N Recall Notice i What`s On ( Prayer Points

Ballina Presbyterian Church Newsletter i What’s On
N Recall Notice
July
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PWA first Thursday of each month
Leadership Meeting - Sun 5th July
Men’s Fishing Day - Sat 11th July
Christmas Dinner in July - Sat 11th July
PCNSW Assembly July 13-17 (Sydney)
Committee of Management Meeting
The Marriage Course - Wednesday Evenings
- Starts Wed July 29th for 6 weeks
August
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PWA first Thursday of each month
Leadership Meeting - Sunday August 2
God Classes - Intro & Invitation Thurs Aug 6
- Classes start Thurs Aug 13 for 6 weeks
The Marriage Course continues - Wednesday Evenings
PWA Rally Wed Sept 2 at Camp Drewe, BYO lunch
( Prayer Points
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The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the
primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a
malfunction in the original prototype units, code named Adam
and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in
all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed
‘Subsequential Internal Non-Morality,’ or more commonly
known as S.I.N. , as it is primarily expressed Some other
symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behaviour
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
September
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July - August 2009
Pastors - Hamish & Jo and Family; Ross & Shellie and Family
Jeff, Naree and Gemma Keighley as Jeff studies for
ordination at Queensland Theological College
Other ministry staff - Renee Hasler and Andrew Bardsley
Leadership team - that they would be led by God to guide
our church in a wise and godly way for the building up of
God’s people in love and to the glory of God.
Growth Groups & Discipleship Meetings, that we may be
a church on Mission with God - outward looking, and be
effective in reaching our community with the Good News
Children’s & Youth ministries: Kids Church, Fuel, Ignition,
PlayTime, Scripture in Schools
Overseas missions: Sharon Wood in Ireland; Rowan Butler
in Nepal; Stephen, Naomi & Jonathon Lilley in Asia; Andrew
and Susan Strong; Ruth, Shane & Kye Sparks in Spain; John,
Karine & Evangeline Woldhuis in Equador
Ian Holder, Stephen Moore & Liz Moore studying at SMBC
Holly Gillan doing children’s ministry, studying at
Youthworks
Short term Missions: Holly Gillan and Year 13 Mission to
Fiji; Liz Moore and Ian Holder and the mission team to
Ecuador - that the word of truth will be clearly and faithfully
proclaimed, that God’s people in Fiji and Ecuador will be
greatly encouraged
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this
defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free
of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician,
Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of
the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee
required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once
connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the
REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT
from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace
it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions
Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these
fixes. ...Continued over page
The Pipeline
1
WARNING: Continuing to operate
the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties,
exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will
result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
DANGER: The human being units not
responding to this recall action will have
to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN
defect will not be permitted to enter
Heaven so as to prevent contamnation of
that facility.
Thank you for your attention!
Signed.... GOD
Interview with Neville Smith
Five Minutes wit h Ne ville
ds, the advenAt sch ool I... enjoyed it! The frien
school in Tubbul
tures we got up to in our very small
(near Young).
t? … an
Wh at are you r mem orie s of tha
who has
boy
incredible experience for a country
now being
always lived on a farm, quite isolated,
ages
surrounded by many friends of all
be home for tea!
My mo the r always told me ... was ... a
‘My mo st hum ilia ting mo men t’
‘small accident’ in Kindergarten
I enj oy … meeting people
ing material,
Do you rea d? … yes! Wide rang
to newspapers,
prolific reader as a boy, reduced now
magazine, anything newsy
At hom e I … cook.
a meal for
Any favo rite mea ls … cooking
difficulty
have
I
friends (and it’s always different –
following a recipe)
schedules and
I’m ver y bad at ... maintaining
routines
... be an
Wh en I was a chi ld I wan ted to
to be a
architect! (that changed from wanting
Christian brother)
love
The leas t fash ion abl e thin g I
... gardening
Fri end s say I am ... there for them
still trying to
My gre ate st stre ngt h is … I’m
find it!
ling or experiMy gre ate st wea kne ss is … tria
encing something new
My gre ate st fea r is ... falling
kids
My gre ate st pas sion is … my
If onl y I cou ld … fly a plane
I ofte n won der ... why
2
The Pipeline
P.S. Please assist where possible by
notifying others of this important.
recall notice and you may contact the
Manufacturer, Father God, any time by
‘knee-mail.’ Because He lives!
