Posted in Culture
On Wednesday 1 June, Owen Community Church held a “Cuppa and Chat” for locals who were affected by the Pinery bushfire, which caused widespread damage in November 2015.
The Owen Women’s Christian Fellowship (OWCF) hosted the event and were very busy in the lead-up, making rugs for local families and ensuring all was in place to welcome those who were able to attend.
As preparations were made, 21 women from the Owen area were invited to the event, with 10 joining members of the OWCF on the day.
Members of the wider community had also helped to prepare for the event by giving generous contributions to be handed out at the event.
The Owen church was given boxes of handmade items – quilts, rugs, beanies and scarves. These items were donated from communities and individuals across Australia – places as far away from Owen as Bundaberg in Queensland and Penola in the South-East. Crocheted rugs were also received from people in Balaklava and Windsor.
Potted plants were bought from Vadoulis Nursery in Gawler with money from OWCF funds that had been ear marked for fire recovery. Jonquil bulbs were also donated from a Netherby Kindergarten staff member.
Free DVDs from a Red Cross-funded visit by Dr Rob Gordon to the area were available, along with free recipe books (a reprint of the Adelaide Plains Parish 2009 book, funded by donations to the Plains Community Churches).
Finally, 70 beautiful paintings were available as a gift from Elizabeth Warnes. The artworks were painted by her late mother, Beryl Hutton. Those affected by the fires were invited to choose paintings to take home after the event.
The “Cuppa and Chat” afternoon held by Owen Community Church is one of many events Uniting Church SA communities have held to support those affected by the Pinery Bushfire. Congregations, communities and individuals across Australia have contributed their time, talents and gifts to this cause.
Chaplaincy with Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA
Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA is coordinated by the Uniting Church and has the mandate under the State Emergency Management Plan to train and deploy chaplains to Relief and Recovery Centres and on outreach visitation in times of disaster, such as bushfires.
Interested people are invited to be trained as chaplains on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 September. The two-day training opportunity will be held at The Corner Uniting Church, and will be led by Rev Dr Stephen Robinson (National Disaster Recovery Officer, Uniting Church in Australia Assembly). There is no cost to participate.
For further information, please read the flyer here or contact Wendy Perkins via email at Turn on Javascript! or phone on 8236 4284 or 0408 896 220.
RSVPs (including dietary requirements) must be sent to Wendy by Friday 26 August.
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A UnitingCare Emergency Relief Centre was needed in the Port Adelaide-Enfield area of Adelaide. And that's when Lefevre UC and volunteers from Port Adelaide UC stepped up.
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