Welcome to BB Connex
23rd December 2021
Welcome to the fortnightly BB Connex.
This is a means to stay connected through sharing resources, encouraging, supporting and praying for each other as a Presbytery.
Please e-mail Melloney by 10am every Thursday anything you would like to share.
Next BB Connex - 17th January 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are some suggestions of conversation starters I came across years ago that may help Christmas be more than just a time of presents, parties and good food.
”?(Luke 2)good news that will bring great joy to all people. As we ponder the coming and work of Christ, I wonder in what way/s you will celebrate Christmas this year? I wonder with whom you will celebrate Christmas? So how do we as disciples give more meaning to Christmas in our gatherings than just food, drink and presents? For many of us, Christmas is a time that we meet with family or friends, and quite often turns out to be time when we can talk of the birth of Christ without as much controversy. How will you look for the telling of this “
As we arrive again at another Christmas, I am challenged to focus on the wonder of God amongst us through the coming of Jesus Christ. He came as a babe, yet we can never separate the cradle and the cross; they are inextricably linked. Jesus came, grew, and would then take the sin and brokenness of the world upon Himself and give His life as a ransom for ours. Jesus, the one who comes as a babe but became a man, rose from the dead, conquering it forever so that we may know life in God everlasting. This is the action of a very personal God who loves each and every person in His creation.
One of the names for Jesus, given by the prophets who foretold his coming, is ‘Immanuel’ which means ‘God with us’. On that first Christmas over 2000 years ago God drew near…he drew close to our mess and reality by becoming one of us. It doesn’t get much closer than that!
In the late 80’s and early 90’s (when all the great music was…wink), a song by Bette Midler named ‘From a Distance’ was an absolute hit. Perhaps unintentionally, Midler suggests that ‘God is watching us from a distance’. And from a distance the world looks harmonious, peaceful and full of joy. The implication is that God is impersonal, uncaring and distant because if God was looking closely He would see the distress our world is in; he would see our pain. As Christians, we know that Midler’s song is incorrect. We know that the events of the first Christmas gives us a hope, a faith and a surety that God is not distant but actually, personally with us. He is not an impersonal force or some distant deity, but one that ‘never leaves us of forsakes us’.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
- What's the best thing that's happened to you since last Christmas?
- What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
- What's the most meaningful Christmas gift you've ever received?
- What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you've ever given?
- What was your favourite Christmas tradition as a child?
- What is your favourite Christmas tradition now?
- What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
- Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
- Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such an almost worldwide celebration?
- Why do you think Jesus came to earth?
So this year remember to pray before your Christmas gatherings. Ask the Lord to grant you ‘divine opportunities’ to guide your conversations, and to open doors for the Gospel. May you participate in pointing people to Christ this Christmas, helping others to know that in him “things have been put right”.
A few more things to note:
The Presbytery office will be closed from Friday, 24 December and reopening on Monday, January 10, 2021. Melloney will be on leave during this time. Melloney’s emails will be checked for urgent matters, and I am available to help where I can.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Melloney Braithwaite and David Rankin for their work in the Presbytery supporting, in particular, congregations and Ministers. David and Melloney are willing and able to serve with efficiency, grace and humour for which I am very thankful. I would also like to thank the chairs of the committees, Russell, Marilyn and David for their desire to help bring about effective change as they help us to engage, equip and encourage healthy Christian leaders and communities.
Finally, thank you for your grace, challenge and correction for me when each have been needed in 2021. As a Presbytery we have decided to look toward some changes in the area of church planting, sustainability and how we plan to grow in coming years, so I look forward to seeing how God will continue to lead us in 2022. In Christ, the best is yet to come!
Be blessed,
Glen
|
|
|
2021 Bremer Children’s,
Youth and Young Adults recap
As we near the end of another year, it’s a wonderful time to look back on some of the fantastic activities held in our Presbytery for children, youth, and young adults in 2021. Thanks to all the amazing people who have helped share God’s love to them!
There were three Encounters this year where several high school youth groups came together to play games, grow deeper in faith, worship and build friendships between churches. The theme this year was “The Bigger Picture”; in our own life story, in Christian community through prayer, and internationally with UnitingWorld. The Presbytery looks forward to running these nights again in 2022, including doing the Olympics which were postponed this year due to health risks (if the IOC can do it, so can we!).
