The Vine – 1111 - York St Church of Christ

Scott Hawkins and friendnovember20116th November13th NovemberNovemberBlakeisBack!Celebration Sunday& AGM & AGMCelebration Sunday(and a baptism!)(and a baptism!)November61320th NovemberNovemberMission Sunday20Mission SundaySome are called to go and some are called to send. Who will go andwho will send? Those called to go cannot go unless they are sent,and those called to send cannot send if no one will go.27th NovemberAdventAdventNovember27helping people meet Jesus, become like Him and be equipped to impact the local and global community

Tim Clark - Senior PastorA word from our Senior PastorHi, and welcome to the November edition ofThe Vine, our monthly church magazine. Wetrust that you have a great time with us as weworship our awesome God together. Here atYork Street we are a large regional church thatis ALL ABOUT LIFE. This month there are manythings that are happening in the life of thechurch, so please take the time to readthrough The Vine and if you have questions orcomments then don’t hesitate to contact ourchurch office – office@yorkst.com.au or checkout our web page www.yorkst.com.au formore information.It is hard to believe that next month isDecember and that very soon we will becelebrating Christmas.This month as we lead up to Christmas we areexcited about the Ballarat Churches EurekaCarols. This year, for the first time, we havetaken York Street Church of Christ off themain title and called it the Ballarat ChurchesEureka Carols as a sign of unity. The majorityof the churches are on board and excitedabout this and if you look at the Carols sectionon our web page we have a list of many of theChurches in Ballarat and their Christmas andCarols Services. As part of the body of Christhere in Ballarat we are called to work togetherto share the love of Jesus. What a great wayto do this at Christmas time. Please be prayingfor all the churches as they prepare theirChristmas services and that people will beimpacted by the Ballarat Churches EurekaCarols.Some of the other great things that arehappening in November are...Sunday 6 th NovemberBlake Moore is back from Long Service Leave,About York StreetStaff DetailsSenior PastorTim ClarkClark.Tim@yorkst.com.auAssociate PastorBlake MooreMoore.Blake@yorkst.com.auChildren’s DirectorTrace ValentineValentine.Trace@yorkst.com.auWorship Co-ordinatorrefreshed and ready to share the word of Godwith us. Blake will be speaking at all threeservices and will stir our spirits with amessage from the Word of God.Sunday 13 th November - A baptism,Celebration Sunday & AGMThis is a fantastic day in the life of our churchas we celebrate what God has done and isdoing in and through us in the past twelvemonths. At all three services I will be leadingus through a time of reflecting and celebratingas we acknowledge God at work amongst us.At our 10:30am service Aaron Blight will bebaptised. This is a great day to celebrate withAaron as he is baptised by his Yorkie Kids’leader, Aaron Luttrell. This is also a reminderto us all that this is what it is all about, Helpingpeople meet Jesus, become like Him and beequipped to impact the local and globalcommunity.Please plan to attend our Annual GeneralMeeting which starts at 1pm.Sunday 20 th November - OVERSEAS MISSIONWEEKENDScott Hawkinswill be our guestspeaker at allthree services.Scott is the StateManager ofCompassionAustralia and is also the Lead Minister of aMissional Community in Melbourne’s innersuburbs. Scott is a great communicator andwill inspire us and challenge us as to what isour mission...Throughout the weekend we will also hearCo-ordinator of Kids HopeChris BarlowBarlow.Christine@yorkst.com.auYouth InternBen DaintonDainton.Ben@yorkst.com.auChurch Operations ManagerRichard LyonsLyons.Richard@yorkst.com.auChurch Office AdmnistratorKristin O’BrienO’Brien.Kristin@yorkst.com.auMinistry SupportRob PettyPetty.Rob@yorkst.com.aufrom those who have recently been on a shortterm mission trip with SAMPAN.Sunday 27 th November – Advent beginsAs we lead up to Christmas I will begin ourAdvent Season by reminding us that God is atwork in and through us all this Christmas.Monday 28 th November at 7:30pm - CitywidePrayerYou are invited to the Trench Room at theBallarat Town Hall on Monday 28 th Novemberat 7:30pm to gather together as the Body ofChrist in this city to pray. People fromChurches all over Ballarat will come togetherin UNITY to pray together for our city, leadersand churches. This is a prayer meeting youwon’t want to miss.As we lead up to Christmas I encourage younow to be planning to attend the BallaratChurches Eureka Carols on Sunday 18 thDecember and our Christmas Day Service onSunday 25 th December at 9am. As ChristmasDay is on a Sunday this year we have only oneSunday Service. Our normal three services willbe replaced with our 9am Christmas DayService which we encourage you to attend.BlessingsTimRegular Service TimesTraditional Service8.45amFamily Service 10.30am(including Yorkie Kids)WorshipChurch Contact DetailsYork Street Church of Christ410 York StreetBallarat Vic 3350Ph: (03) 5331 1079Fax: (03) 5331 9756office@yorkst.com.auWebsite: www.yorkst.com.auKindergarten Contact DetailsKindergarten DirectorMarjorie SteinmanPh: (03) 5333 4116kinda@yorkst.com.auhelping people meet Jesus, become like Him and be equipped to impact the local and global community6pm2

