November 2003

It was the beginning of what would be a long day when we gathered in Campsie Church for the Synod Prayer Gathering.

Some people had travelled long distances to be there; some had been up preparing the refreshments they served as we arrived. After some difficult times in the previous days
I was overwhelmed by voices joining in “O for a thousand tongues to sing”. Then we moved into reflection and prayer continuing through word spoken, read or sung in Korean and other languages of those present. We were very conscious of the groups who were participating in the month of prayer surrounding Synod and those groups who pray week by week for the Uniting Church within our Synod. Behold I do a new thing! Volume 3 was distributed at the gathering. This booklet contains the stories of how, through their praying, God’s Spirit is transforming the lives of congregations as they minister to people within their communities. From there many of us present travelled the short distance to Canterbury Park Conference facility for the formal gathering of Synod.

The following Sunday, Castle Hill congregation, in a moving time of worship, celebrated the centenary of the first Methodist services. This has been a year of centenary celebration for them. Later that afternoon, when many people were readying themselves for a football final, people gathered at Auburn to pray for the Rev. Dr Dean Drayton, President of the national Assembly.

Karyn Paluzzano MP opened an extension, which allows 21 places in the new 0-2 year old long day care facilities of Janis Children’s Centre. This remarkable ministry of the Penrith congregation has been providing care for families in the community for 27 years.

The 5th National Ecumenical Aged Care Chaplains’ Conference has challenged people in aged care ministry to think about the pastoral partnership in the “song and dance of the rhythm of life”. Those gathered (on the first morning) came from every state and territory and many traditions of the church

Grenfell and people from surrounding areas joined in an ecumenical forum organised by the Ministers’ Association on the first day of daylight saving. An ecumenical service was followed by a barbecue prepared by the local Rotary Club and a Forum on Ecumenism held in the Henry Lawson High School. They invited bishops from Anglican Bathurst and
Canberra Goulburn Catholic dioceses to participate with the Moderator. The strong ecumenical relationship in this community was highlighted in this day at the close of their annual flower festival.

Hop into Stamps invited the Post Office sign, encouraging new and more experienced collectors to be on the lookout for new releases. That’s one advantage we all have through the work of our Synod Stamp Committee in the collection and sale of used stamps. Collectors can buy stamps. We can all support them as we save stamps from our mail. Sales this year have raised some $16,000 for projects in various parts of our life together. As Christmas Cards are on sale (82,000 already through the Board of Mission in 2003) I am reminded that a peak time for stamps is approaching.

We practise waiting for Christ’s return in Advent. It’s a spiritual discipline in which we are challenged by attempts to rush us into “Christmas” luxuries all too soon. Something I have found useful to keep me focused is to sing and pray through a carol each day as I wait for Christ’s guidance.