News, Notices & Prayer points - 10 November 2020

Posted Nov 10, 2020 in News

News & Notices – 10 November 2020

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

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Prayer Points for the week

We pray for the American people as they transition to a new President and that this may be a peaceful and healing time for their nation
We pray for our sisters and brothers in the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, especially during NAIDOC week
We pray for our Pastors/Clergy as they continue to minister through challenging times
We pray for frontline medical professionals, ambulance, CFS, police and all involved in our local communities
We pray for our families, especially those separated due to the impact of COVID.

Synod Meeting 11-13 February 2021

Registrations have been sent out to members for the Synod Meeting in February 2021. Please register at your earliest convenience and be sure to check your spam folder if you have not yet received the email and believe you should have. If you have any questions about membership of Synod, please contact us by emailing Turn on Javascript!. For more information about what happens at our Synod meeting we invite you to view this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txW2vX1hMJ4

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New podcast to highlight forgotten veterans

A new podcast series reveals new details about the conditions forgotten veterans experienced during World War II. The veterans shared their stories with My Life At War, a new six-part podcast series. These valuable stories will disappear with these courageous veterans and so the last year has been spent collecting their stories for this six-part podcast. To recognise and give voice to our unsung heroes, Uniting (NSW/ACT) has created an inspiring podcast series featuring interviews from veterans, most of whom are currently living in Uniting residential aged care facilities. Over six weeks, the My Life at War podcast features veterans sharing their experiences from the time the war was declared, through conflicts abroad and on our shores and life after the guns fell silent. More information and the link to the podcast is available at the following link: https://www.insights.uca.org.au/new-podcast-to-highlight-forgotten-veterans/

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KCO keeping its distance for 2021

By November each year, preparations behind the scenes have usually begun for the following year’s KCO. A theme would have been chosen, a design created and promotional materials printed so that at the end-of-year Synod meeting KCO would be launched. Unfortunately this is not happening.

Due to changing requirements around COVID-19, there will be no KCO in 2021. We understand the disappointment that both children and leaders may have about this decision. If you would like to host a local church day or multi-day discipleship event for children and are looking for some assistance, please make contact. It may be helpful to note that, early next year we hope to launch a library of intergenerational ministry resources, primarily made up of items used at KCO for churches to use.

As we are not planning for KCO 2021 we have some time to take stock of where things are at, including costs, attendance and volunteer numbers, and most importantly to consider how we can best meet the discipleship needs of young people across our Synod. If you would like to contribute to the conversation, please contact us: email Mark Schultz Turn on Javascript! or Melissa Neumann Turn on Javascript!.

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Operation Santa: Calling all youth groups!

Join us as we shop, shop, shop to buy presents for young people doing it tough this Christmas.

The Operation Santa Youth Event is an opportunity for youth groups to start the conversation around disadvantage and the gift of giving through the work of UnitingCare community service organisations.

Friday 27th November from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Target Centrepoint (parking available).

Please let Julianne (Turn on Javascript!) or on 8236 4233 know that you are coming. For more information visit: https://sa.uca.org.au/opsanta/

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2021 Calendar and Christmas Postcard Update

Orders for the 2021 Uniting Church in SA Calendar at the price of $4.00 per Calendar have now closed. Orders can still be placed for the Calendar but the price has increased to $8.00 each.

This year, only online orders will be accepted, please click here to be taken to the Calendar online ordering page.

We thank all that have placed Postcard orders, and advise that these are also now closed.

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Christmas service details

All congregations and faith communities are invited to share their Christmas service and event details on the Synod of SA website (sa.uca.org.au/Christmas-2020). Please list the service dates, times, locations and titles (e.g. Blue Christmas, Carols Service etc.) and email them to the Engagement team at Turn on Javascript!.

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Rural Communities Grant

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program aims to give thousands of small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs. Given the events of summer 2019/20, it has also been expanded to offer funding to support recovery in bushfire-affected communities.

The program criteria are deliberately flexible, and designed to be able to help communities address different needs and opportunities.

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. A broad range of charitable projects are considered under this program, including:

Delivering or providing activities, events, programs and services
Purchasing or hiring equipment and materials
Community infrastructure projects
Organisational capacity building
Community resource development.

There are two funding streams: Small and Vital (up to $10,000) and Bushfire Recovery (up to $25,000). Program guidelines and timelines can be found here: https://www.frrr.org.au/grants/Strengthening_Rural_Communities

For more information, contact: Malcolm Wilson (Grants and Historical Records Officer) at Turn on Javascript! or call (08) 8236 4206.

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COVID – Intergenerational Ministry Grants 2020

The Intergen Team (Mission Resourcing, Synod of SA) is inviting applications for grants to encourage and resource age-specific and intergenerational ministries with children, youth and young adults to flourish as we move into 2021.

It is hoped that this grant process will create opportunities for local ministries to be thinking ‘outside the box’ about how they are forming young people to follow Jesus resiliently in everyday life; and how they are looking to share the message of Jesus beyond their church and with young people in the wider community.

For more information about key criteria and the application process, please download the application form: https://sa.uca.org.au/documents/intergen-docs/resources/2020-Intergen-Ministry-Grant-Application-Form.pdf

Applications close 5pm Monday 23rd November 2020.

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Training Aboriginal Christian Leaders (TACL) Morning Tea

During NAIDOC Week 2020, you are invited to attend a morning of networking with Christian leaders and to learn about TACLs ministry.

Friday 13^th November, 10.30am at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Brooklyn Park).

RSVP required to Ian Dempster on 0417 217 320 or email Turn on Javascript!.

Uncle Nelson Varcoe’s new song-book and CD Gift of Music will be available for purchase at the event for the special price of $15 (RRP $29.95).

The invitation can be downloaded here.

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NAIDOC Week 2020: 8-15 November

The Uniting Church website is hosting stories and worship resources that celebrate First Peoples' God-given relationship with the land for a rescheduled NAIDOC Week. Dr Deidre Palmer and Rev Mark Kickett have recorded a special encouragement to UCA members to mark this important week.