Introducing our new President:

Leanne Sanders has, for many years, been active in Churches of Christ in South Australia. Formerly a member of the Kilburn, Modbury and Mile End congregations, she is currently the Chair of Elders at the Western Communities Church and has been a State Board member for the past four years.

Family is of high importance to Leanne who is married to Geoff Payne, Mum to three adult children and their spouses, Nanni to seven grandchildren and friend to two grown step-children and their families. She is a deeply committed follower of Jesus and seeks to allow the grace of God to guide all her relationships.

Leanne worked, for many years, in leadership positions in State government departments (Health & Education) and, currently, in a not-for-profit organisation and her own Coaching business. She also worked for a number of years as an adult educator. Leanne brings to State Board:

· Long and broad Human Resource management expertise

· Experience in policy & procedure development and implementation

· Strong people skills – being highly relational, empathic and supportive

· Big picture visioning

· Experience in church governance at a local and state level.

Leanne identifies as central to her faith, a strong gratitude for the love and grace of Jesus Christ and seeks His will in decision making.

And a Christmas message from Leanne…..

With a late AGM this year I find myself writing this Christmas greeting when only just in the role of President! But, as you know, I am not new to State Board, and I therefore bring you a message on their behalf.

As Grant reminded us in his President’s report for this past year, the theme for the year ahead is Participate in Life – in Christ. Can there be a better version of life in which to participate? I think not.

I think too, that it is a message that we can take into Christmas. Life in Christ. Christ in Life.

The Christmas story speaks to me of one thing more than anything else.

Christ is with us. We need not look somewhere else. Christ is with us!

The Christmas story reassures us that Christ is with us – no matter the season. When times are hard – Christ is with us. When the sun shines brightly – Christ is with us. When trials come, or when joy abounds – Christ is with us. What reassurance to take that knowledge into our daily life!

May each one of you find, in the celebration of the Christmas story, wisdom that stays with you, bringing peace, comfort, joy and strength, as together we Participate in Life - in Christ throughout 2021.

Christmas blessings

Leanne and the members of State Board

Exciting news! It's getting close.

Marion Church of Christ Music Team has put together it's first CD of worship songs that were recorded through the COVID lockdown.

Did you know that we recorded 40 worship songs over the first lockdown - as we met the COVID guidelines. We have compiled 12 songs to feature on this CD.

We are so thankful to God for opening doors, for guiding us through this time of uncertainty - to praise Him loudly in worship online and now in your homes, cars with family and friends. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this process.

We would love you to pre-order CDs ($20 per CD) for your family and friends to give as Christmas presents - what a wonderful way to spread the good news of the Gospel.

Contact the church office 8277 7388 to place your order, order via the Website www.marioncc.org.au and APP using the 'Payments' button.

A beautiful rendition of "The Blessing" performed and recorded by the Marion Church of Christ (Adelaide, Australia) worship team through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest Participate newsletter is attached!

Safe Water September

Record Fundraising by a National Community

In a year where a lot of people and a lot of organisations have been forced to look inward and scramble to keep the lights on, churches and individuals around Australia have demonstrated that unprecedented change and upheaval will not stop them from having a positive Kingdom impact on the world around them.

More than 300 people across more than 50 churches, schools, and clubs took the Safe Water September challenge this year, and drank just water for the month of September to raise money for life-changing safe water projects in rural Zimbabwe and Vanuatu through Global Mission Partners and Churches of Christ Overseas Aid.

This year the national community raised $177 666, breaking fundraising records for the second year in a row. By giving up all their non-water drinks like coffee, tea, and juice and inviting their peers, family, and friends to donate, challenge takers have raised enough to provide easy access to safe drinking water to approximately 8,000 people in remote and vulnerable communities.

A lack of access to safe drinking water has profound impacts on communities across the world. Clean water for drinking and washing is the easiest way to dramatically reduce illness in communities, particularly in children and infants. With easy access to clean water, people—particularly women and girls—no longer have to walk more than 30 minutes each day to get water for their families. That time can be re-invested into their families, their education, their farms, and their businesses.

The water projects funded by Safe Water September are community-led in partnership with Showers of Blessing, Zimbabwe, and the Conference of Churches of Christ in Vanuatu. You can find out more at [safewaterseptember.org.au](http://safewaterseptember.org.au/).

The embody and Global Mission Partners team would like to extend a massive thank you to all the churches and individuals around South Australia who participated in the challenge. Well done, and enjoy your drinks!

[GMP Logo CMYK HR Thumbnail] Safe Water September

Record Fundraising by a National Community

In a year where a lot of people and a lot of organisations have been forced to look inward and scramble to keep the lights on, churches and individuals around Australia have demonstrated that unprecedented change and upheaval will not stop them from having a positive Kingdom impact on the world around them.

More than 300 people across more than 50 churches, schools, and clubs took the Safe Water September challenge this year, and drank just water for the month of September to raise money for life-changing safe water projects in rural Zimbabwe and Vanuatu through Global Mission Partners and Churches of Christ Overseas Aid.

This year the national community raised $177 666, breaking fundraising records for the second year in a row. By giving up all their non-water drinks like coffee, tea, and juice and inviting their peers, family, and friends to donate, challenge takers have raised enough to provide easy access to safe drinking water to approximately 8,000 people in remote and vulnerable communities.

A lack of access to safe drinking water has profound impacts on communities across the world. Clean water for drinking and washing is the easiest way to dramatically reduce illness in communities, particularly in children and infants. With easy access to clean water, people—particularly women and girls—no longer have to walk more than 30 minutes each day to get water for their families. That time can be re-invested into their families, their education, their farms, and their businesses.

The water projects funded by Safe Water September are community-led in partnership with Showers of Blessing, Zimbabwe, and the Conference of Churches of Christ in Vanuatu. You can find out more at [safewaterseptember.org.au](http://safewaterseptember.org.au/).

The embody and Global Mission Partners team would like to extend a massive thank you to all the churches and individuals around South Australia who participated in the challenge. Well done, and enjoy your drinks!

Our Brighton Church has discovered it's not only possible to maintain a strong and effective witness during this Covid season, but it's also an opportunity to actually commence one of the most important ministries in the Church's history!

Grocer with a Heart is a ministry initiative, born out of the vision of two members of the Brighton Fellowship. It involves the distribution of fruit, vegetables and grocery items which might otherwise be discarded, but which Brighton is now making available to the people of its community free of charge or at bare minimal cost. The shop, located at the rear of the Brighton complex, has been operating since the beginning of the Pandemic and its impact on both the Church and the surrounding area has been nothing short of incredible!

The acquisition of a refrigerated van and the installation of a freezer room and cooler room now make it possible for the shop to offer a wide range of frozen goods.

Grocer with a Heart opening hours are:

Tuesday to Friday - 10:30am to 3:00pm

Saturday - 10:00am to 12:30pm

Brighton Church of Christ is at 65 Sturt Road Brighton.