Berry Uniting Church in Berry, New South Wales | Christian church

Berry Uniting Church

Locality: Berry, New South Wales

Phone: +61 466 717 254

Address: 77 Albert Street 2535 Berry, NSW, Australia

Website: https://www.berryuniting.org/contact.html

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25.01.2022 Here's the link to this week's e-news

23.01.2022 At the recent Annual General Meeting, BMS inducted two new Life Members, John Hudson and Peter Johnston. Tom Darby, one of the pioneers of the Shed, and its on...ly Life Member till now, recounted for the meeting some memories of the early days and John and Peter's parts in that. He then presented the new Life Members with their Certificates of Life Membership. Also during the meeting, retiring Shed President, Phil Reid, presented his President's Award to Terry Smith, in recognition of his outstanding contribution during the year. See more

23.01.2022 This year on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sep) were hosting our Out of the Shadows event virtually. Please join us at 5:30am as we walk into the light to ...raise awareness, remember those lost to suicide and unite in a commitment to prevent further deaths by suicide. Take the pledge with us and share it with your friends. Together we can make a difference. Find out more and register on our website: lifelinesouthcoast.org.au/out-of-the-shadows If you need support, please reach out to us 24/7 on 13 11 14.

22.01.2022 Here's this week's news letter

22.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer this series of prayers. 15 June 2020 God of the community well,... God of our individual needs: having gone through this together we will draw from these days a shared experience for years and years. Yet each of us balances this pandemics challenge with private struggles and dissimilar circumstances. May we take into account the additional weight that we and our neighbours will carry, so that as we lend (and accept from) each other support we can draw out more lessons from this well of community, and bring home all that we can. Amen. www.corrymeela.org See more

22.01.2022 Here's the link to last Sunday's service

21.01.2022 This week's news letter

21.01.2022 A message from Shona Gibson: "I delivered a very full car load of warm clothes to Gerri Wood of Corrimal Rotary Club. Gerri has been involved in the meal distribution to the students and was thrilled with the load of clothes. She told me she made a visit to Vinnies to buy a coat for one of the students who looked cold. Our items will be distributed this week. It is with a glad heart and pride in your efforts as I thank you for the kindness you have shown the International St...udents of the University of Wollongong. A message for the kind souls still keen to offer support, Gerri is going to let me know when she needs more supplies."

20.01.2022 ... and further quotes in video on loving our enemies, head winds and tail winds ...

20.01.2022 Solitude - hoping we can all get some of this precious gift across the weekend...

18.01.2022 TRUTH TELLING will premier on ABC Compass this Sunday June 14 2020 - Sunday 6.30pm on ABC + iview. The straight-talking women that work at Waminda in regional ...Australia are focused on truth telling. The Aboriginal womens organisation has developed powerful workshops that dive below the murky depths of Australias history to take a hard and honest look at systemic racism, colinisation, white privilege and white fragility. Watch live on ABC TV or you can stream ABC TV live here https://iview.abc.net.au/show/abc-live-stream or here after on iView https://iview.abc.net.au/show/compass Little Story Films would like to thank the incredible women of Waminda: Aunty Gail Wallace Cleone Wellington Faye Worner Hayley Longbottom Kimberley Chiswell Kristine Falzon Lisa Wellington Lynne Dooley Produced by Little Story Films director/producer Kell Stoner cultural and story consultants Aunty Gail Wallace Cleone Wellington editor Anna Craney Kell Stoner production coordinator Annie Parnell camera Velinda Wardell ACS additional camera Kell Stoner sound Nathan Codner

17.01.2022 Here is this week's e-news

16.01.2022 #StopTheShame has been off the street for months what with the bushfire season and then COVID-19. However, we will be resuming our vigils on Friday 9th October..., 10am to 12. We will, of course, be observing COVID safe practices, including wearing masks. We have designed our own masks and these will be for sale. See you in Jelly Bean Park most Fridays and outside Fiona Phillip' office once a month. See more

