News, Notices & Prayer points - 1 February 2022

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News & Notices – 1 February 2022

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 1st February 2022 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For all members of the Uniting Church acknowledged in the recent Australia Day Honours for 2022 and all in the church who give their time and service in worship and commitment to their communities
  • For all communities across South Australia cut off by the recent flooding
  • For all people currently battling COVID - we pray for their speedy and safe recovery.

 

 

COVID Update

Congregations are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest COVID requirements via the Synod website, and via the SA Government and SA Health websites.

Please note that there has been an update to the COVID Compliance FAQs – Places of Worship fact sheet which is available on the Synod website at this link.

Please see the current definition of a close contact which is located at this link.

Attendees at churches are still required to check in via the QR Code or hand written check in.

For further guidance on COVID requirements please contact your Presbytery or:

  • Rev Sue Page / email Turn on Javascript! / (08) 8236 4217 / 0430 666 959
  • Rev Philip Gardner / email Turn on Javascript! / (08) 8236 4268 / 0409 077 076.

The Synod office and Brooklyn Park campus remain closed to visitors until at least February 14th, 2021. Staff are still available via email or phone to support you.

 

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Synod Meeting 2022

The Synod meeting will be held in June 2022. There will be an online meeting day on the 18th June, and two in person meeting days on the 24th and 25th June. Watch this space for information about the venue. Presbyteries are gathering nominations for Synod membership, to be elected/appointed at presbytery meetings in March. For more information, please contact your presbytery.

 

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CALD-Intercultural Ministry Research Report released

Mission Resourcing has released its draft research report on ‘Mapping Intercultural Neighbourhoods in SA.’ It presents the findings of CALD-Intercultural Ministry Surveys with 55 Uniting Church leaders and interviews with 30 CALD leaders, which was conducted between March and May 2021 by Rev Dr Paul Goh and his research team. It includes a two-page executive summary, guidelines for building relationship and partnership with CALD faith communities and ten recommendations for Action Plans under three foci of Synod Strategic Priorities 2021-2025: Understand Who We Are as UCA; Create Local Connections; and Support Ministries on the Margins. To request a copy of the full report please email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

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CMLA Planning Day

CMLA is pleased to bring you their 2022 Planning Day on Thursday February 3rd, 2022 at Campbelltown Uniting Church from 10.00am – 2.30pm. It’s an opportunity to get a heads up on the year ahead and spend planning time and brainstorming ideas with others in ministry. There will be prayer, discussion times, and time for personal planning. Dr Deidre Palmer will lead attendees through lectionary year C and the gospel of Luke to consider what themes and preaching points you might find in the year. Rev Philip Gardner will lead a session on wellbeing. Bookings can be made through the CMLA website: cmla.org.au. You can also download the flyer here.

 

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Pews Available

Tea Tree Gully Uniting is replacing its pews for single seating. There are many pews now available, many sizes 1.2m to 2.4m. If interested, please contact Mostyn Krollig at the church office on email: Turn on Javascript! or phone: 0419 822 548.

 

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Commissioning of Rev Sue Ellis as President the Uniting Church Fellowship & Ministry Support (UCFAMS)

Commissioning Service for Rev Sue Ellis as President of UCFAMS 2022-23 will be held at the Burnside City Church, 384 Portrush Road, Tusmore on Sunday, February 20th, 2022 from 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm. All are welcome. Preacher will be Moderator Mr Bronte Wilson. An offering will be made for the work of mission.

 

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UnitingWorld Tonga Tsunami Disaster Appeal

On Saturday 15th January, a tsunami was triggered by the eruption of underwater volcano Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai, just 65km from the capital city Nuku'alofa on Tonga's most populated island. Many parts of Tonga remain covered in ash and people have been left without power since Saturday. Early reports are showing extensive damage to homes and buildings along the coastlines. Several people have been reported missing, but casualties and the full extent of the damage remain unknown. The Red Cross is estimating 80,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

UnitingWorld has launched an appeal to support those in Tonga impacted by the tsunami. The funds raised will help the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga deliver emergency assistance and supplies to affected communities, and support recovery and rebuilding in the longer term. Please give if you can and share information about the appeal within your congregations. To donate and for more information please visit the UnitingWorld website here.

 

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Multicultural Grants Open

Applications for the Expand Together Grants 2022-23 are now being accepted. Expand Together Grants assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Applications are open now and close 11pm, Monday 28 February 2022. Online application forms and guidelines are available from the Expand Together Grants information page.

Visit www.multicultural.sa.gov.au to find out more. Phone: 1300 239 468 or email: Turn on Javascript!

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Reading ‘The Church as Salt’

Come and join a reading group reading Rev Dr Sally Douglas’ ‘The Church Triumphant / as Salt: Becoming the Community Jesus speaks about.’ Sally is a colleague from Victoria and this small book explores the metaphor of being salt of the earth.

Mondays during February from 10.00 am – 11.30 am at Unley Uniting Church, 187 Unley Road, Unley. Easy parking across the road in the Unley Shopping Centre car-park (some for an hour and a half; some for two hours; and around the back for three hours). Contact: Alison Whish on Turn on Javascript! for information about purchasing the book ($26).

 

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Online eSafety webinar

Are you an adult who is a youth leader or involved in youth activities within the Church? Join this free eSafety webinar hosted by the National Safe Church Unit in partnership with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.

Friday, 11th March 2022 from 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm AEST, to learn more about the online environment and safe online interactions with children and young people. Further details and how to register are available at this link.

 

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Ecumenical International Women’s Day Breakfast

Churches Together SA invites all women to an ‘Ecumenical Women’s Day Breakfast’ to celebrate the Women of the Bible on Friday, 4th March, 2022 from 7.00 am – 9.00 am at the Cachemira Café, 137 Magill Road, Stepney. Speaker: Rev Professor Vicky Balabanski. Cost: $40 – to register please visit this link. 

 

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Embracing Now: Being a People of Hope Spiritual Retreat

Churches Together in local ecumenism is offering an ecumenical retreat: Embracing Now: Being a People of Hope. It’s a time for personal reflection and restoration prior to the Lenten Season. Gifted Retreat Leader: Sharonne Price will lead in a time of listening, learning, reflecting and sharing. February 26th, 2022 from 9.30 am – 3.30 pm at the Nunyara Conference Centre. Cost: $60 (includes morning tea and lunch). Register at this link.

 

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Prayers for the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC)

The UAICC requests prayers for Indigenous communities in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Some are currently experiencing isolation and shortages due to unseasonal flooding and/or outbreaks of COVID-19. Please pray for communities and leaders of Raukkan, in the APY Lands, Oodnadatta, Port Augusta and Salisbury and Rev Ken Sumner, Ian Dempster and Candice Hazeldine in the South Australian state office.

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 25th January 2021

Check out last week’s UC eNews here to keep you updated.

 

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