VISION SUNDAY & AGM - 13th November 2011 @ 1pmYou won’t want to miss Sunday 13 th November as we celebrate CELEBRATION SUNDAY & our AGM. Throughout all three services we willbe reflecting upon the ‘Lows’ and celebrating the many ‘Highs’ of the past twelve months as we look to the future and what God is doingin and through us as a church.The York Street Church of Christ Annual General Meeting (AGM) will begin after our 10:30am service on Sunday 13 th November at 1pm.We encourage everyone (regardless of membership status) who is part of the York Street Church of Christ to attend our AGM. It is anopportunity for us all to celebrate what God is doing amongst us here at York Street Church of Christ .Notice of MotionAt the AGM there is only one Notice of Motion which the Elders are putting forward. Due the changing nature and the speed in whichdecisions are made today the Elders are recommending a change to the York Street Church of Christ Constitution Section 5.4, asking thatinstead of giving 8 weeks’ notice for a special business meeting that we change it to two Sundays’ notice with the voting to take place onor after the second Sunday.The Elders believe that two Sundays’ notice gives everyone time to pray into the situation as well as be informed about the situation andthe meeting time. If it was a major decision that would require such a meeting we would want to be communicating with our Churchfamily as much as possible and would use all forms of communication (such as mail, email, sms, facebook and the webpage) tocommunicate with the church family about the situation. This will enable everyone to be well informed about the situation within a twoweek period.The Elders therefore move the following motion;The Elders recommend the following amendment to the current York Street Church of ChristConstitution. That we remove the wording of section 5.4 paragraph two which reads:Notice of special business meetings where voting is required for a major decision shall be thesame as for the Annual General Meeting. (which is 8 weeks’ notice)And to replace it with:Notice of special business meetings where voting is required for a major decision shall be givenon two Sundays with the voting to take place on or after the second Sunday.Below is the full wording of Section 5.4 with the current wording (crossed out) and the suggested new wording (in red).5.4 Notice of MeetingsNotice of the Annual General Meeting will be given to the church at all regular Sunday Services of the Church for atleast the 8 weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting.Notice of special business meetings where voting is required for a major decision, shall be the same as for the AnnualGeneral Meeting. (which is 8 weeks’ notice)Notice of special business meetings where voting is required for a major decision shall be given on two Sundays withthe voting to take place on or after the second Sunday.Notice of all other regular or special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at all regular SundayServices of the Church for at least the two weeks prior to the meeting.If you have any questions or comments relating to Celebration Sunday, the AGM or the above Notice of Motion (which is an amendmentto the current Constitution) then please don’t hesitate to contact one of the Elders or Ministry Team.Plan now to attend the 2011 AGM on Sunday 13th November at 1pm.3

It was great to write some prayers of praise and blessings forthe new building and playground and to bury them onOctober 23rd under the foundations where the playgroundwill be. We also included some photos of our groups. Wedon‟t know if anyone will ever find these, but if they ever digup the foundations they might get a nice surprise!! Thanks toBruce Harmer for making our Time Capsule and evenpainting it gold!The Grade 5/6 kids had a camp out at Eunice Clay's property in Clunes on Saturday22nd. Sixteen boys and girls slept overnight, with the boys in tents and the girls inside inthe comfort. They had a fantastic time. Thank you to Eunice for her catering andrunning of many activities. Thank you to Aaron Luttrell for his organisation of activitiesand transport etc. Thank you also to Sharlene, Maurice and Dan for their help.4

Top Ten Questionswith Ashlee Smith18th DecemberNorth Gardens Reserve (Lake Wendouree)We are very pleased to report that the Carols have once again been successful in receiving funding from the BallaratCity Council. This is a great assistance in providing the infrastructure for the Carols which cost well over $20,000 eachyear to run (predominately funded through Council Grants and sponsorship). Without the help of all the volunteers,the Eureka Carols would cost well over $250,000. We are also excited to be working with the other Churches ofBallarat and to see the unity which comes through this.If you are available to help with the set-up/pack-up of the Carols, the collection of the 3BA Appeal or the selling ofcandles, please sign up on the Information Desk.Rehearsals have already begun for the band for the Carols. If you are interested in singing in the Choir, please sign upon the Information Desk. Rehearsals will start for the Choir on Tuesday 22nd November at the Church from7pm. Children and youth from Grade 4 up are welcome to sing in the Choir - maybe the whole family would like tosing!!Glenn ValentineMainly Music is going very well after ourlaunch on 20th October. Already there areseveral mums/dads and kiddies comingalong. If you know anyone who would like tocome along to Mainly Music, please letthem know it is on Thursday mornings at10:30amThere are information brochuresavailable on the Information Desk, orspeak to Trace, Alisa or Kirsty for moreinformation. If you are interested inbecoming involved in this ministry, pleasespeak to Trace Valentine.valentine.trace@yorkst.com.auOn November 9th we are having an extraspecial MOPS morning - a tea andtestimony (stories) morning. The tea partis a lavish high tea - including flowery teacups, cake tiers etc... And the testimonypart is where two of our Christian mumsare going to share their testimony/storyof what God has done in their life. We areso excited to have this opportunity toimpact the lives of our mums and we ask thatyou would be in prayer for this day - that heartswould be open to hear from God and that thiswould be another big step on their journeytowards a relationship with Jesus.Thanks for your support,Rachel FrancisMOPS coordinatorPlease Pray1. What is your favourite food? Cherries2. What is your favourite TV show or Movie? The Block3. Who‘s in your family? Mum (Lisa), Dad (Bernard), Gemma, Madison and ofcourse myself (Ashlee)4. Which church service do you attend? 10:30am5. How long have you been involved at York St? About 2 years6. What is your favourite Bible verse? Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord hasmade; let us rejoice and be glad in it."7. What do you do for leisure or what are your hobbies? Designing, piano, sport8. If you could change one thing in the world what would you change? Curecancer and find homes for the homeless.9. Who is your favourite Bible character? Esther10. What do you like the most about York Street? Learning about the Bible andfriends‘"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."Psalm 118:24Ashlee Smith5

