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.

 

Coffee, Craft & Childcare Program and Registration Form - May 2016

Lent Event... keeping poverty on the back foot!

40 days of worship, prayer and informed action - connecting communities for life

With Lent nearly upon us, many in the Uniting Church have determined to set themselves a spiritual discipline through Lent Event – to live simply, reflect more deeply on our faith and act to support people working hard to free themselves from poverty. In this video UnitingWorld’s overseas church partners share their hopes and dreams of a better future – with your help, these are the communities that Lent Event supports. Get your Guide to Living Lent and join the Lent Event movement today and be sure to download the latest Lent Event app to receive daily prayers on your mobile device. All resources for congregations available free at www.lentevent.com

Fiona Johnson 

(Community Engagement and Events Co-ordinator) at UnitingWorld

Uniting Church Opportunity Shop Blessing and Celebration

A wonderful gathering of over fifty people was held at the opportunity shop on Sunday October 11th 2015 at 2:30pm to celebrate the completion of the extensions to the building.

Ian York from the Management Committee gave a comprehensive overview of the process involved from inception to completion.  John Baker, chairperson of Church Council thanked all those involved in the project including the valued volunteers and then Reverend Christine Thomson read a reflective and very beautiful blessing, most appropriate for the ongoing work at the opportunity shop.

Following the formalities, warm fellowship and a sumptuous afternoon tea were enjoyed by all, along with the opportunity to view the renovations.

The two new extensions will make a huge difference to the smooth running of the facility, with one being used for the unpacking of goods and the other as a display area for books and household goods.

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

We would love to see you there!

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.

UCAF Mystery Bus Trip - September

23 members participated in our Mystery Bus Trip late last month. As they boarded the bus, speculation was high as to where our destination was.  We headed towards Beechworth and many people expected us to stop at the Stanley café, but this was not to be as we turned south from Beechworth and made our way down the Buckland Gap. Perhaps we were going to the Murmungee hall, but then we joined the Great Alpine Road and our driver, David James, led us to Myrtleford and the Rein of Pearls Gift and Coffee shop.

This wonderful venue was an eye-opener to all and the food was delicious – soup, toasted sandwiches or Shepherd’s Pie, followed by tea and coffee, scones & jam and cream and a beautiful assortment of cakes and slices.

After lunch members wandered around the gift shop. Most bought something from the wide variety of well-priced gifts on display. We can recommend this venue to anyone.  A big thank you to David, our driver who took over from Jeff at the last moment. I know he enjoyed the day too.


Our next meeting will be a craft afternoon at the home of Eileen Dinning, 2 Blake Street, Wangaratta on Tuesday 22nd.  October at 1.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

UCAF Report - “A Flower-less Flower Show” and upcoming events

The August meeting of the UCAF was “A Flower-less Flower Show”.   (see photos from the day below)

24 members attended this fun afternoon where all members participated. There was a mixed assortment of flower-less items on show including flower brooches, a wedding head piece, plates, mugs, scarves, dresses, rugs, quilts and many more.  All agreed it was a fun afternoon, topped off with afternoon tea.

Our next UCAF meeting will be on Tuesday September 24, a mystery bus trip stopping for lunch along the way.  More details on this event later.

The October meeting is planned as a Christmas Craft afternoon at a venue to be advised at a later date.

The final meeting for the year, our Christmas Break Up, will be held in November. There will be more information on this shortly.

- Betty Whitten

UCAF (Uniting Church Adult Fellowship) First Meeting & 2013 Program

Our first meeting for 2013 was held on Tuesday 26th February at 1.30pm.  This was our Commitment Service and was led by Rev Christine Thomson and was followed by a short meeting and afternoon tea.

We 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 2013.

- Convenor, Betty Whitten

Easter Services

Below is the list of the services around our Parish for Holy Week.

Please note the updated time for the Easter Sunday Sunrise service which differs from the time published in the newsletter.  

* Also please note there will be a service on Easter Sunday at Whitfield at 10.15am

Pancake Dinner - Friday Feb. 22nd 6.30pm

A pancake dinner will be held on Friday the 22nd of February in the Church Hall (Rowan Street) beginning at 6.30pm.  

The guest speaker will be Dr. Graeme Blanch and he will be speaking on his time spent in Northern India at Ladakh with a volunteer program "Vets Beyond Borders".

The cost of the evening is $15 for adults and $5 for school-aged children.

Profits from the night will go to the Uniting Church bushfire appeal.  

Invite your friends and neighbours along.  To book or find out more contact Renate at the Church Office on 57216555 by February the 20th.  

Spotlight: SALT group

SPOTLIGHT ON SALT

SALT is the acronym for Sharing And Learning Together, an ecumenical small group.      

In February-March 2002 a group of people from the Greta-Moyhu area, had such an enjoyable and significant time sharing together in six weeks of Lenten studies, that they wanted to continue.                               

After meeting together in homes a couple of times, the idea of SALT evolved and on 17^th June at 6.30 pm we had a bring to share Tea and Study Group at Carl & Myra Clayden’s 

This was the “official’ beginning of SALT.

The Focus Is on fellowship around a meal together. 

               Eating together is important.

            Singing together

            Laughing together

            Learning together

           

On the third Monday of the month ladies bring something to eat and we meet in homes and halls.  We also have a Picnic Day and a Special Dinner Night through the year.

SALT is meeting a real need.  Men come to Salt who never come to church.

We average 18-24 at our meetings.

- Carl Clayden is the contact person for this group  (0427131928)

Christmas Day Dinner 2012 Report & Photos

The Christmas Day Dinner hosted by UnitingCare Goulburn North East together with the Uniting Church Wangaratta Parish was a roaring success.  They expected 104 people and 120 turned up.  Extra tables were set up and every chair in the church complex was found and used. Those who arrived early we treated to recorded carols and Christmas stories in the Church.  There was a great atmosphere of celebration.

The meal in the Hall was provided by North East Health Wangaratta, and those on the kitchen team did an outstanding job serving them up considering the extra numbers. The program included carol singing, table game, and a powerpoint presentation “The Chocolate Christmas Story.”  

Father Christmas arrived while we were singing “Jingle Bells” and  the children helped him to give each person a gift, along with a jar of home-made jam, lovingly prepared beforehand by a small group of volunteers from the Uniting Church.

Each team did their required tasks flawlessly and everything flowed smoothly.  

The whole dinner including the preparation, implementation and cleaning up was superbly co-ordinated.  Special thanks go to the UCGNE CEO and co-ordinator as well as the Master Of Ceremonies for an excellent job.  Grateful thanks must also go to all those who donated treats or home baked goods for the take-home gift boxes.


- Carl Clayden



Preparation of the Christmas take-home gift boxes, table set-up and hall decoration:

- photos taken on the day will be added shortly.

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.