Commissioning of a Lay Preacher: Colin Thomson

Colin Thomson was commissioned as a Lay Preacher in the Uniting Church in a worship service at Wangaratta on December 16th, 2012.  

Colin commenced training in early 2009.  He completed Lay Preacher Studies and six supervised worship services.  Following his commissioning, he said that he appreciated all the support received during this time.  His mentor and family members travelled from Melbourne to be there and members of the Presbytery of North East Victoria were also present.

Kids Church at Wangaratta Uniting Church

Children's Ministry

Kid's Church

Kid's Church happens each Sunday morning during term time at Wangaratta Uniting Church.  The children come into Worship and leave for Kid's Church part way through to engage in activities such as drawing, craft, drama, stories and singing.

Confirmation 2012

Engagement with Youth

Confirmation Group 2012

During 2012 it was great that four young people decided to be baptised and confirmed into the membership of the Uniting Church.  They each invited a mentor to attend the preparation for confirmation sessions, they talked together in between the sessions and their mentor stood with them on the day.

Grief And Loss Group

We experience loss in many ways:  through the death of a loved one, personal injury or illness, loss of a pet, moving house or any major change.

Grief is inescapable when we suffer loss.  Someone said, "we learn to live as we learn to grieve. Through grief we learn our limits and we learn that we are sustained by God's grace".  Sometimes grief partners are able to walk and talk with us and to simply be there and this can help.

Grief and loss sessions are offered as needed at the Wangaratta Uniting Church, Rowan Street.  For more information contact one of the Ministry Team.

Christmas/New Year Office Hours 2012/13

Please note that the Church Office will be closed from Friday 21st of December and will re-open on Wednesday 9th of January (from 10am to 3pm).  

Over the holiday period Ministers can still be contacted at any time using these contact details.

Christmas Lunch 2012

Will you be alone at Christmas?

UnitingCare Goulburn North East together with the Uniting Church Wangaratta Parish are hosting a Christmas dinner for people who find themselves alone this Christmas.

Dinner will be held at the Uniting Church Hall at 10 Rowan Street Wangaratta from 12:30pm to 3:00pm, Tuesday the 25th of December.  

You will be assured of good food, good company and good cheer.  Bookings are essential.  $5 donation per person.  You can reserve a place by contacting Zoe at UnitingCare on 5723800 or Renate at the Uniting Church Office on 57216555.

Christmas 2012 and Holiday Services 2013

Christmas services will take place at the following times...

Christmas Eve:
7.30pm -  Carols and Readings Service at Wangaratta Uniting Church Rowan Street - Rev. Christine Thomson.

11.30pm - Midnight Service at Wangaratta Uniting Church Rowan Street - Rev. Ron Manley.

Christmas Day:
9.30am - Ecumenical Service at King George Gardens (bring a chair).

9am - Milawa Ecumenical Service with Carols at the Anglican Church.

Other Holiday Services:

Wangaratta Uniting Church Rowan Street Services @9.30am
30th December and January 6th (HC), 13th, 20th and 27th.

Whitfield - 13th January @ 10.15am

Milawa - 27th January @ 9am

Greta/Moyhu - 27th January @ 10am

Spotlight: P.A.L.S (People Alone Lending Support)

Our Wangaratta PALS group was founded by Rev. Pam Riessen as part of her Ministry about 15 years ago.  PALS is a great title for our group for two main reasons - yes, it's about friendship (we certainly are pals!) and it offers a great opportunity for friendship with other people, but it's an acronym and one which quite a few are not familiar with.  It stands for People Alone Lending Support - yes, that is the primary goal of our PALS group, to lend support to one another, in particular to those of us who live alone.

However, we are a very inclusive group and you are certainly not precluded from joining if you don't live alone.  Over the years we have welcomed quite a few couples into our midst and if you and your wife or husband wish to join us to support others who might live alone, then we would welcome you with open arms and hearts.

This is my big opportunity to dispel another one of the myths surrounding eligibility for PALS and that is the age requirement.  Let me tell you, there isn't one and you don't have to be "very, very old" or any particular age to come and join us. One of the joys of PALS is that we are a very diverse and inclusive group of people who come together from an incredibly wide range of backgrounds, ages, life experiences and religious denominations.

Consequently there is a never-ending resource of stories behind the lives of all of us who meet together monthly, on the 1st Wednesday of each month starting at 2pm (in the Rowan Street Church Meeting Room) with the common goal of providing friendship, fellowship and support to one another.

We do have themed meetings so you might be treated to an afternoon of games, a guest speaker, quizzes, stories of wartime experiences, a football day, sharing of favourite poetry, community singing - and the list goes on.  Although members are encouraged to contribute on such days, you are welcome to talk or not talk.  We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed and we do have a lot of fun!

PALS wouldn't happen without a trusty band of amazing volunteers who do anything from serving tea and coffee to washing up and cleaning up as well as supporting me generally.  We do ask for a gold coin donation at each meeting to cover the cost of afternoon tea.

If you would like more information or to come along to a PALS meeting, please contact Renate at the Church Office on 57216555, or myself (Rosemary) on 57218951.  Transport is available if necessary.


- Rosemary Steele (Aged Care Minister)

PALS enjoying our recent 2012 Christmas breakup

Spotlight: UCAF (Uniting Church Adult Fellowship)

The UCAF, the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship, is a group who meet at the Church on the 4th Tuesday of each month and which is open to anyone who wishes to join.  Before Union, this group in most churches was known as the Ladies Guild.  At the moment our group here at Wangaratta is made up entirely of women, but men are most welcome.

We have a varied program which usually comprises a short business meeting, a time for devotions followed by an interesting activity, afternoon tea and a lot of laughter.

As a group we support many worthwhile causes including making annual donations to the Frontier Services Padre Patrol Ministry in Outback Australia.

We also donate and pack around 40 to 50 shoeboxes of useful new items which are sent all around the world in support of the Children Overseas Christmas Boxes Appeal.

Please come and join us.  You can contact the Church Office for more information (57216555).

- Click here to see the program for 2016.

Convenor,
Betty Whitten

Welcome to the blog of the Wangaratta Uniting Church

Welcome to our blog where you will be able to read about and share in the life and events of the Wangaratta Parish (N.E Victoria), including the congregations of Eldorado, Greta/Moyhu, Milawa, Wangaratta and Whitfield.

There'll be regular updates regarding special services, parish activities and reflective posts from the Ministry Team.  You'll also find information around the history of the Uniting Church in Wangaratta and the people presiding on our Elders and Church Council, various committees and small groups.

Recently we have introduced a brief time during our worship services where different aspects of our congregational life are presented as "Spotlights" so as to give people a glimpse of groups that they may wish to participate in.

Our Parish life is extremely vibrant so take a moment to learn about the many opportunities for engagement in Church Life in Wangaratta and the surrounding area.