SCHOOL CHAPLAINS’ PROGRAM EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SECULAR WELFARE WORKERSSchools will be able to choose the type of support that best meets the needs of their students under proposed changesto the Government's National School Chaplaincy Program. School Education Minister, Peter Garrett, said from next yearschool communities will be able to choose to employ either a chaplain or a secular student welfare worker. The schemewill also be strengthened with the introduction of minimum qualifications, benchmark standards for service providers, andimprovements to the complaints management system."The Gillard Government is committed to extending this successful scheme to up to an extra 1000 schools from 2012, withpriority given to schools serving disadvantaged areas or in regional or remote locations and an extra $222 million infunding," Mr Garrett said. "We know chaplains are already doing great work in our school communities and I expect thatmany more schools will apply for funding to employ a chaplain when applications for the new round open later this year."But we also want to give schools greater choice. This means schools won't miss out on applying for the program if theschool community would prefer to have a secular welfare worker instead of a chaplain."The chaplaincy program has proven very popular and we want to make sure schools and students are getting the fullbenefit, which is why we held a consultation earlier this year asking what was working and what could be improved," MrGarrett said. "We had strong feedback for the program to be extended to qualified secular welfare workers, which willempower principals and school communities to choose the right person for the needs and circumstances of their school.This will also provide even more help and support to kids across the country. "The scheme will be re-named the NationalSchool Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program to reflect its broader scope."Other changes to be introduced include:* Introducing a minimum qualification for all new workers employed under the scheme - from 2012, all new chaplains orsecular workers hired by schools will need to have a Certificate IV in Youth Work, Pastoral Care or equivalentqualification.* Requiring existing chaplains without the minimum qualifications to complete two units of the Certificate IV course:Mental Health and Making Referrals. About 500 existing chaplains will have 12 months to complete the units, with theGovernment meeting the costs. Existing chaplains can also have their current experience and qualifications formallyrecognised under Recognition of Prior Learning.* Increasing the maximum grants for schools in remote areas from $20 000 to $24 000, and giving priority for new fundingto schools in regional, remote and disadvantaged areas.* Introducing new benchmark standards for service providers, including the provision of ongoing professionaldevelopment and support, monitoring of service delivery, and appropriate risk management and compliancerequirements.* Strengthening the program's complaints management processes so that each school will be required to keep acomplaints log and have a designated complaints officer, and parents and students are fully informed about how theycan raise any concerns they may have.Mr Garrett said the changes reflected the feedback received throughout the Government's extensive communityconsultation process earlier this year. They also implement a number of recommendations from the CommonwealthOmbudsman, particularly around strengthened administrative processes and requiring minimum qualifications. "It wasgreat to see so many organisations, schools and individuals taking part in our consultation and their feedback andsuggestions played an important part in the Government's decisions to expand the scheme," he said."There are already almost 2700 schools taking part in the program, and the Gillard Government has committed anadditional $222 million to extend the scheme to 2014 and provide funding for up to 1000 more schools. "We want asmany schools as possible to benefit from what has been a popular and successful program." The new guidelines will bepublished shortly. More information on the changes to the scheme is contained in the attached fact sheet and online atwww.deewr.gov.au/schoolchaplaincy.Responding to the announcement of the changes, Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Jim Wallace said thatfunding for new secular welfare workers must not come from the same pool of money funding chaplains. Mr Wallacesaid Prime Minister Julia Gillard had given an election commitment that the National School Chaplaincy Program wouldnot be secularised. "There is no problem with the Federal Government offering schools the choice between a secularworker and a faith-based chaplain but the Government's commitment before the election was that the chaplaincyprogram would retain its unique faith-based pastoral care emphasis," Mr Wallace said.While any large government program was likely to experience some problems, Mr Wallace was concerned theGovernment's move to introduce secular welfare workers on top of existing secular school counsellors was responding toa small number of aggressive secularists and the anti-chaplaincy Greens. "We welcome Mr Garrett's commentssupporting the great work chaplains do in school communities, but believe the government has an obligation to findadditional sources of funding for secular welfare workers rather than taking this from the chaplaincy program budgetwhich was pledged before the election," Mr Wallace said.Source: Compiled by Australian Prayer Network (APN) from information supplied by various sources6

