News Airport West off to flying start DAVID SOUTHWELL
Worshippers at the dedication service
Going fourth on Sundays
APRIL 18 - CROSSLIGHT
FOR moderator Sharon Hollis the dedication of the Airport West Uniting Church was something of a homecoming. Ms Hollis grew up attending the church that was previously on the site but it’s unlikely she ever entered that building in such an emphatic fashion as she did the new one. Following an introductory prayer and acknowledgment of the First Peoples Ms Hollis ceremonially knocked on the doors three times before declaring them open. Later she unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. “May this new suite of buildings be a sign to you of God’s goodness, a source of blessing to you and this community of Airport West and beyond,” Ms Hollis said during her address to the approximately 280 in attendance, one of whom was her mother. The service included the induction of a new minister for the congregation Rev Judy Rigby. Rev Bruce Watson performed the induction service along with congregational representatives. Ms Rigby said she was returning to ministry after a period away from it and had found that God had a great surprise for her. “I love being back in the church,” Ms Rigby said. “People respond positively to my ministry. I’ve still got gifts to share and something to say.” Construction on the new church began in April last year. The project came out of the 2011 amalgamation of the St Mark’s Keilor East, St Philip’s Airport West and Avondale Heights congregations. The Keilor East site was sold and the proceeds used to build
NECESSITY is the mother of invention, which is why on Sunday morning you might find Tallangatta Uniting Church members looking for gifts in an op shop rather than seated in pews for a traditional worship service. Tallangatta member Carmyl Winkler said that when the small congregation in north east Victoria suddenly found itself without a minister last year they were forced to rethink the way they did church. ”The first thing that happens is that you realise how much the minister has been responsible for, especially the obvious leading of worship services,” Ms Winkler said. “Over the last six months, we have made a preaching plan which includes retired ministers, lay preachers, congregational members, community group leaders and joining with the Anglicans.” The congregation also decided that the fourth Sunday of the month would be an informal gathering known as ‘Sharing on Sunday’. Typically, Sharing on Sunday sees attendees seated in a circle, where they might stand or stay seated for hymns. The session often involves activities and invites discussion. “Sometimes it is a challenge, even a threat, to leave the back pew and sit on a front chair around the communion table,” Ms Winkler said. “Nevertheless I’m sure we get to know each other better once we take the plunge and do it. We look forward to new ‘Sharing’ this year.” One Sharing on Sunday was held at a local farm and included a Frontier Services barbecue. On another occasion
The new Airport West Uniting Church building
the new Airport West church, with the previous worship centre being demolished. “The new building is designed to facilitate regeneration strategies, including alternative worship styles and to provide more opportunities for interaction with the local community,” Airport West church council chair Ken Baker said. The congregation already runs a number of outreach programs such as Creative Living, Chat and Chew, Men’s Fellowship, Cancer Support and Friendship Groups. As planning and construction went ahead new mission ideas emerged such
as a cafe centre. “The congregation looks forward to welcoming new members and meeting the needs of people within its community, with great excitement and thanksgiving,” Mr Baker said. “The building has been designed so that it can be extended. It would be wonderful if that extension became necessary.” The weekend after the opening service Airport West hosted a community open day with a free sausage sizzle and children’s activities.
Sharing on Sunday in the Tallangatta op shop
the congregation met at the local op shop where they were encouraged to buy a small gift for someone else. The congregation also showed their willingness to improvise in the leadup to Christmas when the Sunday of the Nativity Play clashed with a local swimming carnival. This meant that children weren’t available to play some of the roles, so adults stepped in to be Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper and family.
However, there was a scene-stealing exception in the cast. “One delightful addition was a fouryear-old angel complete with wings,” Ms Winkler said. “The play was a great success. A few days later, we went up to the long-term care wing of the hospital and had a service. “We performed the play a second time, which was a big hit.”
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