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

12 ministers met on Feb 3 to kick off the year with a Chinese meal organised by Peter Chan (the Local Minister for Catering!).

Funeral of local couple drowned at Ballina in front of their children - here is a copy of a circulated update as the funeral took place (Feb 1) at Greystanes Catholic Church.

Christian greetings. You may not be aware that Joe and Carole Sherry had their roots in Greystanes and that Carole’s mother is Sylvia Cushieri.

Max Dundas forwarded the following information, which we pass on…. Sylvia has been a long-term supporter of SRE in Holroyd – and is Catholic SRE teacher at the Sherwood Grange Primary school; she has been a part of Boyette Zapata's Primary School SRE coordination training days, etc, and has been a faithful SRE provider in Sherwood Grange school for some years. Sylvia has lost a daughter and Son in Law and I guess will have some responsibility for the young family of three, the eldest of who suffers autism.

The funeral was extensively reported today in the secular media (e.g. http://www.smh.com.au/national/children-farewell-parents-who-made-ultimate-sacrifice-20100201-n85v.html). Please pray for the orphaned children and their grandparents as their faith in God is put to the test at this time. May their example in such a time of awful tragedy speak to the community around us.

Welcome and Farewell – Chris and Leslie Forder have moved from Toongabbie Anglican Church from where Chris has served as SRE coordinator at nearby Pendle Hill High School. Chris has entered fulltime study at Sydney Missionary Bible College. His place as SRE Coordinator has been filled by Kathryn (Kat) Harris, who has served in the same church as Children’s pastor during 2009. Istvan Bakos has assumed duties as Assistant Minister to Gerry Iverson at Greystanes Catholic Church. Originally hailing from Hungary, Istvan has already made himself know to the Holroyd churches community and we welcome him to the district. Popular Cardinal Gilroy Village identity, Fr. Ron Hickman has retired (again!) from official duties – this time at 85, from failing health. His gracious and inclusive attitude towards staff, residents, and the other ministers who undertake chapel there, has been greatly appreciated. We visited him in the Westmead Recovery Unit, where he is in good spirits, even while his mobility has been failing.

Holroyd churches participated in the JESUS - ALL ABOUT LIFE (JAAL) Sydney-wide campaign- www.jesusallaboutlife.com.au - during September and October. Feedback was that much pre-evangelism contact was made with opportunity for further follow-up through the local churches afterwards.

Eleven ministers attended our annual Retreat at historic Winbourne House at Mulgoa on Sept 14. It was a stimulating cross-pollination day for everyone who attended.

Phil and Heather Grebert have pastored at Wenty Baptist Church for over 10 years; they returned mid September from a ministry and long service leave trip to Kenya where Phil is teaching in one of the Baptist Ministry Training Colleges, and in the UK visiting family.. On long service leave, they are going on to the UK before returning home.

Brian and Elizabeth Rensford returned to Zimbabwe again in May 2009 for five weeks, and spent a week on holiday around Kruger NP on the way out. Brian preached at the combined churches Day of Pentecost celebration two days after arriving home. The service was very well-attended (hosted this year by Holroyd New Life). They returned for another six weeks in October, where Brian undertook several training / ministry development invitations with assistance from Jeremy Rensford (now located in Shepparton) and Deb Hudson (from Holroyd New Life)

Our Third Annual Ministers' Retreat was held at Budgewoi in March; a time of serious contemplation, reflection, and personal testimony strengthened the ministers attending for the three days.

Annual World Day of Prayer Service – this year’s service was hosted by Merrylands West Anglican Church on March 6. This year's focus was on PNG.

A comprehensive 2008 Annual report is attached at bottom of this webpage

Farewells from the District..... Dec 2008

Warren and Jeanette Moore, youth leaders for many years at Wenty Baptist Church, have moved into a fulltime situation in the Hunter Valley and we thanked them for all their labour over the years, and wished them God's blessing on their new situation!

Jamie and Kirsten Long – Jamie has been a very active member of the Holroyd Christian community for over 12 years. In that time, he has not only worked hard at establishing his home church, but has greatly contributed to raising the level of Christian fellowship and witness in the Holroyd District. He and his family are moving to Wyong Baptist Church in February. Pendle Hill Baptist Church will host a farewell dinner for the Longs Saturday, 7th Feb.

Robert Riedling - Robert has functioned as assistant minister at Greystanes Catholic Church for the past four years, and has been a regular attender of the ministers' weekly prayer and coffee group for over three years. He will be sorely missed from both his parish and the prayer group. His gracious spirit, and willing servant attitude have endeared Robert to many in the district. He is taking over parish responsibilities at South Blacktown Catholic Church close by, and had already been reminded that Gloria Jeans at Pemulwuy is effectively the parish boundary! A farewell supper for Robert was hosted at the parish centre on Sunday March 1.

