Welcome to this first issue of a new quarterly update on our “Circles of Friendship” Outreach Ministry based at Werribee Plaza.

We hope you will find this circular both informative and inspiring.

Around 2002, Werribee Corps members Rhonda Stobie and Alan Marsh simultaneously identified the need for a Friendship Club. A group was eventually formed and under Rhonda’s leadership met on Mondays at the Perkins Avenue Hall to share in Christian fellowship, enjoy fun activities, and outreach to elderly residents in a local nursing home.

When Rhonda tragically lost her lengthy battle with cancer a couple of years later, Alan took over the reins for a while before passing them on to me (Christine Williams). There was a general consensus at the time that the word “club” could imply exclusivity, so it was decided to adopt the name “Friendship Group”.

For reasons best known to God, attendance numbers gradually dwindled despite the efforts of Alan, fellow member Heather Taylor and myself to keep the group alive. There seemed little point in moving the program to Werribee when the Corps purchased Silver Birches, so our Corps Officers Captains Kevin & Judy Lumb took a huge leap of faith to allow God’s will to be done.

It was agreed to trial Friendship Group as an outreach ministry based at Wyld Cherries in Werribee Plaza from the start of August 2007. Though it’s tempting to add “and the rest is now history”, we believe God is not finished with us yet.

Friendship Group continues to meet each Monday (including public holidays) between 11am & 3pm. In mid-May this year, we reached a record-breaking attendance figure of 47 people.

It is an immense privilege and joy to formally announce my new team of helpers: Helena Walsh, Betty Richards and Les Porter, with Alan as a back-up male community care visitor when needed. We are all eager to show the love of Jesus through community service, so along with our new mission and vision statements, we’ve also introduced a new overarching ministry title to allow for current and future growth.

“Circles of Friendship” Outreach Ministry presently includes Friendship Group each Monday; Movie Group at Werribee 10 Cinemas on the last Tuesday of every month, plus other Tuesdays on request; and Community Care Visits to members in hospital or in their home as needed. I am delighted to also announce that Brekkie Break will be formally launched at Werribee Plaza on July 3rd. Helena will shepherd this group at Donut King each Thursday morning from 8am until 11am.

Following a recent in-depth conversation with God one night, I couldn’t sleep so got up (big mistake!) to Google a favourite Bible topic, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the nine qualities and characteristics that affect our spiritual relationship with God -> love, joy & peace; with other people -> patience, kindness & goodness; and with ourselves -> faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.

Several hours later my bleary eyes were still glued to the computer screen.

Christians know salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone, so the “Circles of Friendship” team will strive to demonstrate this truth through patience (calm & caring interaction with others); through kindness (goodwill towards the welfare of others); and through goodness (constructively helping others).

If you would like to know more about our God-inspired and God-directed ministry, just phone or email us. Better still, come and join us some time.

God loves you and so do we !!!

Christine & The Team - “Circles of Friendship” Outreach Ministry