CoroUniting | Local Partnerships

Local Partnerships

4 October, 2018Community

What does it mean to be part of our local community, to belong? Surely part of the answer is that we contribute, we make a positive difference.

As Christians, Jesus says that we are salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) – He wants us to flavour our local communities, to bring out the best in them and to shine His light wherever we go and whatever we do. God has put us in local communities to share our lives so that, through us, people would see Jesus and He would be glorified.

At a local level, CoroUniting partners with several surrounding churches through the Mitcham Hills Inter-Church Council. The group supports the work of Pastoral Care Workers (PCWs, previously known as chaplains) in our local schools and has also initiated the Beacon Emergency Relief Service providing assistance to members of the community who are struggling.

You can find out more about these and other ministries below and also in the Resources section where you will find recent newsletters and updates.

Beacon Emergency Relief Service provides assistance to members of the community who are struggling to make ends meet.

Contact Details:

When: 9.00am-1.00pm Wednesdays
Where: Blackwood Church of Christ (cnr Waite Street & Sheperds Hill Road, Blackwood).
Coordinator: Jenny Horne
Contact: 0410 002 909 or beaconmhicc@gmail.com

There are a number of trained volunteers available to assist people who walk in off the street or co-ordinate appointments in order to help evaluate their needs. There is a well-stocked onsite pantry and a voucher system sponsored by various local businesses.

Two of our congregation members are part of the Beacon team volunteering each week.

See the Resources section (search for 'Beacon') for the latest updates.

Mitcham Hills Inter-Church Council partners with Schools Ministry Group (SMG) who work closely with SA Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) as a ‘Service Provider’ for the Chaplaincy Program in our schools through the engagement of a Pastoral Care Worker (formerly known as CPS Worker).

Pastoral Care Workers offer a unique dimension of care and support to students, families and staff. They are trained and experienced and work alongside and complement other welfare and wellbeing staff in schools.

See the Resources section (search for 'PCW') for the latest updates.

Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a term describing people who spend a significant part of childhood living outside their passport countries.

Kath is an Interserve partner, relying on team support as she sets up a framework to support Third Culture Kids (TCKs) as they leave their host countries and return to their passport countries. She is passionate to see young people adjusting to the constant transitions in their lives and to have their identity grounded in Christ.

Kath keeps in touch with her supporters primarily via facebook (contact her at wkatherine81@gmail.com for details).

You can check out some updates and more information about her role in the Resources section (search for 'TCK') - for privacy reasons this is restricted to those who call CoroUniting home.

More from 'Community'

mainly music

Are you are the parent or primary carer of a pre-school child? mainly music is a fun music and movement session for you and your pre-schooler to enjoy together with yummy snacks, the chance to catch up with other parents and much more…

Throughout the thirty-minute music session, children develop gross and fine motor skills, language, imagination, maths and pre-reading skills. They then enjoy a healthy snack before having a time of free-play whilst the parents/carers have the opportunity to catch up over a cup of real coffee/tea and delicious morning tea. Children are introduced to music, creativity and more, plus families given a chance to think about the God-part of life.

Our mainly music sessions run on Monday mornings from 9:30-11:00am during term-time (starting the second week of each term) and cost $5 per family.

Check out the link for the current mainly musings newsletter.

Cross-Cultural Ministry

CoroUniting commissions individuals and families who are called to share the good news of Jesus in words and actions by living and working in other cultural contexts.

Many exciting ministries are also happening through others beyond Australia’s shores, and we love to build relationships with some of these. Two we have ongoing connection with are the [Saiyarak](https://www.corouniting.org/ministries/saiyarak) group and [Project Kola](https://www.corouniting.org/ministries/project-kola).

Mission Care

Mission Care (formerly Mission Focus Group) is primarily focused on the pastoral care of our Cross-Cultural Workers, especially those who are geographically separate from us. It is our deepest desire that these brothers and sisters not be forgotten or disregarded when we act as a church community. The pastoral care we offer is to hear the stories of those interested in becoming involved in mission activities that require them to cross cultural boundaries, and to journey with them as they enter the field, do the work, and return.

We currently have three partnerships with CoroUniting members working cross-culturally - see the below tabs for details.

Each of these Cross-Cultural Workers keep in touch with their supporters via newsletters, blogs, facebook groups and videos - for privacy reasons, these are restricted to those who call CoroUniting home and can be viewed in the [Resources section](https://www.corouniting.org/resources) (search for 'cross-cultural').

Saiyarak

Saiyarak, an HIV/AIDS support group in Nan Province, Thailand, is a group of about 40 adults and children affected by HIV who provide a network of support in their communities through microenterprises, education support, health education, holiday programs and family support.

They are supported within Thailand by the Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry (CAM) based in Chiang Mai. We occasionally send teams from CoroUniting to continue to build relationships with Saiyarak and CAM to complement our financial and prayer support. The last trip with a team was in 2017.

A comprehensive Saiyarak Q&A has been written to answer any questions and provide further information.

Education Support: One of the key ways in which we financially support Saiyarak is through our Saiyarak Child Sponsorship (see linked brochure), enabling sponsors to support a particular child in their journey through the education system.

If you are interested in supporting Saiyarak financially, please download the linked Support form or contact Abbi Gottsche.

Project Kola

Project Kola is a water and sanitation project in Egypt, providing in-house toilets and piped water to villagers who are amongst the poorest of the poor. Development agency Think and Do select and follow up Christian families – in the Middle East, Christians help Christians – who receive this aid in order to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable families. The implications of these ‘home improvements’ are far-reaching.

Water in these villages is collected by hand each day by the girls of the family. It requires a long walk, which leaves the girls vulnerable. By providing water, families are kept safe and time is available for other activities. Having a private latrine provides an unimagined dignity, as well as improving public hygiene. The recipients are exceedingly grateful for this.

The gift of dignity typically boosts their faith, or even births a relationship with their Saviour, which is followed up by the local church.

Project Kola is supported by donors all over the world; in Australia, people associated with CoroUniting are the primary donors.

Creative Threads

Are you new to this area and would like to connect with local ladies? Or do you know someone who loves doing threadwork (ie sewing, patchwork & quilting, knitting, crochet, lacework, etc) and wants or needs to connect socially in a small group with others who also enjoy threadwork?

Creative Threads is an opportunity to find new friends through a common love of threadwork.

We'd love you to join us!

The Alpha Course

Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith - no pressure, no follow up, no charge.

What does Alpha include?

Eat: Alpha always involves having a bite to eat, whether it’s a full meal or coffee & cake, it’s a great opportunity to get to know other people in a relaxed environment.

Watch: We watch a short talk that discusses various aspects of the Christian faith.

Chat: In small groups, there is the opportunity to discuss the thoughts presented in the talk, and any other questions, openly and honestly.

Our next Alpha course begins with dinner at The Duck Inn on Wednesday 1 May, running on Wednesday nights in May-August 2019.

For more information see our [Event](https://www.corouniting.org/events/the-alpha-course) or [email the Church Office](mailto:office@corouniting.org?subject=Website%20contact%20re.%20Alpha)