Sunday 15 July 2018
Greetings and welcome to this week’s newsletter
 
A Note from Linda
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1)
This is the last week of our series, “Praying the Psalms”. I hope that you have found it helpful in enriching your prayer life and in understanding more about this wonderful prayer book of the Bible.
 
Coming up in the next few weeks at Athelstone UC:
This evening (July 15) at 6.30pm is our Spirited Sunday. These gatherings at The Rezz are all about building relationships, helping people see that Christians are ‘normal’ people(!) and that we have an interest in ‘adding value’ to our community. So, please consider who you might bring along. Our speaker will be Cr Max Amber. Max has extensive experience as Councilor and former Mayor of Campbelltown City Council. Come and hear stories of what it was like to grow up in the Athelstone area years ago (and enjoy good food and good conversation too!).
Next Sunday morning (July 22) we will have guest preacher Alexandra Bingham from UnitingWorld. In the evening, we’ll head off on our monthly Prayer Walk. Meet in The Rezz carpark for an easy walk around Thorndon Park, lead by Lee O’Connell. Note: This will be my rostered Sunday off.
The following Sunday (July 29) is the 5^th Sunday of the month when we try to do things a little differently. We plan to give you a little taster of what Messy Church is all about. So come, expecting things to be a little different that morning!  ‘Who is he, this King of glory?     The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory!’ (Psalm 24:10)
Blessings, Linda
 
NAIDOC Week
A reminder that we are also in the midst of NAIDOC Week.  Under the theme – ‘Because of Her, We Can!’ – NAIDOC Week 2018 continues through to Sunday 15 July. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played – and continue to play – active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels. NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. To follow the celebrations or find out more information, visit the NAIDOC Week website: https://www.naidoc.org.au/
 
Uniting Church Assembly – July 8-14
This is the week of the Uniting Church Assembly. (The Assembly is the national council of our Church and has responsibility in matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline, sets national policy and promotes the Church’s mission in the world.) Please continue to pray for the elected members at the Assembly and President Deidre Palmer. For news and recordings of sermons, go here: https://uniting.church/news/   and for more info: https://uniting.church/
 
Pacific Inspired Food Event – Sat August 18.
Tickets are available from Michael, Freddie, Julie and Brian for our  evening  to be held at the Church at 6.30 pm on August 18 .Cost  $25. Proceeds  to support Kiribati Water Conservation project.
 
Uniting Communities Eastern Services
In the cold winter months for many years now, the Athelstone UC congregation have been great supporters of the Uniting Communities Eastern Services office at Beulah Park by providing tinned food for distribution for those in need.Please place any items on the table inside the Church.Thanks,   Brenton Summers
 
 
 
 

Stay & Play Playgroup
After our long break while several of our helpers were travelling, Stay and Play is ready to roll for Term 3.
We will recommence on 31^st July with a full enrolment of 25 and 5 children on the waiting list. We now have a wonderful team of 8 regulars who do a range of tasks like moving furniture, setting up activities, cutting fruit, washing dishes and providing a friendly, welcoming environment to both children and carers.  Maybe you would like to join us in this amazing outreach to our local community.  All offers are welcome and will help our regular team members take a break now and then Bruce and Joy Stewart  Phone: 83362671 or bruce and joy@bigpond.com
 
Wirra Words of the Week
Fences are not just for keeping children in or out!  Fences can be very creative spaces.  The addition of a few recycled pots and pans to the pipe fence along the path to the office invites children and adults to sound a welcome or farewell, or just to gather together and make a joyful sound.  It is not only popular with our Stay and Players but also local children exploring the area.  The decking fence is also utilised, especially in hot or wet weather, encouraging children to experiment and explore with natural materials beyond the Wirra.                           Joy Stewart
Playing the musical fence           Experimenting with water and funnels
 
 
Wider Church & Community News  (see noticeborad for details)
 
– Fearless Youth Conference  July 18 – 20th
Wednesday 7pm – 9pm, Thurs – Friday 9am – 5pm – suitable for ages – Year 7-12
Golden Grove Recreation & Arts Centre, The Golden Way; Andy and Steph Hogarth – Journey UC Senior Pastors
– Raising Funds for Refugee Assistance  July 21
Mamma Mia 2 – Regal Theatre 12.45pm. Book tickets at Eventbrite.
– Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church 40^th Anniversary  August 5
40th Anniversary service at TTG Uniting  Sunday 5th August, 10:30am service
Celebrating 40 years since the laying of the foundation stone for the Sanctuary
Followed by a shared lunch.  Guest speaker will be Rev Ian Clarkson.
– Ozharvest SA August 14
1.30pm St Peter Claver Catholic Church, 8 Stuart Road, Dulwich.Donation $5 Afternoon Tea provided
– Surrender Adelaide October 12-14
Marion Church of Christ www.surrender.org.au/adelaide  See noticeboard for details
 
Electronic Giving –  Forms are available or speak to Treasurer Glen Luestner for more information.
 
Pastoral care
Please contact a member of our Pastoral Care Oversight Team for assistance:
Rev Linda Driver 0458 500 656                     Bob Stevenson 0400 641 242
Brenton Summers 0400 632 829 Ann Brown 0413 581 554
 
Prayer Requests
Can we support you in prayer? Here’s 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 Linda for individual prayer
or one the members of the Pastoral Care Oversight team (Brenton Summers, Ann Brown, Bob Stevenson and Linda). All prayer requests going to the team will be kept strictly confidential within this team.
Prayers for Others (Sunday Worship) – Linda provides our Worship Leaders with prayer points as appropriate. Prayer points are also sourced from the Prayer Chain. If you have something you would like to be included in Prayers for Others, please contact Linda.  “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
 
Noticeboard – Please check the noticeboard at the back of the church
 
Wider Church News- Please use the link to UC e-news at    http://sa.uca.org.au/uc-e-news/
 
Website –  We encourage you to visit our website:  www.athelstonechurch.org.au
 
Housekeeping – Please pick up containers/plates left on top of the fridge in the kitchen.  Thanks.  Sharyn
 
Lectionary readings
15^th July – 2 Sm 6:1-5, 12b-19; Ps 24; Eph 1:3-14; Mk 6:14-29
22^nd July – 2 Sm 7:1-14a; Ps 89:20-37; Eph 2:11-22; Mk 6:30-34, 53-56
 
Roster

 
What’s on this Week   (16 -22 July)