Dear Friends,
This time of lock-down and pandemic seems to be dragging on for a long and boring time now. I hope you are taking care of yourselves. I would encourage you to ring friends and other congregational members to check in on them and provide some conversation as this will help all our mental health. If you need a list of the congregational members phone list please contact Debbie at the office and she can send you the congregational phone list.
While we continue to worship, to share in technological ways to connect, using Facebook, Zoom, The phone and even letters in the mail, they all count as ways for our community to become a solid group of support for all of us to feel connected and safe.
It looks like we might be able to start back worshipping together toward the end of July. We will be informed by the Queensland Synod when it is okay for us to return to worship. We will only be allowed to have about 50 in the church at any time, so we will have to place any overflow in the courtyard. This will accommodate the 4 square meters per person rule.
I am asking everyone who supports the church financially to continue that support and to do it electronically if at all possible. We are still incurring costs while our assets are not available for rental.
The church account name is Merthyr Road Uniting Church
the BSB number is 034065
the account Number is 264563
We will continue to send out a 'Service from Home' each Wednesday to help you join in our Sunday live-stream service, or to use for private prayer and reflection.
Our Wednesday evening meditation has also gone on-line. Each Wednesday afternoon we'll send out a contemplative reflection and at 6pm on a Wednesday evening, we invite you to light a candle, sit in your sacred space, and join us across the spaces that separate for a time of silent listening. If you'd like to receive a copy of this reflection by email each week, please contact Debbie at office@mruca.org.au and she will add you to the list.
We have started zoom catch-ups on Tuesday at 11.30am and on Wednesday at 10.00am. The links for the zoom chat rooms are included in the newsletter. If your new to zoom and would like to be involved, please ring or email Debbie to seek assistance.
If there is any way we might be able to help you please contact me on 0421234541.
Yours, in Christ,
Murray Fysh
Minister
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Giving to the work of the Church
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If you would like to give to the work of the church, you are encouraged to give via a direct credit. This can be set up through your internet banking. If you need any help to set this up, please speak with Anne Copeland.
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The account details are:
BSB: 034-065
Account Number: 264-563
Account Name: Merthyr Road Uniting Church
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Meet your new church council members
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This week we meet Bethany Masters
Bethany Masters is passionate about Jesus and making the world a kinder place. Merthyr Rd Uniting Church community have provided wonderful support to Bethany and her toddler, Thea, and Bethany is looking forward to serving the community on the parish council. Bethany holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and has government, non-profit and private sector experience. Bethany is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in her spare time/when not running after Thea.
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On-line Church Resources for Children
In our transition to online services there has been one really important thing that has been missing... age appropriate content for our children. Children are just as much a part of our community as any of us. Here are some resources generously offered by Saddleback Church in California called Saddleback Kids. Click on the links below to access these resources.
Each week Saddleback Kids uploads new videos to their youtube channel. There are videos for early childhood and primary aged children. These resources are a tool for the whole family and can be a starting point for some great conversations. We recommend watching them together with your children, encouraging them to ask questions and to talk about what they have learnt. If there are parts of these resources that approach Christianity differently to you and your family take that as an opportunity to discuss with your children why you believe different.
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A Contemplative Prayer Gathering for those who wish to meet the Beloved in their home sacred space.
As we cannot meet physically at present, each week on Wednesdays at 6pm we invite you to light a candle, sit in your sacred space, and meditate with us via Facebook. This week we'll be doing a Breath Prayer Meditation.
If you would like to be emailed the guided meditation, in advance, to accompany your contemplative practice, email Debbie at office@mruca.org.au
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Please pray for Amber, Daphne H, Daphne K, Lindsay, Margaret B,
Margaret G, Margaret M, Robyn, Sean, Thea and Warren
We continue to pray for our parishioners each week.
This week we pray for Phil, Ross & Desley, Jean and Carla
If you, or anyone you know, would appreciate our prayers or pastoral care, please contact
Murray on 0421 234 541 or Debbie in the church office on 3358 6945 or office@mruca.org.au
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To read the Uniting Church Qld Synod newsletter and the
Moreton Rivers Presbytery newsletter, click on the buttons below.
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