16.01.2022 October 1 - Today is International Day of the Older Person - a day to celebrate the dignity and worth of older people, a reminder to continue developing a society for all ages, and an opportunity to challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and aging.Grateful for the work of aged care chaplains, and those working in hospitals and palliative care - especially in this time of COVID19 with so many vulnerable older people. A day also to celebrate the f...aithful service of 'older' Deacons and Deaconesses - some who continue in ministry way beyond retirement age, some who intentionally mentor younger Deacons and Deaconesses, and some whose ministry deserves to be remembered and celebrated.Yesterday on a national DUCA call (Diakonia Uniting Church in Australia) we were joined by 92 year old Betty Matthews who was a Deaconess prior to church union, and then became the first person to be ordained as a Deacon in the Uniting Church in Australia when the diaconate was renewed in the UCA. Since retiring, Betty’s ministry has continued as she is a long-term social justice advocate, especially in the areas of refugee rights and the rights of Indigenous people, which she has been involved within and beyond the church.https://revivemagazine.org.au/2014/02/04/betty-marks-a-milestone/Who comes to mind in your context?"God of the unknown, as age draws in on us, irresistible as the tide, make our life’s last quarter the best that there has been. As our strength ebbs, release our inner vitality, all you have taught us over the years; as our energy diminishes increase our compassion, and educate our prayer. You have made us human to share your divine life; grant us the first fruits; make our life’s last quarter the best that there has been. Amen".(Source: A New Zealand Prayer Book, pg. 747)"Prayer resources: http://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=5234

16.01.2022 From Shona Gibson: Appeal for Warm Clothing I am appealing to you for some donations of warm clothing. The COVID-19 lock down has put the international students at the University of Wollongong (at all universities) into a very difficult situation. In these difficult times their sources of money have dried up, but they still need to feed and accommodate themselves. There is a misunderstanding that the international students who attend our universities are wealthy, fee paying... students. For the majority this is far from the reality. Some are self-funded, some are on academic scholarships, while many students are supported by their home villages, who have pooled their resources to send them to Australia. Others rely on their family for financial support. Many of the students home countries have closed their borders and many airlines have raised one-way flight fares to extraordinary levels - so the students are stuck here in a pretty dire situation. Since the beginning of lock down, a small team of staff at the University of Wollongong, and volunteers from some of the churches close to the university, have been providing hot meals and food hampers to our international students. Their funds and the food resources are running out and there is a need for funds to keep this service going. However, the immediate need is for donations of warm clothes. I am happy to gather the donations and transport them to the university for distribution. Donations may be left in the Community Library. If you need donations to be picked up, please contact Shona on 0417 432 118 or John Brentnall on 0466 717 254. Your prayer would also be greatly appreciated. See more

15.01.2022 Hi Everybody - we have made a last minute decision to NOT have a physical gathering for church tomorrow due to the huge amount of rain we have had and that more is expected overnight and tomorrow. There are many roads affected and it could be not very safe on roads. We will meet on Zoom. The link can be found in the e-news John sent this morning. If you do not have our e-news or know the Zoom link then please email us (see About section). Keep safe and keep well

15.01.2022 On Tuesday the two Scholarship recipients from Shoalhaven High School visited the Berry Mens Shed. This is the 7th year of the Mens Shed Scholarship Scheme, which is a joint initiative with the Berry Uniting congregation. The Scholarships have a value of $500 for each recipient and the money is to be used to assist the students in their ongoing studies. Charlotte Walker on the right is a year 12 student and Dhruvl Vihol on the left is a year 11 student. The girls were accompanied to the Shed by a member of staff. The girls were selected by school staff because they excelled in meeting the criteria laid down by the Shed. Before the presentation in front of members of the Shed they were given a tour of the Shed. Also in the photo is Shed President Phil Reid on the left and on the right, Richard Wiseman, the Shed Publicity Officer.