Author unknown
Submitted by Isabel Manning
Please share with us your background. I was born in 1955, being the first child of
a young rural couple. My childhood was
spent on a farm (wheat, cattle and sheep)
in Tubbul (near Young, in the Granit
Belt). I had one sister and two brothers
and we were all reasonably close in age.
What are your early memories? I have very deep memories of a loving,
extended family, particularly on mum’s
side – we were all very close, despite a
big separation in terms of distance.
When I was old enough I attended the
local school in Tubbul, a school with only
17 kids and one teacher, who taught
Kindergarten to Year 6. The school was
attended mainly by farmer’s kids and a
couple of kids from Indigenous background. One of my deep memories here
is that the latter did not blend in too
well then and I remember the difference
being quite big – it was always ‘them’
and ‘us’. However, I myself wanted to be
friends with them just as with everyone
else (but beat them in running!). I loved
hanging out with my friends at school
which was the only opportunity I had to
see them as our farm was too far away.
Was there a Christian influence on
you during those years? Not in my immediate family. My dad
was a non-practising Catholic, my mum
a non-practising Anglican. However, I
attended Catholic scripture taught by
nuns.
What are your memories of that? I have very intense memories. It was my
Catholic scripture teacher who ‘identified that I was at risk of turning to the
devil’. I was age seven then. Two nuns
came to my home and confronted my
mother and later my father resulting
in me (and mum) being converted to
Catholicism. My mum and I started
to become involved with the Catholic
Church. We travelled into town and
attended a series of lectures from the
Parish priest. This came at a great cost
which my parents really couldn’t afford.
My mum wasn’t exactly happy having to
do this, but she did believe the nuns and
cared so much about me that she was
prepared to do so. Mum really started to
believe the Catholic faith – that there is
a God and that one must adhere to the
Catholic teaching and attend its ceremonies in order to be saved.
What about you?
Mum and I were baptized and I was
confirmed and sent to a Catholic School
– the Christian Brothers College at
Young. I also took the catholic dogma on
board, but must say that I never heard
about Jesus other than when He was
mentioned as ‘The Son’. Instead, I was
taught and believed it correct to pray to
Virgin Mary, that I could and should pray
for the dead, and that the inclusion in
the Catholic faith comes with repeating
the same ceremonial acts over and over.
Mass was still in Latin in those days – and
I must say that I discovered at an early
age that I was never going to be good
at languages. So I really got caught up
with the dogma of the Catholic faith
and really believed it. I became quite
still doing really well, representing the
school as vice captain and got caught
up in the cadets. However, my Catholic
faith came to an abrupt halt because of
various issues with my siblings and the
relaxation of my parents that I would
regularly attend mass.
What surrounded me now was the
advent of TV and my horizon broadened.
I was hanging out with secular friends
who came from all walks of life. Apart
from Easter and Christmas I no longer
attended church. We would come home
from Sydney and go to church to meet
our old school mates. But it was just a
completely social gathering, although it
took place at church.
“I really got caught up with the dogma of
the Catholic faith and really believed it”
popular with the Christian brothers and
the priests because I took the Catholic
faith on board. I was unable to be an
altar boy, but became a member of the
Saint Dominic Savio club. We hung out
together as a group of boys identified
as potential members for brotherhood or priesthood within the church.
We were essentially taught how to
become a saint… be cheerful, do your
duties (because a saint does what he is
supposed to do when he is supposed
to do it) and service to others (a saint
devotes his life to serving others) - a
formula which would send us well on our
way to heaven.
What did you do?
We would go along to boarding camps
in Bathurst, Goulbourn, Engadine etc,
attend regular mass and church services,
played lots of sport and ate a lot, and
meet interesting people – quite different
from the isolated rural life I had grown
up in. To me this was the real issue: I
was now living a life which was extraordinarily different to how I had grown up.
I can say that I was totally blown away
by my new experiences and this is why I
took this Catholic faith on board.
How long did this last?
When I was about 15 I started hanging
out with Non Catholic guys as I moved
to a secular high school for the last two
secondary years. I discovered girls. I was
The Pipeline
Where were you headed after
school?
I started out studying surveying via
correspondence. However, this didn’t
work out and moved to Sydney – into a
two bedroom flat in Neutral Bay, with
6 other mates. I was studying surveying
(part time) at the Institute of Technology
and I finished that course. This is
when things really changed big time. I
discovered the nightlife in Sydney and
everything it had to offer. I became the
wild boy.
