Sundown Sessions:
Recently, we’ve experienced significant growth! While we still occasionally have smaller gatherings due to the weather, HSC exams, and holidays, overall we’re seeing more and more visitors at our Sundown Sessions. The best part is that most of our visitors have never been to church before or have always felt disconnected from the idea of church. Just last week, we received this message from one of our visitors: "Thank you for having us. I’ll be honest I’ve always hated the idea of church and whatever but you have made a way that I can actually appreciate and enjoy. We can’t wait to become some new local faces inside this beautiful place mate ❤️🙌🏽"
As we continue to grow, we can't wait to have more music & prayer nights in the warehouse on other nights of the week... We are praying for musicians with courage to step into uncharted spaces, to do things in a new way. We seek musicians who don’t find their worth in titles like "worship leader" or the spotlight of a stage, but instead, the quiet confidence that worship is greater than just music and it transcends any melody (and yet, music remains holy). We long for those who aren’t satisfied with the recycled chords and familiar lyrics, but yearn to try new things, take bold risks. We seek artists who understand that musical worship is not about perfection, but presence. Who are ok when things fail and there are technical difficulties. Who choose the music and it's key based on the needs of others, not based on what makes them sound good. We seek souls who long to create sacred moments, who don't just echo the words of well-known artists but weave songs that reflect the heartbeat of their own local community. Musicians who choose the Spirit of God over the spirit of excellence, who reject the performance in favor of authenticity. Who like the psalmists, are occasionally willing to cry out in despair. These are people who understand that a congregation in silent reverence is as holy as one with hands raised in praise, who know musical worship is not about being seen or known—except by God alone... We don't have rosters, but we are praying for muso's who feel called to change the game and be part of something new... If this sound like you, or someone you know, send them our way.
A New Way Holiday!
We’re going camping on the Australia Day weekend, from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th January. Join us for the whole weekend or just pop in for a day or night! We’ll be heading to Williams River Holiday Park, where we’ve booked several sites for a relaxed getaway. There’s no set agenda—just floating down the river with a drink of your choice. Everyone’s welcome, whether you’re part of ANW or not; just let us know, and we’ll assign you a spot! (Unfortunately, no cabins are available.) Express your interest here: https://a-new-way-467041.churchcenter.com/people/forms/850541
Generosity!!
We’d like to thank everyone for their incredible generosity! Over the past fortnight, we received a mountain of chairs, a gazebo, two ceiling fans, and even a handmade copper-pipe cactus (our logo) from a man we met while searching through council pickups in Point Frederick—a true miracle story you can listen to here: Spotify or Podbean.
We can’t do this alone; we all need a helping hand. Thank you for your support! We’re excited to use these offerings for the glory of God.
Grant Updates
We’re thrilled to announce that our grant applications were successful! We thank God for His favour.
Our first grant, $5,300 from the Central Coast Council, will enable us to open the warehouse on Sunday afternoons for young artists to use our music equipment. Evan Lawrie will be on-site to chat with young people and help them connect with each other in a safe environment.
Our second grant is a substantial amount that could cover Lewis’s salary for two days a week. We’re unable to announce the organisation providing this grant just yet, as they are completing due diligence and background checks on all recipients—a straightforward process. Once they officially announce the successful applicants, we’ll forward the email to our supporters.
We’re not out of the financial woods yet, although these grants will significantly ease our financial pressures (praise God). We see these successful applications as confirmations that we’re a worthy cause. Our next goal is to find 10 businesses or organisations that might be able to contribute $25 a week to help us cover the warehouse rent. You can also contribute to the good work we’re doing here: anewway.church/donate or contact treasurer@anewway.church
Audio Bible
We’ve begun recording the Audio Bible and are now in the "research and development" phase. So far, we’ve recorded two books—James and Jude—and we’re inviting young people to listen and share their feedback before we proceed further. We believe this resource should have the stamp of approval from its target audience. If you’d like to listen, you can download the first two episodes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0v9EV8dhOG8bvpCUyvtPbi?si=d56cedde07f94209
In The Community
We’ve seen God moving in our local community!
Firstly, we had the opportunity to speak at Gosford Uniting Church and Wyoming Uniting Church on behalf of Insight Highschool Ministries to share about the important work they’re doing in local high schools.
Secondly, after completing all the necessary due diligence with the hospital chaplain, we’re now able to provide “Clergy Visits” to patients at Gosford Hospital at any time of day when appropriate. If you or someone you know is in hospital, it would be our honour to visit, offering conversation, prayer, communion, or any other support at their request. We’ve also been invited to visit the mental health program to provide support alongside the hospital chaplain. They were inspired by what we’re about and see A New Way as a genuinely helpful service.
Finally, we started our first midweek bible study. This group is for individuals who don't attend any institutional Church, and find it hard to make it on Wednesday nights for a variety of reasons. We are excited to dive deeper into the word, and to find community together in what might resemble a "house church".
Prayer Requests
More opportunities to reach our local community!
Some of our members are still searching for the meaning of life, and we pray that A New Way can help them find that meaning in Jesus.
Evan has started as our Community Chaplain, we are praying for Spirit-led ideas and a potential Christmas event at Gosford waterfront.
Alice is now in Canada! Pray for her safety and that she is filled with the joy of adventure.
We are also praying for Ryan and Indy, who were married last weekend! We pray that they enjoy their honeymoon and that God will be close to them in their marriage. It was an honour for Lewis to conduct their ceremony.
A Final Thought From Kath
Hi I’m Kath! One of the few GenX at ANW.
I explain what A New Way is by saying it sort of feels like Sunday School for grown ups (on a Wednesday). We spend some time socialising and having some laughs. There is a message from the word which Lew presents in a way we can all understand and relate to our lives. There is also always space to ask the questions we felt stupid to ask (that’s the benefit of the youth because they quite often beat me to it 😀). We are often blessed with some talented musicians who lead us in songs (always my favourite part). We have food on special occasions and then we spend more time with friends. I also love that we take a moment together to commune and remember what Christ did for us and why we follow him. Come and chat with me at A New Way.
Peace & Favour,
Numbers 6:24
A New Way
Traditional anonymous donations can be made here: https://www.anewway.church/donate
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