A chance remark from a mother to her daughter resulted in a wonderful invitation to members of our Guild. That remark was along the lines of “I wonder if anyone will invite us to a ‘Seniors Luncheon’ when we’re too old to continue this service ourselves”! As is the situation in many areas around Australia, the average age of our group keeps creeping up with the oldest member approaching 90 and others, in, or approaching …
Ernest Pettigrew is a retired, widowed army Major living in the small rural English village of Edgecombe St Mary. He leads a quiet, respectable, and predictable life with a small circle of friends and a slightly distant relationship with his only son, Roger, who is upwardly mobile and ever on the lookout for ways of advancing himself. A chance meeting with the village shopkeeper, Mrs Jasmina Ali, just moments after hearing of his younger brother …
Long life is the reward of the righteous; grey hair is a glorious crown. Proverbs 16:31 (GNT)Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? Job 12:12 (NIV)Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young …
We had a lovely start to the year 2020 with our Guild meeting held at Warracknabeal. Lorna Mills turned 100 on 31 January and, as our tradition when anyone has a big 0 birthday, we make a cake and celebrate with them. Lorna is an active member of our Guild, lives in a nice unit and loves caring for her garden. She plays cards on Monday, goes to Planned Activities Group at the hospital three …
Are you ready to serve …? These last couple of months have put challenges before us. Have you been connecting with your friends by phone, text messaging or by online devises – emails. Have you been able to “head to church” in your pyjamas and been spoilt by church “hopping” to several congregations throughout Australia? I have been blessed to have the technology to be able to worship, at sometimes up to four different church …
Old age is like a sunset proclaiming the wonder of the Creator in a final burst of glorious splendour before the night falls and we wake to a heavenly dawn. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22 (NIV) Photo: Uluru by Rhiannon Evans
The Zion Women’s Fellowship, Angaston is a group of 12 women who are dedicated, cheerful, well-organised, and always willing to help. We were delighted to welcome Pastor Rob Borgas and his wife, Kriss, in 2018, who have come to us from Alice Springs. Their unique experiences in central Australia have opened our eyes to a different perspective from life in a predominantly German culture. Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, with …
Jesus said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows me, will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life. Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray that you would enlighten our hearts and minds today. Amen. It is fascinating to go into a dark room at night, then turn on the light, and to watch “the darkness flee.” Where did it go? Does it hide behind the furniture or under the …
Spiritual Parents I recently left the church I grew up in. My reasons are numerous, personal, not at all spiteful and something I will gladly share with anyone in the flesh. For those who might be concerned, I’m slowly making a church home elsewhere. But for the sake of the story, it’s important you know leaving was difficult for me to do. I also admit that while I speak about the Church* with great affection, …
Ballarat Ladies Fellowship got off to a flying start for 2020 with a large group meeting at our President, Doreen Huebner’s, lovely property at Smythesdale. There was much chatter and sharing after the Christmas break and, of course, ladies enjoyed strolling around the gorgeous garden. It was good to start, again, the Bible Studies from Lutheran Women with Pastor Adrian. We have decided to have most of our meetings this year in ladies’ homes (cool in summer and …
53rd Convention at St Philips, Tarneit. Green and purple balloons greeted everyone on 4 May 2019 for the LWV and Tas Convention. These colours were repeated at the round tables, decorated with quizzes, prayer cards and jugs of water flavoured with cucumber, lemon, and mint. The 97 attendees enjoyed the friendly, cafe-like ambience under the theme of Walking in Wisdom Proverbs 2:6a. Pastor Mark Winter led the opening worship, emphasising how God is a loving …
I currently work as the Manager of Spiritual Care and the Centre Director for the Clinical Pastoral Education Centre at Austin Health in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a hospital chaplain for over 11 years now and, in that time, I’ve spent significant time ministering to patients and families at the end of life. I am always immensely grateful to be invited into this very intimate time in patients’ lives. End of life care, or “palliative” …