Our three congregations are similar yet different, each with independent history over almost a century.
Mainly older retired people many still active in their communities.
We share operation of our Community Op Shop at Crib Point with a keen team of community volunteers
Western Port Uniting Churches \ Op Shop Support Tonga Relief Appeal
Following the recent Tongan volcanic eruption which caused a tsunami and dust cloud that devastated the island, the Western Port Uniting Churches and Opportunity Shop people combined to box up urgently needed items that had been donated through the Parish Op. Shop at Crib Point, for shipment to Tonga.
On Monday 31st January, approximately fifteen members of the churches and Op Shop met at the Hastings Uniting Church to wrap, and box selected household goods and linen. Later this week, these labeled boxes will be transported to Keysborough where the Mission Liaison Group (MLG) are packing a shipping container enroute to Tonga. The first container is planned to leave Melbourne late February and the possibility of another container may leave a month or so later.
MLG, a voluntary group has been supporting Pacific Island communities for many years, especially after natural disaster events and the Tongan eruption is no exception. Many communities have been wiped out due to the massive tidal waves. As volcanic dust settles over the landscape, crops will be severely diminished for many years. These people will be in desperate need of basic living requisites for some considerable time.
At short notice, the churches and Op Shop were pleased to load up these essential supplies and contribute to the Uniting Church relief effort via MLG, which continues to play an integral role in the health and welfare of Pacific Island communities. Latest news was MLG have filled two containers & a third is filling.