Parramatters - 2nd December 2022

Hi Parramatta Salvos, 

This Sunday is the second week of Advent, and we continue our series, 'Home for Christmas'. We invite you to join us at 9:30am or 11am as we prepare our hearts for the coming of the promised Messiah. 

This year, on Christmas Day, we will be holding one service at 9:30am, and we invite you to join us with your friends and family on Christmas morning. 

We can't wait to see you!

Kylie & Sarah
(Corps Officer Team)

Community Groups Finish for 2022 this week!
On Monday, our English Conversation groups will celebrate Christmas together sharing in classes and a pot luck, international Christmas lunch!

On Wednesday Ladies Fellowship will share in a special Christmas worship morning together. 

On Friday our Craft Group will meet for one last Christmas crafting morning!

We take this opportunity to thank all those who give up their time to serve by leading these groups each week. These groups are wonderful connection points for our church and wider community, and we are so excited to have seen all of these groups grow both numerically and relationally over 2022!

Christmas Concert 
Our Christmas Concert is coming up next Sunday 11 December at 6pm. This concert will involve Timbrels, Mini God Squad, Ensemble, Band and our Christmas Choir! Make sure you plan to be there and invite your friends and family to come along. Flyers are available int he foyer - please take as many as you would like!

The concert will be followed by a light supper and all are invited to attend. 

Gift Card Offering
Each year, we help hundreds people through our Christmas Cheer project. We get plenty of toys and food donated from the community, but the age group we always struggle with are teenagers. For the past few years, we have contributed over $4000 worth of gift cards from our church community and we would love to do this again in 2022. We will be taking up a gift card offering at our Christmas Carols event next Sunday 11 December at 6pm. We ask that you contribute gift cards of between $30-$50 that are appropriate for teenagers. Some examples include the Ultimate Kids or Teen Gift Cards, JB HiFi, Cotton On, EB Games or Rebel Sport. Please come prepared to give on Sunday 11 December, or drop your donations to the corps office any time. 

Street Carolling 
This week is our first Street Carolling for 2022! Join our brass band as we walk and spread some Christmas joy through music. All brass players are welcome - dust off those instruments and join us (please let David know).

All church members are also welcome to come and chat with community members and hand out Parramatta Salvos brochures and Christmas invitations.

Corps Retreat 2023 - Save the Date!
We very excited to announce that next year, we will be holding a Corps Retreat at The Tops Conference Centre from 30 June-2 July. This retreat is for all ages, with the opportunity to stay for the weekend, or join as a 'day delegate'. Costs, special guests and details to come - we invite you to mark your calendars and plan to be there!

Staff Changes
We wish to advise you that there are some staffing changes happening at Parramatta in the New Year.

Firstly, our Connect Site Co-ordinator, Selome Gebremariam, will be finishing with us on Friday 23^rd December. Selome commenced at Parramatta in May 2018, and we are grateful for all she has done to assist hundreds of people in that time. More will be said closer to the time but we wish Selome all the best with her future endeavours.

As a result of this we will be employing a full time 'Concierge' who will work from the front desk. This will enable the centre to be open Monday to Friday for longer hours.

Again, more will be said about the details of this in coming weeks, but this position has now been advertised. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please direct them to apply using the following link:
https://salvationarmy.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Salvos/job/Parramatta-NSW-Australia/Concierge_R27362-1

New Year's Eve Party
At a loose end for New Year’s Eve? 

Graduation
Congratulations to Jayne Combremont who graduated from Hillsong College this Tuesday! We are so grateful that your choice to study across the globe led you to us at Parramatta Salvos. Jayne is pictured with her mum, dad and brother, visiting all the way from Switzerland!

Update on Yiwei
As many of you are aware, Yiwei Mao has been overseas in the USA on a study exchange. Yiwei is having a great time, making new friends and embracing all the experience has to offer! If you would like to read an update from Yiwei, please click on this link. 

Collecting at Carlingford Court 
Thanks to all our fabulous collectors who helped out this week at Carlingford Court! We would also like to thank the Band for playing carols every day this week at Carlingford, spreading Christmas hope and joy to everyone doing their shopping!

International Volunteer Day 2022
Every year, on 5 December, we get the opportunity to pause and recognise the efforts of volunteers across the globe by celebrating International Volunteer Day.

We are incredibly thankful for the ministry and service our mission volunteers provide alongside our employees and officers, to ensure the mission of The Salvation Army is supported and delivered. Every day, our volunteers serve our communities and respond to needs.

Along with the thanks of our International Leader, General Brian Peddle, we want to express our deep appreciation for our volunteers, to celebrate and thank them for their significant contribution.

Please take a couple minutes to watch General Brian Peddle’s heartfelt address to you and fellow Salvos volunteers across the globe.

December Prayer Room
The Prayer Room is produced each month to help connect Salvationists across Australia. If you would like to use this resource in your quiet time, please click on this link. 

Connect Site
05/12/22 - Will & Kerrie
07/12/22 - Montana
09/12/22 - Ann L

Morning Tea
04/12/22 - Leanne & Janet

Coffee
04/12/22 - John & Kerrie

Welcomes
04/12/22 - 9:30am: Dot 11am: Ray