The first NCOH family camp was held at the YMCA campsite in Heathfield on the weekend of September 26-28. There were 25 people at the camp and we had nine visitors to the campsite on Saturday 27th. Highlights of this camp included a session on the theme of Jesus being the Bread of Life led by Kim Thoday on Saturday morning, a camp concert and campfire on Saturday night and a Communion service on Sunday morning. It was special for me to see people who haven’t had the opportunity to go camping for a long time enjoying the occasion. In the Sunday evening (28/9) I conducted a session on the distinctives of the Churches of Christ at the Davoren Park Kindergarten for those people who did not attend the camp. There were 12 of us present at that occasion.
Over recent times representatives from NCOH have been doing some deputation work in morning Worship services at the Churches of Christ in Salisbury East, Elizabeth, Hewett and Modbury. In October and November we will be visiting our Churches in Blackwood, Flinders Park and Croydon.
The Ministry of our house in Saxon Street continues to evolve. Sandra is heading up a house management team, which will have an oversight role for the activities of the house. Sandra has recently formulated some policies, which relate to the conduct of activities in the house. Trevor and Margaret from Hewett have added some impetus to the activity in Saxon Street with Trevor taking on a property maintenance role and Margaret (assisted by Jill) providing meals for $2 on Friday lunchtimes. These meals have been held on 3 occasions and they have all drawn extra people to the house with at least a dozen people in attendance on Friday 26/9. The men’s group which meets on the first(social) and third(Bible study) Mondays of the month is being enjoyed by a small group of men and this group has the potential to develop further.
During August and September NCOH conducted a Kids Club for Primary School aged students. This was held on 6 consecutive Sunday mornings at the Smithfield Plains Primary School. Though attendance was erratic some 20 children and a few parents attended the final session on Sunday September 14th which was concluded with a sausage sizzle and some refreshments. Also, during the July/August period Sandra led a 6 week “Christianity Explained” Course with a group of 4 women. This was held at the Northern Carers office in the Fields Community Shopping Centre in Davoren Park. On Saturday August 9th the NCOH leadership team enjoyed a reflecting and planning day at the home of Nigel and Julie in Wasleys. NCOH was recently awarded a grant for $1500 from United way. This is to be used as a contribution towards the purchase of a mini van which can be used to transport people to the various activities conducted by NCOH.
We are looking forward to a visit from Lindsay Mayes from Elizabeth on Sunday October 12th, the Baptism of two women on Sunday October 26th and also to hosting the Northern Regional Churches of Christ Service to be held on Sunday November 16. We have also been encouraged by a trickle of new people into our midst. Some 45 people were in attendance at our evening service held on Sunday September 14th.
The Lord is clearly at work amongst us at the moment and the community Spirit at NCOH is alive and well and truly a blessing for me to behold.
Yours in Christ
Bryan Sellars
The Neighbourhood House in Smithfield Plains continues to be a valuable asset to the Ministry of NCOH. A young mum who lives very close to the house is enjoying conducting decoupage classes on Monday mornigns. These classes are held at the same times as the woodburning group, which has been faithfully led by David Symons who is a member of the Church at Elizabeth. The Grow group (Tuesday afternoons), Homework assistance (Thursday afternoons) and Kids club (Friday afternoons) continue to get good support. Discipleship groups have been meeting on Wednesday and Thursday mornigns and it is great to report that it is planned for two women who have been discipled by Sandra Ditch this year to be Baptised on Sunday December 15th. Another person is giving consideration to being Baptised and has yet to make a definite decision about this. I have recently been speaking to a guy from Pokies anonymous about the possibility of setting up a support group for pokie addicts at the house.
Worship Services continue to be enjoyed by NCOH members and these services have developed a strong sense of "community feel" in the second half of this year. It was good to have Kim Thoday and other folk from Hewett sharing in our service on Sunday November 23rd.
Looking Ahead:
| * | Sunday December 22nd Combined evening service with Hewett and Elizabeth to be held in Davoren Park |
| * | Sunday January 26th 2003 "Pulpit Swap" with Lindsay Mayes from Elizabeth |
| * | Sunday March 16th 2003 Likely date for a "public launch". The SHINE Choir is available for this occasion. |
| * | April 27th - May 4th 2003 Mission team visit of students & staff from the Bible College of SA. |
Some NCOH Highlights for 2002 (as I see them)
| Feb-March: | a profitable feasibility study which provided valuable information that influenced our Ministry focus and style. | April: | YWAM visit. An important time in terms of impetus and morale. This visit by a team of young people from YWAM provided us with a healthy list of people to follow up. | June: | Mission and Vision statements finished together with our Core Values. These have proved to be a valuable reference point for us in the second half of the year. | July: | Missions Exposure Course conducted by UNOH in Springvale Melbourne. A particular highlight for me has been the "evolving" formation of the NCOH community to the point where it is at right now. The supportive nature of the relationships between the people associated with NCOH (including volunteers from Elizabeth and Hewett) has been terrific - if not outstanding! Anohter highlight has been the developing style of our eveing services which have been well received by NCOH members. |
At the end of this formative year of 2002 I believe that NCOH is well placed to be able to further develop its Ministry to the people of the Davoren Park/Smithfield Plains area. I would like to thank the members of the Elizabeth and Hewett Churches of Christ for their support of the new Church Plant this year. Without their support NCOH would never have come into existence.
I would also like to thank members of the NCOH steering commmittee for their faithful support and interest this year. I have very much enjoyed working with you all and wish you all a safe and Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year in 2003.
Yours in Christ
Bryan Sellars