Reena Roy
Trinity Worshipping Community

I have been attending the Sunday morning service at Trinity Uniting Church since I first arrived in Australia as an immigrant from South Africa 11 years ago. I attended many services in city churches before finding the perfect fit for me at Trinity. What faith means to me is what I feel in this beautiful, small, heritage church. The quiet, peaceful space, the exquisite contemplative music Jangoo plays, the thought-provoking sermons, the loving, inclusive congregation, many of them also South African and other immigrants. There's something about Trinity that makes me feel close to God just by being here.
 
The most important people in my life are my family and it makes me very happy to be able to share the beautiful experience that is Trinity, with them too. I met my better half, Jeff Williams nearly four years ago now and was delighted when he almost immediately started joining me at Sunday morning services. By the time we married in a beautiful service at Trinity last year, he was as much a part of the community as I was.
 
I'm so happy that my dear sister, Rossa, brother-in-law Reebu and little nephews Raoul and Roan started attending Trinity too a few years ago. Now it's very much part of our family time together and such a joy to teach the kids about God and our relationship with God together.
 
Another significant part of my life over the past few years was being able to spend some time volunteering with international non-profit, Habitat for Humanity (HFH). HFH builds homes for underprivileged families in Australia and overseas, with the help of donations, corporate/government sponsorships and the use of volunteer labour such as myself!
 
As a volunteer, being able to physically see where my donation was going, to meet and work with the family that receives the home and realise the power of giving up a little of my free time to do something for someone less fortunate, is profoundly rewarding. I became addicted to the work and have travelled overseas to build with HFH ten times in Vietnam, Fiji, Indonesia, India, China, Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Mongolia and Nepal!
 
Volunteers have to fundraise a minimum amount that is donated towards the cost of the build and we also pay for all our own travel expenses. I'm so privileged to have been able to do these builds because I had the ever-reliable and continuous support of UCIC who contributed generously to my donation every time I travelled. It made me very proud to have their support.
 
In the last three years, I have not been able to travel as frequently due to inconsistent employment so the HFH trips have now taken a back seat. I went in search instead for a cause closer to home - the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. I feel so passionately against Australian government policies in this matter that I was determined to not be someone who stood by and watched it happen. I wanted to be one of the groups of people who stood against these policies and in solidarity with people who came here looking for help, kindness and compassion.
 
I found CARAD two and a half years ago, a centre for the assistance of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Detainees and have volunteered as their detention visit coordinator ever since. Besides all of the other incredible work that CARAD does, our detention visitors plan regular trips to two detention centres in WA, the Perth Immigration Detention Centre and the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre in Northam, to support the men detained there in an endless limbo. We provide emotional support, advocacy where possible, visa application assistance, and sometimes just a kind friendly face to make them feel less alone.
 
Being able to personally meet people in these excruciating circumstances, not being able to sometimes do much more than lend a ear to their hardships, is a humbling and very moving experience. On the rare occasion when an asylum seeker gets released on a visa, and expresses their thanks to us volunteers, it honestly moves all of us at CARAD to tears.
 
I was absolutely thrilled and so proud to discover again, that UCIC is one of CARAD's long-time supporters and provides a significant part of the funds they need to carry out the essential work we do. What a joy to know that we're all connected in our desire to do what's right for each other.
 
The  22nd of October 2017 was the one year anniversary of Jeff and my wedding on a perfect day right here in our beautiful little Trinity. We were so honoured to have Rev Marie Wilson be our marriage celebrant and to have Jangoo play his exceptional music for us. They both spent many hours with us prior to the day to make sure we had a perfect ceremony, and it was. We were so blessed that along with our closest family and friends, many of our dear friends from the Trinity congregation were able to attend our wedding. It was a very special day!

Reena would love to get to know you better.

We would love to hear your story.
If you would like to share your story about how God is working in your life, please contact the UCIC Office. 

Muster up your old mobile

Have you got an old mobile phone or two that aren't working anymore? At Mobile Muster you can enter your postcode and find your nearest drop-off point for recycling the valuable materials inside. Go to www.mobilemuster.com.au

Five things to throw away
It's not often that we encourage throwing things away. Check out these five ideas to throw away at www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/5-ideas-instead-more-stuff-belong-trash. Dumping these ideas means we dump less waste.

Would you like to learn more about sustainability
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Alpha
Starting Thursday 8 February, 12 noon, Wesley Church
Alpha is a series of free sessions that explores the basics of the Christian Faith. You are encouraged to invite along anyone you think would benefit from the course. A free lunch will be provided along with an opportunity for discussion. The course runs for 10 weeks spread over school terms 1 & 2, covering topics such as why did Jesus die and who is the Holy Spirit. For more info email alpha@ucic.org.au

Let's Do Lunch
Sunday 11 February, 11.45am, Enex 100 Arcade Food Hall 
Join us for lunch on the second Sunday of the month. All welcome! Please note all vehicles need to vacate the Wesley Church carpark by 1.30pm.

Summer Spirit
Saturday 17 February, All Saints Floreat Uniting Church
This year's keynote speaker, Rev Lindsay Cullen, will explore the theme: 'A Different Church for a Different World’. Cost is $90 and includes all meals. Registrations close Friday 9 February. For more info click here or contact Alice Boomer on 9260 9813. 

Commencement Service and Induction
Friday 23 February, 7pm, Maylands-Mt Lawley Uniting Church
You are invited to the Perth Theological Hall Commencement Service, including the Inductions of Rev Emma Matthews and Rev Dr Anne Wright as Presbytery Ministers, Formation and Discipleship in the Uniting Church WA. All are welcome to attend.

From the Darkness into the Light
Sunday 11 March, 12 noon, Trinity Church
Marvel in the astonishing transformation of themes in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.5. Camerata 1685 will be conducted by Jangoo Chapkhana. For more info contact the UCIC Office on 6103 4222. Please note there will be no 10am worship at Trinity on this day.

Deep Listening Festival
Friday 6 April - Saturday 7 April, Margaret River Uniting Church
The festival will be a weekend of storytelling, art, music and spirituality while taking the time to listen and engage with people from the edges of society. Keynote speakers will be Sabrina Hahn and Scott Darlow. For more info visit https://margaretriveruniting.com or phone 9757 3686.

Greta Bradman's 'Home' concert
Saturday 9 June, 6pm, Trinity Church
A personal tribute to where the heart is, ‘Home’ will feature songs and arias that for Greta encapsulate the essence of family, friends, and precious moments and memories of times and places, present and past she cannot wait to share with audiences. Greta is excited to bring this journey to life and share this experience of “home” as she performs live in concert accompanied by pianist Kate Johnson. Tickets are available at www.gretabradman.com or by phoning (02) 9266 4034.