📌21 June 2026 - Soup Sunday

Sharing a meal is one of life's simple pleasures. Our Soup Sunday was a wonderful morning of worship, friendship and homemade soup.

Thank you to everyone who came along. And a special thank you to our dedicated cooks and kitchen volunteers whose generosity, hard work and homemade soups brought warmth and fellowship to our community gathering. 

📌7 June 2026 - Sunday Service with a difference

Our Sunday service on 7 June was made extra special by the wonderful musical gifts of Dr Jennifer Barnes.

Jennifer shared her beautiful singing voice and operatic talent with the congregation, creating a memorable and uplifting worship experience. Accompanied by her musician husband, Rod Barnes, and led by Rev Stephen de Plater, the service was a highlight for many who attended.

Jennifer has enjoyed a distinguished career as a performer, conductor, researcher and teacher. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her service to opera and the community and continues to contribute actively to church life and choral music.

Those who attended were treated to a truly special morning of worship and music. If you were unable to join us, be sure to ask others about the service—you may find yourself looking forward to the next special occasion even more.

📌17 February 2026 - Coffee and Chat - second session

Following the success of our first Coffee and Chat gathering in August 2025, we were delighted to welcome people back for our second event on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

The morning provided a relaxed and friendly opportunity for members of our Over 50s community to connect, enjoy conversation and learn more about topics that affect many of us and our families.

We were privileged to welcome guest speakers Kandy Price, Clinical Nurse Consultant with the Greater Newcastle Dementia Advisory Service, and her colleague Nicole, a Social Worker. Drawing on their extensive experience, they shared valuable information about dementia, including understanding symptoms and behaviours, supporting cognitive wellbeing, and accessing services and support for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

The presentation prompted thoughtful discussion and provided practical information that attendees could take away and share with others.

A light morning tea was enjoyed by all, with many taking the opportunity to continue conversations and build connections in an informal setting.

We were pleased to welcome both familiar faces and newcomers and look forward to hosting more Coffee and Chat mornings in the future.

📌27 August 2025 - Coffee and Chat - first session

Our first Coffee and Chat gathering, held on Wednesday 27 August 2025, was a wonderful success, with around 70 people attending for a morning of conversation, learning and community connection.

The event was created to provide a welcoming and informal space where people aged 55 and over can come together to discuss topics that are important in their lives, build relationships and strengthen connections within our wider community.

We hope Coffee and Chat will become a regular feature of our church calendar, offering opportunities every couple of months for people to connect, share experiences and learn from knowledgeable guest speakers.

The focus of our first gathering was the challenges associated with ageing and disability, both for individuals and for those supporting family members, friends or others in their care.

We were delighted to welcome Meagan Harding as our guest speaker. Meagan is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in aged care and disability services. For more than 20 years she owned and directed a highly successful Disability and Home Care service in Port Stephens and now operates the region's only activity centre specifically supporting people living with dementia and memory loss.

Meagan shared valuable insights, practical advice and a wealth of experience, helping attendees better understand the challenges that can arise with ageing and the support options available.

Adding to the morning, a representative from Ansteys Medical Supply attended with a display of disability aids and equipment, providing useful ideas and information for those supporting older family members or living with changing mobility needs themselves.

The positive response from both attendees and church members confirmed the value of these gatherings. We look forward to building on this success and exploring future topics that continue to inform, support and connect our Over 55s community.

Denise Weir | Enquiries: deniseweir@bigpond.com | 0407 934 001