Another week, another week of lockdown. We are mindful of you all and hope you are travelling ok, being gentle with yourselves and reaching out when you can.

Tuesday Check-in

We would also love to see as many people as can attend the Tuesday Check-In on Zoom (details below) as we know that reaching out and sharing our concerns and celebrations can help us all feel better at this time. Why not pick up the phone or make a Zoom call to friends and family during this lockdown to see how they are doing and ensure they feel connected. It is likely to be well appreciated.

Here is the Zoom link
Meeting ID: 850 6628 8972
Passcode: 631044

New Office & Facilities Manager

As many of you are aware, we advertised a few weeks ago for an office manager, as Sue Brown transitions into a newly created Hospitality role in the church.
Over the past week, the council has received applications and conducted interviews with some excellent candidates.
We are pleased to announce that Kelli Grattidge, who has been traveling with our community for the past 18 months, has accepted our invitation to take up this role. Kelli brings a wealth of experience in project management and administrative support for a range of government funded artistic and council projects, events and festivals.
Kelli’s start date will be finalised once we know when the present lockdown will end.
We would like to thank every applicant for expressing interest in this role and look forward to joining you in welcoming Kelli into the Office & Hospitality Manager position.

Peace for Afghanistan

In the interview we heard during last week’s ‘Peace for Afghanistan’ we were told that for many people now under Taliban rule, they harboured a great fear that they would be forgotten.

For that reason it felt like a significant thing; to gather, to stand in solidarity with, to pray, to be informed and to raise funds for the people of Afghanistan.

It was beautifully created and curated by Jess Nabb with beautiful, soulful offerings from all of our local presenters. As a community we managed to raise around $2,000.

The money will all go to this significant cause – helping children and families on the ground.

We were reminded that this cause is ongoing and this fundraising page will continue to channel funds. Therefore, I’d encourage you to consider making ongoing or future donations and also to check back in and see how the funds are being dispersed.

Special First Nations Kids segment – Postponed due to current lockdown

We continue to hope that Emmy Webbers a Gunai/Kurnai woman and local First People’s educator will be running the kids program. We’ll hear her read a book in the service before she runs some activities for the kids out in the hall. We just don’t know exactly when at this stage.

For those of you with families, we are hoping to know numbers of kids attending so could you please email Matt with a quick RSVP.

Emmy will also have a table set up in the foyer after the service selling some of her materials and wares. Check out her website: www.wurruckyambo.com

The Treasure Shop is looking for Volunteers!

The Tecoma Uniting Op Shop (Treasure Shop) in Upwey is looking for new volunteers for 3.5 hour shifts Monday-Friday and Saturdays 10-1. Please contact Lorraine on 0416 149 731 or Jenny on 0417 77 17 67  if you are interested. Please leave a message and we will ring you back.

Some Lockdown Tips

We hope that you are all doing okay in lockdown. For those of you working from home it is important to take regular short breaks that can be as little as five minutes or less. These are effective energy management strategies such as stretching, walking up and down stairs, gazing out a window at nature or having a five minute mindful meditation. If you would like some tips on how to do some stretches please see the links below.

Try these Stretches at your Desk or Workstation for hips, neck, upper body, legs & back:
Stretches at your desk 1 – Hips: https://youtu.be/vAsNz_BRgv8
Stretches at your desk 2 – Neck: https://youtu.be/5gRe–kAYIw
Stretches at your desk 3 – Upper body: https://youtu.be/JwMH159dH3A
Stretches at your desk 4 – Legs and back: https://youtu.be/_5y4TwpqksY
Stretches at your desk 5 – Total body: https://youtu.be/kCj77HCcl00
For more well-being videos go to: https://eapassist.com.au/digital/wellness-videos/

Connecting with people is important for us all especially during lockdown, even if that means using some new technology, picking up the phone for a chat or going for a walk with a friend. You will both likely feel much better for it.