News, Notices & Prayer points - 11 May 2021

Posted May 11, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 11 May 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 11th May edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

All people are asked to take a moment and to reflect and pray for the people of India and Bangladesh in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Called by God 2

More than 50 people gathered in Adelaide recently for the 2021 President's Conference, Called by God 2.

Over four days, the conference weaved together worship, theological reflection, panel conversations and deep personal sharing to highlight the joy of 'every member ministry.’

At the close of the Conference, President Dr Deidre Palmer said: ‘We are all called, like those first disciples, to respond to the radical call of Jesus on our lives – to be part of a movement of the Holy Spirit. We are called to participate in God’s mission of love, justice, peace and abundance.’ For more information visit: https://uniting.church/a-calling-for-all-gods-people/

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Act2 Reflection Continues

As the responses are gathered and considered from the Act2 survey, a series continues of contributions from around the church reflecting on the shape of the future. To hear from Dr Catherine Pepper, please visit: https://uniting.church/dreams-for-the-future/

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award

The Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) invites congregations who have been involved in Ecumenical activities within their local community to submit a brief of their activity to SERC. This can be via a written report with photographs, video, or whatever creative presentation you would like to make.

This award has been agreed to by Synod with $600 included in the SERC budget. Certificates will be presented to all applicants. The closing date is 17^th September, 2021 and the award will be presented at a future Synod meeting.

Please submit applications to Don Hopgood Turn on Javascript! or Velvy Holden at Turn on Javascript! or mail to SERC c/o 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162.

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Urgent Call for Volunteers

Frontier Services is building an emergency response team to assist with a clean-up operation following Tropical Cyclone Seroja in WA and they need as many 'boots on the ground' as possible. Help spread the word or sign up to volunteer! Call 1300 787 247 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA Chaplaincy Training

The next 2-day training opportunity for volunteer chaplains will be held on Tuesday 22^nd and Wednesday 23^rd June at Seacliff Uniting Church. Chaplains are trained to provide pastoral and spiritual support to those affected by disasters in the wider community as part of the State Emergency Management Plan. Further information is available at: https://sa.uca.org.au/disaster-and-recovery-ministries/

To book please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/BQFNA

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CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021

This survey will inform a project which aims to resource Congregations/Presbyteries/ Agencies/Synod in shaping Action Plans for the Church as it continues to be a multicultural and cross-cultural Church with three identified foci of Synod Strategic Priorities 2021-2025:

Understand Who We Are as UCA
Create Local Connections
Support Ministries on the Margins.

The survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can access further information and the survey at this link.

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PreachFest – South Australian Hub

PreachFest is a 3-day festival created to inspire and enliven the craft, art and vocation of preaching across Australia and the Uniting College will become an SA hub for this event.

From the 1^st – 3^rd June 2021, you can attend Preachfest at the College with tickets available from: https://events.sa.uca.org.au/uclt/preachfest.

3-day tickets are $25 pp and single day tickets are $10 pp (morning and afternoon refreshments are included).

For more information email Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4265.

More information is also available at this link: https://ume.nswact.uca.org.au/calendar/preachfest-2021/

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2021 Break The Silence Sunday (BTSS)

At the Special South Australian Synod meeting held on 9 February, 2019, it was agreed to adopt the fourth Sunday of April every year (or another suitable Sunday) for ‘Break The Silence Sunday’ (BTSS). Congregations are encouraged to explore, within the context of worship, how the voice of survivors from gender-based violence may be heard, honoured, and their pain acknowledged. As the date for this year, 25 April, fell on ANZAC Day, it is suggested the 16th May be an alternate BTSS date. A video will be prepared and uploaded closer to the May date and will be available on the Synod YouTube channel for your use in congregations and groups. In the meantime, you might start preparing the service with the 2021 BTSS Worship Guide which is available at this link.

For further information, visit: https://sa.uca.org.au/justice-advocacy/peace/break-the-silence

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White Pages Directory – Metropolitan Edition

Metropolitan congregations are asked to check that their current listing in the White Pages Directory is up-to-date. For enquiries or changes, please either call Chris on (08) 8236 4200 or email changes to Turn on Javascript!.

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Winter Retreat, 18-19 June, Nunyara

The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts is holding a Creative Winter Retreat for artists in June. A time for creative community, writers, visual and performing artists to be tucked away in the Adelaide Hills to practise your craft and to be inspired. Reconnect with your inner artist and be spiritually nurtured in this retreat. You have the option of a full overnight retreat, commencing Friday evening, or a day-only retreat from 9.00am-5.00pm on Saturday. Sean Gilbert and Sharonne Price will be leading the retreat. For speaker bios, program and registration information visit cmla.org.au.

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Invigor8 Children, Youth and Family Ministry Conference

On Saturday, 22^nd May from 9.30 am – 4.00 pm, join a hub near you for a fantastic day of training and networking across denominations, featuring top speakers and electives. Brought to you by Children’s Ministry Network SA in cooperation with ‘Amplify’ Conference, Queensland. Tickets are $15. Register by Monday, 17^th May. For more information, including hub locations visit: https://events.sa.uca.org.au/mission-resourcing/invigor8-2021

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SA History Festival – Pilgrim Uniting Church Archive Guided Tours

Hidden behind stone walls in Flinders Street, is a long-forgotten history and a present-day wonder, the Pilgrim Uniting Church. The church sprung from the colony of South Australia’s early beginnings in 1837. Guided tours in May are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Please book by phoning (08) 8212 3295 or email Turn on Javascript!. An archived history exhibition is open Monday to Friday 12.00 – 2.00 pm and Sunday services.

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Safe Church Training

A full day ‘Through their Eyes – Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect’ is being offered on Saturday, 29^th May at Playford Uniting Church. To see more details and to book visit: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

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Music on Flinders – Summer Series

Spring into toe-tapping Music on Flinders at lunchtime on Monday, May 17^th from 12.30 pm – 1.00 pm, featuring Kylie Brice. Kylie will be performing under the trees with full audio set-up. She will perform her original songs and has a reputation for warming the hearts of young and old listeners alike with her emotional honesty and catchy melodies. Listen to Kylie’s debut EP ‘Broken and Beautiful’ here: https://kyliebricemusic.com/lyrics/

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Sally Stamp

The Stamp Group is thrilled to be able to meet back in the Church Office after almost 12 months working from their homes so that they could keep earning funds to help Mission projects. This year they have already donated $1,700+ to South Pacific School Aid Inc to send pallets to Tonga which have been really appreciated. Please keep the stamps coming, plus any stamp collections no longer required. Contact: Maxine Haines – Convenor, email: Turn on Javascript! or phone: 0427 972417.

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Are you a Man who likes to sing?

Come and join The Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia. The benefits include: adding to physical, social and mental well-being; and it is also great fun! A well-established and highly credentialed choir, rehearsing in Adelaide and performing concerts in Adelaide, Regional Areas, Interstate and Overseas. Registered as a not-for-profit and supporter of many worthy causes – you will be assured of a very warm welcome and great mateship. Visit www.mmcsa.org or call 0401 204 634.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 4 May 2021, which includes updates about: