Trinity School for Seniors in Perth, Western Australia | Community group

Trinity School for Seniors

Locality: Perth, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9483 1333

Address: 72 St Georges Terrace 6000 Perth, WA, Australia

Website: http://perthunitingchurch.org.au/trinity-school-for-seniors

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25.01.2022 This week's newsletter includes more information on how the Uniting Church in the City is responding to the Coronavirus. More information about how we will connect during this time will be available next week.

25.01.2022 ? Lent is a special time in the churchs calendar for prayer, reflection and repentance. It runs for 40 days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday. Many people give up something from their daily life during the Lent period, and some choose to take things up.... If you are still wondering what you could give up or take up, here are some ideas you may like to consider: Run by UnitingWorld, Lent Event is a call to embrace simple living, to set aside material goods and donate money to support community development projects. It's a great opportunity to ACT, REFLECT and CONNECT with God's grace at work in the world. Get involved by signing up to receive the daily devotional emails or donating online at www.lentevent.com 40 40acts is a generosity challenge which asks the question: what if Lent could be about more than just giving stuff up? What if it could be a time of radical generosity as well as spiritual discipline. You can sign up to receive daily emails with generosity challenges at www.40acts.org.uk 40 Rachel Held Evans offers 40 ideas for Lent, including questions to ask yourself, recommended reading, creative ways to give up/give back and meditations. Check them out at https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/40-ideas-for-lent-2011 This year Common Grace had invited Christian teachers from across the country to journey us through the I am statements across 40 days. Every Wednesday a new video on one of the statements will be available, along with bible readings and reflections to help you explore more deeply. For more information and to sign up to the emails visit https://www.commongrace.org.au/jesus_says_i_am ' ' .

24.01.2022 ? : , . . : .... I recently read this gripping story and include part of it here for you: In June 1926, Raymond Edmand, a 26-year-old missionary was in the Andes mountains in Ecuador. He and his wife had only been married for about a year and had an 8-week-old son when Raymond was hit by typhoid fever and almost died. Raymond's feet became cold and he fell into a coma. Raymond's wife and friends were so sure that Raymond would die very soon, so the wife coloured her wedding dress in black in preparation for the burial ceremony and a friend bought a coffin to bury Raymond. At the same time, a Bible conference was taking place in Massachusetts, located about 3,500 miles from Ecuador. Dr. Joseph Evans, one of the leaders at the conference, felt a deep burden to pray for Raymond. The participants at the conference left their Bible studies and began to pray for Raymond, even though they did not know Raymond's condition at that time. They prayed past lunchtime and continued to pray until finally, Evans cried, "Praise God! The victory has been won! And indeed, the victory had been won. Raymond returned to health on that same day, lived 41 more years and became the 4th president of Wheaton College. We need to realize that nothing is too difficult for God. What difficulties are you struggling with today? Leave all your problems to God today in prayer. In this Pandemic time, where people get sick, and people lose their jobs and businesses, let remember that God hears our prayers. , , ' , . ~ , -- ' ' .

24.01.2022 , 29 . ... My prayer was answered when on 21 February 1991, I received the letter confirming my appointment as Office Secretary for the St Andrews / Ross Memorial congregations.... I was blessed then and Im still blessed now, 29 years later to be offered the job and to have worked with so many lovely people. My work originally started without a computer, only a typewriter and an old photocopier. I managed the Office on my own for the first 15/16 years until the offices of Wesley, Trinity and St Andrews / Ross Memorial merged and I moved to Trinity in 2006. Our jobs were then redistributed and I began working as the Ceremonies Co-ordinator looking after baptism, funerals and weddings. This was not my only work as I continued to be the support person to the St Andrews / Ross Memorial Minister, Elders and Members. In January 2009 we moved offices again to our current location. The end of my last day will come with sadness but appreciation for everything that Ive experienced over the years and the wonderful memories made. I will miss all those that I have connected with over these years ministers, staff and members and thank everyone of them for making my time here so enjoyable. ' 26 . , @.. . ' ' .

22.01.2022 ' . I was getting water for the day, in the middle of the day. The others dont want me around. Scared Ill go off with one of their men. I dont expect them to understand and I dont expect sympathy. Its been hard.... And now heres another man, wanting a drink. His accent gives him away. Hes a Jew from up north, Galilee. He asked me for a drink. Doesnt he realise that talking with me out in the open will earn him a reputation? Especially with someone like me. I challenge him, because I also think as a Jew hes not supposed to share food and drink with us Samaritans. He goes on about his special water, fresh, living water. Great. If he can get me some I wont have to come out here in the heat of the day. But he didnt listen. Instead he asked me about my relationships. How did he know? Whos been talking? He said. God is Spirit so you dont need buildings to worship in. I like it. This guy seems to be a teacher of some sort. Interesting. Ill go and tell the village folk. Theyve been dreaming of getting someone who can make better sense of God than the locals, a messiah they call him. Funny if hes it. I see hes got a group of supporters. They arrived as I left. I bet theyre worried. Well, hell have to explain himself. To cut a long story short, the village guys came out of curiosity. There were really taken by this fellow, enthusiastic enough to find me and tell me. They tell me that they believe in him not because of what I said but because we heard him with our own ears. OK. They put me in my place. Better go back and fetch the water, but you know, if he is speaking for God, then I reckon Gods pretty good. I could do with a drink right now but, funny, meeting him, that was a refreshing change. Living water he gave me. Great guy. ' ' .