15.01.2022 "A Change Is Gonna Come" sung a capella by Rev. Radhika Sukumar-White Video edited by Rev. Adrian Sukumar-White Warning: this video contains names of deceased I...ndigenous persons. https://www.alsnswact.org.au/ https://changetherecord.org.au/ https://www.commongrace.org.au/aboriginal_and_torres_strait #stopaboriginaldeathsincustody #blacklivesmatter

13.01.2022 National Reconciliation Week and Vigil of Pentecost This beautiful prayer to the Spirit comes to us from the Native American tradition... Oh, Great Spirit,... whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me. I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be superior to my sisters or brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit will come to you without shame. Author unknown. Artwork by Karel Hendee

13.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer this series of prayers. 22 June 2020 God of midsummer light,... God of midwinter snow: as our tilted earth rounds the bend and turns along its course, we note the connection we have with those around the world, whether they are basking in the fullness of the season or rejoicing in the suns return. May we know that even though our highs and lows will rarely coincide, the story of this year and the shared rhythm of this life provide a commonality with all, even those to whom we are opposed. Amen. www.corrymeela.org (photo my former volunteer Nancy Lewis)

12.01.2022 Here's this week's e-news

12.01.2022 The video of last Sundays service has been published on YouTube https://youtu.be/lVcjvKYJjXs

10.01.2022 Get involved with Refugee Week in 2020! In Refugee Week (14-20 June), Australians are being encouraged to help make this country a more welcoming place for refugees and asylum seekers. In spite of the lock down, there are many ways to show support for refugees and asylum seekers by joining one of the many Refugee Week events taking place online this year.... > Watch, listen or share some of the suggested films, podcasts, poems, videos, songs on the Refugee Week resources page (https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/refugee-week-resources/) > Join the Refugee Council of Australia community dinner project, Share a Meal, Share a Story > Share a message of support on your social media account use any of the hashtags #RefugeeWeek2020 #justice4refugees #NobodyLeftBehind #GameOver > Call or speak to your MP about extending the safety net and Medicare benefits to refugees and asylum seekers impacted by COVID-19 *** People in the Shoalhaven area are invited to join RAR Shoalhaven #StopTheShame (https://www.facebook.com/shoalhavencommunityaction/) https://action.refugeecouncil.org.au/rw20_events

10.01.2022 Monday Morning Refelction Lord of every pilgrim heart, you are beside me and before me on the way,... surprising me through your Spirit at every turning of the path. Yet, like your disciples on the Emmaus road, I often fail to recognise my companion. In this morning hour, and in whatever the day may hold, open my eyes to see your presence, that I may celebrate with you the gift of the morning. O Lord of the unexpected. Amen. ~ Peter Millar See more

10.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer this series of prayers. 6-7 June 2020 God of holy relationship,... God of distinct inclusion: with you and in you togetherness matters. Remind us that ours is not a life of living for ourselves. In being with and for each other, may we discover that how we relate to how we are different shows the essence of who we each are. Amen. www.corrymeela.org

10.01.2022 National Reconciliation Week This morning, as we continue to pray for reconciliation, healing and deep listening for and with our First Nations people, we are m...indful of praying these same gifts for the people of the United States in the midst of this time of division and violence. May the healing grace and peace of the Spirit of God rest upon each city, each heart, each hurt, each anger, each hope. Amen. See more

09.01.2022 In concert with this week's Spirituality of Conflict lectionary resource, we offer this prayer based on Matthew 21: 23-32 as part of our ongoing series: 25-27 S...eptember God who knows our fears, God who knows our hearts: we’ve taken your world and created an endless game of winners and losers. We’ve set up a ladder that gets us nowhere but up and down. Bring us down to earth. Free us from this hierarchical nonsense, so we can see each other face to face and respond to real needs without the fear of falling. Amen. www.spirtualityofconflict.com www.corrymeela.org

