THE LEPROSY MISSION
Sunday 22nd September 2019 at 2:00pm St. Stephen's Church will be hosting The Leprosy Mission's Joel and Nona from Timor Leste who will give an update on how leprosy is being eradicated in their country. Leprosy is a terrible disease and it wll be very interesting to hear what Joel and Nona have to say.
FASHION SHOW
Saturday 31st August 2019 at 2:00pm a Fashion Show was held at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church Hall in George Street, East Maitland.
Fashions were by Donna-Lou
Clothing was available on the day for sale.
Successful fashions shows have been held in the last few years with large crowds packing the hall and this one was no exception with those in attendance enjoying themselves especially when they pickup a bargain. The funds raised will be distributed by
the PWA at the end of the year with various organisations benefitting. Another great event held
THE INDUCTION OF REVEREND MICHAEL BOSSHARD
The induction of Reverend Michael Bosshard as the minister for St. Stephen's Church, East Maitland and St. David's Church, Beresfield, will be held at St. Stephen's Church on Friday, 26th July 2019, commencing at 6:30pm. We welcome Michael and his family to the area. A welcome supper will follow the service for members and guests to be held in St. Stephen's Church.
FAREWELL TO REVEREND JON NUTTALL
Sunday, 21st July 2019, St. Stephen's and St. David's Churches said goodbye to Reverend Jon Nuttall and his wife Ruth. Jon filled in as the minister for both the Churches, while a search was done to replace Reverend Gordon Peden. The congregations from the two Churches were very appreciative of how Jon presented his Services and his friendly manner which endeared him to the congregations. We wish Jon and Ruth all the best in their new assignment in the Northern Rivers at Mullumbimby.
TWO SHADES OF GREY
"A Christmas Cracker" presented by Two Shades of Grey was held on the 13th July 2019 at the St. Stephen's Church Hall. It was another tremendous show which was enjoyed by the very large crowd. In fact the Church Hall was fully booked with over 90 people attending the show and raising inexcess of $2,000 for cancer research. Another show very well catered for by the hard working ladies of the PWA.
HYMNFEST
The 2019 Hymnfest was held on the 24th March 2019 at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, East Maitland. The hymnfest featured the Maitland Salvation Army Brass Band and the St. Stephen's Church Choir. The Church was packed as a large crowd enjoyed the great hymns song by all who attend the show. The entertainment value was tremenndous with the 30 piece Maitland Salvation Army Band performing and sounding brilliantly. This was the best Hymnfest
that has been held.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
The World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday 1st March 2019 at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, George Street, East Maitland, at 10:00am. Everyone is invited to come along. Visitors are welcome.
RETIREMENT OF REVEREND GORDON PEDEN and MARGARET PEDEN
Reverend Gordon Peden retired on 31st January 2019. The congregations of St. David's , St. Stephen's and St, Andrew's Presbyterian Churches were ss that Gordon had decided to retire as he was very weiked by the congregations. His style of preaching the word of God was very endearing and was very warmly received. Gordon made lots of friends during his 10 years preaching the word of God, always attending and helping out the various functions that were held. Gordon was not classified as a Minister of the Church, but as a Home Missionary. To the congregations of the Churches, we classified Gordon a minister of high quality.
With Gordon's retirement, this also meant that Gordon's wife, Margaret, also retired. Margaret was a Minister's wife, helping Gordon with his ministry, attending the various functions that were held. Margaret was also the President of the East Maitland PWA.
The Presbyterian Churches of the Parish of East Maitland truly lost two great people who were always willing to help anyone who was in need. unfortunately, Gordon's and Margaret's involvement with the Churches will not be as great as it once was due to their retirement.
God bless you both Gordon and Margaret, and may your retirements be long and healthy.
CUPPA FOR A CURE
Cuppa for a Cure was held on Saturday 1st December 2018. The show was conducted by Dr Colin Martin of the Leprosy Mission.
FASHION PARADE
A Fashion Parade was held on Saturday, 3rd November 2018.
