NEWS

What a lovely afternoon of Carol singing and sharing lunch together during our annual Christmas lunch last Sunday. More than forty of us gathered in the Hall where the tables were all decked out in Christmas colours. An added blessing was to listen to and then sing along with our very own Carol singers and musicians, consisting of John Davies, Jenny Small, Alison Davies, Carol Parker and David Scott.
Before the final Carol of the afternoon, it was fitting that we thanked our musicians and also thanked Wendy Hinde for organising everything, including her willing kitchen staff. Thank you to all those who brought along a vegetarian dish, salad or sweet to share. We have great cooks in the congregation!

On Sunday 12th November 2023 we displayed the St Martins Play Group painting of a symbolic poppy entitled ‘Poppy poppy’ to commemorate Remembrance Day along with the poppies in a vase.

“LEST WE FORGET!”

Last Sunday, 12th November 2023, Chris led us through the Commissioning of our new Elders Alison, Graeme and Grayden. While accepting the responsibilities that come with being an Elder of the Uniting Church, the congregation also promised to ‘encourage them in love and support them in their ministry, serving with them the one Lord Jesus Christ.’ Following this sharing of vows, existing Elders Philip, Carol, Faye, Wendy, Suzy and Nick placed their hands on each of the new elders during Chris’ prayers. We all sang the beautiful Aaronic Blessing to complete the special ceremony. Congratulations to Ali, Graeme and Grayden. 

Please note the date of our Church Christmas Lunch is Sunday 10th December at 12 noon.

Save The Date

Our Annual Pancake Night at the Beaumaris Uniting Church was held on Sunday 1^st March.

The church opened from 5pm and some families enjoyed a picnic on the lawn. Others just came and enjoyed pancakes for dessert with an array of different toppings and drinks to accompany them. Participants enjoyed the live music played by a quartet of church members, featuring Alison on guitar, Carol on ukulele, John D on bass and Grayden on his bongos.

We raised $403 on the night and all of the funds raised go towards the Uniting Care Appeal for Families in Crisis. (note all ingredients are donated)

This is an important part of our mission during the year and people came from all around the area to attend. We were delighted to see so many members of the St Martins Playgroup join us this year. The feeling in the hall was warm and the cameraderie as ever very positive.

Special thanks to Wendy Hinde and her band of helpers in the kitchen, and Nick Toovey and John Angwin on the barbecue, flipping for the cause.

>> View some of the photographs from the Pancake Night 2020

On Friday 6^th December approximately 40 members of the Church Congregation met at the Church Hall for a wonderful gathering of fellowship, friendship and fine food.

It was extra pleasing to see some old faces join us for the evening. Food was aplenty and the participants all ate and toasted to our good health then joined in the singing of Christmas Carols and songs with the church band of Alison & John Davies and Carol Parker accompanying on guitar, ukulele and bass. 50 church members enjoyed the Christmas celebration.

Special thanks to Wendy Hinde and her merry band of helpers for again making this dinner such a happy event on the church calendar and a great way to segue in to the busy festive season.

Inspired by Frontier Services (who we have supported over many years) St Martins ran a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Mentone on Tuesday 3rd December, under threatening skies and gusty winds.

The wintry conditions only served to stir the need for sustenance as we fed hundreds of tasty sausages, onions and soft drinks to a steady stream of hungry Bunnings customers from 9.00am right through to 4.00pm. Many customers also contributed to the donation tin we set up on the counter. All together we sent a cheque off to Frontier Services for. $2,052!!

Our erstwhile volunteers were magnificent in their dedication to the task of raising much needed funds for our drought-stricken farmers across this wide and (very) brown land. Frontier Services are incredibly grateful for our small but significant efforts to support their important work in the Outback.

Special thanks to all the members of the church who volunteered and also made donations.

Little did we know how vital this donation would become as since that time our frontier dwellers have suffered bushfires, hail storms and floods.

Nick Toovey – Missions Committee.

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Following the Residential Aged Care forum we held at the church last October, our Mission Group arranged to host a second forum on In-Home Care on Sunday 28th April, from 2 – 4 pm.

Nathanial Levett and Nina Attree, Relationship Managers at Prestige In-Home Care, based in Reserve Road, Cheltenham, spoke to a group of about 22. It was a very informative session and Nat and Nina answered lots of questions from the very interested audience, who felt they gained a lot of helpful advice.