Warren and Jeanette Moore - after over 40 years at Sth Wenty Baptist Church, youth leaders Warren and Jeanette have taken a fulltime appointment at Cardiff Heights Baptist Church.

45 leaders of churches and church ministries came together for Leaders’ Seminar and Tea on Sept 25th 2008. 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 2008. 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 2008. 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 2008 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

A comprehensive 2007 Annual report is attached at bottom of this webpage

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.

Stuff older than two years is retired to "older news"

HCMF 2008 Activities Report

Prepared by Rev Max Dundas (Chairman of the Ministers' Fellowship) and presented at the AGM Feb 2009.

2008 has seen quite some growth from the previous year. The summary below is intended to document the year's program for our reflection and prayer and as a means of reminding us all of the range of ways in which we serve our Lord, each other and our Holroyd community.

The most regular of our programs was the THURSDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME. Each Thursday @ 8am we met at Wentworthville Baptist Church , before removing to Pemulwuy Gloria Jean’s at around 9am. A group of 5⁺ met regularly. It was a time of prayer for our city (Holroyd Council, and local schools particularly), and churches, as well as offering personal support and encouragement.

In recent years restructuring of the Board-level administration of HSRE has seen Brian Rensford move back a little from his ‘hands-on’ work in setting up the ministry and serving as inaugural chairman. Nathan Killick has accepted the responsibilities of chairman. Jamie Long has served in a role with regular monthly meetings with our Coordinators and Michelle Burns attends to most of the administrative responsibilities. Separate HSRE Board Reports from time to time update members and supporters on this ministry.

Ministry to our City. A HCMF member again opened each fortnightly Holroyd City Council Meeting with a prayer and one of us addressed each of the 11 Holroyd Citizenship Ceremonies. These offer us a valuable opportunity to connect with Councillors and Council Officers, as well as new citizens in the district. We believe this has been a significant ministry in a year that has seen such dramatic change in Holroyd Council following the 2008 elections.

As further component of our Civic ministry, we once again organised the annual Mayoral Prayer Dinner. In 2008 folk from over a dozen local churches met with some Councillors and Officers for the 31^st annual prayer dinner at Merrylands RSL – this time involving an address from retiring HCC employee, Lucy Maguire, and prayers led by leaders from Holroyd churches.

A number of individual churches maintained ministry to Holroyd’s aged population. Together we maintained a weekly presence at Cardinal Gilroy Village (c400 residents) in Merrylands and the Southern Cross Apartments in Greystanes (30 residents).

Two RETREATS were again part of our 2008 program. In March, four of us shared 3 days together for fellowship, reflection and ‘peer-mentoring’ at Budgewoi. This was followed up with a single day at the Edmund Rice Retreat centre at Winbourne in October. 13 of us were able to share a morning devotional reflection and a discussion on ‘Exploring Salvation’ led by Fr Gerry Iverson. The goals of enriched fellowship were achieved in both, and similar programs are planned for 2009.

The regular Combined Church Services for the year included:

· the HSRE Commissioning Service hosted in 2008 by Rev Raj Gupta and the Toongabbie Anglicans (who maintain SRE at Pendle Hill High School under Chris Forder);

· On 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;

· A Pentecost / Unity service was hosted by Holroyd New Life church on Sunday, May 4.

· The final Combined Churches celebration service for 2008 was hosted by Wentworthville Baptists in November.

Our regular bi-monthly HCMF meetings continued throughout the year providing opportunity for lunch fellowship, catching up, and attention to administrative and common interest themes.

Invited guests at our meetings included:

	Rosemary Kariuki - Holroyd Local Area (Police) Command Ethnic Community Liaison Officer;
	Jean Ireland - Pastoral Care coordinator of Southern Cross Retirement centres at Merrylands, Greystanes, and Plumpton;
	Sam Sterland - National Church Life Study leading us through a presentation on a profile on our Holroyd Ministry area.

A new initiative for the year saw Merrylands Baptists hosting a Holroyd Church Leaders’ Dinner. The goal was to offer a helpful lay leadership training experience while seeking to set up an environment for networking across our churches. Sam Sterland was asked to present on Holroyd population profile.

HCMF’s annual Christmas meal together was again hosted by Gerry, Helen and Robert. A wonderful, popular time of fellowship. This was attended by a large number of ministers in early December.

A HCMF Web page was again maintained by our secretary Brian Rensford, and regular mail outs served as an invaluable means of easily keeping in touch and publicising various programs of common interest. Brian’s maintenance of the Holroyd Christian churches contact database has also served us well.

Brief Financial Summary – A surplus for the year of $476 came mostly from the Mayoral Prayer Dinner costs being subsidised by a kind donation from the Board of Management of Merrylands RSL. Cash reserves stand at nearly $7000 at year-end (31/1/09). More detail at the AGM.