Easter Madness (high school camp) was back this year and headed bush to north of Toowoomba. The theme was “The Stage”, exploring the different types of stages in life our young people go through, as well as the different types of faith from non-believing to discipleship. Zumba was always a great way to start the day, as well as worship rallies both morning and nights. Fun games, competing in a mini-Olympics, Amazing Race, going deeper electives and small groups are just some of the many things that always make Easter Madness so much fun and memorable. In 2022 they’re heading back to the beach where it will be held on April 8-11 at Alex Park Conference Centre. It would be so wonderful to have a good group from Bremer Brisbane going.
For the young adults there was a campfire in winter and a park afternoon later in the year. This was to hang out and build friendships amongst churches. Trinity Unplugged was encouraged as a faith-growth opportunity. In 2022 we hope to continue to provide opportunities for friendship and discipleship, and also focus on building leaders through mentoring youth and young adults.
Oxley Day Camp was held in the winter school holidays. The theme was “Knock, Knock”. Unfortunately there was another lockdown knocking and they only had one day of camp…but wow did they make the most of that day! There was singing, skits, damper, sausages, games, story tent and the older kids even got to do canoeing.
Indooroopilly Uniting got to run their Christmas holiday program (Christmas Adventure) for the entire planned three days, Woo Hoo!!! “J is for Jesus” was the theme and they looked at the many names of Jesus. There was worship, games, water fights, Angry Birds, craft, and lots of smiling faces.
None of these activities and events would be able to run without amazing people taking the time to be Christ’s hands, feet and heart throughout this year. I would like to encourage you all as we start 2022 to think of how you can invest in a young person this coming year. It could be mentoring, praying, financial support, joining the team for one of these events, helping activities at your church, encouraging young people you know to attend events, or just taking an interest in their world.
Having personally been to most of these activities, I can reassure you that there is great hope for the future of the church in these young people…but we need to share Christ’s love and Good News now.
Jo Reynoldson
Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Youth and Young Adults Discipleship Task Group Chair
|
|
Indooroopilly Uniting Church
Many thanks to Jack, who is a member of a Taekwondo group offered by Russell Macarthur who is one of our tenants. Jack coordinated much of the collection from his branch and many other branches throughout southern suburbs of Brisbane and SE Qld. With the help of his Dad the donations were delivered this week ready for distribution. Sincere thanks to Russell Macarthur Taekwondo for their generous gifts.
(See photos below)
|
|
|
|
|
From Left to Right:
Grandmaster Russell Macarthur, Jack Kratochvil and Keith Harrison
|
|
|
Rev Harlee Cooper
(Minister - Indooroopilly UC)
with Jack Kratochvil
|
|
|
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
Blessing Day at Forest Lake Uniting Church
On Saturday 18th December, the community Blessing Day was held.
This event provides gifts and food hampers for families within the community for the upcoming Christmas period. Hundreds of toys and gifts were handed out to families in need.
The day was a collaboration between various community services including the Salvation Army Inala, Elorac Place Ellen Grove, Wesley Mission and the Forest Lake Uniting Church.
Almost 200 families received a food hamper and gifts for their children.
Thank you to all the volunteers and the community for coming together for this very important ministry.
|
|
|
|
DARRA UNITING CHURCH
Darra's annual Christmas lights is back this year with more lights, more props and more treats. They are the 7NEWS winner of Church and community 4KQ Christmas lights. Congratulations.
|
|
|
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES OF THE PRESBYTERY & CONGREGATIONS
|
|
|
|
Safe Ministry with Children (Congregation)
Face to Face - This is for people who have never attended any SMC training before. Modules 1 and 2.
Saturday 5th February 2022 - Gatton UC - 9am to 12 noon.
REGISTER HERE
REFRESHER - If you completed SMC training 2 years ago and are due for your refresher, please see below:
edUCate
NEW ON LINE LEARNING PLATFORM
The Learning Team can provide assistance to log in or access an online account on edUCate. Angela is the administrator.
The contact details for edUCate support:
earning@ucaqld.com.au or 07 3377 9990
|
|
|
Code of Ethics
& SMC (Ministers Component)
Friday 25th February 2022
Presbytery Office - 13 William Street, Goodna
9.30am - 11.30am - Safe Ministry with Children (Ministers Component)
12.30pm - 3.30pm - Code of Ethics
RSVP to Melloney HERE
|
|
|
|
The 36th Synod will be held in person from 13-17th May 2022
at Alex Park.
