Posts by Manningham UC

A new year brings the news that Youth Group (years 5 to 10) is starting up at MUC! We have a team of leaders excited about running an awesome program which is guaranteed to get you pumped! This is an open group; anyone from Grade 5 to Year 10 is welcome to join!  We will generally meet on a Sunday evening around once a fortnight and most nights will cost $5, but you’ll need to check the program carefully because…

VENUE CHANGE TO 20 WESTFIELD DRIVE, DONCASTER Sadly the forecast for Sunday is unpredictable.  To ensure the comfort and safety of all our attendees, and to avoid last minute confusing changes, we are moving the service from Westerfolds Park to the church in Westfield Drive. Please ensure all your friends are aware of this change.  If you live in a retirement village, please share so everyone knows. Don’t assume people will know of the venue change. We regret this decision…

I bet the angel that appeared to Mary didn’t have bright, orange-dyed hair.  Mine did.  At the time I was struggling through an unfamiliar cavernous supermarket, trying to drag a broken basket on wheels towards the checkout.  I was hot and bothered when suddenly my ‘angel’ appeared.  Unbeknownst to me she had witnessed my struggle and offered to help me.   She took the recalcitrant basket, shepherded me towards the checkout, unloaded my groceries and after seeing me safely on my…

This prayer of blessing was written by Presbytery of Gippsland UCA Minister Rev Jennie Gordon in between shifts working at a firezone relief centre in the town of Bairnsdale. She asked us to share it for all affected by the bushfire crisis. blessed are you – East Gippsland blessed are youwho walk the scorching beachesand shelter in the oceanbrushing burning embersGod beside you blessed are youwho weep with grief and sorrowand bear an ashen imageof a life of green and growingGod beside you blessed are…

…FROM OUR CLOSE CALL WITH ONE OF THE MANY RECENT THE BUSH FIRES Dale and I watched, from our balcony, the Bundoora bush fire rapidly growing in size and heading in the direction of our home. Our first thoughts were that we’ll be fine as the CFA, the MFB and the helicopters will arrive soon. However, with the strong winds behind the flames, the pace of the fire’s advance was frightening. It looked as if the fire would miss our…

The funeral worship held at Westfield Drive on 4 December  was extremely helpful and informative. Megan opened proceedings and introduced James and Peter from Bethel Funerals* who gave a comprehensive presentation about what to do to plan for a funeral and happily answered all questions. The presentation began with the useful information that if someone dies at home, the first call is to the ambulance. The paramedics are able to sign the death certificate to save calling the doctor also.…

I was glancing through my emails on my phone when George wandered into the hall at Westfield Drive. We greeted each other as George sat down beside me.  “Must be a party on today” said George, as he glanced across the room. Before us were a row of tables neatly set up with white tablecloths and decorated with a Christmas theme. There was a shortbread biscuit in a clear plastic sleeve for each person.  The top was tied with a…

So what? And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ Luke 2:13-14 Reflection And so you have reached the final station.  We hope that these stations have challenged you to consider current issues around the world, this nation, this community.  As you ponder the nativity scene in the stable, remember the messiness of life, the…

Wisdom of elders Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband…

A carol service with an alternative nativity was held at the Woodhouse Grove site on Sunday 15 December, 2019. Read more about the evening

Back to Bethlehem ‘Back to Bethlehem’ seemed a good introduction to the Christmas story. But then what’s new in this familiar story told annually at this time of the year. I was attracted by the thought of a sausage sizzle, onions cooked to perfection, fresh white bread and an assortment of sauces. My disappointment, when at last, bread in hand I selected my sausage, I was told “no onions”.    It’s the golf, I was told.  The Presidents Cup had delayed…

Seeking refuge Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’  Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what…