Weekly Announcements
26 January 2020
NETWORK GATHERING of Australian and New Zealand Metropolitan Community Churches: Commences the weekend beginning Friday 31 January 2020, hosted by MCC Melbourne. Tickets available from TryBooking.com/561527 or
CATCHING UP WITH THE PASTOR: Rev Dale is away until after the MCC Network Gathering. You can touch base with him when he returns on Saturday 8 February.
GUEST PREACHER: Sunday 2 February. It's business as usual back at Crystal Street for those who can't make it to the Network Gathering in Melbourne. Pastor, Geoff Ivers is our guest preacher at both AM and PM Worship Services.
BORN THIS WAY: Tuesday 4 February 7:30pm. Join The Welcome Choir at the Vanguard in Newtown to learn the Lady Gaga song, Born This Way. The Welcome Choir teaches a new song each month. No audience, no auditions, just some musical fun.
“BIG DAY OUT”: Take a leisurely lunchtime stroll through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens on Thursday 6 February. Bring a picnic lunch, or buy something nearby. For info email (we need to know who to expect, and we've found the best way is to make you contact us to get details.) "Big Day Out" occurs on the first Thursday of each month, with varying venues and events.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - Meyers Briggs: Saturday 8 February 10am-1pm. Rev Dale will host a workshop to develop an appreciation for various leadership styles, using the Meyers Briggs Typology Process. By viewing through this lens, we begin to see that different people can possess different styles of leadership; we don't all have to do things in one unvarying way. Bring a smartphone, tablet or laptop and be prepared to learn new ways of seeing yourself and each other.
VOLUNTEERS WORKSHOP - Communion Setup: Sunday 9 February 12-1pm. How does MCC Sydney prepare for Communion? This workshop will show what's involved, and teach how best to care for the vessels and linens that we use. It's good to learn this if you think you may wish to volunteer to do this at some time, or if you're asked to step up when the rostered person is sick. The process may be slightly different for AM and PM worship services, so it's good to learn about both.
GUEST PREACHER - Father Rod Bower: Sunday 9 February 6:30pm. Anglican minister Father Rod Bower is perhaps best known for the signs he display outside his Gosford church in support of our community. He's also well-known as a friend of MCC Sydney. Join him at evening worship at MCC Sydney.
LET'S DO LUNCH: Our next lunch is on Sunday 16 February at the Petersham RSL Club. Bookings are not needed; Club dress rules apply. We recommend becoming a member as RSL members receive discounts on food and beverages. "Let's Do Lunch" occurs on the third Sunday each month.
MARDI GRAS is on the way: Working Bee Saturday 15 February. Our float in the Mardi Gras Parade this year combines the faithful from MCC Sydney with Crave Church, Spark Church, Equal Voices, Uniting Network, Catholic Acceptance and SDA Kinship. Signs for the float need decorating, and so the working bee on Saturday will give you a sneak peek at what the float will be like. Time and location is TBA at the moment, so keep the whole day free until we can narrow the time down a bit.
FAIR DAY 2020: Sunday 16 February. Our Fair Day Stall is a way of introducing MCC Sydney to our community. It's a valuable outreach to people who may have swallowed the lie that God hates them. Be one of the volunteers who spend an hour or so bringing God's message of reconciliation to people who may be far away. The volunteer sign-up sheet is on the Community Room Notice Board; find an available slot and put your name down, or speak to Wayne (or another Board member) for more information.
YOUNG ADULTS HOME GROUP: We gather for potluck dinner, share together what’s been going on in our lives, explore Scripture together and pray for one another. This is a great way to make new friends and nurture your soul. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 19 February from 7pm-9pm at the church where we’ll be exploring some of the major themes of the Old Testament. See Rev. Dale for more information of the next gathering.
THE WISDOM OF PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY: Thursday 20 February 7-8:30pm. This exciting new program will be a monthly occurrence throughout 2020. Presented by Rev Dale Yardy and Dr Col Eglington, this stimulating lecture series will cover a broad range of topics viewed through the lens of progressive Christian thought. The first session is titled "The Wisdom of Not Having All The Answers."
PANCAKE SUPPER AND SERVICE OF ASHES: Tuesday 25 February from 6pm. As we did last year, we'll celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a pancake supper in the community room from 6pm. Both savoury and sweet treats are on offer. From 8.30pm we'll conduct a Service of Ashes to commemorate the beginning of Lent.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE: Wednesday 26 February at 10am. Lent officially begins with Ash Wednesday, when we take the crosses made from the palm fronds of last year's Palm Sunday, and burn them to cinders. These are crushed, and during our Service we receive a 'smudge' in the shape of a cross on our foreheads. This reminder of the cross is a symbol of our sorrow at the suffering of Jesus, and of our faith in the reconciliation with God that Jesus brings us. If you can't attend our Tuesday night Service of Ashes, try to come to our Ash Wednesday service instead.
LENT 2020: This year the season of Lent runs from Wednesday 26 February to Thursday 9 April. Lent is the 40 day period between Ash Wednesday and the start of Holy Week, culminating in Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
FOODBANK DONATIONS: During Lent, MCC Sydney will conduct a collection of culturally-appropriate food items and toiletries for the House of Welcome. House of Welcome provides basic necessities for people seeking asylum who have limited or no income. Food items requested include: cooking oil; flour; sugar; canned tomatoes, chickpeas or lentils; canned fruit; instant noodles; cooking spices; breakfast cereal; basmati rice; UHT milk; tinned fish (eg tuna in oil); tea, coffee; jams and honey; biscuits (savoury or sweet). Please, no baked beans or soup or beetroot or tinned spaghetti. Non-food items include Shampoo, conditioner; dishwashing liquid; sanitary pads (but not tampons); toilet paper; tissues; deodorant; laundry detergent; razors and shaving foam; toothbrushes and toothpaste; nappies (larger sizes); baby wipes; household cleaning items such as tea towels, dishcloths and sponges. These basics are always requested. Over Lent, your donations can be placed at the front of the church.
MEN BECOMING REAL: Our next meeting of our men's discussion group is 26 February from 7pm-9pm. Share the discussion. For information email
MARDI GRAS PARADE: Saturday 29 February. Details available shortly on how to register to be part of our Parade Entry. On the day, we'll attend a prayer service at Pitt Street Uniting Church, and collect T-Shirts (for a harmonious appearance) and wristbands (for access to the parade marshalling area).
WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY GROUP: Resumes shortly.
VOLUNTEERS WORKSHOP - Scripture Reading: Sunday 29 March 4pm. Rev Dale will facilitate a workshop on presenting Scripture during Worship Services. If you're a current volunteer reader, or you'd like to equip yourself to be able to step up in the future, just say the word.
COMMUNION VISITS: MCC Sydney has a pastoral ministry for those who are in need of a regular pastoral visit and Communion each month. This ministry is especially for those whose personal circumstances prevent them from being able to attend worship services. If you (or someone you know) would be interested in this ministry please let Rev. Dale know.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDED:
After 10 years editing 'Reflections', our monthly Newsletter, Lee is stepping down. We're looking for someone who can take over the reins, who is creative and has a little time to offer the church family. If you've ever edited a newsletter for a community organisation, you'll know you need to be proactive in sourcing content. But you'll also know there's a lot of satisfaction to be found in the process of creation; it's one of the ways that people are 'the image of God.' If you might be interested, speak to Lee or Rev Dale.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED DIRECT DEPOSIT?: You can help support MCC Sydney by donating by direct deposit using the following bank account details:
BSB: 082-048 Account # 509412200 Thank you for your continued support!
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