ANGLICAN
SUMMER is here and two weeks from now it will be Christmas Eve.
Families during schooling interruptions have been trying new activities to ward off COVID boredom.
The Bendigo Anglican Diocese (under the unfortunate acronym BAD!) has come up with a LEGO Challenge.
All ages can team up to get crafty ideas to become a reality.
Families are being invited to recreate any scene from the Nativity as a diorama, a model, a stop-motion video or other creation.
Entries to the Diocese close tomorrow Dec 11, and sorry for such short notice.
Families can photograph or video their entries and email to archdeacon@ bendigodiocese.com.au
All actual models will then be displayed in the church foyer until twelve days after Christmas.
Not quite Myer of Melbourne windows, but still a bit of shared family joy to surprise us all.
The challenge of being unable to predict changes in restriction of numbers been partly overcome by offering this online competition.
In recent years Swan Hill Anglican Church has featured a display of people’s nativity scenes, collected over many years and from many places.
These have been displayed along the walkway from the church into the function centre.
Another local tradition has been the 5pm service for all age families on Christmas Eve to welcome the birthday of the Baby Jesus.
Peter is waiting on a decision whether to proceed this year, governed by various practicalities.
Please check the church notices, watch for the church bulletins each week, and take note of the readings during Advent, extremely relevant in current days.
Prepare to live the true message of Christmas.
UNITING
THIS week we are considering the joy of Christmas.
For some this may feel distant or even unattainable, for others there may be pressure to pretend that things a merry and bright.
Our perception of joy is often that it is feeling happy and positive all the time.
The reality is that for many reasons, we can feel as though we have lost our joy.
The stress of the last year has taken its toll on many in our families and communities.
It has been heartening to hear of groups planning events that only a few months ago it felt too hard to do.
People have shared that the opportunity to share in community and family events has re-energised them.
Perhaps joy has not been lost but has been in hibernation.
The road of life has some sharp turns in it sometimes.
If you have ever ridden a motorbike, you will know that doing a slow turn is a fine art.
The main rule is to look to where you want to go, because where your eyes focus is where you go.
The other thing to remember is not to look at where you don’t want to go.
If you become worried or bothered about a particular obstacle or issue, you tend to focus on that, and it will be where you end up.
There is not a lot of joy in missing the turn!
This week there is a verse from Philippians that may help us navigate some of life’s the corners.
The verse reminds us to focus our attention on the good things we have in our lives.
We have a choice on how we nurture joy in our lives.
Do you want joy in your life?
Then the advice in Philippians is to focus on what is true, just, praiseworthy and include thankfulness to God for his constant love and mercy.
Coming up at Swan Hill Uniting:
Sunday December 19 – Morning tea and carol singing following the 10am service.
Christmas Eve – Service at 8pm with Carol Boyce.
Christmas Day – Service at 9.30am with Barry Bishop.
Boxing Day – Service at 10am with Max Cooke.
