Holland Park Uniting Church
MONTHLY NOTES
OCTOBER 2015
Combined Sunday Morning Services 9 a.m. alternate months
October: St David’s
November: H. P. Central
Contact Numbers
Morrison Room St. David’s (Crisis Care) 07 3847 6503
Holland Park Central (07) 3397 3963
Website: http://stdavidshp.unitingchurch.org.au
Minister: Rev. Dr. David Mackay-Rankin
Mob: 0432 341816;
Email: davidrankin@y7mail.com
Thought for the day:
Faith is different from proof; the latter is
human, the former is a gift from God.
Blaise Pascal
Cunnamulla calling
Recent visitors to the Cunnamulla Patrol, David and Beth Norling, noticed that
Rev Sunil Kadaparambil has become so well-known that everywhere he goes
people’s faces light up when they greet him. David and Beth met Sunil in
Manning, NSW, as members of the same congregation and became immediate
friends. “As we walked down the streets with Sunil, dropped into stores or pubs
and visited homes, we saw an instant bond of love and respect” said David, the
locals sometimes refused to let him – or us – pay!”
When David travelled with Sunil to a baptism at Charleville some distance from
Cunnamulla, they stopped midway for a break at Wyandra Gladstone Pub. To
David’s amazement, Sunil was “greeted like a long lost friend” because of the
regular functions and events he has hosted and attended there.
David continued “a group of bikies there asked us to join them, got chairs for us
and shared their chips with us.” The bikers, too, had encountered Sunil in their
travels. “These experiences of deep personal interaction seem to happen almost
constantly” David remarked. “Very often, God and His people surprise me in
my life in this isolated part of Australia” says Sunil, who has been amazed by the
generosity of the locals – the Wyandra community donated a roof-top tent for
when he hits the road for longer journeys.
Sunil extends his ministry to people of all faiths, and welcomes Anglicans to his
church every third Sunday. “I enjoy each and every moment of my ministry in
this beautiful part of the country, and I love that the people welcome me as part
of their family” he says. Local Anglican, Terry Fisher is thankful for this service,
saying “It’s a great privilege to be a part of it.”
Sunil has also garnered the good will of city-based supporters. The past winter
was unusually cold in Cunnamulla. Seeing a need for clothing, Sunil reached out
to his friends at Karana Downs Uniting Church (KDUC) in the outskirts of
Brisbane, asking for a donation of clothing, particularly children’s winter clothing.
The response was swift and enthusiastic and before long 2 suitcases and 5
boxes of clothes were on their way to Cunnamulla.
Some of the clothing was donated, but also, thanks to a gift of $160, Ray
Crompton and his wife Bronwyn (from KDUC) were able to fill a trolley of new
clothes from the local Kmart. Getting the goods to Cunnamulla proved difficult at
first. Ray called a few transport services, but found they only did heavy vehicle
transport. Eventually he got the number of truckie Jock “Jonesy” Jones, who
does the weekly 1600 km Fruit and Vegie run to Cunnamulla.
A meeting was arranged and Ray met with Jonesy at a roadhouse, for a quick
cup of coffee before the truckie packed up and was on his way. The clothing was
delivered the next morning. Sunil met the truck, loaded up his patrol vehicle and
he distributed the clothes to the people who needed them.
The support is part of an ongoing friendship between Karana Downs and the neighbouring
Brookfield congregations and the Cunnamulla Patrol. It all started in September 2014 when
Russell Dwyer (a KDUC member) visited Cunnamulla and struck up a conversation with Sunil.
Since then, work parties have gone out to paint and work on improvements to the church and hall
interior. The church was also recently painted by Brookfield’s Ian Scorgie, in a heroic six-week solo
effort. Re-stumping is the next major task!
Karana Downs and Brookfield will continue their fundraising and support for the Cunnamulla Patrol
with a concert scheduled for November 1st. The Cunnamulla Patrol now encompasses parts of
what was previously known as the Burke and Wills Patrol around Charleville, doubling the area of
Sunil’s ministry. So the love and support from the city to the country will be more valuable than
ever.
This article has been kindly donated by Frontier Services and will appear in the November Issue of
that publication.
We welcome home Dr David and Julie from their journey to Great Britain and look forward to
David’s article in the November issue of the Monthly News.
