Weekly Newsletter

GREETINGS FROM REV IRIS

Dear Living Faith Uniting Church Family and Friends

"Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak." Matthew 9:20 NIV

Friends as we progress through this period of lock-down, it is helpful to remember that we are doing so for our country and fellow citizens. We are fortunate to live in Australia where we have excellent healthcare systems and leadership through this crisis, while many countries are struggling. We are so grateful for this blessing! Let us remember those nations who are less fortunate in prayer.

I recently got up very early with my son to watch a glorious meteorite shower and was reminded of the glory of God amid the chaos in the world right now. As we lay back on blankets scanning the heavens, we were so excited by each asteroid that moved in different directions. Our minds were transported to a world we so often ignore. I realised that during "normal life" I don't always make the time to appreciate nature in this way. May we embrace the opportunities that lock-down is giving us to "hear" and "see" God in His creation.

Thank you for continuing in your prayers for each other. We pray particularly this week for elderly folk among us who may be feeling more isolated than usual. Please let us also remember families who are needing to home-school a number of children simultaneously.

Feedback from our online Annual General Meeting is included in this newsletter. Please scroll further down for details from our Chairperson, Scott Bell.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Richard Linton as a confirmed member of Living Faith Uniting Church. Richard successfully completed our Foundations to Christianity Course and was thereafter approved by the church council for membership.

On that note, the FOUNDATIONS TO CHRISTIANITY COURSE launches online today and is accessible through our website. It is a FREE course that can be done in the comfort of your own home, particularly if you want to invest spiritually in your life by maximising your free time during lock-down. Details on the course and potential church membership is outlined further in this newsletter. Please let me know if you decide to do the online course, I would love to encourage and support you during the process.

The photo above is of a painting on a wall mural in the Chapel of Magdala (Mary Magdalene) in Israel. The woman with the issue of blood was brave enough in her culture to stretch out her hand to touch the hem of Jesus' garment to receive her healing. It is a powerful reminder that Jesus' power is available to us at all times. We don't need to engage in long rituals or processes to speak to God. He hears us when we call and responds in love and compassion to us. Reach out to the Lord today, He is standing by!

Your friend,
Iris