Our Vision

A Community Transforming Lives

Our Values, Grace, Inclusion, Dignity, Faith and Hope

Congregational life @ Westmead & Parramatta, Hospitality, Community and

Mental Health Services across Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter and

Mid-North Coast

OUR NEWS for 24th December 2017

LEIGH Congregation

ONE SLEEP TO GO…IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE @ LEIGH MEMORIAL! Our Christmas Eve service on 24 December will commence at the regular time of 9.30am. Remember: our combined Christmas Day service this year will be at the NEW time of 9.00am.

Sunday School @ Leigh wishes everyone a very ‘Happy Christmas’! KIDS & YOUTH NEWS Well done to our HSC & Uni students this year on their great results! Prayers for all as they start their study and/or career paths in 2018, and blessings for our school students & families as they embark on the summer holiday break. A reminder to the parents of children attending our summer services: colouring-in and activity pages/pencils are available from the stewards. Our Sunday School & Youth Group will resume in February. PASTORAL MESSAGE Continued thoughts & prayers for all within our congregation and beyond who are unwell, caring for loved ones, or grieving this Advent season. Please convey prayer requests to our Prayer Chain or the LEAP group. Requests for practical assistance including lifts to church, may be given to the Leaders or Manas. Contact numbers, as needed, are the PM office: 9891-2277 or Manas: 0429 892 548. For those unable to make it to church with us this week - we are thinking of you and wishing you and yours a truly happy and blessed Christmas, and God’s peace in 2018. “HAPPY CHRISTMAS” FROM THE LEADERS TEAM Blessings this Christmas and New Year from the Leigh Memorial Leaders’ Team: Bruce, Liz, Samantha, Robyn, Malcolm, Samantha, Moses and Fiona. We hope that everyone has a happy and restorative break, and gathers fresh energy for the big tasks ahead in 2018. Thanks for everyone’s kind support during the year.

Foster your faith this week

Is 61:10-62:3 Ps 148

Gal 4:4-7 Lk 2:22-40

WORSHIP COMMITTEE: “THANK YOU” It takes a lot of effort each week to make our worship time possible. Thanks to everyone - from our PA team to our stewards/welcomers, those who set-up & serve communion, play music/sing, do bible readings & prayers - and everything in between, including all the ‘unseen’ things that make a big difference. Much appreciated! PROPERTY COMMITTEE REMINDER: HOLIDAY SECURITY Please remember to turn off lights, fans, air con & all other appliances plus lock doors and pack-up neatly when using the premises. This is mandatory and applies to all congregations & groups, both internal and external. Security or property concerns should be directed to the office: 9891-2277 or the Ministers/Leaders. JANUARY & FEBRUARY @ LEIGH MEMORIAL January services (9.30am): 7

th - 14

th - 21

st & 28

th

(Evening Congregation arrangements to be advised). (NB: Most Leigh Memorial programs/groups take a well-deserved break in January & resume in February). Thursday 1 February: Future Directions meeting (Clive) Sunday 4 February: Sunday School Returns/ SPOW (Beverly)/ Leaders meeting(Manas/Bruce) Monday 5 February: Couples & Friends (C & F leaders) Friday 9 February: ‘Food Safari’ Dinner Outing (Moses) Sunday 11 February: Pancakes Morning Tea (Sunday School)/ Worship Committee meeting Saturday 24 February: Introductory ‘Safe Church’ Workshop (Rev. Christine)

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE PM

HERITAGE COMMITTEE Parramatta Mission’s work began in 1815-16, with the arrival from England of its first

Minister, Rev Samuel Leigh. Riding on horseback, Leigh brought a message of hope

and benevolence to Sydney’s West, and a spirit of outreach consolidated by the

establishment of the Mission’s first Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Parramatta, in 1821.

Through the efforts of Rev Walter and Mrs Mary Lawry, a Sunday School was also

commenced at this time. With over 200 years of history behind it, Parramatta Mission

enjoys a strong connection to the City of Parramatta, a commitment to heritage

preservation and a support-base for future growth and development. Established in

2009, the Mission’s Heritage Committee consists of members drawn from the three

Parramatta Mission congregations: Leigh Memorial (first chapel est. 1821),

Westmead (first church est. 1962) and Leigh Fijian (est. 1991).