We all appreciate the effort Robyn Sloman makes to provide the goodies she shares with us nearly
every Sunday after church in the hall during morning tea. Every cent made from this bounty is
forwarded to the Minister at Cloncurry for the same use and support that the Karana Downs and
Brookfield churches do for Cunnamulla. Robyn would like everyone to know that without our
support this ministry would not be possible and that she really appreciates our joining with her in
this amazing outreach.
It is truly amazing that together we can achieve great things in His name.
Southport Uniting Congregation sends their good wishes to Holland Park congregation. Hilda
attended Southport UC when on holiday recently.
An Historical Snippet
From time to time in the Courier Mail an advert appears highlighting the achievements of
Australia Post. One of the sentences within this advert reads – come and discuss how
Australia Post can evolve to meet your changing needs. In other words Australia Post is
having to compete for business in a fast changing technological world. In 1835 the British
Postal Service was facing a similar dilemma. It had become an archaic and very
expensive business. Letters were paid for by the recipient and the cost included distance
travelled plus the number of sheets of paper involved.
Rowland Hill (1795 – 1874) a school teacher from Birmingham wrote to the Chancellor of
the Exchequer with a visionary plan to change the system completely – that the sender
would pay for the letter and the cost would be the same for every town which had a
delivery office. Hill ran into stiff opposition from the Post Office bureaucrats but against
the odds he succeeded in having his plan adopted. He was put in charge of the post
office and the first Penny Blacks stamps with a profile of a young Queen Victoria
were issued in 1840. Rowland Hill’s ability and work application were duly
noted and he became Secretary of the South Australian Colonization
Commission which was to work towards a planned settlement in South Australia
based on the ideals of the best qualities of British Society and without convicts.
This was in stark contrast to the birth of Brisbane and the State of Queensland.
The Squatters had for quite some time complained that the North was being
neglected by New South Wales. The British Government listened and in
December 1859 separation from New South Wales was granted. Unlike South
Australia Queensland started off life in debt. The New South Wales Government
not only closed all the bank accounts relating to the new Colony but had the gall
to send the Queensland Government a bill for 20 thousand pounds for work
completed prior to the separation.
C McAllister
References :
1. Richard Cavendish …History Today Jan. 2015 vol65 No1 p4
2. Ross Fitzgerald, Lyndon Megarrity, David Symons … Made in
Queensland, A New History.
Thank you Charlie for another fascinating ‘historical snippet’.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We would like to send our sincere congratulations to Dr Ian Williams and
all his staff at his Camp Hill Medical Centre for winning
the 2015 Queensland General Practice of the Year Award.
Well done Ian and company from all of us.
Bibles need help! Many of Central’s Bibles are suffering from years of
diligent use: the spines need gluing and the pages need smoothing. If you
have time and skills, please take a few home with you to care for them.
Don’t forget to bring them back!!
Rosters for next 3 months - November/December/January are about to be
started. Please let Hilda know if you would like to help on the Door, Bible
Reading, Morning Tea etc. also if you are to be away it would help if you could
let her have the dates. Rosters hopefully out 18th or 25th October.
Thank you.
LIKE MINDED FRIENDS – Date is Saturday 24th or 31st October. We are going
to have a speaker from Angel Flight. So along with the Concert Oldies from Central we will
provide a musical interlude and Afternoon Tea before the Speaker. This will be held in
Central Hall. This is a fundraiser for Angel Flight so please be generous in your
donations. More info closer to the date.
The peace candles for October are:Week 40
Week 41
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
27/9 – 03/10
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan 4-10 Oct.
Week 42
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal
11-17 Oct.
Week 43
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
18-24 Oct.
Week 44
The Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives
25-31 Oct.
We welcome back Suzanne Watson from her recent jaunt overseas. Lovely to have the
emails and photos you sent Suzanne. Glad to have you back safe & sound though.
ACTIVITIES AND WHEN THEY MEET –
The next Monthly Men’s Breakfast is at Holland Park Central on Saturday 17th
October at 7.30 a.m.
Guest speaker is Councillor Ian Mackenzie, Councillor for Holland Park Ward.
Cost just $5 per person for a beautiful breakfast, a great speaker and good
company.
SAMARITAN’S PURSE BOXES: This is our opportunity to provide a Christmas treat for children in
third world communities in SE Asia and the Pacific Region. There are several ways to be involved:
- Fill a shoe box yourself and bring it to church (List below)
- Donate any items from the list below and Robyn will deliver them to the warehouse
where Volunteers will pack them into boxes. Robyn has placed a basket in the Foyer
for donations.
