234 Shoeboxes Packed for Operation Christmas Child – October 2026
Operation Christmas Child Port Broughton has had another wonderful year, with 234 gift-filled shoeboxes packed for children in low-income countries.
How Operation Christmas Child Works
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Each year, thousands of boxes are packed across Australia by churches, Christian schools and community groups.
The boxes contain school supplies, clothing, personal items and toys, with many items lovingly handmade by volunteers. Dresses and shorts are sewn, schoolbags made, cuddly toys knitted and small wooden toys crafted. Each box is prepared for a boy or girl within a particular age group, so the gifts are suited to the child who receives them.
Sharing the Love of Jesus
The delight of children opening these boxes is a blessing that words cannot adequately express. Along with their gifts, children are offered a booklet about Jesus and invited to hear more about the Lord Jesus, whose gift of life and love inspires this outreach.
To everyone who has knitted, sewn, crafted, donated goods or contributed financially towards the 234 shoeboxes packed at Port Broughton this year, the Port Broughton Uniting Church Ministry Team expresses its deepest thanks.
Thank You to Sue and Our Local Helpers
Special thanks go to our local project leader and coordinator, Sue Koenders, who works throughout the year collecting donated items and funds, shopping carefully for bargains, and coordinating her wonderful network of helpers, contributors and donors.
We also gratefully acknowledge the Port Broughton Uniting Church Op-Shop, led by Sandra and supported by its wonderful team of volunteers, which provided the substantial amount needed to cover the transport and delivery costs of this year’s shoeboxes.
Four More Shoeboxes Able to Make the Journey
Sue had packed four additional boxes that were not covered by the original transport funds.
When the shoeboxes were presented at Barunga Village last Sunday, Cathy, who coordinated Operation Christmas Child in Port Broughton for many, many years, gave a generous donation. Together with the collection taken at Barunga, it provided just enough to send those final four boxes too.
Dedication of Our 234 Shoeboxes
This Sunday, our 234 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child will be dedicated during the morning service before beginning their journey to children overseas.
Contributed by Sylvia Skinner
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
— Isaiah 43:19a
The Bible Society
The Bible Society reached an HISTORIC Milestone this year – 800 Languages and counting. The significance of this milestone is:
It took more than 1,900 years to translate the Bible into the first 400 languages.
It has taken just 28 years for that number to double from 400-800 languages.
Only six years ago, the global Church celebrated the translation of the Bible into its 700th language.
Today, around 6.2 billion people in 800 language communities have access to the complete Bible in their own language.
Since 2020, an additional 500 million people have gained access to the Bible in the language they understand best.
We thank God for the wonderful work of these dedicated men and women who have served God in this incredible mission and may God continue to bless their work going forward, to bring the Word of God to as many people as they can through the Written Word. Amen
AGM Meeting
Our AGM will be held after church on Sunday 11 October 2026.
Could each group please prepare a written report to be read at the meeting and then tabled:–
AGM Meeting
Ministry Team – Heather D
Property Ctee – Sandra I, Heather D
Manse Ctee & Treasurer – Lynton I
KYB – Judy C
Samaritan’s Purse – Sue K
Op Shop – Sandra I, Heather D
Leprosy Mission – Vicki S
Cuppa and Chat – Tim D
Hospital Visiting – Sandra I
PB CCC – Heather D
Home Group – Ray S
Synod Rep – Ray S
BV Chaplain – Vicki Schmitt
Carol Singing
Carols under the Christmas Tree on Sat 12th Dec 2026. We are looking for anyone who loves singing, especially the Christmas messages of carols. It is a great witness. Many don’t hear the real message of Christmas. Practice starts Mon 26th Oct in our hall from 6:30 – 7:30pm.
Prayers for the Sick and Other Needs
Please remember in your prayers all those who are sick at the moment, especially those in Barunga Village who may not have many visitors. You are the God who sees me even in my sickness.
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
As the 2026 season for packing Shoe Boxes of Love comes to a close, it is the beginning of the journey of the boxes into the hands of a child and the opportunity for that child & their family to hear of the love of Jesus. Thank you everyone who has supported this ministry in any way. Please continue to pray as the journey continues.
Sue Koenders.
Church Computer
We are looking for people who would be willing to learn how to put a service on the Church computer, either regularly or in an emergency. You may not want to put a whole service on the computer, but you may be willing to “press the buttons for a service”. It is easy to do, so please contact Sandra Ireland if you are willing to learn. Thank you.
Knit and Natter
Our next knit and Natter will be held on Wed, 7th Oct, in the Hall, at 2 pm. Please remember to bring your finished items for Dulcie. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided, so come along for a fun afternoon of knitting/crocheting and chatting. All welcome.
Learn New Songs Home Group
& Alpha Course
3pm Thurs 15th Oct, in the hall. We will come together for worship, and to LEARN NEW SONGS to enrich that worship.
4pm ish – Those who stay will also train and prepare for the Alpha Course & team building
CAFÉ – open 2–4 pm every Friday
Following your visit to the Op. Shop, why not call next door to the P.B. Memorial Hall for a refreshing FREE cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake.
(If you feel like helping by baking a homemade cake or helping serve, let Tim or Michele know. Thank you.
Uniting Country
Food Bank
Please keep the contributions of dry goods & tinned food coming!
Sally Stamps
Please continue to save your stamps for ‘Sally Stamp’. You can bring them to the Church and place them in the box in the Church foyer. Thank you.
Blanket Appeal
Donations of clean blankets and quilts are needed for people doing it tough. Please give them to Dulcie Chapman or leave them at the Op Shop marked for her, to be passed on to those in need.
