Another Sunset swing concert is being held on Friday night October 30th from 6:30pm as a fundraiser for the work of the Mitcham Hills inter-Church Council. Download the poster here for more details
October 28, 2009
May 20, 2009
Beacon – emergency relief
On April 15th 2009, we officially launched Beacon with an open day and afternoon tea which was attended by the many people who support and help make Beacon possible.
It was our hope that we would get good media coverage for this opening to heighten awareness among our community that this facility was available. We thank The Hills & Valley Messenger and the Blackwood Times who ran stories in the following weeks and just this week The Messenger has mentioned Beacon again.
Here is some further information and photos to add to the coverage. Beacon is not an initiative of one church but the initiative of 15 churches in the Blackwood/Mitcham Hills region under the auspus of the Mitcham Hills Inter-Church council. This is a great celebration of the work of local churches from all denominations working together to serve the local community. It was an initiative that originated out of conversations between Rev Leanne Jenski (Blackwood Uniting), Rev Mark Riessen (Blackwood Church of Christ), Rev Ian Hunter (Belair Uniting), Fr. Warren Huffa (Holy Innocents Anglican) Fr. Stephen Clark (All Hallow’s/St John’s Anglican) and Nina Corlett-McDonald (CPSW Hawthorndene Primary).
Mark, Leanne and Nina became the driving force, think tank and developer of ideas co-opting the help of other members of the MHICC to form a steering committee to come up with a vehicle for addressing the needs we were experiencing from our interactions with the community. This was not a response to a recession, in fact when we first began talking about this John Howard was prime minister and when the program began to form the economy couldn’t have been stronger. However the needs of our community were constantly present just as much then as it is now.
When we came up with ‘Beacon’, we acknowledged that we needed a sub-committee of the MHICC which is now chaired by Rev. Mark Riessen and a co-ordinator of Beacon operations, Aileen Templeton.
April 15th was a great celebration of the coming together of many denominations on the hill as well as the many aid organization who have come together to help us make this facility possible. Our federal MP Ian Evans was gracious enough to official open Beacon with the cutting of the ribbon and stayed for the afternoon tea.
These photos are from the ‘actual’ opening of Beacon
The first photo represents our hard working volunteers who show up every week to sit with and assist anyone who comes seeking help. From the left: Aileen (Co-ordinator from Blackwood Church of Christ) Bridgid (St Paul of the Cross Catholic), Gloria (Blackwood Uniting), Lesiley and Sue (Coromandel Valley Uniting)
The photo with the 2 people standing either side of the Beacon sign represents our 2 business sponsors. On the left is Lisa from Curves Blackwood and on the left is Mark from Flight Centre Blackwood. We are very grateful for their support to help make this program available to the community possible.
The photo bottom middle from the left: Mark from Flight Centre Blackwood, Rev. Mark Riessen, MP Ian Evans, Aileen Templeton and Rev. Leanne Jenski. The last photo represents the many aid organizations that have helped us establish and continue to have a working relationship with us including Marion Life, Careworks, Salvation Army, Department of families, housing, community services and indigenous affairs.
What a great celebration of a fantastic initiative of the churches to address ongoing needs in our community.
Shalom
Rev. Mark Riessen, Chair Beacon sub-committee
May 14, 2009
Divorce Care at Coromandel Valley Uniting
From May 25th 2009 Coromandel Valley Uniting Church is running a DivorceCare cource for 11 weeks on Monday nights.
The cut-off date for registrations has been set as Sunday May 17th, however late registrations will be accepted if there is room in the course.
Coromandel Valley Uniting Church has run this course many times over the past few years – it is run by trained folk within the congregation who have experienced separation/divorce themselves and comes highly commended.