- Volunteer to process boxes at the warehouse. Details on the “Processing 2015”
handout in the Foyer
- Pray that children and families will see the love of Jesus in these gifts and seek to
know Him as Saviour and Lord.
SUGGESTED ITEMS:
SOMETHING TO WEAR:
t-shirt, polo shirt, shorts, skirt, cap, beanie, sandals, etc.
SOMETHING TO LOVE: teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc.
SOMETHING SPECIAL: carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, stickers, necklaces,
craft kits, a personal note, a photo of yourself, etc.
SOMETHING FOR SCHOOL: exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils,
colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk, etc.
SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH: tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles,
musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind-up torch,
SOMETHING FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE: soap and face washer, toothbrush,
hairbrush, comb, scrunches, hair-clips, etc.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
ITEMS THAT LEAK OR MELT: (these can spoil boxes) including toothpaste,
shampoo, bubbles and plasticine/play dough
FOOD OR LOLLIES OF ANY KIND: including medicines and vitamins.
USED OR DAMAGED ITEMS: including worn clothing and old toys
BREAKABLE ITEMS: including glass, porcelain and mirrors
ITEMS THAT CAN SCARE OR HARM A CHILD:
including war or pirate-related items such as toy guns, knives, military
figures or skull and crossbones
GAMBLING-RELATED ITEMS:
including play money, playing cards and dominoes
RELIGIOUS, RACIAL OR POLITICAL ITEMS
MISSION PLAN is handed out today. Your Church Council recommends this Mission
Plan to you. Please read, consider and talk with others about this. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to talk with your Church Council members. This
Mission Plan is an essential part of our application to Synod and Presbytery for
approval of our ongoing and refurbishment plans. You have 2 weeks to consider this
before CONGREGATION MEETING: Sunday 11th October 2015. Agenda will
include Congregation approval of Mission Plan. Please let your Church Council
members know of other items you would like to discuss.
Church Council meetings 4th Thursday each month 7:30 pm at Central
Cluster Committee meetings 3rd Thursday every second month.
Next meeting 15th October 2015.
The Men’s Shed at Yeronga is open every Monday and
Wednesday, 9.00 am to 12.00pm; 58 Kadumba St, Yeronga.
English as a 2nd Language for Non-English Speakers meets every Wednesday 12.00 pm
to 2.30 pm. Share a short review of a Poem, Book Review, a Play you have seen, etc. or
something you have written; BYO share lunch.
Youngish Women - Contact Helen O'Brien 3395 0321 or 0403 726 629
Yoga and Christian Meditation Talk with Megan - 0421 443 483 or
evans.meganj@gmail.com
Tuesday 6:30 – 8 pm Central Hall
Property Committee Meeting on Monday next 28th Sept., at 4 p.m. in the Morrison
Room - St. David's.
Church Council on Thursday 1st October at 7.30 p.m. in the Morrison Room,
St David's
Cluster Prayer Meetings: Everyone is welcome to come along to Cluster prayer
meetings, with the aim of praying for our congregations, for mission, for people, for
specific needs: Every Tuesday at 7 a.m. at Wellers Hill – Tarragindi Uniting Church.
Contact Sue Benson 3848 8236 or suzie.benson@gmail.com
2nd and 4th Mondays of month at 2 p.m. at St David’s, Holland Park.
Contact Laurelle 3277 6883 or 0429 991 128
Basement Outreach at Holland Park Mon, Fri and Sat 9 a.m.- noon
Ladies Coffee, Chat and Craft (CCC): 2nd and 4th Mondays each month Central Hall.
Enquiries to Yvonne 3343 6929
From the moderator
Monday Midday Prayer
Please join us in praying together each Monday at
midday:
Dear Lord,
Call us closer to your Spirit; empty our hearts of fear, fill us with courage
to live the life of the kingdom today.
Amen
Rev David Baker Moderator, Queensland Synod
The Bible Readings for August according to the
Lectionary:
Oct. 04 Pent.19
Jb.2:1-10; Ps. 26; Heb. 1:1-4,2:5-12; Mk.10:2-16
Oct. 11 Pent 20
Jb 23:1-9; Ps. 22:1-15; Heb. 4:12-16; Mk 10:17-31
Oct. 18 Pent 21
Jb 38:1-7; Ps.104:1-9,24,35; Heb. 5:1-10; Mk.10:35-45
Oct. 25 Pent 22
Jb.42:1-6; Ps. 34:1-8,19-22; Heb.7:23-28; Mk.10:46-52