Posts from 2025

One of my favourite proverbs has profoundly informed my view of Christian service. It is one that many of you will know (and if you can forgive with necessary cultural adaption). Give someone a fish, and you feed them for a day.Teach someone to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. The origin of this thought is contested. I have always known this adage as a Chinese proverb. The source is less important than the general principle. Alleviating suffering…

When the formal merger of four local churches became Manningham Uniting Church in 2012, our purpose was to become one strong faith- based congregation that also recognised and used its gifts and graces in partnership with the localManningham community. We wanted to understand where God was at work in the community, and to join in. Putting this into practice was the basis ofEmma’s very worthwhile ten year role as MUC’s Missional Community Development Worker. On behalf of MUC, Emma’s connection…

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the Auditorium listening to Con’s sermon on The Good Samaritan. As I’ve spent the last few months supporting MUCadmin. around the rentals of the building, my mind wandered (despite the impressive sermonising, Con!) to that subject. I noted down two things that Con said. Firstly, he said that the story of The Good Samaritan is a story of helping those who aren’t us. Since childhood, I’ve always understood the message of the…

We are pleased to announce that the Reverend Alison Sampson (middle With Kay and Ruth) will be joining the ministry team as Supply (fixed term) for the next three months in a three days a week capacity. Alison is ordained as a Baptist Minister. There’s a lovely section in Alison’s CV headed ‘Roving Preacher’ and another about ‘Sole Pastor’ and the contents read so much like the ministry of Jesus and those to whom he was drawn. Alison’s experiences embrace…

We had an amazing day on Saturday at the World Knitting Day event. There was over 80 people who attended and knitted (or crochet) the afternoon away. Thanks to all of you who attended and made the event such a success. Through the purchases of home made woollen items like beanies, scarves, bags of wool etc we raised over $1000 for EACH Refugee Health Clinic, Ringwood.

Bidding is now open for this wonderfully made Queen sized quilt. Funds raised will be donated to EACH – an Australia wide organisation that provides accessible health and social care

At our combined service on 19 January we celebrated Aboriginal Sunday as an opportunity for our church, on the Sunday before Australia Day, to respond to a call by William Cooper to the Australian Church to stand in solidarity and pray for justice and the flourishing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  Sally Apokis led the worship using resources from Common Grace on the theme of ‘Defiant Hope’. It was an opportunity to go deeper in listening, learning, and being led…