BUC News

Attention Elders, Committee members, group leaders and Ministry Team…and anyone else who is a leader in their own way!
You are all warmly invited to Part 1 of BUC’s Leaders’ Retreat:
When: Saturday 3 February, 5:00 to 9:00pm
Where: at BUC (worship space and OW space)
Why: to share what we’re all doing, deepen relationships, start our goal-setting under the new Strategic Plan, and join in worship & prayer!
Bring: dinner to share (if you can – if not, there’s sure to be plenty!),
a laptop, smart phone or iPad (if you can – if not, there’s sure to be plenty!) and your thinking cap!

Church Council will continue with Part 2 of the retreat on Sunday from 1:00-4:00. That allows time for informal shared lunches on Sydney Rd, or a quick power nap at home! Please be back at the Youth Hall, ready to start promptly at 1:00.
Please RSVP to info@shawnwhelan.com.au. Last minute attendance is better than none, but it would help us to know how many to expect!
Also, please visit our new(ish) website Members Area, and request a Member Password if you haven’t already done so. We’ll be exploring resources in this section at the retreat.


Children, teachers and assistants will be blessed and commissioned for the Sunday Morning Program in 2018 during worship on Sunday 4th February. We will also celebrate Holy Communion.

Dog minder needed – Linda’s dog Mahlo needs to be minded for a short but undefined period starting as soon as possible. Mahlo is a friendly Staffie, short haired pointer, Labrador cross. Please call Linda if you can help, 0475 200 356.

BUC News

Join us for Meditation before worship, 8:15am, on Sunday 4th February.  Contact Richard Arnold, 0407 796 429‬

Terry Toweling and the Tank Tops are looking for a venue to launch the 2018 Backyard Band Parties for the Olive Way. This fabulous FUNdraiser is an opportunity for you to host a party for family, friends, neighbours in your own backyard with entirely fabulous live music. Launch date is (hopefully) Saturday 10th February and a host is needed. Contact Alistair Hunter, 0488 302 583, if you are interested. There will be lots of opportunities for more parties throughout the year.

The February Olive Branch will be published on Sunday 4th February. Please email your items, reports, photos, stories and any other contribution to saide.cameron@bigpond.com by Monday 29th January. Earlier would be even better.

Sign up for Mental Health First Aid Training, offered over 2 sessions, 2nd & 3rd March.

Wider Church News

Annual Philip Harris Memorial Lecture @ Christ Church, Glenlyon Road, Brunswick.  Sunday 4th February following Evensong for the Feast of Charles, King and Martyr @ 6 p.m. Details here.

The University of Melbourne Chaplaincy and Religions for Peace invite you to a free lecture, ‘Appraising the Royal Commission Report into Sexual Abuse and Religious Organizations’ on Tuesday 6th February. Details here.

Brother Peter Bray will speak on what is happening in Bethlehem University and in the Holy Land on Thursday 22nd February at Elm Street Hall, North Melbourne. Details here.

Prayer Points

Ministry Team
BIUC Congregation
Fiona – MoD candidate
UnitingCare ReGen
D&E Committee
Presbytery Representative
Student House Program
Community Ministry
Love Makes a Way
Food Co-op
CTM
Our planet & all she holds