22.01.2022 , , . 1 4:11 () The author, John Ortberg, writes in one of his books: , , , .... Isnt that so true. We all want to have people to turn to when a crisis hits or a shoulder to cry on, or joy to share with. Theres a reason: we were made by God for connection and intimacy. When we experience intimacy, we can take on whatever life throws at us. Pursuing intimacy is not as simple as we think. We must work at it. Maybe having an intimate relationship with God feels like one more obligation in an already-overwhelmed life. After all, intimacy is tricky enough to pull off with a real, live, flesh-and-blood person. ? Its not as hard as we might think especially when you stop to consider what intimacy really is. Intimacy isnt built on grand, elaborate gestures. Rather, its made up of a thousand tiny, everyday moments of interaction. Every time we share an experience with someone, we build intimacy. Its asking your kids or grandchildren how their day went when they get home. Its asking and caring about what your partner wore to an event. It is to notice a downcast face and offering a word of encouragement. Its a wink to a stressed-out colleague in a fractious meeting that says, Its OK. A single note of music is an insignificant thing. But if you put enough of them together in the right way, you get Beethovens Ninth Symphony. Likewise, a single encounter may not amount to much, but if we share enough experiences with someone how we build intimacy. And its what Gods Word urges us to do, as seen in todays key verse: Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other (1 John 4:11). Because God is always present, intimacy with Him is possible every moment of our lives. Hes already here. We just have to show up and spend time with Him. When you need help, tell Him. When you are joyful, recognize His goodness behind the joy, and take time to praise Him. When you see beauty, recognize the hand of the Artist and thank Him. Give it a try. You may just find that an ordinary day such as today can become the most intimate day with God you have ever spent. ~ , -- ' ' .

20.01.2022 TERM ONE 2021 start date delayed As a result of the Perth Lockdown experienced last week and the current restrictions still in place, the Trinity School For Seniors' previously scheduled Term One start date, Monday 8 February 2021 will be delayed. We appreciate your understanding regarding this and hope to provide a further update on our Term One start date later this week.... In the meantime, we remain optimistic that this will be a minor set back and ask those students who are currently enrolled in Term One classes, that you ‘sit tight’ on your membership until we have further information to share. Please take care and be safe.

20.01.2022 Dear TSFS School Members, Due to the 5 day lockdown in Perth, the Trinity School for Seniors' Reception will be closed until Monday 8 February. The New Student Orientation Tour and the Tutor Meeting planned for this upcoming week must be postponed. ... Further updates to follow.

19.01.2022 , -- ' ' . Psalm 100:...Continue reading

18.01.2022 In 1 Corinthians 9 the Apostle Paul wrote Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. In Australia we have many traditions, faiths, cultures, etiquettes and languages that have come together to make us who we are as a nation. I often think of Paul...s writings as he preaches the gospel through his letters to give hope to everyone he writes to and his passion to reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus. And I give thanks that we live among people of other cultures who have brought their different ways for us to learn from and to share. I had the privilege recently to meet a family who had come to Australia from an African country. A tradition in their culture and in their Christian faith after the birth of a baby is to wait for seven days for a girl and nine days for a boy before naming the baby. I was invited to their home to name and bless their seven-day old baby daughter. As I held this wee baby in my arms and looked down on her, I felt the love of God for her and felt a tremendous hope that she would grow to be a valuable contribution to our society. I was given an envelope which had within it the name that she was to be given and which I was to speak aloud. I said the following words: A name is more than a word, it is something which has meaning and importance to us. It was chosen for her from every other name. As we give it to her, we invite her to make it her own, to carry it with her in life, to give it a new meaning because it belongs to her. The name that her parents have chosen for this child is (name withheld for privacy). Little one, born for love, surrounded by love, child of the universe, one with all that lives, we now name you (name withheld for privacy). Take this name and make it your own. Live in freedom and fullness as you travel your journey of life. I then offered Gods blessing on her and her family. Reflecting on this beautiful moment a little later, it seems to me that I have been doing a lot of learning about different ways of being in the time which we are currently living. As I share with others, they too are learning. We are also wondering how we will come out of the Pandemic. Will life ever be the same again? Will we learn that as Christians we can, like Paul, be all things to all people and enable them to see the light of Christ through each one of us? I pray it will be so. ~ , -- ' ' .

