Anglican
ANOTHER successful boot sale last week, with lots of furniture and larger items sold from the shed behind Anglicare, as well as all the goods in the hall.
Local honey, plants and a barbecue were enjoyed out the front of the hall.
Our Sunday services were conducted by Rev Pam Lawry and we really value the ministry of the visiting clergy. Pam will join us again for Easter.
Easter is fast approaching and this Sunday is your last chance to donate Easter eggs for the families supported by Anglicare.
The eggs have been especially appreciated in the past and it is a way for us as Christians to spread the joy of Easter.
Tomorrow a group of district ladies are travelling to Bendigo to join in the Diocesan celebration of Lady Day.
They will join discussion groups, then participate in a service in the cathedral to commemorate the Archangel Gabriel’s visit to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the light of the world and the Lady Day participants will pause and consider how each of them could bring this light into the lives of others.
Grain Shed
YOUTH meet tonight at 7pm at the Grain Shed.
Tomorrow, from 4pm-8.30pm at Riverside Park, is Harmony Day. Come along and enjoy the afternoon’s event and food. At Cafe Oh La La all donations are going to the Grain Shed’s Hampers of Hope.
On Sunday at 10am, come along, invite a friend. Matt Grierson is on the platform and is sure to deliver a message that will bless all. Grainshed kids, desk is open from 9.45am.
Monday is mainly music 10am start, lots of fun and music instore for all.
Thursday craft ladies meet at 10am.
Save the date: Easter Jam on Sunday, April 2 at 10am. Last Supper on Thursday, April 6.
Uniting
WE are well into our journey toward Easter.
This Lenten season, as it is called, gives us time to reflect and consider God’s promise to love and forgive all people.
Lent is about intentionally opening ourselves, preparing to receive God’s goodness.
It encourages us to focus on the relationship we have with Christ through the way in which we engage with the Holy Spirit within.
We take time to increase our consciousness of the influence of the Christ’s Spirit on the way we live our lives, remembering that this includes loving ourselves.
Opening ourselves and seeking to grow in our relationship with Christ will, like any relationship, have times when we make mistakes, become distracted, feel we have taken two steps forward and one back.
These times of setback can be viewed two ways. Our natural self may seek to blame, shame and chastise ourselves, but the Spirit within will seek to love us through it.
Setbacks remind us that we are not designed to do life alone. They help us remember our need for God and serve to engage our faith in a deeper way.
Setbacks give us opportunities to practice self-forgiveness. We can choose to allow judgemental statements to direct us, or we can listen for the words of encouragement.
We are often far more willing to encourage or forgive another than we are ourselves, but by learning the art of loving ourselves, we expand our capacity to love others.
During Lent, our Life Group has been using a resource by Sarah Parsons called “A Clearing Season – reflections for lent”.
This group is open to any who would like to be a part of conversations about faith and life.
We use various resources throughout the year, and are sensitive to the needs of those attending when introducing topics.
A cuppa is available from 10am on Wednesday mornings and we usually finish by 11.30am.
Easter services will be held at the Swan Hill UC on the corner of Beveridge and Rutherford streets at 10am on Good Friday and 10am on Easter Sunday with Rev Mark Boyce. All welcome.
