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November Newsletter 2005
Editorial:
From the moment I first walked into Cornerstone I sensed God's spirit in the place.This has not changed even after 11 years. That is the
reason Alison and I stayed. Many of the workers from other agencies Comment: "There's something about this place?" People who come in for a
coffee, a meal, for comfort and assistance acknowledge the same.
Years ago I remember, at a meeting a preacher, Floyd Mc Clung, who ministered in the street of brothels in Amsterdam, saying we can
build great churches but unless we are where Jesus is at work in the marketplace it is a waste of time. The bible emphasises the love of
God for the poor and this, through Christians reaching out to the poor, is where the real Christian action is. The Sisters of Mercy in
Calcutta, Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong, the Barkers in the slums of Bangkok and places that just reach out demonstrating God"s love with no
strings attached. Joey's Van and Cornerstone are local practical examples.
So many people in the churches have said to me, how can you bear to work in that area, how do you cope with all the problems, Isn't it
frustrating to see so little change in people? Why bother they deserve all the bad luck they get. Why do you work with these people they are
losers! Despite the Doubting Thomases we have seen so many good things happen in the lives of the people because someone cared and were
willing to hang about. This is what faith is all about! Hanging about and letting God work it out!
The task may be daunting but our awesome God can work it out. Moses led 3.5 million people out of Egypt. One of the biggest arithmetical
miracles the world had ever seen. To move these people, a population expert estimated, Moses needed 1500 tons of food a day which would
have filled 2 freight trains each a mile long. This had to be cooked and kept warm. To do this you would need 4000 tons of firewood
daily.They were 40 years in transit. To water the people and stock they needed 11 million gallons of water a day This would have filled a
train of tanker cars 1800 miles long.They had to get across the sea in one night. If they had gone in pairs the line would have been 800
miles long and taken 35 days and nights to complete the crossing. So to do it in one night there had to be a space in the sea 5 miles wide
and they would have had to walk 5000 abreast. Everytime they set up camp they covered 750 square miles.
Moses did not sit and work this out. He had faith that God could handle it. He had the courage to step forward and the faith that God
would take care of it. When confronted with the impossible that is a great time to realise that if we let go and let God, problems will
be solved and miracles happen.
Pastor Max Walker.CEO
LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS.
There will be a variety of activities leading up to our final dinner on Friday December 23rd. The final Saturday Night for 2005 will be on
Saturday December 17th with Terri & her team from Vineyard leading. On Sunday 18th the final Sunday program will feature Carols and Xmas songs
with a BBQ. The final Christmas lunch will be on Friday 23rd and all programs will conclude during that week. See below for January dates.
VOLUNTEERS FINAL TRAINING SESSION FOR 2005:
This will be held at Sherbrooke Lodge for all our regular volunteers.
ALAN BREAKS ARM:
Popular organiser and supervisor of Koala Cafe at Cornerstone had a bad fall from his bike breaking an arm. We wish him
well as he recovers and look forward to seeing his smiling face as he oversees this important aspect of daily life at Cornerstone.
SUNDAY PROGRAMS
 Throughout 2005 under the leadership of Pastor Don Cameron approximately every second Sunday a special program has been run at
Cornerstone with a 30 minute Christian segment. On November 20th George and Vickie (Board Members) led, with a group of Cornerstone
helpers a music segment.
REPAIRS TO FRONT DOOR.
Following the recent forced entrance into Cornerstone the front doors have been replaced. To fully complete the job by replacing the doors
on the carpark side of the foyer it would cost us another $1500. In the New year we will look to ways we can meet this cost.
JANUARY DATES
For the first time since the late 90's Cornerstone will be open over the January period. A limited program as described below will commence
on January 2nd with the recommencement of our regular Monday Pool program with Jimbo and his team.
- Monday 2nd Jan Pool afternoon from 1 - 4pm
- Monday 9th Jan Pool afternoon from 1 - 4pm
- Monday 16th Jan Pool afternoon from 1 - 4pm
- Monday 23rd Jan Pool afternoon from 1 - 4pm
- Monday 30th Jan Pool afternoon from 1 - 4pm
Don's popular Coffe and Cake bible study will recommence on Tuesday January 3rd.