The first chapel of 1821, the third church (Leigh Memorial) of 1885, and rare view

looking west, c. 1950

Focusing our efforts on research, archiving/preservation, the writing of history and both

congregational and community education − a highlight of the committee’s work in the

past year was coordinating the Mission’s acknowledgement of the Uniting Church in

Australia’s 40th Anniversary. Within a celebratory program including an anniversary

service and luncheon, the committee also launched a collaborative book titled: Pilgrim

People: 40 years of the Uniting Church in Australia, 1977−2017 - a Parramatta

Mission Reflection. It was the 7th heritage book from the Mission since 2010 and the

most popular to date, selling out within a few months. Thank to everyone involved.

During the past year at Parramatta, our committee has continued to assist churches and

members of the public with research and genealogical enquiries, and to provide key,

consultative

assistance to professional groups, including archaeologists, architects and stonemasons

conducting work or investigations at or near the Macquarie Street site. In May 2017,

Parramatta also hosted ‘The Big Dig’, a well-attended public lecture on the topic of

local Aboriginal History & Archaeology. At Westmead, Lorna has conducted further

research for a heritage project called ‘Cotswold to Queens’ (tracking the congregation’s

move to its current site in 1991), while Leigh Fijian continues to celebrate and record

its congregation’s rich bi-cultural heritage. The focus of heritage acknowledgements at

Parramatta Mission next year will be on the 200th anniversary of Rev Walter Lawry’s

arrival in Parramatta in 1818 – and the land grant provided by Gov. Lachlan Macquarie

which resulted in the opening of the Mission’s first chapel in 1821.

Thank you for your generous support of our heritage programs in 2017 & Happy

Christmas! Enquiries: Liz via 9891-2277

Veituvatuva eso

24/12 Siga Tabu 11.15am. Lesilesi vakai Talatala (Fiji Parish)

25/12 Lotu Cokovata ni Siga ni Sucu 9.00am

27/12 Vukelulu. Picnic Day ni Sunday School

29/12 Vakaraubuka 8am-4pm Bunning Sausage Sizzle

31/12 Siga Tabu. 11.15am So-Kalou ka vunau o Fil Kamotu ka sa Lotu talega ni vakavinavinaka ni Tawase ni Yabaki

7/1 Lotu Vula Vou kei na Vakayakavi ni Turaga. Rev Viniana Ravetali

21/1 Sigatabu 11.15am Veidigidigi ni tutu ni veiqaravi

25-28/1 Koniferedi Vakaviti e Salvation Army Collaroy Centre, Collaroy

Me nomuni na marau ni Siga ni Sucu

ni Gone Turaga ko Jisu Karisito

WESTMEAD Congregation

DEEPENING FAITH and RELATIONSHIPS with others Worship- Sundays 9.45am Bible Study- Mondays 2.00-3.30pm Resumes 5

th Feb

Fellowship- Tuesday 6th Feb 2.00pm Next Meeting 6

th Feb

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Time Out Café (TOC)- Tues/Thurs 11.00-1.30pm Resumes 30

th Jan

Open Door -Wednesdays 1.00-3.30pm Resumes 31st Jan

Tai Chi- Fridays 10.00-11.00am Dec resumes 2nd

Feb

ELECTIONS Congratulations to the following people who have been elected as leaders/elders for the Westmead Congregation: Robyne, Lorna and Karen (Elders for 1 year term), Naomi, Pandora and Margaret as congregational leaders for 2018. Thanks so much for your support as we move into 2018.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Alyssa who did very well in her HSC. She received all band 5s and her ATAR was very good as well. Please pray for her as she makes the transition from High School to University.

