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You have received this email as you were on a mail list for either the IntraVic online newsletter or VicON, the bulletin email for local church bulletin secretaries. If you do not wish to receive this weekly email, you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of the page.
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This is the first edition of our new weekly email. Many of you already know VicON which goes to local church bulletin secretaries and church leaders. We decided earlier this year to revise VicON to a more contemporary format and take advantage of that format to share news from around the Conference as well as announcements for the local bulletins. Now we can send it to whoever subscribes.
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Changes in the Communication Department
Early 2020, the Conference Communications department started making changes to proactively reach more people with news that is still fresh, avoiding the necessary delays that come with the printed edition.
COVID2019 has by necessity sped this process up.
The email edition of IntraVic will continue  quarterly, with a temporary halt to the printed edition due to social distancing. This quarterly edition will have special articles, feature our departments and what they are doing to empower local churches, inspiring testimonies and selected news from around the Conference.
News is also posted on Vic.Adventist.org.au and share on our VictorianAdventists Facebook page.
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Please share this Email
We need your help. Could you please share this email with your small group, family, ministry team and other church friends and encourage them to sign up.
We are a family, let's not lose touch with each other...
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Tell Your Stories
We want you to be a part of this. Use the buttons above to share your church news and announcements, to tell us your story and how God is coming through for you in this difficult time... And when we start having events again, use this platform to share those as well...
Make sure you tell us which church the news and announcements come from and if you are sending photos, we need to know you have told the people in the photos they will be used by the Communications Department on all our platforms.
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Still in Touch?
How are you going with e-meeting with your church family since social distancing has commenced? Has it been good, or are you one who has not heard from anyone and wondering why?
Pastors have expressed concern that they are unable to contact everyone because of out of date contact lists. So if you are feeling the isolation, or have not heard from anyone, please contact your pastor or one of your elders and give them your updated phone numbers and emails.
And if you know any of your church who are not digitally savvy, please don't forget them.. find old fashioned ways to assure them they are still part of the family...
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ADRA is providing emergency relief in Victoria, creating CARE PACKAGES to deliver to the most vulnerable in our community. For some families and homes, this is a life-saving service.
People across Melbourne are also liaising with ADRA to cook and deliver meals to the homeless in Melbourne's inner city.
For more information on how you can help, go to Vic.Adventist.org.au or for the latest ADRA news, check out their Facebook page.
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What Can You Do?
In many ways, Covid-19 has widened the gap between the haves and the have nots. What can you do to help those around you?
One member from Warragul Church, Calvin Mak, has found a way. He delivers mobile devices to people on Sabbath morning, setting them up so they can connect with the church’s online sabbath school and divine service. Then he goes around and collects them again.
He is pictured here with Covey Penny. She has had such a good experience, she is going to purchase her own device, and another church member, Callum Stanford from Longwarry Church, is going to help her learn to use it.
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What is Happening at the Conference?
The Conference Office may be largely uninhabited, however the work is still continuing. If anything, our staff have been busier than usual.
Departmental leaders are e-meeting weekly to pray together, sharing the challenges their ministries are facing as they come up with creative ideas to fulfil their roles.
The VicYouth team has been busy trying to navigate youth ministry in a COVID-19 season. Working with Pathfinder District Directors and other youth directors from around Australia, they are currently looking at ways by which the pathfinder curriculum can run in 2020. Phil and Rose have been touching base with youth leaders from across the state, and will be continuing to support them through resourcing, mentoring, networking and an online community through this COVID-19 season. Be on the lookout for your local youth group which will soon be featured on the VicYouth instagram and Facebook page. Sign up for VicYouth’s monthly newsletter here.
All departments have been spending a lot of time directly contacting the local church members involved in their ministries.
For our Ministerial Secretary, Justin Bone, this included contacting each of our pastors, helping equip them with technology if they need it, and encouraging them in a new way of ministry.
