Hi Everyone!
Here are some dates for your diary for this very busy month of April:
Wednesday 2 April: Lenten Study #2 starting at 10am and finishing at 11:30am – at the church.
Thursday 3 April: Meditation Group at 1pm at the church.
Sunday 6 April (Lent Week 5): Church AGM after the service, which will be led by Sue Vernon with Craig officiating Communion.
Wednesday 9 April: Lenten Study #3 starting at 10am and finishing at 11:30am – at the church.
Thursday 10 April: Dayspring Contemplative Spirituality gathering in August AND Meditation Group at 1pm at the church.
Friday 11 April – Tuesday 22 April: “The Way of the Cross” Art Exhibition.
Sunday 13 April (Palm / Passion Sunday): Mary Elton leading the service which will include a “launch” of the Art Exhibition.
Wednesday 16 April: Lenten Study #4 starting at 10am and finishing at 11:30am – at the church.
Thursday 17 April: Meditation Group will be on a break (no group on this day).
Thursday 17 April at 5:30pm: Maundy Thursday Service – will include bread and soup. Craig and Kay will be serving with foot or hand washing.
Friday 18 April (Good Friday) at 9:30am: Craig leading the service, which will be a “Stations of the Cross” service wherein Nari’s “Way of the Cross” artwork will be the focus. We will sit in a big circle, and the service will be structured around moving from artwork to artwork. Nari will be present and will read her Artist’s reflection for each piece as we move around.
Sunday 20 April (Easter Sunday): Craig leading the service. Will include communion, and also a talk by Nari on her art followed also a brief conversation between Craig and Nari.
There will be no Lenten Study or Meditation the weeks of 21 – 25 April.
Sunday 27 April (Easter 2): Kay leading the service.
Thursday 1 May: Meditation Group will be on a break (no group on this day).
Saturday 3 May: World Labyrinth Day “Walk as One at 1”.
Sunday 4 May: Craig leading, the Labyrinth will still be set up in the church and we will have “Labyrinth Church”, and Communion.
Every blessing, Craig.
20 Years of Intergenerational Playgroup!
Margaret River Uniting Church’s Intergenerational playgroup started in July 2004 and this year celebrates a 20-year milestone.
The idea for the playgroup came during the transition for the congregation from their old building, to the new one on Tingle Ave.
The positioning of the new church building was in a developing subdivision where a lot of new families were expected to be. The new location helped the congregation focus on being a part of the growing community around them. They had many active older members of the congregation who enthusiastically engaged with the idea of the playgroup, which started up two months after they moved into the new worship and community centre.
The playgroup team created a space that was friendly, welcoming and relaxed. Having older members of the church around helped create a sense of extended family where there was always someone to talk to, or to simply make you a cup of tea or play with the children while the parents could chat. These intergenerational connections became even more important during the COVID-19 years where families were disconnected from extended family overseas and playgroup became like an extended family.
Mary Elton, who has been part of the Margaret River Intergenerational Playgroup from the beginning said, “With many young families not having their extended family nearby, the intergenerational contact has been particularly valued.”
The playgroup was initially a community outreach, a way of connecting into the community and creating a bond. Over the years there have been opportunities to walk alongside people and also opening up the possibility of conversations about life and faith. There have been many relationships built over the years.
“Highlights have been meeting so many wonderful families and watching them grow up.”, said Mary Elton.
Around 60 people attended the 20-year anniversary celebration. Congratulations to the Margaret River Uniting Church congregation, and to the Intergenerational Playgroup volunteers and families who have helped make such a special place for children and adults over the years.