It‘s a Boy!And Another Boy!Angela and Leigh Oliver welcomed their two precious boys,Levi John (5 lb. 6 oz) and Malakai (Kai) Lucas (5 lb. 12 oz)to the world on Monday October 24th. Both boys came outcrying and are healthy and well.We thank God for these special boys.Please keep praying for the Oliver family as they settle intofamily life together.Levi & Kai OliverWeddings ThisMonthCongratulations toBrianna Moore andAnthony Watson ontheir wedding whichwill take place onSaturday 19 thNovember.Congratulations also toClaudia Whelan andLachlin Searle fortheir wedding whichwill be on Saturday26th November.We celebrate this excitingtime with you all!Claudia & Lachie7

november2011Sunday Monday Tuesday WednesdayPre-School Playgroup(playground)VCE GroupChicks Nite InWorship Practice1 2Theme: TBAThe Lads‘ Sunday Arvo Group67Pre-School Playgroup(@ Yorkie)8Worship Practice9CelebrationSunday13Elders‘ Meeting14Pre-School Playgroup(playground)VCE Group15Chicks Nite InWorship Practice16Theme: Overseas MissionWeekend—Scott HawkinspreachingFOOD SUNDAYThe Lads‘ Sunday Arvo Group20Pre-School Playgroup(@ Yorkie)Worship Practice21 22 23Theme: Advent27Elders‘ MeetingPrayerCITYWIDE PRAYER28Pre-School Playgroup(playground)VCE GroupPrime Time29Chicks Nite InWorship Practice308More information about the events above can be found elsewhere in The Vine

Sunday 6th November(after the 8.45am and 10.30am services)* Now able to accept payment by credit card *Thanks for standing in solidarity with the poor.Thursday Friday Saturday3Art & Craft Group4Sew & Sews5NeedMoreInfo?Art & Craft GroupBallarat Aglow101112Resource Desk/Information BoardsArt & Craft GroupSew & SewsLocated at the back of theauditorium you can find extrainformation about many of theupcoming events.171819www.yorkst.com.auOur website is your online resource forup to date information.Art & Craft GroupContact us242526Call the office on 5331 1079between 9am-3pm or email us atoffice@yorkst.com.au for moreinformation.Art & Craft GroupSew & SewsRegular Service TimesTraditional Service8.45amFamily Service10.30am(including Yorkie Kids)Worship6pm9More information about the events above can be found elsewhere in The Vine

Spare Wool Anyone?Do you have spare wool sitting in your cupboard? Why not considerdonating it to be crocheted into goods for the Leprosy Mission.Wool can be given to Jan Howlett (Friday Craft Group) or left at thechurch office.What‘s HappeningKidsYorkie Kids is looking forward tocelebrating on 13th November withCelebration Sunday. After celebrating thebaptism of Aaron Blight, we will be walkingto a local park for fun gamestogether. On 20th November we will befocusing on Mission Sunday with a specialmorning tea and ice-cream sundaes afterchurch.On 27th November we will be teaching thefollowing:Bible Story: The parable of the richman • Luke 12:13-21Bottom Line: People are always moreimportant than stuff.Memory Verse: ―Be rich in good deeds…be generous and willing to share.‖1 Timothy 6:18, NIVVirtue: Generosity—making someone‘s dayby giving something away.And on December 4th we will be lookingat:Bible Story: You Can‘t Take it with You(Jesus and the rich young ruler)• Luke18:18-25Bottom Line: Don‘t let stuff get in the wayof loving Jesus.We will have our final Yorkie Kids for theyear on Dec 11. Please ensure you thankthe leaders of Yorkie Kids fortheir discipleship of the kids throughout10the year. We are very blessed by theirpassion.Trace ValentineDirector of Children‘s MinistriesPre-SchoolersPRESCHOOL PLAYGROUPThe Preschool Playgroup meets fortnightlyat the church and at a playground on thealternate weeks.The schedule for November is as follows:Tuesday Nov 1 Marty Busch ReserveTuesday Nov 8 Creche room @ YorkieTuesday Nov 15 Sturt St (opposite Loretto)Tuesday Nov 22 Creche room @ YorkieTuesday Nov 29 Playground @ Lake Gardens9.30am-11.30amSessions include indoor/outdoor play, craft,games and activities.Parents are encouraged to participate withtheir children.Cost: $3 per familyPlease bring a piece of fruit to share andchild‘s own water. Tea and coffee availablefor parents when meeting at the church.For more information please contactHeather on 0407 342 677.MOPS will be held on WednesdaysNovember 9th & 23rd9.15am-11.30amCost is $5 each session(less for health care card holders) and thefirst time is free.New Mums are always welcome!Mainly music is onThursday mornings at10:30am. There areinformation brochuresavailable on theInformation Desk.Alternatively you canspeak to Trace, Alisa orKirsty for moreinformation. If you are interested inbecoming involved in this ministry, pleasespeak to Trace Valentine.valentine.trace@yorkst.com.auHandicraftsART AND CRAFT COMPANYArt and Craft Company are a group of craftloving people who meet for a day of fun,fellowship and CRAFTEach Friday at the churchSEW & SEWSfrom 10am until 2pm.The Sew & Sews quilting and patchworkgroup meet together for fun and fellowshipwhilst sharing their interest in patchwork.The meeting place is at the church on thefirst and third Saturdays of the monthfrom 10am-3pm. Cost is $5 per session.Morning and afternoon tea supplied.Beginners are most welcome!

