Dear friends,

As I write this I am aware of the great variety of circumstances we are involved in as a church community.

A number of our folk are ill, some temporary and others long lasting or permanent and our love and prayers are for them and their loved ones.  I am aware also that when one of our church family is suffering there is a genuine sense of sadness among us all.  In the midst of this reality was the wonderful meal, production and fellowship enjoyed on the “Grinch” night.  A “Christmas in July” type celebration provided by our youth and their very committed leaders. The whole evening was very worthwhile including raising over $530 towards educating children in East Timor.  We are seeing this project as an area of mission and already another area of mission, The Diner is raising funds for East Timor.

Added to these is the desire to support young people at risk in our own community of Warragul through Youth for Christ.

On Saturday night some of us attended the Chaplaincy Dinner to support chaplain Jenny at the Warragul Regional College.

On Sunday afternoon the Bible Society held a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon to provide bibles in the devastated country of Zimbabwe.

I am aware of other groups within the congregation supporting many different needs in Warragul and beyond.  It really is amazing how so few can effect the lives of so many people locally and around the world.  We do this out of love, compassion and care in response to Jesus’ example and invitation to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.  Truly, this way effects us all.

To support our worship and mission life we look forward to the building of the new Worship and Mission Centre.  The Synod property and finance people have reviewed the allocation of funds for this project and we are now in the blessed position of having enough money available to cover the cost of the project which I expect will commence this month.  Many have held this vision for a good number of years and this faithfulness will be rewarded.

All of the above leads me to the next area of our life together – that is inviting and welcoming people into our fellowship.  The love that exists among the congregation, the work of mission beyond the congregation and for a new building, are not meant for our own inward looking pleasure but to be shared, along with the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus in the wider community.  If each of us is aware of this on Sundays, to make sure people are welcomed and included in worship and at morning tea, and then share with others the good things happening in the name of Jesus, we will continue to grow in faith and honour God’s faithfulness to us.

This privilege is not just for leaders or “busy" people; rather, a privilege and opportunity for us all.  Please don’t think I am overlooking or taking lightly some of our struggles and differences, but to concentrate on those only takes away our energy for our Lord’s work.  In the face of the many struggles in life I am convinced that we are to encourage and affirm each other so that, we, together, can do what we are meant to do “To proclaim the wonderful acts of God.”