|
|
|
|
|
|
Athelstone Uniting Church eNewsletter
Sunday 24 May 2026
|
Our Preacher this Sunday Morning is Pastor Simon Story
|
|
|
|
WHEN THE WIND SPEAKS KOREAN
|
|
|
Earlier in April, I was invited by the Uniting Church Fellowship and Mission Support to contribute a front-page article for the May edition of Together magazine. They asked me to reflect on Pentecost through the lens of my Korean heritage, and I am delighted to share that piece with you.
|
When the Wind Speaks Korean: A Pentecost Reflection
Some Korean words simply refuse to be translated. Not for lack of trying, it's just that the cultural weight they carry is too dense to fit inside any foreign language. Among these untranslatable words, JEONG (정) is perhaps the most stubborn.
|
A dictionary might define it as a deep emotional bond, or a sense of loyalty that persists even through conflict. But even that falls short. To understand JEONG, you first need to understand its direction.
|
In English, love is typically something you feel toward someone. It originates inside you and moves outward. But JEONG doesn't work that way. Jeong flows between people. It lives in the shared space that forms when two lives overlap in meals eaten together, in long comfortable silences, in hardships weathered side by side. You don't decide to give someone JEONG. You don't choose it the way you choose a friend. You simply wake up one ordinary day and discover it has already taken root, quietly, without your permission.
|
What makes JEONG even more surprising is this: it forms not only through warmth, but through difficulty. Two people can argue, misunderstand each other, even carry a low hum of resentment between them and still find themselves bound by JEONG. It is the invisible thread that holds together people who have every reason to walk away, simply because they have walked through the fire together. It is less a feeling and more a fact, something that has happened to a relationship whether anyone intended it or not.
|
There is no single English word for this. But I wonder if there is an experience for it.
|
Because this, I believe, is the oldest Pentecost story ever told.
|
Before the wind came. Before the fire appeared. Before anyone spoke a word in a language they had never learned, there was a room. A small, crowded upper room in Jerusalem, filled with people who had no obvious reason to still be together.
|
They were, by any account, a mess. Fishermen sitting next to a former tax collector. A man who had once been a passionate political revolutionary beside one who had been labelled a traitor. Women who had stood at the foot of the cross alongside men who had fled into the darkness when things got dangerous. And Peter, the one who had looked Jesus in the eye and said three times, I don't know him sitting somewhere in the middle of it all.
|
These were not people who naturally belonged together. Their backgrounds were different. Their failures were different. Their grief was different. And yet, here they were. One hundred and twenty of them. In one room. Together.
|
They had failed together. They had wept together. They had sat in stunned silence together in the days after the crucifixion, and then stumbled into disbelieving joy together when the resurrection news came. They had waited together, not fully knowing what they were waiting for.
|
In the weight of all that shared time in all that mess and confusion and hope, something had already been quietly forming in the gaps between them.
|
And then the Holy Spirit came.
|
Not as a private, interior experience, a quiet warmth slipping into each individual heart separately. The text says the Spirit came and filled the entire place where they were gathered. The wind didn't distribute itself equally to one hundred and twenty separate rooms. It rushed into the shared space. It moved through the cracks in those complicated, imperfect relationships. It occupied the very ground where JEONG had been slowly growing.
|
And what happened next was extraordinary. People from across the known world, Parthians, Medes, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs each heard the same message spoken in their own language, their own accent, their own mother tongue. Strangers began to understand one another. Walls that had stood for generations came down in a single morning.
|
Pentecost was more than a miracle of language. It was a miracle of the between the sacred space that opens up when people stop protecting their distance and dare to let their lives overlap.
|
This is what the Season of Pentecost is asking of us.
|
Not simply to believe the right things about the Holy Spirit, or to feel a particular emotion in a worship service. But to step out of our comfortable, self-contained isolation and move toward one another, into the beautiful, complicated, sometimes frustrating space where real community is formed.
|
The Spirit still moves in our shared grief. In our honest doubts spoken out loud to someone who doesn't flinch. In the conversations that begin awkwardly and end with something unexpected growing between us. At the tables where we sit with people whose flaws we know well, and stay anyway.
|
If you have ever found yourself still holding on inside a relationship that is tangled with both affection and friction still showing up, still sitting down, still not quite able to walk away, then you already know something of how the Spirit works. That stubborn, unexplainable staying? That is not weakness. That is JEONG. And I believe it is also the fingerprint of the Holy Spirit.
|
The wind is still blowing.
|
It is not looking for perfect people or perfectly peaceful communities. It is looking for rooms where people have chosen to stay together, through the failures, through the differences, through the long and sometimes uncomfortable waiting.
|
This Pentecost season, I want to invite you into that room.
|
Lean into the wind. Let the Spirit move through the spaces between you and the people around you. Let JEONG that deep, stubborn, beautiful bond take root in the places you least expect it.
|
You may not have a Korean word for what the Spirit does when people truly open their lives to one another.
|
|
But if you have ever stayed when leaving would have been easier you have already felt it.
|
|
|
|
WORSHIP
|
|
|
How to Join Us in Worship
|
Attending in Person: Our Sunday morning service begins at 9.30 am. Communion is usually held on the first Sunday of each month. All ages are welcome. Please be aware that our worship services are live streamed on ZOOM so if you are not comfortable in having your image captured then we encourage you to sit in the back row of the church.
|
Attending online: If you wish to join in our online Zoom service on Sunday mornings at 9.30am,you can view the service live, as it is happening, at the link below.
