The Collect Prayer of the congregation of St. David's Uniting Church in Dee Why

Eternal God

You have called the congregation of St. David's into existence in the tradition of those who know Jesus Christ and who claim your spirit as an ever present inspiration;

Grant us to share in that tradition through prayer and worship, the ministry of Word and Sacrament and through participation in the fellowship and service of the church. that we may become a welcoming and caring Christian community, proclaiming with delight the origin of our existence in You.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

Acknowledgement of country

We acknowledge the Kuring-gai people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and who have cared for God's creation since time immemorial. We pay our respects to Kuring-gai elders past and present. We extend that welcome to other elders past, present and future.

Our Minister

Reverend Shin Goo Lee is the Minister of the Word for St. David's Uniting Church Dee Why since November 2020.

Our location

St. David's Uniting Church is located at 3 St David Avenue, Dee Why. It is opposite the Council car park and next door to the Dee Why Police Station. Dee Why main bus stop in Pittwater Road is a short walk away.

Saint David

Saint David is the patron saint of the Princedom of Wales in the British Isles. David was born in Caerfai, south west Wales around the year 500. He became renowned as a teacher and preacher who founded monastic settlements and churches in Wales.
Around 550, David attended the Synod of Brefi, where his eloquence inspired his fellow monks to elect him primate of the region. The miracle quoted in his recognition of sainthood is said to have taken place when he was preaching in the middle of a large crowd at the Synod of Brefi where the ground on which he stood is reputed to have risen up to form a small hill. A white dove, which became his emblem, was seen settling on his shoulder.
David lived a simple life and preached this to his brother monks. They were to pull the plough themselves without draught animals. They were to drink only water and not beer. They were to eat only bread with salt and herbs and refrain from meat. The monks were to spend their evenings in prayer, reading and writing. Their vow of poverty meant no personal possessions.
David’s last speech to his brother monks included encouragement to “be joyful, keep your faith and your creed and do the little things that you have seen me do”. Tradition has it that David died on 1 March 589. David was officially recognised as a Saint at the Holy See by Pope Callixtus II in 1120. On 1 March each year, we remember Saint David.
The first Ministers at the Presbyterian Church in Dee Why were from Wales so the Kirk Elders honoured these Ministers by adopting the name St. David’s Church in Dee Why.
If you visit Pembrokeshire, attend St. David’s Cathedral on the westernmost headland of Wales then think of Dee Why.