18.01.2022 , , , . John 20:19 This passage has kept coming to my mind during these days of the Corona Virus as we have undergone a lock down period. We have feared being infected by the virus and have mostly obeyed the directions to stay home where possible. This is... something we have never experienced before, but we know there have been pandemics in the past and understand they are something to be cautious about. The disciples were in the locked house because they feared the Jews. What was there to fear? They were in a state of unknowing. They had gone through the worst experience of their lives, had seen the cruelty perpetrated on their friend Jesus, felt that if they showed themselves the same thing might happen to them. How are they going to live their lives now? Even if they have been assured by their friend that they will take his message into the world, it is almost too much to think about. And Jesus appears to them. His appearance is altered, but he is still their beloved friend who will always be there for them, even behind locked doors. I do not, as a Minister, show my innermost self too readily because I want to be there for you in your best and worst moments, whatever they may be. It is a year since our beloved son Stewart died. We have been so supported by all of you during this year which we have really appreciated. This was an anniversary that we were not looking forward to, but we gathered as a family with a bring and share meal to honour his memory. Because of the Pandemic and the Coroners workload in London, the Coroners Inquest did not happen till the day after the anniversary of Stewarts death. It was something we felt a bit afraid of, but our family and Maddy, his partner, and her friend Aga, met the Coroner online through Team Meetings and went through the process. It was a good session which offered a real sense of closure. The fear we had of this process was put to rest by meeting with the Coroner. We felt we could now move on. And throughout this year we have felt the presence of Jesus in our lives. We have felt afraid sometimes to leave home and face the unknown the unknown of what people will say and do, the unknown of who will be carrying the virus. But life does indeed go on and even if we at this point in time are not able to be together in our worshipping communities, we know that one day we will be together again. Best of all, our Lord Jesus is with us through all of this, walks with us every step of the way and will never leave us. ~ , -- ' ' .

17.01.2022 It so easily (and far too often) happens that people become captives of their past. It makes me think of a real-life story from World War II. When the war ended in 1945 there was a handful of Japanese soldiers in the Philippines who did not believe that the war was over. One of those soldiers was a man named Hiroo Onoda, who had been the commander of an elite group of Japanese guerrilla soldiers. When the war ended, American airplanes dropped leaflets th...rough the Philippine jungles, but Onoda thought it was a trick, a disinformation campaign, so he remained in the jungle for three more decades! Onoda lived a miserable, isolated existence, refusing to believe the war was over. We can make a similar mistake. In Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) the prophet writes " ; . , ! ; ? ." Have you ever found yourself stuck in the past? Frequently focusing on your past hurt, rejection, mistakes and trials? Are you still revisiting what is behind you; carrying around baggage that you were not designed to carry? Sometimes it can even be convenient for us to live in our past. We sometimes feel that if we choose not to love or try again, we do not have to worry about rejection, failure or disappointment. It is easier to stay buried in our pain; life will not snatch me breathless when I try to live again. It might seem like a safe zone, but it comes at a great price, depriving us of the fullness of life, which Christ offers. Paul reminds the people for Corinth of this in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Through Christ you do not have to be trapped in your past! . . . . Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) ~ , -- ' ' .

17.01.2022 ' . We have all heard phrases like go big or go home or the bigger the better and size matters. Phrases that can easily make us question ourselves as to whether we are good enough or have what it takes to make any meaningful contribution to a given situation.... It is within this context that I would like to take you back to the last supper Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion on Good Friday. As part of their Passover meal they were having unleavened bread (bread without yeast). Bread that people would under normal circumstances probably would never have even thought of presenting to their guest but that was what they were having that day as part of their Passover tradition! Jesus then took this very simple form of bread broke it, and gave it to them (his disciples), saying, This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. (Luke 22:19). Of all things Jesus could have possibly used, he took something as ordinary as bread and turned it into, not just a symbol, but the symbol that testifies about Gods love and grace, helping people like you and me to see and believe. If this can happen to something as ordinary as unleavened bread, when placed in the hands of Jesus, what do you think this says about you, your life and how God can use you? I would like to encourage you to pray with me the words from the pen on Frances Havergal in Together in Song 599 Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love. Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee. Take my silver and my gold, nothing, Lord, would I withhold. Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose. Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. Take my love: my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee. ~ ~ ' ' .

16.01.2022 - It has been 127 days since the UCIC church buildings went into lock-down. Perth inner-city has experienced what many big cities in the world have experienced for decades and some for centuries there is no open church or any Sunday services All there is, is an impressive empty building of a bygone era. Fortunately, the closed UCIC church buildings are not telling the story of a bygone post-Christian era of the church in a changing world. It tells exact...Continue reading

15.01.2022 : ( ) . . -- :... We have collectively discovered that we do not have as much control over our lives and the world as we thought we did. So where does this leave us in a post-COVID-19 world? What can we as Gods people as the church learn? When we are fixated on controlling everything around us, we often neglect the work that God wants to do in us. But one of the greatest ways to fight the need for control is to develop a sense of complete surrender that leads to contentment. Think about it. When we are tempted to control, it is often because we think that we can create a better life ourselves. But when we surrender, contentment follows as we are thankful for what God has given us. Contentment does not mean that we cant seek out change in our lives and in the church. But it does mean that we seek change from a posture of gratitude, not from a posture of self-control. Contentment is one of the recommendations the apostle Paul gives us for fighting anxiety and control in Philippians 4 as he writes from prison, where his life is in lock-down. Creating a better normal for our lives in a post-COVID19 world and church should be a life where we surrender more than ever before, knowing that God can be trusted to control every situation and to bring about good in every season. : , . , . . ~ , -- ' ' .

