Galston, Glenorie and Hills Rural News
Galston Uniting Church
Three Baptisms in Three Weeks!
How wonderful for three families and for our church that following the easing of Covid restrictions, we are again able to have such rites of passage as baptisms and weddings that are so important to families.
On ANZAC day, we welcomed Ava Pengelly and her parents, Mark and Nicole, for Ava's baptism. This was a great occasion with the Men's Choir and the congregation able to sing joyously. An ANZAC service of remembrance followed the baptism. A time to remember those who have given their lives in times of war.
It is particularly special when people who have been former church members but who have moved away, return to us to have their children baptized. And so we were able to welcome back the Williams and the Sculthorpe families, both formerly from Glenorie, for the baptism of their children. Jared and Jacqueline Williams brought their baby daughter, Camilla, much to the delight of grandparents, godparents, family, and friends.
Many in the community may remember Jenny Sculthorpe and her family. Jenny still keeps in touch with Galston Uniting Church, especially through our livestreamed worship. Her son Jacob and his wife Caitlin brought their baby Samuel for baptism, and we welcome Samuel into the church family.
ñÕ ²ËݲČÕčļ Ĕê ²ĭļõĴČ õĴ ² Ĵõëčõţ˲čļ ÕŕÕčļ õč ļñÕ ĆõêÕ Ĕê ļñÕ ËñŁİËñ ²čÑ Christian families. It is a sign of the salvation we receive through Christ that we pray for our children.
At Galston Uniting, the minister makes the sign of the cross on the baby's forehead with water from the baptismal font, reminiscent of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River. Most other mainstream churches in Australia recognize baptism in the Uniting Church.
We are very fortunate indeed to have a minister in Geoff Smith who has a bit of a twinkle in the eye, as other children who come to the front to observe proceedings frequently receive a splash of water from the font also! Of course, the godparents are reminded of their "agreed duty" to spoil their godchild at every available opportunity and teach them about the love and life of Jesus!
Church services continue in the church at 10 am on Sundays, and you can also Ŗ²ļËñ ĔŁİ ĆõŕÕ ĴļİÕ²ČĴʣ §ĔŁ ˲č ţčÑ ;²ĆĴļĔč čõļõčë ñŁİËñ Ĕč :²ËÕÊĔĔă ʰÑĔčʧļ forget to 'like' us) or "Google" Galston Uniting Church Facebook posts.
If you, or someone you know, needs assistance or just someone to chat to, ĭĆÕ²ĴÕ ÑĔ čĔļ ñÕĴõļ²ļÕ ļĔ ëÕļ õč ļĔŁËñʣ ñÕ ËñŁİËñ ĔêţËÕ õĴ ĔĭÕč Ĕč ŁÕĴѲŘĴ ²čÑ Fridays.