Christmas Services 2014

Join us for worship over the festive season...

Wangaratta UCAF Latest Report

Our group has been very busy over the past few months with a varied and interesting program.  

In August we enjoyed a guest speaker who showed us some Life Story books which some of our older citizens in retirement homes had put together with his help.  Our speaker suggested that everyone had a story of their life to tell, one which other people would be interested in and he encouraged us all to think about writing our own stories.

In September we entertained members from other UCA groups and local chuches from around the area.  40 people attended and we had a very enjoyable afternoon which concluded with a Devonshire afternoon tea.

Our October meeting saw us go on a mystery bus trip to Brookfield Maze Garden at Myrhee.  The garden and surrounds looked spectacular with all the Spring flowers in bloom and there were many old favourite trees and shrubs, some over 100 years old. The Maze only opened recently and consisted of 1036 cyprus trees lovingly planted by the owners. There were 20 members in attendance and we were treated to a lovely afternoon.

The last meeting for 2015 will be held in November when we will finish a successful year with a Christmas breakup and lunch to which our Ministry team are invited to join us.

Betty Whitten
Convenor

Part of our group resting after viewing the amazing garden around the maze.
A wonderful afternoon was had by all.

Taken from the centre of the maze looking across the beautiful countryside.

Jazz Praise on Reid service - Wangaratta Jazz Festival 2014

Celebration Day for Special Milestones In Your Lives - Sunday November 9, 2014

We would love to see you there!

Worship Plan for November 2014 to January 2015 NOW AVAILABLE!

New Worship Plans running up until January 2015 are now available.  

If you would like a copy, you can pick one up from the Church Office or in the foyer.

North East Victoria Presbytery Field Days 2014

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the NEV Field days, run by the Uniting Church for the Northeast of Victoria Presbytery. 

This year it was held at the Wodonga Uniting Church and involved many people from across Victoria and up into NSW.  Some of the people were invited to present some very interesting Electives and others of us were able to explore some opportunities to delve more deeply into issues which interested us most.  There were many to choose from and I attended one on Conflict and how to deal with it and another one which introduced me to the concept of being involved in a church that hadn’t had a Minister for many years, and how they had managed this idea. 

It was very refreshing to hear the speakers and to discuss different ways of approaching some of the difficulties that we come up against, as members of the church in our communities.  These Field days were also an opportunity to catch up with some of the young people who I had travelled to Sydney with, to attend this year’s NCYC in January. 

- Anne Turnbull

NCYC 2014

NCYC 2014…. What an experience.  The Name for NCYC this year was ‘YURORA,’ which in the Dharug language means Passionate.  We are called by God to be passionate about our faith and to share it with others.  Wow lots to think about, during our week in Sydney.

We drove to Sydney, in a coach, with 30 young people, ranging in age from 16-25 years. What an amazing group of young people they were too.  The first night we were hosted by the Cootamundra Uniting Church, who warmly welcomed us and allowed us to use their hall and facilities. 

The next day we headed the short distance to Sydney, with our bus breaking down on the way, we arrived at Circular Quay at lunchtime and spent the early afternoon sightseeing. The weather was beautiful. At 3pm we boarded a ferry for the trip up the Parramatta River to meet our bus, which took us to our accommodation for the week.  We stayed in the Northmead Uniting church hall, where we set up our sleeping gear and enjoyed an amazing BBQ, provided by the congregation.  We also had portable showers, provided by the NCYC Commmittee, which was a treat!

Each day we travelled the short distance to the site of NCYC, which was in the Tara Anglican School grounds and the Uniting Churches Centre for Ministry, in Parramatta.  Plenty of space and lovely surroundings.  Quite a steep walk to some of the electives, so we were very fit by the end of the week. The Electives were many and varied and everyone had the opportunity to select what they would like to attend. They were held each afternoon.  Each morning we were involved in a Community gathering, then met up for a Worship time.  The worships on offer, were quite different and we could change, if we wanted to try another type of worship. 

We all enjoyed Pirate Church, which was very different from what we are used to in Church, and it was invigorating! We were very well fed by our coach cook, Janette, and met up each mealtime, to connect with our bus group.  It was like catching up with our family and I felt it was a very important time of the day, to make contact with the kids. In the evenings we enjoyed a variety of bands, on the main stage, with different music to offer, amazing poets and opportunities for the kids to present something they wanted to perform.  

NCYC is a very cultural event, so it was wonderful to experience all that these groups, from across Australia and beyond, shared with us. My role at NCYC was as a Chaplain, which involved me being available to assist the young people, if they wanted to talk about anything, and also to help them if they were having any concerns with directions or the day’s plans.

Steven, Leanne and myself, thoroughly enjoyed the NCYC experience and would like to thank all of the Wangaratta congregations for supporting us to have this opportunity. We are very fortunate to be able to enjoy many occasions to share, with other members of the Uniting Church in our Presbytery and with other churches, in our local communities.  I encourage you to take up these opportunities as they arise, as there is always something new we can learn and ponder.

- Anne Turnbull

Christine and Colin's Welcome Home Lunch - August 2014

 

- Check out the website of the First United Methodist Church in Stanley, NC:  www.fumcstan.com

The Op Shop Fashion Parade at Elderly Citizens Club - February 2014

The fashion parade for the Elderly Citizens was a wonderful outreach for the Uniting Church Op Shop. All the models stepped out of their comfort zone and showed daywear, blouses, slacks, skirts and dresses that they all felt very comfortable in to wear up the street.  They also showed three piece outfits suitable for the mother-of-the-bride, church, a special evening out and dinner.  Beautiful glittering evening frocks graced the walkway to the delight of the seniors.

The coordinated sleepwear outfits, with their accompanying cuddly soft toys, were real show-stoppers. A wonderfully happy atmosphere was created as these toys were raffled and won by members of the audience.

We showed them, with our outfits and prices, that we are undoubtedly the best Op Shop in town!  We finished the show with a rendition of our signature little ditty.  We obviously left an impression as there were quite a number of purchases of clothing items made on the afternoon.


Take a look at the models parading a selection of the outfits on the catwalk...

UCAF (Uniting Church Adult Fellowship) 2014 Program

UCAF meet in the Meeting Room on the 4th Tuesday of each month.  This is a very laid back group and we warmly welcome anyone who would like to join us.  Our programs are varied and each month differs but includes a short devotion, program and afternoon tea.  Below please find our proposed program for 2014.

- Convenor, Betty Whitten

Op Shop - Test Driving Without A Licence

See, it's not all work and no play at the Op Shop!

Check out this photo of Marg Wayman test driving without a licence.  Apparently they call it 'fitness training' using physical challenges!

- if you want to find out more info about the Uniting Church Op Shop, please click here.