Tarnya Garner has set up a Prayer Wall, for women to share their prayers, and has been contacting pastors to see what she can do for local church women. Her team are are helping women around Victoria stay in touch through the WM facebook page, where each day there is a new inspiring message. See what else is happening at the WM website.
Anxiety is on the increase, and our Health Director, Andrew Jasper, has been working on establishing an online forum for conducting Depression and Anxiety Recovery programs, and shared the news that the Livemore Project will soon be offered to the public for free, for several months. He has also liaised with Faith FM to produce an on-air 60 second Vitality Boost program and with the Adventist Media Centre to prepare brochures about boosting your immune system and other relevant literature. These will be ready for when it is considered safe to letterbox again. A digital version of Coronavirus vs Your Immune System is available here and we encourage you to share it via your social media platforms.
As Personal Ministries Director, Andrew has also been busy with Harvest Victoria, which has pivoted to an online focus, with Bible workers conducting onine Bible studies and Bible Worker Trainers are developing content for online training. And plans include following up on Hope Channel's online interests.
Big Camp IS happening...
For our kids! Julie Catton has been flat out working with other Children’s Ministry Departments around Australia to produce BigCamp@home which will start Easter Friday and will run for eight days. As well, Julie has being involved in the Growing Together program, as a coach for several churches. See more CM resources here too...
The Finance Department has been functioning full steam ahead, as they keep up with current workload and seek alternatives for the future.
And our Education Director and ADRA Director were so busy they were unable to put in an appearance. The team prayed especially for them, with the extra heavy work load they are currently carrying.
Please pray for our Conference leaders and their staff. This is a time of transition and stress. A time of finding creative ways to do their work, supporting and enabling local churches to focus on mission - growing God’s Kingdom.
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Revelation's Answers for Today
David Riley, who was one of our pastors for a number of years and now pastors Reedy Ck Church in Qld, has been recieving many questions about the Book of Revelation recently, a number from people who do not normally attend church but know he is a pastor. They are very interested to hear what the Bible says about some of the world's current issues.
So he has started an online interactive webinar series called An Introdution to Revelation.
They go for 25-30 minutes and you can join live, or watch them later.
Check it out.
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SUNSET TIMES
Sunset Time Sabbath 11th April: 5:59 pm
Next Week: Friday 17th April: 5:50 pm
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THIS WEEK'S OFFERING
Offering April 11, 2020
HOPE
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Download the e-Giving app to support your church through your tithes and offerings or visit eGiving online
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Posters which can be used in printed bulletins (when your are producing them again) and on digital screens (when we can again open the doors of our churches) are made available for you to download here. Please feel free to use them in your digital correspondence with your church
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OFFERING & SUNSET TIMES
See above
EASTER IDEAS
Dick Duerksen was one of our presenters lined up for Big Camp this year. Big camp is no longer on, but you will still be able to hear Dick as he shares with us from his home in Oregon, exerpts from Nicodemus' "journal". Relive the events of Christ's lst days through the eyes of this silent believer.
Friday Evening, Sabbath morning and Sunday morning, streaming from Lilydale Church and Mildura Church at 7.30pm Friday, 9am Saturday and 10am Sunday over the Easter Weekend.
EASTER FOR KIDS
Commencing Friday evening and running for eight days, BigCamp@home has been developed by Children's Ministries departments around Australia.
LOOKING FOR A CHURCH TO WORSHIP WITH ONLINE?
Wanting to know what is happening around the Conference during this time of social isolation, or to find a link for a church to e-worship with each Sabbath? Go to: vic.adventist.org.au |
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Previously shared announcements and advertisements continue to be available for another two weeks from when they are first shared. Don't forget to let us know if you need your announcement repeated after that.
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HELP YOUR NEIGHBOUR WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING
STREAMING CHRISTIAN TV
For those who do not have Christian satellite TV installed but have internet access, you might want to consider FaithStream: https://faithstream.tv/ It allows you to watch all the Christian channels in 1 place through a box connected to the internet rather than satellite. Currently a promotion is running on their buy outright price of $269.
