The first meeting at Point Sturt was in the tent home of William Crawford in 1855. A Church was then built, opening in 1861, free of debt. David Mann supervised the construction of the building and also built the cedar seats. The slate roof which still remains was the work of James Crabb Verco. An organ was purchased in 1925.

Baptisms were performed in the lake. In 1868 there were 53 scholars in the Sunday School.

In 1900 it was considered acceptable for a wage of 104 pounds per year for a married man and 80 pounds per year for a single man.

There will be a service at this well maintained building on August 22nd at 2.00pm. Grant Simpson will be the speaker and Daryll Telfer is leading the service. Although not in regular use for many years, we are still celebrating 160 years of the faithful witness of this Church.

Enquiries and registrations for attendance can be made to Carolyn Yelland 0412 499 302.

In this edition:

"Welcome to the Internet" - Peter Barney

Pt Sturt 160th Anniversary

A new initiative at Modbury

GMP responds to the Cudlee Creek bushfire

"Ask not what your church can do for you"

The Noarlunga Centre Church of Christ is seeking a full time minister. The proposed term of the contract is for 5 years based on the current Churches of Christ SA & NT salary package and conditions.

See details attached for further information and what is required for an application.

Applications close September 3rd, 2021.

God’s agency, God’s mission, God’s church: Discerning a missional ecclesiology in your context.

August 12-14 @ Aldgate Church of Christ

Speakers include Dr Karina Kreminski & Dr Armen Gakavian from Neighbourhood Matters; Dr Mathew Jane’s Gray, lecturer in theology and church history from Tabor College; Mark Riessen, practical theology lecturer at Tabor College and Mission & Ministry Director for Churches of Christ; Peter Barney, State Minister for Churches of Christ, and Uncle Frank Wanganeen, Kuarna Elder.

We've had to make a lot of adjustments to this years program due to restrictions so unfortunately Armen and Karina will need to join us via Zoom. The good news is that we are still able to gather for the conference while adhering to South Australian restrictions and the rest of our speakers are local. The Thursday and Friday are designed for Churches of Christ ministers but the Saturday part of the program is designed for everyone.

The speakers will be exploring how the dynamic activity of God's mission in the world invites the church to discern and participate with the activity of God in their neighbourhoods. We will explore theological reflection and practice, engagement with scripture, the role of prayer and what to expect when the mission of God disrupts and forms the church for being an effective witness of the gospel.

The event is fully catered and registrations are essential. Ministers have the registeration link for the full program but members of Churches of Christ congregations in SA are welcome to register for the Saturday via the link below.

Here's a look at the program:

Thursday August 12

Mark Riessen: “Can these bones live?”

Karina Kreminski: The Mission and Disruption of God

Peter Barney: Participating in life in Christ as a movement of churches

Friday August 13

Matthew Gray: Shut up and Listen!: discerning the call of God

Matthew Gray: The discipline of waiting: God doesn’t respond to our demands

Karina Kreminski: The small, slow work of God

Saturday August 14

Matthew Gray: It’s worth the wait

Uncle Frank Wanganeen: Welcome to country followed by a conversation about partnering with Indigenous Ministries Australia

Karina Kreminski & Armen Gakavian: Place making

Armen Gakavian: Neighbouring in the margins

On Saturday April 24th 2021, Tabor College hosted a graduation for the graduating students of 2019 and 2020 in lieu of last years cancelled graduation ceremony. Among the graduates were 9 students who were from Churches of Christ or connected with Churches of Christ through the Tabor Churches of Christ Study Centre. It is a great privilege as the Director of the Centre for nearly 6 years to assist so many students in setting up ministry placements with or churches so they can develop their ministry skills. I am grateful to the many churches who have journeyed with us and contributed to the development of these minister.

Not all students made it to the graduation ceremony but this picture captures something of the growing diversity of our student cohort. From left to right here are the graduates and the churches who hosted their placements named alongside them.

Riley Sapsford, Diploma in Theology (Elizabeth Church of Christ); Greg Woolner, Bachelor of Ministry (Murray Bridge & Victor Harbor Churches of Christ); Martin Lee, Master of Divinity (Magill Church of Christ); Mark Riessen, Director Tabor Churches of Christ Study Centre, Faculty Ministry, Theology & Culture & Director of Mission & Ministry; Heather Restall, Master of Divinity (Hewett & Colonel Light Gardens Churches of Christ); Tanya Bobin, Bachelor of Ministry (Blair Athol Church of Christ).

Graduates not pictured include:

Benjamin Rowe, Bachelor of Intercultural Studies (Elizabeth Church of Christ & Streetlight); Collin Heslop, Bachelor on Ministry (Magill Church of Christ & Owen United Church); Jacob Johnson, Bachelor of Ministry (Aldgate Church of Christ); Craig Schultz, Graduate Diploma in Ministry (Brighton & Blackwood Churches of Christ).

Congratulations to all our graduates and thank you to all the churches involved in helping our students develop in ministry.

We currently have 18 Churches of Christ students enrolled at Tabor College completing studies with the school of Ministry, Theology & Culture. If you would like to find out more about the Tabor Churches of Christ Study Centre, discuss study options, find out how to host a student ministry with your church or would like to contribute financially to the development of our students, please contact Mark Riessen at mriessen@adelaide.tabor.edu.au

Churches of Christ ADF Chaplain, Rev. Luke Skipper has created a new resource that seeks to bring the Good News to current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and to the Ex Services Community. Originally the now titled ‘Army Christian Services’ were filmed with the intention to aid Soldiers and other Defence Force Members who whilst training found it increasingly difficult to get to Church.

Feedback was then received that this Christian resource would also be of great value to the Ex Services Community. The understanding being, that many in the Ex Service Community still have a strong affiliation/connection to the military and that this would be a great resource to help them engage with the Christian message.

The Services are short in duration (about 30 minutes) and feature topical messages that are easy for anyone to relate to. Messages are about topics like Worry, Time, Being Thankful, Friends, Enemies and other important topics relevant to all.

The Ex Service Community is extremely vast and we need help to get the word out. What we are seeking to do is to get this resource promoted widely. How can you help? Please share these Services on your social media accounts and to put up PDF Posters anywhere possible places like RSL’s, Ex Service Associations, Shopping Centres, Community Noticeboards, Places of Work, Study and Recreation. If you would like to be involved further we are also looking for passionate Christian people who want to outreach to this community to join the team who can meet with people from their geographic area and answer their questions or simply talk and share with them about Christianity.

Army Christian Services are now available on Facebook Page: Army Christian Services or go to the web lnk below.

If you would like to help or have any questions please feel free to email Australian Army Chaplain Luke Skipper at luke.skipper@defence.gov.au