Happenings 05/05/22

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Just Thinking…

A Mothers Day Reflection, by By Eileen Benthal. 

The greatest career of my life was launched from the bathroom when I peed on a stick and that little pink line got darker and darker before my eyes. My first born, a son, became my CEO for the first nine months by his very existence within the silence of my womb. I remember the day of the discovery well — the ecstatic feelings of joy and tumultuous emotions, in part prompted by shifting hormones. I couldn’t stop talking to and touching my stomach. Those first flutters when I felt my son moving inside my womb made those five months of morning sickness well worth it. Long before I held him in my arms, my vocation of motherhood was born. As any mum knows, the joys of motherhood are always tinged with grief. My son was born in an emergency c-section that almost claimed my life. Thirty-two years later, I still lovingly remind him of this fact. My husband’s joy in first holding our son in his arms was also overshadowed by concerns as he watched doctors and nurses scurry beside me to stop the bleeding. Three days later, and only hours after he settled his new little family into our apartment, my husband struggled to tell me the news that one of my older sisters was killed in a tragic car accident as a drunk driver hit her and her adolescent son. In the final moments of her motherhood, my sister protected her son as she shoved his body into the safety of the floor of the front seat to reduce the impact of the crash. In the quiet darkness of that same night, as I sat in bed nursing my infant son that still small voice of God spoke a prophetic word into my motherhood that has carried me through the past 32 years: “I gave you this child as a sign; I bring new life in the midst of death.” This deeper truth has guided me through even the smaller joys and sorrows of motherhood. It also reminded me that every milestone and period of growth in my four children was preceded by struggle and every trial held the potential for greater things. As any mum knows, kids enlarge our hearts even as they break them. They don’t mean to break our hearts. But the constant balance of holding them close and letting them go is part of the sweet perils of motherhood. The strength of motherhood lies in our ability to grasp and let go of our children. We protect them from evil and step aside so life can teach them how to stand on our their own and weather the storms.“Supermum” is not a title I ever aspired to, but she is the perfect image that haunts every mum. Every mum is a super mother as defined by the looks of admiration in their child’s eyes. We are the miraculous vessels and co-creators of human life. Whether they share our DNA or not, our children are our greatest works and gifts to the world. The best mums know motherhood can’t be done alone and the worst mums are the ones who think they can. Each generation has its models of motherhood born of a mix of moral and cultural norms idealized in movies, television and now on social media too … Our children’s steps towards independence can’t be plotted on a curve, but rather forged on the unpaved road of endless possibilities. The lines on her face tell a story of motherhood that only a few can tell. Her cheeks are often tear-streaked as her sobs are silenced by the pillow she cries into in the dark of night. In her, gratitude runs deep because she has learned the blessings that come through the biggest storms, the wisdom that is born of trials. And she’s witnessed countless miracles along the way. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 22 years of raising a child with a rare disease, it’s that I am often in over my head — whether the Lord allowed it or not. I have learned this Godly truth:
“When you are tested, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Some days the way out is another hand to help, a cup of coffee or a home-made dinner from a friend. Our escapes are as varied as each mum — with one thing in common — we all need space to breathe. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. To all mothers far and near, be kind to yourselves and gentle for it truly is the hand that rocks the cradle who has the greatest impact on this earth.

This Sunday…

This Sunday: The Best Advice My Mum Gave Me Was ...

What was the best advice your mum ever gave you? Did it change your life? We are going to check out someone who would answer, 'yes' ... and check out the advice too!

Kids Programmes

Spark and Blaze programmes for our primary ages children have current on break for the term holidays and resume on 15 May.

 

RBC Youth

Youth Group will be back on 4 May for term 2!
Happy Holidays

 

Ignite

Time: 10 am (during the Sunday morning gathering)
Date:  Every Sunday during school term
Location: @RBC

 

Bible Study Connect Group

Our current 'Look at the Book' series is an in-depth look at the book of Psalms.  People can also choose to participate via zoom. Note, this is a repeat of a course done a number of years ago. Please get in touch with the office if you would like to get involved.

Worship This Sunday: Gathered AND Online

It was so exciting to be back together in our church building again! We will be doing it again this week at 10am (with masks and vaccine passports)!

There will also be an online service available to view, and a link will be sent out to you at 10am on Sunday morning.

Prayer Connection Points

Come along to a prayer gathering at the church lounge Thursdays from 11:30am-12:00pm.  Masks are required. Also, On Mondays from 12:00 – 12:30pm there will be an Online Prayer Gathering for half an hour via zoom.  Contact the office if you would like the meeting link and passcode.

Book Club


The Book Club has chosen their first book - "One Soul At A Time" - a biography of Billy Graham. Please contact Carolina at the church office if you want to join - it's not too late!

Men’s Breakfast

These are usually held on the first Saturday each month at 8am in the church lounge. Covid regulations have resulted in these breakfasts not being held for some time but we are hoping that the traffic light setting will change after things settle, so we have tentatively planned a breakfast for Saturday 7 May at 8am. Our speaker will be Lindsay Marriner.  Lindsay will be speaking about the history of our men’s breakfasts as well as some other thoughts. So men please set this date aside and we hope to see you there (Covid permitting). If there is any change we will let you know. Please feel free to invite other men.

Mainly Music

We are currently on break for the term holidays! We will commence sessions once school resumes.

Connect Groups

Thursday Morning Bible Study Group
Every Thursday morning at 10:30am in the church lounge. We are currently running an in-depth look at the book of Psalms. Please email the church to be added to the Facebook page, and check Facebook for updates of what we have going on. We'd love for you to join us! Please note that masks are required.

Thursday Prayer  Group
Every Thursday  in the church lounge from 11:30am - 12:00 pm. Contact the office for more information.  Please note that masks are required.

Monday Zoom Prayer Group
From 12:00 – 12:30pm on Zoom. Contact the office if you would like the zoom link to be sent to you.

Thursday Night Book Club
Every Thursday from 7:30pm via Zoom. Contact the office if you would like the zoom link to be sent to you.

Home Groups

Young Adults Home Group
Every Sunday evening at 7:30pm. Please email the church to be added to the Facebook page, and check Facebook for updates of what we have going on. We'd love for you to join us!

Wednesday Night Home Group
TBA

Thursday Morning Home Group
TBA

You can check out what’s happening from our Facebook page by clicking here.

You can check out the Sunday sermons our YouTube channel by clicking here.

You can find out what’s happening at RBC by joining our e-newsletter list. Please contact the office if you wish to be added to this.