Eastern Hills Community Church

Lent Week 2 – Swap to clean or low energy, save water.

How did you go last week? What actions did you take to reduce transport emissions? Great work! What were the benefits? We look forward to more stories on Sunday.

For meditation and Prayer

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” - Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

‘Love does no harm to its neighbour’ (Romans 13:10).

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in Prayer as you soak in these passages.

If you have time, watch one of the short films at http://www.tear.org.au/advocacy/campaigns/climate-change/carbon-fast/study2 to see our neighbours stories and how they are affected by climate change. The first short film is Ursula’s story. Ursula lives in the Carteret Islands, near PNG. Due to changes in the climate, seawater is swamping the islands making them uninhabitable. Ursula and her people have realised they will have to leave.

“While the citizens of the rich world are protected from harm, the poor, the vulnerable and the hungry are exposed to the harsh reality of climate change in their everyday lives.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Facts about Energy and Water Use in Australia

Residential energy use, including transport, creates around 20% of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas pollution.

Only 1% of Australia’s electricity comes from solar energy, a clean renewable energy source, despite Australia being a solar hot spot of the world.

Despite the relative scarcity of water, Australia’s per capita water use it the third highest among OECD countries, after the USA and Canada.

Climate change is an issue we share with our neighbours all over the world. Poor communities are already looking to how they can play their part to reduce emissions. For example on the coastal plains of Bangladesh, one of TEAR’s partners is encouraging more efficient cooking stoves and organic methods of agriculture. What responsibility does the Australian community have, and God ‘s people have in this?

Action Ideas for this Week

-       Put the gas and electricity on a green plan. To swap to Green Power, see www.greenpower.com.au

-       Reduce the temperature of your clothes wash. For example washing at 30C will use 40% less energy than hotter programs.

-       Swap to compact fluorescent globes, which last up to ten times longer and use around 75% less energy than a standard incandescent globe.

-       Turn your heating or cooling down by just 1C to cut 10% off bills and greenhouse pollution.

-       Switch the showerhead over to a water-saving one. It costs around $20 and takes 10 minutes. Reduce your shower time to four minutes.

-       Connect a grey water diverter or hose from your laundry or bathroom to your garden.

-       Mulch your garden and reduce evaporation by 70%. Look in to permaculture. See www.permablitz.net

Ideas For home owners:

-       Replace electric hot water systems with solar systems. Water heating is the second largest source of household greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for 50% of electricity bills. Check for rebates.

-       Install insulation in your ceiling, reducing heating and cooling emissions by 40%. Check for government rebates at environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/index.html

-       Air conditioners are power-hungry and threaten the stability of the electricity grid during peek power demands in summer. Consider the alternatives: ceiling fans, solar-powered evaporative coolers (www.coolmax.com.au/coolmax/solar) or explore installing more shading, awnings, trees and sails.

-       Install a rainwater tank. It’s the biggest single way to save water.For example see www.handytank.com.au. Once installed, it can cut your water bills by 50%.

Lent Week 2 – Swap to clean or low energy, save water

The created world is God’s masterpiece: He crafted it lovingly to reflect His character. God’s attitude to creation indicates that it is precious and wonderful, in and of itself. To love God and to be like Him is to care for the things that He cares for.

Reading

If you have time, read Genesis 2.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%202&version=NLT

Here is a portion:

“And God saw everything that he hade made, and indeed it was very good… The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden to work/tend and watch over it.”  Genesis 2:15

In Genesis 2, God sees that “there was no one to till the ground” (Gen 2:5), so God forms man (adam) from the ground (adamah) to care for it. This Hebrew wordplay(adam/adamah) expresses humankind’s solidarity with the earth; we are connected and dependent upon it for life.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways are we dependent on the environment? In what ways has our society insulated us from this dependence?

What do you think it means to ‘rule over’ and work the earth as God’s stewards?

Note: the Hebrew word for ‘to work’ (or ‘to till’), abad, can also be translated, ‘to serve’, and the word for ‘to take care of’ (or ‘to keep’), shamar, also means ‘to preserve, protect’.

Photo by Thomas Hawk

This changing climate is hitting the world’s poorest the hardest, through increased drought, flooding, and extreme unreliable weather, directly threatening the homes and livelihoods of millions of people. The world’s poorest people are being hit the hardest by climate change, even though they have contributed the least to the problem.

Did you know?