This HCMF annual meeting notes the significant contributions made by three brothers who are leaving the Holroyd ministry area. Their input has been valuable and we wish them all God’s richest blessing as they go from our district.

· Jamie and Kirsten Long leave Pendle Hill Baptist Church following a 12 year ministry of significant stabilization and growth for that church and a strong commitment to SRE ministry. Jamie led our Festival of Hope, combined ministry over its three years and for this last year served as Board Coordinator and mentor for our SRE coordinators. They leave Holroyd for Wyong.

· Robert Riedling leaves for Blacktown South parish after four years of successful and faithful ministry as assistant minister at Greystanes Catholic Church. Robert’s commitment to our weekly prayer and coffee time and our regular HCMF meetings has been a special blessing and encouragement.

· Warren and Jeanette Moore - after over 40 years at Sth Wentworthville Baptist Church, youth leaders Warren and Jeanette have taken a fulltime appointment at Cardiff Heights Baptist Church.

When viewed as a whole, this is a most significant ministry we share together. It is made possible as we catch and maintain the vision of the Holroyd Christian Church and its responsibility to serve our community, and the wider world, at least in part, by demonstrating LOVE (Jn 13:35).

HCMF 2007 Activities Report:

Presented to the Annual Meeting February 19^th 2008

Our fellowship has been a little more active this year than in other more recent years. The summary below is intended to document the year's program for our reflection and prayer and as a means of reminding us all of the range of ways in which we serve each other.

The most regular of our programs was the THURSDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME. Each Thursday @ 8am we met at Wentworthville Baptist Church, then retiring to Pemulwuy Gloria Jean’s at around 9am. A group of 6 from a spread of denominations, met regularly, often one or two extras join in. It was a time of prayer for our city and churches as well as offering personal support and encouragement.

Perhaps the ‘largest’ ministry in which we shared is our SRE work. Our Holroyd Special Religious Education Board employs and supervises coordinators working one day a week in each of our Holroyd State High Schools. This enables SRE classes and seminar ministry in each school as well as lunchtime meetings and student and staff contact. Our Board also employs a Primary SRE Liaison Officer for 1 day a week with responsibilities for serving individual church SRE ministry in State Primary Schools and assisting us with the ‘big picture’ of Holroyd Primary SRE. Prayer and thought is being given to a restructuring the Board level administration of HSRE as Brian Rensford moves back a little from his very active ‘hands on’ work in setting up the ministry and serving as inaugural chairman. Jamie Long is now serving in a role with regular monthly meetings with our Coordinators, Michelle Burns attends to most of the administrative responsibilities and Nathan Killick has expressed interest in serving in the chair following a period of familiarisation with the ministry. Separate HSRE Board Reports from time to time update members on this ministry.

Ministry to our City. A HCMF member again opened each fortnightly Holroyd City Council Meeting with a prayer and one of us attended each of the 11 Holroyd City Citizenship Ceremonies. Our invitation to bring a short occasional address at these ceremonies, along with our regular Council Meeting appearance offers us a valuable opportunity to connect with Councillors and Council Officers. It also feeds into our regular Thursday prayers for Holroyd City.

A further component of our Civic ministry found us once again organising the annual Mayoral Prayer Dinner (last Tuesday each August.) This last year folk from over a dozen local churches met with some Councillors and Officers for a dinner at Merrylands RSL involving an address from Phil Glendenning from the Edmund Rice Institute and prayers led by leaders from Holroyd churches. Special recognition was offered to Cr Alan Ezzy APM for his serving the Dinner over its 30 years history. A collection of data was formed as a 'history' of the 30 years of Dinners.

A number of individual churches maintained ministry to Holroyd’s aged population. Together we maintained a weekly presence at Southern Cross Homes in Merrylands and the Southern Cross Apartments in Greystanes.

Two RETREATS were added to our program over 2007. In March 5 of us shared three days together for fellowship, reflection and ‘peer-mentoring’ at Budgewoi. This was followed up with a single day at the Edmund Rice Retreat centre at Winbourne in October (nine of us were able to attend). The goals of enriched fellowship were achieved in both and similar programs are planned for 2008. [Budgewoi 31/3-2/4]

The regular Combined Church Services for the year included the HSRE Commissioning Service hosted by Holroyd New Life Church on Feb 25^th at which the newest Coordinator, Boyette Zapata brought God's word. A late Pentecost Service hosted by Our Lady Queen of Peace on May 20^th allowed Fr Robert to preach, and at a third service hosted by Pendle Hill Baptist on November 18^thRev Jamie Long was the occasional preacher.

Our regular bi-monthly HCMF meetings continued throughout the year providing opportunity for lunch fellowship, catching up, and attention to administrative and common interest themes.

A HCMF Web page was again maintained by our secretary Brian, and regular mail outs served as an invaluable means of easily keeping in touch and publicising various programs of common interest.