14.01.2022 -- ' ' . We have just celebrated Australia Day and the amazing diverse nation we are. All cultures blend in and bring richness to the way we live. So I have been pondering on how it must have been when Christianity started to become alive and people had to change the way they lived. The apostle Paul worked very hard to enable peopl...e of different cultures to understand what it meant to be a Christian. To understand what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, I have become all things to all people, we must keep the statement in context. Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church his motivation for submitting himself to a hard life. Paul had completely abandoned himself to the purposes of Christ. Part of Paul’s calling was to preach to the Gentiles and that required him to change elements of his approach when needed: , , . , . . , . , . . , . What this does not mean is that we are to compromise with the world in order to fit in. There are several ways we can become all things to all people: - . By listening first, the other person becomes an individual we care about rather than simply a mission field to convert. - . Kindness and respect never go out of style and are appropriate regardless of the subject matter. - . Be open to the difference of cultures. - . Enable others to see things in a different way. The goal of a Christian is to be inoffensive in every way except in the matter of the cross. The message of the cross of Christ naturally gives offense, but we cannot water it down. Our message is offensive to human pride and contradicts the sin nature, so our behaviour and our attitudes should not give offense. When we strive to follow Paul’s example and become all things to all people, we must be willing to humble ourselves, let go of our rights, meet people where they are, and do whatever Jesus calls us to do. He died to save them. We must love them enough to tell them that in ways they can understand. Let us thank God for all those with whom we live and interact. Thank God for our nation and its diversity. Thank God for our Christian faith and our community. We are stepping into the unknown but God walks with us every step of the way. -

14.01.2022 This past weeks social media and news feeds grew in me a renewed awareness of how difficult it sometimes can become to do what Jesus taught to do in the Lords Prayer: To forgive everyone indebted to us. (Luke 11:4). Especially when there appears to be no justification or remorse, to then continue to follow in Jesus footsteps, as seen in his prayer on the cross for his mockers and persecutors Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing....Continue reading

14.01.2022 As Christians we have travelled the long road through the current world pandemic with Jesus. We have experienced the ecstatic moments and the moments of agony as we journeyed. We have heard people putting blame on various factors and other people and this has caused me to reflect on our Australian way of life and of the many different cultures that are part of who we are. In Matthews Gospel in chapter 15, we hear of Jesus discomfort at bein...Continue reading

13.01.2022 Life is meant to be excellent. God created us humans to be the best we can be. No matter what our gifts and skills are we are created to be a child of God and each one of us is unique. If only our world could understand that, then we might not have the fears that others differences raise up inside of us. And yet we are living in strange times, an unknown future in front of us and this virus is raising up fears that weve never before experienced. Howe...ver, we have an opportunity to show who we are as Christians. To open our arms in a virtual embrace for those we meet and let them know that there is love in abundance. I believe we need to have a generosity of spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 25:29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have abundance. Babies are born complete with their full potential to be drawn out. Watch children at play remember yourselves as children they are fully in tune with their creative selves and their imaginations nothing is impossible. I am constantly amazed at our grandchildren when we are caring for them we only have to suggest a topic and away they go and develop it to the full. They have no fear that they might not do things in the correct way. That is how I believe God invites us to be. What gets in the way? Right from birth, we are encouraged to fit the mould the mould of our families and of society. People who are different are scary, labelled antisocial. Yet the only way we can live an abundant life is to develop our full potential. We have to keep on working to uncover our creativity for the whole of our lives. It will be only in this way that we discover abundant living. Thinking again of Matthew 25:12 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance Jesus goes on to say but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. I think Jesus was saying that we are blessed with every gift within us. The more we use our gifts our lives will be abundant, but if we dont explore our potential to be the best we can be, then our gifts will never see the light of day, and we will not be able to develop them. We want to live abundantly dont we? So lets be brave. Lets explore the creativity within and see what evolves. ~ , -- ' ' .

13.01.2022 , -- ' ' . ’ Most Christians will probably describe the apostle Paul as an extraordinary person. He turned the world upside down for God, devoting his life to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, leaving no stone unturned. Despite being often threatened, beaten, and even thrown into jail a couple of times, ...nothing ever seemed to dampen his passion to spread the gospel. What a wonderful example to all of us. Yet if one reads the Bible, it does not appear that this was the picture Paul had of himself. In Ephesians 3 Paul gives us a glimpse of what he saw, as he stood in front of the mirror: I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. He realised that he could do nothing on his own, and that all his accomplishments were ultimately the work of God. In reading Paul's letters, it quickly becomes clear that Paul was very much aware of his own shortcomings. He realised that he could not do anything in his own strength. He knew from his own life story that he only became the person he was, because of God’s grace. He used to pride himself in persecuting and killing Christians, until that life changing day on his way to Damascus. He knew that he deserved nothing, but that God had intervened in his life and turned everything around for him, therefore he did not take pride in any of his work, remaining humble. Humility is born when you realise who you truly are and what you deserve, and that you are where you are now because of God’s grace. The fact that people like Paul, you and I, are able to find our way home, has very little to do with our own abilities, but it is all about what Jesus does. This is why we can’t take credit for our lives; God deserves the honour. This is why humility should always be part and parcel of a Christian life. What is even more significant to understand is that not only is it all God’s work but that he loves and values us so much that even when we turn our backs and walk away God does not stop pursuing us. Yes, even without us asking like Donkey in the story of Shrek, jumping up and down crying: Pick me! Pick me! God is prepared to leave the 99 sheep behind in pursuit of the one that ran off. That is why Paul was amazed that God wanted to use him: God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. (Ephesians 3:8 MSG) God chooses ordinary people like us. Yes, God does use ministers, pastors and people with big voices, but He also uses ordinary people (with shortcomings) like us. If God could use Paul who had killed dozens and dozens of God’s children, then God can use you too. Yes, God wants to use you, even if like Paul, you think you are the least, worth so little. Here where you are. God wants to use you here where you work, walk and play. ~

13.01.2022 On Monday I had one of those experiences where you read something that you have read countless times before, but then unexpectedly you hear something fresh... During my morning devotions I got to read a well known passage from 1 Peter, where Peter encourages those who were living as foreigners (1 Peter 1:1) not to be disheartened by the difficulties they were facing. In his letter he redefines difficulties, as something more than mere sufferings, but... opportunities for growth, resulting in us glorifying Gods name. Peter writes: ( ) , , . (1 Peter 1:7). In Bible times, refiners used fire to purify gold. Fire caused impurities to rise to the surface for easier removal. In his letter the apostle uses the gold-refining process as a metaphor to explain the benefits of difficulties. It is during that difficult time that we get to know ourselves in ways that we would otherwise never have, presenting us with an opportunity to scoop off these impurities through the power of God that enables us to do this. Difficult times are never easy, but they do bring forth our true character, presenting us with the opportunity to grow and become more Christlike. By opening ourselves up to these uneasy life experiences, we will get to learn to know our true selves (positive and negative) and grow in ways that that would otherwise not have happened. It is in this regard that Jesus taught that we only get to see whether we truly love, when we are confronted with having to love those who do not make it easy to do so. , ? ?" Jesus said (Matthew 5:46): It is when we are confronted with unloving people that our true character and impurities come to the fore, presenting us with an opportunity to grow. With this in mind I would like to challenge you to reflect upon what you have come to learn about yourself during these challenging times and whether you have grasped the opportunity for growth that came with it, allowing God to be the Potter of your life. There is a well known Chinese proverb that echoes the Biblical truth about the freedom that comes with being purified like gold: True gold fears no fire. ~ , -- ' ' .

13.01.2022 Matthew 4: 18-22: , , , , , . , . . , , , , , ... . , , . I think they were very brave. How did these men know who they were following and what did they think they were going to do? How were they able to leave their known way of working to follow a man who offered no security, no particular job offer, no place of rest or security of where their next meal would come from. I believe they must have realized that they were going to be part of a new system, that they were going to make a difference to the world. They must have seen in Jesus, some new exciting prospects that they wanted to be part of. Christians who follow the way of Jesus are never assured of a known way. Rather we are promised that life will be exciting and different as we attempt to create a community where all care for each other. This is never easy. There are always fears about the people we encounter with cultural differences. What we do know, however, is that God, or Higher Power, created us. God created us to be unique individuals. God created us to be the best we can be because God loves all that has been created. With God leading the way there's every reason to hope, every reason to feel confident, and every reason to move forward boldly in your life, expecting the best out of every experience. As we emerge from the depths of the COVID-19 Pandemic and come back to our churches, there will be some anxiety over what we will encounter as we move ahead. But let us trust in Jesus and let us keep our hope alive as we enter new territory. As Martin Luther King Jnr said - If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on, in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream. ~ , -- ' ' .

12.01.2022 The story of Samuel Alexander Armas, is a story about a 21-week-old unborn baby that was operated on by a surgeon named Dr. Joseph Bruner. Little Samuel was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition that meant that he had an exposed spinal cord at birth. Samuels case was so severe that his prognosis to survive was just about non-existent....Continue reading

12.01.2022 Have Your Say with Alan Tomlinson Mondays 2pm - 3pm 7 Weeks - Monday 4 May - Monday 15 June Online Class via Zoom... Staying connected is so important. It's a catalyst for good health. Why don't we chew the 'good' fat from the selection of choice cuts lifted from the menu of our own ideas? Your ideas are important and we will love to hear them. True to say that new friends are just folks we haven't met yet. Conversation starters we might delve into What do you think Perth will look like in 20, 30, 50 years from now? Media matters. Whats bothering you about the media these days? How would you like it to look and sound? What are the three the most important things to come out of our covid experience so far? Will it change you in lasting ways? Connect on Monday afternoons 2-3 and share a breezy chat with friends about the things that count. Enrol in this ZOOM class now by calling TSFS Reception on 9483 1333 or email us at [email protected].

11.01.2022 -- ' ' . Mark 4:37-40:... , , . , . , , ’ ? , , ! ! . , ? ? The wind has risen. The waves are high. Water is pouring over the sides of the boat. The boat is being driven along at great speed nothing can stop it. Rocks loom up ahead and disaster seems inevitable. That might be how we are feeling right now. We in Western Australia have felt so safe, COVID-19 has not made too much of an impact on our lives and we feel we have weathered the storm. There was a time when we thought we would not survive the shops were shut, cinemas, gyms and restaurants closed. And more to the point so were our churches. But somehow we trusted in God, came out of that period and were able to be together again. And now!! We are again in the unknowing. As I write this people are in the midst of fire storms in suburbs around Perth. The pictures we see on TV show us the tragedy bush being burned, houses burned to the ground, peoples’ lives totally shattered. We need the wind to die down. All we can do is pray that somehow this will end. As Christians we have an example in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus went through so many storms, but he did not give up. He carried on to the end until his work was finished. We can be assured that we are not alone. Jesus is in the storm with us. Jesus knows how we feel. Things will work out, though we don’t quite know how. But we know we can leave the future in Jesus’ hands. The calm will come again. , . . . -

11.01.2022 Not too long ago I read a testimony of someone who shared their awareness whilst going through an emotional roller-coaster ride at that time. As she was staring at the bright autumn coloured branches of a tree swaying in the wind outside the window where she was sitting, someone pointed out to her that were also a bit like that. , . ... . . , , . . What a beautiful image! Jesus reminds his followers in John 14 that He would not leave them as orphans (vs. 18), but that they would receive the Holy Spirit as Helper (vs. 16) on our journey. However wonderful it must have been for them to have walked WITH Jesus, they were now promised an even closer relationship with the Helper living IN them, called the in the original language. The term is actually a term used in warfare. Greek soldiers went into battle in pairs, so when the enemy attacked, they could draw together back-to-back, covering each other's blind side. One's battle partner was called the paraclete. This is how we also get to face our challenges. The Holy Spirit is our battle partner who covers our blind side and fights for our well-being. And thats exactly what happened! Soon after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit descended and came to live in every believer! In fact, the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer today (Romans 8:9). So when your heart is troubled, look within to the Holy Spirit for help, after all, Jesus calls Him the Helper. My prayer for us at this time is that God will use this part of our journey to become more deeply rooted and established (Eph 3:17) in our identity in Christ, so that we will no longer be blown here and there by every wind (Eph 4:14). ~ , -- ' ' .

10.01.2022 ' As we enter this time of uncertainty with the Corona Virus threatening health and life as we have known it, let us remember that Christ transcends time and space. The Spirit transcends time and space. And in that faith and assurance we can move with confidence into the future.... In many ways we can continue as the people of God. Recently in our lectionary readings there have been the exodus stories of the people living in the wilderness. For them it was a worrying time, an uncertain time. They wonder if they will have food, will they have water, will God be with them? Will they ever live their normal lives again? The ancient stories remind us again and again that God is with us and will not abandon us. Much can be learnt in the wilderness. If we think back over our lives we can probably remember many times of trials and tribulations which we eventually overcame and which became tools that we could draw on during our lives. Personally I remember our migration to Australia and living through a time of unknowing about our new land, our children having to learn to shake off previous knowledge and become Aussies, having to live through a period of unemployment and all the while loving our new land and the friends we were making. In this period, a period we have never before lived through, lets become creative in our interaction with others. Lets think about how we can be church together through internet, phone calls and letters. We will get through this time with our Lord Jesus leading us and walking every step of the way with us. Lets remember that we are Gods children and God loves each one of us. May God bless you all. ~ ' ' .

10.01.2022 , -- ' ' . : Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain....Continue reading

09.01.2022 Welcome has deep biblical roots. We are commanded to welcome others just as Christ has welcomed us. We are challenged to love our neighbour, even strangers in our land. The theme of Welcome offers us a rich and beautiful opportunity to learn from God and move further towards becoming a people living out the Kingdom of God on Earth. Our God is a welcoming God who welcomes anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus. While He lived on earth, Jesus always welcomed an...yone into His presence or to wherever He was preaching at the time. With Jesus as our example, we should never be shy about welcoming others. Whether its welcoming friends into our home, visitors into our church, or just saying hello to a stranger on the street, as Christians we should display the welcoming attitude of God. In todays world, there are some people we might find it hard to welcome based on our cultural expectations. But if someone is a believer in Christ, they are the same as we are, and should be welcomed. And perhaps it is a great opportunity for us to learn about other cultures. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 5:46-48 This verse is about welcoming everyone, not just fellow Christians. This does not contradict the previous example, though if anything, it takes the welcoming concept to the next logical step. Its easy to welcome those like us (other Christians), but what about those who are so different that theyre not even believers? Welcoming those who have nothing in common with us should be one of the distinguishing marks of being Christian. In these strange times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we might be fearful of having a welcoming spirit because there is the possibility of catching the virus from a stranger. However, if were to follow Jesus example, then we should be as welcoming as He is. Not only did He treat the crowds with kindness by welcoming them, He did something for them He told them about the Kingdom and He healed them. Being welcoming is more than just saying hello its finding ways to bless people. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 15:7 ~ , -- ' ' .

08.01.2022 62:5-8 , . , . . , . , . , . Waiting can be exceptionally hard, whether we are waiting in traffic, in a waiting room at the doctor or waiting f...or a dream to come true. Nobody wakes up and hopes that they would be waiting for something on a given day. If most of us could choose between waiting and not waiting, I think we would choose the latter. What are you waiting on right now? For your self-lockdown to pass or a season of testing? The Word of the Lord always offers hope when we wait. Draw strength from those heroes of faith in the Old Testament like Joseph, when facing an indefinite prison sentence when he faced injustice. Think of Noah waiting for the flood, Israel for the Promised Land, David for taking up his throne, Abraham waiting on Gods promises when being without a descendant and Ruth for Gods divinely intervention. The list is endless. Read Hebrews, chapter 13. Draw strength from the promises of God and look forward to the fulfillment of the promise that in waiting He will let all things work together for your good - Romans 8:28. God is not a God of false or empty promises, but of beautiful, certain promises. It is worth to wait on Him. ~ , -- ' ' .

08.01.2022 ' I find it quite interesting that this year Easter came in the middle of the whole COVID-19 pandemic. It's also interesting to note just how many challenging similarities there are between what people faced back then and today. Words and phrases that come to mind are: uncharted territory, death, tears, fears, despair and isolation, to name but a few. Yet, in the face of the resurrected Jesus, all these phrases and words were redefined. Paul talks... about this redefined reality in 1 Corinthians 15 when he says: Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples got to experience this changed reality first hand on that very first Easter Sunday after Jesus resurrection. Death was redefined, and so was out of reach along with so many other things. Although (they) were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them. (John 20:19), but they came to realise that nothing could separate them any longer from the love of God, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38-39). Although the challenges they had to face did not change, the reality from which they were facing these challenges did. This is also the same reality from where we get to face the COVID-19 pandemic or any other challenge for that matter never alone never left to our own strength (or the lack of), and regardless of what may happen between now and the end of our journey, our destiny is secure in Christ! For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1) It reminds me of a very old child-like hymn which originated in England many years ago. Jesus love is very wonderful Its so high you cant get over it, So low you cant get under it, So wide you cant get round it, Oh, wonderful love! ~ , -- ' ' .

08.01.2022 ' This Sunday is International Women's Day. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender equality.... The theme for this year is #EachforEqual An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let's all be #EachforEqual You are invited to join us this Sunday night at 6pm at Wesley Church as we celebrate International Women's Day at our Social Justice service. All are welcome. For more information about International Women's Day visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com ' ' .

08.01.2022 , -- ' ' . On Sunday we celebrate All Saints Day in our Church’s calendar. I am in great admiration of those who have been labelled saints and I offer you some examples.... A Christian’s mission on earth is a path of holiness said St. Francis of Assisi who was devoted to mental prayer, the love of God, the reading of the Gospel and a passionate and effective commitment to neighbours. St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182 the son of a rich fabric merchant and a noblewoman, and grew up occupied with family duties and worldly affairs. When he returned from his war experience, his life took on a new direction, guided by his constant wish to know that to which God was calling him. Prayer and silent contemplation led him to embrace lepers and outcasts as brothers and sisters, those in the past he had always found disgusting and repulsive. In observance of the Gospel, he decided to give away all he had to the poor. In Spoleto he heard again this voice break the silence of his prayer before a Byzantine crucifix in the small abandoned church of San Damiano. The voice said: Francis, go repair my church, which as you can see is in ruin. Francis first interpreted that call as an invitation to reconstruct the ruins of the small chapel, but in later years he came to understand He was called to great things, to renew, with a spirit of obedience, the Church, which at that time was dealing with divisions and heresies. The spirit of Francis continues to inspire so many in following Christ, in building dialogue among all in truth and charity, and in safeguarding creation. Óscar Romero - 15 August 1917 24 March 1980 - was a prelate of the Catholic Church in El Salvador who served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture amid a growing war between left-wing and right-wing forces. In 1980, Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence. Oscar Romero’s last words to his people before his assassination were that you live in harmony, united together in one heart and one will. Be bound to one another by the bonds of charity, treating each other with respect, helping one another, bearing with each other in Christ Jesus: if you really try to live like this, there is no doubt that the Lord, our God, will be in your midst. Those two examples are of well-known saints, but there are so many saints living among us that are not publicly known. These saints live their lives glorifying God and Jesus Christ our Saviour and we know some of them. Those who have gone before us could be counted as saints and we should rejoice in this knowledge. Let’s celebrate All Saints day and be thankful that they lived. ~

