Welcome to the July edition of Cockburn Central News! 

Well, the rain sure did come in last Sunday – bringing with it a huge storm that broke just as most people were leaving the South Service!!

A big thankyou to all the wonderful volunteers who provided shuttle vehicles this past Sunday to take people safely to their cars and to all who braved the woolly weather to help us get various families, boxes, instruments and equipment into vehicles!  A huge commendation to our Service Teams – ushers, greeters and parking volunteers who braved the weather to ensure the comfort and safety of the rest of us.  While it was much needed rain, it certainly was great to have such friendly faces helping us to negotiate the downpour.  So, many thanks!!

On Friday 27 July, we will be hosting our first Christmas in July social event at the Cockburn Central Campus.  Tickets are $20 per head and include a carvery buffet dinner with trimmings, scrumptious desserts, all non-alcoholic drinks and, of course, great company!

The South quarterly social events have the well-earned reputation of being a wonderful way to meet new friends and enjoy an informal social outing with other South attendees.  Please register your name and pay your money at the Information Desk on Sunday at the South Service.  Unfortunately there won’t be any children’s facilities available on the night so you might like to book the babysitter soon! 

As most of you would have heard by now, Marcus and Aly Passauer will be departing in November to go and lend a helping hand at Riverview’s Orange County Campus in California.  Adam and Dale Meredith will become the new Lead Pastors at Cockburn Central, having recently begun an Assistant Lead Pastor role in preparation for Marcus and Aly’s departure. 

The official handover of the Lead Pastor role will occur on Sunday 21 October, the first anniversary of our Cockburn Central Campus.  If you haven’t met Adam and Dale yet, be sure to come and introduce yourself on Sunday morning.

We are aware that there are currently a number of people wanting to be involved in Connect Groups.  With our current shortage of Connect Groups in the Cockburn Central area, we are urgently in need of people to lead new groups in all locations.   If you feel as though this is something you could do then please contact Alyson or Dale at the church office on 9416 0194 or via email alysonp@riverviewchurch.com.au  asap for further details.   

If you have wanted to get involved in a Connect Group then this event is for you.  The Connect Department will be holding a mixer at the Cockburn Central Campus for all those interested in being part of a Connect Group.  The Riverview “Connect Mix” is a gathering for people wanting to get involved in Connect Groups but who currently do not know leaders or group members who can invite them.
 
The purpose of the night is to provide a place for people who want to connect at Riverview Cockburn Central to meet others in the context of a temporary Connect Group. It is hoped that you will be able to discover shared interests and develop friendships that may lead to a greater relational network and a Connect Group that you can join. The date of our August Mixer and further details will follow in next month’s e-letter. 

If you are keen to participate in our first South Connect Mix, please register your interest with Dale by emailing dalem@riverviewchurch.com.au or leave your name and contact details at the Information Desk on Sunday.

If you would like to accelerate your spiritual growth then our mid-week training course - Accelerate - is for you.

Accelerate provides the opportunity to learn and grow together as we study God's word in a more detailed way.  Each Thursday evening, Accelerate is held at the Cockburn Central Campus. Sessions run from 7.30-9.00pm with a short refreshment break included. You can register for Accelerate online at www.riverviewchurch.com.au or contact Haydn Nelson at the church office for more details.

The Bloke is an event simply for blokes. No singing, no dancing, no gifts on arrival… Our next Bloke event will be held on Wednesday 15 August with special guest Geoff Gallop, former Premier of Western Australia.  Marriage Man will be back plus a new segment ‘Top Gear’, with two-time Australian Rally Champion Dean Herridge.  There will be a beer and a pie & chips on arrival. It’ll be a great night out for all the guys.  Invite your male friends, family and workmates today!

We are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers to serve in our South Bookstore on Sundays on a rostered basis.  If you would like to be involved in this area, please contact Aron Elliott, Manager of Riverview Bookstore at the church office on 9416 0000 or email arone@riverviewchurch.com.au or alternatively, register your interest with our friendly bookstore assistants on Sunday.   No experience necessary!

Our 25+ social gatherings happen on the first Friday of every month. For more information contact Dave Ryder on daver@riverviewchurch.com.au or call Dave at the church office on 9416 0000.

We have received a request from a lady in the Hamilton Hill area who has seen our TV ad and would like to visit Cockburn Central Campus but is looking for transport.  If this is something you think you could assist us with, please contact Colleen Gee, our Pastoral Response coordinator at the church office by emailing colleeng@riverviewchurch.com.au or call Colleen or Alyson on 9416 0000 for more details.

We are bidding a fond farewell and safe travels to South attendees Tania and Isaac Davidson and Christina Hansen who are heading off to Rwanda on the Children’s Foundation Impact Trip this week.  We know that this will be a great time for you all.  We pray that you will enjoy a safe and blessed journey, and return full of amazing stories of what God is doing in Rwanda.

Well that’s all the news to the minute.  Have a wonderful month, and we can’t wait to see you all at the Christmas in July Dinner!

God bless you richly!

Alyson and Marcus