Eureka Carols Sponsorship InviteWe invite any business or person that would like to be involved in this year‘s Eureka Carols, by way ofsponsorship, to please contact the church office for further details. Various levels of sponsorshipinvolvement are available. We welcome expressions of interest throughout the month ahead. The EurekaCarols has now grown to be Ballarat‘s main carols event, attracting over 3,000 people in past years, andnow a firm traditional favourite on people‘s Christmas calendars. It certainly presents a positive opportunityto promote your business to a receptive audience. We thank all the current sponsors who contribute andmake the Eureka Carols such a successful community event.BALLARAT CHURCHESWhat‘s HappeningYouthYoung AdultsMusiciansWILDSIDE & DETOURFriday 11th NovemberWildside & Detour7pm-9pm @ YorkieCost $3Friday 25th NovemberWildside & Detour7pm-9pm @ YorkieCost $3CHICKS‘ NITE INWednesdays 2, 16 & 30 November7pm-8.30pm @ YorkieCost $2VCE GROUPTuesday 1, 15, 29 November8pmTHE LADS‘ SUNDAY ARVOGROUPSunday 6 & 20 November4pm @ YorkieCost $3 (includes tea)CRAVESunday 27th NovemberAfter Church SupperMore details to follow...Ballarat AglowCOOKING WITH KATH@CAFE ON YORK410 York St BallaratTHURSDAY 10TH NOVEMBER11.00 AM - 2.00 PMAGLOW'S OWN "MASTER CHEF"KATH WOODSKath will be sharing her culinaryskills and knowledgeparticularly regarding ChristmasCooking$10.00Includes a soup and sandwichlunchRecipes will also be availableALL WELCOMEBookings preferredROBYN 5335 6761MARY 5331 2447WORSHIP PRACTICEWednesdays7pm-8pm(for 10.30am Sunday service)8pm-9pm(for 8.45am Sunday service)Remember the latest roster can befound on the website. Please note therosters are continually changing!Prime TimeA Prime Time Christmas Dinner will beheld on Tuesday Night 29th Novemberstarting at 6pm followed byentertainment from the "Sing AustraliaChoir".Cost will be $15 a head to be paid bySunday 20th November.Please place money inan envelope markedwith your name and‘Christmas Dinner’.PrayerPRAYER GATHERINGJoin us on Monday 28 th November forour Monthly prayer gathering from 7pmto 8pm. I want to encourage you toattend this prayergathering as we pray forthe church, the city, andthe world.11

Welcome to Overseas Missions.This newsletter will provide the community withupdates on those working in ministry overseas andcelebrate what has been accomplished throughGod’s love in practical and real ways abroad.SPEAKING CELEBRATION SUNDAY:SCOTT HAWKINS is a ChurchMinister and the State Manager forCompassion who work with thepoorest of the poor children aroundthe world; providing them withsafety from traffickers, food, healthcare, spiritual development,housing, education and jobtraining, faith, hope and love.Scott has over 24 years of ministry experience and hasworked and pastored with Baptist, Salvo, AOG, and Churchesof Christ, most recently with Allan Meyer at Careforce Churchin Mt. Evelyn. He currently serves as the lead minister of amissional community in Melbourne‘s inner suburbs.Scott works locally with churches, mission agencies, jails,sporting clubs, schools and universities. Oversees he spendshis time in slums, villages, schools, orphanages, theologicalcolleges, healthcare clinics or surfing and playing twenty20cricket.Scott and his wife Jacqui have four gorgeous children: Lili,Lucy, Molly and Lucas. His goals for this year are to; eat morechocolate, write a hit worship song, mow the lawns, and tofinish reading one of the ten thousand books he has started.MEG MITCHELLAt the end of August, I left Ballarat to take on the greatunknown of Youth With A Mission in Vancouver, at their NexiaDiscipleship Training School (DTS). For the past four weeks Ihave been living in community with what started out to be 20random people, who are now my Vancouver family.We have two schools doing the training phase of the schooltogether. There is an ice hockey school, which is all Canadian12In this issueNovember FOCUSScott HawkinsMeg MitchellRebecca HowlettHayley MahOpen Doorsstudents, aged between 18 and 22, and then there is theNexia school with 8 students from all over the world, agedbetween 18 and 26. Between the two schools we represent 9different countries.Every week we have classes on a different topic with adifferent guest speaker. The topics so far have been: Hearingthe Voice of God, the Nature and Character of God, theFather heart of God and Sharing Our Faith. Not only doeseach topic help us develop our own relationship with God, butwe‘re also learning how we, with our own strengths andweaknesses, impact the local and global community.It is clear to see why God has placed us in the neighbourhoodwhere were live and go to school. There are so many hurt andbroken people that God wants us to love and share His lovewith them. Each week we have a community involvementtime, where we go into the community and either talk topeople or ask God if he has anything he wants us to sharewith someone. I find this pretty confronting at times. Thenumber one rule I had growing up was ‗don‘t talk tostrangers‘, but when you have God asking you to do it, wellthat‘s a different story.In early December we head to Malaysia and Thailand, whilethe hockey school goes to Russia. At this stage we still don‘tknow exactly what we will be doing. We have spent muchtime in prayer asking God how He would like us to serve Him.We have weekly outreach preparation time where we spendtime discussing the needs of the countries and finding out allwe can about the culture of the individual countries.Although I have only been here four short weeks, I havelearnt so much and know that this is where I am supposed tobe for this time. At times I get this sense that God is saying‗I‘ve got you‘ and encouraging me to keep taking little stepseveryday more and more outside my comfort zone. Anotherthought that comes to mind often is a line out of a song-‗Don‘t take even a moment for granted‘ (OC Supertones –Dedication), and that‘s my plan. To do the best I can everymoment for God.

