Hatton Vale Uniting Community Church - God will Provide

by Steven Ayre

Hatton Vale Uniting Community Church (HVUC) may not be a wealthy church, but we are truly rich in blessings from our Lord. In May 2017, we held our first Twilight Markets to raise some much-needed funds. One couple from our congregation asked to run a Trash and Treasure stall on behalf of the church. The stall proved so popular that people from the wider community began donating items to sell. The markets continued successfully until they folded in May 2019.

Not wanting the ministry of generosity to end there, the same couple suggested holding one final garage sale to sell the remaining items. That sale, held on June 15, 2019, was such a success that we have continued hosting them every two months since! Many people who came to that very first sale still attend every time, and through these regular gatherings, many new friendships have been formed. Donations continue to arrive from far and wide. A few years ago, another couple in our congregation offered to bring plants to sell, and that addition has become a beloved and well-supported feature. From potted plants and cuttings to—on occasion—the entire contents of someone’s greenhouse being donated, the enthusiasm and generosity of our community never cease to amaze us. Over the past six years, God has continued to shower our church with blessings. Some people who first attended the garage sales now come to our Sunday services, and others have joined our Sunday School, Playgroup, or Youth Groups.

One of our favourite sayings at church is, “God will provide.” This has been proven time and again. Whenever the church has a need and finances are low, another wave of donations seems to arrive—often containing exactly what was required. Over time, these gifts have included a projector screen, window for our Kids’ Church, fridge, craft supplies, and countless other needed items. In turn, we are able to bless others. After local flooding events, we have set up our garage sale space so that flood victims could come and take what they needed—free of charge. Others in need are always welcome to come and receive what they require.

The garage sales are a lot of work—sorting, cleaning, and pricing are ongoing tasks. It takes a full day to set up, and we’re open all day Friday and half a day Saturday. Afterwards, we pack everything away to prepare the church for Sunday worship. Yet despite the effort, the fellowship among volunteers, the friendships formed, and the opportunity to serve others make it all more than worthwhile. With a generous financial contribution from the Presbytery, we are now building a large shed at the back of the church property to hold future sales. Once it’s complete, we’ll be able to leave the setup in place, which will take a great deal of pressure off our team. Volunteers will still be needed, of course—but none of us would ever want to miss the joy and fellowship that come with serving together. We’re excited to announce that the Grand Opening of our new shed is set for 14th November, 2025 (see the photo below). Thanks be to God!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Find Hatten Vale Uniting Community Church on Facebook