News of churches of Christ in Australia–July 2009

Welcome to Happenings for this month!  We very much appreciate those who regularly send us news—thanks!  This is a valuable service!  If you want to send information please email it to tedpaull@hotmail.com, or mail it to P O Box 41 NORTH RYDE NSW 1670 or ring (02) 9888 9664, (02) 9878 3008 or (02) 9878 1078.                                        Ted Paull

Perth Baptisms
The Malaga church again reports on a “commotion in heaven” as a result of the baptisms of Penny Walters on Sunday afternoon June 21 and Natalie Shane on Friday evening July 3.

Teen Event
Thirty two people attended the teen meeting at Warringah on June 20.  The next event for High School Teens is on Saturday August 22 at 6pm at the Macquarie (Sydney) church. Contact: Joshua Turner on  0403 881.

Ladies’ Day
The annual Queensland Brisbane Ladies day hosted by ladies from the Cleveland church of Christ is due to be held on August 7, 2009 at10am-4pm. The venue is Mooroondu Hall, Mooroondu Road, Thornside. For more information contact Fran Cheketri or Ronya Johnson at ozibelle@tpg.com.au.

Capital Speaking
The Canberra church has begun utilising the Friendspeak programme as a way to serve the community and spread the gospel.  Sixteen of the brethren have volunteered to teach and four readers have signed up.


MSOBS Lectureship
This is planned for July 22-26 on the theme: “God’s Community in Our Community!”. Special guest speakers include: Dale Hartman, Sheila Hartman, David Carr, Randy Bullock, Carrol Bullock, Marvin Ancell, Gordon Hogan, Brett Christensen and Craig Peters.
Session times are:
Wednesday 22nd 7.30pm
Thursday 23rd 10am-3pm
Friday 24th 10am-3pm, 7.30pm
Saturday 25th 1pm-4.30pm
Sunday 26th 9.30am-3.30pm

Albany Visit
Twenty-one people from the Malaga congregation went south to Albany to assist that congregation with teaching and encouragement from Friday June 26 to Sunday afternoon June 28.

Youth & Young-at-Heart
William Solis spoke on June 28 at 5.30pm at the Warringah (NSW) church on the topic of “When the Going Gets Tough--Lessons from Job”. About 68 people were present.
Michael VanderLaan of the Blacktown church is the speaker for the next event at 5.30pm on Sunday July 26.


Western Lectureship
The Blacktown (Sydney) church plans its annual Western District Lectureship for Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2009.  The theme will be “Old Songs: Modern Messages” – based on The Psalms.  Speakers will include: Michael Bargholz, Peter Tickner, Craig Peters and Les Totman.

Youth Day
The Gold Coast congregation which meets at Nerang (Qld) plans a special youth day on Sunday August 16 at the Nerang Bicentenary Community Centre with Craig Peters from Sydney and Daniel McDonald from Toowoomba as speakers.  Contact: Frank Gnanam (07) 5529 7743 or fgnanam@people.net.au.

Malaga Mentoring
In order to create a loving, safe environment in the congregation which promotes unity, doctrinal purity, and fosters the equipping of the saints for service to one another and the community for the glory of God, the elders of the saints who meet at Malaga (Perth) are providing opportunities for anyone to help develop their gifts and talents in service for the Lord.   This is being done in a number of ways including a mentoring system which allows individuals to spend time with the elders, deacons, and/or workers.  In conjunction with the elders, a priority of needs, which gifts to be encouraged, specific areas of guidance, etc. would be determined, and then a programme formulated and tailored for the individual. So far four brethren have begun training under this system.



School Gift
The congregation in Proserpine (Qld) recently donated a special bike (complete with three wheels and a seatbelt) to special needs student Ashleigh Haack of the Proserpine State School to help with her mobility.  The local Whitsunday Coast Guardian carried an article and photo of local preacher Frank Collingwood presenting the gift.

CALENDAR
June 28th-July 3rd
Camp Orion @ Brisbane, Qld
July 10th-12th
Camp Connect @ Burleigh Heads, Qld
July 22nd-26th
MSOBS Lectureship @ Macquarie, Sydney
July 23rd-26th
Women’s Retreat @ Malaga, Perth
August 7th
Ladies Day @Thornside, Brisbane
August 16th
Youth Day @Nerang, Gold Coast, Qld
August 21st-22nd
Ladies Retreat @ Devonport, Tasmania
August 22nd
Youth Event @ Macquarie, Sydney
October 16th-18th
Western District Lectureship @ Blacktown, Sydney
November 5th-8th
Saving Light Series @ Heidelberg West, Melbourne
December 27th-January 1st
Camp Challenge @ Yarramundi, NSW
2010
March 1st-14th
Campaign @ Toowoomba, Qld