During that time I also studied Real
Estate Valuation (also part time). I was
working with the Australian Survey
Office full time at the same time and
went on to do Advanced Real Estate,
Land Valuation. I moved to the Federal
Government Central Property Agency
(Dept. Admin. Services) looking after
the property interests of the Fed Govt.
Looked after Telstra’s interests. At
that time I had moved some 16 times
throughout the lower North Shore and
the Eastern Suburbs, include Bondi and
Coogee. And amidst all of that I also
joined the Army Reserve
What was that like?
Like boys own adventures. We met
all around the country, places like the
Atherton Tablelands, Northern Territory
etc – rough country.
3
Living life to the fullest?
Exactly. I was studying very hard, working
very hard, playing very hard – and there
was no time, and no interest, in Christ.
At that point in time I also met a lady and
we decided to marry. I was about 22. She
was from a mixed ethnic background. I
was quite happy but about two years
into our marriage, when I came home
from Cairns one day I found that she
wanted to leave. This left me devastated
and I threw myself into my career which
the Catholic Church, but that didn’t have
the same ethos. Whereas I remembered
the Catholic Church as being based on
ritual and function and servitude, a quick
hello after a quick sermon, my sister’s
church was just part of her Christian life
which extended way beyond church. So
as a couple living together we started
attending St Paul’s Anglican Church at
Oatley, where Joanne had grown up and
had been attending as a teenager.
“The change came when my sister and her
husband became Christians – and it was
their new lifestyle that really impressed me.”
was burgeoning. I was going ‘north’ at a
rapid pace. I became an assistant director
within the Public Service at an early age,
2 IC with Advance Bank (now St George)
and then on to become national/international manager of property development
(Asia Pacific) for a multinational company
(Pizza Hut, Burger King). I worked like
this until I was in my mid thirties, travelling the world, working hard, enjoying
what I was doing, the poor country boy
made good on a high salary.
When did you meet Joanne?
I met Joanne through work in 1986. She
was working for the Australian Property
Office, a central property office of the
Federal Government. After I left that
work place and started with Advance
Bank (see above) in 1989 we started
going out. We started living together,
neither of us being Christians at that
point in time.
When did that change?
The change came when my sister and her
husband became Christians – and it was
their new lifestyle that really impressed
me.
What was it that struck you about
that?
They were attending an Anglican Church
led by a young minister who had evangelized my sister, her husband already
being a Christian. I was taken aback by
her new calmness and warmth. I was
impressed by her extended family and
friends, principally her church family. I
reflected back on my own background in
4
What was that like?
It was amazing. A young man of Greekorthodox background and partner in
a legal firm provided his testimony of
coming to Christ at the front of the
church, touching on my own life in the
Roman Catholic Church, and similar to
what we have in our church I put in a
slip for more information. The little slips
can serve for prayer points. Something
that has always stuck on my mind since
then that these little slips can serve as a
discreet thing to show you’re in need, or
need assistance. I wouldn’t be here if it
wasn’t for that slip. That young man who
had given his testimony was a church
warden and he contacted me. I was
introduced to the Navigator’s Gospel, a
guide to finding fundamentals about the
Christian Gospel.
and I accepted Jesus into our lives. After
we became Christians we married, also
in St Paul’s – it filled the church (January
1992).
Joanne and I started to pray together
hugely, study the Bible, read ‘Every Day
with Jesus’ together. We both got heavily
involved in our new church – Bible study
groups, etc and I also got involved in
men’s groups. Our Bible studies were
excellent. We moved around different
groups but it was always a mixture of
people, there were always a few elderly
in our groups whom I saw as ‘the
anchors’ of our groups. To this day I
value that sort of mixed group for that
very reason.
Tell us a bit more on your participation in the Men’s groups please.
We were men from various backgrounds and ages - Gastroenterologists,
lawyers, lecturers, investment bankers,
and of various ages from young Uni
students and Tech students through
to retirees, but all with a single focus
in growing in developing faith based on
solid Bible reading and teaching, with
the small group leaders well versed and
knowledge.
What led you to adopt children?
After numerous ectopic pregnancies
we were told that we were unable to
have children. It was a very distressing
time for both of us and we decided to
foster or adopt children. However, there
were 27,000 couples in NSW waiting for
adoption. We looked overseas, and came
across Bolivia, South America mainly
because of waiting lists. Admittedly, it
was opportunistic.
“It was like being hit by a bus and both
Joanne and I embraced it.”
Is that when you discovered the
gospel?
I sure did. It was like being hit by a bus
and both Joanne and I embraced it. And
the wonderful thing is that it happened
to Joanne at the same time. I just knew
suddenly that the gospel is truth.
