The congregation at Hewett
is beginning to
understand and experience God's compassionate heart for the poor. Micah 6:8 says
our worship consists of doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly
with
God.
We have a strong
relationship with Urban
Neighbours of Hope (www.unoh.org.au)
and
particularly the work Ash and Anji Barker who are involved in
Klong Toey slum
(www.handicrafts.org.au/klongtoey) in Bangkok, Thailand. We hope
to be
selling the jewellery made at the Klong Toey community centre more
frequently
in 2010.
At Christmas we open the
TEAR
Useful Gift Shop(www.usefulgifts.org)
,
where
practical gifts can be purchased for people in developing
countries.
Child sponsorship through
World Vision (www.worldvision.com.au)
is
supported
primarily
through the efforts of the Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF) - see our
list of groups.
Global Mission Partners (www.inpartnership.org.au)
is the
Churches of Christ mission organisation, providing Christian ministry
in Fiji,
Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, India, Thailand, South
Korea and
most recently Sudan.
Each year our Mission team
direct our overseas focus through a specific fundraising goal.
Recently we have aimed our giving to assist with fresh water wells,
birthing kits and mosquito nets. In 2010 we hope to be able to support
community schools in developing nations.
Local
Focus
As
our name suggests, Hewett Community
Church exists to serve the
local
community. We have strong links with the local council and school. We
work in cooperation with the Interchurch Council in supporting
Christian Pastoral Support Workers in
schools. We continue to support theGawler Awakening
Networkin it's many activities during the
year. The Hewett Church, along with the
Elizabeth Church of
Christ, established and continues to journey alongside a church plant
atNorthern
Communities
of
Hope. Through connection to U-Care, and our
own resources, our congregation is often able to help people in
immediate need by providing a food hamper. Our people also donate to
the work of Careworks ( www.cocaustralia.org ministries) at Christmas
time. We are looking forward to being able
to increase our witness to the Gospel in this
growing area of Hewett through an exciting partnership with Light
Regional Council and other community groups in a new centre proposed to begin from 2011.
O
Lord, our great and awesome God, loyal to your promise of love and
faithful to all who honour and obey you, hear
our
prayer. We pray for those who live in poverty, we cry out for those who
are denied justice and we weep for all who
are
suffering.
We
confess that we have not always obeyed you. We have neglected your
commands and have ignored your call for
justice.
We have been guided by self-interest and lived in spiritual poverty.
Forgive us.
We
remember your promises to fill the hungry with good things, to redeem
the land by your mighty hand and to restore
peace.
Father God, help us always to proclaim your justice and mercy with
humility, so that, by the power of your Spirit,
we
can rid the world of the sin of extreme poverty.
As
part of your global church, we stand with millions who praise and
worship you. May our words and deeds declare
your
perfect goodness, love and righteousness to both the powerful and the
powerless so that your Kingdom may come