Alternatively, enter this Meeting ID: 881 9165 2947 and pass code: 7777.
|
|
Watch later: Services are usually recorded each week. To request a copy please contact the church office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sermon Blog
|
|
You can view Do Young’s sermon reflections each week by clicking the button below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morning Tea & Conversation after Church
|
|
Following the morning service, our church community chats for a while on site and then chooses to gather across two locations to share morning tea and conversation. All are invited to join in at either venue (The Rez Hotel or Cafe Settebello's) any Sunday they like after church.
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING WORSHIP
|
|
|
Messy Church
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONNECT GROUPS
|
|
|
Connect Groups
|
|
At Athelstone Uniting Church, we encourage everyone to find ways to find connections within our church community. Here are some of the Connect Groups you might consider joining:
|
|
|
Sunday Nights: 6 pm, Venues Vary
|
|
Book Club: 1st and 3rd Tues of the month at 9.30 am at Indigo Espresso Cafe
|
|
Threads: 2nd and 4th Tues of the month at 2-4 pm at Indigo Espresso Cafe
|
|
Men's Coffee & Chat (Triple C's): 2nd Wed of the month, Venues vary.
|
|
Women's Group (TOFs): 1st Tues of the month, Venues vary.
|
|
Community Gardening: Connect with our community by growing healthy foods together.
|
|
Bowling: Teams represent our church, Payneham Night Owl Competition. Thurs pm (Oct - Mar).
|
|
Golf: 1st Sun of the month (Ladies); Last Saturday of the month (Men), Lochiel Park Golf Course.
|
|
|
|
MISSIONS
|
|
|
Packing Day 2026: Be excited, be involved!
|
|
Once again, AUC will be involved in Packing Day. Packing Day is a chance for our church community to co-ordinate the packing of clothing and household items to remote northern aboriginal communities.
|
- Come along on Sunday May 31st and maybe Monday June 1st
- Bring in your clothing and household goods and place them in the shed.
- We pack for tropical communities so need clothing that is suitable for this climate. We have be particularly short of children's and men's clothing in the past.
|
Below is the list of requirements for the communities that we will be packing for. To print a copy at home, please download the pdf by clicking on the the link below, or pick up a copy from the front foyer. Please talk to Jayne N (0418836266) if you have any queries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uniting Communities - Spire Community Emergency Relief
|
Please keep bringing in your food donations and let us fill the giving table.
|
|
Food assistance can also be provided through cash donations or through electronic bank account transfer to the following bank account (Receipts for monetary donations can be provided):
|
Bendigo Bank: BSB 633000 A/c #:148 369 036, A/c Name: The Spire Community (Pantry Account)
Brenton S
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bring stamps to the office or giving table to help with this ministry.
|
|
|
|
OUR GARDENS & GROUNDS
|
|
|
Wirra - Watch & Wonder
|
|
|
|
|
Come and explore NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK activities on the theme, "All in" in the Wirra from May 27 to June 3, 2026. The theme is a call for all Australian's, not just First Nations people, to commit whole heartedly to reconciliation every single day. This week is an ideal opportunity to take time to reflect on how you can play a part. There are activities in Wakwakurnaku Wirra to help you and especially children to learn more about our First Nations poeple, particularly the Kaurna miyurna, on whose land we live, work, play and worship. Wakwakurnaku Wirra, Children's Forest, planted with endemic plants from this area, is a much loved place for many of our community, so why not take the opportunity to visit and connect.
|
|
|
|
Community Garden
|
|
When did you last check out the community garden? Thanks to the work of Leanne and Trevor Shirlock the garden is producing a substantial range of healthy vegetables which you are all welcome to pick at any time for your enjoyment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Take some time to pray and reflect in our labyrinth garden. Quiet your mind, focus on your faith and reflect on your journey toward God.
|
|
|
|
NOTICES FOR MEMBERS
|
|
|
Minister's Study and Personal Leave
|
|
Rev Do Young Kim is on leave from May 15, returning to normal routines on June 4. For any urgent pastoral needs during this time, please contact Brenton (0400 632 829), or another member of the pastoral care team (Ann, Lee or Melissa).
|
|
|
|
Church Contact Directory
|
It's been a while (about 2 years) since the office has released an updated contact directory for those who don't access it via Elvanto. So I'll be working on this in the next few weeks. Please email the office if your contact details have changed including whether or not you still use your home phone number etc.
|
|
If you have joined our church congregation in the last 2 years, or just now wish to be included in our church contact directory, then you need to give your formal approval so we can be compliant with privacy laws. The first step is to read the information and complete the admin forms in our Admin Welcome Packs, which you will find in the pamphlet display in the entry foyer. There are some extra member directory forms there as well if you don't need the full pack.
