Eileen Dinning's 70th Birthday Celebration

Eileen's 70th birthday was celebrated recently with a party held for family and friends at the Uniting Church Hall.  It was a night to remember!  

Everyone enjoyed the delicious meal provided and the touching speeches given by family and especially the Dinning grandchildren.

It was a wonderful occasion with a standout feature of the evening being the stunningly realistic Singer sewing machine inspired cake created by Eileen's daughter Sally.

 

UCAF 2016 Program

To learn more about the group, please click here.

Milawa ‘St. Andrews’ Uniting Church Decommissioning Service - Sunday March 22nd, 2015

A closing Service of Thanksgiving  and Decommissioning  for the Milawa Uniting Church after 148 years of continuous service to Milawa and district was held on March 22^nd, 2015.  This decision was not an easy one but we were down to six regulars of which only two were truly local.

This lovely old mud and brick church served its community well over many generations.  The Milawa Uniting Church celebrated new life through baptism, love celebrated in marriage and as a place to say farewell to loved ones at the end of their lives.  It brought comfort and solace to those  who were sorrowing, fellowship and hope for those who came and an opportunity to support and embrace the Christian faith. This enabled us to be challenged and supported to care for the wider community as Jesus would have us do as we looked to God, the Holy spirit, for guidance and reassurance.

The special service prepared by Rev. Christine Thomson was moving and sensitive to the needs of the congregation as we grieved for this sacred space, but we were thrilled to have so many people join us.  The church overflowed with visitors from across the parish and from Presbytery which also helped us celebrate the life of this church.  Following the service a sumptuous morning tea was held.

Special thanks to Rev. Christine and Fred Jungwirth for the time and effort you put in to make this a very special occasion for the dwindling Milawa Congregation and for all the visitors who came and sang like angels which contributed greatly to the atmosphere on the day.

- by Joan Cochrane

Article from the Wangaratta Chronicle reporting on the closure of St. Andrew's -

The Milawa Congregation –  Back Row:  Joy Johnson, Isabel Foote, Merilyn Stephens, JennyShearer Stephen Shearer, Shirley Carter and Arthur Meyers.  Front Row: Marg Gibb, Melva Lynes and Ruby Mickan 

The Johnson Family

Joy Johnson and Shirley Johnson

Robert and Eve Kerr

Lyn and David Turner & Ian and Julie Hempel

Jenny and Steve Shearer

Arthur Meyers

Melva Lynes and her sister Tim Raison

Colin and Rev Christine Thomson

Shirley Carter, Jenny Shearer and Marg Gibb 

Arthur Meyers and Joan Cochrane-Meyers 

Stuart McAliece and Rex Allen

Verna Nugent, Kay Gamze
and John Nugent

Jan Hooper, Valda Watson, Kath Finger and Heather Newth

Carl and Myra Clayden & Lyn Finger 

Gladys and Graeme Wilson & Fran Doig

Melva Lynes and Helen Twitt

Rosie Bennett and Jan Morris

Jim and Mary Gregory

Elizabeth Hildebrand and Joan Hilderbrand

Eve Kerr, Lyn Turner & Enid Yelland

Joan Martin

Wyn Airey 

Allan Raison and Arthur Meyers

Enid Yelland and Alan Wood

Merilyn Stephens and Colin Thomson

Ian and Mary Simpson

Melva Lynes and Merilyn Stephens

Heather Newth, John Yelland & Lyn Hammond

UCAF Report - Trip to Corowa

Our UCAF members visited the Corowa church group recently. On our arrival at Corowa  we were taken into their lovely church which contained an inspiring stained glass window entitled “The Living Tree”.

A short devotion on living things was led by Rev. David Sloane, husband of Val Sloane whom we all know. Then the co-ordinator of the Community Garden, Joan Palmer, spoke to us on the way in which this program got started. The church community gave the group the disused tennis court for the project, but it took some 2 years to get it to where it is today. With donations from the public, local businesses and Council, it became operational. It is still in the process of extending the surroundings.

In the middle of the garden is a sculpture made from recycled metal from the local Council depot. The sculpture contains a bee hive made of wood with a hole drilled for bees, and our group were very taken with the overall idea of the whole project.

The garden has been named the “Corowa Community Living Tree Garden” after the stained glass window in the church. After we inspected the garden afternoon tea was served and members were invited to take any of the produce that had been grown, for just a gold coin donation.

A very inspiring afternoon was had by all – many thanks to all our Corowa friends.

UCAF 2015 Program

Whitfield Church Decommissioning Service - March 8th, 2015

Last Sunday, around 40 people were at Whitfield for a memorable last service at the church. It was a beautiful sunny morning as we gathered outside for worship followed by morning tea.

The congregation will continue to meet on the 1st and 2nd Sunday of each month. Please contact Alan Hildebrand or Reta Sheppard for venue.

The following Liturgy of Remembering was included in the Service of Thanksgiving and Decommissioning of the buildings:

Some photos taken at the Whitfield church during and following the final service: