About
Acknowledgement
On the land where we gather today, we pay tribute to the Jagera and Turrbul peoples, who drew their lifeblood and love of country from this place. We acknowledge the example they have given us through the conservation and love of this country we now share.
We recognise too the founders and visionaries from whom each of us has inherited the legacy which gives strength to our Christian presence in this place. We are indebted to their faithfulness and calling.
May we continue to honour both our Indigenous Elders, past and present and the Founders and Leaders of our faith, through our continuing commitment to reconciliation and the building of God-centred relationships in every aspect of our lives.
On the land where we gather today, we pay tribute to the Jagera and Turrbul peoples, who drew their lifeblood and love of country from this place. We acknowledge the example they have given us through the conservation and love of this country we now share.
We recognise too the founders and visionaries from whom each of us has inherited the legacy which gives strength to our Christian presence in this place. We are indebted to their faithfulness and calling.
May we continue to honour both our Indigenous Elders, past and present and the Founders and Leaders of our faith, through our continuing commitment to reconciliation and the building of God-centred relationships in every aspect of our lives.
Mission
As Pilgrim People within the Uniting Church in Australia, we seek to be a visible and diverse presence of Christ in the world living lives shaped by Jesus; embodying the tradition of sacred rituals; employing our customs and gifts of language, music and art when gathering together; and offering love, care, and encouragement to all those whom we encounter on this journey. In living out the traditions of the Uniting Church, we also strive for distinction and relevance in liturgy, preaching, and music to inspire and nurture our people. On our journey, we seek renewal and recreation for ourselves, for the whole of humanity and the physical world.
Pastoral Care Circles for Pilgrim People
At our Vision afternoon earlier this year, one of the desires expressed by everyone was to have a working pastoral care structure. We want to be a warm and loving community, committed to the care and inclusion of each other and to any others who may join us as time goes by. A working group talked our way through to the formation of seven Pastoral Care Circles. They have been formed with residential location in mind. We are all included in one of these Circles. Although our worship and fellowship on Sundays strengthens and enlightens us, we can use this new network to ensure we stay in touch and support each other in various ways.
Each Pastoral Care Circle (PCC) has a coordinator. These coordinators will strive to create a network which “looks out for each other”. These coordinators are not in the mould of the usual job of Elder, but rather will act as facilitators for connecting, organising, supporting within and across the circles. At times, we can all use a phone call, coffee together, assistance with transport, a shared meal, or an unburdening of some of life’s challenges – any of these activities can reassure us we are not alone.
The poem by Teresa of Avila (1515- 1582) sums it up.
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Rev Bob is our Pastor, but our agape love should motivate all of us to share in this ministry, looking out for each other. Friendship is a life-affirming state. And our established friendships will continue to flourish both outside and inside the PCCs. Beware, new friendships may also grow! And we stand ready to welcome new members to our Pilgrim People community. In the light of St Teresa’s poem, we are all invited to take our place within our PCC.
Adele Nisbet
At our Vision afternoon earlier this year, one of the desires expressed by everyone was to have a working pastoral care structure. We want to be a warm and loving community, committed to the care and inclusion of each other and to any others who may join us as time goes by. A working group talked our way through to the formation of seven Pastoral Care Circles. They have been formed with residential location in mind. We are all included in one of these Circles. Although our worship and fellowship on Sundays strengthens and enlightens us, we can use this new network to ensure we stay in touch and support each other in various ways.
Each Pastoral Care Circle (PCC) has a coordinator. These coordinators will strive to create a network which “looks out for each other”. These coordinators are not in the mould of the usual job of Elder, but rather will act as facilitators for connecting, organising, supporting within and across the circles. At times, we can all use a phone call, coffee together, assistance with transport, a shared meal, or an unburdening of some of life’s challenges – any of these activities can reassure us we are not alone.
The poem by Teresa of Avila (1515- 1582) sums it up.
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Rev Bob is our Pastor, but our agape love should motivate all of us to share in this ministry, looking out for each other. Friendship is a life-affirming state. And our established friendships will continue to flourish both outside and inside the PCCs. Beware, new friendships may also grow! And we stand ready to welcome new members to our Pilgrim People community. In the light of St Teresa’s poem, we are all invited to take our place within our PCC.
Adele Nisbet
The Pilgrim Journey
It makes sense to reflect on the journey we have begun as a group of pilgrim people.
In the last quarter of 2020, we set out with a degree of trepidation, but high hopes.
Our course has been enhanced by shared faith and fellowship. It is heartening to examine all that has been accomplished, as we have travelled, confident of God's presence among us, and enthusiastically undertaking to be worthy of His Love.
We have been ably led and guided by our Reverend Bob and our steering group. Meeting every Monday, they have kept all our folk fully informed in weekly newsletters.
Our weekly worship services include a high level of congregational participation, with inspiring preaching and fine music from our organist and choir.
In addition to our monthly communion services, we have had joyous special services for Advent, Christmas, Easter Anzac Day and our Wesley celebration.
Our calendar has included a well-attended Vision planning day and our Lenten Study group –both challenging and affirming.
In the area of pastoral care, we have organised ‘circles of care’ which will further develop our support for our fellow pilgrims.
As a group we are filled with hope and enthusiasm for the task at hand. We are eager to play our part in working towards the coming of the Kingdom. With God's help we will be able to strengthen our faith and use our gifts and talents to spread the Good News.
Mona Black
It makes sense to reflect on the journey we have begun as a group of pilgrim people.
In the last quarter of 2020, we set out with a degree of trepidation, but high hopes.
Our course has been enhanced by shared faith and fellowship. It is heartening to examine all that has been accomplished, as we have travelled, confident of God's presence among us, and enthusiastically undertaking to be worthy of His Love.
We have been ably led and guided by our Reverend Bob and our steering group. Meeting every Monday, they have kept all our folk fully informed in weekly newsletters.
Our weekly worship services include a high level of congregational participation, with inspiring preaching and fine music from our organist and choir.
In addition to our monthly communion services, we have had joyous special services for Advent, Christmas, Easter Anzac Day and our Wesley celebration.
Our calendar has included a well-attended Vision planning day and our Lenten Study group –both challenging and affirming.
In the area of pastoral care, we have organised ‘circles of care’ which will further develop our support for our fellow pilgrims.
As a group we are filled with hope and enthusiasm for the task at hand. We are eager to play our part in working towards the coming of the Kingdom. With God's help we will be able to strengthen our faith and use our gifts and talents to spread the Good News.
Mona Black