MARKET DAY
The PWA held a Market Day on Thursday, 25th October 2018. Various items of bric and brac were for sale along with sweets and savouries. It was a successful day with the PWA raising $1300 which will be distributed to various organisations at the end of the year. A big thank you to all the helpers who organised, helped setup and dismantled everything at the end of the sale. The sale was only successful due to the generous donations of all items that were for sale.
SOUP & DAMPER LUNCHEON
A soup and damper luncheon was held on the 26th May 2018 at St.Stephen's Church Hall with between 50 to 60 people enjoying the delights of a great meal. All funds raised go to the PWA for distribution to worthy causes at the end of the year. Congratulations to everyone who help organise and participate in the event.
2 SHADES OF GREY
Presented by Ian Wilson and Graeme Brooker, on Saturday, members and guests were entertained by the duo calling themselves 2 Shades of Grey. The show was very well received by all who attended, in fact I believe everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Based on the music of the 40's, 50's and the 60's. It was a great show. Highly recommeded. Another great show organised by the hard working ladies of the PWA.
HYMNFEST
Sunday 25th March 2018, St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church paid host to a Hymnfest featuring the Maitland Salvation Army Brass Band and the St. Stephen's Church Choir. It was a great day with a large crowd enjoying the music of the Band the hymns sung by the Choir. The variety of hymns sung were enjoyed by everyone if you can be judged by the volume and enthusiasm of the people singing. A big thanks to the Salvation Army Band, The St. Stephen's Church Choir and to those people who were involved in organising the Sunday afternoon's
show. Afternoon tea was enjoyed at the conclusion of the Hymnfest.
P.S. This year's Hymnfest was the twelveth year that the Hymnfest has been held.
NEW MEMBERS to ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH
There were 15 new members to St. Stephen's Church following a ceremony during the Church Service on Sunday 4th March 2018. These members had been coming to St.Stephen's Church for some time and it was a pleasure to see them show there devotion to Jesus Christ and the Church by becoming members. It was exciting. Glory to God.
ROBYN DAVIES:
On the 4th February we were priveledge to have Robyn Davies, from Wycliffe Bible Translators, attend St. David's Church and St. Stephen's Church to give a presentation on her ongoing missionary work in Papua New Guinea. Robyn has followed God's will to be where he wants and to do what he wants, so it was interesting to hear of her success in Papua New Guinea.
Christmas Function - A Time of Goodwill
A Christmas Day Function was organised by our Minister, Rev. Gordon Peden along with Margaret Peden and Paddy King for a Christmas Lunch for any person who may have been spending Christmas alone. Held in St. Stephen's Church Hall, all those who attended enjoyed a time of goodwill and fellowship on such a special day. A great deal of thanks goes to Gordon, Margaret and Paddy for organising the day and bringing joy to those people who may have been spending Christmas alone.
Closure of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at Raymond Terrace held their last church service on the 10th December 2017. The church service was conducted by Rev. Gordon Peden. A Communion service was also held. There was a good attendance of past and current congregation members as well as Ministers who had conducted services at the church being able to attend the last church service. A meal and refreshments were enjoyed at the conclusion of the service. It was sad that the church that had charm and was set in a quaint setting has had to close due to the lack of patronage. A great deal of thanks to Rick and Mandy Blunt for all the work involved in organising the church services and for the maintenance of the site. For all those who provided the refreshments at the conclusion of the church services and the fellowship, thank you.
PWA Clothing Sale
You may have heard of David Jones or Myer clothing sales where they offer big discounts, well they do not compare to the clothing sale the PWA ladies organised on the 30th September 2017 at the St. Stephen's Church Hall. Quality designer clothing with a value of up $130 was discounted to $5 and $10. No wonder over 300 people attended the sale raising in excess of $3000 on the day. A job well done by all who were involved on the day.
FAREWLE
Sunday, 21st July 2019, St. Stephen's and St. David's Churches said goodbye to Reverend Jon Nuttall and his wife Ruth. Jon filled in as the minister for both the Churches, while a search was done to replace Reverend Gordon Peden. The congregations from the two Churches were very appreciative of how Jon presented his Services and his friendly manner which endeared him to the congregations. We wish Jon and Ruth all the best in their new assignment in the Northern Rivers at Mullumbimby.