Do you want to share with us how
that worked?
Each adoption takes about two years of
burocratic steps involving social workers,
psychologists, psychiatrists, medical
officers, police checks and significant
costs.
What was your response?
It was in mid 1991 that I accepted that
I had been living in sin and both Joanne
We adopted Andrew who then was 16
months, in 1994, Daniel, aged 8 months,
in 1996, and Rosie, then 5 months, in
The Pipeline
2001. They were all from an orphanage in
La Paz in Bolivia. It is a Roman Catholic
orphanage. The first trip there was the
most extraordinary thing. I learnt so
much from this experience, namely what
the Spaniards did coming to the Incas and
establishing the Roman Catholic church
on their temples. What came out of that
is no birth control.
Adoption is huge. It’s not all easy going.
There are the race issues, and I had a lot
of struggles because of my age – especially when it came to Rosie’s adoption.
However, thanks to the prayers of my
church family (at that time in Melbourne)
we have brought them all into God’s
family.
What brought you to Ballina?
I was offered a job in Ballina, but it was
the calibre of the Richmond Christian
College that brought us to Ballina. (We
were wary about moving our children to
a place unless they would be accepted
and valued.) We heard through friends
about the Taylors connection with the
school and that they had also adopted
children from overseas. We moved to
Ballina in 2003. We also heard about the
Presie church in Sydney and so we didn’t
have to shop for school or church.
How did you find BPC on your first
visit?
Welcoming, relaxed, small. As laid back
as we had never experienced, thongs,
sandals and all. We felt at home straight
away. We became part of a Bible Study
group and the men’s group and from time
to time the men’s prayer group. This is
an area that I would like to see develop
further in our church.
I started working for a contractor who
was building and opening Long Day Care
centres throughout NSW. Some 2.5
years ago I picked up a consultants job,
commuting to Sydney. That came to an
end just recently. So I am looking for
work and I’m trying to work out where
to from here, but we want to stay in
Ballina.
Do you want to share your own
reflection on your walk with God?
Since becoming a Christian my whole
business attitude changed dramatically
from being the sharpest and toughest
that I could be in business to one of
doing the right thing from a Christian
perspective, resulting in what was already
a good career being an amazing one – in
fact showing that good ethical attitude
can get you further. It simply comes
down to trust. My word became my
bond rather than a tool in negotiation. I
also now find that I have in fact opportunities to witness to people enquiring
going on. People from all walks of life
are affected by Satan loving to get hold
of Christian marriages. I guess I can
relate to some of this to some extent as
I myself have suffered failure in terms of
relationships. People often are under
strain – and so Jo and I often remind each
other it’s God first, us second, children
third. We‘ve even enlisted the services
of Christian Counseling throughout
our marriage to help us stay on track in
our marriage. I found this really good.
It’s a tune up because a marriage is a
constant, regular effort. You have to
work on a marriage. Too often people
think Christian couples have it really easy
and all is sweet but this is not so. Right
now I am praying for a Christian couple
who have recently broken up and I am so
astounded and pray for that situation.
“You have to work on a marriage. Too often
people think Christian couples have it really
easy and all is sweet but this is not so.”
about my approach. They can often see
many similarities between us on the
surface but big diversions below.
At a more personal level, Joanne and
I had a number of vows during our
wedding. One is that we would make
God first, each other second, and our
children third and we regularly remind
ourselves of that. We actually wrote
that down. My walk with God has taught
me much about marriage. What is
really rocking me at the moment is the
extraordinary number of separations
Neville, in closing, please share with
us if you have any favourite Bible
spots.
This moves from time to time, but one
that sticks out is ‘dress yourself in the
armor of God’ (Eph 6). I guess we all
have challenges and I find myself under
attack, of course.
Neville Smith with Antje Moore
“Religion is all about do do do.
Christianity is all about done done done.”
Lizzy Smallgood
The Pipeline
5
The Complete Woman
THE COMPLETE WOMAN - A
LUXURIOUS WEEKEND AT CAMP
DREWE FOR OUR BPC WOMEN
BPC ladies were treated to a ‘luxurious’
beachside weekend in June 09 as we
gathered for pampering, companionship
and considered the challenges which
Lizzy Smallgood threw at us, drawing
from the Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
The photos say it all but here are some
thoughts and reflections from all of us:
Shellie Ryan: Challenged!