MAYFLOWER CAROLS AND LESSONS This was a wonderful time with many people coming to join us for the service and for lunch. Special thanks to Robyn Hallinan for playing the piano. Special thanks to Lorna, Mary, Mini, Alyssa and Alan who came to support us in the catering and the clean-up afterwards. We were also blessed with Sushila, May and others form Mayflower who assisted on the day.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Sunday 24

th 9.45am - Carols and Lessons

Monday 25th 9.00am - Christmas Day

DURING JANUARY There are many members of our congregation who live alone and find it difficult

over the long break across summer. During January Rev Christine will be at the

church for anyone wishing to come and have a cuppa and a catch up on

Wednesday mornings between 9.00 and 12.00pm. Please feel free to come and

join her.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Thank you to ALL who assisted with the congregational lunch last week. It was a wonderful meal and time together. We pray that all will have a joyous Christmas and a good rest over the holiday break.

Thank You to Winc Australia for the massive donations of food for our Christmas Hamper Drive, many families will be happier this Christmas all

thanks to your ongoing contribution.

William Clarke

College Choir

Fellowship Hall

Christmas giving

Christmas

at the

Mission

David Webster

(Thomson Kia & Keith

Hilltop School

Paul (Mealsplus)

Wishing you health and Happiness at

Christmas and throughout 2018

Tracey, Coral & Donna

Admin Team

Christmas at the Mission

Office with our friend Peter & John from Grandoaks

Place Castle Hill Christmas lights…

They received Best Light in the Hills District Award.

Peter came in whilst Office

staff where enjoying morning tea and had his

photos taken with us

Peter has donated moneys collected from the lights, gift card, toys and food.

Thank you

The Parramatta Mission congregations invite you to join in prayers for:

PM congregations at Parramatta and Westmead, and hospitality, community and clinical/mental health services that extend right across Greater Sydney to Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Hunter Valley, Mid-North Coast, and support services, and the residents, guests, visitors, consumers, clients whom we meet and journey with every day of the year. The establishment of the new HASI programs in the Hunter Valley and Mid-North Coast.

For work of calling a chaplain to link PM with the WSU campuses, and a chaplain to link Wesley Apartments with the children’s hospital at Westmead.

PM Leigh Memorial: the Owen & Jackson families, Joan, Marcel, Hazel, Betty, Wilhemina, Col, Aunty Jo, Victoria & family, our Leaders team

and Sunday School/ Youth teams.

PM Leigh Fijian: Akisi Allison, Adriu Rogoimuri, Niko Balavu, Mili Sigani,

PM Westmead: Sushila and Ariam, Eamonn, Nancy, Jean, Michels, Paula and Geoffrey, Garry, Chris and family, Rob, Jodie and Family, Rev Veitinia, Flora, May, Rajes (Sandra), Henry, Phyllis, Billie, Vita, Nancy, Caroline and David A, Col, Al, Jan and her family, Mrs G and family, Judy, Shanika and family, Ashima and Anusha Saxena, Lyn, Lena, Sheila W, Ruth and Lela, Max, Mr and Mrs S, Sophie and her family, Mark and his family.

UC congregations of the Cumberland Zone: Dundas/Ermington, Northmead, North Rocks – today holding the closing service for Rev Phil Swain after 14 years, Carlingford, West Epping, Centenary, Wentworthville, Holroyd, Greystanes, Grantham Heights, Parramatta Mission, Auburn.

For the worship, witness and service of Baulkham Hills (St Matthews) Uniting Church Congregation

We join with churches around the world to pray for Ghana, Nigeria

Prayer Points

Pastoral message for this week….

The baby Jesus brings God’s free gift of hope, joy, peace and love.

May these gifts be yours this Christmas.

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

Contacts

For all e-tree news follow the link below http://www.parramattamission.org.au/etree

Leigh Memorial Congregation: Rev Dr Manas Ghosh 0429 892 548

Leigh Fijian Congregation: 9891 2277

Leigh Korean Faith Community Minister: Rev Hyun Goo Jun 0433 320 588

Leigh Memorial Church, 119 Macquarie St, Parramatta

Westmead Congregation: Rev Christine Bayliss Kelly 0409 925 607

Westmead Church: 175 Hawkesbury Road Westmead: 9891 9354

Senior Minister/Group CEO: Rev Keith Hamilton 0417 487 446

Church Office: 9891 2277 Email : wecare@parramattamission.org.au