ONLINE MINISTRY TO HELP FAMILIES
IMPACTED BY COVID-19 CRISIS
Mums At The Table, a ministry of Adventist Media, has launched a private Facebook group to help mums who are having difficulties buying everyday essentials for their family due to the panic buying phenomena brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The Mums At The Table Marketplace works like any other buy-and-sell groups on Facebook with one big difference: Anything listed on the page has to be free. It will be a dedicated space for group members to both ask for or offer help. Group members are encouraged to list any of their needs, with the idea that someone in their local area may be able to help—either because they have excess of that item or they know where the item could be purchased.
Churches or individuals interested in helping can contact Mums At The Table at hello@MumsAtTheTable.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/MATTmarketplace
ADVENTIST WOMEN VICTORIA – UPDATE TO EVENTS
- June 19th - 21st: RENEW: Women & Young Ladies Conference - CANCELLED
- June 27th - IMPACT: Young Women’s Rally – CANCELLED
- September 4th-6th - PURSUIT: Teen Girl’s Conference – STILL GOING AHEAD AT THIS STAGE
Due to the current events occurring in Victoria and across the world we decided sadly that we would need to cancel RENEW and IMPACT for this year. They will of course be back next year and we would love to see you all there. At this stage PURSUIT will still be going ahead as it’s not until September but we will keep you updated. If you would like to be on our Adventist Women’s Mailing list for all updates on current and future events please email Shonet at shonetheath@adventist.org.auWe are also posting almost daily on our Adventist Women Victoria Facebook Page if you would like updates please give us a follow and a like!
Adventist Women Victoria is here for you – if you have a need, practical or simply a listening ear please contact us at the above email address and we will help in any way we can. Stay Safe and God Bless.
GIVING OPTIONS
With the need for social distancing because of the COVID-19 Virus and with many churches needing to implement alternate measures to group gatherings, you may be wondering how to pay your tithes and offerings while not at church. We have some options for you to consider.
Use the eGiving online donations website https://egiving.org.au/ You can donate directly to your church. If you have not used this before you will need to set up a myAdventist account and there are instructions on the site as to how to create this account.
- Your church may have a local bank account you can deposit into – Check with your church treasurer.
You can deposit directly into the VIC Conference Bank.
- 033-112
- 189451
- be sure to include your name and what donation is for.
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As a service to Church members, we provide notices for accommodation available or accomodation wanted. To submin an accommodation notice, it must be accompanied by a reference from your pastor or elder. You can submit here.
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No Contact Accommodation
Ballarat - Private detached, isolated, self-contained cottages still open for no contact accommodation. For more information go to Tranquility.com.au or phone Jennifer on 0409 839 130
FOR LEASE - 42 Mantello Drive, Werribee Vic
Quiet pocket of Bella Rosa Estate, close to schools and not far from Werribee SDA Church and town centre. 4 x bedroom, 2 x bathroom, single story home perfect for Christian family with plenty of space for the kids and a veggie garden. Currently $425 per week. Please call or text to 0411 593 047 or contact agent on 03-9314 4200.
15 Mirka Way, Point Cook Vic (Saltwater Promenade)
Quiet pocket of Point Cook, surrounded by schools/amenities and close to Point Cook SDA Church.
4 x bedroom, 2 x bathroom, single story home awaiting a Christian family to enjoy. Space for kids to play. Currently $425 per week. Please call or text to 0411 593 047 or contact agent on 03-9314 4200.
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE
One bedroom unit with full kitchen, bathroom, laundry facilities, furnished lounge, dining room, rural views & close to transport at Chirnside Park. Contact: Graham on 0408 316 669.
UNIT TO LET
One bedroom, self-contained unit with private entrance for let in Lilydale area. Separate bedroom, modern kitchen, lounge, laundry facilities, modern bathroom, fully furnished. All outgoings inclusive of rent. Property set on a maintained, picturesque, quiet 14 acres. Close to public transport. Contact: Kevin on 0417 810 644.
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