News and updates - in date order.... (covering the past two years) (click on photos for enlarged shots)

	45 leaders of churches and church ministries came together for Leaders’ Seminar and Tea  on Sept 25th.  Merrylands Baptist Church hosted the evening (and did a marvellous job with their catering!). It was encouraging to see the numbers of younger people developing in leadership come to this get-together.   Sam Newland (NLCS presenter) spoke on the changing face of Holroyd that is seen through the 1996, 2001, and 2006 Census information.
	Holroyd Ministers' Retreat Day was conducted at the Winbourne Centre, Mulgoa on Sept 22.  The aim was enriching our connections with each other as leaders together of God's church in Holroyd.  Church leaders of Holroyd joined with neighbouring ‘under-shepherds of God’s (Holroyd) flock’ considering what it means to “be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care”, - 1 Peter 5:2; to meditate on passages prepared by Max Dundas, pray separately, then together.  After lunch, Gerry Iverson (senior minister of Greystanes Catholic parish) led a thought-provoking discussion on the nature and scope of "salvation" - what this means for those who have heard the good news, and those who have never heard, including those who have grown up in a non-Christian religion.  Our thanks to Max and Gerry for the time and stimulation they generated....
	The 31st annual Holroyd Mayoral Prayer Dinner - was held on Tuesday, August 26.   The theme for the evening was “Building a Lasting Community in Changing Times”, and our special speaker was the retiring multi-cultural liaison officer for Holroyd Council – Mrs Lucy Maguire.  The Dinner was well-attended with representatives from many churches, Council, and civic groups. This was the 31st annual Prayer Dinner hosted by the Mayor - a fascinating history was put together by Clr Allan Ezzy (who founded the Dinner in 1978) for the 30th anniversary Dinner in 2007.  Click here to see it.
	Mrs Dorothy Hoddinott, Principal for the past 10 years of Holroyd High School was recently awarded the AO, in recognition of her untiring efforts to assist the youth of immigrant families in their endeavours to assimilate and succeed in their new environment.  we congratulate her on this very-deserving recognition.
	The annual Holroyd Special Religious Education Board and AGM was held on April 10, 2008, at the New Life office facility.  The Annual reports were presented from the coordinators (school by school), financial summary, and current updates were all presented.  After serving as Board chairman since the mid 1990's, Brian Rensford announced he planned to step aside as chairman.  Nathan Killick (Senior Minister of Merrylands Anglican church) has stepped forward to take up the role.
	The annual SRE Annual Commissioning Service  was held on Sunday Feb 26, 2008.  Several churches and leaders joined in praying for and commissioning our high and primary school RE representatives.
	This year's 3-day Ministers’ Retreat went from Mon-Wed, Mar 31 – Apr 2, at Halekulani estate, Budgewoi.   The time was used for sharing, prayer, reflection, renewal, and fellowship.  And we came home refreshed!
	Janet Challingsworth has retired from being manager of Southern Cross Apartments [Retirement hostel, Greystanes]; and we welcome Karen Blackmore to the position of manager.
	On Friday March 7, the annual World Day of Prayer combined prayer service was hosted by Merrylands Baptist Church.  The country under the microscope this year was Guyana, the ladies of MBC led by Rae Goth provided a well-run time of prayer and fellowship.
	Our annual SRE Commissioning Service was hosted on Feb 24th by Raj Gupta and Toongabbie Anglican Church.  Most supporting churches were well-represented as the current five SRE coordinators were introduced by Board member and Wenty Baptist minister, Phil Grebert.  Board Chairman, Brian Rensford then led prayers for all those involved at the coalface – coordinators and volunteer teachers involved in our district’s 5 high and 23 primary schools.
	Max Dundas, President of the Ministers' Fellowship, presented an Annual Activities Report to the AGM in Feb 2008.  A summary of it is enclosed below, and sets out the many diverse areas of servant-responsibility that members of the Holroyd Combined Churches undertake over the year.
	Holroyd Local Area Command has a new Ethnic Community Liaison Officer. Rosemary Kariuki addressed the Ministers' Fellowship in February.  She has replaced Munther Emad who has resigned from the Police Service.  She was accompanied
	2007 finished with the ministers from Greystanes Catholic church banding together with Peter Chan (Fellowship of Christ) to put on a splendid meal at the Residence.  23 ministers (a record number) came together for a night of quality fellowship that ended with prayer for our district, the Body of Christ in Holroyd, and the leaders.  Gerry, Helen, Robert, Peter, and co - we salute you!
	Maria Vidal ended her long association with Holroyd with her marriage to Simon Matheson.  They have moved away from the district after a farewell at Merrylands Baptist Church in Dec 2007.  Maria graduated from Morling College some three years previously and has served on the youth leadership team, and then in an assistant pastoral role.
	Chris Hall was inducted into Merrylands Baptist Church's assistant pastor role in January 2008.  Chris comes from Glenbrook and lives with his wife, Kathryn, on site at Morling College where he is currently studying to be accredited into the Baptist ministry.
