Central Queensland Zone Annual Rally/Retreat

F.R.O.G.        Fully Rely on God              1 John 4:16

So we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Gladstone Lutheran Ladies Fellowship was the host for the Rally/Retreat held on the weekend of 14-15 March 2020 and the members were blessed to have the company of ladies (and some menfolk) from Mackay area in the north to Warwick area in the south, and Emerald and Chinchilla districts in the west.  Thank you to all the 41 ladies and 12 men who joined in the Rally and the Mens Mystery Tour, those who attended the Saturday night Dinner, and our wonderfully boosted congregation for Sunday service, and in particular to those who travelled to join in the weekend.

All ladies were welcomed to the Rally by Gladstone Fellowship President, Dee Challenor, and backed up by welcome and prayer by Gladstone-Rockhampton-Yeppoon Pastor, Peter Noble.  We were reminded that we are in the time of Corona COVID-19 virus but, may I say, fortunately for Gladstone Fellowship, the instruction for social distancing was announced only after our Sunday worship service.

Throughout the Rally day the ladies enjoyed –

Character Play by Dee Challenor and Di Harch, showing love and care by one friend for another;

Introduction of the Rally theme and F.R.O.G. Song sung to the tune of Trust and Obey, with a few lyric changes;

Poem about frogs with relation to the theme by Deidre Dobbs of the Strauss poetry family;

Lots and lots of singing;

Bible study prepared at short notice and conducted by Pastor Peter based on John 4:3 – Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacobs Well.  Prior to Pastor Peter’s appointment to Central Queensland, Pastor Steve Jaensch of Emerald had accepted the role of Spiritual Adviser for the Rally and prepared the bible study.  Pastor Steve fell ill and was unable to attend the Rally so all were grateful to Pastor Peter for stepping in.  Thank you Pastors.

Guest Speaker Lois Colyer of Gladstone Fellowship took us on a journey with her to Israel speaking of the country, the people, the history backed up with singing of well-known songs, and the sights brought to us on screen.

Local Project Speaker Sandy Prizeman – Trinity College Gladstone Chaplain – introduced biblical Esther in her role of petitioning the King for the safety of the Jews.  Sandy shared her task of working with, and praying for, the Trinity students.  A collection was taken for provision of resources for use in her work – $1,290.55 was given.

Meanwhile, Gary Dobbs arranged for the menfolk to take a bus trip to Queensland Alumina lookout, then went Yarwun-bound passing various industrial sites along the way, and ended up at Awoonga Dam for a barbeque lunch before returning to the Uniting Church complex where our Rally was held.  Thank you Gary, and second driver, Greg Challenor.

The CQ Zone business meeting was led by President Dianne Krenske who reminded all of the health and hygiene issues of Corona virus, asked Secretary Heather Behrendorff to announce greetings and present Minutes of Meeting held at 2019 Emerald Rally, and presented her Report containing activities of Biloela, Rockhampton, Emerald, and Gladstone ladies.  The financial details were presented and the Zone Projects of School Chaplaincy Gladstone region, and Lutheran World Service Gifts of Grace announced.

Rockhampton is to host the 2021 CQ Zone Rally with details to be advised.

The memorial hymn was Take My Hand Precious Lord.

Elections took place, with the elected ladies later being installed by Pastor Peter.

LWQ President Karen Bryce reported on the recent decision to cancel the combined 2020 Retreat/Convention with the dates set for Convention only at Plainlands College on 10 October 2020, and Retreat on 2^nd weekend in March 2021.  Karen advised that Newsletter Editor Inari Thiel is stepping down from her role, and reported on the bursaries made available for studies.

The Uniting Church bookshop remained open for browsing and sales during our morning tea and lunch breaks.

Three young Mums, Linda, Tennille, and Natalie, who are daughters of three of Gladstone Fellowship members, set up, helped serve, and cleaned up to assist with lunch.  Thank you ladies.

Rally participants, their menfolk, and some St Martin’s Gladstone members gathered for Dinner in the Uniting Hall and were appreciative of hearing a short version by Pastor Peter Noble of his life story from acceptance of Jesus Christ at 5 years of age, through consequences of being a graffiti artist at 16-19 years of age, of meeting and marrying his wife of 12 years Altamira and birth of 4 children, army service, and then work with Anglican Church before 3 years at Lutheran College with ordination as a Pastor at end of 2019 and posting to Central Queensland.  We viewed a video of Pastor Peter as a christian hip hopper, recorded during his time at LCA – very talented.

As well as hip hopping on screen, we all had a hoppingly good time with the green folded-paper creatures on our tables.

By chance, on the day before the Rally day, a Country Christian Fellowship Day was hosted by Carol and Kevin Hartwig at their home with some of our Rally participants arriving in Gladstone a day earlier to join with the fellowship group which has been meeting in members’ country homes for 40+ years encompassing properties in the Bundaberg – Gladstone area.

The singing at the Country Day and at our worship service on Sunday was a joy to behold.  Praise our Lord and God for love, care, and fellowship and let us always Fully Rely On God.

Sue Hebel – Reporter