You can contact Meg with any questions you may haveat: meganhmitchell@hotmail.com or see her blog at:megglesaway.blogspot.comREBECCA HOWLETTHi, most of you may know me, my nameis Rebecca Howlett. I‘m going to tellyou about my pending missionexperience... Come May next yearHayley Mah and I, and a combination ofpeople from Ballarat Churches, and achurch in Whittlesea, will be travellingto Zambia for 3 weeks.We will be running a week-long campfor HIV/AIDs affected orphans andvulnerable children, visiting community-based schools andassisting with local projects. I am also in the process ofapplying for 6 months in South Africa with Hands at Work asa volunteer.So what would prompt me to fly to the other part of the worldand leave my bubble of comfort and familiarity? In 2008 Iwas part of the Yorkie team that went to Kenya to MCF. Ihave a God-given passion and heart for Africa, missions andchildren in poverty. The line in Brooke Fraser‘s song,Hosanna – ―Break my heart for what breaks yours‖ Iexperienced as a reality in Kenya. I truly saw and felt thethings that move God. Since this trip I have also known I hada future to do with overseas mission and I have beenpatiently waiting for God to reveal and prepare me to goagain.About two months ago he answered my prayers. I was at a―Missionext‖ gathering and felt God prompt me to ask himthe questions that had been on my mind so long, and as I didthe words ―Hands at Work‖ popped into my head. I went tospeak with Ben Reeve who is connected to the organisationand without me saying a word he said, ―So, we are taking atrip to Africa next year, are you coming?‖ He then joked thathe could see me staying there longer and he would have tocome home and tell my parents that the team just left methere. This prompted me to consider staying long term.During the ―Experiencing God‖ sermon series God hasconfirmed that is what He wants me to do. I love the fact thatI can be used by God. I am far from perfect but I am clay inHis hands that can be moulded to do anything for him. Jesuslooked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, butwith God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.HAYLEY MAHTwo months ago I found myselfsitting in a room with ten otherpeople talking about going to Africafor three weeks in May 2012. I wastold the trip involved going toZambia and serving in the localcommunities and schools thatHands At Work support and helpgrow. That it would involve runninga week-long camp for 40 orphansselected from local schools and communities that Hands AtWork fund, in addition to participating in community care andhome-based care.The whole time I was sitting in that room I felt shakenspiritually, I felt like a light had been turned on in my headand my heart. I am so excited and scared to be able to goand serve in Africa.I have always wanted to be involved in mission. I alwaysloved the idea of going to Africa, but one husband and twobeautiful children later I put that idea to one side andassumed I would not do any type of mission until our childrenwere grown up. But, after a few conversations with myhusband about my heart for missions, I contacted Ben andDani. I then found myself sitting in a room knowing, within 5minutes of being there, that I was going to Zambia.I am excited about going because I will get to serve andexperience a completely different culture. I will be steppingout of my own comfort zone and I know through that God willstretch me and challenge me in so many ways. I believe thatthis will also in turn shape me as a mother and wife.I am also scared to leave my family behind, but I know thatthis is God-driven and God-chosen. So I know that while I amgone and serving, God will be with my family and ensuringthey get through the three weeks also…For so long I have felt like I have been somewhat stuntedwith my faith, I have felt lost and I have felt disconnectedfrom God. I know though, that in the lead-up to going andwhilst there, that God is preparing me and shaping me for thefuture…Scary but exciting!OPEN DOORSBob Guy, of Open Doors Australia, will be speaking briefly atthe 10:30am service on 13th November and will then beavailable to give further information on the work of OpenDoors during the sausage sizzle following the service.Overseas Mission offering for NovemberOfferings placed in the Missions envelopes this month will go towards the work of the Bible Society unless otherwisestated.Thank you for your valuable contribution to the Bible Society and for partnering with those from York Street Church of Christserving overseas.Some are called to go and some are called to send. Who will go and who will send? Those called to go cannot go unlessthey are sent and those called to send cannot send if no one will go.13