Australia is the biggest per capita carbon polluter in the developed world, and one of the world’s largest coal producers. The average annual carbon dioxide emissions per person in Australia is 14 tonnes, compared with just 0.3 tonnes for the average Bangladeshi.

Changing our lifestyles to live more justly and sustainably is an act of worship. It’s also a witness of God’s coming kingdom as we choose to participate in God’s plan to restore all of creation.

Transport makes up 49% of the average household carbon emissions – the biggest household contributor to greenhouse gases.

We need to shift the way we get around, in order to make a real difference to our carbon emissions. We might even find that, in the process, we rediscover aspects of community that we lose in a culture that insists on one car per person (or sometimes even more!).

Motor vehicles account for 14% or 79.1million tonnes of Australia’s carbon emissions Per capita. Australians own more cars than any other nation except the US.

The fuel used by cars in Australia increased by 19% from 1990 to 2003 and their related emissions increased by 25% in the same period.

Over the last 25 years the growth rate of Australia’s carbon dioxide emissions virtually doubled the growth rate for the entire world.

ACTION IDEAS to begin this Week

• Ride a bike, walk or catch public transport for one day a week . To plan your route, TravelSmart maps are available from your local council. They show safe and quiet bike routes, and trains and trams routes clearly.

• Avoid short car trips and do your exercise as part of your daily travel.

• Car pool.

• Explore the idea of sharing a car with a relative, partner or friend or join a car-sharing program like GoGet and Flexicar.

• Live local.  Consider choosing shops, work and leisure activities which are closer to home. Work from home when you can.

• Brainstorm ways to reduce your car’s emissions: lightening the load, cleaner fuel etc.

• See Travel Smart Australia for resources and training to reduce our reliance on cars and travel smarter. www.travelsmart.gov.au

PRAY

“In him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth… all things are held together by him.” Colossians 1:16,17

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1

“Creation rejoices”  (Psalm 97:1), and “sings for joy” (Psalm 98:7-8)

You cause grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for people to use.
You allow them to produce food from the earth—
wine to make them glad,
olive oil to soothe their skin,
and bread to give them strength.

Psalm 104:14-15

Q. What do these passages tell us about creation and God?

Consider one journey that you take each week. Reflect on how every day choices in even these mundane things can be part of our fasting and spend some time worshipping God in prayer.

Eh addition: Perhaps one of your travel times this can become a time dedicated to worship and prayer for the people God has placed on your heart to pray for over lent.

This year eh is registered to participate in Tear Australia’s Carbon Fast. For an introduction and more information see http://www.tear.org.au/advocacy/campaigns/climate-change/carbon-fast/

We have divided up each session so that you will receive a reading for reflection on Mondays and an action idea and prayer reflection on Wednesdays.

We also have felt challenged to pray for those in our lives who do not yet know Jesus.

We pray that this time of prayer and fasting is a rich blessing to this world that God so loves.

Lent Week 1 – Cutting our transport emissions

Photo by Meredith Farmer

Reading
Isaiah 58:6-12 (New Living Translation)

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.

Questions for Reflection

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you this week a person or family that does not yet know Jesus that God desires for you to be praying for in love this season.

Hi friends,

On Feb 6 We will be moving into our new meeting space and offices at Croydon Christian Community.

We are delighted to share with you a little about the beautiful community we will be sharing this space with..

Croydon Christian Community (CCC) 17-19 Surrey Rd West

The Croydon Christian Community is a church within the Seventh-day Adventist system in Victoria. It is a hub for community activity and a place where there is a passionate desire to serve and love the needy.  Our objective is to develop partnerships and relationships with organizations that share in this vision to create active and vibrant centre at Surrey Rd West that connects with the community in a variety of ways.

Revive Church – Meets every Saturday at 4pm.

A church initiative planted in 2008 by a group of young people. The focus has been prayer, reading the Word, an environment of encouragement and support, relevant worship, sharing and socializing with their friends.

Revive: a place where:
+ Jesus is central to everything we do
+ The Word of God is our basis for living
+ People love, care, support & encourage each other – where people are lifted up not put down
+ Prayer is spontaneous & natural
+ Everyone is accepted just as they are
+ Christian principles can be seen & experienced, not just spoken about
+ You can learn about growing in Christ
+ You can discover more about who you are & the plans & purpose God has for your life
+ You can be involved in serving others
+ You truly find God as your personal friend & Saviour

Vive Café – Thursday Nights

When Revive Church created the community service in September 2008, Vive Cafe founder Julie Judd said she never wanted it to be like a “typical soup kitchen”. “We make the cafe more like the experience of eating at home with family,” Mrs Judd said. “We greet people at the door and they are seated at a set table and served, mostly, by young people. We also try to do a three-course meal each week and always provide food that we’d like ourselves.”

