Uniter MARCH 2018

Communion beyond the walls

Page 4

In the Philippines Page 2

Easter Services Page 2

A MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTER

Dear friends,

Many of you know that I am currently completing my Master’s dissertation. This process of research, writing, and stress (!) has taught me much about myself as researcher and those I interviewed during January. The dissertation is based on the stories of transition which our seniors tell about their experience of moving into a retirement village. I have listened intently to stories of adjustment and coping as well as grief and loss. One of the key areas of discovery is how important friendships are in this process of change and transition. A “being-in-community” is, I think, our real identity. Our communal life at St. Matthew’s is one of “spaces in our togetherness” – to quote Kahlil Gibran. While referring to marriage specifically, this phrase opens up possibilities for us in community here. We respect each other’s space, individuality, unique journey, and need for solitude, while at the same time embracing our togetherness as a “gathered community” within the Uniting

Church. This togetherness finds expression in many groups within our church. Such groups enable us to get to know each other better and in so doing to open up possibilities for support and friendship. These networks of relationship are especially significant during times of transition. Such moments of transition involve a combination of loss and new beginning. We all face these transitions which at times are quite stressful and difficult. Going it alone is especially tough. How can we come alongside one another at these times and, in the words of the song, “walk the mile and bear the load”?

Blessings for Easter!

Dirk

BILIDAN and BEYOND

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St Matt’s in the Philippines

It's almost like going home now, our annual trip to

the Philippines! The welcoming smiles and hugs,

the familiar sights, smells and tastes, the

acknowledgement of progress as we see changes

being made.

This trip saw our ‘apo’ (grandchild) Jennifer come

with us, to see what she hears so much about.

Of course Bilidan is home base and the children

were, as always, beautiful, smiling and polite. They

explored their boxes then gleefully packed

everything into the library bags they had been

given. We were asked if we would be back.....they

hoped we would. We told them that we would

never forget Bilidan and the playground erupted

into cheers and dancing.

They told us that they pray for our church asking

for it to be richly blessed.

The same happiness and love was repeated at the

nearby Damires school and the Special Ed unit in

New Lucena.

A happy day full of love and laughter.

Next day was a first for all of us - we were being

taken that morning to the local hospital, a

government run institution that cares for the

poorest of the poor. Many of these children and

their families are homeless, many sleeping on the

nearby riverbank.

Our host for the day was a beautiful lady, Eva -

she runs a charity that cares for these children.

The paediatric ward is a locked area behind huge

padlocked metal doors. The 70 beds usually

accommodate 100 or so children, up to three

babies to a bed and children sleeping on benches.

Little ones seemed to be housed in the corridor,

sort of squeezed in wherever they fit. Five, or

maybe more, children suffering from leukaemia sat

together on their beds in an open room and three

newborn babies shared the same bed for their

phototherapy treatment.

Eva, our friend, runs a charity that raises money to

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BILIDAN and BEYOND (continued)

pay for the treatment for these beautiful children. she

also goes with toys (when she has them) for them to

play with in bed. The doctor there told us that the

difference she makes is priceless.

It seemed moderately inadequate as we handed out

the gifts we had brought for them - teddy bears,

colouring books, crayons, and stickers. We chatted

to the mums and dads and tried to tiptoe around

sleeping parents curled up wherever they found a

spot.

Again, as always in this amazing place ....the smiles.

Whilst we were fighting back the tears they were

smiling, thanking us and blessing our church.

As we were leaving to go to Barangay Gustilo, our

next port of call and a whole other story, we heard

Eva talking (quietly) to her helper, Rose. Rose was

off to try and raise the money for 15 month old Mikie,

suffering from leukaemia. They almost had enough

for that day's treatment. In Jennifer's name we paid

for that day. Mikie’s mother had tears and the

workers had smiles. Mikie however needed three

days of treatment - our friend Louise paid day two

and St Matt's paid the cost for day three. He now

had a full week of leukemia treatment for less than

$60!

Eva has promised to let us know how "St. Matt's

Mikie" is doing.

This trip was an eye opener, a heart warmer and a

heart breaker.

Can't wait to go back to our Bilidan.

Jane Cole

COMMUNION BEYOND THE WALLS

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When you can no longer come to Holy Communion in the

Church building, it is good to know that Communion can

come to you.

Have you noticed recently that, during the Communion Service in the Church, Dirk also welcomes to

the communion table those who are located in places beyond the Church building? As you can see in

the accompanying pictures, the portable communion set that Dirk received when he was ordained

has found its way to people’s homes, over 55s’ villages, and nursing homes. I have been using

extensions of the monthly Communion service so people with mobility restrictions are included in one

of the few rituals of the Uniting Church. It is an activity that brings people together and which

embodies a core value of St. Matthew’s.

Mike Strong

Garage Sale Saturday 21 APRIL,

8am to 11am

Pre-loved goods & electrical,

plants, toys, books, clothes,

sausage sizzle & morning teas.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

KOINONIA

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Hello everyone, I am a candidate for Ministry of

the Word. My name is Sunny Lee. I will tell you

about my life and ministry at St. Matthew’s. I give

thanks to God for giving me this precious

opportunity to tell my story.

It has been almost six months since I came to

St. Matthew’s in a field education placement. I can

clearly remember the feeling of the day when I

started to attend services. It was the third Sunday

of June 2017 when the church held a combined

service, and after that, the AGM was held. The

special service and event gave me a good

opportunity to be introduced to the whole

congregation at once. The people were excited on

that Sunday when we gathered together and took

time to look back on the church’s work for the

year. At the same time, I was also impressed to

see that all the people were greeting each other

warmly while preparing their jobs for the

community.

In St. Matthew’s there are three kinds of worship

services on Sundays. Each service is very

different in terms of ages, worship style and mood.

