Fellowship News - August

We were a very happy group who gathered for the July Meeting, welcoming several visitors. Delicious chicken soup was served from the “July Soup Kitchen” – a tradition that has developed over the past few years, and it is good, especially in winter, to have a “cuppa soup” to share with our usual packed lunch.

Margaret Morey was the Facilitator and presided as we talked about the programme for the rest of the year, and coming events. Members are reminded of UCAF Fellowship Day – this year earlier in the year than usual, and on a Friday to avoid clashing with a day on which many fellowship groups have their own meeting. – so note the date – Friday 22^nd August, at The Church of the Trinity, 318 Goodwood Road, Clarence Park. Morning tea will be provided at 10.00am and the meeting will commence at 10.30am. Bring your own lap lunch and stay for a time of fellowship over lunch. Because of this day there will be no meeting of State Mission Fellowship at Scots in August.

Frontier Services will be at the Show so keep a look out for them in the Farm Expo area. Of course, the Red Dove Cafe (situated opposite the Dog Pavilion) is the place to go for a meal – hot and cold meals are served – or for morning and afternoon tea. IGA are now on site enabling the Cafe to purchase fruit and vegetables daily. They welcome monetary donations, and a decision on this will be made at our August meeting.

It's not too early to think about Christmas Cards – Frontier Services and National & World Mission both have a selection of beautiful cards for sale at a most reasonable price.

The Adelaide West Men's Choir is highly recommended and will feature in a Frontier Services fundraiser at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Sunday 10^th August at 2.00pm, followed by afternoon tea. Rev Norah Norris has tickets for $12.

The next Fellowship meeting is on Thursday 7^th August, and we extended an invitation to Rev Doug Hosking and his wife Jennie to come and speak to us. Unfortunately Jennie is not able to come as she assists in an Op Shop on that day, but Doug will join us. He is a retired minister who served in Papua New Guinea for twelve years as well as in a number of parishes in South Australia, including the Leigh Creek Joint Parish, Renmark and Colonel Light Gardens. In ‘retirement’ he has done many interim ministries and he and Jennie volunteered to organise and catalogue the library at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in the Philippines, as UnitingWorld Volunteers in mission. This is the experience he will share with us. Lillias Thomson is the facilitator for the meeting and Alleyne Womersley is in charge of the kitchen.

We are delighted that Mr John Duval has agreed to come along and speak to us at our September meeting. John is a member of the South Australian Frontier Services Team, and has many other interests. He has been a busy helper on several Frontier Services Work Parties, so we look forward in anticipation to his company. The Fellowship donates each year to both National & World Mission Support, and Frontier Services, and so it is good to hear something of the work undertaken by both these projects of the Uniting Church.

What interesting people we have in our own congregation! Jeffrey and Jeanene Schapel talked with us about their trip last year to Norway, entitling it “Norway Coast”. Jeffrey had prepared well (of course!) with interesting comments and a power-point presentation so we could all share in their wonderful experience. Norway is only about half the size of New South Wales, with spectacular scenery. The Gulf Stream prevents ports from freezing over and ferries travel up and down the coast, and can only go up a fiord in summer. Jeffrey and Jeanene took a coastal trip of 12 days by ferry – it takes 260 passengers and cars, and they were never out of sight of the coast, visiting towns and villages, many built right up to the landing site. They travelled to the Arctic Circle, very close to the summer solstice and Jeffrey took a photo of the midnight sun - it looked like daylight!

Fellowship Members are enjoying their new format, the tables are arranged so that we sit in a square in the centre of the hall, making for a friendly interesting time of sharing together, and showing our love and concern for each other. As Fellowship is for all members of the Uniting Church, not just ladies, we do issue this sincere invitation to all members of the congregation to join us on the first Thursday in the month – you will be most welcome. 

Mary Thomas