What an amazing time we have had
connecting together and sharing in
God’s Word. At times the talks were
confronting but exciting to be challenged
to become what I already am: a new
creation in our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. May we join together in persevering in our walk, to be joyful for all
Jesus has done, to be mindful that we are
set apart and that we have all we need
in Christ Jesus. May we grown in our
knowledge as we press into His Word.
Lynn: Conviction!
I really believe that I have come to know
my sisters in Christ much better over
the weekend! It has been a great blessing
to spend time opening the Scriptures
together and sharing each others joys an
d burdens. Praying for others concerns
and helping them is a wonderful privilege.
We have learnt lots and grown spiritually over the weekend. May the LORD
continue to convict us all of these truths
in the months and years ahead.
Carol Pagotto: All said in love!
Lizzy Smallgood was so very inspiring,
clear, insightful and encouraging. And I
just loved how she spoke it all in love and
great humor.
Diana: At home!
I fel at home with my new church family.
Lizzy Smallwood was an excellent choice
of speaker.
Thank you
Sue Mallum: The wardrobe cull!
I love the image of doing a wardrobe
cull in my life, getting rid of old clothes
(worldly behaviour) and Jesus replaces
them with His clothes (character), being
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bearing with each and
forgiving each other, then covering it all
with a coat of love.
Isabel Manning: Jesus is all I need!
The speaker was excellent, the talks
from Colossians a timely reminder for
me ‘that Jesus is all I need’. In Him is
the fullness of God. There are plenty of
people in situations in life which is true
to add to this. Time at camp was relaxed
with plenty of time to spend by yourself
or with others.
Antje Moore: Heart surgery!
We must make time for this sort of
activity more often! Getting together
and encouraging each other by having a
bit of fun, and also being really challenged
from God’s Word. Lizzy Smallgood’s
humorous approach lightened the
message which was hard hitting and challenging in many places – yes, I really need
‘heart surgery’ and I’m glad to know that
Jesus covers it all when I fail.
Beryl Fletcher: Becoming more
Christlike!
The weekend was terrific, the talks
exceptional. I think the topic of transformation from Colossians made us all
consider our lives and what changes
need to be made in them to be more
Christlike.
Renee Hasler: Sisters in Christ!
I really enjoyed the weekend. It was a
great opportunity to get to know more
ladies from church at a deeper level.
Helen Callan: Pleasing God!
A great day hearing about becoming the
‘Complete Woman’. A very positive day
and great fellowship with the lovely ladies
in the church. I learnt, and was reminded
to, please God in everything and the cost
of my actions / behaviour will all follow
on from that. Praise God!
Colleen Spencer: Praise Jesus!
Colossians 1 -3 was so very challenging
to me but as you work through the
chapters it made me realise over again
that Jesus is ALL I need, that mothering
the world has to offer can come close
to the wonder of what Jesus did on teh
cross for me. Praise Him.
6
The Pipeline
Margaret Gallan: God’s Family!
It’s been good to have ladies from both
congregations together on the eve of
both congregations becoming one,
keeping connected with Christ hte Head
of the Church, so that we will bear the
family image.
Patricia Lockery: A more open
heart!
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend:
yummy food, stimulating friendship,
lifechanging teaching. My feet in the
ocean and a laugh til 1 am. I go home
with a soft face and a more open heart.
Thank you girls for organising it.
Julie Barnwell: Transformation!
Thanks Trish for spending hours
transforming my hair! Hopefully the
transformation of our lives from selfcentredness to Christ-centredness will
be as complete.
Helen Bradwell: Inspired!
A wonderful time of fellowship, friendship, praise, thanksgiving! The speaker
was truly inspirational and I pray that we
may all be encouraged by her words as
we continue in our walk with Jesus.
Jo Burke: The aim of our lives!
Great time to spend with people you
don’t always get to see and to be able
to chat and think about what we have
learnt. What a great challenge to think
about the aim of our lives – is it to please
God – it’s such a simple aim but so all
encompassing at the same time.
Mary Carter: Together!
The day provided a great and welcome
opportunity to spend time together – to
listen, to sing, to walk, to play games,
to relax, to laugh, and to become more
aware of the needs of the others. In a
comparatively short time, we became
much more familiar and comfortable
with one another. It seemed an excellent
preparation for the joining of the groups
from the two different services. The
content of the talks was excellent.
Jeanette Harwood: Christ’s characteristics!
The time together was a special time to
get to know women from other services.
In the studies of Colossians what really
sprung out to me were a number of
characteristics of Christ: The Supremacy
of Christ (Col1:15) who is the Maker
of all Creation (Col 1:16), Master of all
things (Col 1:18) and our Mediator (Col
1:20). God has reconciled us through
Christ’s death on the Cross.
