News, Notices & Prayer points - 12th December 2023
Posted in News
News & Notices – 12th December 2023
Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 12th December 2023 edition of UC e-News
Prayer Points
We pray:
- For the human rights of all peoples in all nations, especially as we recently marked International Human Rights day
- For the end of another school year, we give thanks for all young people, especially Year 12 graduates at this time
- For our brave firefighters and emergency service members who keep our communities safe during difficult weather conditions and seasons.
Synod Office/Uniting College Closed
The Synod office at 212 Pirie Street and the Brooklyn Park Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (UCLT) campus will be closed on Friday, 15th December for the Staff Christmas Party. The UC Invest office will also be unattended this Friday.
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Pancake Day 2024
Shrove Tuesday and pancake days are wonderful opportunities to come together, enjoy delicious food, and contribute to a meaningful cause. The idea is ‘flipping for a cause’ on Shrove Tuesday to raise funds for those in need.
For anyone interested in hosting a pancake day in 2024 or helping spread the word, please register via the QR Code on the poster. You can download the poster here.
May your communities come together, enjoy some delicious pancakes, and contribute to making a positive difference in the lives of those who need support.
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Belair Uniting Church
It is heartwarming to hear about the generosity and kindness of the congregation at Belair Uniting Church. Their donations of food for UnitingCare's Emergency Relief Centre in North Adelaide will undoubtedly make a significant impact on those who are facing challenges in making ends meet. In addition, the dedication of the team from Wrap with Love at Belair Uniting Church in knitting blankets for UnitingCare Emergency Relief Centres is truly admirable. These blankets not only provide physical warmth but also offer a sense of comfort and care to those who are experiencing homelessness. The ongoing support and beautiful donations from Wrap with Love showcase the compassionate spirit of the community, and it is clear that their efforts are making a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
A heartfelt thank you to the congregation at Belair Uniting Church. Their continuous efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and their contributions are a shining example of the power of community and compassion.
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International Day of Disabled Persons – Video Series
The theme of this year’s International Day of Disabled Persons was ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’
The Synod Task Group (STG) into the Disability Royal Commission highlighted this day as a time where we can focus on making our congregations, services and offices more accessible, inclusive and fairer for people with disabilities.
The STG has produced a series of short videos to assist people in thinking about how they can be proactive in supporting people with disabilities. Bruce Ind, Chair of the STG, and one of its members Rev Peter McDonald have been instrumental in developing these videos. The emphasis in the videos is to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience comes through as well as the interests of carers and community organisations.
The videos are now available on the Synod website at this link: UCA SA - UnitingCare SA
More videos will follow in the coming weeks.
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Summary of Review of Missional Needs & Opportunities
Earlier this year the Mission & Leadership Development Board (MLDB) commissioned AngelWings to conduct a review of the missional needs and opportunities in the SA Synod to inform their decisions on how to best fulfill their mandate over the next 5-10 years. That review is 38 pages, and was not intended to be a public document, as it contains information and recommendations pertaining to specific roles, programs, and personnel that may have implications for people’s positions. However there is much in it that is beneficial for the whole Synod, so the MLDB have prepared a summary which can be read here.
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2024 Calendars
2024 Uniting Church Calendar orders remain open until January next year. The Calendar celebrates food and hospitality from across the church – including different congregations, faith communities and organisations from around the Uniting Church in South Australia. We extend our sincere thanks to all those involved who submitted photographs and recipes for the Calendar this year. If you would like to order the 2024 Calendar, please visit this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/engagement/calendar
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Moderator’s Christmas Video
The Moderator’s Christmas message with the theme ‘Joy, Hope, Peace, and Love’ is available for download from the Christmas resources page of the Synod website and can be viewed together with other resources at this link: UCA SA - Christmas 2023.
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Being an Intergenerational Church: Papers
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.
Part of an ongoing project, this series of twelve short, free, downloadable papers has emerged to assist the church in being and becoming more intentionally intergenerational. They are available for all those who share the dream of a more intergenerational church – a church comprised of lifelong followers of Jesus, of all ages, caring, praying, celebrating, learning and serving faith-fully together. Titles include…
Intergenerational Discipleship
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Everything in Common Christmas gift catalogue
UnitingWorld's Everything in Common Christmas gift catalogue is now available! It’s filled with gifts that fight poverty through health, education, leadership and income opportunities. There are gifts like goats, pigs, clean water, schoolbooks, kitchen gardens, small business training and disability support and lots more! And a new set of Christmas cards. You can browse the full range of life-changing gifts for all budgets at this link: www.everythingincommon.com.au
Everything in Common gifts are a great way to make a difference in the world as well as share the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christmas season.
