News, Notices & Prayer points - 12 April 2022

Posted Apr 12, 2022 in News

News & Notices – 12 April 2022

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 12th April 2022 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

For the people of Afghanistan and the people of Ukraine and all communities struggling against violence and oppression
For leaders and members of the reconvened 16^th Assembly meeting as they prepare to gather in person next month
For refugees around the world and those seeking asylum in Australia and other countries, that they might find safety, welcome and freedom from violence and conflict.

What do you think about Christianity?

An open microphone opportunity for people to share their perceptions of Christianity in a safe place for honest and open dialogue. Bring along a perception, topic or issue about Christianity that you have picked up from your life experience. No subject off limits. Tuesday, 19^th, April, 2022 at Scots Church Hall, 237 North Terrace, Adelaide from 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm. Light refreshments will be available. For more information or to book (for catering purposes) call: 0409 178 465.

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Afghan Culture Association of South Australia

Afghanistan is currently the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with the Taliban taking power in August 2021, plunging Afghans deeper into poverty and famine. Decades of conflict, exacerbated by external factors including the global pandemic, economic collapse, and severe drought, have left 55% of the population in famine and another nine million Afghans risking starvation. Due to the sanctions imposed on the government in Afghanistan for not having a legitimate government, Afghans living in Afghanistan are at continued risk of acute hunger and famine.

Afghan Culture Association of South Australia is collecting donations to help those in need. Through your donations we will be able to buy them basic necessities such as rice legumes, oil, and teas. We thank you in advance for your generous donations. For further information, please contact the President of Afghan Culture Association SA on 0414535077 and Turn on Javascript!

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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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April Refugee Advocacy Guide

The April Refugee Advocacy Guide has been developed in collaboration with the Synod Refugee Advocacy Group and UCA Assembly and is designed to provide justice supporters and congregations with updates on current Refugee issues including:

UCAs response to the Federal Budget: What it means for Refugees and What We Can Do?
UCA Federal Election Resource on Safety for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

You can download the guide at this link: Refugee Advocacy Guide-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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Surrender Tarntanya:22 Events

Surrender invites you to a ‘Justice Afternoon Tea’ to gather with justice-oriented leaders from ministries and churches around Adelaide to hear from Nic Mackay (National Director of NAYBA) as he shares about the challenge of pursuing justice while acknowledging our own personal limits. Marion Church of Christ, Alawoona Avenue, Mitchell Park on 22^nd April at 3.00 pm.

'A Night of Community, Climate Justice and Communion' also at Marion Church of Christ on 22^nd April from 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm.

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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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L’Arche Adelaide Quarterly Newsletter

L'Arche is an international federation of faith-based communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live together in a mutuality of care. L'Arche Adelaide has recently launched our first community house and appointed our first community leader. You are welcome to contact them for more information about their community. The newsletter is available at this link.

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COVID Update

From Saturday 12th March, the South Australian government has implemented changes to some COVID restrictions. Those that relate to churches are:

All density requirements have been lifted, for all venues, including private homes:

Dancing permitted
Singing permitted.

A reminder that the following easing of restrictions was announced on 25th February:

Buffets are now permitted. This means that morning teas / dinners etc,, can be self-service, with shared plates/ platters of food.

Please note the following restrictions that continue to apply to church activities:

Masks are required to be worn by attendees at all times, including when singing, except when eating or drinking
COVID Safe measures: QR check in, COVID Marshal, hand sanitising, frequent cleaning.

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information 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. Register at this link: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

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Synod Meeting 2022

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.

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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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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2022 Lent Resource: Daily Prayer and Action Guide Calendar – now available

A Lenten prayer and action guide has been developed and is designed to help individuals and congregations take time to learn, lament, repent, advocate, and to take concrete steps to transforming justice of God for coming reconciliation and renewal of the whole of creation. Drawing on the Uniting Church’s Our Vision for a Just Australia statement, this 4-page guide provides links to prayers, campaigns, and resources for raising awareness and taking action. You can download the guide at this link.

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

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 5th April 2022

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

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