Food SundayKeys to the ChurchIn the next few months we will be implementing a new multi-level key system. When the new system isin place all current keys will become redundant.If you have a key for the church (internal or external), and will continue to need access, would youplease contact the church office as soon as possible. We will then ask you to fill in a form with yourname, contact details, ministry area, and the areas you need access to.Due to the high cost of security keys the number of keys will be limited. The early notification of yourneed will enable us to have the necessary keys ready for when the changeover takes place.Any queries can be directed to Kristin O’Brien (Office Administrator) or Richard Lyons (ChurchOperations Manager) at the church office.14Klong ToeyHandcraftswill be availablefor saleSundaysWe are seeking some extra help withhospitality offered by Yorkie to ourchurch family.If you are able to help with:Klong Toey6th November & 4th DecemberVolunteers Needed!soupsavouries (hot or cold)sandwichesspongesslicesother sweet finger foodset upclean upheading up a small event(with training)heading up a large event(with training)in the kitchen on the dayflower arrangement (for thechurch and/or tables)washing tablecloths and teatowelsplease contact the church office onPh: 5331 1079.Directory UpdatesCountry SpeakersPlease pray for our country speakers whoare visiting the following churches inNovember:Ben Dainton @ St. ArnaudWilson Ekayapan @ WedderburnThank you.Heather & Nigel Maloney28 Castlemaine DriveEynesbury 333803 8742 5905Adam & Tara Cameron6 Greenside PlaceMiners Rest 3352Ph: 5334 9140Material for The VineDo you have something you would like toinclude in the December/January editionof The Vine? Please send it to the churchoffice no later than Friday 18thNovember.We ask that material for the Vine Update(which will go out on Sunday 13thNovember) be at the church office byWednesday 9th November to be included.Please note that while we do our best wecannot guarantee all material submittedwill be included.Can You Help?Angela Oliver‘s parents are planning along-term visit. They are planning to comemid-November and stay until the end ofJanuary (or so). Angela is wondering ifthere is anyone in the church who is goingto be away and needing a house sitter, orif someone has a fully furnished place herparents could stay in while they are hereeven if it's only a month here or there (ofcourse they are willing to pay).According to Angela they are lovely VERYCLEAN people, and not hard toaccommodate. The only thing is, her dadcan't have a place where a cat/dog isinside because of his allergies...animalsoutside is fine!If you are able to helpplease contact Angelaonaaaoliver@gmail.comor 5334 9387.Pancake ShakersMel Hill is volunteering for Red frogs this yearup in Byron bay.Red frogs is an organisation that goes to theschoolies hotspots and is a Christian presencewhile helping to keep schoolies safe.During the time up there they will beproviding pancakes for theschoolies at different times andwould love donations.Donations of pancake shakers canbe given directly to Mel or left atthe church office.Food Sunday will be heldSunday 20th NovemberDonations of non-perishable food itemsare gratefully received.Just drop them into the shopping trolleyin the foyer.

StampsDid you know the Friday Craft Groupcollects used stamps which they sell toraise money for Churches of ChristOverseas Missions?All donations of used stamps are welcomeand can be left at the church office or givendirectly to Jan or Harold Howlett.Lost PropertyWe are trialling a new system for managing the substantial amount of lost property whichaccumulates at the church.Items will be kept for a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 3 months. After that timethey will be disposed of (i.e. given to Salvation Army etc).If you are missing any items which you believe may have been left at the church please feelfree to call us on 5331 1079 or drop in at the church (9am-3pm Monday-Friday).Transformation in South SudanFairtradeShoppingWHEN:Friday November 18 th7pm – 9.30pmJust three weeks after the birth of the Republic of South Sudan a team fromGlobal Mission Partners (GMP) went to visit with our partners there. They wereencouraged by the strong progress at Marialbai. There has been a noticeableimprovement in the well-being of the children since the program supporting childvictims of war commenced last year. Steve Blacket, Sudan Program Manager,commented, “The first thing we noticed was the joy – laughter, singing andchildren playing and dancing. It was such a stark contrast to the sadness I sawin the kid’s faces last year.” Each student has been allocated a caretaker. Theschool, nutrition program and church are well co-ordinated.John Gilmore, Executive Director, on his first visit to South Sudan, wasintroduced to the communities where GMP has projects in the southern state ofCentral Equatoria and the north western region surrounding Aweil, and was ableto see first-hand the work that is developing. Land was provided by communityleaders at two villages - Mankaro and Kenyi – in the very southern region of thecountry, and plans are developing for the establishment of a church andagricultural projects that have potential to resource community developmentprojects.This work is being co-ordinated by James Abraham, Ballarat CentralChurch of Christ.Ros Stafford-Green and Anna Kon delivered birthing kits and maternal trainingresources and facilitated a course in Aweil for midwives throughout the state.Wide consultation was conducted to inform decisions about future involvementin maternal health care.Meetings were held with leaders of several other projects to determine theirviability. While there have been many obstacles, the work is developing stronglyand already the community is seeing the benefits.Update from Australian Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners on our work inSouth Sudan (Posted on Tuesday 13/09/2011 )WHERE:WHAT:Supper provided―The Shed‖Ballarat Nth Baptist Church316 Walker StBackground information onproducts (7pm – 7.30pm)Opportunity to purchase giftsand crafts e.g.:Christmas giftsHandbags and jewelleryWooden games and craftsFabrics and $5 basketToys for children and muchmore...Presented by Jennifer Evans, ―Horizons ofHope Ministries‖Please contact Ange on 5339 3096 formore details.15

