Lenten Reflection Opportunities

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.

 

Mission Outreach Ministry Team and Environment Action Group Meetings

Here’s a quick update regarding these ministry and mission teams.

Mission Outreach Ministry Team

  • The team is not meeting monthly but rather staying in touch via the phone.
  • Material support for refugees is still available but now happening by appointment and with contactless pickup.
  • Bread deliveries are not happening at the moment as Ken has “retired” as the organiser.  This wonderful connecting ministry has been deeply appreciated by many refugee families over the years and we are grateful for all the volunteers who have helped to make it happen.  There is certainly an opportunity for another leader to take up this ministry, should you feel a call and have a van – though we will need to navigate our way through protocols needed to keep everyone safe during the COVID19 pandemic.

Environment Action Group

  • Is not meeting monthly but group members are keeping in touch with one another and doing what online action that they can
  • Recycling can still be dropped off at the church during open times
  • Repair Cafe is suspended until it is safe for groups to meet again

 

House Church Sunday 19th July: A Christian Perspective on Racism

Black Lives Matter  …  All Lives Matter  …  A Christian Perspective on Racism.

Date:                Sunday 19 July 2020

Time:                5.00 pm to 7.00 pm

Venue:              Zoom meeting.  Link to be advised.

Speaker:           David Manks.


Please find attached Background Papers.  You are not necessarily expected to read all of the Background Papers in preparation for House Church.  However, if you could read some it will assist our discussion.  This discussion has been rescheduled from the June meeting, which was abandoned because only a few could attend.

Background Papers

Supper:            NA

Worship:          Judy Clark

Apologies:       St Luke’s Office info@stlukesuca.org.au or 5244 2997

COVID19 Update 19th March 2020

Dear St Luke’s Friends,

Grace and Peace to you all.  First, some wonderful news for our community.  Council is very pleased to advise that Shaghek Qassabyan has been appointed as our Community Ministry Worker for 12 months at 16 hours per week.  Shaghek will be working with newcomer families to provide support and to help build connections between the existing congregation and those Christians and other friends joining us from other places.  Many of you will know her from Messy Church and other small groups in St Luke’s. Welcome Shaghek! 

Changed arrangements due to COVID19 pandemic

As we find our way through these uncertain times, we are more than ever aware of the God who holds us in the palm of their hand, who comforts us in distress, and who gives us courage and energy to be the “salt” and “light” of the world, bringing hope and a sense of peace through troubled times.

We make these arrangements understanding that as we are now in a State of Emergency, government directions may require us to quickly make further changes.  Please follow Government directions if they are in conflict with these St Luke’s plans.

To slow the spread of infection and to protect the vulnerable in the community, Council have made the following changes to our normal ways of gathering.  Some of our people have already taken steps to quarantine themselves to protect themselves and others from infection, and we fully support and understand their decision.

Our strong message to you is that no-one is required to attend any gathering if they are not comfortable to do so.  Each person needs to make their own decision about what is right for their situation.

Sunday Worship

At this stage, Sunday worship will proceed with the following changes:

  • A shorter,reflective 30 minute service which will be recorded
  • Attendees are recommended to keep a distance of 2 metres apart from one another, and we’ll be encouraging washing/sanitising of hands when you arrive.
  • Suspension of Rosters.  – there will be no welcoming/ushers/collection/communion tasks, so there are no ‘jobs’ that you have to come to do.
  • No morning tea after worship at Church

Church Open Times during the week

The Church will be open for prayers on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:00am.  

The prayer space in the Sanctuary will be available for people who wish to light a candle and pray.  People are advised to keep the 2 metre (about 6 feet) distance and to observe all hygiene precautions.

Pastoral Care

Those St Luke’s people who are part of a small group that meets regularly are encouraged to support one another and make their own decisions about whether and how to gather.  Could all leaders please advise the office of their plans in this regard on 5244 2997 or email info@stlukesuca.org.au.

The Pastoral Care team will be checking in with those people not connected to a small group by phone on a regular basis.  If you don’t belong to a group and would like to connect with the team, please contact the office on 5244 2997 or email info@stlukesuca.org.au.

Pastoral matters over this time will be co-ordinated by Barbara Murphy.  Rev. Paul Stephens will co-ordinate arrangements relating to people who are in hospital.  Paul can be contacted on 5244 2997 or email paul.stephens@stlukesuca.org.au.

Other ways to gather

A common life – prayers from wherever you are

Leaders are gathering resources we may use for daily prayers that we can commit to pray together even though we are in our own homes, at the same time each day, perhaps in the morning or at a mealtime.  We will send these out soon. Your suggestions for prayers are welcome!

Social Platforms

St Luke’s has two kinds of social media platforms – those that are “broadcast” platforms which share news from the church to the community, and those which allow us within the church to talk to one another in an online group.

Our broadcast platforms are:

These are the virtual spaces we will use to deliver sermon recordings and other messages.

Our group platforms are:

We will be hosting live gatherings in the Facebook group – please join in!

