Technical difficulties marred the streaming of the August 1st worship service.  We apologise to those who logged-in on Zoom to participate.

It seems the major parties are preparing for an election in the spring, so it seems appropriate that the members of the church, God’s servants on earth, also prepare.  Why?  To ensure that God gets a vote, of course.

Before the last election…(Click here to read more)

The Barwon Heads congregation met after church on June 13th to celebrate a significant birthday with Fay Greaves.  (Click here to see more photos)

This Sunday, June 20th, was Refugee Sunday and also the observance of the 44th anniversary of the birth of the Uniting Church.  To celebrate the occasion the Barwon Heads congregation met with the Ocean Grove congregation at 10:30am to hear Jim Molineux from the Synod’s Justice and International Mission cluster.

“If Jesus Were a Rock Star” is a series that explores the music Jesus might have written and sung had he been a modern-day musician.  Now that there are an even 100 songs, the resident DJ will pause for a rest.  The first offering is...(click here to read more)

Every year, Common Grace marks National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) and NAIDOC Week (4 July – 11 July), exploring themes including ‘Reconciliation as Walking Together’, ‘Always Was Always Will Be’, ‘Reconciliation as Truth and Action’, ‘Voice Treaty Truth’, ‘Reconciliation as Friendship’ and ‘Because of Her We Can’. 

This year, you are invited on the journey…(click here to read more)

2020 had more than the usual degree of chaos for many people, but even in a relatively uneventful year, there is some degree of chaos in most people’s lives.  Though one might yearn for a life free of chaos, even a cursory study of this topic suggests that chaos is important, perhaps necessary, for life. (Read more)

Sunday worship at the Ocean Grove service continues to be  streamed via Zoom each week, and can be joined at 10:30 am (AEST)through the link:

https://zoom.us/j/2978521634?pwd=K01ZNDZnTUxiYzYwRFlVL0tsQW5oZz09

Meeting ID: 297 852 1634

Passcode: 988040

In addition to the ‘live’ worship on Sunday mornings, a text and audio service can be accessed at any time from this site. The worship service for August 1st is now available at “Minister/View From the Pulpit/Sermons”

Now that masks are no longer required in church (nevertheless, wearing them is still advised), the question arises, “Should I wear  a mask?”  What is the new etiquette?

If it were only a question of protecting oneself, the answer would be easy: I would choose to take a small risk or not.  However, the role of a mask is also to protect others.  In fact, the mask is much more effective in protecting others from you than it is in protecting you from others.  Now the question is: “Should I be responsible for the protection of my neighbour?”  This question, at least for a follower of Jesus, is an easy one to answer, is it not?

If you are completely healthy and you are certain you have not been exposed to the coronavirus, then it is quite reasonable to not wear a mask in church.  If, however, there is any chance you may have been affected, and are asymptomatic, the responsible choice is to wear a mask in the presence of others.

Perhaps we have stumbled upon a new word: Masketiquette (when to wear one). This may be the beginnings of a new glossary for the times in which we live; e.g.
Maskercise, the extra exercise gained when, having entered the supermarket, you realise you left your mask in the car:
Maskicide: causing death using a mask made out of a plastic bag;
Maskette: a face covering for an infant.
And, of course, there will be a new use for Masking Tape

Contributions to this new glossary should be emailed to Rev. Bob at bobuc2@juno.com.

The Queenscliff branch of Rural Australians for Refugees is currently conducting a letter-writing campaign to our politicians, and would greatly appreciate our support.  Please find out more by clicking on the links below, and see how you can help get justice for genuine refugees.

Permanent protection for Refugees

Support Labor party’s policy for refugees here

https://www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au

Although not as effective as direct communication with our politicians, you may sign a petition online by clicking on this link.