Joanne Croft- Smith: Just do It!
The women’s weekend was a great
opportunity to be together with lots of
people who we don’t normally get an
opportunity to spend time with.
It was relaxed and fun, but with
really thought provoking talks. I
really enjoyed the rare opportunity
to take time out to reflect on God’s
Word more deeply than usual and
to allow the Holy Spirit to prompt
me to ‘Just do It’ (Obey God’s
Word). I liked the reminder to
‘Stop and Think: Can I do/say this
in the name of Jesus, will it please
him’
Jan Hayes: By His Grace!
Lizzy Smallgood: speaking the truth in
love. What a wonderful picture of Christ
our Lord Paul paints in Colossians – our
Maker, Master, Mediator, giving me His
great grace, having delivered me from
death and darkness and reconciling me
to Him to walk, by His grace, and to live
now to please Him. Lots of thoughts
provoked, but hardest of all is to put all
these into action ... Lizzy clearly put to
me ‘What is the will of God for me ...? It
is in His Word, the power is His Spirit, to
live as a citizen of heaven.
Caroline Surman: All for His
purpose!
It really struck me when Lizzy Smallgood
said that we are all self centred! What is
‘God’s will for me? God’s will for me is to
read His Word .. and do it. It’s not about
God’s special plan for me, but me acting
on God’s will for all. The girls/ladies were
The Pipeline
also amazing to be around, it was good
to hear their walk in life and their stories.
Barbara Stoker: Knowing God’s
will!
As a prelude to our combined service
on Sunday 28th June, we had a great get
together – we learnt from Colossians:
that we have a purpose to live a life that
gives honour to God, that gives praise
to Christ, that we bear fruit in every
good work and stand apart. We grew
in knowledge of God, knowing Him
better by doing His will and we were
strengthened with God’s power to have
endurance and patience.
Ida Hancock: Uplifting!
Encouraging, loving, uplifting, with great
teaching on Colossians. These are the
thoughts that come to mind about this
weekend at Camp Drewe.
7
8
The Pipeline
News from Elizabeth Moore
From: Elizabeth (Lizzy) Moore
[[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, 2 July 2009 12:34 PM
Subject: Hola from Ecuador!!
Hola everyone!
How are you all doing? Hope everythi
ng is going fine in Australia, I thou
ght I’d give you all an update on
Ecuador! We have been in Loja sinc
e Sunday mor ning, and it’s been very
interesting so far! The flight was long
but good, so praise God for that! .. exce
pt of a hiccup with our luggage ... min
e and another team member’s bags
got lost, but thankfully we finally got
them back this afternoon! It took man
y phone calls and faxes and emails
from John and Karine to finally get
it sorted out, so thank God they wer
e patient. We found out that everythi
in South America takes about ten time
ng
s longer to do than back home :) but
it was a really good opportunity to
how everyone helped us out, with clot
see
hes and borrowing random things we
needed. (but I can’t wait to use my
hair straightener.... I’m glad to be reun
ited with it, haha).
Saturday night we stayed one night
in Ecuador´s capital, Quito, and had
our first meal in Ecuador - McDona
We were being very cultural. We flew
lds!!
out early Sunday mor ning to arrive
in Loja for church on Sunday mor ning
called Centro Cristiano. We were all
,
very tired, but the church service was
really awesome, very different to in
Australia! Very charismatic, and the
whole congregation came up and hug
ged and kissed each of us on the chee
mid service to welcome us, it was a
k
bit overwhelming but made us feel very
loved. Ian preached on faith and
works, James 2. Monday we went on
a tour of Loja, which involved the 9
of us and John all squeezing into his
ute. Five of us in the back hehe (sor
ry mum and dad, pretend I didn’t tell
you this...). It’s actually really common
and it was a lot of fun. John said the
,
policia (police) wouldn’t actually pull
us over for that.
Yesterday we went on a prayer walk
around Loja, which was really interest
ing, I have never done one of those
before. In the afternoon all of us girl
s helped with a women’s evangelistic
event at John and Karine’s church.