08.01.2022 ' Allow me to share with you the testimony of a young woman who shared her life experience about the cliché we so often hear: "Dont go to bed angry". She writes: I can write books about these five little words, not because I think I can or because I like to write, but because of the impact it had on my life... I had just turned 15, an ignorant young girl. My dad was strict, but loving, loved by the community, loved in church. My dad had this one rule that...Continue reading

07.01.2022 ' . We all long to experience peace, yet finding peace can be somewhat of a mystery, especially as we live in an unsettling and troublesome time amidst COVID-19. Peace may be best described by what its not more than what it is....Continue reading

07.01.2022 ' . What a journey we are going on. It may be giving us an insight into Jesus journeys into the wilderness. We have gone on our Easter journey into our own wildernesses, stuck at home. But we havent really been alone. With our modern technology we have been able to attend church services from our own Churches, but also of many other churches and different denominations. We have enjoyed... the differences and been left to reflect on how God may be worshipped in many ways. But it is the same God we worship and maybe this time out will help us refocus on our faith and what God requires of us. I love these words of Leunig: Solitude, a simple den A piece of paper and a pen A cup of tea, a piece of toast A window and the holy ghost. Some calm, a table and a chair The mind is free, the soul is bare Theres love to make and life to hold The ancient tiny thread of Gold That runs through all the joy and gloom Is found inside this little room. ~ ' , -- ' .

05.01.2022 U3A have recommenced their public lectures.... starting this Monday! Details below...

04.01.2022 Silently and unseen it had come. Silently it moved between unsuspecting people. Silently it changed the world of social communication and fear became a reality in the self-sufficient, almost greedy way that people had been living. And so, it was! Many doors closed front doors, back doors, coffee shop doors, office doors, school doors, sports club doors, even church doors. Some doors stayed open such as supermarket doors, pharmacy and hospital doors. They were b...esieged by people who had suddenly realized that life was very different. They might need food and medication and maybe even entry to the hospital if they got sick. Who can they blame? Someone must be at fault. The people disappeared behind closed doors to consider what to do. Then, the people realized that some doors had stayed open. Even the COVID-19 virus could not close them the doors of friendship, doors of contact by electronic means, doors of memory remembering how the world had been, doors of thought sending unwritten messages to friends who were isolated, doors of contemplation seeking meaning in these difficult circumstances, doors of learning to be silent. How important is silence. Entering this new world, a picture by Holman Hunt comes to mind. Jesus is standing outside a closed door. It hasnt been open for some time and weeds have grown. Jesus is carrying a light which shows that the door has no handle on his side and can only be opened from the inside. Whoever is behind the closed door needs to decide whether to allow or not the Light of the World to enter. The inspiration for this painting came from the text below Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me". We may be feeling a sense of helplessness and hopelessness behind the closed doors which gave us access to life as we knew it. Let us all discover anew how to open doors to friendship, caring, love, communication, contemplation and silence. The Holy Spirit is outside the closed door waiting to give us the gift of the peace and love of God. Open the door! ~ , -- ' ' .

04.01.2022 Most of you, on a visit to the church office, may have noticed the four paintings in the reception area of the four worshipping communities of the UCIC; Wesley, Ross Memorial, Trinity and St Andrews (when it was still part of the UCIC). Visitors always make positive remarks about the four paintings. The beautiful paintings were done by Emilia Young, a member of Ross Memorial. During COVID-19, Ross Memorial and Trinity have had a few combined services, when one of the two mini...Continue reading

03.01.2022 31:24 , . Most of us are getting very tired and drained during this season of isolation. With some restrictions being eased for some, for others this will not pass away soon....Continue reading

03.01.2022 Experiencing this world pandemic has got me thinking of years gone by and the experiences we had in the midst of crises. And yet holding on to my faith and knowing that God was walking with me every step of the way gave me hope for the future. Jeremiah 29: 11 states , , , . I had been remembering the birthday parties I created for my little child...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Virtual Classes off to a ZOOMing start! Below is an action photo of our first ever Stretch & Balance virtual class here at TSFS held on Zoom last week. Does it look like we're having a lot of fun? That's because we are!!! TSFS has a range of virtual classes on offer from languages, meditation, groovin' with zoom dance class, short stories, art demonstrations, music appreciation, and more! Not sure how to use ZOOM? The TSFS admin team are here to help! Give us a call on 9483 1333 and we'll talk you through step-by-step so you can see how easy it is to get connected to our Zoom classes. Adjusting to using new technology can seem a little daunting at times, so we're here to help you over the phone to make the experience as easy as possible for you. We'd love to see more school members joining in the fun on Zoom.

02.01.2022 / Trinity School for Seniors is seeking a Volunteer Supervisor / Administrator for Monday to Friday 8.30am - 3pm (30 hours per week). For information about the position and to apply go to: https://www.seek.com.au/job/51033964

01.01.2022 Trinity School for Seniors understands that the Coronavirus pandemic might leave some people feeling anxious. We want to remind everyone that the Lifeline WA crisis support service 13 11 14 - is available 24 hours a day for anyone feeling overwhelmed during this period. Please reach out and encourage your friends, family and community to ask for help if they are struggling.