Australia Happenings December 2009

Welcome to the last Happenings for the year!  Thanks to all of those who send us news—we are grateful for this!  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
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Baptism in Wollongong
Mawuli Ditsa was baptized into Christ on Saturday night November 7.

Melbourne Baptisms
At the Heidelberg West church there have been two recent baptisms:
Matthew O'Sullivan was baptized into the possession of God on Friday night November 13.
Kevin Zhu was baptised into Christ on the night of December 3.

W A Baptism
At the Malaga (Perth) church Jenny Brown was baptized into Christ on Sunday afternoon. Jenny had been studying the gospel for some time.

Evangelist Wanted
The Belmore Road (Melbourne) congregation is seeking the services of a full-time evangelist to work with the congregation.  The job will entail spiritual edification for the church and propagation of the gospel in the community.  Enquiries and applications for the position should be directed to the elders: Charles Hooi (03) 9850 7978 or hooic@yahoo.com or to Trevor  Baker on phone (03) 9733 0393 or trevbaker@optus.net.com.au.


Youth Day
January 17 is the date planned for the annual Warringah Youth Day which is typically sees over 100 young people gathered together for a great time of fellowship. The guest speaker for the day will be Roberto Quintanilla from the Macquarie church teaching on the topic "We Are More Than Conquerors!"

Saving Light
The 17th Saving Light Series, held at the Heidelberg West (Melbourne) congregation, had record attendances and great lessons presented by David Payne from Gosford on the theme "Hope for a Troubled World".  There was also a Songfest prior to the Saturday session, and a men's training workshop earlier that day, both of which were also very beneficial and successful.

Camp Barnabas
This camp is on again next year at Bridport in Tasmania during April 2-5.  Fees range from $65-$95.  Contact Barry Hume on (03) 6326 1601 or 0409 261 601 or barryhume@bigpond.com or Greg Wells on (03) 6234 5558.

Singing Workshop
Keith Lancaster will conduct a singing workshop for the Sydney area at the Macquarie church on the evening of Tuesday February 23.

MSOBS Graduation
Graduation for Macquarie School of Biblical Studies will be held on Sunday February 7 at the Macquarie (Sydney) church.  Satish Samuel and Sam White will be graduating after their 3 years of study.  Their plans are to spend a year of work with their home congregations (Bankstown & Hunter Valley respectively) before they both move to work with the Coffs Harbour church.

Youth & Young @ Heart
There were 87 people at the Y&Y@H gathering with Andrew Burns speaking on "When I Consider Creation" on November 29 at the Warringah (Sydney) church.

Teachers Workshop
A workshop for women is planned by the Macquarie church in Sydney on Saturday March 6.

Warning
Brethren in several countries (including Australia) have reported being contacted by telephone by someone at an overseas airport claiming to be a brother and in need of urgent financial help such as for payment for airport taxes.  They even supply a supposed airport official on the telephone to back up their claim.  They claim to know a real brother who has given the caller your name as someone who would help them.  The real brother has no knowledge of the person or the situation.
Police have said that they are aware that gangs working from a motel using a church directory (such as is found on the internet) can simply do this and any money sent goes directly into their account or to a local office from which they collect the cash.


Flocking
The Ladies’ Day at the Blacktown church on October 31 saw 56 ladies from five congregations attending.

CALENDAR
December 4th-6th
South East’s congregational retreat @ Phillip Island, VIC
December 27th-January 1st
Camp Challenge @ Yarramundi, NSW

2010
January 3rd-8th
Camp Gidawarra @ Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD
January 17th
Youth Day @ Warringah, Sydney

February 7th
MSOBS Graduation @ Macquarie, Sydney
February 23rd
Singing Workshop @ Macquarie, Sydney

March 1st-14th
Campaign for Christ @ Toowoomba, QLD
March 2nd
Song Leaders’ workshop @ Southeast, Melbourne
March 3rd
Autumn Songfest @ Southeast, Melbourne
March 6th
Teachers’ Workshop @ Macquarie, Sydney

April 2nd-5th
Camp Barnabas @ Bridport, TAS
April 2nd-5th
Autumn Camp @ Lake Nillahcootie, VIC