We are also exploring ways we can link people together by telephone, particularly if you don’t have the internet at home.

Offering plate

If you are someone who normally puts an envelope in the offering plate each week, we invite you to consider a different way to transfer funds if you are choosing to stay at home. This would enable you to still financially support our church community.  We do understand that many of you may need to revise your giving in light of the economic shocks that are underway. If you would like to make any changes to your giving arrangements, please contact the office to be put in touch with our recorder Judy.

Weekly News Sheet

The weekly news sheet will be replaced by a short weekly bulletin with essential information only.  Copies will not be printed and handed out at Sunday worship but will be emailed via our list. If do not already receive the news sheet via email, you can sign up here: http://eepurl.com/cF8cYb

Office Open Hours

Robyn will be working from home as much as possible and so the office will often have no-one there.  The answering machine, post and email will be checked regularly. 

Cancellations

The following regular groups have notified the office that their activities are suspended until further notice:

We have also been informed that the SacredEdge festival in Queenscliff will not run this year.

St Luke’s Preschool continues to operate as per Government advice.  

Refugee support from the chapel will be co-ordinated between Rae Anderson and Shaghek on an as-needs basis.  

Annual Congregational Meeting

The Annual Meeting due this month will be postponed, however the Annual Report including the Financial Report will be emailed or delivered (if possible).  We will contact Presbytery as to how we should complete the business we would have discussed at the meeting. It is fairly clear that the Budget for 2020 will need to be adjusted in light of reduced income due to COVID19 impacts.

Practical Help

Finally, if you find that the social distancing measures mean that you have a little more time on your hands, you may like to volunteer to help keep the congregation connected and supported via phone calls, prayers, and practical help – this can include helping with online communication and gatherings.  Please contact the office if you would like to help! Thank you to those who have already offered to help, we will be following up shortly.

Care for yourselves and others

I leave you with some wise words from Kirsten, who sends us a lovely box of organic veggies each week, about the simple things we can do to stay well mentally and physically:

Eat simple, clean foods – loads of fresh produce to boost your immune system. I’ve never been so excited about fresh garlic, ginger and lemon water 😉

Go quietly and potter – Time in the kitchen and garden. Fermenting, souping, juicing, cooking, digging and weeding. Or read that book. Minimising time on social media and news watching and doing things to keep yourself grounded minimises stress levels and keeps the immune system happy.

Spend time outdoors in nature – I truly adore sunlight, fresh air, cold ocean dips and time in the veggie patch. It reminds you of all the good stuff in the world!

Help someone – going forward will be isolating times for people. But we are all in this together. Can you do something to help others feel connected? I am a huge fan of leaving goodies at front doors with a little note of love. When we all work together – humanity shines.

Gratitude – It’s a time of great reflection on how as a society, we live, eat and walk through this world. There is so much to be grateful for and also so much room for change.

Go gently this week and spread kindness!!!

May you feel God’s calming presence in the coming weeks, 

Robyn Hodge

For Church Council

 

May House Church – an interfaith experience

Buddhist hands resting

May House Church

Date:  Sunday 26 May 2019.  Please note not the usual 3rd Sunday this month.

Venue: Drol Kar Buddhist Centre,  625 Nortons Rd, Paraparap VIC.  Ph: 5266 1788.

https://www.drolkarbuddhistcentre.org/

Time:  1.15 pm meet in the car park.  1.30 pm meet Karen Mayer and Valerie Druce at the Centre (walk through the large steel gate).

Activity:  After a discussion about Buddhism with Karen and Valerie and a tour of the Centre, the Drol Kar community will provide afternoon tea for us.  Shoes must be removed to go into the temple, so it is recommended that you wear comfortable slip ons.

RSVP:  by midday Friday 24 May 2019  ph: 5244 2997 or email info@stlukesuca.org.au

Weekly News Sheet 23rd July 2017

News Sheet Jul 23

St. Luke’s House Church recently celebrated it’s 20 year anniversary.  Here’s an excerpt of the History of House Church and some photos from the Anniversary Celebration:

Rev. David Manks, one of the founding leaders of House Church

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.”

The History of St Luke’s House Church June 2017

The 20th Anniversary celebrations were a great opportunity to catch up with long time friends.

Animate monthly on Wednesdays

animate practises logo

A new opportunity to gather with the St Luke’s faith community to explore the Animate Practises study series.

A new small group gathering is commencing next month, monthly on the first Wednesday from 7:30 – 8:30 at the Saravanan’s place in Highton.  If you can’t get out of the house you can still join us via Skype!

Check out the session guide here

Meeting dates are:

  1. Wednesday 4th November 2015
  2. Wednesday 2nd December 2015
  3. Wednesday 3rd February 2016
  4. Wednesday 2nd March 2016
  5. Wednesday 6th April 2016 (this date may be changed as it falls in school holidays)
  6. Wednesday 4th May 2016
  7. Wednesday 1st June 2016

To join please email Linda: lindasaravanan@gmail.com