News, Notices & Prayer points - 10th October 2023

Posted Oct 10, 2023 in News

News & Notices – 10th October 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 10th October 2023 edition of UC e-News

Prayer Points

We pray:

For the people of Palestine and Israel, and the terrible violence that has occurred over the last few days – may God’s peace and comfort be with all peoples during this painful and difficult time
For those killed and injured by the recent earthquake in Afghanistan
For those in our community living with the scars and trauma of violence from war and disaster.

Facing Fears in Pastoral Encounters

Fear is important. It can keep us alive when faced with real threats. It can also be disabling and prevent us from doing the things we need to in our life and ministry. The following course is based on a survey of active ministry agents who have shared their fears in facing pastoral encounters and their means of overcoming them.

It is suitable for ministers, pastors, pastoral care-givers and chaplains who want to examine what holds them back, and explore ways forward.

This unique opportunity will be facilitated by Rev Dr Stephen Robinson who is National Disaster Recovery Officer with the Uniting Church in Australia. Stephen’s particular interest is in the care of ministry agents in disaster and healthy integration with local ministry in recovery. He has many years of experience supporting ministers and others who are offering pastoral care to others, while often going through a tough time themselves.

Thursday 12^th October 2023

10:00am start over morning tea. Lunch provided. Finish by 4:00pm.

Venue: Uniting Church Synod Office, Level 2/212 Pirie Street

Zoom available on request

RSVP to Gill Morel Turn on Javascript! or 08 8236 4204.

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Being an Intergenerational Church

Recently the Uniting Church released its vision for an Intergenerational Church, a Church where every generation is engaged together in active discipleship, growing and sharing faith in Jesus, a Church for all ages where faith and discipleship is encouraged, equipped, and expressed intergenerationally. More than just a set of nice words, the new Assembly document, Being an Intergenerational Church, comprises an expression of commitment, a statement of vision, an invitation to act and resources to explore. For individuals, teams, congregations, church councils, presbyteries and Synods, this resource equips all for the challenge of being the genuinely intergenerational church we are called to be.

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Planting a New Future

UnitingWorld is conducting a campaign to help families in Maluku and Timor-Leste to support communities to grow their own food. UnitingWorld is currently seeking donations to support a project to end hunger in Maluku and Timor-Leste. So far $40,000 has been raised in just over a month, they are halfway to their goal. For further information and to donate click here: Food crisis in Maluku and Timor-Leste (unitingworld.org.au).

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Care for Creation: A Wellspring and Iona Listening Pilgrimage

The Wellspring Community, Australia and the Iona Community, Scotland are enabling dialogue between First Nations and Celtic voices on the issue of Caring for Creation. The events are taking place on Country from Boorooloo (Perth) to Meanjin (Brisbane), across most states and territories from late September to the end of October. Several Uniting Churches are involved. For all details go to https://wellspring-community.com/events-1. Enquiries to: Turn on Javascript!.

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Congregational Resource on the Voice

A two-page resource explains why the Uniting Church supports the change, a position informed by our covenant commitment with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and our Christian call to work for practical and meaningful change that ensures all can live life abundantly.

The resource includes:

Simple information on why a Voice is needed, how it will work and how it will make a difference
Connections to our Covenant with UAICC
A section on 'what the Bible says'
Helpful starting points for a conversation.

Here is the link to the Assembly webpage, A Voice to Parliament in 2 pages - Uniting Church Australia and click here to download, print and share in your community!

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Awareness raising sessions on the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament

A group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous advocates for The Voice at Pilgrim Uniting Church are available to run an engaging workshop on the topic at your church or in your community.

The session can be either 45 minutes or 60 minutes and starts with a Welcome to Country by a Kaurna elder who is a member of the Pilgrim Church. Originally, designed to engage people of all faiths and cultures, the group has also run successful workshops with Pilgrim UC communities. The workshops cover the background to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for a Voice to Parliament and engages participants in reflecting their own understandings about the topic. Importantly, participants can also document any questions or arguments against the proposed constitutional change which they might have heard so that responses can be discussed.

The workshop presenters of these sessions would prefer to meet with representatives from interested groups to make sure that the session can be tailored to your needs. Contacts: Marelle Harisun, email; Turn on Javascript! or Uncle Allen Edwards Snr Turn on Javascript!.

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Grant Opportunity

Alexandrina Council Grants Program

The Alexandrina Council Grants Program has opened a round of grants from 1^st August 2023 – 30^th April 2024 and categories include: Youth Sponsorship Program; Community Events Grant; Heritage Grant; and Creative Community Grant. Information sessions and grant details are available at this link: Alexandrina Grants Program | Alexandrina Council.

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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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Code of Ethics Dates 2023

The dates for both face-to-face and online refreshers of the Code of Ethics in 2023 have now been set as follows:

All ministry agents who are either in placement, awaiting placement or providing supply are expected to complete a refresher session each year.

Bookings for the first 3 courses can be accessed at this link: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au)

Bookings opening soon:

17 October Online 1.30pm to 4.00pm

26 October Online 9:30am to 12.00pm

30 November Rosefield UC - 1.00pm to 4.00pm.

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MediaCom – A New Church Year

Just 4 days remaining for MediaCom’s early order discount for Year B. Listing of publications relating to Lectionary Year B can be found here.

Please use the code: yearb23.

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Spring Fair

Dernancourt Uniting Church is holding a spring fair on Saturday 21^st of October from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. Sausage sizzle, morning team pancakes, plants, books, cakes/produce and children’s activities. For further information please call the church office on 08 8369 0802.

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (Serc)

SERC is delighted to have presented to the South-West Fleurieu Congregations at the Synod 2023 the Ecumenical Award of $600 and congratulate them on the various activities they are involved in with other denominations in their region. The award is given to a congregation each year that has done most to foster ecumenical relations within their local community and SERC is grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Award. SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2024 award, either in writing or electronically which should be received by the secretary, Don Hopgood 19 Ray Ave, Morphett Vale 5162. Turn on Javascript!. No later than April 30^th 2024. Use words and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.

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Community Garden Open Day and Spring Market

Spring Market at Seacliff Uniting Church Community Garden, under the pine tree, Wheatland Street, Seacliff. Saturday, 28^th October 2023, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm. Check out the flourishing community garden, with plants for sale, Christmas gifts and decorations for early-bird shoppers, Stash Buster table with fabrics, yarn, vintage patterns etc. delicious cakes, biscuits, jams and produce. Barbecue and coffee van, with eftpos available. For more information contact Maureen Howland on email at: Turn on Javascript!.

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