- Tuesday 3rd Jan 'Coffee and Cake' bible study from 2 - 3pm
- Tuesday 10th Jan 'Coffee and Cake' bible study from 2 - 3pm
- Tuesday 17th Jan 'Coffee and Cake' bible study from 2 - 3pm
- Tuesday 24th Jan 'Coffee and Cake' bible study from 2 - 3pm
- Tuesday 31st Jan 'Coffee and Cake' bible study from 2 - 3pm
During January a modified Wednesday program from 10 -1 will be held with a light lunch of finger food etc available. Normal lunches will
recommence on Wednesday Feb 1st.
- Wednesday 4th Jan Morning drop in with 'light' lunch 10am - 1pm
- Wednesday 11th Jan Morning drop in with 'light' lunch 10am - 1pm
- Wednesday 18th Jan Morning drop in with 'light' lunch 10am - 1pm
- Wednesday 25th Jan Morning drop in with 'light' lunch 10am - 1pm
For the Cricket and Sport's fan Cornerstone will open on the evenings indicated below.
- Sunday 15th Jan Cricket on tv and finger food 6- 9pm
- Sunday 22nd Jan Cricket on tv and finger food 6- 9pm
- Sunday 29th Jan Cricket on tv and finger food 6- 9pm
ER COMMITTEE CASEY:
Pastor Max is the Cornerstone representative on this committee of Emergency Relief providers in the City of Casey. This forum discusses the rapid growth of the area and the welfare ramifications for the various charitable groups trying to meet needs in the district. This Committee is a City of Casey initiative and recently met with local federal politicians or their representatives
concerning the welfare need s of the city.
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AVOCARE:
The Community Cooking Work for the Dole program continues to be of great benefit to Cornerstone preparing the Friday meal since
Marion left the Friday program earlier in the year.
LLN MEATS IN HALLAM & HALLAM HIGHWAY BAKERY, & DANDENONG LIONS (MONTHLY DONATION OF VEGETABLES) have assisted us again in 2005. PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS. As one of the welfare groups to be funded out of the Community Grants of the City of Greater Dandenong for a three year period regular meetings are held with Council staff and it is an opportunity for the groups to hear of the other's activities and for the City to liaise and inform the group on happenings in the City.
Pastor Max & Alison represent Cornerstone at these meetings.
A GLANCE AT DON'S AGENDA.
In the past month at Cornerstone I've seen a long time client start attending a local Church with people from his country of origin, a long time sceptic start attending a weekly bible study and several other bible study group members expressed a need to get involved with what Jesus has for them in life. These are very encouraging signs and part of a long journey. I've continued pre-season football training with the MIDDWAY Cobras regularly meeting with many people who would never visit a Church but often ask questions about my connection to Jesus and Church. At a Football club meeting last month I was unanimously voted in as the President taking over from another Christian man who's work
committments don't allow him to continue in this position.
On a more challenging note, I've written a reference for a footballer attending court, I was in the middle of an impromtu heated discussion between a man and his wife as they attempted reconciliation. I received a phone call from a primary school boy and visited him as he was being taken away from by the Department of Human Services after violence occured at the house. After visiting a patient at the Dandenong Psychiatric Hospital I was asked if I would take the patient out for a while as his day leave was approved but he had no other visitors and his family members didn't return calls. Sometimes this ministry is more about being faithful in difficult situations than having any great wisdom or knowledge. Out of these come incredible opportunities to speak about why we bother with people most parts of society ignore. 1Cor13:8 Love never fails!
MARANATHA! Don, Jo and Jemma Cameron (+ Cleo the cat)
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For further details check out the website or contact us as indicated below. *
All correspondence to
CEO c/o PO Box 358 Dandenong. 3175.
Cornerstone:
Pastor Max Walker CEO. |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 358
Dandenong Vic 3175 |
| Address: |
Church of Christ building
cnr Mason and Walker Sts
Dandenong Vic 3175. |
| General Enquiries: |
(03) 9794 5654 |
| Fax: |
(03) 9794 5949 |
| Free Legal Service: |
(03) 9794 8428 |
Email:
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ALLMAX@bigpond.com |
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