Prayer Points

Ministry Team
Culture of Safety program
Moderator – Denise
Stewart Lodge & residents
Worship Committee
Finance Committee
YUCY & YUCY-OG
Compassion Ministry
BUC Arts
Synod of VicTas
Creatures of the sea
Preparations for Christmas worship
Moving Towards COVID Normal group

Moving towards COVID normal

Sunday Afternoons in December – 2pm In-Person Worship. 

We are holding another Advent service in the church this Sunday 13th December at 2pm. It was great to be together last week and to know the joy of worshipping in person. Come and share the love! There is plenty of room despite physical distancing restrictions – please just let Ian know that you are coming (iferguson@icloud.com 0438 547 842) and spread the word!

When you come you will notice a number of changes:

  • You will need to sign in using a QR code or on the sign in sheets provided.
  • You will need to wear a mask.
  • You will need to sit and stand at least 1.5 metres away from anyone who is not part of your household. We are facilitating this by blocking off every second pew and by marking 1.5 metre intervals along each pew.
  • Initially all the music will be recorded. You are welcome to join in singing with your mask on.
  • There will be no afternoon tea, but you don’t need to hurry off – stay and chat while observing physical distance.

We will hold these 2pm services during December only. We plan to commence 9:30am in-person services in January. Stay tuned for our “Moving Towards COVID Normal” updates.

Christmas News

Worship services
Each year we offer four Christmas services and this year we are continuing the tradition this year.

Olive Way Christmas Lunch
After a tumultuous and disruptive year we at Olive Way thought that it would be really nice if we could conclude the year on a positive note. To that end we have decided that we will be holding an end of year breakup/Christmas event on Tuesday 22nd of December from the church (12:30pm). Details are being worked on. Contact Peter, 0431 193 810, to offer your support.

Climate Action News

ARRCC – Stop Adani online action
At 12:30pm on Monday 14 December join via zoom with people of faith from ARRCC (Australian Religious Response for Climate Change) in an online action to put pressure on HSBC and State Bank of India to rule out lending money for Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.

Green Faith International: Sacred People Sacred Earth campaign
We are united by a fundamental belief that all people, all living things, and the Earth are sacred. As we consider the state of the world today, our hearts overflow with concern. We are frightened and frustrated by the damage that COVID-19 is inflicting on our communities. The pandemic has revealed cruel injustices. The vulnerable suffer the most severe impacts. We know about this injustice. We have seen it before. These same communities are disproportionately and catastrophically affected by the accelerating climate emergency. Grave threats are at our door as the world shelters in place. As faith communities, we need to make our voices heard. Green Faith International is aiming for tens of thousands of signatures from people of faith. You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/3f4GFtK

Zero Carbon Moreland website
This Moreland City Council website highlights actions you can take to help act on the climate crisis, Stay up to date with projects, events and campaigns to help the community act together for a safe climate.  https://morelandzerocarbon.org.au  Also sign up to the Moreland eco eNews https://morelandzerocarbon.org.au/join-us/ and connect via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ZeroCarbonMoreland/

BUC News

A prayer, a plea, a bird
Julie Perrin’s new book A prayer, a plea, a bird is a collection of prayers and stories, many of which have arisen out of the year that 2020 has been. Her first book Tender, stories that lean into kindness was published last year. Both of Julie’s books can be purchased and mailed from the publisher  www.mediacom.org.au.

University Text books available – by donation
Fiona MacDowall has received a donation of 70 university-level text books that are all published in the last 5 years and in brand new condition (see the list here).  She would like to offer them to the BUC community.   The books are free but Fiona would encourage people to make a donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, or a charity of their choice.  Contact Fiona at fmacdowall@bigpond.com to arrange collection.