Parramatters - 17th December 2021

Hi everyone!

This Sunday is our last 9:30am meeting before Christmas! We can't wait to worship with you. 

Restrictions have eased this week, however, everyone is still required to check in upon arrival at Parramatta Salvos and masks are strongly recommended in crowded settings like Sunday worship. 

There is no need to register for church, and all are welcome to join us!

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Plastic Bags
We are excited to be partnering with Oz Harvest and Food Bank who have been providing free goods such as fresh fruit and veggies, meals and toiletries to community members. However, we are always in need of plastic shopping bags! If you would like to donate your recycled bags, please leave them behind the reception desk at any time. 

Christmas Day Offering
Money given in corps and mission expressions across Australia as part of this year’s Salvation Army Christmas Day ‘Overseas Appeal’ offering is to be used in Malawi to help replace unhygienic, unsanitary and rundown toilet facilities as part of the WASH project in Karonga District.

We invite you to consider contributing to our offering on Christmas Day as we join with Salvos across Australia in support of the Malawi Territory. You can bring your offering on Christmas Day, or request an envelope from Margaret Robinson if you are unable to contribute on the day. 

Summer at Parramatta Salvos
There will be no Sunday service at 426 Church Street on Boxing Day (26 December), however, we will be releasing a pre-recorded service at 9:30am on Boxing Day. This will kick off our new series - Summer in the Psalms. We hope that you can tune in at some point on Boxing Day and worship with us! 9:30am services will resume in person and online from 2 January - 30 January. 

New Grandchild
Congratulations to Bing Bing and Johnnie on the safe arrival of their new grandson, Elijah. Elijah arrived on December 8. We are so excited for your growing family! 

Gift Card Offering
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to our Gift Card Offering last night - we received over $3500 worth of gift cards for teenagers in our community. 

Ladies Fellowship Christmas Party
Our Ladies Fellowship group had a lovely time celebrating Christmas last week. A big thank you to Kerrie and the team for all their work on the Christmas Party and for their continued love and support to our Ladies Fellowship group. 

Christmas Collection/Gift Wrapping
Thank you for all those who volunteered their time to collect at Carlingford Court this week. A special thanks to Len Whittaker who has coordinated the efforts at Carlingford this year. We have the opportunity to gift wrap at Parramatta Westfield this Saturday 18 & Wednesday 22 December. The rosters will be up in the foyer and listed below. Please let us know if you can help out!

Christmas
Throughout December we have many opportunities to be interacting with our wider community. Please pray for the many ways we will be engaging with people over this season. As we distribute Christmas Cheer, as our Band play carols, as we collect and gift wrap may we each shine the light of Jesus. This week, let's pray for everyone involved with handing out gifts and toys to our community. 

Community Connection Worker
We are very sad to inform you that Sarah Taufaao, our new Community Connection Worker, has resigned and concluded her employment with The Salvation Army on Wednesday 8th December.

While we are disappointed with this news we understand her reasons for moving on. Our officer team worked with HR to try and retain Sarah T, and while HR were extremely helpful and accommodating, Sarah’s previous employer offered her a wonderful opportunity. 

Please pray for our officer team as we once again navigate the recruiting process. If you are interested in the role, please speak to Kylie or Sarah. 

Church Welcome Roster
Before 9:30am Service
19/12/21 - Rachael Maxwell & Rebecca Battersby
25/12 - Annette & David Duncan

Cafe Team
After 9:30am Service
19/12/21 - David Collinson, John Acocks & Kerrie Acocks

Car Park