Works are underway to replace the ceiling of the Driveway Portico at St Luke’s.
This may affect access to the front door of the building. If the front door is fenced off, entry to the building will be either from the Courtyard at the rear of the building, or from the Eastern Foyer door – accessible through the Green fence gate to the left of the front of the building.
The plan for the works is as follows:
Friday 5th March – Electrician to remove existing lights
Tuesday 9th March – Install temporary barricade and remove existing asbestos ceiling and battens
Wednesday 10th March – Start installation of new ceiling
Monday 22nd March – Painter to start prep and painting ceiling
Thursday 25th March – Electrician to refit lights
Friday 26th March – Handover completed works
Please call the office 52442997 if you have any further queries about the works.
Here’s what some of the people of St Luke’s are praying for this week – you might like to add your own prayers too.
Praise and Thanksgiving.
Praise God for the many volunteers who are active in our community and church.
Thankyou Lord, that our buildings are again open, and being used by community groups.
We give thanks for new babies arriving in our community this week
Praise God that Shaghek has successfully started a play group for recently arrived mums and bubs, and for the ministry of advocacy and support she is providing to families as they seek housing in a very difficult rental market.
Prayers for others
For the health and well-being of everyone receiving the COVID vaccinations and for those responsible in administering the roll out.
For friends and family who maybe feeling emotionally fragile, also those we know who are unwell and receiving treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with their caregivers and the professionals supporting them.
We pray for peace in countries where many suffer from cold and hunger. May the hearts of their leaders be filled with a desire for understanding and resolution rather than conflict.
Our special prayers are with families who are separated by distance and for those who have come to our shores for protection and safety. Lord bless them with reassurance as we support them.
The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania meets approximately every 18 months to hear reports, discern proposals, and discuss matters that concern the general oversight, direction and administration of the life of the Church.
Originally scheduled for November 2020, due to the impacts of COVID-19 it was decided that the Synod meeting be deferred until February 2021 and to be held as a virtual (online) meeting from February 26-February 28.
Rather than a challenge, the Synod Business Committee invites the Church to see the opportunities which this new way of meeting presents.
Synod 2021 is an opportunity to gather together the breadth of today’s Church.
The entire meeting, excluding any member-only sessions, will be broadcast live for members of the wider church.
We have an online fundraising Team for Lent Event this year – you can join our team and start your own fundraising page to encourage your friends and family to donate to Lent Event in 2021 where our help is needed now more than ever!
In all of the change that happens around us, one of the constant aspects of our faith journey at St Luke’s is the annual cycle of the liturgical calendar, marking the seasons of Jesus’ journey on earth.
Tomorrow we commence the period of Lent – 40 days of reflection and sacrifice as we imagine the time spent by Jesus in the desert, grappling with fears and temptations.
If you are looking for some resources to use as part of your devotional time during Lent, here are some suggestions:
Common Grace
Every year at Easter, Common Grace brings a Lent series based on the central teachings of Jesus. In 2021 they’ve put together a compilation series from Christian teachers, who show us what it looks like when justice overflows from following Jesus.
To sign up to their weekly Lenten emails, click here.
Uniting World’s Lent Event
UnitingWorld is the part of the Uniting Church with the privilege of nurturing relationships with our global church family, and we love the season of Lent! Through Lent Event, we provide a Bible Study series to help you think through what it means to be a global neighbour, and encourage you to take action with a 40-day challenge to give or take up something that helps make the world a better place. With stories that show how your prayers and gifts are building hope and ending poverty around the world, we aim to cultivate generosity, compassion and awareness of others.
If you’re ready to take a new look at Lent, go for a deep dive online to find resources, and check out www.lentevent.com.au for simple ways to get involved.
Messy Church is one place we can mark special transitions. Photo credit: Elizabeth Stoel
From Barbara and the Messy Church Team:
Welcome Back to Face-to Face Messy Church at St Luke’s Highton!
We really can’t wait to see you all again as it has been a while since we met in person and had fun at Messy Church! We are starting cautiously due to the ever-changing COVID restrictions regarding numbers allowed inside.
So ….here are our plans so far…………
Messy Church in February
Friday 19th February 5-7pm At Drewan Park
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS
Our first meeting will be outside at Drewan Park, City View Drive, Wandana Heights – just up the hill from St Luke’s and where we had our picnic last Sunday. It’s a great park with a good view and plenty of facilities.
Theme: The Good Samaritan- we will be planning our usual bundle of fun Messy Church activities outside amongst nature. BYO food and chairs.
Here’s a kid-friendly version of the story:
And here’s a perspective on the Good Samaritan parable from one of the First Nations Christian Leaders – Brooke Prentice of Common Grace – and where she sees the situation of Aboriginal people in this story.
Messy Church Dates for the remainder of 2021 – put these in your diary!
Friday 19th March– Back at St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm- Easter themes including a Labyrinth and New Life activities- sounds intriguing! Stay tuned!
Friday 16th April -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 21st May -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 18th June -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 16th July -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 20th August -St Luke’s Church , 5-7pm
Friday 17th September – St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm
Friday 15th October -St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm
Friday 19th November– St Luke’s Church, 5-7pm
See you soon!
Love from your Messy Church Team: Judy, Shaghek, Paul, Barbara, Jean and Robyn xxxxx
Whatever life gives you and wherever life takes you, there is always a story. Life and relationships all begin and are sustained in the context of a story. This is not a how-to-do-it-right book as much as it is a book of stories–personal stories from the author, biblical stories, and stories of ordinary grandparents and grandchildren who have been willing to share their own stories with which you may be able to identify and be encouraged in your own adventures of grandparenting.
This is a book for everyone that either has biological grandchildren or has the potential to influence the lives of non-biological youth and children in the role of grandparenting. This is also a book for churches to consider while planning for ministry to bring generations together in meaningful interactions, and in doing so, to create space for generations to share their stories and share in God’s overarching Story of reconciling the world . . . one story at a time.
The lawns at St Luke’s are very “hairy” at this time of year! Volunteers are needed to mow sections of the remaining lawn around the buildings. Some can be done by ride-on mower and other parts are push mower only.
Volunteers able to do the job saves the church hundreds of dollars per year, money that can be directed towards Ministry and Mission with refugees, and keeping our facilities affordable for community groups like choirs and Repair Cafe by subsidising venue hire fees.
Mowing can be done at times and frequency to suit our volunteers. If you are able to help on a regular, semi-regular or even a one-off basis, please contact Ken Anderson via the office on 5244 2997.
Mark the 18th to the 25th of April in your calendars because we are invited to share in 7 days of solidarity with our partners from all over the world.