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Grant Opportunities
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is pleased to advise that Environmental Grant applications opened on 4th December 2023 and close on Friday 29th March 2024. The Environmental Grants Program encourages environmental project initiatives that will protect and enhance the sustainability and environment of the local area. More information on how to apply and guidelines for project funding can be found here.
Expand Together grants
Multicultural Grants Program 2024-25 currently has Expand Together funding open to support our multicultural communities.
The Expand Together grants assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Expand Together Grants of up to $100,000 are available to multicultural organisations for projects to be delivered over 12 months, commencing July 2024.
Applications for Round 1 are open now and close 11pm, 14th January 2024.
Online application forms and guidelines are available at www.multicultural.sa.gov.au.
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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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MediaCom
MediaCom advises that it closes for Christmas at 4.00 pm, 18th December and will return at 9.00 am 10th January 2024. A letter advertising Lent, Easter 2024 resources will be circulated before the end-of-year closure and MediaCom invites early orders for distribution when the office resumes.
MediaCom Board and staff thank you for your support throughout 2023. May you find blessings in the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas.
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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC)
SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2024 award. The award is given each year to a congregation 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. Submissions can be made 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 30th 2024. Use words and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.
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CMLA Facebook Discussion Group
The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts is now hosting a Facebook group for conversation about creative arts, music and liturgy, and it is open to UCA SA leaders and members. To join, please go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmlasa and request to join.
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Adelaide Women’s Prison Request
The activities officers at The Adelaide Women’s Prison have requested 8 ply acrylic to enable women to continue with their knitting and crotcheting program. They made poppies for remembrance day recently to raise money for legacy. The women also require polyester filling for the toys. All toys made are donated to various charities.
A ball of acrylic is a wonderful gift as it enables creativity, the learning of new skills and the gift of giving to others. Donations can be brought to the Semaphore Uniting Church Op Shop. Tuesday - Saturday – between 10.00 am – 3.00 pm until Saturday, 23rd December. It re-opens 9th January.
Thanks are extended for past donations which have been very much appreciated. The women are creating beauty in an austere environment. Would you like to support this Spiritual Well-being Program? Rev Frances is a volunteer chaplain at the prison most Wednesdays and will deliver the wool and polyester filling. She is contactable on 0407687311.
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Retirement a Rewarding Time
The ONECOTA summer edition has a lead article about tips for a happy retirement. ‘It is important to avoid social isolation and grow your friendships and connections.’ The Uniting Church History Centre at Black Forest is open on Wednesday afternoon and volunteers assist and share their skills and interest in family and local history. Enquire about joining in 2024 as the History Centre continues to encourage churches to their stories.
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Can you help – Carols booklets needed?
Geranium Community Carols Night is seeking to borrow some carols booklets that they need to borrow for their Christmas Eve service. They need 50 or more if available. If you or your congregation have some Carols Booklets that you don’t need this Christmas, they would be very grateful to borrow them. Please contact Margaret Smith on 0427877534 or email: Turn on Javascript!.
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Sally Stamp
Every Monday morning a small group of volunteers meet at the Synod Office to collect and sort stamps which have been received from Fellowships and Businesses around South Australia.
This year, 2023 we generated $6,167.50 and donated $3,710.68 to South Pacific School Aid (freight for schoolbooks and aids to Pacific Islands); $1,000 to Frontier Services (Outback Pastors) and $1,000 to the Grove Uniting Church, Woodville Gardens (Kids Craft Club).
Please consider asking local businesses to save their stamps; doctor’s surgeries are one of the best sources of stamp! Any donations of private collections no longer required are gratefully received.
Sally Stamp asks that people continue to send stamps to the Uniting Church Synod Office, Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. Pick-up can sometimes be arranged.
For more information, please contact Maxine Haines (Convenor). Phone: 0427 972 417 or email: Turn on Javascript!.
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Australian Hymn Books to give away
Newland Port Elliot Uniting Church (Victor Harbor) has surplus Australian Hymn Boos to give away. Email enquiries to: Turn on Javascript! or phone Wayne on 0431 663 560.
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