Yet, all the people enjoy belonging to the church.

Each time before and after all the services, people

enjoy talking to each other, smiling at new-comers

and preparing for the worship in their roles as

musicians, liturgists, prayers etc. The whole

picture of every Sunday allows me to hear the

beating of St. Matthew’s heart and also makes me

feel a part of St. Matthew’s.

For me to feel a part of St. Matthew’s is God’s

grace. Before coming to St. Matthew’s I was a little

bit nervous because of my being new to the

congregation. At the same time, I felt excited

about meeting new people. But also I felt

responsible since here was my first field education

placement. I thought I had a particular assignment

about my ministry. That was a kind of

responsibility to me, which made me focus

narrowly on the process of formation. However,

thanks to the warm and friendly heart of the

church community, I could settle down into this

new environment comfortably and easily. I really

appreciated being accepted as a member of the

ministry team.

The more I got involved or visited the various

activities and worship services in St. Matthew’s,

the more I came to see the space of

St. Matthew’s, where there are different activities

occurring at the same time, where different people

are gathering for ‘Koinonia’, which means

relationship in God’s community. A few of these

activities I have been involved in are: the different

Sunday services, Teen Plus, Christian meditation,

playgroups on Thursdays, youth and young adults’

gatherings, and elders’ and Church Council

meetings. They reflected the relationship between

the wider church and the local church. St.

Matthew’s is making room for communities to

gather and practise Christian belief and pastoral

relationships among the people. These places

bring about a space of safety, reconciliation and

pastoral caring. The gathering in particular places

and particular times inspires me about the locality

of the church. The particularity of St. Matthew’s as

a local church and community, even though it is

limited in terms of space and people, represents

the Church, the body of Christ. The relationships

of the body of Christ at St. Matthew’s can make

creative space connected to God’s wider

community.

Each worship service at St. Matthew’s is led by

diverse people. The worship services are

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RELATIONSHIP IN GOD’S COMMUNITY

designed by lay people as well as the ministerial

team. In particular, the roster of liturgists and

musicians enables diverse people to serve God

with their special gifts. As a ministry team member

of St. Matthew’s I was able to experience preparing

worship together and sharing our own different gifts

and inspirational worship services.

I have been privileged to preach sermons and lead

liturgies during many Sunday services. I think these

precious opportunities will continue until the end of

my field education period at St. Matthew’s. It is a

beautiful opportunity for me to practise liturgy and

preaching in front of such a large and diverse

congregation.

I cannot forget the time when I first stood in front of

the congregation. Even though I was very new and

a strange person compared to the other established

liturgists or preachers, I was welcomed. At that

moment, I could feel that the people were really

encouraging me to preach God’s word. I am sure

that the moment of standing to preach for the first

time at St. Matthew’s will support me whenever I

am in the middle of nervousness in my future life

and ministry, because the people really gave me

heartfelt encouragement.

Lastly, I am learning ministry from my educator

through weekly meetings. I am encouraged and

mentored to focus on my strengths and

weaknesses to become ready for ministry. This

experience of learning provides me with a variety of

perspectives for facing diverse issues of our faith

life. Also, I take part in ministry team meetings

which gives me appropriate understanding of the

people and an opportunity to learn to work with

others.

I give thanks to God for giving me a good

opportunity to break through my comfort zones,

which enables me to extend and apply my

theological knowledge and Christian belief in a

practical context, in this beautiful field education

placement at St. Matthew’s.

Sunny Lee

Thinking of

joining a

Play Group?

St. Matthew’s offers a friendly, safe environment for you and your children to meet new friends, and join in activities including craft, toys, library and singing.

We are also able to accommodate

mothers’ groups who would like to join

us or even start a new play group.

St. Matthew’s, Baulkham Hills Uniting Church

Cnr. Edgar & Charles Streets, Baulkham Hills

Play Group Thursday 9.30amPlay Group Thursday 9.30am

Grandparents Play Group Wednesday 9.30amGrandparents Play Group Wednesday 9.30am

Contact the Church Office 9686 3003

St. Matthew’s Lane,

Cnr Edgar and Charles Streets

Baulkham Hills 2153

If you would prefer to receive future Uniter publications via email please contact the

Church Office

office@stmatthewsuniting.net.au

THANK YOU to the editor Melissa Gibson Darling

and all who contributed to this edition

of Uniter.

Pe opl e to c ontact

Minister Rev Dirk van Doorene 9686 3003

Children, Youth and Young Daniel Gibb 9686 3003 Adults Ministry Worker

Seniors Pastoral Carer Mike Strong 9686 3003

Candidate for Ministry Sunny Lee 9686 3003

Church Office Ph: 9686 3003

Fax: 9686 2034

(Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-3pm Robyn Morrall & Lynn Samuel)

Website: www.stmatthewsuniting.net.au

Email: office@stmatthewsuniting.net.au

Facebook: @stmatthewsunitingchurchbaulkhamhills

Post: PO BOX 773 Baulkham Hills 1755

—————————————————————————————

St. Matthew’s Pre-School

– Director Anne Mayberry 96398570

PO Box 321 Baulkham Hills 2153 Email: stmatthewsps@bigpond.com

—————————————————————————————

Uniter Editor : Melissa Gibson Darling 9686 3003

Sunday Worship Times at St. Matthew’s

Traditional Worship Service 8am

Family Worship Service & KUCA 9.30am

Contemporary Worship 6.45pm

EASTER SERVICES

Palm Sunday 8am, 9.30am and 6.45pm Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Good Friday 9am Easter Sunday 8am, 9.30am and 6.45pm

PO Box 773 BAULKHAM HILLS NSW 1755

Uniter Newslet ter March 2018

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