Ryde Presbyterian Church

Term 3 has rolled around and so tomorrow (Friday the 31st of July) sees our playgroup resume along with our Kid's Clubs and our Teens program. It has been noted by some that I use a lot of exclamation marks...perhaps that I even over use them!!

I reject these accusations and believe that every exclamation mark I use is carefully considered and essential to expressing the extreme joy and excitement I contain...!

On the left you might have noticed a new link. It links to our Blog. Why do we have a Blog? Some of us wanted to create a forum where we could talk about what it is to do and be "church". Please feel free to check it out and be involved in the discussion...when it starts!

In September (1st-15th) we are hosting a Blog Conference where we will focus on the issue of women in eldership. If the idea of a church debating the role of women seems strange or backward to you, don't be alarmed! It is strange and backward! Seriously though, this is an issue that causes debate within the church, largely because of confusion over some passages in the Bible. It is hoped that during our Blog Conference we can gain a clearer understanding of God's plan for women (and men), and help foster unity within the wider church.

If you want to know more about the gender debate in the church feel free to check out our "chromosome" sermon series!

I have been away for a week of holidays with the family. It was a really enjoyable and relaxing time away. Just us and a farmhouse! Now that I am back and into the swing of things again I am getting ready for the next term of stuff!

Next week (Fri 31st) will see our playgroup (First Friends) start back, along with Kid's Clubs, Teens and our Small Church groups. Cool!

On Sunday the 2nd of August we are having our next church lunch. Not sure what we will be eating just yet...but I am sure it will be yummy!

Man it is great to be back!!

I think it is important to keep revisiting why we meet as a church each week and during the week. Tradition so easily undermines what we do each week if we allow it to let us forget why we do what we do. That was a big sentence! Perhaps it is more helpful to say that the reason God has pursued a relationship with us is so that He could be one with us, and we could be one with Him and each other. Church is when we do that oneness. We practice it, we experience it, we grow in it, we nurture it and we recognise God as the source of it.

I love our church! It is a very warm and friendly place, and I have had the honour of watching people in our church grow and change as they exercise and experience this oneness. Cool!

A lot has happened since I last updated the blurb. On Sunday we had our church lunch. We had a 'Master Chef' meal of pies and chips (with some very optional vegies) which was great in building up the body of the church (in width at least). We share lunch together as a church on the first Sunday of each month. I really enjoy this time where we just hang out with good food and great company. Details of the next church lunch will follow shortly!