	Our final Combined Churches Celebration for the year was held on Sunday Nov 18 at Pendle Hill Baptist Church  The opportunity to celebrate our common commitment to Jesus Christ and His calling to fulfill the Great Commission was not well attended, but the quality of the evening's order of service was widely commented on as being top shelf!.  Jamie Long preached a powerful message from 1 Peter 5:1-11 and Ben Wright, recently returned from a missions' trip to Zimbabwe brought a very graphic update.
	Another Ministers and Leaders’ retreat – located at the Winbourne Centre, Mulgoa - was held on Oct 4.  The purposes of this time together were to; Enrich our connections with each other as leaders together of God's church in Holroyd; and,  Provide 'retreat space' for personal reflection on our life and ministry, particularly in the company of, and with the input from, Christian leaders from the variety of Christian expressions within Holroyd.  Eight ministers attended the six-hour retreat, which alternated between times of guided discussion, and solitary reflection on the material raised.  A time of refreshing!
	Men Meeting the Challenge:  Toongabbie Anglican Church Men's Ministry hosted their third annual MMC conference - at Tyndale Christian School, Douglas Rd, Blacktown,  all day Sat, Sept 1.  Keynote speaker was Dr Ross Clifford (Principal of Morling College and well-known 2CH presenter).
	The 30th annual Mayoral Prayer Dinner was celebrated in late August, with a special commemorative presentation to Clr Allan Ezzy, who founded the dinner in 1978, and who continues to support this very special part of Holroyd City's community events' calendar.  Special speaker this year was Phil Glendenning, Director of the Edmund Rice Institute.  A powerful time of communal prayer was led by Helen Cunningham, Phil Grebert, and Kefas Makava.  And of special interest was the attendance for the 30th consecutive time of Wilf Moreman (Merrylands Anglican)! >>>
	Popular senior minister of Toongabbie Catholic church, Bill Moore, resigned in June 07, and announced his engagement to be married in the near future.  Representatives of the Ministers' Fellowship extended their congratulations and prayers to him as he makes some very difficult decisions regarding his personal future.  Bill has been greatly loved in his parish and will be sorely missed.  Paul Marshall, popular priest from Warragamba Parish has taken up the post at Toongabbie of senior minister.
	Brian and Elizabeth Rensford returned in June 07 from Zimbabwe and Mozambique after a 6-week missions' trip, completing an extensive teaching, training, and aid distribution program.  They wish to thank the many local people who supported them in prayer as they travelled and ministered in a very troubled part of Africa.  You can read more on their connections there at the Lifeline Ministries Southern Africa website.  Brian returns there in October.
	Gerry Iverson, well-respected and widely-loved senior minister of Greystanes Catholic Church turned the big 7-0 on Jan 23.  He will cringe with embarrassment when he reads this, decrying all offers of presents, commiserations, and public fuss.  But, a crowd of parish members, fellow ministers from near and far, and some family all the way from Wodonga, enlivened proceedings!  Gerry has faithfully served at Greystanes parish for some 13 years.  Former associates in ministry who attended included Peter Confeggi, Paul Venticinque, Paul Marshall, Domenic Arcamone; current associates included Helen Cunningham, Robert Riedling, Max Dundas (President of the Ministers'' Fellowship), Peter Chan, and Brian Rensford.  Brian spoke on behalf of the Combined Churches of Holroyd, thanking Gerry for his inclusive attitude and input, and then ruined it all by singing his version of the Beatles hit, He'll get by with a little help from... just about everybody!.
	Jenny Reed resigned from her role as PS SRE liaison rep. in Dec 2006, citing getting married as an excuse!  She and David were married Dec 29, and now live in Melton, just outside of Melbourne.  They are planning to later move to Malawi to serve the Lord there.  God bless you both!

Boyette Zapata has taken over Jenny's role among Holroyd's 22 primary schools as PS SRE liaison rep.  Originally from the Philippines, Boyette brings considerable expertise to our district in children's ministry.  He currently serves at Merrylands Baptist Church leading their children's work.  See the contacts' page for contact details.  You can help spread the net of Christian education in our state schools too with Boyette's help!

	Toongabbie Anglican church is losing its two ministers in early 2007; Phil Bassett to retirement (to the Blue Mountains) and Neil Atwood (to Springwood Anglican church).  Their contribution towards SRE in the community will be sorely missed.  BTW, Neil runs a very informative website on http://westserve.org/ - full of techie stuff as well as theological!  Have a look...  Raj Gupta is filling the hole left by their departure.
	Peter Chan and the Fellowship of Christ hosted a brilliant Christmas Celebration in mid December 2006, with an amazing array of fine food, music, and worship.  Over 150 people attended, and still there was food to spare!  Sina Hansen led a rich variety of carols and praise songs with the FoC and New Creation Band.
	Another productive year was rounded off in early December with a great night of fine food, fellowship, and reminiscing - our hosts this year were Gerry Iverson, Helen Cunningham, and Robert Riedling at Darmenia House, Greystanes Catholic facility.