difficult circumstances. The idea caught on and became a feature of churches across Australia, and became known as the Christmas Bowl.

The focus areas for Christmas 2015 are: Vanuatu, Zimbabwe, Burma, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Tongan, and Gaza. Each week an Information sheet (over) will be provided that informs about the particular project. The Christmas Day offerings at all PM services will, according to our tradition, go to the Christmas Bowl appeal.

While PM is often the focus of fundraising events, it is a good that at certain times of the year we give attention to people and programs in other parts of the world.

Blessings, Keith Hamilton

Act for Peace with our local Partner Vanuatu Christian Council

distributed seeds and farming tools to revive homestead gardens.

Cookbooks - $10 each If you are looking for a Christmas gift or recipes to use over the Christmas period consider purchasing a copy of Westmead’s Adult Fellowship Cookbook. There are 115 pages of easy main meal recipes, including great salads, many mouth-watering deserts and lots, lots more.

We have 15 copies left, so if you would like a copy please see Liz de Reland (Leigh Memorial), Rev. Christine or Lorna Porter (Westmead).

All profit from the sale of cookbooks is donated to various Missions of the Church including Frontier Services (which has supported people of remote Australia for more than 100 years), Uniting World (overseas help to alleviate poverty, build peace and provide emergency relief through UnitingWorld Relief and Development), and Parramatta Mission. Total donations to the various missions for 2015 was $875.00.

시드니 조은 교회 Sydney Jo-Eun Church 13-48

첫 번째 대림절 주일 (1st The Advent of Sunday)

개회 찬송 (Entrance Hymn) 예배를 위한 묵상

예배의 부름 (Calling) 전현구 목사

송영 (Gloria)

사도신경 신앙고백 (The Apostle’s Creed) …………………………….다함께

찬양/찬송 (Chorus & Hymns)

기도 (Prayer) 다함께

주기도문송

성경 봉독 (Scripture Reading)

말씀 (Preaching)- 전현구 목사

성찬 및 봉헌 찬송 (Holy Communion & Offertory Hymn)

나눔과 알림 (Announcement & Notices)

폐회 찬송 (Final Hymn)

축도 (Benediction) 전현구 담임목사

새 6장 통 2장

새105장 통 105장

새270장 통214장

마가복음 15:42-47

인정과 비난 사이

새 635 장 하늘에 계신 우리 아버지

새341장 통367장

수요기도회 :오후 7시

고린도전서15:50-58

새벽기도회 : 오전6시

고전15:20-암2:3

QT나눔 & 성경공부

주일 오후4:00

할렐루야! 오늘 함께 예배드린 여러분에게 주님이 주시는 평안이 충만하시길 축복합니다

성령충만함으로 주께서 주신 사명 잘 감당하는 건강한 교회로 세워지길 기도합니다

매일 성경으로 묵상하는 QT를 하고 적용하는 훈련을 합니다.

한 영혼을 구원하는 전도에 자원하는 마음으로 열심히 동참합니다.

오랫동안 기다리던 주님

변찮는 주님의 사랑과

성부 성자 성령께

주일 예배오후 1시

십자가를 내가 지고

새502장 통 259장 빛의 사자들이여 어서가서(1)

Fijian Congregation

Vunau Vunau Lesi Vunau

Vakarau

Tuvakarau

Veiliutaki

Tali

Vunau

06-Dec Inise Foiakau Josefa Foiakau M.2

13-Dec Rev. Keith

Hamilton Fil Kamotu Youth

20-Dec Rooty Hill Sosi Toa Anare Vocea M3 M3

Weekly News

Vinaka vakalevu, Thank you WESTMEAD Congregation and Talatala

Christine for your hospitality

Congratulations to VARANISESE ROGIMURI who graduated with

Associate Degree in Law at Sothern Cross University. Totoka na

gugumatua!!

Our well wishes to OzTag and support team representing Fiji at the

OzTag WorldCup at Sunshine Coast this week

Vakavinavinaka na veiqaravi ni coi ni ti kei keimudou na tiko rawa ena

AGM ni Parramatta Mission ena Vakarauwai sa oti

Bose ni Dauvunau Vakarauwai 12/12 ena 3pm

Bose ni Vale ni Lotu ena Vakarauwai 12/12 ena 4pm

In our prayers, reflections and conversations... We remember and support victims of domestic violence.

Numbers continue to grow, and lives are impacted daily. We

need to educate our families and friends, and stand together as

a community that says NO to VIOLENCE against women

Today with PI & other communities in

Sydney, we MARCH IN RED, raising

awareness and representing those in the frontline

facing the effects of climate change

Worship Services at Parramatta Mission

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

Tuesday 1.10pm Holy Communion @ Leigh

Sunday 9.30am Leigh Memorial Congregation @ Leigh

9.45am Westmead Congregation @ Westmead

11.15am Leigh Fijian Congregation @ Leigh

1.30pm Korean Faith Community @ Leigh

7.00pm Praise, Prayer, Cake & Coffee @ Leigh

Our Congregations are committed to praying for our Congregations, Staff and the People we walk with in their journey of recovery:

Liberia, Sierra Leone

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

For the worship, witness and service of: Cawdor UC: Pray for this small congregation in the extreme south of the Presbytery as they “go it alone”, having separated from the previous relationship with nearby congregations. Pray for Rev Roger Hibbard as he exercises a part-time placement as chaplain to Wirreanda Retirement Village in West Pennant Hills in addition to his commitments to Cawdor and chaplaincy elsewhere. PM Leigh Fijian: Dale Nawalevu, Kula Diqoliwasa, Niko Balavu, Bera Family. For

the congregation, continuing the process of calling a new minister PM Leigh Memorial: Frank & Lynn; Ken and Nell. Col, Willamena. PM Westmead: Robyne, Deidre and husband, Rajes (Sandra), Phyllis, Billie, Vita,

Satik, Nancy, Mrs R, Olivia, Ruth, baby James and family, Michelle and family, Don, Soo Ling and family, Caroline A, Ashima and Anusha Saxena, Spencer and family, Scott and family and Paul and Eileen.

PM UnitingHospitality; UnitingHope; UnitingRecovery; Pray for grace for all, healing and wholeness, wisdom, patience, diligence and fulfilment in work.

For staff: the work on the building redevelopment in Parramatta and renovations at Westmead

Prayers for the preparations for Christmas

Senior Minister/Group CEO Rev Keith Hamilton 0417 487 446 Leigh Memorial Congregation Rev Dr Manas Ghosh 0429 892 548 Leigh Memorial Church 119 Macquarie St Parramatta

Leigh Fijian Congregation: 9891 2277

Westmead Mission Worker Pastor Trish Rooney Mobile: 0478 301 698

Westmead Congregation Rev Christine Bayliss Kelly 0409 925 607

Westmead Church 175 Hawkesbury Road Westmead: 98919354 Church Office: 9891 2277 Email : wecare@parramattamission.org.au

Prayer Points

Contacts