News

Not many of us receive actual mail nowadays. If you are one of the lucky few, don't throw out your envelopes with the stamps on them. Drop them into the office, and Antoinette will pass them on to someone who sells them to raise funds for Missions.

Alliance Kids are collecting cans and bottles to help raise funds for their sponsor child Doreen through the ACTs Container Deposit Scheme.

Don't throw $$$ in the recycling bin, drop the cans and bottles off at the Missions Centre

Most drink bottles and cans between 150mL and 3L in size ARE accepted. Milk, wine, spirit, juice and cordial bottles are NOT accepted. All containers that can be recognised as an eligible container will be accepted.

Once a year we have an opportunity to give a love offering to God. It is appropriate that it is around the same time as Valentines day. It is your way of being thankful to God for all His blessings.

Some say that it should be directed to some project with some price tag, I don’t believe that is what it is about! It is a love offering between you and God given to Him through the church. This is not replacing your usual Tithe but and extra offering on top of what you would normally give. Generally, we give from our overflow, may this be a gift from your heart to God’s.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

This Sunday, February 10th, Dr John Harvey and his wife (Director of the Alliance College in 1971 - now the Alliance Institute for Mission) will be sharing about their time here and Pastor Tom Lundeen (pictured) from Riverside Church in Minnesota, (Missionary Pastor in Sydney in the late 70s), will be bringing the message.

Today we celebrated as Andrew Edwards was installed as Associate Pastor. Andrew and his family were prayed for by the Elders and the President of the C&MA Australia, Rev Ken Graham.

We are excited for what God is going to do in the life of Woden Valley Alliance in the year ahead.

A big thank you to all those who contributed to our Christmas Hampers this year. Many families at Stromlo High School have been blessed because of your generosity.

Sometimes we need to leave home and go on a God adventure where we can love others, encourage them and learn from them. This in turn deepens our faith and inspire us to live passionately. Take the challenge, surrender 3 weeks out of your year to travel with us to Uganda and be impacted as you impact others for God.

Location: Uganda – Africa

Dates: Wed 3rd July - Wed 25th July 2019

Age Recommendation: Individuals over 16 yrs of age

All applicants must apply in writing & approved to be on team

Total Cost: $5,950 all inclusive

Flights ex SYD Australia, all food & accommodation in hotels & transport

Transfers to and from Sydney Airport, meals in transit, travel insurance, personal incidentals and souvenirs not included.

*Please note this is an estimate based on current costs & therefore may be subject to change.

Fitness Level: Low - Medium

Flights of stairs at hotels and walks around villages and town. Mostly flat, although there will be some opportunity to do some climbing at Mt Elgon.

Application Deadline: Fri 15th Feb 2019

Why are we going? To act justly, show mercy and to walk humbly with God. Heartfelt Hope wants to encourage people to go with a heart for God, a passion to serve and a love for people.

Who is organising this trip? TRANSFORM trips are organised and overseen by Heartfelt Hope, a registered NGO and charity in Australia and Uganda, but also working in some other countries. Heartfelt Hope has a focus on faith, health and education.

TRANSFORM short term mission trips are to inspire others to live boldly for Christ, to bring much needed resources and encouragement. TRANSFORM is for people who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of people in disadvantaged communities across the world.

Where will we be going? To the South East of Uganda in the Tororo, Malaba, Busia and Igunga area. This is an area Heartfelt Hope has already been working in partnership ministry by coming alongside some local churches, villages, providing leadership training opportunities, running youth events, holding community health & wellbeing seminars, and helping establish small schools and medical clinics.

As part of the trip, there will also be a couple of day outings to allow you some time out to relax.

What will we do? We will be directed to various areas and local opportunities around Uganda also based on the gifts and abilities of those in the team. We want to encourage each individual to find an area or project they wish to be part of, something that allows them to use their gifts and abilities to minister to these people out of humility and compassion. Even if you feel you do not have a specific skill to offer, you are still valuable to the team and there will be a number of opportunities and projects to allow you to connect with people and the local communities

Why are we going? To learn more about the Bible, the life of Jesus and to understand the culture where Jesus lived and walked. This is a unique opportunity to have a spiritual, educational retreat to deepen your faith.

Where will we be going? We will be travelling throughout Jordan and Israel, visiting many famous sites found in the Bible as well as some of the lesser known ones. We will begin the tour in Jordan, visiting Mt Nebo, Petra, Wadi Rum and staying in a Bedouin tent like the Israelites of the Old Testament.

From here we will cross into the Promised Land, visiting many of the towns, sites of the Bible and regions where Jesus walked, talked and ministered. As we travel we will be learning about the Bible, creating a sensory understanding of the Jewish culture, Biblical times and the life of Christ. Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Masada, the Sea of Galilee, Mt Beatitudes, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Garden Tomb, and the Dead Sea are just some of the places we will visit.

Our guide will be a national born Christian from the area. Our tour leaders will be Ben & Helen Betz, pastors and missionaries with Heartfelt Hope who have a passion for teaching and running retreats. This combination will create a rich learning background as part of the tour. There will also be an opportunity to attend a local Sabbath service.

As part of the tour package, we have scheduled in some rest days, we have a few events just for fun and there will be a chance to do some shopping.

When will we go? Tuesday 28th April 2019 - Wednesday 22nd April 2019

Location: Israel & Jordan

Age Recommendation: Individuals over 18 yrs of age

Cost: $9,750*

Flights ex SYD Australia, breakfast & dinners, twin share accommodation, entrance fees, guide, bus travel and tips

(Single Supplement $1,950)

Fitness Level: Medium (Most days will include walking for between 1-3 hours)

Application & Deposit Deadline:Fri 2nd November 2018

Initially a non refundable deposit of $500 must be paid to secure your place and $3,500 paid by Friday 2nd November 2018 to purchase your flight tickets with the balance due early in 2019.

*Please note this is an estimate based on expected costs but prices cant be locked in until flights are purchased and therefore may be subject to change.

Who is organising this trip? TRANSFORM trips & Hope Tours are organised and overseen by Heartfelt Hope, a registered NGO and charity in Australia, but also partnering with some other countries. Heartfelt Hope has a focus on faith, health and education.

We run two types of trips. Our TRANSFORM short term mission trips are to inspire others to live boldly for Christ, to bring much needed resources and encouragement to those in developing countries. Our HOPE Tours on the other hand are travel tours which open up peoples eyes to the world in which we live. This particular tour is to deepen and enrich peoples faith journey in Jesus Christ and understanding of Biblical history.