The weekly cafe also runs children’s entertainment, live music, gives away clothes and food to their guests, who are mostly single-parent families.

JEM – Justice Empowerment Missions

JEM (Justice. Empowerment. Mission) is a not-for-profit Christian organisation run by a team of young people committed to Justice, Empowerment and Mission within our local and global community.

We are currently based in Melbourne, Australia where we seek to heal, disciple, equip and empower young people. Our three major arms are; Empowerment, Global Link and Advocacy.

Check out their amazing refuge homes, schools, projects and mission opportunities here and around the world at http://www.jem.org.au/

JEM School

At the CCC property there is a school for kids who have struggled in the normal educational system. You can read updates on the creative and inspirational initiatives of this school at the jem website above.

Monkami

Monkami is a not for profit disability service provider, which has been operating for more than 50 years. Presently, there are 95 people from the eastern suburbs with an intellectual disability, who utilise Monkami services.

Monkami is very involved in the activities of the local community, always looking at new and innovative ways that clients can continue to develop and learn, and has strong links with Maroondah City Council, Maroondah Community Centres, Neighbourhood Houses and local businesses.

Our mission is to provide each adult quality services and the opportunity for individuals with an intellectual disability to develop skills that will enable them to live with the greatest degree of independence within their own community.  Provision of service is conditional upon the services resources being able to meet the physical, behavioral and ‘life phase’ requirements of adults.

You can read about the wonderful variety of programs and services at http://www.monkami.com/

Eastern Hills Community Church

10:30am Sundays – Come 10am for FairTrade street cafe

0-3 Playgroup 10:30am – 12pm Wednesdays

Indoor Soccer – The Factory – Wednesday Nights

Office/ Hub – Monday – Friday

At this stage the Office/Hub will be shared with:

Leadership of eh

You will be able to catch Tol or Em in the office Mon – Fri. Call 0438 087 206.

There will be a meeting room that can be used for different purposes.

Rwandan Stories

Sal will be working for Rwandan Stories/Dangerous Ideas.

RwandanStories is a close-up look at genocide and recovery in Rwanda. Their new curriculum package, Dangerous Ideas, will draw together a remarkable collection of video, photography and journalism, exploring the origins, details and aftermath of the Rwandan genocide through the eyes of both victims and perpetrators.

This curriculum aims to build an in-depth understanding of our inclination towards prejudice, as individuals and as groups. Using ideas road-tested at the edges of experience, among survivors of genocide, it looks at the possibilities for reconciliation, rebuilding and tolerance. It includes a wide range of classroom activities to help students think through the values, ideas and actions which can either create prejudice or build peace.

For more information about this new resource, contact Dave Fullerton at dave@rwandanstories.org.

Zeal Art

Zealart (operated by Les Colston) is a Graphic Design business which has a varied range of commercial clients BUT what Les & Helen are most passionate about with Zealart is that it gives us an opportunity to invest our time, skills and finances where our heart is, serving groups, organisations (churches/missions and not-for-profit groups) that invest in lives and areas which are often off the radar of everyday life in our “western”, “middle class” settings. www.zealart.com.au

A Handmade Christmas Market

1:00 – 2:30 pm this Sunday 21st at Yarrunga Community Centre, Croydon Hills. Everyone welcome!

A wonderful place to do your Christmas shopping! Select from a wide range of gifts, stationary, decorations and yummy treats while supporting local Artists and worldwide Community Development Projects.

New Christmas Tunes

Christmas Activities for Kids

Thanks Cat for this suggestion! Packed full of crafts and activities for the kids this season. http://www.kidspot.com.au/subsection+117+Christmas-Christmas-crafts.htm

Carols by Candlelight in Croydon

Sunday 12 December. Enjoy the festivities from 7.30 pm to 10 pm at Ainslie Park on Brentnall Road, Croydon.

Each year, Maroondah residents are treated to an evening of festive celebrations at Ainslie Park in Croydon (Mel Ref. 50E3).  This free event is a great way to spend some time with family and friends and enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere. Make sure you pack a picnic rug, wear your most outrageous Christmas fashion and bring along your best singing voice!

A highlight of the carols program is the spectacular fireworks display which is proudly presented by Eastland.