08.01.2022 Im sad to have to say that this week will be our last in-person worship service for the time being. The NSW Premier has emphasised the critical nature of the next few weeks and the NSW Chief Health Officer has written to all churches, emphasising that places of worship are high risk settings for COVID-19. As a result, we have received a communication from the Synod as follows: "the Synod of NSW-ACT strongly recommends that: > All congregations in NSW and ACT refrain... from face to face gatherings at this time. Services should continue to be streamed or recorded to enable people to engage in worship. > This includes Youth Groups, Kids clubs, Sunday Schools and other missional and social groups. > Should any congregation or group elect to gather face to face, every participant should wear a face mask. > No singing of any kind. This includes community, congregational or choir led singing. No singing applies even if people wear a mask. Church Council had a Special Meeting on Wednesday and decided that this would be our last service before closing down again, to make our contribution to the community prevention effort. If you are choosing to attend worship this week, then can we please be examples of safe behaviour, in order to role model and be encouraging reminders for others. > Please bring and wear a mask if you have one. We will have masks at the door for those who need one. > Please be careful about physical distancing and > please dont sing - or even hum! Stay safe and stay well!!!

08.01.2022 Was on Compass tonight so now available on iView

06.01.2022 Heres the link to this weeks e-news

06.01.2022 The beanies have gone like hot cakes! Here are photos of three International students at University of Wollongong wearing recently acquired beanies. Sid said:... "I was extremely happy when I realized this is a hand made beanie. Thank you so much for knitting this cute head beanie ". Priyanka said: "Thanks from me to the lady who knit this #respect ". The third person was too shy to share their face or name but sent this message: "Thank you and convey our token of gratitude to them!!!" See more

06.01.2022 GreenFaith October 2021 Days of Action

06.01.2022 We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for each of our halls and rooms and are committed to keeping you safe.

04.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer this series of prayers. 3 July 2020 God of community,... God of our deepest self: in this time of isolation and protective separation, the truth of our connection has risen to the fore. Although our fear-based structures are more fragile than we thought, the bonds of human kindness contain the strength of godly love. We give you thanks that beneath this worldly tumult and within our beaten hearts we know that God is with us and will be with us still. Amen. www.corrymeela.org

04.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer this series of prayers. 3 June 2020 God of one and God of all:... from our many may a unity appear. Help us find a way to hold our differences together. Bring us to the recognition that to be most fully human is to champion the full humanity of others. Your earthly image cannot be found in the mirror, but in the eyes of varied faces that reflect the incarnated divinity in our own. Amen. www.corrymeela.org

03.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer this series of prayers. 12 June 2020 God of our healthy fears,... God of our courage and faith: there is a strengthening pull wanting to carry us back to what they call normal. But there is also cautious resistance and a reluctance to embrace all that was. Help us in this in between. As we venture out and relax restrictions, may we not forget the dangers, nor lose sight of what weve gained in a time of self-imposed limitation. Strengthen our patience to let this play out; and may the lessons we carry help us all to pull through. Amen www.corrymeela.org See more

03.01.2022 To build up spiritual resilience, we offer these prayers for community in a time of pandemic. 1 June 2020 God of righteous anger,... God of rippling peace: somewhere, far from sight, the tempestuous sea and this quiet bay connect in one great body of water, linked to rivers and streams that extend a backward reach to headwaters far beyond our shore. May we on this earth, separated by vastly different experiences, kept apart by distance and the barriers we make, be united by your spirit, that the pain of one might be borne by all through the channels of your peace. Amen. www.corrymeela.org

02.01.2022 The world needs community like never before. In that spirit, we offer these prayers. 19 June 2020 God we see in familiar faces,... God in the strangers we think we know: as we meet again and see each other on the street or on a screen, give us a moment to look again and discover how people can change. There are worlds within each person we love, and also within those we dont, and steps to take from point a to point b that we can walk together. As we set out for the good ahead may we greet whats new inside us. Amen. www.corrymeela.org See more

02.01.2022 The Red Cross office in Wollongong is asking for help from anyone who may have any spare blankets for their Humanitarian Settlement Program which is run out of the Wollongong office. When migrants and refugees are being settled into an area they often come with nothing except what they are wearing. Usually items like blankets are sourced through op shops but because they are still closed its making it very difficult. If you can spare a blanket, please contact John Brentnall on 0466 717 254 for pick up or delivery arrangements.

01.01.2022 Tomorrow afternoon 3pm