Child Protection Program with Uniting World

With lively music greeting us as we walked into the church hall, we knew we were going to have a wonderfully fun and edifying evening. After a couple of years of Covid restricting our ability to gather together as a church community, we knew it was time to have a church dinner. Pete, our talented musician and his mate Malcolm (performing under their professional name “2PM”) treated us to their soulful, earthy music while we grazed on a generous supply of pre-dinner nibblies and punch. A sit-down of roast dinner, vegies and salads in the upper hall had the room abuzz with conversation and the sounds of appreciation. We were humbled to hear about the ongoing Uniting World work in Timor Leste: our nearest neighbour yet one of the poorest countries in the world. Simple handwashing, sanitation and personal hygiene that we take for granted is challenging in the remote parts of Timor Leste. Local churches, in partnership with Uniting World, provide education and health support for the poorest families in clinics in Same and Los Palos.

We then moved back to the lower hall for more music, dessert (yummy ice-creams, slices, and other sweets), animated conversation and opportunity to purchase succulent plants and jams, augmenting donations for the Timor Leste Uniting World Project. Nicholas Duran (from Uniting World), his wife Angela Cadena (a communications expert with the Uniting Church in NSW office) and their children came to join us in our lively evening and to give encouragement to our efforts in supporting the poorest and most disadvantaged.

So many people contributed to the success of this evening. In particular, thanks to Denise and Judy for coordinating the food and the delightfully talented Pete and Malcolm with their music.

We want to thank anyone involved in making the night a success: To those who contributed to:

Setting up both halls

Carrying chairs

Washing up

Preparing food

Serving food

Bringing items for sale

Bringing nibblies

Preparing the punch

Bringing card tables

Bringing the lovely table cloths for the card tables

And all those little tasks that may go unnoticed but are essential for a great night.

And importantly, just turning up.