All attendees will need a confirmed double Covid-19 vaccination and rolls need to be confirmed by 4th March.
"A daring HOPE" is the theme of the 36th Synod.
In preparation for our Synod gathering in May 2022, nominations for the position of Moderator-Elect have been received from congregations and presbyteries. The Moderator Candidature Task Group (MCTG) has accepted these nominations and closed the nomination process.
We are delighted to advise the following nominations will be presented to the 36th Synod in Session (in alphabetical order):
Rev Peter Armstrong
Rev Linda Hanson
Rev Bruce Moore
Further information about each nominee and their call to be nominated for Moderator-Elect will be available in March 2022.
We ask that you hold the preparations for the 36th Synod, the church's wisdom and discernment, and the nominees and their families as they prepare for this momentous occasion in your prayers over the next few months.
In grace and peace in this Advent season
Rev Heather den Houting
General Secretary
|
|
|
Summer School: Introduction to Public Theology
8 week course, Tue 11th Jan 2022 - Tue 1st Mar 2022.
Tuesday nights, 6.30 - 9.30pm
In person at Wesley House, or online via Zoom
What does it mean for faith communities to engage in public discourse? Is there a common good? Can “God-talk” still make a positive contribution to society? You are invited to explore these questions over 8 weeks in the first cooperative Summer School. During the course we will investigate the nature of public theology, explore pop culture, examine forms of public dialogue from political speeches to viral memes, and stage our own conversation on four critical social issues in our time.
We will meet for 8 sessions on Tuesday nights (in person and online), starting on 11 January, 2022. For those who are joining us online, we will send you the Zoom link closer to the start date.
https://events.humanitix.com/the-cooperative-summer-school
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
The Uniting Church has welcomed new recommendations for the National Redress Scheme after a two year independent review found rapid reforms were needed to ensure the Scheme remains accessible, efficient and survivor centred.
https://ucaredress.org.au/news/
UCA Redress Ltd and the NSCU work closely to ensure learnings from the past inform contemporary practice, communication and strategy.
|
|
|
Project Plenty videos as discussion starters
Project Plenty seeks to support and resource the priority directions which the whole UCA has identified for its life across Qld in the coming years. Those directions gather around four pillars – discipleship, transforming communities, fit for purpose, and life together (one church).
Videos are being produced which share what is already happening across the church, to stimulate imagination in other contexts. Check out this growing video collection grouped around the four themes. Could you play one in worship, or at Church Council, or in home groups, as a catalyst for thinking about new possibilities in your space?
Join the Plenty Facebook group.
Read Uniting News.
Email the Plenty team at projectplenty@ucaqld.com.au.
|
|
|
|
|
Save the date now and register your participation for the 2022 Day of Mourning to reflect upon and lament the effect of the invasion and colonisation of this nation upon Australia's First Peoples. An updated resource will be released soon.
|
|
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
For the latest COVID-19 updates and resources, visit the Synod website.
|
|
|
Online worship services
Here is a list of Queensland Uniting Church congregations who are live streaming. For suggested changes or corrections to this list, please email the Mission Engagement Team.
|
|
|
Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Contact Details:
Presbytery Minister
Rev Glen Schweitzer - 0410 595 454
Mission Resource Minister
Rev Dr David Mackay-Rankin - 0432 341 816
Presbytery Chair
Rev Russell Reynoldson - 0429 472 567
Presbytery Secretary
Ms Gemma Ward - 0458 094 711
PRC Chair
Dr Marilyn Healy - 0411 418 599
Presbytery Property Officer
Rev Ross Mackay - 0432 681 362
Presbytery Admin. Officer
Melloney Braithwaite - 0413 667 671
|
|
The Presbytery office will be closed from
Friday 24th December and will re-open
Monday 10th January 2022.
For urgent matters only, please contact
Glen Schweitzer
|
|
|
|
May His love surround you at Christmas-time and always. May your Christmas be filled with joy and gratitude because of all that Christ has given you. God gave his greatest gift to us on that first Christmas day and may the wonder of it always guide and light your way.
Merry Christmas
Glen, David and Melloney
|
|
|
|
|
