News, Notices & Prayer points - 10 May 2022

Posted May 10, 2022 in News

News & Notices – 10 May 2022

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 10th May 2022 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

For Assembly members as they travel back to the lands on which they live.
For the on-going work of the whole church as it continues to discern the future of the Uniting Church in Australia
For the many and varied expressions of the Uniting Church in Australia across the country as together we seek to participate in Christ’s mission in the world through worship, witness and service.

16^th National Assembly Re-convened meeting

Elected members came together to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit in a meeting that encouraged community and listening to one another in openness and humility. The Assembly brought together 200 members from Synods and Presbyteries, with office holders, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress members, youthful members and others to form a national decision-making body. The Uniting in Australian believes that we hear the voice of God through the councils of our Church, so time was also set aside for prayer, worship and Bible studies. For further information about the discussions, deliberations and decisions at the National Assembly meeting, please visit: https://uniting.church/16thassembly/

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Synod Meeting 2022

Registrations have now been sent out for the June Synod meeting.

The 2022 Synod meeting will meet online on Saturday, 18^th June and in person on Friday, 24^th June and Saturday, 25^th June at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre at Hahndorf.

Some reports are now available for viewing on the Synod website at this link:

Synod members may submit proposals for consideration by the Synod on any matter in the reports or the working papers, and on any matter that falls within Synod’s responsibility.

New proposals are required to be submitted by no later than 3pm Thursday 19th May 2022

New proposals should be sent to: Rev. Sue Page: Turn on Javascript! (or) GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001

This is to:

Encourage members to think well ahead of time about the proposals they want to bring to the meeting
Allow the wording of proposals to be refined so that they can be dealt with in the best way at the meeting
Allow members time to reflect on the proposals and
Enable a realistic agenda to be created giving adequate time to all aspects of the meeting.

If you want to submit a proposal for consideration by Synod, please ensure that it is put in writing and includes the names of two (2) members of Synod, and has with it a paragraph of rationale.

Assistance in the structure and wording of new proposals will be offered so that the proposals can be dealt with as efficiently as possible by the meeting.

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New Revised Standard Version Bible updated

More than 20,000 revisions have been made for the new edition, which scholars made clear was not a new translation. (RNS) — An updated edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible includes thousands of changes in language, reflecting the research of a wide range of scholars who spent four years reviewing its contents as well as taking into consideration ‘modern sensibilities.’ Further information is available at this link.

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UnitingCare Australia and the Federal Election

With the Federal Election just around the corner this means we are entering a period of heightened opportunity. The opportunity is to make Australia better by making our laws better.

UnitingCare Australia is undertaking a concerted push to change the way our system works. One of their key focuses is economic inequality because we believe in an Australia where prosperity is shared fairly, embracing all people regardless of their privilege or upbringing. This vision is based in the ministry of Jesus who announced, ‘good news to the poor’ and those excluded from society.

We are challenging decision makers to use the economy to improve wellbeing. As outlined in An Economy of Life:

The point is not to find the solution (for there is no one), but to foster all the ways that every human enterprise, including theology, can help us imagine and live a different abundant life, one that will make the earth healthier and people happier.

Three straightforward proposals outlined in their Pre-Budget Submission will move us closer to this goal:

A National Inquiry into the causes of income stagnation,
Increasing wages in aged care, and
Paying superannuation on top of Parental Leave Pay

Together we can help make people the priority in Australia and ensure everyone is empowered to live a life of dignity.

But we need your help to get these policies into our democracy. There are lots of ways to pitch in. Some activities will take five minutes, others will take a little longer. So – Can you lend a hand? More information is available at this link: https://unitingcare.org.au/campaign/uniting-a-caring-australia/

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The Blackwood Reconciliation Walk

Please join the 2022 Blackwood Reconciliation Walk on Sunday, May 29^th at 11.30 am. Meet at the Blackwood roundabout and walk together down Shepherds Hill Road to the Colebrook Reconciliation Park to a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. All are invited to bring their own picnic lunch and take time to hear the Voices of former residents of the Colebrook Training Home for Aboriginal Children which are present in so many forms at this site. We will also speak to the theme for National Reconciliation Week, 2022, ‘Be brave. Make change.’ Further information is available at this link.

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One in Worship

The next One in Worship Service for 2022 will be held on Sunday May 29th. If you enjoy singing or listening to Christian songs and music or like to pray with others, you are invited to come together as community and be as one to worship and pray. Further information is available at this link: www.oneinworship.net

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So that the whole earth be as it is in heaven: 2022 Federal Election Resource

As followers of Christ, we are called to vote with a prayer for ‘earth as it is in heaven’ so that all people and all creation might share abundant life.

To help inform your vote, the Environmental Action Group of the SA Synod has met with and/or received information from, four of the Candidates for the Federal seat of Boothby in Adelaide on their climate policies, as determined by their Parties. This assessment could apply to all Federal electorates. The Statement can be accessed at this link.

You can read and download a three-page summary of the results here: Who shall I vote for on May 21.pdf

For further information visit the Environmental Action Group’s Website, https://www.environmentalaction.org.au

UCA Assembly’s Federal Election Resource can be downloaded here.

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Ukraine Humanitarian Assistance

We are all concerned about the unfolding human tragedy in Ukraine. Rosefield Uniting Chuch has direct contact with Community Solidarity Support Ukraine (CSSU). We are raising funds to help out in real and tangible ways. CSSU purchase supplies and distributes them to communities in Ukraine. For more information please download the flyer.

