Dear Members and Friends,
It’s hard to know how best to begin this note to you all. These are such strange times and, for many of us, our days have revolved around the 11am, ‘numbers-clip’, whilst some of us have long abandoned watching the news completely. Some of us have had one jab, others two, and there are some of us who hold firm to ‘never-will-I-ever…’ Wherever you are on your journey and whoever you’re locked down with, know this one thing – God loves you; God is loving you right now and God will always, always love you. Hear therefore the good news – You are accepted; you are forgiven and you are free. Thanks be to God.
As we head into Spring 2021 and find ourselves well-familiar with Church-on-Zoom, our little church seems to have found a rhythm…again.
Church worship services continue with minimal technical issues, at the usual times of 10am (traditional) and 6:30pm (contemporary), where we have a deep and rich pool of preachers whom we welcome to the pulpit on a regular rotation – Pj Dwyer, Rev Geoff Ivers, Sarah de Rooy, Rev Gavin Ward, Dr Mark Dalgleish – along with Rev Greg Smith (once lock-down is over) and our very own author and motivational speaker, Nerissa Trindade. We are truly blessed to have so much dedicated and faithful talent among us.
In August we did a test-drive of fortnightly Fellowship For 40 (mins), which was a success, and these fellowship gatherings will continue on. For September, announcements at the end of each church service and our usual Shout Out will confirm which fortnight the Fellowship will be held. Commencing October, Wednesdays - week 2 and week 4. Zoom links will be advertised during the regular weekly communications.
Dr Mark Dalgleish has also agreed to hold a monthly Bible Study that will link to his Message from his sermon in week four (4). Bible Studies will commence week 1, starting 6th October, 2021. Studies will be advertised during the regular weekly church services and email communications. As usual, Bible Study will be held monthly, on Wednesday nights, commencing 7:30pm.
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Sophia Bruem has just completed the Stephen Ministry/Be Upheld Leadership Training. Our ongoing prayers for healing continue over Marc Goodacre (the Leader of the Stephen Ministry/Be Upheld group), who has undergone recent surgery on his back. The delay of the planned recommencement in June has served us well, allowing Marc to heal and be ready to resume leadership, and Sophia to undertake leadership training. It is the Board’s hope that under the dual Leadership of Marc and Sophia, the Stephen Ministry / Be Upheld group will soon be able to provide care again. In the absence of a senior pastor, the Stephen Ministry / Be Upheld group will continue to report to the Board.
Many have been asking when the church will begin a Pastoral Search again. The Board has the discussion of Pastoral Search on the agenda for the next few months and will bring you more information as it comes to hand.
To this end, the Board will have a regular column in the monthly Newsletter to ensure that everyone is able to stay up to date with what’s happening at MCC Sydney. During these ongoing times of rolling lockdowns, we recognise that it’s important to stay informed as well as in touch.
On this note, as has been the case since May 2021, the following Board members are holding these roles:
Rev Gavin Ward – Acting Chair
Graeme Bartlett – Treasurer
Paul Houghton – Lay Delegate
Wayne Chilver – Ordinary Member
Sarah de Rooy – Secretary + Worship Coordinator
We continue to be grateful to Raymond H and Paul H for keeping our services on track with our reliable monthly rosters. And heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers for your continued support and belief in MCCS.
The Board will next meet this coming Saturday at 9am. Should anyone wish to attend the meeting, please contact office@mccsydney.org for a link to the zoom call.
Finally, your Board of Directors also believes in MCC Sydney and whilst you may not agree with all decisions made, know that we hold God and the welfare of our church at the centre of all we do.
We continue to hold you all in prayer. May God bless and watch over us all.
The Board of Directors, MCC Sydney