There were about 60 women who cam
e along, and the response was really
really awesome! Karine did a talk on
Matthew 13:44-46, and then we did
some dot painting, and ate lots of lots
of sweet things. Our prayers were defi
nitely answered for that :) Today we
spent most of the day travelling up
to El Cisne, in the Andes, was amazing
scenery, about an hour’s drive from
where we are staying. We visited the
local Roman Catholic cathedral, whi
shows how much people here are into
ch
Virgin Mary. It was a bit sad actually
to see just what they put their faith
in, so can definitely continue to pray
for that. Then in the afternoon we wen
t to San Sebastian, visited another
local Catholic church, and we have just
finished at the cafe run by SIM (Ser
ving in Mission – Mission Partners
It was an English speaking night, so
).
we took small groups and went thro
ugh a story and asked questions in
English, with emphasis on faith and
where they put their hope. This was
a bit daunting, but it went well!
In short, that’s it so far. I have really
enjoyed
hanging out with John and Karine and
Evie and
Mattias, they are amazing!! The team
is going
well, we are getting to know each othe
r a bit
too much ... nah, it has been really fun
so far
and you can see everyone is being enco
uraged
and growing in their relationship with
God and
wanting to do more here in Ecuado
r.. I know that
I am! I hope you are all well, and plea
se continue
to pray for us here, especially that the
team will
stay healthy, and energetic so we can
serve the
Lord here and also that he will use us
in all situations we come across here! I will con
tinue to
pray for you all back home, please let
me know
anything I can pray for!!
Adios, xoxoxoxoxox Liz
The Pipeline
9
News from Holly Gillan
Holly Gillan
26 Balfour Road,
Austinmer,
NSW, 2515
[email protected]
0401 222 546
Fiji’
Subject: Extracts from ‘News from
om]
@hotmail.c
From: holly stanton-gillan [hbbb2808
Sent: June 2009
ng upon what I expect to be the
In just a few short days I am embarki
So now, here I find myself in June...
sists of 38 Year 13 students and 10
sion trip to Fiji. This mission trip con
highlight of my year. A four week mis
23rd of July (that’s right a whole
ing over from the 25th of June til the
ministries in
Lecturers/Group Leaders. We’re head
e and help further develop the existing
gsid
alon
king
wor
at
ing
aim
e
we’r
month!). During this trip
schools as well as experiencing a
in Fiji prisons, slums, orphanages and
e stays. I can’t fully
Fiji. We will be experiencing ministry
t up all across Fiji for a week of hom
spli
us
of
team
the
n
whe
ily
fam
n
I just wanted to
week in the life of a Fijia
ted for it! This is where you come in!
exci
so
am
I
but
nce,
erie
exp
to
t
year both financomprehend what I am abou
yone for your support throughout this
ever
to
t
hear
my
of
om
bott
the
this. I have been
say a huge thank you from
is a team of people supporting me in
e
ther
that
g
win
kno
nice
y
ainl
cert
k you for everything
cially and prayerfully, it is
your generosity as well. So again than
and
year
this
ies
stud
my
in
rest
blown away by your inte
er.
it really has made it all so much easi
the Fijians (open hearts & open
ent would be: Pray for Fiji – pray for
for me (patience
Some prayer points for me at the mom
quickly adjust to Fijian culture), pray
ld
wou
we
that
and
hing
teac
ly
God
minds), pray for us (clear
I have had and that I would bring
for so long.) Praise God for the year
with being in such a close community
glory to Him in all that I do.
rnet savvy you
th but for those of you who are inte
mon
t
nex
me
from
hear
’t
won
ably
As I will be in Fiji you prob
1243785547
ww.facebook.com/g roup.php?gid=15
can be updated via Facebook: http://w
news/insight/bula_blog/
site : http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/
Also by our blog at the Anglicans web
sheets, we know without God in this
prayer we have made up these prayer
your fridge, do
(see below: ed) And on the topic of
. Feel free to print this off, stick it to
trip
this
of
part
l
ntia
esse
an
is
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ative. http://www.
we’re only tourists so pray
during this month I would be appreci
er
pray
r
you
for
ask
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coul
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if
but
whatever you need to do
for%20Prayer%202009.pdf
youthworks.net/doc_lib/Prog ram%20
and love, I know it sounds cliche but
your prayer, money, encouragement
e
So again, thank you all so much for
the other side of this trip and I hop
. I look forward to updating you on
I really couldn’t be here without you
and warm!
between now and then you all stay well
Love, Holly
10
The Pipeline
Year 13 Fiji Mission: Latest News
We have arrived!
We are thankful to God for our arrival.
Everything went even smoother than we
could have imagined. Those who were
anxious about flying got through with no
drama. We are settling in to sabeto camp
site and after our game of volley ball we
head for dinner. We thankyou again for
your prayers and love for us. May God
use this time to glorify His name and
expand His kingdom.
