Pakenham Uniting Church

REV. Dick spoke to us of the mixed emotions of those waiting on the launch pad of the Discovery space shuttle. They are no different from members of the church at large waiting to see what will happen in the future.
Jesus spoke to the people of his day in parables, which are still understandable today. (Like the mustard seed, which was tiny but would grow to be something large and important). The parables were invitations for people to join in to be a part of and to build up the kingdom of God.
These small beginnings (like the mustard seed) and new discoveries are similar to the astronauts waiting on the Discovery to be launched. They don’t know what will happen in their future and neither do we.
Sowing seeds in the parables in the Bible is no different from the seeds sowed through the letters distributed to the congregation last week asking people to be a part of the working groups formed as a result of the church consultation. These letters have brought about a number of questions and so an extra week has been added until responses are expected. If you need more information on these groups please ask the Minister, members of the church council or leaders of the groups.
Forming these groups is similar to the astronauts waiting. We don’t know what will happen in the future but with God’s help we will discover the direction of our Church in the future, which may be very different from what it is today.
The Victorian Government intends to introduce a mandatory code for retailers in the clothing industry that Australian clothing retailers will follow to ensure that homeworkers in the clothing industry receive fair conditions.
This includes textile, clothing and footwear. Fairwear is a national coalition of community organisations, trade unions, churches, artists and activists working to end the exploitation within the clothing industry and working with homeworkers to achieve wage justice. The “Fairwear” campaign is now getting Asian manufacturers to be involved and are educating world consumers about this problem. The employment of women in sweatshops is one of the major problems with human trafficking, which Force 10 is working against in our world.
Small cards are available from Eunice Smith which list Australian and international retailers who are following the Fairwear conditions for their workers. Look out for the “No Sweatshop label” on clothing when you are next at the shops.
Remember your “Simply Sharing” postcards over the next couple of weeks as a response to Kaylea’s talk to us about Force 10s work in the world. Your donations can be places in the collection plate.
This week:
Friday, 29 July: 10.30am to 1.30pm: Community Drop in Centre.
Sunday, 31 July: Sausage Sizzle after church.
Sunday, 31 July: 2pm: Gospel songs as performed by Elvis Presley performed by tribute artist Eddie James at the Salvation Army Church, 1 New Holland Drive, Cranbourne. Tickets $10 (includes afternoon tea). Phone 5991 1777.
Tuesday, 2 August: 10am: Bible Study.
Tuesday, 2 August: 10am to Noon: Beehive Craft Group.
Coming Events:
Saturday, 6 August: 9am to 4pm: Pakenham Antique Fair at Pakenham Racecourse. Profits go to 4Cs Charity. Entry $5.
Sunday, 7 August: 4.30pm to 6pm: Hiroshima Sixty Years on. Interfaith service at St Mary’s College, Melbourne University, Swanston Street, Melbourne. Adding weight to the universal call for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Thursday, 18 August: 9am to 12.30pm: Training seminar for “Refugee and Migrant” Sunday at Melbourne University. Cost $10. Phone 9650 6811.
“He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62 V2