|
|
Carol (Office Coordinator)
|
|
|
|
Prayer Requests
|
Can we support you in prayer? Here is how:
|
Prayer Chain - send an email to, or call Brenton Summers, who will pass your prayer request on to a group of people who faithfully pray in response to Prayer Chain emails.
|
Confidential Prayers - If the issue is more personal, you are invited to contact Rev Do Young Kim for individual prayer or one the members of the Pastoral Care Oversight team (Lee O’Connell, Brenton Summers, Ann Brown, Melissa O'Hara and Bob Stevenson). All prayer requests going to the team will be kept strictly confidential within this team.
|
|
Prayers for Others (Sunday Worship) - If you have something you would like to be included, please let Brenton Summers know. “We are all called to pray for one another, and so we are all encouraged to offer to pray for, or with others, especially if they share a concern with you.” (James 5:13-16).
|
|
|
|
Memory Candle
|
|
If you have a family member, relative or friend who has recently died we wish to light a candle at the beginning of a service to honour that person and to share in your grief. One of the Pastoral Care team or the Worship leader will say a few sentences in memory of your loved one and light the candle, which will remain lit for the duration of the service. For more information: Please contact a member of the Pastoral Care team.
|
|
|
|
Offering
|
Why do we give? We give to support the ministry and mission of the Church. We give in response to all that God has done for us. Giving is an act of worship.
|
How much do we give? We give, as we are able. Pray for wisdom on how generously you are called to give. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV)
|
|
How do we give? Regular electronic giving and one-off donations can be made using the following details: Account name: Athelstone Uniting Church Account BSB: 704 095 Account number: 110043.
|
|
Application forms for setting up regular e giving through UC e-give are available at the link below.
|
Cash Offerings are received on Sunday mornings in the Offering Box on the Giving Table.
|
|
Contact Glen for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WIDER CHURCH & COMMUNITY NEWS
|
|
|
'Let Loose' Art Workshop
|
|
|
Image Credit: Centre for Music, Liturgy & the Arts
|
|
The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts (CMLA) is hosting an Art Workshop facilitated by Karan Hudson called Let Loose on Saturday 4 July, 2026 from 1.00 - 4.00pm at Rosefield Uniting Church, 2 Carlton St, Highgate.
|
If you have ever been told by a teacher or your own inner voice that you can't draw, then this playful afternoon workshop is just for you. Come and play with drawing materials and processes without judgement. Explore through low stakes play, charcoal and pen drawing where you can have fun and relax. We will provide papers, marker pens, pastel and charcoal. The worst thing that can happen is that you will get dirty hands. Bring an apron. Come to play. Suitable for absolute beginners or anyone who feels anxious about drawing and would like to move past that.
|
|
Afternoon Tea provided. Tickets $75 and $70. Click the green button below to register, or go to: https://events.humanitix.com/let-loose-come-and-play-with-drawing-materials-and-processes-without-judgement, in your web browser.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wider Church News
|
|
|
|
|
Useful Church Links
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHURCH BOOKING CALENDAR
|
|
|
|
Lower Hall - 6.30 - 7.15 am - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Lower Hall - 6.30 - 7.30 pm - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Auditorium - 7.00 - 8.00 pm - Worship Practice
|
|
Lower Hall - 9.00 - 11.30 am - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Auditorium - 9.00 - 10.45 am - Waratah Calisthenics
|
|
Auditorium - 4.30 - 6.45 pm - Waratah Calisthenics (Juniors:4.45-6.30pm)
|
|
Lower Hall - 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Lower Hall - 9.30 - 11.30 am - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Auditorium - 6.15 - 8.45 pm - Waratah Calisthenics (Seniors:6.30-8.30pm)
|
|
Lower Hall - 7.00 - 8.30 pm - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Lower Hall - 9.30 - 10.30 am - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Lower Hall - 6.30 - 7.15 am - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Lower Hall - 6.30 - 8.30 pm - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Auditorium - 7.00 - 8.00 pm - Worship Practice
|
|
Lower Hall - 9.00 - 11.30 am - Gain Momentum Pilates
|
|
Auditorium - 9.00 - 10.30 am - Waratah Calisthenics (Tinies:9.15 -10.15am)
|
|
Wed, Thurs, Fri - 9.00 - 3.00 pm - AGPN
|
|
Note: Times listed in the booking calendar are room booking times and may, or may not, include set-up/clean-up times. Please check notices, or other sources, for actual event start times and allow at least 30 minutes before and after an event is scheduled if you need to access the areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WORSHIP ROSTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minister, Rev Do Young Kim
|
|
Phone: 0430 458 456. Email: doyoungkim.uca@gmail.com
|
|
Do Young's day off is Friday.
|
|
|
|
|
Sign up to our e-Newsletter using the following link:
|
|
https://athelstonechurch.org.au/sign-up-to-our-enewsletter/
|
|
or click the button below if viewing online
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
