57th Wide Bay Burnett Zone Rally Day

On the beautiful sunny Thursday, seventeen members (1 North Bundaberg, 6 Hervey Bay, 4 Kingaroy, 6 Murgon) plus three visitors attended the Rally including LWA President, Ruth Geitz. An apology was received from Gympie Fellowship and it was noted that Maryborough Fellowship had ceased to function.

Also in attendance was Pastor Stuart Kleinig who led our Bible Study based on Romans 5: 1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”  The Study was entitled “Enduring in the Face of Difficulty” where we were encouraged, in the midst of the challenges we face, to find comfort, strength and the ability to rejoice because –           

We have been justified by faith – which, put simply, is “just as if I had never sinned”;

To know that, by grace, we are continually forgiven;

To recognise, within our trials/struggles, the lessons our loving Father may be teaching us – patience; reliance on Him; trust in His love; confidence in His strength and provision;

To trust that nothing in all the world can separate us from the love of God.

 

A short Communion Service was then conducted by Pastor Kleinig.

 

Reports were read from LWQ President, Val Kath; WBB Zone President Nola Zerner; WBB Zone Treasurer, Karen Bryce.  During 2024 $300 had been donated to “Evas Place” (a pregnancy care centre in Kingaroy) as the Zone Project and it was decided to maintain this as the 2025 Zone Project.  Other donations made during the year were $350 to Fraser Coast Hospice; $350 to Bayside Transformations; $680 Days for Girls.

 

The hymn “Be Still My Soul” was sung in memory of former members Betty Sinn, Gympie; Gail Knock, Kingaroy; Edith Kay and Jean Cislowski, North Bundaberg.

 

Mention was made of special events in 2024 – Birthdays: 80^th Ailsa Collin, Kingaroy, Florence Hatchett, Murgon, Oriel Black, Murgon; 92^nd Gladys Sippel, Murgon; 101^st Gladys Birch, Murgon;

40^th Wedding Anniversary: Ken and Denise Hatch, Hervey Bay;

90^th Guild Anniversary: Murgon Guild.

 

Following a delicious luncheon provided by the Murgon ladies, the 90^th Guild Anniversary Cake made by Nola Zerner and beautifully iced by Pam Dowdle was cut by the oldest surviving former members, Gladys Sippel and Gladys Birch.

The afternoon session included a devotion led by Judy Guse entitled “Persist in Prayer” based on Matthew 21 v22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  We were encouraged to persist in our prayers to our loving God.  The parable of the man knocking on a neighbour’s door for bread, seeking food for a friend, illustrates God’s generosity and willingness to answer our prayers even when we seem persistent or bothersome. It’s important to remember that God’s answers are not always what we expect or desire but they are always for our good and His glory.

 

The afternoon’s guest speaker, Simone Taylor, speaking on the theme “Perseverance and Persistence”

was inspired by the life of Ahmed Kelly, his adoptive mother, Moira Kelly as well as a personal family challenge.  

Simone and her husband Paul both served in the RAAF with Simone having toured twice to Afghanistan.  During their posting in the Northern Territory both Simone and Paul volunteered at the Base Camp Wallaroo situated between Darwin and Kakadu.  This camp conducts programs to support children with life challenges including disabilities.  It was here that Simone and Paul met Ahmed Kelly, an Iraqi born Australian who has since represented Australia at four Paralympic Games where he won silver medals. Before Ahmed came to Australia he was living in an orphanage in Baghdad, Iraq with his brother Emmanuel.  Both had been exposed to chemical weapons in utero and were born with severely underdeveloped limbs. In 1998 Moira Kelly met the brothers at the orphanage and with her parents’ help brought them to Victoria in 2000 for medical care and subsequently adopted both boys. 

As a teenager, Ahmed took part in the program at the Base Camp Wallaroo and Simone was touched and inspired by his resilience, perseverance, persistence and zest for life despite the challenges life had dealt him. 

Simone was also impressed with the love, kindness and assistance given by Moira Kelly to these two boys as well as the role she played in the lives of the Bangladeshi co-joined twins, Trishna and Krishna who came to Australia to be successfully separated and whom she also adopted.

Simone and Paul also experienced personal trauma when their infant son developed Meningococcal Meningitis.   Simone highlighted the importance, at such a stressful and uncertain time, of relying on her faith and the love and support given by her loved ones.  It was wonderful to see a photo of Simone and Paul’s son who is now a strapping, healthy looking 15year old.

Simone told us that Moira Kelly continues to offer help and support where needed through her foundation “Moira Kelly Creating Hope Foundation” and the ladies felt that this was a worthy recipient of the day’s offering of $370.

 

Elections were held and the new executive for the WBB Zone are:-

            President, Nola Zerner; Vice President, Pam Prange;

            Secretary, Heather Behrendorff;

            Treasurer, Karen Bryce;

             Extra Members, Gail Gerchow, Judy Guse.

 Pastor Kleinig installed the new executive.

 

It was noted that the Gympie Fellowship will host Fellowship Day on 3^rd September 2025.

 

Pastor Kleinig conducted the closing devotion based on John 15 v9 “I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.” Pastor encouraged us to journey with perseverance and persistence realising that we belong to “mega churches”. When we worship, we are joined by angels and archangels and all the company of heaven – every Lord’s Day – singing glory to our loving God.

 

Reporter: Lyn Weise.