OUTREACH
       We are at present a small congregation of which is ministering to a large group of people who come through our groups and activities each week.


        CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: This is a self-help group where people with cancer and their family members can share similar experiences. Education and information is provided by visiting speakers, videos and discussions. The group averages around 20-25 people each evening.

      The leaders of the group also run a "Living With Cancer" course at least once each year which is usually well attended by interested people.
       

      COMMUNITY CRAFT: provides the chance to learn new crafts while enjoying friendship with others. Cost of craft materials is kept to a minimum and low cost admission provides morning cuppa and basket lunch. Attendance is usually around 40  people each fortnight. A creche is available with attendance averaging around 4 - 6 children .
       

      MATURE AGED FRIENDSHIP GROUP: Provides a warm and caring fellowship for people wanting to make new friends or who are lonely. The programme includes a devotional time followed with interesting and informative speakers and finishes with afternoon tea and a chat. Attendance is around 20 - 25 people.

      SPECIAL EVENTS:  Throughout the year, a number of special events are held which involve people from the local community.

      Pancake Day. Luncheons and morning teas held in February raise funds for the Uniting Church Share Appeal

      A Cancer Breakfast and participation in 'The Biggest Morning Tea' which also raises funds for cancer research.

      The Autumn Fair and Flower Show held each May over recent years has proved a popular drawcard in the community with many people entering their flowers and garden produce.  There is usually a novelty competition, such as for the most popular garden gnome or the most popular scarecrow.  Local community groups provide displays and demonstrations, eg. of bonsai or Australian Native Plants.  Stalls offer goodies such as cakes, plants, 'white elephant' treasures, second-hand books.  The local Neighbourhood Watch attends to offer identity marking of goods. Lunch is available in the form of a sausage-sizzle and devonshire teas.  Several members of the church have attended food-handling courses offered by the local Council so that we know that our provision of food is in accordance with health regulations.

      Christmas Carols in 2003 were held in a local park, so that a larger number of people from the surrounding community were included.

      Advent Workshops for children:  Over recent years we have held after school Advent Workshops one day per week over three weeks close to Christmas.  In 2004 the workshops took a different form.  We held a Christmas-themed day for the playgroup that uses our hall, which was appreciated by both toddlers and their mothers and gave us a chance to chat with some of the mothers.

      .  . 

      We also held a 'Follow The Star' event starting at the local strip shopping centre where the children, accompanied by parents, collected a passbook with questions to be answered by looking for clues placed in shop windows.  They then followed a trail of stars to the church where there was a snack and craft activities with a Christmas theme.

      . The Newsagent displayed a news item

      .

      The pharmacy displayed gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh

      .

      Shepherds waited beside the manger 
      for the children to visit

      If you live in the northern or western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and are interested in any of our activities.....email us for information
       

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