If you would like some hard-copy brochures or further information, please feel free to contact the church office 8270 1800
A copy of the form is available for download here in 2 seperate links
March 27, 2009
Easter Service times in the hills
Palm Sunday April 5
Each of our churches are holding Palm Sunday services. Please check service times here
Holy Week services April 6 – April 12
Combined Maundy Thursday service Blackwood Church of Christ, Blackwood Uniting & Belair Uniting for reflective service
Belair Uniting Church @ 7:30pm (18 Sheoak Road, Belair)
Anglican Church
Holy Innocents, 29 Sheoak Road, Belair
Maundy Thursday
7:30pm Celebration of the Last Supper
Good Friday
Good Friday Liturgy for Young People @ 9:30am
Good Friday Liturgy @ 10am
Easter Sunday
Lighting of New Fire and Holy Communion @ 6am
Traditional holy Communion @ 8am
Contemporary Holy Communion with children’s ministry @ 10am
Baptist Church
Blackwood Hills Baptist, 72 Coromandel Parade, Blackwood
Good Friday @ 10am
Easter Sunday @ 10am & 7pm
Catholic Church
St Paul of the Cross, 4 Simla Parade, Blackwood
Good Friday
Stations of the Cross @11am
Easter Sunday @ 8am
Easter Monday No Mass
Our Lady of the Way, 4 Laffers Road, Glenalta
Holy Thursday
7:30pm Confessions followed by Exposition @ 9:30 – 10pm.
Good Friday
3pm Main Ceremony, confessions to 4.30pm
Holy Saturday
Confessions 6:30-7pm followed by Easter Vigil @ 7.30pm
Easter Sunday @ 10am
Churches of Christ
Blackwood Church of Christ, cnr Shepherds Hill Road & Waite Street, Blackwood
Good Friday @ 9am
Easter Sunday @ 10am followed by hot cross buns (provided) with tea or espresso fairtrade coffee for morning tea
CFC
The Hills Christian Family Centre @ Blackwood High School / Performing Arts Centre
Good Friday @ 10am – ‘ Jesus Words on the Cross’
Easter Sunday @ 10am – ‘ Jesus Words after the Cross
Lutheran Church
St. Peter’s Lutheran, 71 Cumming St Blackwood
Maundy Thursday
7.30pm with Holy Communion
Good Friday
9.00am without Holy Communion followed by tea/coffee and hot cross buns (please bring some hot cross buns to share)
Easter Sunday
10.00am with Holy Communion followed by morning tea (Please bring a flower to decorate the cross)
Uniting Church
Belair Uniting, 18 Sheoak Road, Belair
Good Friday @ 9:00 am
Easter Sunday @ 9:30am
Coromandel Valley Uniting 415 Main Road, Coromandel Valley
Holy Wednesday @ 7-8pm for a time of prayer
Good Friday
9am for family worship
2-5pm 3hour devotion time
Easter Sunday @ 10am for family celebration service
Eden Hills Uniting, 16 Willora Rd, Eden Hills
Good Friday @ 9.30am
Easter Sunday @ 9.30am
March 25, 2009
Alpha at Eden Hills Uniting Church
The Eden Hills Uniting Church are hosting the Alpha program commencing in the next few weeks. Alpha is a great way to connect with the basics of the Christian faith and get to know new people in your community. There are four groups commencing so if you would like to join a group please contact Pastor Donald Sarre on 8379 5545.
March 5, 2009
World Day of Prayer
This Friday March 6th our churches will participate in the World Day of Prayer. The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action.
The worship service has a special annual theme. Through preperations and participation in this, we can come to know how people of other countries, languages and cultures understand the biblical passages in their context. We can hear their concerns and needs and can feel ourselves in solidarity with them. In this way it is possible to experience the richness of the Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international, ecumenical expression.
Our theme and country of focus for 2009 is: ‘In Christ there are many members but one body’ – Papua New Guinea
Everyone is welcome to join us in our service of prayer and reflection
Friday March 6th at 10am
@ All Hallows Anglican Church – Blackwood
Speaker: Stephen Daughtry
February 25, 2009
Ash Wednesday services
February 25th marks the first day of lent in the liturgical church calandar. Here are some details of home some churches are beginning the lenten journey with Ash Wednesday services in the area.
Ecumenical
The Blackwood Church of Christ, Blackwood Uniting and Belair Uniting churches are hosting a combined ecumenical service at the Blackwood Church of Christ at 7:30pm
Anglican
All Hallows Church will hold an Ash Wednesday service at 7pm. During the period of Lent All Hallows will also be holding services at 10am on Sundays, 6:45am on Tuesdays and 10am on Thursdays
Holy Innocents’ Church will hold an Ash Wednesday service at 10am and 8pm
St John’s Church will hold an Ash Wednesday service at 10am. During the period of Lent St. John’s will also be holding services at 8am on Sundays and 10am on Wednesdays
Lutheran
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will hold an Ash Wednesday service at 7:30pm.