Alternatively you can email Turn on Javascript! for further information.

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Sally Stamp

The UCA Stamp Group is happy to again be meeting in the Synod office to continue to sort stamps. We had a good sale for $357.50 to our buyers which will enable us to continue to pay for freight to South Pacific School Aid Inc. (SPSA). We were thrilled that SPSA organised to send 7 pallets of equipment to Tonga which was sent by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade by air without any payment from our end. Stocks of stamps are now low, so please continue to save and send your used stamps through to: Maxine Haines – Convenor, UCA Stamp Group phone: 0427 972 417 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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Campbelltown Uniting Church – 175^th Anniversary Service

Campbelltown Uniting Church is celebrating 175 years of Methodist/Uniting Church worships, witness and service in the district. An anniversary service will be held on Sunday, 15^th May at 10.00 am. The Moderator will preach and all are welcome to join in worship and morning tea.

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New Creation Care Guide

A new Creation Care Guide has been developed in collaboration with the Environmental Action Group and UCA Assembly and is designed to help individuals and congregations take climate action. This two-page sheet includes GreenPower Guide for Congregations and Homes and the UCA Federal Election Resource regarding Climate Change. The guide is available for download at this link:

GreenPower-Election resource-April 2022-revised.pdf

For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244.

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Climate Report: ‘They Shall Inherit the Earth’

A new Climate Report entitled They Shall Inherit the Earth for a new conversation about climate change in Christian communities is available now.

An essential report for all those involved in Church leadership, this study and its findings show:

How Christians aged 18-40 years are engaging with climate change
What they think about the role of the Church in taking action
The attitudes and practices of church leaders towards this issue
How we can take steps to heal division and, together, bring a voice of hope.

For details and a social media toolkit please refer to this link: https://assets.tearfund.org.au/files/Tearfund_Climate-Report.pdf

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COVID-19 Update

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information in regards to COVID-19 guidelines can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations.

If you would like further assistance, please contact your presbytery or:

Sue Page Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4217 or 0430 666 959

Philip Gardner Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4268 or 0409 077 076.

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Renewal: An autumn Retreat with Sean Gilbert

A time for creative community, songwriters, poets, writers, visual and performing artists. Be inspired and renewed by the autumn season in the Adelaide Hills. Take time to be creative, reflect and be spiritually nurtured in this retreat. Immerse yourself in this opportunity, wander the gardens, walk the labyrinth, enjoy being part of a creative community. Sean Gilbert will lead us as we take time out and re-invest in our inner-lives and creative endeavours. 13^th-14^th May at Nunyara Retreat Centre. See cmla.org.au for more information and registration.

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Safe Church News

Screenings: Reminders are being sent to those who have upcoming renewals due that were initially processed via the Synod Screening Unit. If you have renewed your Working With Children Check (WWCC) through another source, please remember to inform not only your local congregation but also the Synod Screening Unit. This helps us to keep our records current and can be done via the Step 1 form from the Screening webpage: https://sa.uca.org.au/safechurch/screening/

Power and Healthy Communities: Code of Ethics refresher sessions 2021-22. For upcoming dates please see the Events Calendar located at: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/. Don’t delay in booking into either the online or face-to-face sessions.

Murray Bridge Uniting Church is hosting the following training session over the weekend of the 4^th and 5^th of June.

Saturday, 4^th June, 9:30am-4.00pm ‘Through their eyes: safe environments for children and young people.’ For all church leaders and volunteers to understand their legal obligations for reporting concerns of children and young people.
Sunday, 5^th June, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm ‘Called to Care’ is an awareness session for key leaders and members of church councils to explore and consider best practice for creating a safe place.

Registration of attendance is required in advance for both sessions. Bookings close 31^st May, 2022. Register at this link: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

Naracoorte Uniting Church is hosting the following training sessions on Saturday 25^th June:

9:00am-12.00noon ‘Through Their Eyes: safe environments for children and young people.’ Refresher for all church leaders and volunteers to understand their legal obligations for reporting concerns of children and young people who have participated in this training before.
00-4.00pm ‘Called to Care’ is an awareness session for key leaders and members of church councils to explore and consider best practice for creating a safe place.

Registration of attendance is required in advance for both sessions. Bookings close 21st June, 2022.
To book: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

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Yamaha E75 electronic organ for sale

A top of the range Yamaha E75 electronic organ is full sale. It includes two full keyboards, foot-pedals and multiple stops and is in perfect condition with a beautiful tone. Work manuals and two cartons of music books included (deceased estate). $1000 or nearest offer. Contact Janet on 0422 217 486. CDs and vinyl records of organ music also available give away/donation.

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Book Launch

You are invited to be present at a launch of the biography of the remarkable life and times of the Reverend Victor Henry Goldney (1891-1972), at Walkerville Uniting Church on Sunday 22^nd May from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Download the flyer for more information.

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Artist in Residence Week

Find your voice and strengthen the ties between us during a week-long Artist in Residence event at St Andrew’s in Glenelg. Tasmanian singer/songwriter John Coleman and Melbournian art therapist Jenny Batten will guide us in singing, song writing and community building. 15^th – 22^ndMay, various events and times. Refer to the website for details https://www.standrewsuc.org.au/ and booking information or contact Christine Gilbert on (08) 8295 1771. A balm for the COVID weary.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 3rd May 2022

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

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