Wominjeka. Welcome. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge our gratitude that we share this land, our sorrow for some of the costs of that sharing and our collective hope and belief that we can move to a place of equity, justice and partnership together. We are located in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges in the village of Tecoma. We are a Christian Church devoted to serving our local community. You’re welcome to have a look around our website or come and visit us.

Creating Connections:

Sunday June 26th from 10am to 3pm.

We were treated to a fantastic conversation and presentation by Glenn Loughrey and Acknowledgement and Childrens activities by Emmy Webbers for the first Hills Walking Together event.

Thank you to Shakti for an incredible amount of work and passion, and for all the work of the Hills Walking Together group.

We look forward to more opportunities for listening and learning in the future.

Here are links to the events so you can view or review.

Afternoon session
Sunday Morning service
Welcome to Country

Hall Hirer Feature

Are you a Bathroom Bass, a Shower Soprano or just a Weekend Warbler?

Sweet Sassafras could be your opportunity to join with others who like to sing.  We’re a Community Choir that meets at Tecoma Uniting Church each Monday night, during School Terms, from 7.30 to 9.30.

The only requirement to joining is a love of singing – we have quite a range of abilities, and there are no scary auditions. We enjoy each other’s company and look forward to catching up with our musical “family” each week.

Our repertoire ranges from World Music folk songs through well-known pop songs (e.g Beach Boys “I Get Around”), modern Australian songs (Paul Kelly’s “Meet Me in the Middle of the Air”) and a wide variety of other tunes.

We recently sadly farewelled Jess Nabb our director of the last ten years or so, and have now welcomed Susy Hull, who has brought her own talents and enthusiasm to Sweet Sassy. Susy is a multi-instrumentalist, and a jazz singer with wide experience in leading a variety of choirs. She’s also a Belgrave local!

So – why not come along and give your vocal cords a workout and spend some time with a group of friendly singers? Your introductory session is free.  After that it’s $10 per night – if you pay for a school term block, or $15 per night as a casual.

If you would like any further information please contact Stuart on 0407 057 798 or at s.semmens@bigpond.com

Winter Wellness – Staying Safe

Thanks to everyone who are continuing to take steps to keeping everyone safe

If anyone would like to give feedback, express concern regarding to feeling safe in Church in relation to how we respond to COVID/Flu season please email Kellie in the office at office@tecomauc.org.au

Help us hear from eachother and work out ways how we can feel safe as we find ourselves in this middle ground where restrictions have been released.  There’s personal responsibility and doing what we can and communal ways to respond that you may like to share your ideas about.

I am learning as I go and am interested how others are trying to stay safe.
I had an experience this week of someone saying how difficult it would be to get a PCR test and how they would need to drive 2 hrs to get one.  When I looked online there seemed to be many options locally available.  Please let me know if you have had difficulties when trying to get a PCR test.

Here’s a link to make it easy.  Click Here

According to information recommended below a PCR test can be a better indication of someones safety even though they recommend people to stay isolated until symptoms resolve which may not be possible for some.

If you test negative 
If you have COVID-19 symptoms but tested negative on a rapid antigen test:

• There is a small possibility of a ‘false negative’ result.
• You should stay isolated and use a rapid antigen test again in 24 hours, or get a PCR test.
• If you return another negative result, we recommend you get a PCR or stay isolated until your symptoms resolve to protect others from whatever illness you may have

If you have COVID-19 symptoms but tested negative on a PCR test:

• There is no need to repeat the test. It is extremely unlikely you have COVID-19.
• We recommend you stay isolated until your symptoms resolve to protect others from whatever illness you may have.

IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL WITH COVID LIKE SYMPTOMS PLEASE STAY HOME AND GET TESTED
Please consider the above recommendations when deciding if you want to put others at risk.

If you need support on any level including just wanting to talk with someone, please call the office in regular hours between 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays and Fridays or email office@tecomauc.org.au and let us know how you may need some support.

If you test positive here is the link to a checklist
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases

If you are a close contact
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-contacts

Uluru statement support

The Uniting Church has signed an historic Joint Resolution of Australian religious leaders in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Nine representatives of Australia’s peak religious bodies gathered in Sydney last week and called for immediate bipartisan action to hold a referendum on a First Nations voice to Parliament.

Click here for more information

Recycling Station

Check out our recycling station and see what you can contribute to improving our environment. But, we have been informed by Jenny Stevens that folks are still leaving unwanted types of lids in the lid recycling box.
Only Lids with the number 2 and 4 number can be accepted.  The lids also need to washed.
Jenny has been given the additional task to separate the lids into different colours so lets make sure we assist her to get these 1st steps covered to make it easier for her.

1. Number 2 or 4 lids only
2. Lids must be washed and clean

We are currently collecting:

• Used batteries
• Pens and textas
• Any mobile phone (including their batteries, charges, cases & headphones)
• Toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads & floss containers
• Milk bottle and container bottle caps
• Wine bottle corks
• Plastic bread ties

In recycling through us, not only are you rescuing things from landfill, most of the materials are sorted and reused, up-cycled into new products or recycled. Companies like Terracycle sew juice pouches together into backpacks, chip bags into suit jackets, and even granola wrappers into pencil cases. Other waste collected is us turned into plastic pellets that can be moulded into benches, picnic tables, and even playgrounds. Envision turn the bottle cap lids into prosthetic limbs.