SUNDAYS
What to Expect @ VMAX
We know there’s been a lot of talk about VMAX this month - but what should you expect when we meet there on Sunday, 20 September? What’s new, what’s changing, and where will all those prams go?
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First, the obvious: a MUCH bigger screen, more space, comfier seats, improved lighting and - yes - more pram parking! There will also be space beside the seats for your hard-copy Bible, so bring it along.
The extra comfort is a wonderful gift, but it comes with a gentle warning: comfy cinema seats can make it easy to feel like an audience. When we gather, however, we aren’t consumers watching something happen at the front. We are participants - members of Christ’s body who gather to sing, pray, listen, serve, welcome and encourage one another.
With that in mind, we’ve also designed the new space so that we can stay together in the cinema after the service until 11am. So, rather than heading straight to the foyer, stick around inside the cinema. Meet someone new, catch up with someone you know and enjoy the space together.
Also, although we’ve prepared carefully, there will almost certainly be a few kinks to iron out. Thank you in advance for bringing patience, flexibility and plenty of grace as we settle into our new home.
The extra comfort is a wonderful gift, but it comes with a gentle warning: comfy cinema seats can make it easy to feel like an audience. When we gather, however, we aren’t consumers watching something happen at the front. We are participants - members of Christ’s body who gather to sing, pray, listen, serve, welcome and encourage one another.
With that in mind, we’ve also designed the new space so that we can stay together in the cinema after the service until 11am. So, rather than heading straight to the foyer, stick around inside the cinema. Meet someone new, catch up with someone you know and enjoy the space together.
Also, although we’ve prepared carefully, there will almost certainly be a few kinks to iron out. Thank you in advance for bringing patience, flexibility and plenty of grace as we settle into our new home.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND DC
Meet the Team
Our staff team spent a few days together this month praying, planning and thinking about how we can serve our church well as we continue to grow.
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Most of the staff have large volunteer components to their roles, so please thank them when you see them for the hours they pour into the operations of DC Church life.
If you haven't met them before, they are (top left to right);
- Tom Cera - Youth Director
- Emily Oliver - Administrator
- Todd Berlin - Media Manager
- Callum Mansfield - Lead Pastor
- Matthew Gardiner - Worship Service Director
- Anthony Sligar - Discipleship Pastor
- Rebekah Sligar - Women's Ministry Director
If you haven't met them before, they are (top left to right);
- Tom Cera - Youth Director
- Emily Oliver - Administrator
- Todd Berlin - Media Manager
- Callum Mansfield - Lead Pastor
- Matthew Gardiner - Worship Service Director
- Anthony Sligar - Discipleship Pastor
- Rebekah Sligar - Women's Ministry Director
HELP PEOPLE FIND DC
Before they visit DC, they Google us.
Research shows that long before someone visits a Sunday Service, they Google "church near me".
This means that one of the simplest ways you can help people find our church is by leaving an honest Google review about your experience of life at DC. If you genuinely call DC home, would you take a moment to help someone who may be wondering whether to visit?
This means that one of the simplest ways you can help people find our church is by leaving an honest Google review about your experience of life at DC. If you genuinely call DC home, would you take a moment to help someone who may be wondering whether to visit?
LAST SERVICE IN CINEMA 3
Thank you, Cinema 3.
When DC first moved into Cinema 3 just over 2 years ago, we couldn't have known everything God would do in this space. We've worshipped, prayed, preached, welcomed new people, baptised believers and watched our church family grow here.
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23 August will be our final Sunday service in Cinema 3.
Outgrowing this room is worth celebrating. It is also an invitation to remember God's kindness and step forward faithfully into what comes next.
A reminder that on the 30th August and 6th September, DC Kids will run for the entire service at the Ministry Hub.
Here are some tips for the change;
Before 8:45am: Take children to the toilet.
From 8:45am: Drop off at the Hub.
9:00-10:00am: Keep your phone with you during the service.
After the service at 10:00am: Pick up DC Kids from the Hub.
Outgrowing this room is worth celebrating. It is also an invitation to remember God's kindness and step forward faithfully into what comes next.
A reminder that on the 30th August and 6th September, DC Kids will run for the entire service at the Ministry Hub.
Here are some tips for the change;
Before 8:45am: Take children to the toilet.
From 8:45am: Drop off at the Hub.
9:00-10:00am: Keep your phone with you during the service.
After the service at 10:00am: Pick up DC Kids from the Hub.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Christmas at DC
There are lots of benefits to meeting in a cinema - the seats are comfy, the parking is great, set-up is minimal, there’s no building maintenance or cleaning, and the surrounding cafés mean fellowship often continues well beyond our Sunday services.
But one of the challenges of meeting in a cinema is that the cinema has a schedule too!
But one of the challenges of meeting in a cinema is that the cinema has a schedule too!
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This Christmas, not one, but TWO major blockbuster films are being released days before Christmas, which means Event Cinemas won’t be able to make our usual space available for an additional Christmas Eve service.
But we’re not losing our Christmas celebration!
Instead, everything we love about our special Christmas Eve celebration (the carols, the kid's item, the decorations, etc) will move to the Sunday before Christmas. Because we will be in VMAX by then, this will be our biggest Christmas celebration together yet - a special service to invite friends and family to as we celebrate the good news of Jesus.
We are also exploring the possibility of gathering for a simple, stripped-back service on Christmas morning. Before confirming this, though, we need to know whether there is enough interest from our church family.
Please take a moment to complete the short survey below and let us know if a Christmas morning service is something you and your family would attend.
But we’re not losing our Christmas celebration!
Instead, everything we love about our special Christmas Eve celebration (the carols, the kid's item, the decorations, etc) will move to the Sunday before Christmas. Because we will be in VMAX by then, this will be our biggest Christmas celebration together yet - a special service to invite friends and family to as we celebrate the good news of Jesus.
We are also exploring the possibility of gathering for a simple, stripped-back service on Christmas morning. Before confirming this, though, we need to know whether there is enough interest from our church family.
Please take a moment to complete the short survey below and let us know if a Christmas morning service is something you and your family would attend.
Would you attend a 9am Christmas Day service? Let us know by taking 15 seconds to fill out this survey...
UPDATES
Ministry & Financial Reports
Behind every number is a story - and the latest numbers tell us something important about this season at DC...
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Sunday Attendance
Our average Sunday attendance has declined over the winter months, which is typical for this time of year. However, averages don’t tell the whole story - one Sunday in July was among our ten highest-attended services this year.
Engagement
Engagement only includes those who have intentionally connected with DC. This ranges from fresh Newcomers to long-time members.
Giving
While last month saw giving move closer to forecast, several significantly lower months have created a shortfall that will take time to recover. Thank you to everyone who gives faithfully - your generosity makes the ministry of DC possible, and sustained giving remains important in the months ahead. Especially with the VMAX move.
Our average Sunday attendance has declined over the winter months, which is typical for this time of year. However, averages don’t tell the whole story - one Sunday in July was among our ten highest-attended services this year.
Engagement
Engagement only includes those who have intentionally connected with DC. This ranges from fresh Newcomers to long-time members.
Giving
While last month saw giving move closer to forecast, several significantly lower months have created a shortfall that will take time to recover. Thank you to everyone who gives faithfully - your generosity makes the ministry of DC possible, and sustained giving remains important in the months ahead. Especially with the VMAX move.
Thanks for being a part of following Jesus together at DC!