A day in the Treasure House!
Yesterday was spent time in a local
village where we were welcomed with
a traditional Fijian welcome and then
shown around the village. It was amazing
to see subsistence life where what they
is only what they can grow or pick from
the trees around them. Cows, goats and
chickens providing the rest of the food
for the village. We ate some interesting
food, not all was consumed, although
we really tried. We then were taken to
the local swimming water hole and as
it is warm here, that was a welcomed
refreshment, and a lot of fun. Today we
spent time with the abandoned children
in the Treasure House home. I think we
all have had our eyes open to some of
the needs of Fiji through this time. We
thank God for this experience and that
we arrived with diapers when they were
just about to run out. It is funny, a group
arrived yesterday and gave them a bunch
of bikes, whilst that was welcomed, I
think maybe the lack of diapers was a
more pressing need, so we thank God
that we were able to have contact with
them before to know what was their
need. All is going well, thank you for
your messages.God bless and thanks for
your prayers.
Latest News on the Year 13 Fiji Mission
from the Sydney Anglican Website
PWA News: Annual Rally
It’s on again! The Northern Rivers Annual PWS Rally will be held on Wednesday 2nd September, 2009 at Camp Drewe, Lennox Head.
All are welcome to attend. Please bring your own lunch.
Ballina PWA will provide morning tea at 9.30 am followed by a short service and reports from Christian Education and P.W.M.U.
Committee representatives, our new State President Mrs Roslyn Abby will also be attending.
For more information and transport please see Frances Barron, Margaret Love or any P.W.A. members.
When? Wednesday 2nd September, 2009, 9:30am
Where? Camp Drewe, Lennox Head
Presbyterians are (still) the best cooks !!!
Prepare a savoury dish for me, such as
I love ... Gen 27:4
Starting with this Pipeline issue, we are
asking you to share with us your cooking
skills! Presbyterians have always been
the best cooks in the world, so bring out
your favourite recipes (even your secret
ones) and please share these with us.
We will publish these over the coming
issues - and if we get enough submissions,
we might even turn them into a separate
cook book. This idea is taken from the
Randwick Presbyterian Church (without
permission).
Please feel free to submit a photo of your
dish – or you may even have a bit of a
story to share that may relate to it??
To kick this column off, here is a very old
recipe from the PWA Cookbook, 1927
(if anyone works up the courage to make
this, let us know)
HAGGIS
(from the PWA Cookbook, 1927)
Take the stomach of a sheep, wash it
well in cold water, then pour boiling
water into it and scrape it till quite white
and clean, taking great care not to cut
it. Then take the sheep’s liver, lights and
heart, boil till quite cooked, let them cool
and mince finely. Add a cup of oatmeal,
2 oz finely minced suet, some pepper
and salt and a cup of cold water. Mix
thoroughly, put into the bag and secure it
firmly. Place in boiling water, prick three
or four times with a needle then boil
gently for four hours.
The Pipeline
The Haggis!!!
Game, anyone?
11
Watch
Listen
Talk
Come and watch a DVD segment, listen to a short talk and discuss your ideas
over coffee and cake.
This is a great opportunity for people who are not sure about God and
Christianity to really check out what they believe about God and life.
When: Thursday Nights
Intro & Invitation: Thurs Aug 6
Classes start Thurs Aug 13 and
run for 6 weeks
Where: BPC Campus
An initiative of Ballina Presbyterian Church - Introducing people to God.
Marriage is a gift from God, a special,
intimate and beautiful relationship of husband
and wife. Marriage should demonstrate love,
and bring about the best in us. But it can also
be hard work.
The Marriage Course is designed to help any
married couples strengthen their relationship. The six week course deals with the
following topics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Building Strong Foundations
The Art of Communication
Resolving Conflict
The Power of Forgiveness
Parents and In-Laws
Good Sex
Love in Action
The
Marriage
Course
When?
Wednesdays at 5pm
Starts Wednesday July 29th
Runs for 6 weeks
The Course involves a DVD, time for personal reflection and planning, and a couples
discussion time for husband and wife to
enjoy private discussion with each other.
The course is suitable for non-Christians as
well as Christians, and seeks to build strong
foundations for marriage based on God’s
principles. All are welcome but numbers are
limited and registration is required.
12
Where?
Ballina Presbyterian Church Hall
Child Minding and Dinner Included
Registration Required
Contact Darren & Julie Barnwell
Ph. 6687 9519
The Pipeline