Haven next on 4:30pm Sunday 10th November 2024

Great to meet up again yesterday!

The first time we met we thought about the practice of the ‘examen’ - pausing and spending a little time each day reflecting on the day that’s passed and preparing for the day to come. See here for a recap.

Yesterday we thought about the practice of reading the Bible. We suggested a particular way I called “Dwelling in the Word” and suggested two short Bible Passages to practice with. You can see a summary here.

We’re on again 4:30pm Sunday 10th November.  Feel free to invite friends. It would be good to get a heads-up about possible extra numbers to help with set-up and catering! 😉 

When we started yesterday I read out this verse. May it be true for each of you this week: “But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night, I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.”  Psalm 42: 8

First Meeting

We had our first meeting last Sunday evening. Thanks to L and C for use of their place. 

Mostly around planning ahead, but we also had a lively discussion about - "What three words would you want to describe your church?”

Amongst many others, we threw words around like — ‘Follower of Jesus, accessible, growing, genuine, belonging, child-friendly, thought provoking, hearing other perspectives, challenging, caring and organic. Also some interesting ideas like these popped up — not cultish, not ’sterile,’ unsafe and edgy, risk-taking, open to new ideas, open to alternatives, taste-testing different ways of worshipping and learning — I wonder what you would add?

We then talked about an upcoming information morning about M4 (14 Sept). This is an organisation that provides training and support for new church plants and the Baptist Union of Victoria is hoping to facilitate this process in 2025. 

We wrapped it up with a meal together around piping hot golden-lentil soup, crusty buns and orange cake and a discussion around what it means to be intercultural and communitas - that is trying to be genuinely open to those from different cultures and backgrounds to ourselves. 

We’re planning to begin meeting more regularly Sunday afternoons in term 4, most likely in the Uniting Church hall in Mernda (TBC). 

If you are interested in learning more, let me know your details via email HERE

Martin