LET THE BIBLE DO THE TALKINGSalt & Pepper ArticleBy Ray VealA family was driving in the country oneday when the four year old daughterleant over and rested her head on hermother‟s chest. Being a little curiousthe mother asked, “Sally, what are youdoing?” Sally replied saying, “Mummyyou tell me that you can hear Godspeaking to you in your heart, so I amlistening to hear what He is saying.”After a few moments the motherasked again, “Well Sally, can you hearGod speaking to you?” Sally looked upand said “No, Mummy, but it soundslike he is making coffee.”A lovely story, but it is to the Bible thatwe Christians look when we want tohear God speak. Years ago I heardSelwyn Hughes speak on 2 Timothy 3:16and he took the four words of this verseto show why we should study the Bible.Doctrine - anthropology. (How we aremeant to function and behave ashumans.)In Genesis 1:26 God says „Let us createmankind in our own image.‟ Thismeans that apart from having physicalbodies we are created in his imageand likeness.We are spiritual beings with deeplongings for a relationship withGod and with other people.We are rational beings with thecapacity to think, and reasonand to know right from wrong.We are volitional beings who areable to make life choices.We are emotional beings able to feelsad or happy; joy or sorrow; tolove or to hate.In the beginning the first man andwoman did enjoy all these attributes;they had a sense of self worth, securityand significance. But then through thefall these attributes were lost and theGod-like image was marred. ThereforeGod had to find a way to restoremankind into a right relationship withhimself. The Bible is the story of howGod planned to do this, and howeventually Jesus became incarnate toshow us just how we should live. Jesussummed up the meaning of life in anutshell when he said, “You shall lovethe Lord God your God with all yourheart, with all your soul, with all yourstrength, and with all you mind, andyour neighbour asyourself.” (Luke 10:27)Reproof - psychopathology. (What iswrong with the soul?)This word is a combination of threewords, Psyche or soul; Patho or diseaseand ology meaning the study of.Psychopathology is the study of whatgoes wrong within the soul. The word istranslated in English as Reproof.Genesis teaches that everything Godmade was good, and that Adam andEve were very good. Sadly they werenot good for very long. The beautifulimage they once had was marred andbroken because of the way sinentered the world. And ever since, asDeuteronomy states, the „heart ofman‟ has been „deceitful andwicked‟.After World War II, seeing the horrorand evil of that war, people used tosay that this kind of evil would neveragain be repeated. In 1961 apsychologist, Stanley Milgram, deviseda now-infamous series of experimentsdesigned to explain why seeminglyordinary men carried out the demonicorders of Hitler‟s Third Reich. Volunteerswere told to administer electric shocksto other "volunteers" whenever theyanswered a question incorrectly.(What the volunteers did not know wasthat the other volunteers were actorsand there was no electricity and noshock). After each incorrect answer amore powerful „shock‟ was ordered.When volunteers hesitated, anauthority figure prodded them, startingwith "please continue" and escalatingto "you have no other choice, youmust go on." These words were enoughfor two-thirds of the volunteers toadminister what they believed was afatal shock.These experiments illustrated what C.S.Lewis called the "bentness" of humannature. They support what St. Paulwrote in Romans 7: "For what I do is notthe good I want to do," and "the evil Ido not want to do I do”.Correction - methodology. (A plan forputting our lives right again.)In 1959 I was a Director in the BillyGraham Crusade at the MCG inMelbourne, where night after night BillyGraham spoke about the sinfulness ofthe human soul without God. And atthat time, after 3 million peopleattended the meetings every crimeindice of the whole nation droppedsignificantly as people put their livesright with God. Consider just a fewexamples of how the Bible gives usinstruction on how to fix what is broken.1. Mark 12:13 talks about loving Godwith all our heart.2. Mark 12:21 talks about loving ourneighbour3. Psalm 143:10 talks about learning todo God‟s will. Here the idea isobedience. The need to respectparental authority; the authority ofthe Church and other leaders.4. Ecclesiastes talks about keeping hiscommandments which requires usto read them and commit them toour hearts.Luke 14:11 talks about humility and notputting ourselves above others.Instruction in righteousness - Teleology.(How to become mature Christians.)Today Christians and the Church areunder siege in a secular world. Thefamily as we knew it a generation or soago is disintegrating and many peopleare overtly hostile to the Church andto people of faith. Therefore we, thepeople of the Book, must continue togrow in Christ and „even if we suffer fordoing good things...be ready to givean answer about our hope‟ (1 Peter 3:13-17). Reading the Bible will enable usto become mature disciples who areable to see God in all the things thatHe has created including all thepeople who do not believe in Him.Two thousand years ago Christstepped out of His cosmic eternity andcame into this world in the form ofJesus to show us how to live. Today aswe allow God to incarnate Jesus in ourlives in thousands of little ways, we too- like Him - will be able to go into thoseplaces where there is bitterness anddarkness and fear and pity and allforms of what C.S. Lewis calls human„bentness‟ and in so doing reveal toothers the meaning of charity andforgiveness; kindness and love anddown-to-earth practical goodness.Ray Veal.16