ADELAIDE
A mobile Church service was held at the home of Randall and Pauline on 20th November, a shared meal was enjoyed after the service conducted by June Johnson.
Our Angel meditation will resume after Christmas. Adelaide Bible study is held in the Church hall on Thursday afternoons at 12.30 pm.
Computer awareness classes are held on Thursday mornings from 10.30 to 12.00.
Recently we have had the pleasure of live music at our Sunday services courtesy of Karl Villani. Karl plays his guitar and sings his own compositions.
A family reunion will be held on April 2nd 2017 in Adelaide for descendants and friends of Holden, Darwin, Day, Ireland and other early New Church members including Pitmans.
Two of our members David and Yvonne Bell have recently relocated to Cairns.
Randall Rabone
PERTH
Since our last report the Perth Group of New Church folk has been busy. The Beelu National Park at Mundaring, in the Perth Hills, was a fitting environment for the opening full day retreat, which Rev David Millar had travelled from Adelaide to conduct. The previous evening (Friday) was a social gathering at the home of Ros and David Walker, which took the form a meal followed by a welcome and get to know you evening.
During the weekend David introduced us to the practise of Logopraxis. Rev Trevor Moffat took the children for lessons on “Moses leading in the Wilderness”. The youngsters were proud to show off their expression of how the people were healed from serpents’ venom by a bronze serpent on a pole Sunday morning saw us meeting in the Henderson Environmental Centre at North Beach. We were meeting here to test the facilities with a view to using the centre on a regular basis as the hall we currently meet in, is about to be sold and we need to move.
David led us through a service of meditation, based on Psalm 4 with appropriate prayers and insightful sermon. During the afternoon we adjourned to the home of Sarah, Julian, Finn and Audrey Ralls for a final session followed by fish and chips for tea.
Brandon Pisani was unable to attend the final session due to the need to prepare for a school excursion that took him on a four day trek along the cape to cape walking trail in the deep South West of W.A. By all reports Brandon thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of this activity. Grandma, Lyn Rocke’, has told those interested that the experiences Brandon had on the trek have broadened his view of life.
Breaking with tradition we held our Christmas celebration on December 3 rd , (Saturday) in the evening. Everyone attending was able to join in the sphere and meaning of Christmas. Audrey and Finn Ralls were especially excited as they received attendance awards for their participation in our Sunday School.
The evening concluded with a sit down Christmas meal. Once again the ladies excelled in their preparation, presentation, and willingness to provide a great spread of food.
A group of some ten members are looking forward to joining in the National Camp at Stanwell Tops, NSW., and spending time after the camp exploring the sites of Sydney.
Rev Trevor and Joy Moffat are looking forward to being in the UK for Christmas with their daughters, Danielle and Suzanne, along with their families. Another reason for travelling to the UK is to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary with long time friends in Scotland.
Seasons Greeting to members and friends of the New Church throughout Australia and New Zealand from us in Perth.
Joy Moffat
MELBOURNE
Our Services continue on 1st and 3rd Sundays with a discussion group when there is a 5th Sunday. In October this was led by Karl Robinson who tackled the interesting subject of “Thumbs and Big Toes”. We had our first Christmas them Service on 4th December led by Rev John Teed and incorporating the Holy Supper. We are very grateful to John for his continuing service to our Society.
Our Lessons and Carols Service will be on 18 th December and there will be a Service at 9.30 am on Christmas Day. There will be only one Service in January, on Sunday 8th .
Those interstate who know Eva Teed will be sorry to hear that several weeks ago she fell and broke her left hip and two bones in her left arm. After a period in hospital and subsequent rehabilitation she is doing well and is ready to go home. She hopes to be at Church on Christmas Day.
We wish all those members in our sister Societies the joy and blessings of Christmas and a fulfilling 2017.
Alexis Jarvis
BRISBANE AND SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
Services continue with our Family Service and Holy Communion on the first Sunday and the worship service on each third Sunday of the month. The Reverend Brunne also conducts a Sacred Circle group on the second Sunday.
Decembers third Sunday Service will be celebrated with the children performing a Nativity play during the service, which will be followed by our Christmas lunch. After this service the Brisbane Society will be in recess until the first Sunday in February 2017, with our Minister having time off as well as attending the Summer Camp with most of his family.
Over the past few services we have welcomed Mr Chris Atkinson who is a regular attendee of the Northside reading circle.
We wish all our sister societies a very merry and meaningful Christmas and a safe and happy 2017.
Diane Thompson
