Prayer Points

Ministry Team
Church Council
Carlynne – awaiting placement
Olive Way program
Pastoral Care Committee
Justice & Mission Committee
Sunday Morning Program
Roster participants
Non-Violent Direct Action
FUNdraising Committee
Presbytery of Port Philip West
Creatures of the land

Act for Peace Christmas Bowl Appeal

Each week a link to a video for one of the projects being supported by the appeal will be provided.  Please take the time to watch these videos, to learn about the important work being done by our partner churches around the world.

Christmas Bowl of Remembrance
In 1949 Rev Frank Byatt placed a bowl on the table – listen here, read here

Vanuatu:  Bringing hope in times of disaster
When your home and livelihood are destroyed, how do you find the strength to start over? – listen here, read here

BUC News

Election of Elders
Congratulations to newly elected Elders:  Karlien Kok, Amelia Ware, Kimberly Fraser and to Daniel Broadstock re-elected as an Elder.  The election was held at our Congregational Meeting after worship on 18th November.

Focus Group fundraiser
Tim Winkler (a member of our congregation, and producer of the delightful SMP video shown during worship last Sunday) is running focus groups to understand the views of people who might one day move to country Victoria. The project will donate $30 per participant to BUC for up to 20 participants, with groups to be run on Sunday 2nd December after worship, or Monday 3rd December or Wednesday 4th December – depending on the availability of participants. The group will last just an hour and information will be used to work out how to provide better information to people wanting to move to country Victoria in future. Contact tim@twigmarketing.com if you are interested.
This FUNdraising opportunity has been endorsed by the FUNdraising Team – it sounds like a very easy low stress way of raising money for a project of our choice.

Olive Pesto
Join in the fun of creating Christmas Craft for our Christmas Bowl Appeal FUNdraising Stalls with the Olive Pesto Group on Saturday 1st December, 10am-noon in the Youth Hall. There are lots of options for all levels of skill.

Craft Exchange at Olive Pesto
In December Olive Pesto is having a Craft Exchange!  What does this mean?  Bring your unwanted, good quality craft and art supplies to our 1 December meeting and swap them with items that others have brought.  Items can include fabric, yarn, knitting needles, rovings, paint, paintbrushes, embroidery threads, feathers, paper… if you can make craft or art with it, bring it along!  By contributing to the Craft Exchange with your unwanted supplies, you’re helping to create a zero-waste community. Any supplies left over after the exchange will be donated.

Christmas Bowl FUNdraising stalls
The Act for Peace Christmas Bowl Appeal FUNdraising stalls will be offered after worship on Sundays 2nd & 9th December.  Lots of amazing gifts made by Olive Pesto crafters will be on sale together with baked goods, preserves and Christmas Cakes & Puddings.  The theme for this year’s appeal is ‘Love thy neighbour’.

Wider Church News

Sprouting Seeds
The Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre would like donations of empty plant pots for sprouting seeds.

BUC News

Carols against Coal
Can you spare 10 minutes to help stop Adani and show your concern about climate change?  Stay in the worship space for 5-10 minutes after worship on Sunday 9th December and sing 2 carols against coal… it’s that easy!!  Our wonderful musicians will lead the singing and we will be videoed.  ARRCC (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change) will then use videos from communities all around Australia to flood social media and our politicians with the videos.  Then there will be our normal yummy morning tea as usual.  Look forward to seeing you there. For more info contact Gwen Arnold on 0413047938 or have a look at website www.arrcc.org.au/carols

Boogie Cuts – The Exhibition
Come and enjoy the amazing works produced by Collage Workshop participants after worship on Sundays 9th and 16th November in the Youth Hall.  Boogie Cuts invites you to explore the range of styles including Mondrian inspired, Urban Grunge, Poetry and Narrative and Matisse inspired.  Thank you to our wonderful teacher Priscilla Manthey.  It’s not too late – you can join the workshop after worship on 2nd and 9th December.  All materials provided, all are welcome.  Come as you are.

Blue Christmas
The Blue Christmas service will be held on Wednesday 12th December at 7:30 pm.   This is a quiet service of reflection & meditation for people who want a space to grieve, remember loved ones who have died, look back over a difficult year, seek peace in troubled times or simply take some time away from the busyness of this particular time of the year.

Carols at the Manse
Carols at the Manse is a delightful evening of carol singing, story telling and supper.  Come along to the Manse, 60 Blyth St. on Friday 14th December at 7pm.  Bring a plate of supper to share and make a donation to support the Christmas Bowl Appeal.

Stewart Lodge Carols
Come along to Stewart Lodge on Wednesday 19th December, 6:30-8:00pm to sing carols and then share in the joy and fun of gift giving and supper. You can participate by:

  • Coming along and singing carols on the night
  • Helping with writing Christmas Cards on 9th & 16th December
  • Helping prepare and share supper
  • Making a cash donation after worship on 2nd or 9th December toward the IGA gift cards that we’ll be giving to the residents.

You can place your donation in the retiring offering box after worship or make an internet transfer to our bank account, reference “Stewart” or “SLodge” in the description field. Our bank account is ANZ Brunswick branch BSB 013236 account 008687863.
For further information contact Richard Arnold on 0407 796 429 or email richarn50@gmail.com

Community News

Moreland Summer Show
The Counihan Gallery Moreland Summer Show opens on Saturday 17th November and runs through to Saturday 15th December. Members of our congregation Priscilla Manthey, Francis Tapueluelu and Ann Soo have works on show along with 35 other local artists navigating the theme of Peace and the Pursuit of Happiness.