Rev Tim's Ministers' Page
Wow! Another year has flown by and there is so much to be thankful for and so a lot of expectation that some things are going to happen very soon.
Apart from Christmas and New Year - holidays, presents and parties...we all live with a sense of hope and anticipation. It's what moves us forward and what gives us focus and drive. Without a sense of hope and anticipation we are left without the necessary motivation to deal with the daily grind and the unexpected road blocks and detours that often come are way.
Hope is such and important thing, hope for the future - a future based on the promises of God for all who accept the invitation - and hope for today. Without a future hope we are often left wondering what is there to live for...hopelessness is a disease - but there is a cure to this lack of hope. The cure lies in the invitation of Jesus to come to all who are weary and worn out...and receive rest, to give the weight of the problem to God and allow Jesus to unburden you of your issues, and in return get peace.
Peace is something that we don't often get at this time of year. We get so caught up in the silly season...with Christmas parties, shopping sprees, food and financial stress, that we miss the point. That Jesus, the prince of peace, entered our world - humbly, lived as one of us. experienced our pain, our joys...our strengths and our weaknesses...he entered the world that was hopeless and gave us HOPE! And from that new hope springs joy and anticipation....
What are you anticipating this Christmas?
My son Ryan is finishing school (yr 12) this month (November) - but with the joy of finishing comes that struggle to do exams and the sadness that comes with saying goodbye to friends and associates that reflect this season of his life. With anticipated ends comes new beginnings - and with new beginnings comes the unknown....new adventures, new struggles.....
Weston Creek Uniting Church continues to change and adapt as we move forward - out of the winter, into the spring of new ideas, new directions, new opportunities. It's exciting to meet new people over the last few months that have made us their spiritual home - we look forward to becoming good friends and making new friends as we go deeper into God's purposes and plans for us in this region.
I am excited because I am anticipating some new growth and new directions in the coming months - and this hope is inspiring me (and you too I hope)...as we move forward into the unknown, following Jesus - our hope and peace!
On a personal note, we have had the pleasure of caring for my (Tim) Dad who had been very sick and I went to Thailand to bring him home for medical treatment. He had been living with us since early September and is now much better and is looking forward to getting into his own projects soon.
Although I have slowed due to caring for my Dad, I am still plugging away with my D Min thesis titled "Redeeming Sports: Traces of the Spirit in a local sports club", I hope to finish by February, 2012. Sandra still works part-time as a teacher's aide at Unity College and does child care work as well. Jordan is doing almost finished his traineeship in the child care industry and is doing his Cert III. Benji has just finished a Cert IV in TESOL. Ryan has just finished a good year as school captain at Trinity Christian School and hopes to go to ANU Music school in 2012. Brooke is completing year 10 and now has her learns drivers license. while Tyson continues to grow rapidly but is still a wonderful and friendly boy completing year 3
As for the future? Chain Reaction is growing and we have two outreaches planned for Jan 2012. , Vanuatu and Central West NSW road trip. We are also all going to a family wedding in January in Perth (my niece Lydia) in early Jan 2012...so we have a lot to look forward to.
Anyway, if you would like to get in touch with my family personally, then email us at twinslade@people. net. au
God bless,
Rev. Tim & Sandra Winslade (Jordan, Benji, Ryan, Brooke & Tyson)