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Welcome to the 2nd edition of our CABC-Thornleigh newsletter!
The aim of this newsletter is to keep us all in the loop, so that we are able to pray and work together to bring God’s kingdom closer to our community. We generally produce this in the month of the Quarterly members' meeting.
In addition to our regular updates, this issues also ministry reports from guest contributors Michael Jim, Mel Tam and Bonnie Liu.
You are receiving this because you are a church member. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, please go to the bottom and select unsubscribe. Otherwise, happy reading!
David Chu and Wendy Fan on Short Term Mission in Taiwan
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Blessings in the Past 3 months
- The Taiwan Short Term Mission trip
- Commencement of the Golden Age Fellowship
- We partnered with SCCCA* to hold a China missions conference event
- TYF youth camp
- A 4-week training program on "How to read the Bible for all its worth"
- The Manse renovation nearing completion
- Defibrillator purchased to enhance the safety of those who attend our church
- Trial of a Sunday Cantonese youth service (Sydney Youth Dwelling)
*Sydney Chinese Christian Churches Association
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Manse Renovation Project & Fund Raising Report
At the time of writing, the Manse renovation is due to be completed on November 23. Furniture and fixtures are now being purchased and installed, including chairs, TVs and even a dishwasher that will wash in a few minutes! The Manse will become a place of hospitality where people can gather for meaningful fellowship and form communities.
The Manse fundraising committee is organising an auction event. This will be held in February 2020. There is a call for donations: collectables, gifts, paintings, crystals, glassware and desirable items. Please contact the committee members for more information.
Teddy Lai is heading the fundraising committee with Ken Trinh, Leo Foo, Herman Cheung, Sally Cheung, Ian Clarke, Simon Wong, Kerry Liu and Ricky Chan. If you have any suggestions for fundraising, or are interested in participating in the loan scheme, please contact Teddy at treasurer@cabc-t.org.au
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Church Property Maintenance
Internal Wall Demolition
With thanks to David Chu, Ricky Chan, Stephen Wong and Candy Leung, our Children’ & Women's Ministry Worker, the old rooms A and B have now become one! Families can now attend the Mandarin service with more room for their young children to roam. Thank you also to those who contacted Ricky to suggest workmen to provide quotes for the work.
Car Park Entrance
The broken concrete at the car park entrance near the storm water drain has been rectified. With the grates being connected via steel rods, it is now less prone to popping out of place, minimising the hazard for cars and pedestrians. Special thanks to those who contributed to the solution, and to Longfellow from the 3pm congregation for delivering an economical and effective solution.
Rain Water Drainage Update
As many of us are aware, parts of the church get flooded whenever large rainfall occurs, including the old rooms A&B. Work has been scheduled by the maintenance committee on 23rd of November to install extra down-pipes so that water can be drained from the roof, reducing the risk of seepage into the building. We look forward to bringing some good news in the next update!
Position Vacant!
We are still looking for a Property Deacon. Please pray for God's provision and lead a person to serve Him in this area. In the meantime, our PM Cantonese Congregation Deacon, Ricky Chan, is graciously acting in this position and is doing a fantastic job. Please contact property@cabc-t.org.au.
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English Pastor Search
Since the last newsletter, three candidates were seriously considered. One candidate was interviewed and withdrew her application. The two other candidates did not progress to the interview stage.
We are seeking a pastor with strong biblical teaching, and will be committed to building the congregation to be more outward focused and to develop strategic partnerships with the Cantonese and Mandarin congregations.
We will now seek to re-advertise the position in the hope that the Lord will provide the right candidate in due time. Please join us in prayer for this.
The Search Committee includes Rev Vincent Cheung, Ian Clarke, Pak San Tam, Raymond Kao, Ben Lau (Chair), Janice Tam and Elon Chiu. If you would like to recommend any candidates, please contact secretary@cabc-t.org.au.
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Sunday Youth Dwelling (SYD) 青日居
By Bonnie Liu
The Sunday Youth Dwelling (SYD) enjoyed an exciting first trial run last Sunday November 10 at 1:30pm, attended by close to 30 young people with many enjoying the fellowship over lunch.
SYD is an initiative by the youth ministry, with a focus to outreach the Cantonese speaking young people. Each Sunday session will consist of a time of worship, a time to learn God's Word and a time to share in His community.
It is our prayer that SYD will be used by God to encourage a closer connection between the youth and the church, as well as to serve as an outreach platform.
God willing, we plan to run SYD regularly from February next year in the newly renovated Manse. If you know any Cantonese speaking high schoolers or tertiary students, we would love to welcome them to SYD.
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TYF Camp October 11-13, 2019
By Michael Jim
Staying up late. Messy games. Early morning worship. Solid talks.
Another Youth Camp has passed, and we are so thankful! We had a great turnout with about 20 youth attending this year’s camp. Our speaker for the weekend was Paolo Santillan and he spoke to us from the book of Jonah. Though most well known as a story about a man and a big fish, Paolo helped us to dig deep into the message of Jonah. He showed us that “it’s not about the fish”, but rather, about God’s great mercy! He desires for people to come to repentance and know him, even his enemies. More than that, Paolo showed us that God’s plan of salvation will go ahead despite any resistance we might have towards it. This came as both a challenge and an encouragement for us to get on board with God, to take on his heart of mercy and live to see people come to know him!
Let’s pray that this will stick with our youth, that they will experience God’s great mercy and share in his heart to see people come to repentance.
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How to read the Bible for all its worth
By Mel Tam
It’s been absolutely amazing witnessing God at work amongst brothers and sisters at CABC as a group of us delved into a four-week course on “How to read your bible for all its worth.” The aim of this short course was to grow our love and competency in reading God’s Word, with an emphasis on practical application. Despite the super short notice, God moved the hearts of 14 or so brothers and sisters across the English and Chinese Congregations to commit to reading, understanding and applying the Bible. Many of us have been encouraged and renewed in our own Bible reading. The course was structured on Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart’s, "How to read your bible for all its worth."
The course has certainly laid a foundation for us to build a firm foundation in our walk with the Lord. We’ve been reminded of the importance of returning to God’s Word through daily devotion and to apply the tools we’ve learned in our own lives.
Stay tuned for more courses like these!
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Safe Church Policy By May 2020
Picture courtesy of creatingsafespaces.org.au
Creating a safe church, a mandate and an opportunity:
The conclusion of the Royal Commission into Child Abuse had led to legislation changes that require insurance companies to ask organisations like CABC Thornleigh to have policies and systems in place to ensure vulnerable people are safe from sexual abuse and molestation.
The church has always strived to be a beacon of hope, a blessing and a place of safety in the community. We want to assure church members and the public that we constantly work to ensure the safety of those who come and participate in our church activities.
We believe that this work is not only a requirement for ongoing insurance against potential litigation in the future, but is a strategic means of promoting the work of God in bringing blessing to the community within and outside of church. This begins with whole church awareness of what safety means and a commitment to it for each other.
What are we going to achieve:
- CABC-T will be able to tell everyone how we will commit to providing a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults
- Specify how anyone serving in ministry will behave towards everyone, especially to children and vulnerable adults
- Integrate secular processes of checks (and any other mechanisms relevant) as standard practices for the way we recruit ministry people
- A means for processing allegations of incidents, including allegations of sexual abuse
- A consistent and formal way of meeting mandatory reporting obligations
- A training program that educates and equips everyone in church of our commitment and processes relating to safety and well being
The committee will need to be formed by the end of November and commence planning before the end of 2019. If you are passionate about this vision and the associated goals of the church, please express your interest in joining the committee by contacting secretary@cabc-t.org.au.
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