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Worship
is central to our life as a Church, and we live out our mission in many
different ways. As
well as these formal worship
times, the Church arranges many other activities that give social,
sharing, serving or study opportunities. We
can experience the presence of God in these, too. Our
times of gathering together are designed to be as varied as possible. You might like to join us in Mission As people who understand God to
be working in the Dubbo community, we seek opportunities to join with
God in that work. Vision Our vision is to be people who encounter and experience the love of Jesus in our daily lives. The discoveries we make together give rise to creative ministries which nurture and serve. We come from a diverse community and this is reflected in our ways of working together. Wherever possible we work co-operatively with other churches and faith communities. St Andrew’s and Wesley Churches are wheelchair accessible and have hearing loops. St Andrew’s and Wesley Halls have wheelchair accessible toilets. In the Dubbo Congregation there are several worship services each Sunday. At Wesley there is an all-age service at 9.00am, which is a more informal service with space for young children and Sunday School. Worship is led by Worship Teams, with congregational members involved. There is a great time of sharing at morning tea afterwards. The St. Andrew’s service is usually more traditional all age worship than Wesley. Once again, there is morning tea served after the 9.30am service. There are two rural services monthly; one at Wongarbon, held at 3pm on the third Sunday of the month and at Ballimore held at 11am on the fourth Sunday of the month. These are both faithfully attended. Monthly services are also held at the Aged Care facilities. A weekly bulletin with details of current and future events is available at each worship service. Also available are copies of the monthly magazine “Insights” produced by the NSW Synod. At least three times each year we have a Combined Service, which is an opportunity for us to get together and celebrate important seasons of church life, such as Palm Sunday, Advent Sunday, or Pentecost. Services at Wesley are taped and tapes are available by contacting the Church Office.
We are committed to working with the other Churches in Dubbo and participate in joint activities from time to time. These include Ecumenical Services and training programmes. Scripture in primary schools is also run on an ecumenical basis. If you would like to assist with this in any way contact the Church Office.
The worship centres are represented on the Worship Task Group, that discusses different ideas and determines format relating to worship. People are invited to participate in many areas of the worship services eg flowers, stewards, pastoral segment, communion, taping of the service and morning tea. For further information contact the Church Office. Sunday School for children aged 3 years to Year 12 at school, operates on Sunday morning at Wesley Worship Centre. It commences at 9.00 am with a combined worship segment with the adults for the first part of the service. The children then proceed to their groups. Sunday School concludes at the same time as the Wesley morning service - approximately 10.00 am. Contact the Church office for further information. Youth Group is currently in recess, but usually meets on Friday nights for social activities - games, videos and films, shared meals, talks about issues like drugs and alcohol, self-esteem, and suicide. We try to help young people explore their faith and to develop a more balanced view on life. Generally meetings are in St Andrew’s Hall unless otherwise notified. Years 7-12 meet from 7.30–9.30pm. Ring the Church Office on 6885 4200 for more information.
Each fortnight (commencing the second week of each school term) children from Kinder to Year 6 meet with the Lutherans at Kids Club from 5-7pm at St Andrew's. The program includes music, games, activities and a meal. Ring Wendy White on 6885 4454. Our Bible Studies Programme covers a variety of needs - and we are always open to suggestions. We have studies over some of the special Church seasons, like Lent, Easter and Advent. There are also groups that run through the year, that address a range of topics. Contact the Church Office or one of the Ministers for more information.
The Church Office is located behind St Andrew’s Church in Carrington Lane. Hours are Monday to Friday mornings, 9.30am to 12.30pm and has an answering machine where messages can be left. Contact the office for hall bookings, funerals, baptism and wedding enquiries or as a contact point for other church activities. Transport to and from Church Services or any other Church activity can also be arranged by contacting the Church Office.
As a result of our Congregation planning we have introduced some new programmes, including a men’s breakfast, ladies' breakfast, small groups, camps, etc. Banner Centre: A small group meets as necessary to make up banner kits, that are sent all over Australia. A
catalogue is available to anyone interested. Please contact the Church Office.
There are many Task Groups involved in the life of the Church: Administration, Children and Youth, Pastoral Care, Church Life, Community Relations, Finance and Property, Spiritual Growth and Education, and Worship. Feel free to speak to one of the representatives, or contact the Church Office on 6885 4200. A Casserole Bank operates as a practical expression of our caring. If you would like to cook a meal or know someone who needs a meal, please contact Diana Evans on 6882 3871 or the Church office during office hours. A Bereavement Support Group plans and assists in the care of the bereaved. Some parishioners assist the Ministers with funerals by taking a small part in the service, and/or by visiting families. Others are involved in looking after some related practical considerations. Some members of the group are able to help in other situations of loss, which result in grief. For more information contact Nora Mines on 6886 5111. The Catering Committee works on a volunteer basis to raise funds for the church and church-related activities by catering for functions. We always need helpers to cook at home or to attend functions to cater and serve. Another important dimension of this group's work is serving morning or afternoon teas after funerals. If you would like to help out, contact Marian Lee on 6884 7864 or the Church Office. The Prayer Chain prays for your concerns for a week (or more). See the weekly newsletter for contacts. For more information contact the Church office. Used Stamps are collected, trimmed and sent down to the Synod Office. Money raised from the sale of stamps is used for mission activities of the Church (last year over $20,000 was raised). Ring Gordon Harcourt on 6884 1230. Contact Raelene Burn on 6884 3138 for details. MINISTRY, MISSION AND ME Your giving to God through His Church
One of the privileges of belonging to a church Congregation is participating in its various activities at the local level and in the wider church. One way we do this is through regular systematic giving. This Church has dated envelopes available for this purpose. By making such a commitment you are helping the Church to plan for the future, going forwards, not backwards. Confidentiality is always maintained. Since the birth of
Christianity, believers have been called to be faithful stewards of
their God given talents and resources. We would encourage you to
continue in this pattern. If you would like envelopes you could contact
one of these people:
Wesley
Bill Paul
6885 1513
St Andrews
Elaine Drummond
6882 1053 or speak to one of the Ministry Team, or contact the Church Office Self Help Fund The Congregation has a self help fund where some of the interest from deposits help with expenses - in the past it has been used to help offset the interest due on loans.
Deposits receive interest, and are available at call (by cheque through the mail). Interest rate can be nominated up to a maximum, currently around 4%. Contact the Treasurer through the Church Office.
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The Wesley evening service at
7pm is a more reflective service
Kids’ Camp: One
weekend each year a Kids’ Camp is held for Primary aged school kids.
CHURCH OFFICE
Congregation members get together for many social events, market days, trash and
treasure days, gardening, working bees, organising Christmas gifts with
Target and sharing a Christmas dinner with families from some of the
support agencies in town.
The Aged Care Committee does
just that. We have a number of aged care visitors sponsored by the
congregation who offer care and support and the committee helps to
co-ordinate wider ministry. Contact Cassie Carrington on 6882
3030. One aspect of this ministry is Extended Holy
Communion - for those unable to come to church, whether at home, in
hospital or other care. 
The UCAF (Uniting Church Adult
Fellowship) meets the first Tuesday of each month
at 10.00am in St Andrew’s Hall. We have a regular attendance of 20-25.
Wesley House Players is an
amateur theatrical group that usually meets on Mondays and Thursdays
(depending on the production). They try to do three productions a year
- a musical, a play and a theatre restaurant.