At each service you will have an opportunity for prayer, confession and quiet reflection receiving the mark of the imposition of ashes for the absolution of sins.
All of these churches will be marking the journey of lent towards Easter during their normal worship meeting times for the next 6 weeks. You are welcome to join any one of these churches on the journey.
Please refer to the ‘churches’ link for location, contact details and service times.
February 12, 2009
Response to Victorian bushfire relief efforts
Many of us here in the Adelaide hills identify deeply with the devastation of bushfire’s and still have the memories of Ash Wednesday in the back of our minds. Yet it is still difficult to imagine the tragedy and the impact of the fires in Victoria on the people and communities affected. Our hearts ache as we consider how to respond with love and compassion to our neighbours across the border which is why this Sunday our services will reflect something of the nature of how we are moved to respond in prayer, service and financial giving.
This post is to inform anyone who might be wondering, how the churches of the Mitcham Hills Inter Church Community are responding and how you might be able to participate in the response if you attend one of our services this Sunday.
The Synod of the Uniting Churches here is SA has set up a bushfire disaster appeal. Also check out http://assembly.uca.org.au. Blackwood Uniting Church has been taking donations during the week and will contiunue to do so on Sunday and beyond. They have also started a prayer wall where you can post your prayers related to the bushfires.
The Coromandel Valley Uniting Church currently has a member of their congregation (former senior minister) assisting with counselling at Whittlesea (near Kinglake).
The Eden Hills Uniting Church is holding a prayer vigil on Friday morning (13/2/09) at 9am and another on Sunday morning before the service.
Blackwood, Belair, Coromandel Valley and Eden Hills Uniting Churches will be taking up special offerings as part of their services on Sunday.
Churches of Christ SA/NT have set up a bushfire appeal through Careworks SA/NT. Unfortunately there is no website set up but you can call 8278 8666 and talk to Sarah for a donation form. The Blackwood Church of Christ will be taking up an offering on Sunday and offering donation forms to make tax deductible donations through Careworks towards the bushfire appeal.
The St. Peter’s Luthern Church will be taking up an offering that will be directed through the Lutheran Community Care to bushfire victims
The Blackwood Hills Baptist Church will be concentrating their donation efforts through the Baptist Union bushfire appeal. Donation will be taken on Sunday or you can donate online
Holy Innocents’ Anglican Church in Belair will also be taking up an offering to go towards the bushfire appeal this Sunday
All churches will be holding special prayer times in various forms this Sunday and you are more than welcome to come and join us in prayer.
Of course we encourage you to give blood if you are able and to donate financially directly to the Red Cross.
Shalom
February 5, 2009
Enjoy a great night out
Here’s an oportunity for a great night out and support your local community at the same time.
On Friday February 20th from 6pm, Holy Innocents Anglican Church will be hosting Samantha with the Danny Hodgson Quartet and guitarist/vocalist John Francis.
The cost is $10 and there’s gold coin donation for champagne, juice and tea/coffee
All proceeds help support our Chaplains in our local Primary, Secondary and Tertiary schools who are doing a fantastic job meeting the needs of students, families and teachers.
Please check the full details by clicking on this link sunset-swing. Print it off and share this event with your community.
We hope to see you there
September 9, 2008
Welcome
The Mitcham Hills Church network is an effective network of Christian churches in the Blackwood/Belair/Coromandel Valley region of the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. The Mitcham Hills Inter Church Council (MHICC) run by members of the churches and supported by the clergy and local Christian Pastoral Support Workers, help the churches work together to be an effective expression of the Good News about Jesus Christ in our local area. We do this in many practical and caring ways, serving our community in ways that bring about wholeness of life and celebration of community.
Please take some time to browse our weblog and have a look at the many ways we do this through our local schools and community groups.
We also have links to individual church websites so you can connect with the unique expression of ministry each church offers.
We celebrate that the Spirit of God works among us to unite us as the body of Christ to be an effective expression of God’s love and grace. Our prayer is that you may feel encouraged and uplifted through connecting with us.