Details at http://www.artsinmaroondah.com.au/Carols.htm

See More Christmas fun on our Events Page.

A very nice, moist fruit cake recipe from Crystal’s Grandma. This recipe is very special as Grandma Hazel passed away in 1996. We are so thankful and privileged to share in this yummy tradition!

More fun advent ideas and traditions coming soon.

Grandma Hazel’s Christmas Cake Recipe

* Recipe is for an 8 inch tin

Ingredients:

Mixture 1:

80oz (2 cups) plain flour

2 oz S.R. Flour

1/2 tsp. Bicarb Soda

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1tsp. Mixed spice

(sift all above ingredients)

Mixture 2:

8 oz Butter

8 oz Brown Sugar

1 tbs Golden Syrup

5 eggs

(cream all ingredients adding one at a time)

Mixture 3:

1 lb Raisins

1.2 lb Sultanas

1/4 lb Cherries

1/4 mixed peel

(above fruit can be swapped for 1.5kg mixed fruit)

(soak fruits overnight in 4tbs sweet sherry)

After soaking, add nuts of your choice, eg.  Chopped walnuts and Almonds

Instructions

-       preheat oven to 130

-       combine 3 mixtures in large bowl

-       line tin with 4 layers of paper all around

-       place mixture in tin- smooth surface

-       cook at 130 degrees Celsius for 3 ½ – 4 hours

-       leave in tin for a while

http://www.zoo.org.au/Calling_on_You

Gorillas are on the brink of extinction. They’re calling on YOU to donate your phone today!

By donating your phone through the They’re Calling on You mobile phone recycling program you are:

• Diverting your phone from landfill. Your phone will be refurbished and resold in disadvantaged communites
• Helping Melbourne Zoo raise money to support the Jane Goodall Institutes primate conservation work in Africa
• Lessening the demand for coltan mining in the Demorcatic Republic of Congo

• Visit Melbourne Zoo to collect a postage paid recycling satchel or Download and print a copy of our postage paid label and post your phone today!
• Donate a corporate fleet of mobile phones for free by following these four easy steps begining with the registration form
• Schools can get involved too! Please contact Mark Langdon at Melbourne Zoo by email or phone (03) 9285 9465 to discuss integrating this program to your curriculum whilst inspiring students to take action for wildlife.

Coltan is a metallic ore that is mined both in and out of Africa and can be found within many electronic devices such as mobile phones. The mining of coltan within the Congo River Basin is contributing to forest loss and unrest in the region, and is accelerating the loss of mountain gorillas at an alarmingly fast rate.

Whilst efforts are being made to tackle this issue, the majority of the worlds known coltan reserves are found within Africa, and the mining of coltan within gorilla habitat continues. It is very difficult to know which phones contain coltan mined from Africa, however every phone can help save gorilla’s when donated to They’re Calling on You.

For further information please contact: Rachel Lowry Community Conservation Manager Zoos Victoria Ph: (03) 9285 9377 Mob: 0448 504 490Fax: (03) 9285 9340 email rlowry@zoo.org.au

Next time your mobile phone rings, let that be a reminder that ‘they’re calling on you’!

Did you know?

More than 800 million people around the world currently use mobile phones and that figure is growing daily!

In Australia alone, it is estimated that there were 9 million new mobile phones sold in the last 12 months.

Australians typically upgrade their phones every 18-24 months! This exerts enormous pressure on the mining of resources such as coltan needed to manufacture new phones.

80% of the world’s coltan reserves are located within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As the forest is denuded for mining, the protection once offered by the habitat in it’s pristine state is now no longer able to shelter gorillas and a range of other species from the bush meat crisis.

In Kahuzi Biega National Park, more than fifty percent of the mountain gorilla population has been lost, leaving the species on the brink of extinction.

You can make a difference simply by donating your old mobile phone!

On Sunday 21 November we will have a merry market after the service at Yarrunga full of Christmas gifts and stationary for purchase. This is a great opportunity to make or source ethically made Christmas goodies.

There are so many nice things that people make or offer in our community. It could be a good source of summer pocket money too!

We will start getting a picture catalogue together so that people know the prices of things before hand and can make orders if necessary.

Already we have beautiful decorations made from Coconut fronds made by the Kapingamarangi women in Pohnpei who are fundraising for their new church building.

Other ideas could be Jams, cards, soaps, chocolates, bags, knitted gifts, beer, biscuits, whatever!! Have a think and get back to me if you would like to work towards selling something.

Cheers, Em Morgan 0438 087 206