Month: November 2016

Musical director wanted

Post author By revivewa
Post date November 13, 2016

Uniting Singers is a mixed voice group of singers who provide entertainment to residents of nursing homes and retirement centres. Concerts consist of songs by the whole group and items by individual members. They also include segments during which the audience is encouraged to singalong.

Most members are retirees and belong to a Uniting Church, coming from all around the metropolitan area. Uniting Singers practice at Floreat All Saints Uniting Church during early months of each year, putting together a program of items which is then used throughout the year.

Their Acting Musical Director is currently seeking someone with more experience to take over this leadership role.

For more information please contact Ray Young on 9293 3228.

Tags Ageing and Community, Church and Community

News & Announcements

Phyllis Popplewell remembered

Post author By revivewa
Post date November 10, 2016

Family, friends and members from five denominations came together at Moora Uniting Church to share a landmark event on Sunday 31 July: the dedication of three leadlight windows constructed with a bequest from Phyllis Popplewell whose ‘Wishes into Windows’ had finally been successful.

Formalities were conducted by Rev Ken Devereux, with Church Council chair, Jonathan Nelson, and I assisting. With Judy Barrett at the piano, Jillian Nelson led the chorus singing and later the congregation lustily sang hymns that reflected the two short verse captions at the bottom of the two long windows: The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23) and God cares for You (1 Peter 5:7).

During the dedication ceremony, Ken called forth representatives from each of the churches present and asked them to tell everyone which parts of the windows appealed to them most. There are lots of small and larger defined subjects in lovely coloured glass from which to choose.

Tags Church and Community

Stories & Feature Articles

Longing for change

Post author By revivewa
Post date November 7, 2016

Rev Frances Hadfield is a Uniting Church Chaplain at Bandyup Women’s Prison. Here she reflects on some of the challenges within WA’s justice system.

“I’m so happy to be here.”

This statement was from a young woman aged 19 who had arrived in Bandyup Women’s Prison. I looked at her in astonishment and asked her why. She told me her story.

Things had gone pear-shaped for her and she had been living on the streets for a year; in fear for her life, living by her wits, hungry and tired. She had deliberately offended by stealing from a home with the hope of being arrested. Now she was in Bandyup and she was safe; she had a bed and a roof over her head, she had food to eat and people to talk to. Never mind that her freedom had been taken from her, freedom out there had been too much. Now she could work or study or do a program which would assist her upon release.

In my chaplaincy work and wanderings around the prison, there are so many stories – women who have lost their homes and live on the streets, some with their children. Some might be lucky and have a car to sleep in. But it then gets too much for their mental health and they offend, so they can have the weight taken off their shoulders for a while, and have their children taken over by the Department of Child Protection (DCP).

Tags A Helping Hand, Poverty

News & Announcements

Refugees deserve compassion

Post author By revivewa
Post date November 7, 2016

The president of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan has spoken out against the Federal Government’s proposed lifetime visa bans on certain people seeking asylum.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced legislation that will seek to prevent hundreds of people who arrived in Australia by boat seeking asylum after 19 July 2013 from ever re-entering Australia.

“This is unconscionably harsh treatment,” said Stuart. “It is inhumane to continue to punish and further traumatise people for fleeing persecution in their home country.

“I hope Members and Senators of good conscience will show their humanity by voting against this legislation.

“Our parliamentarians need to come together to find a humane solution for the people on Nauru and Manus island. We are better than this as a nation, and people asking for our help deserve better from us,” said Stuart.

National director of UnitingJustice, Rev Elenie Poulos, said that the proposed policy was cruel and inexcusable.

Tags Refugees and Asylum Seekers

News & Announcements

We are all engaged in God’s mission

Post author By revivewa
Post date November 4, 2016

Engaged in God’s Mission. These were the words with which `Rev Daniel Viljoen, mission development officer at UnitingCare West, challenged us with at Willetton Uniting Church on Sunday 28 August.

He focussed our attention with the reference to Matthew 25 and its message of our commitment to Jesus being expressed by the caring for others who need our support. He encouraged us all to form relationships of connection. Volunteers who directly assist in the various arms of UnitingCare are needed, but our care can also be expressed by means of donations of food, clothing and care packs.

Megan Richards and Karen Misic shared stories from the UnitingCare West Fremantle Service Centre. They assist in emergency relief areas such as accommodation support, referral to other services, food, and more. However, the importance of just being there for a chat and to make time for people to feel safe to express their feelings is a big part of this relationship connection.

Tags Ageing and Community