Join us here at St Andrew’s Berwick Uniting Church for Easter 2019

During January we are meeting once on a Sunday morning at 10:30 am for a combined service. This is followed by a time of fellowship over morning tea. Our usual meeting times of 9 am and 10:30 am will resume in February.

Monday 24th December, 7pm

This is a great time to come together before what can be the chaotic events of Christmas Day. It is a precious opportunity to quieten our hearts to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ.

Come along to St Andrew’s this Sunday (11th August) at 4:30 pm – 6 pm. We are launching a new service that offers fun hands-on creative activities, discussions, music, celebration through a meal and good coffee! No two experiences will be the same. We all sometimes need a helping hand, a listening ear, a place to chill or discuss our heart’s deepest concerns. God in Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit, is our focus, our help, guide and our strength. Together at St A’s is inclusive of all, so all kids and kids-at-heart, in all colours, shapes and sizes are most welcome.

Welcome Mat Pendle, who will be commissioned as the Family and Children’s Worker in St Andrew’s Berwick UCA this Sunday 24 June at the Combined service at 10am! All welcome!

Hymn fest 2018

A big welcome to  Mat and Monique Pendle!

We have appointed Mat Pendle as our  Family and Children’s Worker (part time 0.5 FTE) to assist us with our intercultural playgroup ministry, lead and  fortnightly teach our Kids Church program, to provide pastoral support to the children and families involved in the playgroups and in Worship@9, and to develop a new family -oriented worship event, such as Messy Church. We are looking forward to sharing in this ministry.

How to cope and stay safe in extreme heat
Know the effects of extreme heat, who is at risk and how you can prepare yourself and others.
During extreme heat it is easy to become dehydrated or for your body to overheat. If this happens, you may develop heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency which can result in permanent damage to your vital organs, or even death, if not treated immediately. Extreme heat can also make existing medical conditions worse.
Could you or someone you know be at risk?
Extreme heat can affect anybody however the people most at risk:
• are aged over 65 years, especially those living alone
• have a medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease or mental illness
• are taking medications that may affect the way the body reacts to heat such as:
– allergy medicines (antihistamines)
– blood pressure and heart medicines (beta-blockers)
– seizure medicines (anticonvulsants)
– water pills (diuretics)
– antidepressants or antipsychotics
• have problematic alcohol or drug use
• have a disability
• have trouble moving around such as those who are bed bound or in wheelchairs
• pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
• babies and young children
• are overweight or obese
• work or exercise outdoors
• have recently arrived from cooler climates.
Hot cars kill
• Never leave kids, adults or pets in hot cars. The temperature inside parked cars can double within minutes.
Coping with the heat
• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty (if your doctor normally limits your fluids, check how much to drink during hot weather).
• Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not cold) showers.
• Spend as much time as possible in cool or air-conditioned buildings (shopping centres, libraries, cinemas or community centres).
• Block out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds.
• Open the windows when there is a cool breeze.
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
• Cancel or postpone outings. If you absolutely must go out, stay in the shade and take plenty of water with you.
• Wear a hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton and linen.
• Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads.
• Make sure food that needs refrigeration is properly stored.
• Avoid heavy activity like sport, renovating and gardening.
• Watch or listen to news reports to find out more information during extreme heat.
How to cope and stay safe in extreme heat 2
How you can help others
• Keep in touch with sick or frail friends and family. Call them at least once on any extreme heat day.
• Encourage them to drink plenty of water.
• Offer to help family, friends and neighbours who are aged over 65 or have an illness by doing shopping or other errands so they can avoid the heat. Take them somewhere cool for the day or have them stay the night if they are unable to stay cool in their home.
• If you observe symptoms of heat-related illness, seek medical help.
Prepare for extreme heat
• Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out in the heat. Visit your doctor to check if changes are needed to your medicines during extreme heat.
• Store medicines safely at the recommended temperature.
• Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary.
• Look at the things you can do to make your home cooler such as installing window coverings, shade cloths or external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun.
Prepare for power failure
• Ensure you have a torch, fully charged mobile phone, a battery operated radio and some spare batteries.
• Stock up on food items that do not require refrigeration or cooking such as tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned meats or fish, bread and fruit.
• Have plenty of drinking water available.
• Stock up on medications and other essential items.
• Consider a battery-operated or hand held fan to assist with cooling.
Recognising heat-related illnesses
Heat can worsen the condition of someone who already has a medical issue such as heart disease or diabetes. Most reported illness and death is due to the effect of heat on those already ill. Heat can also cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, heatstroke. The following table will help you recognise the symptoms of each and what to do.
SYMPTOMS
WHAT TO DO
HEAT CRAMPS
Muscle pains
Spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs
Stop activity and sit quietly in a cool place
Drink cool water
Rest a few hours before returning to activity
See a doctor if cramps persist
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Pale complexion and sweating
Rapid heart rate
Muscle cramps, weakness
Dizziness, headache
Nausea, vomiting
Fainting
Go to a cool area and lie down
Fan if possible
Drink cool water if not vomiting
Remove outer clothing
Wet skin with cool water or wet cloths
See a doctor
HEATSTROKE (a life-threatening emergency)
Same symptoms as heat exhaustion except sweating stops
Mental condition worsens, confusion
Seizure
Stroke-like symptoms or collapsing
Unconsciousness
Call an ambulance – phone 000
Get the person to a cool area and lay them down
Remove clothing
Wet skin with water, fanning continuously
Position an unconscious person on their side and clear their airway
For more information visit the Better Health Channel www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 for 24-hour health advice or see your doctor if you are unwell.
In an emergency, call 000.
This brochure is available in other languages at www.health.vic.gov.au/heathealth
To receive this brochure in an accessible format phone the Health Protection Branch on 1300 761 874.
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place Melbourne.
© State of Victoria, November 2015. (1511011).