Reflection of the Week - 10 June 2025
It’s unfortunate that we lost the bread and fish ritual meal, because the bread and wine ritual meal didn’t emphasize this idea of surplus: real food that actually fed the poor.
Resthaven celebrates 90th anniversary with ‘Service of Thanksgiving’
By Helen Randell
Posted in Faith
 Board Member Rev Dr Graham Vawser, Board President Mark Porter, Rev Tim Hein, CEO Darren Birbeck.JPG)
On Sunday 11 May, Resthaven staff, volunteers, families, and Uniting Church officials joined parishioners gathered at the Malvern Uniting Church to hold a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’ for Resthaven. Around 160 people attended the service to celebrate the official opening of “Rest Haven” by Lady Isabel Kidman 90 years ago on 11 May 1935.
Officiated by Malvern Uniting Church Minister and Resthaven Coordinating Chaplain, Rev Sil Hein, along with fellow Minister, Rev Dr Tim Hein, the service included contributions from Resthaven Board President Mark Porter, CEO Darren Birbeck, Board Member Rev Dr Graham Vawser, and former Deputy Board President Lee Sando.
Attendees took a walk through time with a recount of Resthaven’s 90-year history, including viewing archival footage of a ‘Mother’s Day Fete’ held at Resthaven Leabrook on Sunday 11 May 1944.
The church choir, along with UnitingCare Director Mark Waters, led in several rousing hymns.
The service included a moving sermon by Rev Dr Tim Hein, who reflected on the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”. He explored how every person needs not only physical and emotional rest, but also a ‘rest haven’ of meaning, purpose and love.
Tim said, “Jesus’ call inspires us to create communities of love and care in order that they might be able to rest.” Resthaven, Tim reflected, provides this.
Following the service, guests enjoyed coffee and tea served by Lee, a beautiful array of cupcakes and biscuits presented by the church community, and a special ‘birthday cake’ for Resthaven, cut by Rev Sil Hein and current Deputy Board President, Stephanie Rozokos.
It was a beautiful celebration to give thanks to the Resthaven community, and to all those whom Resthaven has touched the lives of, honouring our 90-year past and looking towards a bright future.
A full list of the 90th anniversary events to be held at Resthaven locations this year is available to view on the Resthaven website.
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No matter the religion or denomination in which we are raised, our spirituality still comes through the first filter of our own life experience. We must begin to be honest about this instead of pretending that any of us are formed exclusively by scriptures or our churches or religious traditions. There is no such thing as an entirely unbiased position. The best we can do is own and be honest about our own filters. God allows and invites us to trust our own experience.
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No matter the religion or denomination in which we are raised, our spirituality still comes through the first filter of our own life experience. We must begin to be honest about this instead of pretending that any of us are formed exclusively by scriptures or our churches or religious traditions. There is no such thing as an entirely unbiased position. The best we can do is own and be honest about our own filters. God allows and invites us to trust our own experience.
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